io Prayers and Meditations.
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PRAYERS COMPOSED BY ME ON THE DEATH OF MY WIFE Z , AND REPOSITED AMONG HER MEMORIALS, MAY 8, 1752 2 .
Deus exaudi. Heul
April 24, 1752.
Almighty and most merciful Father, who lovest those whom Thou punishest, and turnest away thy anger from the penitent, look down with pity upon my sorrows, and grant that the affliction which it has pleased Thee to bring upon me, may awaken my conscience, enforce my resolutions of a better life, and impress upon me such conviction of thy power and good ness, that I may place in Thee my only felicity, and endeavour to please Thee in all my thoughts, words, and actions. Grant, O Lord, that I may not languish in fruitless and unavailing sorrow 3 , but that I may consider from whose hand all good and evil is received, and may remember that I am punished for my sins, and hope for comfort only by repentance. Grant,
merciful God, that by the assistance of thy Holy Spirit
1 may repent, and be comforted, obtain that peace which the world cannot give, pass the residue of my life in humble resig nation and cheerful obedience ; and when it shall please Thee to call me from this mortal state, resign myself into thy hands with faith and confidence, and finally obtain mercy and ever lasting happiness, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
13.
April 25, 1752.
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and most merciful God, in whose hands are life and death, who givest and takest away, castest down and raisest up, look with mercy on the affliction of thy unworthy servant, turn away thine anger from me, and speak peace to my troubled soul. Grant me the
- She had died on March 17, O. S. broke College MSS.
(March 28, N. S.) of this year. Life, 3 For his exhortations against un-
K 2 34- availing sorrow, see Letters, ii. 4, n.
2 The following prayers to that of I, 215. April 22, 1753, are not in the Pem-
assistance
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