A Prayer for the Penitent.
Hannibal Gammon (1585-1674)Today, many Christians are turning back to the puritans to, “walk in the old paths,” of God’s word, and to continue to proclaim old truth that glorifies Jesus Christ. There is no new theology. In our electronic age, more and more people are looking to add electronic books (ePubs, mobi and PDF formats) to their library – books from the Reformers and Puritans – in order to become a “digital puritan” themselves. Take a moment to visit Puritan Publications (click the banner below) to find the biggest selection of rare puritan works updated in modern English in both print form and in multiple electronic forms. There are new books published every month. All proceeds go to support A Puritan’s Mind.
A Prayer for Penitent Christians is taken from the final prayer in Gammon’s sermon, “GOD’S SMITING TO AMEND OR TO REVENGE.”
His whole work is exceedingly powerful, and Gammon shows himself to be among the top preachers of his day to direct people to Jesus Christ.
“O Lord, you have promised, that no sin shall have dominion over us, (Romans 6:14), that you will subdue, our iniquities, (Micah 7:18), that you will cause us to walk in your statutes, (Ezekiel 36:17), that you will put in us your fear, (Jeremiah 32:39-40), that we shall not depart from you. But, we find in ourselves no ability to do this, (Romans 7:18; Psalm 73:26), all our strength lies in Christ alone, (Philippians 1:6 7 2:13 and 4:13; Zechariah 10:12; Isaiah 69:22; Ephesians 1:19 and 6:10; 1 Peter 1:5; 2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 2:1); give us, therefore, and increase in us, such a justifying and sanctifying faith, by which we being united, to him, (Ephesians 5:30; 1 Corinthians 6:17; 2 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 3:16, 17; Colossians 2:7, 10; 1 Corinthians 1:30; John 15:3), may draw virtue and power from the efficacy and influence of his death and resurrection to sin no more, (Romans 6:4, 5 etc. and 8:13; Philippians 3:10), but to die to sin, and to live to righteousness. We ask this so that you may be pleased to forgive our sins, (Jeremiah 36:3 and 26:3; Isaiah 59:20; Luke 24:47; Acts 9:31 and 20:21; Revelation 14:12; Galatians 6:15 and 5:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Acts 3:19), and when we sin, strike our rocky hearts with your rod, until they are sensible of your assault, and yield forth the living waters of true repentance, until they are thankful both in word and obedience for our deliverances, and until they are all untied together in the bond of peace, (Ephesians 4:3; Acts 4:32; Matthew 18:19). When you cause us to repent, turn from your judgment that you thought to do to us, (Jeremiah 18:8 and 26:13); to turn the traitorous counsels of all those like Ahithophel into foolishness; that you would be our captain, and to fight for us against our many and tyrannous enemies. Never let them wash their feet in our blood, but forever to hear the cry of your Son’s blood for our deliverance from your wrath and their fury. Let our good King’s crown still flourish on his head, with peace and truth in Jerusalem; by which all the kingdoms of the earth may know, that you, (whose Name alone we adore), are our most merciful Father, and wonderful deliverer. Grant these mercies, (O heavenly Father), for your mercy’s sake, for your Name’s sake, for your own sake, for your Son’s sake Jesus Christ our only Saviour. To whom, with you, and the Holy Spirit, we ascribe all prayer, praise, power, thanksgiving, and glory, forever and ever. Amen, Amen.”