The Exaltation of the Soul, Prayer 95
Another Shorter Morning Prayer.
O Most gracious God and merciful Father, I thine unworthy servant do acknowledge that as I have been born in sin, so I have lived in iniquity, and broken every one of thy commandments, in thought, word and deed, following the desires of my own will, and lusts of my flesh, not caring to be governed by thy holy Word and Spirit; therefore I have justly deserved all shame and misery in this life, and everlasting condemnation in Hell fire; if that thou shouldest but deal with me according to thy Justice, and my deserts. Wherefore, O heavenly Father, I humbly beseech thee, for thy Son Jesus Christ his sake, and for the merits of that bloody death and passion, which I believe he hath suffered for me, that thou wouldest pardon and forgive me all my sins, and deliver me from the Hell and vengeance which is due unto me for them, and send thy holy Spirit into my heart, which may assure me that thou art my Father, and that I am thy child, and that thou lovest me with an unchangeable love; and let thy good Spirit lead me into all truth, and crucifie in me more and more carnal lusts, that my sin may more and more die in me, and that I may serve thee in Righteousness and true Holiness all the daies of my life; and when this mortal life is ended, I may through thy mercy in Christ be made partaker of thine everlasting glory, in thy heavenly Kingdom. And here, O Lord, from the bottom of my heart, I humbly thank thee for all thy blessings bestowed upon my soul and body, for electing me in thy Love, for redeeming me by thy Son, sanctifying me by thy Spirit, and preserving me from my youth up, until this present day and hour by thy gracious providence; I thank thee more especially for that thou hast defended me this night past from all danger, and hast brought me safe to the beginning of this day; and now, good Lord, I beseech thee, keep me this day from all peril and danger, and from all evil that may hurt me, and from falling into all sin that should offend thee; set thy fear before mine eyes, and let thy holy Spirit so rule my heart, that all that I shall think, do, or speak this day, may tend to thy glory, the good of others, and the peace of my own conscience; and to this end I commend my self, and all my waies and actions, together with all that do belong unto me, unto thy gracious protection this day, praying thee to keep both thine and me from all evil, and to give a blessing to all our honest labours and endeavours; defend thy whole Church from the tyranny of this world, and of Antichrist; preserve our gracious King from all conspiracy and treason; grant him a long reign in health and happiness over us: Bless our gracious Queen Katherine, James Duke of York, and all the rest of the Royal Family, endue them with thy grace, and defend them from all evil: Bless all our Ministers and Magistrates with all those graces and gifts which thou knowest necessary for their places: Be favourable to all those that fear thee, and call upon thy Name, and tremble at thy judgments▪ Comfort all those that are sick, or any way comfortless O Lord, keep me in a continual readiness by faith and repentance for my last end, that whether I live or die, I may be found thine own, to thine eternal glory, and my everlasting salvation, through Jesus Christ my only Saviour, in whose blessed Name I beg these mercies at thy hands, and give unto thee thy praise and glory, in that prayer which he hath sanctified with his own lips, saying, Our Father, &c.