O God, who hast ordained that whatever is to be desired should be sought by labour; and who, by thy blessing, bringest honest labour to good effect; look with mercy upon my studies and endeavours. Grant me, O Lord, to design only what is lawful and right; and afford me calmness of mind and steadiness of purpose, that I may so do thy will in this short life, as to obtain happiness in the world to come; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

VOL. I.

Before the study of the law.

Almighty God, the giver of wisdom, without whose help resolutions are vain, without whose blessing study is ineffectual; enable me, if it be thy will, to attain such knowledge as may qualify me to direct the doubtful, and instruct the ig norant; to prevent wrongs, and terminate contentions; and grant that I may use that knowledge which I shall attain to thy glory and my own salvation; for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

M

Before writing the Rambler.

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 undertaking 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.

Prayers for persons advanced in life.-MERRICK.

O gracious Lord, my Maker and my Preserver, I give thee thanks for the long continuance which thou hast granted me in this world, in order that I may be the better prepared for another. Enable me, by thy grace, to make a right use of the time afforded me, and give me a true and deep repentance of the sins which I have committed. Support me, by thy help, under the infirmities of age; keep me from covetousness, and fretfulness, and from all unreasonable fears and cares. Give me that degree of ease and

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 Redeemmy er, 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 to grace 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 I am 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 may