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 50 Prayers and Meditations.

which thou hast vouchsafed me. Most merciful Lord, if it seem good unto thee, compose my mind, and relieve my diseases ; enable me to perform the duties of my station, and so to serve thee, as that, when my hour of departure from this painful life shall be delayed no longer, I may be received to everlasting happiness, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord, without whose help all the purposes of man are vain, enable me to use such temperance as may heal my body, and strengthen my mind, and enable me to serve Thee. Grant this,

Lord, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. Who hast safely brought me to, &c.

80.

Sept. 19.

Yesterday, having risen from a disturbed and wearisome night,

1 was not much at rest the whole day. I prayed with the collect, to the beginning*) in the night and in the morning. At night I composed my prayer and wrote my reflection. Reviewing them I found them both weakly conceived and imperfectly ex pressed, and corrected the prayer this morning. I am glad that I have not omitted my annual practice. I hope that by rigid temperance, and moderate exercise I may yet recover. I used the prayer again at night, and am now to begin, by the per mission of God, my sixty first year.

81.

November 5, 1769.

Almighty God, merciful Father, whose providence is over all thy works, look down with pity upon the diseases of my body, and the perturbations of my mind. Give thy Blessing, O Lord, to the means which I shall use for my relief, and restore ease to my body, and quiet to my thoughts. Let not my remaining life be made useless by infirmities, neither let health, if thou shalt grant it, be employed by me in disobedience to thy laws ; but give me such a sense of my pains, as may humble me before thee ; and such remembrance of thy mercy as may produce honest industry, and holy confidence. And, O Lord, whether

1 Ante, p. 42, n. I.

Thou

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