5. We must lament and confess our omissions of our duty, our neglect of it, and our trifling in it, and that we have done so little _ since we came into the world, of the great work we were sent into the world about; so very little to answer the end of our creation, or of our redemption, of our birth, and of our baptism; and that we have profited no more by the means of grace.

We have been as fig trees planted in the vineyard, and thou hast come many years seeking fruit from us, but hast found none, and therefore we might justly be cut down, and cast into the fire for cumbering the ground. Thou hast come looking for grapes, but behold wild grapes: for we have been empty vines, bringing forth fruit unto ourselves. Luke 13:6, 7. Matt 3:10. Isa 5:4. Hos 10:1.

We have known to do good, but have not done it. We have hid our Lord’s money, and therefore deserve the doom of the wicked and slothful servant. Jas 4:17. Matt 25:18, 26.

We have been unfaithful stewards, that have wasted our Lord’s goods: for one sinner destroys much good. Luke 16:1. Eccl 9:18.

Many a price hath been put into our hands to get wisdom, which we have had no heart to, or our heart hath been at our left hand. Prov 17:16. Eccl 10:2.

Our childhood and youth was vanity, and we have brought our years to an end, as a tale that is told. Eccl 11:10. Ps 90:9.

We have not known, or improved the day of our visitation ; have not provided meat in summer, nor gathered food in harvest, though we have had guides, overseers, and rulers. Luke 19:44. Prov 6:34 hy Se

We are slow of heart to understand and believe, and whereas for the time we might have been teachers of others, we are yet to learn the first principles of the oracles of God: have need of milk, and cannot bear strong meat. Luke 24:25. Heb 5:12.

We have cast off fear, and restrained prayer before God ; have not called upon thy name, nor stirred up ourselves to take hold on thee. Job 15:4. Isa 64:7.

We have come before thee, as thy people come, and have sat before thee as thy people sit, and have heard thy words, when our hearts at the same time have been going after our covetousness. And thus have we brought the torn, and the lame, and the sick for sacrifice ; Mal 1:13

God, which we would not have offered to our governor; and have vowed and sacrificed to the Lord a corrupt thing, when we had in our flock a male. Ezek 32:31. Mal 1:8, 14.

‹ The corruption of the whole man; irregular appetites… · We must likewise bewail our many actual transgressions, in… ›

Pray now: a guided prayer in six parts, with the next heads each day.

Henry’s text is in the public domain. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, No. 265 Chestnut Street. Undated, about 1840 to 1860. The preface is dated Chester, March 25, 1710. From the Internet Archive scan. The KJV text is in the public domain.