5. Complaint of the obscurity of Scripture.
6. Contempt of fathers and of authority.
7. Absurd method of learning objections first.
8. Study not for truth, but vanity.
9. Sensuality and a vicious life.
10. False honour, false shame.
11. Omission of prayer and religious exercises.
175.
[The following Prayer was composed and used by Doctor Johnson previous to his receiving the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, on Sunday December 5, 1784. Note by G. Strahan[1].]
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 may 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 the grace of 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[2].
176.
[The following Meditations and Prayers have no dates in the MS. Note by G. Strahan.]
I did not this week labour my preparation so much as I have sometimes done. My mind was not very quiet; and an anxious preparation makes the duty of the day formidable and burdensome. Different methods suit different states of mind, body and affairs. I rose this day, and prayed, then went to tea, and afterwards composed the Prayer, which I formed with great
