The plain mans path-way to heaven

A Prayer to be used at any time, by one alone privately.

O Lord my God and heavenly Father, I thy most unworthy child do here in thy sight freely confess that I am a most sinful creature, and damnable transgressor of all thy holy Laws and Commandments: that as I was born and bred in sin, and stained in the womb, so have I continually brought forth the corrupt and ugly fruits of that infection and contagion, wherein I was first conceived, both in thoughts, words, and works: If I should go about to reckon up my particular offences, I knew not where to begin, or where to make an end. For they are more then the hairs of my head; yea, far more then I can possibly feel or know. For who knoweth the height and depth of his corruption? Who knoweth how oft he offendeth? Thou only, O Lord, knowest my sins, who knowest my heart; nothing is hid from thee: thou knowest what I have been, and what I am: yea, my conscience doth accuse me of many and grievous evils, and I do daily feel by woeful experience how frail I am, how prone to evil, and how untoward unto all goodness. ⟨image 248⟩My mind is full of vanity, my heart full of profaneness, mine affections full of deadness, dullness, drowsiness in matters of thy worship and service: Yea, my whole soul is full of spiritual blindness, hardness, unprofitableness, coldness, and security. And in very deed, I am altogether a lump of sin, and a mass of all misery, and therefore I have forfeited thy favour, incurred thy high displeasure, and have given thee just cause to frown upon me, to give me over, and leave me to mine own corrupt will and affections. But (O my dear Father) I have learned from thy mouth that thou art a God full of mercy, slow to wrath, of great compassion and kindness towards all such as groan under the burden of their sins. Therefore extend thy great mercy towards me poor sinner, and give me a general pardon for all mine offences whatsoever: seal it in the blood of thy Son, and seal it to my conscience by thy Spirit, assuring me more and more of thy love and favour towards me, and that thou art a reconciled Father unto me. Grant that I may all time to come love thee much, because much is given, and of very love fear thee, and obey thee. O Lord, increase my faith, that I may steadfastly believe all the promises of the Gospel made in thy Son Christ, and