O GOD OF GRACE
Thou hast imputed my sin to my substitute,
and hast imputed his righteousness to my soul,
clothing me with a bridegroom's robe,
decking me with jewels of holiness
But in my Christian walk I am still in rags;
my best prayers are stained wtih sin;
my penitential tears are so much impurity;
my confessions of wrong are so many aggravations of sin;
my receiving the Spirit is tinctured with selfishness.
I need to repent of my repentance;
I need my tears to be washed;
I have no robe to bring to cover my sins,
no loom to weave my own righteousness;
I am always standing clothed in flithy garments,
and by grace am always receiving change of raiment,
for thou dost always justify the ungodly;
I am always going into the far country,
and always returning home as a prodigal,
always saying Father, forgive me,
and thou art always bringing forth the best robe.
Every morning, let me wear it,
every evening return in it,
go out to the day's work in it,
be married in it,
be wound in death in it,
stand before the great white throne in it,
enter heaven in it shining as the sun.
Grant me never to lose sight of
the exceeding sinfulness of sin,
the exceeding righteouness of salvation,
the exceeding glory of Christ,
the exceeding beautity of holiness,
the exceeding wonder of grace.
Pg 76, Vision of Valley, A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotion.
