25. Penitential Meditations and Vows in the Kings solitude at Holmby.
G Ive ear to my words, O Lord, consider my Meditation, and hearken to the voyce of my cry, my King and my God, for unto thee will I pray.
I said in my haste, I am cast out of the sight of thine eyes; nevertheless, thou hearest the voyce of my supplication, when I cry unto thee.
If thou, Lord, shouldst be extream to mark what is done amiss, who can abide it? But there is mercy with thee, that thou mayest be feared; therefore shall sinners flie unto thee.
I acknowledg my sins before thee, which have the aggravation of my condition; the eminencie of my place, adding weight to my offences.
Forgive, I beseech thee, my personal, and my peoples sins; which are so far mine, as I have not improved the power thou gavest me, to thy glorie, and my Subjects good: Thou hast now brought me from the glorie and freedom of a King, to be a Prisoner to my own Subjects. Justlie, O Lord, as to thy over-ruling hand, because in many things I have rebelled against thee.
Though thou hast restrained my person, yet enlarg my heart to thee, & thy grace towards me.
I come far short of Davids pietie; yet since I may equal Davids afflictions, give me also the comforts, and the sure mercies of David.
Let the penitent sense I have of my sins, be an evidence to me, that thou hast pardoned them.
Let not the evils, which I and my Kingdoms have suffered seem little unto thee, though thou hast not punished us according to our sins.