Page 503
Or else praie thus:
O Almightie God, and most mercifull Father, which willest not the death of a sinner; but rather that hee should returne and liue: we thy ser∣uants most humblie confesse, that we haue most greeuouslie offended against thy diuine Maiestie, and prouoked thy heauie wrath against vs, in that we haue not beleeued and folowed thy Gos∣pell preached vnto vs; nor beene thankfull for thy ma∣nie & verie great benefits bestowed vpon vs: yea and being warned by the dangers of other, haue beene too carelesse to serue thee, oh Lord, the Father of all mer∣cie, and the God of all consolation, which in thy wrath remembrest mercie. We acknowledge, that in the late terrible earthquake, which suddenly shooke vs out of our houses and dwelling places, thou didst warne vs of thy iustice; and that we for our great vnthankful∣nesse and disobedience, haue deserued most iust iudge∣ment. O Lord, we thy seruants, being vile earth, and miserable sinners; yet trembling and quaking at the remembrance of that terrible looke of thy wrathfull displeasure neuer to be forgotten, most humblie craue pardon for our sinnes; and grace to conuert vnto thee in time. Conuert vs, O Lord, and we shall be conuer∣ted. Mollifie our hard harts, grant vs a contrite spi∣rit, and to turne vnto thee vnfeinedlie, in fasting, wee∣ping & praier. Enter not into iudgement with thy ser∣uants; spare thy people, O Lord; spare them, and let not thine heritage be brought to confusion. Haue mer∣cie vpon vs, for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake. Giue vs grace hencefoorth to amend our liues, and to serue thee in holines and righteousnesse. So we acknowledging thy iustice, and remembring alwaies that fearefull