Yet I cannot find that in these most abandoned days he was fond of drinking.  Indeed, he never had any natural relish for that kind of intemperance, from which he used to think a manly pride might be sufficient to preserve persons of sense and spirit; as by it they give up every thing that distinguishes them from the meanest of their species, or indeed from animals the most below it.  So that if ever he fell into any excesses of this kind, it was merely out of complaisance to his company, and that he might not appear stiff and singular.  His frank, obliging, and generous temper procured him many friends; and these principles, which rendered him amiable to others, not being under the direction of true wisdom and piety, sometimes made him, in the ways of living he pursued, more uneasy to himself than he might, perhaps, have been, if he could have entirely overcome them; especially as he never was a sceptic in his principles, but still retained a secret apprehension that natural and revealed religion, though he did not much care to think of either, were founded in truth.  And, with this conviction, his notorious violations of the most essential precepts of both could not but occasion some secret misgivings of heart.  His continual neglect of the great Author of his being, of whose perfections he could not doubt, and to whom he knew himself to be under daily and perpetual obligations, gave him, in some moments of involuntary reflection, inexpressible remorse; and this at times wrought upon him to such a degree, that he resolved he would attempt to pay him some acknowledgments.  Accordingly, for a few mornings he did it, repeating in retirement some passages out of the Psalms, and perhaps other scriptures which he still retained in his memory; and owning, in a few strong words, the many mercies and deliverances he had received, and the ill returns he had made for them.

I find, among the other papers transmitted to me, the following verses, which I have heard him repeat, as what had impressed him a good deal in his unconverted state; and as I suppose they did something towards setting him on this effort towards devotion, and might probably furnish a part of these orisons, I hope I need make no apology to my reader for inserting them, especially as I do not recollect that I have seen them any where else.

  Attend, my soul! the early birds inspire
  My grovelling thoughts with pure celestial fire;
  They from their temperate sleep awake, and pay
  Their thankful anthems for the new-born day. 
  See how the tuneful lark is mounted high,
  And, poet-like, salutes the eastern sky! 
  He warbles through the fragrant air his lays,
  And seems the beauties of the morn to praise. 
  But man, more void of gratitude awakes,
  And gives no thanks for the sweet rest he takes;
  Looks on the glorious sun’s new kindled flame,
  Without one thought of Him from whom it came. 
  The wretch unhallowed does the day begin,
  Shakes off his sleep, but shakes not off his sin.