S. Luke 15. 18, 19.I will arise, and go to my father, and will say vnto him: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Psal. 143. 2Enter not into iudgement with thy servant [O Lord] for in thy sight shall no man living be iustified.
1. S. John. 1. 8, 9.If we say, that we have no sin, we deceive our selves, and the Truth is not in vs: [But] if we confess our sins, he is faithfull and iust to forgive vs our sinns, and to cleanse vs from all vnrighteousness.
Dearly beloved brethren, the scripture moveth vs in sundry places to acknowledge, and confess our manifold sins and wickednes, and that we should not dissemble nor cloak 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 obtein forgivenes of the same by his infinite goodnes 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 aske those things which are requisite and necessary as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice, vnto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying after me
Almighty and most mercifull Father, We have erred and strayed from thy wayes like lost sheep, We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, We have offended against thy holy¶ A generall Confession to be said of the whole congregation, after the Minister, all kneeling.
