me into this world, to work out my salvation, enable me to drive from me all such unquiet and perplexing thoughts as may mislead or hinder me in the practice of those duties which thou hast required. When I behold the works of thy hands and consider the course of thy providence, give me Grace always to remember that thy thoughts are not my thoughts, nor thy ways my ways. And while it shall please Thee to continue me in this world where much is to be done and little to be known, teach me by thy Holy Spirit to withdraw my mind from unprofitable and dangerous enquiries, from difficulties vainly curious, and doubts impossible to be solved. Let me rejoice in the light which thou hast imparted, let me serve thee with active zeal, and humble confidence, and wait with patient expectation for the time in which the soul which Thou receivest, shall be satisfied with knowledge. Grant this, O Lord, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen[1].
171.
Aug. 28, 1784, Ashbourn.
Almighty and most merciful Father, who afflictest not willingly the children of Men, and by whose holy will[2] now languishes in sickness and pain, make, I beseech [Thee,] this punishment effectual to those gracious purposes for which thou sendest it, let it, if I may presume to ask, end not in death, but in repentance, let him live to promote thy kingdom on earth by the useful example of a better life, but if thy will be to call him hence, let his thoughts be so purified by his sufferings, that he may be admitted to eternal Happiness. And, O Lord, by praying for him, let me be admonished to consider my own sins, and my own danger, to remember the shortness of life, and to use the time which thy mercy grants me to thy glory and my own salvation, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
- ↑ On the day on which he composed this prayer he wrote to one of his correspondents in London: – 'As we cannot now see each other do not omit to write, for you cannot think with what warmth of expectation I reckon the hours of a post-day.' Life, iv. 354.
- ↑ The blank must be filled up by Taylor's name. Johnson wrote on Aug. 19: – 'My friend is sick himself, and the reciprocation of complaints and groans affords not much of either pleasure or instruction.' Life, iv. 365.
