The Devotions of Bishop Andrewes. Vol. I 7Confession

Essence beyond essence, Nature increate, Framer of the world, I set Thee, Lord, before my face, and I lift up my soul unto Thee. I worship Thee on my knees, and humble myself under Thy mighty hand. I stretch forth my hands unto Thee, my soul gaspeth unto Thee as a thirsty land. I smite on my breast and say with the Publican, God be merciful to me a sinner, the chief of sinners; to the sinner above the Publican, be merciful as to the Publican. Father of mercies, I beseech Thy fatherly affection; despise me not, an unclean worm, a dead dog, a putrid corpse, despise not Thou the work of Thine own hands, despise not Thine own image though branded by sin. Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean; Lord, only say the word, and I shall be cleansed. And Thou, my Saviour Christ, Christ my Saviour, Saviour of sinners, of whom I am chief, despise me not, despise me not, O Lord, despise not the cost of Thy blood, who am called by Thy Name; but look on me with those eyes with which Thou didst look upon Magdalene at the feast, Peter in the hall, the thief on the wood;-- that with the thief I may entreat Thee humbly, Remember me, Lord, in Thy kingdom; that with Peter I may bitterly weep and say, O that mine eyes were a fountain of tears that I might weep day and night; that with Magdalene, I may hear Thee say, Thy sins be forgiven thee, and with her may love much, for many sins yea manifold have been forgiven me. And Thou, All-holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, despise me not, Thy breath, despise not Thine own holy things; but turn Thee again, O Lord, at the last, and be gracious unto Thy servant.