If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The Lord trieth the righteous : but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloke them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by his infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge our sins before God; yet ought we most chiefly so to do, when we assemble and meet together to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his most holy Word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying after me; THE LITANY. (Paraphrase.) INVOCATION. All present kneeling. O God, Creator and Governor of the universe, Parent of angels and spirits, who dwellest in that light to which no mortal eye can approach; have pity upon us, who have committed many and great transgressions against Thee. Our sins have brought down upon us thy just and severe displeasure. Feeble, afflicted, and sorrowful, we entreat Thee, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, to turn from thy fierce anger, and no longer to stretch out thine hand to punish. Bestow upon us thy love, as thy reconciled children in Jesus Christ. Reader and Congregation. O Lord Jesus, Son of the Father, very God of very God, whose love hath induced Thee to undertake our redemption, and whose divine nature hath enabled Thee to accomplish it; have mercy upon us, unholy, unbelieving, self-righteous offenders against thy wonderful compassion. Regard us in the low estate to which our sins have brought us, and visit us with that pardon, grace, and salvation, which thou hast purchased for us. Reader and Congregation. O God, the Holy Ghost, proceeding from God the Father and God the Son, who art the Lord and Giver of all Spiritual Life, the Comforter to abide with us for ever; how often have we slighted and opposed thy grace working within us, how often have we remained unimproved by thy corrections, how often turned away from the ordinances of religion, and given ourselves up to evil thoughts, company, and habits! Pardon, we beseech thee, our offences against |