me, in vain thoughts, in sloth, and in folly, that I may apply my heart to true wisdom, by diligence redeem the time lost, and by repentance obtain pardon, for the sake of JESUS CHRIST.
Amen *.
36.
EASTER DAY, March 26, 1758.
Almighty and most merciful Father, who hast created me to love and to serve thee, enable [me] so to partake of the sacrament in which the Death of Jesus Christ is commemorated that I may henceforward lead a new life in thy faith and fear. Thou who knowest my frailties and infirmities strengthen and support me. Grant me thy Holy Spirit, that after all my lapses I may now continue stedfast in obedience, that after long habits of neg ligence and sin, I may, at last, work out my salvation with diligence and constancy, purify my thoughts from pollutions, and fix my affections on things eternal. Much of my time past has been lost in sloth, let not what remains, O Lord, be given me in vain, but let me from this time lead a better life and serve thee with a quiet mind through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
37.
March 28, 1758.
Almighty and eternal God, who givest life and takest it away, grant that while thou shalt prolong 2 my continuance on earth, I may live with a due sense of thy mercy and forbear ance, and let the remembrance of her whom thy hand has separated from me, teach me to consider the shortness and uncertainty of life, and to use all diligence to obtain eternal happiness in thy presence. O God enable me to avoid sloth, and to attend needfully and constantly to thy word and worship. Whatever was good in the example of my departed wife, teach me to follow ; and whatever was amiss give me grace to shun, that my affliction may be sanctified, and that remembering how much every day brings me nearer to the grave, I may every day purify my mind, and amend my life, by the assistance of
1 At the foot of the page he had Worship.'
written but scored out : f Idleness 2 He had at first written : ' Make intemperate sleep dilatoriness, me to enjoy the time for which thou inmethodical life. Negligence of shalt ' c.
thy
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