Book of Common Prayer · Commination (1662) · All versions
Pontifical of Egbert: Prayers over a Penitent on the Wednesday before Lent (English) (written in England in the 10th century, ascribed to Egbert, Archbishop of York (732–766))
English translation by AnglicanGuide from the Latin. Read the Latin edition. Words in [brackets] are supplied or summarise omitted matter.
The four prayers said "over a penitent confessing his sins, according to custom, on the Wednesday within Quinquagesima". The first, "Exaudi, Domine, preces nostras", is the prayer that, through Sarum, became the Commination's "O Lord, we beseech thee, mercifully hear our prayers". Translated by AnglicanGuide.
Source: W. Greenwell (ed.), The Pontifical of Egbert, Archbishop of York, Surtees Society 27 (1853), pp. 122–123 (Internet Archive). Public domain (translation © AnglicanGuide).
A Commination, or Denouncing of God's Anger and Judgements against Sinners
Prayers and petitions over a penitent confessing his sins, according to custom, on the Wednesday within Quinquagesima.
Hear, O Lord, our prayers, and spare the sins of them that confess unto thee; that those whom the guilt of conscience accuseth, the pardon of thy mercy may absolve. Through [our Lord].
Another.
Let thy mercy, we beseech thee, O Lord, go before this thy servant, that all his iniquities may be blotted out by speedy pardon. Through [our Lord].
Another.
Be present, O Lord, to our supplications, and let not the compassion of thy clemency be far from this thy servant: heal his wounds and forgive his sins, that, separated from thee by no iniquities, he may ever cleave to thee his Lord. Through [our Lord].
Another.
O Lord our God, who art not overcome by our offence, but art appeased by satisfaction, look, we beseech thee, upon this thy servant, who confesseth that he hath grievously sinned against thee. Thine it is to give the washing away of crimes and to grant pardon to sinners, who hast said that thou wouldest rather the repentance of sinners than their death. Grant therefore, O Lord, that he may keep unto thee the watches of penance, and, his deeds being amended, may rejoice that everlasting joys are bestowed on him by thee. Through [our Lord].