_From the poyson under their tongues, from the snares of their lips, from the fire, and the swords of their words ever deliver me, O Lord, and all those loyal and religious hearts, who desire and delight in the prosperity of my soul, and who seek by their prayers to relieve this sadness and solitude of thy servant, O my King and my God._
25. Penitential Meditations and Vows in the Kings solitude at _Holmby_.
_Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my Meditation, and hearken to the voyce of my cry, my King and my God, for unto thee will I pray._
_I said in my haste, I am cast out of the sight of thine eyes; nevertheless, thou hearest the voyce of my supplication, when I cry unto thee._
_If thou, Lord, shouldst be extream to mark what is done amiss, who can abide it? But there is mercy with thee, that thou mayest be feared; therefore shall sinners flie unto thee._
_I acknowledg my sins before thee, which have the aggravation of my condition; the eminencie of my place, adding weight to my offences._
_Forgive, I beseech thee, my personal, and my peoples sins; which are so far mine, as I have not improved the power thou gavest me, to thy glorie, and my Subjects good: Thou hast now brought me from the glorie and freedom of a King, to be a Prisoner to my own Subjects. Justlie, O Lord, as to thy over-ruling hand, because in many things I have rebelled against thee._
_Though thou hast restrained my person, yet enlarg my heart to thee, & thy grace towards me._
_I come far short of_ Davids __pietie; yet since I may equal Davids _afflictions, give me also the comforts, and the sure mercies of_ David.
_Let the penitent sense I have of my sins, be an evidence to me, that thou hast pardoned them._
_Let not the evils, which I and my Kingdoms have suffered seem little unto thee, though thou hast not punished us according to our sins._
_Turn thee (O Lord) unto me; have mercy upon me, for I am desolate and afflicted._
_The sorrows of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my troubles._
_Hast thou forgotten to be gracious, and shut up thy loving kindness in displeasure?_
_O remember thy compassions of old, and thy loving kindesses, which have been for many generations._
_I had utterly fainted, if I had not believed to see thy goodnesse in the land of the living._