xxiv

PREFACE TO THIS EDITION.

friend to which he might "open his griefs." He does not appear to have formed a close intimacy with any Christian minister. His associates were men of vastly inferior calibre to himself, and disposed rather to revere him as an idol of perfection, than to sympathise with, or aid him in his troubles and imperfections.

Much as we may admire many points of Johnson's character, yet it was not a perfect one. Had he followed out the Church system in detail, and been as good a Christian in practice as he was in theory, he would have been a happier, as well as a better man.

W. GRESLEY.

GOD, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Father of all mercies, I Thine unworthy servant do give Thee most humble thanks, for all Thy goodness and loving-kindness to me. I bless Thee for my creation, preservation, and redemption, for the knowledge of Thy Son JESUS CHRIST, for the means of grace and the hope of glory. In the days of childhood and youth, in the midst of weakness, blindness, and danger, Thou hast protected me; amidst afflictions of mind, body, and estate, Thou hast supported me; and amidst vanity and wickedness, Thou hast spared me. Grant, O merciful Father, that I may have a lively sense of Thy mercies. Create in me a

contrite heart, that I may worthily lament my sins, and acknowledge my wickedness, and obtain remission and forgiveness, through the satisfaction of JESUS CHRIST. And, O LORD, enable me, by Thy grace, to redeem the time which I have spent in sloth, vanity, and wickedness; to make use of Thy gifts to the honour of Thy Name; to lead a new life in thy faith, fear, and love; and finally to obtain everlasting life. Grant this, ALMIGHTY LORD, for the merits and through the mediation of our most holy and blessed SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST; to whom, with Thee and the HOLY GHOST, Three Persons and One God, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

Transcribed June 26, 1768.

This is the first solemn prayer of which I have a copy. Whether I composed any before this, I question.

1744-5.

January 1.

A

LMIGHTY and everlasting God, in whose hands are life and death, by whose will all things were created, and by

whose providence they are sustained, I return Thee thanks that Thou hast given me life, and that Thou hast continued it to this time; that Thou hast hitherto forborne to snatch me away in the midst of sin and folly, and hast permitted me still to enjoy the means of grace, and vouchsafed to call me yet again to repentance. Grant, O merciful LORD, that Thy call may not be in vain; that my life may not be continued to increase my guilt, and that Thy gracious forbearance may not harden my heart in wickedness. Let me remember, O my GOD, that as days and years pass over me, I approach nearer to the grave, where there is no repentance; and grant that, by the assistance of Thy HOLY SPIRIT, I may so pass through this life, that I may obtain life everlasting, for the sake of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Amen.

A

1747-8.

January 1.

LMIGHTY and most merciful Father, who hast not yet suffered me to fall into the grave, grant that I may so remem

ber my past life, as to repent of the days and years which I have spent in forgetfulness of Thy mercy, and neglect of my own salvation; and so use the time which Thou shalt yet allow me, as that I may become every day more diligent in the duties which in Thy providence shall be assigned me; and that, when at last I shall be called to judgment, I may be received as a good and faithful servant into everlasting happiness, for the sake of JESUS CHRIST Our LORD. Amen.

A

1749-50.

January 1, after 3 in the morning. LMIGHTY GOD, by whose will I was created, and by whose providence I have been sustained, by whose mercy I have been called to the knowledge of my REDEEMER, and by whose grace whatever I have thought or acted acceptable to Thee has been inspired and directed; grant, O LORD, that in reviewing my past life, I may recollect thy mercies to my preservation, in whatsoever state Thou preparest