We passed the forenoon calmly and placidly. I prevailed on Dr Johnson
to read aloud Ogden's sixth sermon on prayer, which he did with a
distinct expression, and pleasing solemnity. He praised my favourite
preacher, his elegant language, and remarkable acuteness; and said, he
fought infidels with their own weapons.
As a specimen of Ogden's manner, I insert the following passage from
the sermon which Dr Johnson now read. The preacher, after arguing
against that vain philosophy which maintains, in conformity with the
hard principle of eternal necessity, or unchangeable predetermination,
that the only effect of prayer for others, although we are exhorted to
pray for them, is to produce good dispositions in ourselves towards
them; thus expresses himself:
A plain man may be apt to ask, But if this then, though enjoined in
the holy Scriptures, is to be my real aim and intention, when I am
taught to pray for other persons, why is it that I do not plainly so
express it? Why is not the form of the petition brought nearer to the
meaning? Give them, say I to our heavenly father, what is good. But
this, I am to understand, will be as it will be, and is not for me to
alter. What is it then that I am doing? I am desiring to become
charitable myself; and why may I not plainly say so? Is there shame in
it, or impiety? The wish is laudable: why should I form designs to
hide it?
Or is it, perhaps, better to be brought about by indirect means, and
in this artful manner? Alas! who is it that I would impose on? From
whom can it be, in this commerce, that I desire to hide any thing?
When, as my Saviour commands me, I have 'entered into my closet, and
shut my door', there are but two parties privy to my devotions, God
and my own heart; which of the two am I deceiving?
He wished to have more books, and, upon inquiring if there were any in
the house, was told that a waiter had some, which were brought to him;
but I recollect none of them, except Hervey's Meditations. He thought
slightingly of this admired book. He treated it with ridicule, and
would not allow even the scene of the dying husband and father to be
pathetick. I am not an impartial judge; for Hervey's Meditations
engaged my affections in my early years. He read a passage concerning
the moon, ludicrously, and shewed how easily he could, in the same
style, make reflections on that planet, the very reverse of Hervey's,
representing her as treacherous to mankind. He did this with much
humour; but I have not preserved the particulars. He then indulged a
playful fancy, in making a Meditation on a Pudding, of which I hastily
wrote down, in his presence, the following note; which, though
imperfect, may serve to give my readers some idea of it.