The prayer of Manasseh King of the Iewes.




[Chapter 1]

1

O Lorde Almightie, God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, and of their righteous seede, which hast made heauen and earth with all their ornament, which hast bounde the sea by the worde of thy commaundement, which hast shut vp the deepe and sealed it by thy terrible and glorious Name, whome all doe feare and tremble before thy power: for the Maiestie of thy glory can not be borne, and thine angrie threatning towarde sinners is importable, but thy mercifull promes is vnmeasurable and vnsearcheable. [Note: This prayer is not in the Ebrewe, but is translated out of the Greeke. ] For thou art the most high Lorde, of great compassion, long suffering, and most mercifull, and repentest for mans miseries. Thou, O Lorde, according to thy great goodnesse hast promised [Note: [a] Thou hast promised that repentance shalbe the way for them to returne to thee. ] repentance and forgiuenesse to them that sinne against thee, and for thine infinite mercies hast appoynted repentance vnto sinners that they may be saued. Thou therefore, O Lord, that art the God of the iust, hast not appointed repentance to the iust, as to Abraham, & Isaac and Iacob, which haue not [Note: [b] He speaketh this in comparison of him selfe & those holy fathers which haue their commendation in the Scriptures, so that in respect of him selfe he calleth their sinnes nothing, but attributeth vnto them righteousnesse. ] sinned against thee, but thou hast appointed repentance vnto me that am a sinner: for I haue sinned aboue the nomber of the sand of the sea. My transgressions, O Lord, are multiplied: my transgressions are exceeding many: and I am not worthy to beholde and see the height of the heauens for the multitude of mine vnrighteousnesse. I am bowed downe with many yron bands, that I cannot lift vp mine head, neither haue any release. For I haue prouoked thy wrath and done euill before thee. I did not thy will, neither kept I thy commandements. I haue set vp abominations & haue multiplied offences. Now therefore I bow the knee of mine heart, beseeching thee of grace. I haue sinned, O Lorde, I haue sinned, & I acknowledge my transgressions: but I humbly beseech thee, forgiue me: O Lord, forgiue me, & destroy me not with my transgressions. Be not angry with me for euer by reseruing euil for me, neither condene me into ye lower parts of the earth. For thou art ye God, euen the God of them that repent: and in me thou wilt shewe all thy goodnes: for thou wilt saue me that am vnworthy, according to thy great mercie: therefore I will praise thee for euer all the dayes of my life: for all the power of the heauens praise thee, and thine is the glory for euer and euer, Amen.