_Questions relating to mortification, see before the prayers for Wednesday evening._
O GOD the Father, who canst not be thought to have made me only to destroy me, have mercy upon me.
O God the Son, who knowing thy Father’s will didst come into the world to save me, have mercy upon me.
O God the Holy Ghost, who to the same end hast so often since breathed holy thoughts into me, have mercy upon me.
O holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, whom in Three persons I adore as One God, have mercy upon me.
Lord, carest thou not that I perish! Thou that would’st have all men to be saved! Thou that would’st have none to perish! And wilt thou now shew thine anger against a worm, a leaf! Against a vapour that vanisheth before thee! O remember how short my time is, and deliver not my soul into the power of hell! For, alas, what profit is there in my blood? Or, who shall give thee thanks in that pit? No; let me live in thy sight: let me live, O my God, and my soul shall praise thee. Forget me, as I have been disobedient, provoking thee to anger, and regard me as I am distrest, crying out to thee for help. Look not upon me as I am a sinner; but consider me as I am thy creature. A sinner I am, I confess, a sinner of no ordinary stain: But let not this hinder thee, O my God; for upon such sinners thou gettest the greatest glory.
O remember for whose sake it was that thou camest from the bosom of thy Father, and was content to be born of thine own handmaid. Remember, for whom it was that thy tender body was torn and scourged and crucified! Was it not for the sins of the whole world? And shall I be so injurious to thy glory, as to think thou hast excepted me? Or can I think, thou diedst only for sinners of a lower kind and leftest such as me without remedy? What had become then of him, who filled _Jerusalem_ with blood? What of her, who lived in a trade of sin? Nay, what had become of thine own disciple, who with oaths and curses thrice denied thee?
O how easy is it for thee to forgive? For it is thy nature. How proper is it for thee to save? For it is thy name! How suitable is it to thy coming into the world? For it is thy business. And when I consider that I am the chief of sinners, may I not urge thee farther, and say, Shall the chief of thy business be left undone? Far be that from thee? Have mercy upon me!
I ask not of thee the things of this world, give them to whom thou pleasest so thou givest me mercy. O say unto my soul, _Be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee_. O that I might never sin against thee more! And whereinsoever my conscience accuses me most, be thou most merciful unto me!
Save me, O God, as a brand snatched out of the fire.
Receive me, O my Saviour, as a sheep that is gone astray, but would now return to the great shepherd and bishop of my soul!
Father, accept my imperfect repentance, compassionate my infirmities, forgive my wickedness, purify my uncleanness, strengthen my weakness, fix my unstableness, and let thy good Spirit watch over me for ever, and thy love ever rule in my heart, through the merits and sufferings and love of thy Son, in whom thou art always well pleased.
Give thy grace, O holy Jesus, to all the world, and let all who are redeemed by thy blood, acknowledge thee to be the Lord. Let all Christians, especially those of this nation, keep themselves unspotted from the world. Let all governors, and especially our sovereign, rule with wisdom and justice; and let the clergy be exemplary in their lives, and discreet and diligent in their labours. Let our universities enjoy freedom from violence and faction, and excel in true religion and sound learning. Be an help at hand to all that are afflicted, and assist them to trust in thee. Raise up friends for the widow and fatherless, the friendless and oppressed. Give patience to all that are sick, comfort to all troubled consciences, strength to all that are tempted. Be gracious to my relations (――――)¹, to all that are endeared to me by their kindnesses or acquaintance, to all who remember me in their prayers, or desire to be remembered in mine (――――). Sanctify, O merciful Lord, the friendship which thou hast granted me, with these thy servants (――――). O let our prayers be heard for each other, while our hearts are united in thy fear and love, and graciously unite them therein more and more. Strengthen the hearts of us thy servants against all our corruptions and temptations: enable us to consecrate ourselves faithfully and entirely to thy service. Grant that, we may _provoke each other to love_ and serve thee, and grow up together before thee in thy fear and love, to thy heavenly kingdom. And by thy infinite mercies, vouchsafe to bring us, with those that are dead in thee, to rejoice together before thee, through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, the blessed and only Potentate, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, be honour and power everlasting.