LMIGHTY and most merciful Father, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor desirest the death of a sinner, look down with mercy upon me, and grant that I may turn from my wickedness and live. Forgive the days and years which I have passed in folly, idleness, and sin. Fill me with such sorrow for the time mispent, that I may amend my life according to Thy holy word; strengthen me against habitual idleness, and enable me to direct my thoughts to the performance of every duty; that while I live I may serve Thee in the state to which Thou shalt call me, and at last by a holy and happy death be delivered from the struggles and sorrows of this life, and obtain eternal happiness by Thy mercy, for the sake of JESUS CHRIST Our LORD. Amen.

O GOD, have mercy on me.

At church I purpose,

Before I leave the pew, to pray the occasional prayer, and read my resolutions.

To pray for Tetty and the rest.

The like after communion.

At intervals to use the Collects of Fourth after

Trinity, and First and Fourth after Epiphany,

and to meditate.

This was done as I purposed, but with some distraction. I came in at the Psalms, and could not well hear. I renewed my resolutions at the altar. GoD perfect them. Then prayed, and have hope; grant, O LORD, for the sake of JESUS CHRIST, that my hope may not be vain.

I came home. I

I invited home with me the man whose pious behaviour I had for several years observed on this day, and found him a kind of Methodist, full of texts, but ill-instructed. I talked to him with temper, and offered him twice Iwine which he refused. I suffered him to go without the dinner which I had purposed to give him. I thought this day that there was something irregular and particular in his look and gesture; but having intended to invite him to acquaintance, and having a fit opportunity by finding him near my own seat after I had missed him, I did what I at first designed, and am sorry to have been so much disappointed. Let me not be prejudiced hereafter against the appearance of piety in mean persons, who, with indeterminate notions, and perverse or inelegant conversation, perhaps are doing all they can.

At night I used the occasional prayer, with proper Collects.

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BEFORE THE STUDY OF LAW.

Sept. 26, 1765.

LMIGHTY GOD, the giver of wisdom, without whose help resolutions are vain, without whose blessing study is ineffectual, enable me, if it be Thy will, to attain such knowledge as may qualify me to direct the doubtful, and instruct the ignorant, to prevent wrongs, and terminate contentions; and grant that I may use that knowledge which I shall attain, to Thy glory and my own salvation, for JESUS CHRIST's sake. Amen.

ENGAGING IN POLITICKS WITH H-N.

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Nov. 1765.

LMIGHTY GOD, who art the giver of all wisdom, enlighten my understanding with knowledge of right, and govern my will by Thy laws, that no deceit may mislead me, nor temptation corrupt me; that I may always endeavour to do good, and to hinder evil. Amidst all the hopes and fears of this world, take not Thy

HOLY SPIRIT from me; but grant that my thoughts may be fixed on Thee, and that I may finally attain everlasting happiness, for JESUS CHRIST's sake. Amen.

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1766.

Jan. 1, after 2 in the morning. LMIGHTY and most merciful Father, I again appear in Thy presence the wretched mispender of another year, which Thy mercy has allowed me. O LORD, let me not sink into total depravity, look down upon me, and rescue me at last from the captivity of sin. Impart to me good resolutions, and give me strength and perseverance to perform them. Take not from me Thy HOLY SPIRIT, but grant that I may redeem the time lost, and that by temperance and diligence, by sincere repentance and faithful obedience, I may finally obtain everlasting happiness, for the sake of JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. Amen.

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STUDY.

ENTERING NOVUM MUSEUM.

March 7.

LMIGHTY and most merciful Father, who hast graciously supplied me with new conveniences for study, grant that I may use Thy gifts to Thy glory. Forgive me the time mispent, relieve my perplexities, strengthen my resolution, and enable me to do my duty with vigour and constancy; and when the fears and hopes, the pains and pleasures of this life shall have an end, receive me to everlasting happiness, for the sake of JESUS CHRIST Our LORD. Amen.

Transcribed June 26, -68.

Sept. 18, 1766, at Streatham. I have this day completed my fifty-seventh year. O LORD, for JESUS CHRIST's sake, have mercy upon me.

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LMIGHTY and most merciful Father, who hast granted me to prolong my life to another year, look down upon me