me. I can do all things through CHRIST which ftrengtheneth me. What I here beg for myself, I likewise beg for all my friends; for all my enemies; for all my fuperiors; for the Chriftian church; and for the whole race of mankind; and all in the name of JESUS CHRIST. Our Father which art in heaven, &c. II. Composed in Summer 1734. Etat. 29. O THOU, whose mercy is over all thy works, teach me that perfect love of Thee which cafteth out fear let me be truly fenfible of the heinoufnefs of my tranfgreffions, and yet still see that thy goodness infinitely exceeds my guilt. Let no fuperftitions, fears, or doubts of the difcoveries which Thou haft made of thyfelf, fully my devotions; or leffen that implicit confidence in Thee, which is the comfort and fupport of my life. LORD, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Thou haft given me fufficient evidence, both in thy word and works, that no evil can approach me, except fuch as my own wilfulness brings upon me. O make me always to carry upon my mind the strongest conviction of this great truth, that fo it may beget in me, on the one hand, a conftant ferenity and cheerfulness, on the other, all poffible humility, watchfulness, and earnest application to Thee, for the protection of thy Holy Spirit. I plainly fee, that at the fame time that I am foolishly fcrupulous in trifles, I am very apt to neglect the weighty matters of thy law: O do Thou deliver me from the spirit of fear; and grant me that of power, and of love, and of a found mind. Grant me an upright intention in all that I do; and true wifdom, which may enable me to fee what is fitteft to be done; and then let me reft fatisfied that Thou wilt accept of my fincere, though weak endeavour, through JESUS CHRIST. Above all things, let no worldly pleasure, honour, or profit, have any share in my affections; let my treasure be in heaven, and my heart be fixed where true joys are to be found. Let me learn, in whatever ftate I am, therewith to be content; to fear no evil but fin; and in all my perplexities and diftreffes to look up to Thee for relief, and that with the most abfolute fubmiffion and exalted gratitude. Let me confider all adverfity, as well as profperity, as equally flowing from the kindness of Thee, my heavenly Father; and let all thy difpenfations accelerate my progrefs towards thee, towards the attainment of that peace which the world can neither give nor take away. Hear me, Almighty and moft Merciful God, who never failest them that seek Thee; for the fake of JESUS CHRIST, our only mediator and advocate. III. Composed in Summer 1734. Etat. 29. O ETERNAL, Infinite, and Incomprehenfible Being! of whom, and through whom, and to whom, are all things, make me to regard nothing but in a due fubordination to Thee: let me devote myself entirely to thy service, and be ever employed in promoting that purity, perfection, and happiness, of myself and others, which it is thy great will that we should arrive at. Open mine eyes, that I may fee the wonderful things of thy word and works; and then fo cleanse my heart from all evil and corrupt affetions, that I may not only know thy will, but also do it, and ever afcend from the creature to Thee, the Creator. Let no paffion or prejudice, no fondness for or opinion of myself, no affectation of fingularity or novelty, mislead me in my search after truth. Let me receive thy kingdom as a little child; fubmit myself to my great Lord and Master CHRIST; and in imitation of him, seek thy glory, not my own, and become the fervant of all. Let me be fwift to hear, and flow to speak; deeply fenfible of my own blindness in heavenly things; and ready to acknowledge and correct my errors. Keep me from all arrogance, oftentation, and immoderate, indifcreet warmth: grant me that true religious zeal which is according to knowledge: let me learn in meeknefs to inftruct them that oppofe; and do thou graciously blefs my endeavours, and give me a mouth and wisdom, which all thy adverfaries may not be able to gainfay or refift. But especially let me ever remember that knowledge puffeth up, whilft charity edifieth, and is alone the end of the commandment: and let all my hopes and fears, all my studies, prayers, and endeavours, tend ever to my improvement in justice and charity; in meeknefs, patience, and humility; in temperance, foberness, and chastity; in abfolute fubmiffion to Thee, indifference to this world, and the earnest expectation of a better; in the ferenity and cheerfulness of innocence and integrity; and to fum up all bleffings in one, in the true love of Thee, my Guide and Guardian, my Father, Friend, and God. Hear me, O Thou who makest all things work together for the good of them that love Thee, for the fake of JESUS CHRIST. IV. Composed in Summer 1734. O GOD, the inexhaustible Fountain of all good, at whose right hand there is pleasure for evermore, let the conftant reflection upon the joys which Thou haft prepared for thofe that love Thee, make me fenfible that all worldly joys are nothing but vanity and vexation of fpirit; that they are all but lofs in comparifon of the excellency of the knowledge of JESUS CHRIST my Lord; and that their true ufe is that ofbeing school-mafters to bring us to him, to the measure of the ftature of his fulness. For, alas! the experience of every day of my life convinces me that I am still the fervant of fin, yea, the slave of the grofs pleasures of fenfe. O do Thou deliver me from this body of death; whether I eat or drink, or whatever I do, let me do all to thy glory only. I know that all thy creatures are good, and to be received with thanksgiving; and that bodily exercife profiteth little, unless it be fubfervient to godlinefs; let me therefore watch and faft unto prayer, and fo keep my body in fubjection, that I may be ftedfaft, unmoveable, and always abounding in all rational piety and virtue. Neither is my body more a flave to the pleasures of this world, than |