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John Cotton, the maternal grandfather of Cotton Mather, an excellent scholar, formerly of Emmanuel college, and one of the first settlers in New England. One of his cotemporaries in New England (Mr. Xorton) if he found himself not so much inclined to diligence and study, as at other times, would reflect upon his heart and ways, lest some unobserved sin should provoke the Lord to give him up to a slothful listless frame and spirit. In his diary he sometimes had these words —‘Leve desiderium ad studendum: ponam ex peccato admisso.’ – If my desire to study is light, I will commit a sin. – Mather’s History of New England, Book iii.