Petition for Grace

O Lord God, I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep Thy righteous Judgments.

But alas! I am able of my self, to do nothing that is good, not so much as to think one good thought, and I no sooner shall rise from my knees, but I fear I shall be tempted, to those very sins, I have now so solemnly renounced, and those temptations will certainly overcome me, unless Thou Lord, dost seasonably interpose Thy grace to with-hold me.

But I can do all things through Thee strengthening me: Do Thou then, O blessed Saviour, perfect Thy strength in my weakness, for in Thee only is my trust.

O my God Thou hast promised to give Thy Holy Spirit to those that ask it. Behold Lord, I do humbly, I do earnestly ask Thy Holy Spirit now of Thee, O fulfil Thy gracious promise to me, O vouchsafe me that Holy Spirit I pray for, to purifie my corrupt nature, to strengthen my weakness, to comfort me in troubles, to support me in discouragements, to succour me in temptations, and to assist me in all parts of my duty, that I may ever hereafter live in Thy fear, and in constant, sincere and universal obedience, to all Thy righteous Laws.

Thou O searcher of hearts, knowest the sin (or sins) I am most inclined to, [here name it or them] and herein will lie my greatest danger of back-sliding; But O my God, I beg a double portion of Thy invisible aid against it, (or them.) Hold Thou up my goings in Thy paths, that my Footsteps slip not; O work in me that victorious Faith, by which I may overcome the World, the Devil and my own corrupt Nature.

True it is, O Lord God, that there are many sins which upon examination I find, through Thy grace I have not yet committed, and therefore not unto me Lord, but to Thy name be the glory; but alas! there is in my corrupt nature so great a proneness to evil, so great a curiosity to try what sin is, that without Thy restraining. Grace, every temptation when I shall have more age and liberty and opportunity to enforce it, will be apt to draw me from my obedience, and to overthrow all my present Resolutions.

But my Help standeth in Thee, O great Creatour, who hast made Heaven and Earth, and I commit my Soul to Thy keeping, O Thou that art faithful as well as Almighty, keep that safe which is committed to Thy trust, watch over me, that I may not be beguiled by the deceitfulnes of sin, or betrayed by my own treacherous heart, or surprized by my ghostly enemies, and give me grace to watch and to pray incessantly my self, lest I enter into temptation. Hear Lord from Heaven, and succour me, for the alone merits of Jesus my Saviour. Amen, Amen.