Abner Bourne confession, 1806

To the first Church of Christ in Middleboro. Dearly beloved ------ Although my Lot is Cast in a Land of Light where the doctrins of the Great Gospel plan of Salvation is Clearly held forth Which --- docktrins I firmly believe will eternally abide Tho Heaven and Earth may pass away and thus I may be forever Lost and although I have Long had a Standing and Been an officer in the Church in this place and have even been a Publick Teacher - yet Malonconly to relate, I have Been guilty of Lude and Lascivious Behaviors and heretofore unduly indeavoured to harden? [- -] from the Church & thereby wounded my Conciance brought a Reproach on Religion I have grieved the Church given the enamies of God and Religion great Occasion to Reproach and Blaspheam - and above all I have greatly Offended my God for which Conduct I desire with Shame and Self- abasement humbly to Cast myself at the foot of almighty God and humbly to Implore his pardone and forgiveness. I also in a humble manner now Ask the forgiveness of the Church - and I Request their eirnest Prayers to Almighty God that he would give me true Repentance and grant me his pardone and forgiveness for these and all other of my sins and that he wold for the futer by his divine power and grace Keep me from falling into the Like and all other sins - And Open away to wipe off the great Reproch that I have brought on Religion Abner Bourne Dated at Middleboro. May 20th 1806