I saw at the Sacrament a man meanly dressed, whom I have always seen there at Easter.
Easter Day.
Against loose Thoughts and Idleness.
April 22, 1764, at 3 morning.
Almighty and most merciful Father, who hast created and preserved me, have pity on my weakness and corruption. Deliver me from habitual wickedness and idleness; enable me to purify my thoughts, to use the faculties which thou hast given me with honest diligence, and to regulate my life by thy holy word.
Grant me, O Lord, good purposes and steady resolution, that I may repent my sins, and amend my life. Deliver me from the distresses of vain terrour, and enable me, by thy grace, to will and to do what may please thee; that when I shall be called away from this present state, I may obtain everlasting happiness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sept. 18, 1764, about 6 evening.
This is my fifty-sixth birth-day, the day on which I have
concluded fifty-five years.
I have outlived many friends. I have felt many sorrows. I have made few improvements. Since my resolution formed last Easter, I have made no advancement in knowledge or in goodness; nor do I recollect that I have endeavoured it. I am dejected, but not hopeless.
O God, for Jesus Christ's sake, have mercy upon me.
7 in the evening.
I went to church, prayed to be loosed from the chain of my
sins.
I have now spent fifty-five years in resolving; having from the earliest time almost that I can remember, been forming schemes of a better life. I have done nothing; the need of doing, therefore, is pressing, since the time of doing is short. O God, grant me to re-
