17th (Lord's day). Up very early, this being the last Sunday that the
Presbyterians are to preach, unless they read the new Common Prayer and
renounce the Covenant,

[On St. Bartholomew's day, August 24th, 1662, the Act of Uniformity
took effect, and about two hundred Presbyterian and Independent
ministers lost their preferments.]

and so I had a mind to hear Dr. Bates's farewell sermon, and walked
thither, calling first at my brother's, where I found that he is come home
after being a week abroad with Dr. Pepys, nobody knows where, nor I but by
chance, that he was gone, which troubles me. So I called only at the
door, but did not ask for him, but went to Madam Turner's to know whether
she went to church, and to tell her that I would dine with her; and so
walked to St. Dunstan's, where, it not being seven o'clock yet, the doors
were not open; and so I went and walked an hour in the Temple-garden,
reading my vows, which it is a great content to me to see how I am a
changed man in all respects for the better, since I took them, which the
God of Heaven continue to me, and make me thankful for. At eight o'clock
I went, and crowded in at a back door among others, the church being
half-full almost before any doors were open publicly; which is the first
time that I have done so these many years since I used to go with my
father and mother, and so got into the gallery, beside the pulpit, and
heard very well. His text was, "Now the God of Peace--;" the last
Hebrews, and the 20th verse: he making a very good sermon, and very little
reflections in it to any thing of the times. Besides the sermon, I was
very well pleased with the sight of a fine lady that I have often seen
walk in Graye's Inn Walks, and it was my chance to meet her again at the
door going out, and very pretty and sprightly she is, and I believe the