V. I will therefore be frequently afiing over again

thofe Solemn Exercifes of Repentance performed in the Bitternefs of my Soul ,• and by the Repetition llie w, that the good Thoughts I entertained continue to be the calm and fettledSenfeof my more compofedMind. I will ftridly examine, what Faults committed, what Duties negleded, or but (lightly performed,what Abu- fes, or what Failures in a right Im.provement of Health heretofore, might probably have provoked God tocaft me upon theBedof Sicknefs,andreducemeto fuch Ex- tremity of Suffering. I will thank the Lord for giving me warning by this AfRii5tion,butefpecially for touch- ing and foftning my Heart, and infpiring me with godly Sorrow, and holy Purpofes. And to my own Endeavours I will add my moft fervent Prayers, that the Continuance of his Grace may, out of this painful Chaftifmentjproduce the peaceable and bleiied Fruits of Righteoufnefs and faithful Perfeverance. To this end I will not fail, frequently to renew my good Re- folutions ,• to cherifh and keep up in my Soul all hea- venly Difpofitions, by conftanc private Prayer, and ferious Reflec!:l:ion ; by attending duly upon the Pub- lick Worfhip • by reading, and hearing, and confci- entloufly applying God's Holy Word to my prefent Citcumltances and Neceffities, by letting flip none of the precious Opportunities for ftrengchening myFaith and other Chriftian Virtues, in the Sacrament of my dear Redeemer's Body and Blood. I will take heed to all my Ways, be upon my guard againit all Tempta- tions and Occafions of Sinning, moderate in my moft lawful Pleafures and Enjoyments^ajid diligent in all the Duties which the feveral Relations wherein I ftand,and the State of Life to which I am appointed by Providence, require of me. 1 7Jjill fet a ivatch before my Mouth ^and kttf the Door of wy Lip, that lojfend not m my pTgxli.s.xxxix.i'. Tongue, I will take heed, that I hurt not - '
a:. ■''
30 ^chitatiom atiD yg^ayerg
any Man by Thought, Word, orDeed ; but will extend my Charity, as I am able, to all Mankind. To the poor dillreffed Members of my Bleffed Saviour, by fuch Sud^ cours as Their Condition ftands in need of, and Mine qualities me to give: To Others, by my good Advice, and feafonable Inftrudion ; To All, by my Prayers and good Wi(hes,and the powerful Motive of a pious Ex* ample: And even to my Enemies, by Meeknefs and Forgivenefs, even as God, for Chrift's fake, hath had Compaflion on Me. I will make it my Bufmefs to be- come every Day more in love with Religion ^and to make all with whom I converfe fo,- that I may in fome Mcafure give a Cheeky to the Abominations of this degenerate Age in which I live, and adorn the Dodrine of our Lord Jefus Chrift, or at lead fave my felf from this untoward Generation. In a word, I will be fure that the Senfe of God's Mercies (of this Lafi: in particular) may never depart out of my Mind,- but live, and grow, and bring forth Fruit, and influence me powerfully to the very lalt Hour of my Life.