Devotions of Bishop Andrewes. Vol. I

CONFESSION

I am ashamed; and blush, O my God,
to lift up my face to Thee,
for mine iniquities are increased
over my head,
117and my trespass is grown up unto the
heavens;
since the days of youth
have I been in a great trespass
unto this day;
I cannot stand before Thee because
of this.
My sins are more in number than the
sand of the sea,
my iniquities are multiplied,
and I not worthy to look up
and see the height of heaven,
from the number of my
unrighteousnesses;
and I have no relief,
because I have provoked Thine anger,
and done evil in Thy sight;
not doing Thy will,
not keeping Thy commandments.
And now my heart kneels to Thee,
beseeching Thy goodness.
I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned,
and I know mine iniquities;
and I ask and beseech,
remit to me, O Lord, remit to me,
and destroy me not in mine iniquities;
118nor be Thou angry for ever,
nor reserve evil for me;
nor condemn me
in the lowest parts of the earth.
Because Thou art God,
the God of penitents,
and Thou shalt shew in me all Thy
loving kindness;
for Thou shalt save me unworthy,
according to Thy much pity,
and I will praise Thee alway.
Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst cleanse
me;
Lord, only say the word, and I shall be
healed.
Lord, save me;
Carest Thou not that we perish?
Say to me, Be of good cheer, thy sins
are remitted to thee.
Jesu, Master, have mercy on me;
Thou Son of David, Jesu, have mercy
on me;
Jesu, Son of David, Son of David.
Lord, say to me, Ephphatha.
Lord, I have no man (John v. 7);
119Lord, say to me, Be loosed from thine
infirmity.
Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
Say unto me, My grace is sufficient
for thee.
Lord, how long wilt Thou be angry?
shall Thy jealousy burn like fire for ever?
O, remember not our old sins;
but have mercy on us and that soon,
for we are come to great misery;
Help us, O God of our salvation;
for the glory of Thy Name.
O deliver us and be merciful. unto
our sins,
for Thy Name’s sake.