Prayers and Meditations.
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Jan. I, 17^, after 3 in the morning.
Almighty 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 1 thy mercies to my preservation 2 , in what ever state thou preparest for me, that in affliction I may remember how often I have been succoured, and in Prosperity may know and confess from whose hand the blessing is received. Let me, O Lord, so remember my sins, that I may abolish them by true repentance, and so improve the Year to which thou hast graciously extended my life, and all the years which thou shalt yet allow me, that I may hourly become purer in thy sight ; so that I may live in thy fear, and die in thy favour, and find mercy at the last day, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
11.
PRAYER ON THE RAMBLER 3 .
Almighty God, the giver of all good things, without whose help all Labour is ineffectual, and without whose grace all wisdom is folly, grant, I beseech Thee, that in this my under taking, thy Holy Spirit may not be withheld from me, but that I may promote thy glory, and the Salvation both of myself and others ; grant this, O Lord, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
1 improve, scored out. professedly serious, if I have been
2 support and comfort, scored out. able to execute my own intentions,
3 Quoted in the Life, i. 202. will be found exactly conformable to The first paper of the Rambler was the precepts of Christianity, without
published on March 20, 1749-50. any accommodation to the licentious-
In the original manuscript there is ness and levity of the present age.
written after this prayer: 'Lord I therefore look back on this part
bless me. So be it.' Through these of my work with pleasure, which no
words a pen has been drawn. blame or praise of man shall diminish
In the last paragraph of the last or augment.' Rambler, } ohnson says : ' The essays
PRAYERS
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