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health which thou seest most convenient for me; wean my affections and desires from the things of this life, and keep me continually prepared for death; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

DR. JOHNSON.

Almighty God, most merciful Father, look down upon me with pity. Thou hast protected me in childhood and youth; support me, Lord, in my declining years. Preserve me from the dangers of sinful presumptiou: give me, if it be best for me, stability of purposes, and tranquillity of mind: let the year which I have now begun be spent to thy glory, and to the furtherance of my salvation. Take not from me thy holy Spirit; but as death approaches, prepare me to appear joyfully in thy presence; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

By the same.

Almighty and most merciful Father, who hast continued my life from year to year, grant that by longer life I may become less desirous of sinful pleasures, and more careful of eternal hap

piness. As age comes upon me, let my mind be more withdrawn from vanity and folly, more enlightened with the knowledge of thy will, and more invigorated with resolution to obey it. O Lord, calm my thoughts, direct my desires, and fortify my purposes. If it shall please thee, give quiet to my latter days; and so support me with thy grace, that I may die in thy favour; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Five Prayers, written by DR. JOHNSON, preparatory to receiving the Sacrament.

Almighty God, by whose mercy I am now about to commemorate the death of my Redeemer, grant that from this time I may so live, as that his death may be efficacious to eternal happiness. Enable me to conquer all evil customs; deliver me from evil and vexatious thoughts; grant me light to discover my duty, and grace to perform it. As my life advances, let me become more pure and more holy. Take not from me thy holy Spirit, but grant that I may serve thee with diligence and confidence; and when thou shalt call me hence, receive me to everlasting happiness; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and most merciful Father, look down upon my misery with pity; strengthen me, that I may overcome all sinful habits; grant that I may, with effectual faith, commemorate the death of thy Son Jesus Christ, so that all corrupt desires may be extinguished, and all vain thoughts may be dispelled. Enlighten me with true knowledge, animate me with reasonable hope, comfort me with a just sense of thy love, and assist me to the performance of all holy purposes; that after the sins, errors, and miseries of this world, I may obtain everlasting happiness; for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

Trust in God, O my soul. O God, let me trust in thee.

Almighty God, by whose mercy Iam now permitted to commemorate my redemption by our Lord Jesus Christ, grant that this awful remembrance may strengthen my faith, enliven my hope, and increase my charity; that I may trust in thee with my whole heart, and do good according to my power. Grant me the help of thy holy Spirit, that I may do thy will with diligence, and suffer it with humble patience; so that when thou shalt call me to judgment, I m

obtain forgiveness and acceptance; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour; to whose covenant I now implore admission; of the bene fit of whose death I implore participation. For his sake have mercy upon me, O God; for his sake, O God, pardon and receive me.

Almighty and most merciful Father, I am now about to commemorate once more, in thy presence, the redemption of the world by our Lord and Saviour thy Son Jesus Christ. Grant, O most merciful God, that the benefit of his sufferings may be extended to me. Grant me faith, grant me repentance, illuminate me with thy holy Spirit, enable me to form good purposes, and to bring these purposes to good effect. Let me so dispose my time, that I may discharge the duties to which thou shalt vouchsafe to call me; and let that degree of health, to which thy mercy has restored me, be employed to thy glory. O God, invigorate my understanding, compose my perturbations, recal my wanderings, and calm my thoughts; that, having lived, while thou shalt grant me life, to praise thee and do good, I may, when thy call shall summon me to another state, receive mercy from thee; for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

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Almighty and most merciful Father, I am now, as to human eyes it seems, about to commemorate, for the last time, the death of thy Son Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer. Grant, O Lord, that my whole hope and confidence be in his merits and thy mercy; enforce and accept my imperfect repentance; make this commemoration available to the confirmation of my faith, the establishment of my hope, and the enlargement of my charity; and make the death of thy Son Jesus Christ effectual to my redemption. Have mercy upon me, and pardon the multitude of my offences. Bless my friends, have mercy upon all men. Support me, by thy holy Spirit, in the days of weakness, and at the hour of death; and receive me, at my death, to everlasting happiness; for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.

For Christmas Day.-MSS.

Almighty and most merciful God, Lord and Father of all things in heaven and on earth, before thy high throne we prostrate ourselves, and raise our hearts in grateful praise and thanksgiv

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