- piness. Grant this, O Lord, for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Our Father, &c.—The grace, &c.
May 6. I used this service, written April 24, 25, May 6, as preparatory to my return to life to-morrow.
[Greek: Makárioi hoi nekroi hoi en Kyriôi apothnêskontes aparti.] Apoc. xiv. 13.
April 26, 1752, being after 12 at night of the 25th.
O Lord, Governour of heaven and earth, in whose hands are embodied and departed spirits, if Thou hast ordained the souls of the dead to minister to the living, and appointed my departed wife to have care of me, grant that I may enjoy the good effects of her attention and ministration, whether exercised by appearance, impulses, dreams, or in any other manner agreeable to thy government; forgive my presumption, enlighten my ignorance, and, however meaner agents are employed, grant me the blessed influences of thy Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Before any new Study.
November.
Almighty God, in whose hands are all the powers of man; who givest understanding, and takest it away; who, as it seemeth good unto Thee, enlightenest the thoughts of the simple, and darkenest the meditations of the wise, be present with me in my studies and inquiries.
Grant, O Lord, that I may not lavish away the life which thou hast given me on useless trifles, nor waste it in vain searches after things which Thou hast hidden from me.
Enable me, by thy Holy Spirit, so to shun sloth and negligence, that every day may discharge part of the task which Thou hast allotted me; and so further with thy help that labour which, without thy help, must be ineffectual, that I may obtain, in all my undertakings, such success as will most promote thy glory, and the salvation of my own soul, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
