from early manhood it had been his secret study, and conftant endeavour, to reduce to practice what he had conceived in theory; to reach that enviable ftate of mind, which refts upon GoD as upon its centre; and to adopt that evangelical difpofition which embraces all mankind within its univerfal and unlimited benevolence.

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Though he be dead, yet he speaketh :" and as he speaks fo may he perfuade! May his example excite the readers of the following pages to an imitation of it! May it awaken their piety, enlarge their charity, and confirm their virtue! May it teach them (the most difficult leffon to be learned) felf-annihilation, unaffected humility, and extenfive benevolence! May it convince them, that " pure "religion and undefiled," confifts, not in airy fpeculations, frivolous difputes, noify recriminations, or intolerant zeal, but," in weightier matters," in the love of God, in obedience to CHRIST, and in goodwill to men!

PRAYERS,

AND

RELIGIOUS MEDITATIONS.

Composed in Spring 1733. Ætat. 28.

GRACIOUS GOD! my life, the bleffings of it,

and the expectation of a better; whatever I am, have, or hope for, which is good, are thine: glory be to Thee. Make me fenfible how contented and happy they ought to be, who have the high privilege of calling infinite power, wifdom, and goodness, their Father and Friend; and infpire me with a gratitude as great as my faculties can attain unto. My fins, and the evils I fuffer, are my own. Thou, the Creator of all things, haft no share in them. They are the productions of my own perverfenefs and folly. Have mercy upon me, a miferable finner: for the fake of thy Son JESUS CHRIST, pardon all my offences, and accept my frail endeavours; and, that

they may be hereafter more fincere and hearty, let me never forget, that thy unalterable nature, and confummate perfection, make it impoffible that virtue and happiness, vice and mifery, fhould ever be disjoined. Awaken my hopes and fears: inform my understanding; and fo correct and improve my whole heart, that I may be truly penitent for what I have already done amifs; that I may be conftantly watchful over all my thoughts, words, and actions, and never ceafe tending to entire, univerfal purity.

Almighty Parent and Governor of the world, Thou haft placed me in the various relations of this life, that I, as a part, may, in my proper ftation, contribute to the beauty, order, and good of the whole. Let me ever pursue this great end with unfeigned and unwearied zeal, courage, and conftancy; let me earneftly feek all occafions of producing happiness, and avoid all of producing mifery. Grant me unlimited charity; the strictest regard to truth, juftice, and integrity; unaffected humility; an invincible meekness in every apprehenfion of infult or injury; perfect chastity in thought, word, and deed; and a temperance not to be overcome by appetite, or furprised through folly or negligence. Make my heart whole before thee in all these things, and also grant me prudence fo to conduct my actions, that they may best answer their true purpose. In the purfuit of my own happiness

here, let thy Holy Spirit direct, and govern me, that the appearance of good impofe not upon me, nor my own foolish paffions tranfport me beyond due bounds. To Thee I commit myfelf, mind, body, and eftate; humbly praying for a virtuous industry in the care of all, and then not doubting that Thou wilt blefs that industry, in fuch a manner as will be fittest for me.

O most wonderful and incomprehenfible Being! Thou who art the hope, end, centre, and happiness of all things, let me defire nothing in comparison of Thee. Let me confider this world as the school of discipline for my affections, and the joys and forrows of it as intended to prepare and qualify me for the enjoyment of Thee. How would this confideration give a relish to all my pleafures, and deprive my pains of all their fting and bitterness! But I am stupidly foolish, ignorant, and perverse. I have happiness before me, and do not fee it; within my reach, and yet neglect to take it. O teach me to love, reverence, and fear Thee above all things; to put my whole truft in Thee; to refign myself implicitly to Thee; to make it my chief delight to look up to Thee with all the devotion in my power; and whatever I do, to do it as unto Thee. Let this consciousness, this experience of my blindness, and the deceitfulness of my heart, arm me against them, and fince I cannot confide in myself, be Thou ever with