62 Prayers and Meditations.
time looked into the Maccabees, and read a chapter containing the question, Which is the strongest ? x I think in Esdras.
In the afternoon of Easter day, I read Pococke's commentary 2 .
I have this last week scarcely tried to read, nor have I read any thing this day.
I have had my mind weak and disturbed for some weeks past.
Having missed Church in the morning I went this evening, and afterwards sat with Southwel 3 .
Having not used the prayer 4 , except on the day of com munion ; I will offer it this night, and hope to find mercy. On this day little has been done and this is now the last hour. In life little has been done, and life is very far advanced. Lord, have mercy upon me.
98.
I 773>/^- !> mane i. 33.
Almighty God, by whose mercy my life has been yet prolonged to another year, grant that thy mercy may not be vain. Let not my years be multiplied to encrease my guilt, but as age advances, let me become more pure in my thoughts, more regular in my desires, & more obedient to thy laws 5 . Let not the cares of the world distract me, nor the evils of age overwhelm me. But continue and encrease thy loving kindness towards me, and when thou shalt call me hence, receive me to everlasting happi ness, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
99.
GOOD FRIDAY, April g, 1773.
On this day I went twice to Church and Boswel was with me 6 . I had forborn to attend Divine Service for some time in the
1 'The first [of three young men 1677-91. 'At the time when John- that were of the guard that kept son's pension was granted to him he the king's body] wrote, Wine is the said, with a noble literary ambition, strongest. "Had this happened twenty years
The second wrote, The king is the ago I should have gone to Constan-
strongest. tinople to learn Arabick as Pococke
The third wrote, Women are did." ' Life, iv. 27.
strongest : but above all things 3 Letters, i. 205, n. 3.
Truth beareth away the victory.' 4 Ante, p. 53.
I Esdras iii. 10. 5 Quoted in the Life, iv. 397.
2 Edward Pococke's Commentary 6 ' On the 9th of April, being Good on Micah, Malachi, Hosea and Joel, Friday, I breakfasted with him on
winter,
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