Acts of Shame
A historical Anglican devotional form from Thomas Ken’s Winchester manual (1675).
Historical edition. Historical claims and instructions are preserved as historical context.
O Lord God, I am ashamed, and blush to lift up my face to Thee, for my iniquities, are increased over my head, and my trespasses, are grown up unto the Heavens!
O my Soul, what fruit have I reapt from all the pleasures of sin, which flattered me, but vanity, and vexation of Spirit!
Lord I am ashamed of my own folly, and madness, and disingenuity, when I call to mind, how greedily I have sucked in my own Pollution. How treacherously I have betrayed my own Soul to temptations, and combined with the very Devils, to hasten and increase my own damnation; How obstinately, I have fled from Thee, when Thy Mercy pursued me with promises of Pardon; How unworthily I have abused Thy Goodness, and forbearance, and long-suffering, which should have led me to Repentance.
Surely, after I was turned, I repented; and since I have considered my ways, I am ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I bear the Reproach of my youth.