1 6 Prayers and Meditations.
��23.
[Undated; probably 1753.]
I do not remember that since I left Oxford I ever rose early by mere choice, but once or twice at Edial, and two or three times for the Rambler I .
24.
Fl. Lacr. 2 March 28, in the Morning.
God, who on this day wert pleased to take from me my dear Wife, sanctify to me my sorrows and reflections. Grant, that I may renew and practise the resolutions which I made when thy afflicting hand was upon me. Let the remembrance of thy judgements by which my wife is taken away awaken me to repentance, and the sense of thy mercy by which I am spared, strengthen my hope and confidence in Thee, that by the assist ance and comfort of thy holy spirit I may so pass through things temporal, as finally to gain everlasting happiness, and to pass by a holy and happy death, into the joy which thou hast prepared for those that love thee. Grant this, O Lord, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The melancholy of this day hung long upon me.
Of the resolutions made this day 3 I, in some measure kept that of breaking from indolence.
25.
March 28, 1754, at Night.
Almighty God, vouchsafe to sanctify unto me the reflections and resolutions of this day 3 , let not my sorrow be unprofitable ; let not my resolutions be vain. Grant that my grief may produce true repentance, so that I may live to please thee, and when the time shall come that I must die like her whom thou hast taken from me, grant me eternal happiness in thy presence, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
1 Life, ii. 143. => < \Ve presume to interpret flenti- ' Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy, buslacrymis? Gent.Afag.i7%$, ii. 731.
he said, was the only book that ever 3 He at first wrote : Almighty God, took him out of bed two hours sooner by whose grace I have this day than he wished to rise.' Ib. ii. 121. endeavoured.
Jtdy
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