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 Enable me to shake off all impediments of lawful action, and so to order my life, that increase of days may produce increase of grace, of tranquillity of thought, and vigour in duty. Grant that my resolves may be effectual to a holy life, and a happy death, for Jesus Christs sake. Amen.

To morrow I purpose to regulate my room.

��54.

EASTER DAY, Apr. 7, 1765, about 3 in the morning.

I purpose again to partake of the blessed Sacrament, yet when I consider how vainly I have hitherto resolved at this annual commemoration of my Saviour's deathe, to regulate my life by his laws, I am almost afraid to renew my resolutions. Since the last Easter I have reformed no evil habits, my time has been unprofitably spent, and seems as a dream that has left nothing behind. My memory grows confused, and I know not how the days pass over me.

Good Lord deliver me x.

I will call upon God to morrow for repentance and amendment. O heavenly Father, let not my call be vain, but grant me to desire what may please thee, and fulfill those desires for Jesus Christs sake. Amen.

My resolutions, which God perfect, are,

1. to avoid loose thoughts.

2. to rise at eight every morning.

I hope to extend these purposes to other duties, but it is necessary to combat evil habits singly. I purpose to rise at eight because though I shall not yet rise early it will be much earlier than I now rise, for I often lye till two, and will gain me

1 The whole of this entry is quoted happen in the year 1764, or the hypo- in the Life, i. 487. chondriacal fit must have been very

Bos well, under date of 1764, says : short ; for he saw him in the spring,

' About this time Johnson was summer and winter of that year, and

afflicted with a very severe return never found him more cheerful or

of the hypochondriack disorder.' Id. conversible.' Anderson's Johnson, ed.

i. 483. On this Percy remarks that 1815, p. 300. The year of his attack

' he cannot believe this could possibly was probably 1766. Life, i. 521.

VOL. I. D much

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