��169.
Attgust i, 1784, Ashbourn.
O God, most merciful Father who by many diseases hast admonished me of my approach to the end of life, and by this gracious addition to my days hast given me an opportunity of appearing once more in thy presence to commemorate the sacrifice by which thy son Jesus Christ has taken away the sins of the world, assist me in this commemoration by thy Holy Spirit that I may look back upon the sinfulness of my life past with pious sorrow, and efficacious Repentance, J that my resolutions of amendment may be rightly formed and diligently exerted, that I may be freed from vain and useless scruples, and that I may serve thee with Faith, Hope, and Charity for the time which Thou shalt yet allow me, and finally be received to Everlasting Happiness for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
To work as I can.
To attempt a book of prayers.
To do good as occasion offers itself.
To review former resolutions.
At J may be mentioned /u. x^ awx-vo **-& M 1 .
170.
Aug. 12, 84.
Against inquisitive and perplexing thoughts 2 .
Lord, my Maker and Protector, who hast graciously sent
are not more afraid of death than abbreviations in Greek he wished to
men are.' JOHNSON. ' Because they secure secrecy, in case the prayer
are less wicked.' DR. ADAMS. ' They should fall into a stranger's hands,
are more pious.' JOHNSON. 'No, My friend Mr.W.R.Morfill, Reader
hang 'em, they are not more pious, of the Slavonic Languages and Litera-
A wicked fellow is the most pious ture in the University of Oxford, in-
when he takes to it. He'll beat you geniously conjectures that the first
all at piety.' Life, iv. 289. three entries are fu'Aaii/a x^*) > alvxpa
1 From the original in the posses- vor\\uara ; K( va ou\e v^ara melan- sion of Mr. Robert M c Cheane, 90 choly ; shameful thoughts ; vain re- Palace Gardens, London. solutions. His melancholy if he had
By the note which Johnson made indulged it, or if he had not taken the
at the word Repentance it is clear proper means to subdue it, he would
that he wished to recall certain have looked upon as sinful,
faults when he was using the prayer ; 2 Quoted in the Life, iv. 370. it is no less clear that in employing
me
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