The Practice of Piety

Another shorter Morning Prayer.

O MOST gracious GOD, and merciful Father, I thine unworthy Servant, do here acknowledge, that as I have been borne in sin, so I have lived in iniquity, and broken every one of thy Commandments, in thought, word, and deed, following the desires of mine own will, and lusts of my flesh, not caring to be governed by thy holy Word and Spirit: and therefore I have justly deserved all shame and misery in this life, and everlasting condemnation in Hell-fire, if thou shouldest but deal with me, according ⟨p. 344⟩to thy Justice, and my desert. Wherefore, O Heavenly Father, I beseech thee for thy Son Jesus Christ, his sake, and for the merits of that bitter death and bloody Passion▪ which I believe that he hath suffered for me: that thou wouldest pardon and forgive unto me all my sins, and deliver me from the shame and vengeance, which is due unto me for them. And send thy holy Spirit into my heart, which may assure me, that thou art my Father, and that I am thy child, and that thou lovest me with an unchangeable love: and let the same thy good Spirit lead me in thy truth, and crucify in me more and more all worldly and ⟨p. 345⟩carnal lusts, that my sins may more and more dye in me; and that I may serve thee in unfeigned righteousness and holiness this day, and all the days of my life: that when this mortal life is ended, I may through thy mercy in Christ, be made a partaker of everlasting glory in thy heavenly Kingdom. And here, O Lord, from the bottom of my hart, I thank thee for all thy blessings which thou hast bestowed upon my soul and body: for electing me in thy love, redeeming me by thy Son, sanctifying me by thy Spirit, and preserving me from my youth up, until this present day and hour by thy most gracious providence.