Devotions of Bishop Andrewes. Vol. I

PRAYER FOR GRACE

One thing have I desired of the Lord
which I will require,¹²¹²Vide p. 194, Edition of 1675.
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
81to behold the fair beauty of the Lord,
and to visit His temple.
Two things have I required of Thee,
O Lord,
deny Thou me not before I die;
remove far from me vanity and lies;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
feed me with food convenient for me;
lest I be full and deny Thee
and say, Who is the Lord?
or lest I be poor and steal,
and take the Name of my God in vain.
Let me learn to abound,
let me learn to suffer need,
in whatsoever state I am,
therewith to be content.
For nothing earthly, temporal, mortal,
to long nor to wait.
Grant me a happy life
in piety, gravity, purity,
in all things good and fair,
in cheerfulness, in health, in credit,
in competency, in safety, in gentle estate,
in quiet;
a happy death,
a deathless happiness.