An ACT of CONTRITION.

I HAVE rebelled against the Lord my God, and have fallen by my iniquity; but I will take with me words, and will return unto him,

and say, take away all my iniquity,

and receive me graciously; so will Į render the calves of my lips.

Spare me, good Lord, spare me, and give not up thy servant to reproach and ruin. Be merciful, O Lord, be merciful; cease from thine anger, I beseech thee; repent, Lord, of the evil, and let it not be.

I have followed after lying vanities, and forsaken my own mercy,

and

and have been jusly cast out of the sight of thine eyes.

But, when my soul fainteth, I will remember my God, and will look again towards thy holy Temple. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardonest iniquity, and passest by the transgression of thy people? Thou retainest not thy anger for ever, because thou delightest in mercy.

Turn again then, and have compassion upon me; do thou subdue all mine iniquities, and cast my sins into the depth of the sea. Yea, perform all thy truth, and thy goodness upon thy servant.

O Lord, I have heard thy threatnings, and was afraid: I have considered

dered thy works and was astonished : But do thou in wrath remember mercy.

Behold me, Lord, like thy servant heretofore, clothed with filthy garments, and Satan standing at my right hand; but do thou, by the blood of thy covenant, by the fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness, wash me thoroughly from my wickedness; and save me, as a brand plucked out of the fire.

Father, forgive me, for I knew not what I did: alas! I knew not what I did, when I sinned so grievously against thee. Lord, remember me, in thy kingdom: Lord, lay not the sins of mine enemies to their charge. Lord, lay not my own sins to my charge;

But,

But, by thy agony and bloody sweat, by thy head crowned with thorns, and smitten with fists and staves; by thine eyes full of tears, and thine ears pierced with slanders and revilings; by thy face miserably defiled with spittle; by thy mouth moistened with vinegar and gall; by thy neck bending under the weight of the cross; by thy back torn and furrowed with Scourges; by thy loud and bitter cry, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? By thy heart wounded with a soldier's spear; by the water and blood streaming from that wound; by thy body broken, and thy blood shed, for me; by the saving and significant memorials of thy love and suffer

ings; forgive, O Lord, the offence of thy servant, and cover all my sins.

Take away all thy displeasure, and turn thyself from thy wrathful indignation.

Turn me, O God, my Saviour, and let thine anger cease from me. Wilt thou be displeased for ever? And wilt thou stretch out thy wrath from one generation to another?

Wilt thou not turn again, and quicken me, that thy servant may rejoice in thee?

O shew me thy mercy, good Lord, and grant me thy salvation.

A PRAYER