The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please…

I have not so duly (as I should) meditated with my self, nor conferred with my Family, upon those good instructions ⟨p. 284⟩which we have heard and received out of thy holy Word, by the public Ministry. For default whereof, Satan hath stolen the most part of those instructions out of my heart, and I wretched creature have forgotten them, as though they had never been heard. And my family doth not thrive in knowledge and sanctification under my government, as they should. Though I know where many of my poor brethren live in want and necessity, and some in pain, and comfortless; yet I have not remembered to relieve the one with my Alms, nor the other with Consolations: but I have feasted my self, and satisfied mine own Lusts. I have spent the most part of the day in idle talk, vain sports and exercises: Yea, Lord I have, &c. ^*And for all these my sins my Conscience cries guilty, thy Law condemns me, and I am in thy hand to receive the sentence and curse that is due to the wilful breach of so holy a Commandment. But what if I am by thy Law condemned? Yet, Lord, thy Gospel assures me, that thy mercy is above all thy works: that thy grace transcends thy Law; and thy goodness delighteth there to reign, where sins do most^† abound. In the multitude therefore of thy Mercies, and for the Merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour, I beseech thee, O Lord (who despiseth not the sighings of a contrite heart, nor desirest the death of a penitent sinner) to pardon ⟨p. 285⟩and forgive me all those my sins, and all the errors of this day, and of my whole life; and free my soul from that curse and Judgment which is due unto me for them. Thou that didst justify the contrite Publican for Four Words of confession,³ and receivedst the Prodigal Child (when he had spent all the stock of thy grace) into favour upon his repentance: pardon my sins likewise, O Lord, and suffer me not to perish for my transgressions. O spare me, and receive me into thy favour again. Wil• thou (O Lord) reject me,⁴