The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-12-22
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
RELIGION MORE THAN AN HUNDRED
YEARS AGO.

self and his family to the Lord, was found
among the private papers of John Woods,
ruling elder in the church ministered to by
the Rev. John Roam, in Hanover township,
Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. Copies of it
were preserved by his children, and are now
in the hands of still later posterity.
Holy and righteous Cod desire to be
humbled and grieved that ever there was oc-
casion for reconciliation with thee and the
posterity of Adam, who have made war with
our Creator, and gone in league with the
rebels against thy c, own and dignity.
o the folly and misery of our natural
state! acknowledge thou mightest justly
have excluded us from any mercy. But see
ing thou, out of thy sovereign and free love,
hast been pleased to provide way whereby
thy truth and justice may be maintained,
and thy throne greatly hOnored, and poor
sinners saved, desire to bewail my back
wardness and be ashamed to think how long
God hath called and | have refused, and
hath stretched out his hand and | have re-
jected Jesus Christ, and neglected such sal
walton. desire also to bewail the opposi-
ton of my heart to the terms of the Gospel
covenant since l have prOfessed my consent
to it. In many instances / have dealt fool
shly and falsely, for which l desire to be
humbled and repent. l desire from the
heart to have'the dominion of sin, the seat of
Satan and the evil inclinations of the flesh
pulled down and brought to perpetual des-
truction.
And, Lord, desire to receive the Lord
Jesus Christ and cheerfully comply with the
method of salvation that thou hast offered in
thy word. 81 believe, Lord help my un-
belief Be it unto me according to thy
word. 1 desire to take Christ as my Proph-
ct, Priest, and King, for sancti6cation as
well as righteousness, l desire to subject
and submit myself to his power, and to the
sanctifying influences of his Spirit, to the
requirements of his law, and to the dispos-
ings of His providence.
l, through thy grace, will yield myself to
be led and influenced by Him with purpose
of heart in all things, to follow his conduct,
and comply with him, and take him for my
Sancti6er as well as Comforter. 1 resolved
by the strength of thy grace to have respect
to all thy commandments. Whatsoever ap,
pears to be sin, by .hy grace l will avoid it
and refrain from it. All my thoughts, words
and actions shall be ordered according to the
direction of the Divine law. desire to
submit to the disposing power of thy provi-
dence all the affairs relating to this life. l
cheerfully submit to thy divine disposal, and
give up my wife and these two poor children.
Take thine own way with them, and regard
them among the blessings of thy purchase.
o Lord, do give up all l have, all l am,
and all l can, to be for thee and no other
1 give up my soul and body to thee and do
promise through the strength of thy grace
to live and act according to the light thou
hast given me in thy Word.
And now, 0 Lord, the searcher of all
hearts, thou knowest my utter inability to
do or undertake these things. Wilt thou
undertake for me? Lord let it be bargain !
Thou sayest, "Seek ye my face. Thy face
Lord will l seek" 81 will make mention
of thy righteousness, even thine only" L
will depend upon thy strength. 0 Lord,
humble me.
This covenant I make, that thou mayest
be justified when thou speakest, and be clear
when thou judgest. Now, by the strength of
thy grace and the direction of thy Spirit, l
resolve to do these things. This being the
10Th day of May, 1746.
JOHN WOODS.
Seeing it hath pleased thee in thy mercy
to add one more to our number, l desire
with heart to thank thee for thy merciful
deliyerance and the measure of health thou
afordest US; and l desire to give up this
child also unto thee. Lord receive it into,
and make her member of thy mystical and
individual body, bestOwing on her the bene-
fits of thy purchase Lord, desire to re-
new my former promises and obligations
without exception; and desire to repent
for and mourn over my short comings.-
Grant, 0 Lord, repentance and faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ Lord, l desire to give
up this child also to thee, and do desire as
thou hast made her member of thy visible
BODY. that thou wouldest make her a member
of thy invisible body. And do renew these
my former promises and obligations; and dc
resolve, through the strength of thy grace,
to be more sincere in the observance thereof
This 18th day of May, 1749.
! l, 0 Lord, desire to be humbled for, and
mourn over my carelessness and unmindful.
ness of these my former obligations and ded,
ication to thee, and l would with all my
heart give up likewise these three poor babe;
to thee, viz Jennet, Andrew and Mary
Take them, 0 Lord, under thy care and
government, and make them holy, and give
us hearts to bring them up for thee, in the
knowledge and love of thy ways! And
do resolve, through the strength of thy grace
and the conduct of thy Spirit, to live and
act more carefully to all these thy command