Before Mass

In the multitude of thy mercies, O Lord God,
do I now approach thine altar;
O pardon my sins,
and look not upon my unworthiness,
(for I am a sinful creature, O Lord,)
but upon those motives which drew me hither,
even my own miseries,
and thy tender mercies;
therefore help me to supply in humility
what I want in worthiness,
and let my bended knees and contrite heart
shew that I durst not have ventured hither,
had not thy mercy held out the golden sceptre, and said,
"Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden,
and I will refresh you." Amen.

William Vickers (d. 1719)