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 36 Prayers and Meditations.

prevent wrongs, and terminate contentions ; and grant that I may use that knowledge which I shall attain, to thy glory and my own salvation, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

57.

Oct. 1765.

At church, Oct. 65 '.

To avoid all singularity 2 ; Bonaventura 3.

To come in before service, and compose my mind by medita tion, or by reading some portions of scripture. Tetty.

If I can hear the sermon, to attend it, unless attention be more troublesome than useful.

To consider the act of prayer as a reposal of myself upon God, and a resignation of all into his holy hand.

58.

Engaging in Politicks with H n 4.

Nov. 1765.

Almighty God, who art the Giver of all Wisdom, enlighten my understanding with knowledge of right, and govern my will by thy laws, that no deceit may mislead me, nor temptation corrupt me, that I may always endeavour to do good, and to hinder evil. Amidst all the hopes and fears of this world, take not thy Holy Spirit from me, but grant that my thoughts may be fixed on thee, and that I may finally attain everlasting happi ness, for Jesus Christs sake. Amen.

Endorsed. Prayer on Politicks, Nov. 65, No. 5 1 E.

59.

Jan. i, [1766] after two in the morning.

Almighty and most merciful Father, I again appear in thy presence the wretched mispender of another year which thy mercy has allowed me. O Lord let me not sink into total depravity, look down upon me, and rescue me at last from

1 Life, \. 500. person, who for his piety was named

a For Johnson's dislike of singu- the Seraphic Doctor. 1 BOSWELL. larity, see ib. ii. 74. 4 William Gerard Hamilton. For

'He was probably proposing to my note on the connexion between himself the model of this excellent him and Johnson, see Life, i. 518.

the

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