Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667)

O Eternal Purity!
Thou art brighter than the sun,
purer than the angels,
and the heavens are not clean in Thy sight;
with mercy behold Thy servant,
apt to be tempted with every object,
and to be overcome by every enemy.
I cannot, O God, stand in the day of battle and danger,
unless Thou coverest me with Thy shield,
and hidest me under Thy wings.
Thou didst make me after Thine image;
be pleased to preserve me so pure and spotless,
that my body may be a holy temple,
and my soul a sanctuary to entertain Thy divinest Spirit,
the Spirit of love and holiness.
Amen.