of the sea doe so outragiously beate vppon the shore that all things may séeme incontinent to be destroyed and quite ouerflown with waters and on the other side they are indued with a great and notable assuraunce when as thou refreshest them in their grieuous distresses with the most pleasaunt riuers of thy heauenly consolations namelye in setting out the rare and wonderfull meanes of thy assistant helpe through thy fruitfull spirit Vpon which thy excellent goodnesse we also hauing assured confidence notwithstanding the innumerable sinnes which we confesse to be the chiefe cause why we haue offended thee most gréeuously require that thou wouldst shake and make feeble the Nations and Kingdomes which thou seest doe resist thy sacred Churche with great violence and most craftie deuices shew forth that voyce of thine wherewith the earth and euerye creature therin are woont to be shaken and vtterly brought to naught Be thou O our God as a most strong and vnuincible Tower vnto vs cause thou warres here to ceasse and make thou speares horse charets and all kinde of weapons blunt that they may finally leaue of their lewde enterprises who mightily fight agaynst vs and shewe thou thy selfe great and excellent aboue all things while thou doest manifest thy selfe to be better for our deliueraunce then all the armies and puyssance of the whole worlde through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme AFter what sort soeuer a very sodaine or horrible mishappe O most mightie God shall sore vex vs our hope shall not faile vs neyther will we be any thing dismaied or troubled séeing we are now fully resolued that thou art our onely helper and deliuerer although the whole worlde be moued the stormes of humaine flesh do swell and that all the Deuils of hell with their whole furniture shoulde séeme to shake all thinges of ours yet do we repose and settle our selues in thy vnspeakeable goodnesse and inuincible power Oure sinnes truely deserue all maner of trouble and enmitie but forgiue thou vs them according to thy accustomed goodnesse and pitiyng our present calamities graunt that such as vnfeynedly call vpon thee may enioy health peace and quietnesse of minde for thou canst very easily disappoynt and breake the swordes bow warlike ingines and all the craftie deceyptes and imaginations of the Deuill not onely through thy most mightie and inuincible worde but also euen with a becke and at thy onely will and pleasure our earnest request is O good God to applie our selues here vnto that wee maye attentiuely beholde those marueylous actes which thou doest for thy faithfull seruauntes whereby all Nations maye right well knowe and perceyue that thou takest our part and determinest to bée a continuall helper of thy blessed people throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xlvij. Psalme A prayer for the good sucâ—esse and inâ—reasment of â—he Gospell THou hast vouchedfafe O moste mightie God to gather and collect a Churche vnto thy selfe on earth which thou hast not conueyed into stonie houses or Temples of Marble but into the liuely hearts of men whome thou deckest and garnishest with thy most wonderfull giftes and doest pollishe the same passing well with the holy Ghost and therefore séeing they be indued with so great a rewarde it behoueth all faythful people to make an excéeding pleasant mirth and ioyfull gladnesse But the most deadly and heynous sinnes which we haue committed doe greatly darken these thankes giuings and mery songs who are worthily verye sore oppressed with the afflictions of them and seing we heartily acknowledge and earnestly confesse that we haue hitherto gone astray and suffer none otherwise then we haue most iustly deserued thou that art very mercie it selfe forgiue thy faythfull people and thou also who art most highe and rulest farre and néere destroy vs not according to our merits Graunt O excellent father that our naughtie and lewd behauiours hinder not the propagation of thy glorious kingdom arise and go forwards by causing strauÌ„ge people to be in subiection to the fayth and make those Nations which haue béene hitherto Infidels obedient to thy sacred worde and thou who hast chosen thée a Church as a most notable and famous heritage magnifie thy selfe continually by al meanes and with most exquisite prayses therein in such wise as all men maye accompt preach and exalt thée for their king but as for thy faythfull seruants who now séeme to be aboue all others most cast awayes lighten them in such wise with thy blessed spirit and rule them so by thy holy worde as all men may perceyue that they be guyded and gouerned by thy mightye power And vouchsafe that the souereigne estates and what power soeuer is in the world may at length be annexed and knit vnto thée that thou be none otherwise their God then thou wert in olde time the God of faythfull Abraham Graunt that the kings and princes who ought of duetie to helpe and defende their subiectes may perfectly acknowledge thée whereby thy famous honour and renowmed glorie maye most brightly shine therein to the singuler benefite of thy sacred Church through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme IT behoueth all faithfull people O most good and gracious God to extoll and aduaunce the kingdome of Christ with an excéeding ioy wonderfull gladnesse and most hartie endeuour for so thy vnspeakeable goodnesse is both mightily declared and we also are come to the full attainement of our saluation Surely it is verye requisite that all people Nations should be in subiection to his gouernment and the worlde shall go best on our side who be his peculier heritage and especial flock We heartily require thée therefore O our most puyssaunt king who art exalted into the high heauens and vnto the right hand of thy father to vouchsafe for to acquire vs of the heynous faultes we haue gréeuously committed and whatsoeuer sorrowfull calamities and straunge mishaps be like to fall vpon vs put them of from our shoulders through thy inestimable mercie and mightie power whereby thou thy selfe alone mayest beare rule and reigne in our mindes And graunt that all kinges all princes and great states that haue aucthoritie vpon earth may vnseperably cleaue vnto thée being the rightfull and most true God throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xlviij. Psalme THy excellent Maiestie and excéeding honour O moste good and mercifull God aboundeth greatly in the Church A prayer fâ—â— the christiaâ— Church aâ— congregatiâ—â— seeing that thou doest mightilye rule hir with thy sacred worde and holye spirite neyther art thou marueylously praysed there onely but what comlinesse or perfect ioy soeuer is in the whole worlde it issueth and procéedeth doubtlesse from thée And forsomuch as thou art farre better knowne there then any where else it commeth hereof that thou art in the same place a sure defence and moste strong fortresse to thy faythfull
be ordered there by thy spirituall wisdome and auoyde those offences therefro vnto which euerlasting damnation is due by iustice Let them depart thence which fall from thée by infidelitie and are through obstinate wilfulnesse trayterous rebelles to thy sacred lawe let backebiters togither with suche as are proude and those which dare shameleslye presume any thing bée vtterly rooted out And coÌ„trariwise let there be space in especiallye for suche as be verye zealous of the truth Let not these be onely conuersant there before thée but cause them to féed thy blessed people with a singuler fayth and innoâ—sie minister all things diligently vnto them which be necessary toward saluation Remoue far from thence far from them O excellent father be all mans inueÌ„tion and deceyptfull ydolatrie so that finally all Godlinesse maye be vtterly rooted vp from the Congregation of the faythfull through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cij Psalme WE are of our owne selues altogither vnworthie O most mightie God A prayeâ— the tryal fayth aâ—â—fliction â— Church that thou shouldest gyue eare vnto our prayers seeing we haue euery where transgressed thy sacred lawe and blessed commaundements and liued excéeding dishonestly towards thy holy Gospel and our vocation Howbeit hide thou not away thy face for thy infinit mercies sake from our humble petitions earnest supplications For we are greeuously assayled and sore opprest with most great perilles And therefore bowe downe thy fauourable eare vnto vs and graunt them with spéede their desires which inuocate and call vpon thée First we require to be deliuered from our heynous sinnes and lewde corruptioÌ„s and let our weake and feeble heartes bée strengthned in thy blessed way and the withered powers of our minde which are dried vp watered with the holy Ghost that we may liue vnto thée who being altogither repaired and wholy renued may cause thy glorious name and sacred Gospell to be well spoken of This once done extende thy inuincible power and might vpon such as rayse vp innumerable slaunders and reproches vpon the name of thy Sonne and his holy doctrine Haue mercy out of hande we humbly beséech thée of Sion that is to say thy blessed Church for the time is now come that she standeth in great néede of thy readie helpe Looke out we heartily pray thée from thy high dwelling place behold our gréeuous calamities and heare theyr pitifull cryes which are in great bondes much beaten and gréeuously tormented to death diuers maner of wayes for thy glorious names sake by preseruing thy chosen sheepe out of so great daungers whom the Antichristians doe adiudge not onelye to death but also to vtter destruction that thy adobted children maye one time or other lead a peaceable and quiet life before thée through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme THe whole company of thy faithfull people O most good and mercifull God do lamentably require thy fauourable helpe which is cruelly opprest through the tyrannie of sinne and the sacred sappe of godlinesse almoste dryed vp in the same for hir mouth is in a maner so stopped vp that she cannot sing thy worthie prayses and there remayneth not well néere any member in hir bodie that may execute his office in helping one another Thou therefore which alwayes florishest fresher and fresher rise vp to be our spéedie helper bicause we haue now thought it highe time for thée to assist thy blessed Church so gréeuously afflicted which thing if thou wilt graunt vs wée doubt not but the feare of thy glorious name and sincere godlinesse shall bée spred very farre abroade For if thou wilt deliuer thy faythfull people from so great and mischeeuous daungers thou shalt teach thereby that thy louing promise remayneth alwayes firme and vnappayred in such wise that although the heauen earth be troubled with wonderfull interchaunges and be so shaken as they perishe yet doth the same continue alwayes one towardes thy elect seruaunts whereby we heartily beséech thée to be both preserued and also set in good estate againe not according to our owne strength and desertes but throughe his mercy and gentlenesse effectually working the same by Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Ciij Psalme WE are bounde O moste mightye God for thy singuler deserts extended towards vs A prayer for a newe life to prayse thée continually with minde heart all our whole power rendring condigne thanks vnto thy diuine maiesty vnlesse we will like vngratefull persons forget all those thinges which thou hast hitherto bestowed vpoÌ„ vs. First thou hast freely offred vs forgiuenesse of sinnes by Christ and regeneration throughe his precious bloud herevnto is added doctrine sacraments bodily life and whatsoeuer else apperteyneth to the preseruation both of the outwarde and inwarde man But wee heartily acknowledge that we haue notwithstanding moste filthily abused all these thy excellent benefites for we haue done nothing faythfully that aunswereth fully to our calling We nowe therefore do humbly beséech thée to pardon our gréeuous offences and lewd behauiour amending our corrupt maners and the dishonest life which we haue led hitherto Deale not with vs after our sinnes neyther reward vs according to our iniquities Wilt thou seing that singuler louing kindnesse and mercie preuayleth with thee bée alwayes reuengeable or correct and chastice vs in thy furie Remember that thou art our father and therefore earnestly do we desire thee to shewe forth a fatherly affection towards such as both honour and worship thée It is not vnbeknowne to thy diuine Maiestie that we are dust and vnlesse thou be present with vs the vaynest things that euer were made we are more lither then grasse and flowers Regard not therefore our lewde and wicked factes but way rather the league made betwixt thée and vs and deliuer thy faythfull people from the hands of thy cursed and most mischieuous enimies so that we may magnifie thy wonderous workes with the glorious Aungels and all holy men for euermore through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme MAnnes weake and féeble nature can at no tyme O almightye GOD prayse thée according to thy worthinesse for thou doest not onelye bestowe vppon vs the benefites whereby we both obteyne lyfe and also doe from day to day continue and maintain the same but thou hast forgiuen thy faythfull people their most gréeuous and infinite sinnes by Christ which surmounteth al other things that thou hast participated amongst vs for the which most excellent and notable gift we yéelde thee heartie thankes although not such as we ought yet such as we can and to the intent we may thereby become more chéerefull in requiring the same our earnest request is O excellent Father that thou wouldest establishe and perpetually maintaine the worde of pure and sincere doctrine in the mouth of thy blessed Church so that an alteration of hir olde Leuen being made she may like
and miserable caytifes vnto thée who of thy owne accorde vsest to bee an helper to the poore and distressed Breake thou yet once at length the power of the vngodlye heare the prayers of the afflicted and finally deliuer the oppressed so that they being set free from so great terrours may giue due thanks vnto thée in thy sacred church for thy great mercye and compassion thorow Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xj. Psalme IN thée O most good and mightye God repose wée our whole trust and confidence A prayer against the temptation of fayth therfore when our fleshe when humaine wisedome when also the vngodly do obiect and lay to our charge that our cause is turned vpside downe and quite ouerthrowne neyther any helpe at all left for the maintenance of the true doctrine and the most holy and sacred Gospell wée are not for all this perswaded to dispaire of thy mercy power â–ª who see in deede that the enimies of thy glorious name haue bent the bowe of their puyssaunce and made ready their arrowes to pearce and shoote vs thorow Moreouer wee also wey and consider that oure lyfe hath béene such as we deserue all maner of euill hap and miserie that may bée who haue not done after thy will as it became obedient children no but haue alwaies hitherto which now sore gréeueth vs rebelled agaynst thy holy commaundementes Yet nowe with all humilitie do we craue pardon for our sinnes and are very bolde to require this of thee through the confidence wée haue in thy excellent goodnesse and singuler clemencie that thou which hast thy exceding princely palace and most holy seate in the heauens from whence it is thy accustomed woont to looke downe and fixe thine eyes vpon all thinges that are done on the earth wilt at length diligently trie out the equitie of this cause and looke vpon the vngodlynesse and crueltie of our enimies But restraine thou and kéepe backe which hast very often vsed to cast fire brimstone and burning thunderboltes vpon the vngodlye at the least wise the cruell persecutors of thy blessed Churche to the intent all men maye knowe that thou beyng most righteous doest fauour the right cause and wilt bee our strong defence who haue taken vpon vs an earnest zeale and loue of thy most glorious name through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Another prayer out of the same Psalme WHen we O most good and mightye God do put our whole trust and coÌ„fidence in thee so much as in vs lyeth the desires of our owne fleshe the counsayles of the vngodly and the temptations of Sathan do not sléepe or cease wherewith wée are alured day and night to renounce and vtterly forsake all Godlinesse as thoughe we should be wholy oppressed and vanquished with the strength of bowe of arrowes and other force of our wicked enimies if we go on forwarde to leade such a life as becommeth thy seruauntes But we notwithstanding we be compassed about and ouerwhelmed with greauous sinnes and iniquitie yet neuerthelesse vpon the sure trust and confidence that we haue in thy rich mercy we humbly besech thee first to forgiue vs our heynous offences who do acknowledge and confesse the same vnto thy diuine Maiestie And that then thou wouldest out of thy celestiall and heauenly palace shewe forth thy louing countenaunce to be our most strong helper that at what tyme thou hast tryed and proued the case on both partes with an equall ballance then the enimies of godlinesse maye be iustly punished according to their owne desertes and on the contrary part thy beloued seruauntes trie by receyuing of saluation that thou art a defender of equitie and vpright dealing through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xij. Psalme â— praier aâ—ainst huâ—aine false 〈◊〉 erronious â—octrine IN so great a want and scarsitie of good and godly men thou onely O most mercifull and mightie God remaynest to be our strong defeÌ„ce Wherefore we drawe néere and approche vnto thée with these our dayly prayers beséeching thy diuine Maiestie to helpe at length our most troublesome and afflicted estate For vnlesse thou mightily defendest thy louing Church howe can it be in safety amongst such kinde of enimies who do not kéepe any maner of fidelitie and go alwayes aboute to deceyue plaine simple persons with vaine lyes and false flattering wordes neuer faythfullye thinking that in their hart which they vtter by word of mouth Deliuer vs not ouer O most mercifull father to be handled of them as our sinnes and wickednesse deserue but in this case haue an especiall regarde to the glory of thy puyssaunt name the mightye increasing of thy Gospell and the farre passing faythfulnesse of thy louing promises this do not for our sakes but for the causes here shewed and mencioned beare not with these men that séeke to augment and enlarge their owne power only which being straungers to Godlinesse haue no knowledge at all of thée Looke vpon the great affliction and groninges of thy blessed Church arise vp nowe and helpe vs according to thy mercifull promises For thy wordes are white and more pure then the most excellent and finest siluer Finally seing euery sort of wicked and vngodly persons did couitte with all the witte and industrie they can to bée moste mightie defende thou thy Church for thy infinite mercies sake from those mens extréeme iniuryes and cruell oppressions through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme FOrsomuch as O heauenly father during the time we liue in this transitory worlde amongst frayle mortall creatures of Godly true dealing and faythfull persons there is marueylous great want wheras contrariwise men may sée a wonderfull company of vngodly persons deceytfull men flatterers such as be great talkers and speake very prowde wordes we poure out our humble prayers before hande vnto thée who art our refuge beséeching thee that thou wouldest not so weigh and regard those things which wee haue frowardly committed against thée as to giue vs ouer vnto the lust and furye of wicked and lewde men according to our iust deserts But rather for thy great mercyes sake which is marueylous ample and excéeding large arise and with thy mightie power deliuer those that trust in thée from the snares deceipt and subtile wiles which the enimies of all godlines do practise and imagin continually against them that whilest thou art their defence mightie preseruer from the wicked and moste cursed generation all men may vnderstand thy promises and woordes to be both garnished with a singuler and vnspeakeable veritie and also most pure and vncorrupt from euery sporte of deceyuablenesse and vaine léesing through Iesus Christ oure Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the xiij Psalme WHilest that the Godly O most mightie God do sée themselues vexed with grieuous afflictions A praier that we dispayre not in trybulation and tossed with painefull miseries they greatly feare that
and very ioyfull For although thy faithful seruants be punished for a while so loÌ„g as they are in this wretched life yet the time will one day come when thou by fire and with the cléere lightsome presence of thy diuine Maiestie shalt iudge the world rewarding euery man vprightly according to his deserts Then shall the very heauens shewe foorth thy righteousnesse and al men compelled whether they will or no to say that thou art most iust and then also shall thy blessed Church be filled with true and perfect ioy Seing that therefore the matter standeth thus so long as we are here strauÌ„gers from thée cause light to rise in vs and a spirituall reioycing with excéeding purenesse of heart whereby we may sincerely and after a due maner ioy in thée onely so that one of vs maye alwayes put an other in remembraunce not to bée forgetfull to publish thy vnspeakable holinesse through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xcviij. Psalme A prayer for the fauour of Christ through his glorious resurrection THou hast shewed oftentimes that saluation belongeth vnto thee only O moste mightie God for the doing and accomplishing whereof thou hast no néede of any creatures assistaunce Thou shewedst marueylous wonders in our fathers dayes and diddest often preserue them with thy onely right hande and blessed arme for thou hast in such wise extended thy readie helpe towards them that thy excellent mercy vnspeakable goodnes became manifest to al nations Seing that therfore thou hast not hitherto bene forgetful of thy faithful promises but rather hast alwayes assisted thy beloued seruants wheÌ„ soeuer they stoode in néede of a deliuerer whervpoÌ„ they thought thy glorious name was to be extolled praysed all maner of wayes so much as in them lay both with heart voyce trumpets harpes shawmes and sundrie ditties of songes we therfore thy faythfull people doe in like sort pray at this present that thou hidest not thy selfe from vs in this time Thou truely art not ignoraunt how many and howe great the perils are which do gréeuously molest vs. And so long as we do wey the case by our owne deserts they séeme to be more hard and gréeuous vnto vs then we be able in any wise to beare for we haue sinned in such wise agaynst thee so impudeÌ„tly transgressed thy sacred lawes and so often playd the rebelles agaynst thy diuine Maiestie that if thou shouldest reward vs according to our lewde lyfe and filthie condicions we may be euen in vtter dispayre of our saluation But we do greatly with much feruencie labour to obteyne this at thy fauourable handes both that thou wouldst deale with vs according to thy accustomed maner by forgiuing the penitent pardoning their heynous offences which vncessauntly call vpon thy blessed name and being mercifull vnto such as faythfully trust in thée And also that of thy singuler iustice and excellent clemencie thou wouldst mightily deliuer vs after a puyssaunt maner maintaine vs and defend vs with an inuincible force from the most cruell enimies of thy blessed name through Iesus Christ oure Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme AL mankind in generall O most mightie God are bounde to prayse and sette forth thy blessed name excéedingly for the notable benefits thou bestowest vpoÌ„ them and most especially for that thou hast deliuered vs from euerlasting death by the helpe of none other creature but onelye through the sole oblation of thy alone and most dearly beloued Sonne insomuch as we may rightly saye that thou onely defendest vs with thy holy arme and puissant right hande Thou hast verye certainlye shewed howe mindfull and what a good kéeper thou art of faythfulnesse and goodnesse which the whole endes of the earth and all mortal creatures may assuredly see and right well perceyue by our redemption but we be so dull rude and blockishe that we haue in a maner lost the whole perceyueraunce of so noble and great liberalitie the fault whereof we must impute to our heynous wickednesse and mischieuous déedes Wherefore with a mightye lamentation and verye sorrowfull crie wée doe earnestly call vpon thy inestimable mercie to forgiue whatsoeuer wée haue moste gréeuously committed agaynst thée and to take from thy blessed Churche the occasions of so great sorrow For whilest we knowe godlinesse and religion to hang in so great distresse we can in no wise sing vnto thée with heart and voyce as we ought to do or prouoke all creatures through oure great ioye to vnspeakeable gladnesse We do nowe earnestly require thée to come and iudge the case of thy faithfull people Rayse vp and sustaine with thy iudgement such as mourne and comfort the afflicted that thy equitie and iustice wherein thou doest much excell all others may moste manifestly shewe forth it selfe through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xcix. Psalme A prayer for the iustification of fayth agaynst the righteousnes of workes IT is truly an excéeding great force of thy glorious kingdom that thou moste mightye God vsest in the defence of the Godly and ouerthrowing of the enuious and rebellious people which our fathers haue oftentimes had tryall of Whereby we doe most certainly beleue and earnestly confesse that so long as thou doest fauour thy faythfull seruaunts the courages minds and strengtâ— of those that assault them yea and the verâ— earth also doth quaile seeing therfore thaâ— thy puyssaunce and strength is so great iâ— the Church let thy mightye power we bâ—séech thee disquiet and trouble all nations which would quite subuert and vtterly ouerthrow thy glorious kingdome And as thy puyssaunt force and mightie strength surmounteth all Gods and kings euen so nowe shew thy selfe a terrible and feareful GOD for the preseruation of thy blessed Church It is verily not vnbeknowne vnto vs that thou louest iugdement and decidest mens causes vprightly We heartily require thée therefore to vouchsafe that when as our iniquities which we haue coÌ„mitted prouoke thée to extend thy seueritie vpon vs thou wouldst turne thy eyes from these thinges and bend them wholy vpon Iesus Christ our sauiour who is for vs in the stead of Aaron Moses Samuell and a true Bishop Bée mindfull of the prayer sacrifice bloud and teares which he shed for vs vpon the Alter of the Crosse Admit we haue committed an infinite number of naughty factes yet remember that we thorowe him doe call vpon thy blessed name pardon therefore forgiue and vtterly remit our heynous transgressions and make no â—ariance in deliuering vs from these exceeding great and daungerous perils so that we may leade our lyfe with an vncorrupt heart towards thee and exalt thy glorious name euen as it right wel deserueth with such prayses as maye pearce the heauens through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme ALthough the vngodly O most mightie God seeme to ruffle sometime so greatly as they turne all things vpside downe yet
in such wise rise vp gnash their téeth rage swell for anger as thy faythfull seruants are nowe in a maner almoste drowned of them vnlesse thou doest verye spéedily asswage and thrust back the storme of vngodlinesse huge waues of the deuill Turne away thy furious wrath from vs we heartily pray thée O heauenly father and punish not thée wickednesse which we haue committed agaynst thée according to our iust deserts who doe not this onely to the intent thou shouldest consider our worthinesse but that thou mightest not fayle thy owne name thy pure doctrine and thy faythfull promises Graunt that we may once say verilye our God is to be magnified and praysed which will not suffer hys blessed Church to bée dispersed of wicked mens outragious crueltie but hath taken hir from the snares and Iawes of vngracious persons by his excéeding famous and most puyssant arme Cut their Nettes asunder let their naughtie enterprises bee frustrated and make their force to fayle them who do nowe greatly terrifie all such O good God as stand in feare of thée let vs looke for helpe at thy mercifull handes onelye who hast made heauen and earth Wherefore our earnest petition and hartie request is that thou wouldest of thy singuler mercie and excellent clemencie yéeld thy selfe plyable to our feruent prayers through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme SVch as belong to thy heritage and are the true Israell must needes confesse with vs O most mightie God that vnlesse we had béene preserued and holpen by thy singuler fauour and mightie power wée should haue beene swallowed vp and vtterly consumed to nothing more then once by the fierce enimies of our saluation For if we looke for helpe else where to succor vs we know assuredly that it is of no force at all The violence and outrage of those men which do greeuously assault vs is lyke most swift streames of water that doe sodainly ouerflow the fieldes whose outragious crueltie may bée fully compared to the fiercenesse of brute beastes which men also vse such craftie and couert snares to trap vs in as the fowlers and hunters are nothing comparable vnto them herein but séeme very simple farre theyr inferiors Wherfore according to our bounden duetie wée render condigne thankes vnto thée forsomuch as thou hast hitherto deliuered thy simple and féeble flocke from so great perillous daungers and request this at thy mercifull hands that thou wouldst in lykewise not suffer thy sacred Church hereafter to bee ouerthrowne neither by outragious violence nor yet through subtile deceipt so as our assured cōfidence in thée may be dayly more and more greatly augmented and mightily increased through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxxv. Psalme FOrsomuch as mannes helpe O most good and mercifull God is verye weake A prayer for the preseruation and long continuance of fayth wonderfull vncertain and merueylous deceyuable we are euidētly taught to repose our whole confidence in thée onely vnto whom whosoeuer they bée that doe annixe themselues they neuer go nor yet wander out of the right way Thou therefore which hast promised to stablishe Mount Sion being thy holy Church in such wise with thy mightie protection as it maye abide for euer agaynst all the craftie assaultes and layings awayte of hir outragious aduersaries haue the like regarde wée humbly beséech thée to the same at this present neither permit the rod of the vngodly to waxe fierce vpon hir For if it bée inforced to bée in subiection to thy wicked enimies euen they also which seeme godly men shall fall redily into impietie Punish our sinnes O good GOD which be great and gréeuous with an other maner of chasticement and correction for we do desire no more at this tyme but that we may not be oppressed by Antichrist requyring thée to defend the congregations of thy faythfull inuironing them about on euery side lyke most defenceable Mountaynes so that the wicked aduersaries of thy glorious name haue no power to make hauocke of them at theyr will and pleasure Deale louingly fauorably in these dayes with such as be greatly desirous of goodnesse and vpright dealing but cause those to féele and haue in tryall what the workers of iniquitie doe deserue whose mindes are not onelye wrapped altogither full of vngodlinesse by practising mischiefe naughtinesse but also indeuour so much as in thē lyeth that thy blessed worde may no where flourish that true religion might be vtterly extinguished and the perfect inuocating and calling vpon thy glorious name quite rooted vp But as for thy beloued Israell after she hath inioyed peace and tranquilitie let it be ioyned more and more vnto thee so as shée maye continually lay sure holde vpon thy worthie prayses through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme IN whose minds soeuer the beliefe of thy faythfull promises O moste mightie God is assuredly graffed and firmely established they being like vnto wel grounded Mountaynes do nothing shake in troublesome tymes but their constancie and vnremoueablenesse is of such force as their assured hope is that they be no lesse armed with thy mightie protection and sure defence then was the Citie of Ierusalem inuironed with a rampire of Mountaynes which did ouerlooke it rounde aboute on euery side Now therefore when as the mischiefe and flame of the vngodlye is occupied on this one poynt how to scatter the Church and to oppresse it assist the same O excellent father and make it manifest vnto hir what a singuler loue thou bearest therto But if as wée openly and with a sincere fayth acknowledge and confesse our horrible naughtinesse haue deserued the being depriued and left destitute of thy ayde we should be giuen ouer into the woodnesse and cruell handes of the Antichristians wey not we humbly beseech thée what our misdéedes do rightly deserue but haue a regard how we are cōmitted vnto thee that thou art put in trust with vs in christ neyther shew thy selfe wrathful contrary to thy old and auncient custome whereby thou neuer gauest libertie to the tyranny of wicked persons to persecute the godly any long time least if thy vpright iudgements should be prolonged they perhaps who are righteous may be boldned to reuolt therefro and yéelde to naughtinesse as the cōmon sort do Be thou O most mighty god good louing mercifull vnto these men whose earnest desire it is to haue the zeale of godlinesse imprinted in their hearts and extend thy indignation rather vpon those which thinke and do nothing but rather that which is lewde vnrighteous and wicked But preserue and increase for thy infinite mercies sake the accustomable peace of thy beloued Israell through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WHosoeuer do giue credit to thy sacred truth O almightie God as becommeth them remaine irremoueable like vnto stedfast Mountaynes and moste strong rockes
¶ Most Godly prayers compiled out of Dauids Psalmes by D. Peter Martyr Translated out of Latin into English by Charles Gremhan G. Seene and allowed according to the order appointed ¶ Imprinted at London by William Seres 1569. Cum priuilegio To the Reader Correct your Booke in the arguments of the .14 and 15. prayer as foloweth Prayer .14 The argument therevnto set belongeth vnto the .15 Prayer the .14 His proper argument A praier for the grace of Christ against originall sinne Iosias Simler sendeth hartie greeting to the right worshipfull and his singuler good friend Doctor Herman Folkersheimer Friselander WHen as the last yere most curteous Herman I pervsed the writings of the exceeding godly notable learned man Peter Martir my scholemaster and had gathered togither out of his librarie euery small pamphelet noted wyth his owne hand I lighted by chaunce vppon certaine papers cast a side and layde apart wherein were diuers holy praiers of his owne hand writing And when I had pervsed these diligently ouer I thought it meete to put them forth in print for although I certainlye knewe hee did not make them to that intent yet neuerthelesse there bee dyuers causes which moue me to go on vvith my former determination The first is that whē the counsaile of Trent began there rose vp both grieuous deadly warre in Germanie for Religion at which tyme Martir finished these praiers which he openly vsed in the Schooles at Strasborow at the end of his lectures and are now very conuenient to be set forth in these dayes wherein it behoueth vs to make feruent prayers vnto almightie God that the like to the Counsaile of Trent being novv ended be not kindled againe Moreouer the prayers conteyned in this small booke are both plaine and do verye little disagree from the wordes of the Psalmes vvhich I accompt to bee highly esteemed amongst praiers For diuers arguments of many Psalmes are briefly and euidently expounded in these prayers and a nūber of darke and hard places made plain with a notable Paraphrase VVherefore I doubt not but that such as be desirous to read this short little booke shall reape farre greater cōmoditie therby then many would suppose Novv haue I dedicated this small booke vnto thee my deere Herman that thou mayst haue both our Martyres token of remembraunce and mine also For seing that thou diddest honour and reuerence Doctor Martyr so long as hee liued like a father and moreouer louedst me so excedingly hitherto as I maye rightfully place thee in the number of my deerest friendes I verilye thinke that thou vvilt take this booke in right good vvorth although it be of a very small volume vvhich I sende vnto thee being vvrittē in both our names For so oft as you shall looke in this booke vvhich of your godly dispositiō you vvil do very oft so many times shal you call to minde the remembraunce of your olde friendes not altogither to thee vnpleasant as I hope Neyther can the death of Doctor Martyr cause vs to be any thing forgetful of him nor yet the distance of place be any breach of our vnfeyned good vvill so long as vve haue life that vve shoulde retain any whit lesse the frendship heretofore begunne vvith letters and a friendly recordation of olde acquaintance Fare vvell at Zurike the xx day of Iune in the yeare of our Lord 1564. ¶ Holy Prayers collected out of Dauids Psalmes by Docter Peter Martyr ¶ A prayer out of the first Psalme O Most good and moste mightie God saue and kepe vs we pray thée first from the perswasion of all wicked counsayles A prayer for a christian lyfe next after this from all heynous and deadly crimes suffer vs not to fall into a wicked and vicious kinde of lyfe and finally remooue our mindes farre from the contempt of godlynesse and deryding of all maner of vertuous déedes graunt that in the stead of these most pestilent thinges we maye perpetually occupie our selues in thy law and in the holy Scriptures so that we bée not led about lyke the wicked with euery blast of affections and doctrines as small dust and empty chaffe but rather as trées planted by the riuers side being indued with the lyfe of the spirite and with faith we may abundantly shew forth the fruits of good woorkes and that whatsoeuer we go about maye haue prosperous successe to the praise and glorie of thy name and the increase of our saluation So that at the last when in the tryall of thy iudgement the wicked shall be cast downe and brought to shame and vtter confusion we may by thy mercie both stand be acquited through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WE know euidently ynough O most mightie God the greeuous calamities and miserable doe in this respect vexe the Church bicause we haue often frequēted the counsels of the wicked which being knowne of vs we ought forthwith to haue eschewed who haue in lyke maner not declyned from the way of naughty and malicious persons but daylie followed their lewde footesteps through continuall transgressions of thy blessed commaundements moreouer wholesome corrections and helthfull discipline haue of long tyme beene dispised by vs and whatsoeuer was through thy sacred word offred vnto vs we haue frowardly ynough yea impudently neglected it and made a laughter thereat Wherefore no maruaile is it if in stéede of felicitie and quiet peace which we haue hitherto alas too too long abused we are now inforced to taste al heauie sorrowful yea and most sore and bitter griefes But now O good God by the acknowledging of these our wicked and lewde deserts we humbly flie vnto thée for succour with vehement most feruent supplications desire that the sinnes which we haue so foolishly wickedly committed thou wilt fauourably pardon forgiue We hartily pray thée that thou wouldst make our minds most studious of thy sacred lawe so as we maye day night meditate in our harts none other thing then the words of the holy scriptures For so through assured cōfidence in thy blessed worde we shal bring forth seasonable and pleasant fruites neither shal the ornaments of the holy ghost be quite takē frō vs yea happy successes wil alwaies ensue of our works although at this present through the iust desert of our heynous sinnes we are lyke to dust or chaffe toste vp downe wyth the blastes of tempestious afflictions Graunt yet at the least way O most merciful father that our lyfe may not come to an euil ende as wicked mens doth But that thou wilt defend the cause of the righteous with an exceeding great care and mightie protection so as in the iudgement and felowship of the iust we maye stande and not be brought to confusion through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme SEing that we know right wel O most mightie God that a good part of our felicity whilst
mightie God the force of Sathan and all malicious powers who séeke to stop from vs the kingdome of thy déere sonne séeme to augment and increase dayly more more and go about to bring vs in vtter dispaire as though there were no succour nor helpe any more hereafter to be loked for of vs at thy hands albeit wee perceyue that sinne aboundeth much increaseth greatly in vs notwithstanding all this we lift our head hands vnto thée who art our stroÌ„g shield glory desire thee according to thy accustomed mercy to pardoÌ„ and forgiue those things that we haue done amisse and also to giue a fauorable attentyfe eare vnto the prayers supplications which we poure out before thy diuine maiestie that being raised vp from heynous and deadly works and hauing a good affiaunce in thy louing mercy we néede not to feare whole Millions of thine enimies whome now by fayth we knowe thou hast smitten vpon the chéeke bone and dismaied vtterly Graunt O deare Father that we may féele the plentiful abundaunce of thy blessing to be poured vpon vs and be most assuredly perswaded that our saluation dependeth onely vpon thee Through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the fourth Psalme â— prayer for true fayth WE being streightly holdeÌ„ in with great perilles and distresses crie vnto thée O almighty God that thou ayding vs wyth thy puyssaunt helpe wee may at length haue most large pleasant passage out of the afflictions of this world We acknowledge our selues to bée vnworthie of thy assistaunce bycause we haue verie often gréeuously declyned from thée but our humble petition and earnest request is that thou wouldest vouchsafe not to regarde euerie particuler and seuerall worke of oures but the worthinesse of the cause And forsomuch as O God thou thy selfe art accustomed to shew and approue in euerie point the righteousnesse of thy blessed word defend vpholde nowe mightily thy high renowmed honor and Gospell and vs also who according to thy will and pleasure are corrected and chastised This is it that we bewaile and lament presently before thée that the mightie puissaunt of this world being vnited togither go about by all the meanes they can to defate the glory of thy sacred gospel and pure religion yea and vtterly to subuerf it by meanes of their foolishe deuises and vayne hopes which of themselues they haue imagined I would it were thy pleasure O high and mightie God openly to shewe and make manifest the bewtie of thy true Church vnto them which thou hast picked out and chosen for thy selfe and which also thou hearest so often as it praieth calleth faithfully vpon thée So they should peraduenture vnderstand so should they be rather moued haue a verie great regard they offeÌ„d it not They would perhaps weigh with themselues yea euen in their bed they would consider what a regarde they ought to haue vnto â—t and so peraduenture they would be in quiet and perswaded to offer wysh it the Sacrifices of true righteousnesse where as now being altogither blinde they wishe nothing more then to satisfie their madnesse outrage against the same and estéeme it an high felicitie to subuert and vtterly ouerthrow the true church But so many of vs O good God as honor worship thy diuine maiesty in spirite truth haue verie often prayed to thee for these our cruel enimies yea when any good and prosperous things happened vnto theÌ„ we did hartily reioyce Graunt therefore for thy infinite mercies sake that we may at the last lyue peaceably and in quiet by them vouchsafe also I saye that reposing oure selues onely in thée and assuredly stayed on thy faithfull couenaunt and promise wée maye dwell with thée in safetie without feare through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme O Mightie God from whom coÌ„meth all oure righteousnesse who of thy goodnesse art wont to giue eare to those the crye earnestly vnto thée and bring them out of straightnes aduersity into a swéete state of fréedome libertie we humbly beséeche thée not to despise thy faithfull seruaunts the cry and cal vnto thée for help nor suffer our glory which is true and perfect godlinesse to be brought into contempt of anye although he be a great potentate and mightie ruler of this world We haue in déede sinned against thee yea that verie gréeuouslye but neuerthelesse of thy infinite mercie clemency prouide that vanity and lying ouercome vs not nor yet preuaile any thing at all against vs but as thou hast elected chosen vnto thy selfe those whom thou wilt haue saued so graunt that the grace and fauor of thy louing countenance may in such wise shine vpoÌ„ vs as we may be glad and reioyce euen at the prosperitie and welfare of our enimies vouchsafe O good Father that we being grounded on an excellent and perfite fayth maye take very great pleasure in thée only and trusting also in thy mightie protection maye dwell safely in thée and with thée through Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the fift Psalme A prayer against false Prophets and enimies of the truth WE flie daylie vnto thée in oure prayers O almightie God and doe earely in the morning direct and laye forth our petitions before thy diuine maiestye as those who be not ignoraunt that thou hatest iniquitie and doest marueylously detest sinne wherof although we may not denie but that wee are guiltie for we feele our selues to be laden therewyth aboue measure yet doe we flie and approch vnto thée for succor trusting most assuredly in thy excéeding plentifull goodnesse and clemencie We beséeche thée to pardon and forgiue vs whatsoeuer we haue sinned and committed agaynst thee and leade vs hereafter in thy righteousnesse and innocencie least the aduersaries of our saluation in whom verily there is no part whole and sounde but all full of viciousnesse preuayle against vs let their counsels and deuises be of none effect and cause their force and layings awaite to be vtterly consumed and brought to naught so that we thy déere and faythfull children may perfitely reioyce whilest thou doest defend nourishe and compasse vs about with thy fauourable kindnesse us with a shield Through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the sixt Psalme SO it is A prayer in distresse that we deserue wythout fayle O most mightie God by reason of the euilles and infinite sinnes we haue committed to be gréeuously and sharpely chastised at thy handes Yet we beseeche thée trusting in thy excellent and excéeding great mercie not to chastise vs in thy furious wrath and whot indignation who tremble O good Father and are almost deade whilst wée consider on the one side our owne sinnes and on the other side thy iustice therefore we beséeche thée that thou wylt not as we haue iustly deserued thrust vs downe into the pit bicause we can there neyther
sing nor by any meanes praise thée Our enimies doe maruelously yea and that with great feruencie desire it should so be but haue thou O good God a regarde vnto the teares and clamours of those that trust in thee and cause the authorâ— and â—nâ—enters of iniquitie to depart and go farre from vs. Finally giue eare vnto vs in such wise that so many as are enimies to thy glorie and our saluation may be ashamed and brought to vtter confusion Through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the seuenth Psalme A prayer against the aduersaries of the Gospell THou knowest O most mighty and mercifull God wyth what an earnest affection the aduersaries of our saluation do both daye and night assaulte vs who except thou be our ready helper couet most cruelly like fierce sauage beastes to haue vs torne in péeces swallowed vp into euerlasting destruction But like as we put oure trust and confidence in thée only so our earnest desire is that thou wilte succour and defende vs. We doe not lay forth our owne cause before thée as though we had commytted none of these thynges whereof they accuse vs but are perswaded that thou of thine owne mercye wilt pardon and forgiue vs the same through the intercession of Iesus Christ our Mediator Wherefore we humbly require and earnestly beséeche thee to stande vp for to be our helper that thou wilt also direct and as a most strong shield defende vs that those euils may fall from vs and lyght vpon the authors of al temptations deceites maliciousnesse so as we may on the other side praise thée and set forth thy glorious name with all possible studied coÌ„mendations through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen Another prayer out of the same psalme IT is trulie a singuler and right excelleÌ„t benefite O almightie God to be an obseruer keper of thy blessed precepts but yet such a one as they can not attaine and reach vnto from whose eyes thou hast not taken away the vayle and cloke of darkenesse Which being not remoued the secret and hidden things of thy diuine lawe cannot be seene wherefore we lamentably desire thée to helpe lighten our infirmitie blinde ignorance that whilst we liue and remaine here as straungers and pilgrimes thou wouldest not hide from vs the pure and right vnderstanding of thy blessed commaundements wherwith for so much as we haue through our owne default béene hitherto little instructed we are fallen into these reproches into this coÌ„tempt and into these euil reportes For besides the perils grieuous afflictioÌ„s wherwith thy holy Church is at this daye sore vexed oppressed are added slauÌ„ders of thy sacred doctrine reuylinges of true godlynesse and horrible blasphemies of thy blessed name forgiue therfore thy people and pardon O mightie God whatsoeuer they haue committed against thée refresh those that be fallen with thy sacred word promises We do day by day very boldly open and declare our cause to thee harken vnto vs we earnestly beséeche thée and from tyme to tyme confirme with newe benefites the faith and hope of those that be doubtfull neyther putte them to shame and reproche which call vpon thée so that we being againe quieted and restored to libertie may runne in the way and pathe of thy blessed commaundementes with a perfite ioy and hartye chéerefulnesse through Iesus Christ oure Lord. AmeÌ„ ¶ A prayer out of the eight Psalme ALl the thinges O most good mercifull God which thou hast created both in heauen earth for our commodity and singuler profite A prayer in trouble for the fauour of Christ declare most euidently howe wonderfull and excellent thy glorious name is and although thy goodnesse be spreade forth and séene in all things neuerthelesse euen the very infantes and sucking babes whome from their mothers wombe thou causest to be cherished and brought vp wyth moste tender and louing carefulnesse do giue vs such assurance thereof that we cannot but warrant our selues al excellency of the same insomuch that the infantes in the time of their noureing wheÌ„ they begin to speak do set before our eies most euideÌ„t tokens of thy gentlenesse by these wonderful things are all the wicked confounded which carpâ— and speake euyll of thy excellent goodnesse and diuine prouidence The heauens truelye might haue beene thought a péece of worke worthy such a workemaister as thou art but in that thou wouldest so muche humble and abase thy selfe as to haue so careful a regard to fraile and mortall man it appereth to be a signe and token of thy wonderfull vnspeakable loue towarde vs. Wherefore againe and that worthily are we prouoked although we haue heynously sinned lyued vnworthily both in respect of thee of our owne vocation to begge and craue at thy handes with a verye earnest assured confidence not to permitte thy Churche to be ouerwhelmed with these present troubles For if thou hast so highly extolled man to be litle inferiour vnto Aungels wheras otherwise he is vyle of his owne nature remember them much more I hartily besech thée whome thou hast nowe adopted to be thy deere children and to whom thou wouldst for thy mercies sake haue all the workes of thy handes serue and be obedient suffer them not to be troden vnder foote of vngodly and wicked persons For thou hast alwayes accustomed to visite the children of men with thy fatherly care and prouydence assist vs now also with thy readye helpe when wée stande in moste néede thereof Deliuer vs in such sort we humbly beséech thée that all men may well vnderstande thy name thereby to bée right wonderfull as most certainly it is and by all meanes possible worthy to be honored and made glorious through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen Another prayer out of the same psalme THy magnificence renoumed glory O almighty god is well sufficiently set forth by these things which through thy excellent power diuine prouidence be done both in heaueÌ„ earth notwithstanding for the more better stirring vp of our grosse and leaden harts thy power would set out it selfe also in babes yong children Euen froÌ„ our childhood we are miserable wretched not by the workemanship creation by the which thou hast made and fourmed vs but through our originall and naturall sinne an infinite number of faults that we our selues haue added thereto for the which neuerthelesse wee humblye beséeche thée bée not so displeased with vs but that according to thy accustomed mercie thou wilt often visite and looke vppon vs and those whome thou hast made little inferiour vnto Aungels make them partakers of thy owne nature Finallye seing that thou haste in lawfull wise made vs Lordes ouer all thy creatures graunt that we maye vse them to the praise and glorie of thy name so as thy sacred worde and Gospell maye be spreade abroade amongst all Nations through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out
Lord. Amen Another prayer out of the same psalme SEing that we are O heauenly father during this miserable life wrapped in and compassed about with an infinite nuÌ„ber of perilles we direct our humble prayers and hartie peticions vnto thée to the intent thou wouldest stretche foorth thy mightie arme to be our defence and not suffer the great and verie strong enimyes of oure saluation to preuayle agaynst vs. When we are most busily vexed and afflicted of them O good God make it manifest that thou art our mighty protector redy defender There is no righteousnesse or puritie in our workes which we maye vaunt and boast off in thy presence wée francklye acknowledge and confesse that we haue greatly strayed from thy holy precepts Neuerthelesse yet pardon according to thy accustomed woont and mercie the grieuous sinnes committed by vs and vouchsafe of thy gracious fauour to grauÌ„t that we may hereafter liue as becommeth thy chosen blessed and innocent people so that on the other side we may finde thee elect holy and hurtlesse vnto vs throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xix. Psalme â— praier that â—s may be â—rtakers of Gods diuine â—orde THy wonderfull power wisdome and goodnesse O most mightie God which thy nature is excéeding plentifully indued withall sheweth it selfe in all places vnto vs by those things which thou hast fourmed and created The heauen truly with all hir ornaments with the alteration of tymes with the brightnesse of the Starres and of the most whote burning Sunne are nothing else but plain voices and a vniuersal doctrine for all sortes of people by the which the prayses of thy Maiestie are most amply blazed and set forth Wherfore we confesse howe that we can make no excuse at all of our so slender confidence and féeble loue towardes thée who ought truelye to haue béene assuredly perswaded by the aucthoritie of these thinges that we should vnseperably cleaue vnto thée alone being the chiefe and principall causer of so many good workes bestowed vpon vs but alas these admonishments not regarded we haue folowed the lustes and desires of our filthie fleshe with mad imaginations and feyned thinges of our owne braine and made very little accompt of thée who art the Creator and maker of all thinges And for that cause doe well deserue the offlictions which we are assayled with who haue not onelye dispised and had in contempt the workes of nature that should haue allured and drawne vs vnto thée but haue coldely altogither vnprofitably heard thy worde that is to say the holy Scripture and Gospel of thy déere and welbeloued sonne prouoking thy indignation towardes vs by that from whence we shoulde to the comfort of our soules haue drawne out wisedome light ioyfulnesse and perfect righteousnesse but although we now séeme for these weighty considerations most vnworthie of thy mercie yet we instantly require thée to pardon and forgiue vs and not to afflict thy Church according to hir deserts Graunt we humbly beséech thée that we may hereafter to our great profite and coÌ„fort haue these thy creatures in estimation and let thy wordes be not only swéeter vnto vs than hony but farre excéede all the ioy and pleasure of this world Take from vs our heynous sinnes and shewe thy selfe to be a true defender and redéemer of thy chosen people through Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WE vnderstande it commeth to passe through thy excelleÌ„t goodnesse O almightie God that the knowledge of thée may be graft and imprinted in mennes mindes by the fourme order and most beautifull comlinesse of the thinges that be created whom the circles and globes of the Heauens the continuall alteration of the day and night and most goodly brightnesse of the sunne do declare to be their most wise Creator with wordes plain ynough doe teach vs both to knowe and also to wonder at thy Maiestie herevnto are added thy written lawes which haue brought vnto vs mortall creatures the true wisedome the testimonie of thy will the substanciall pleasure of the soule heauenly delicates But as we be lewd and wicked wretches so haue we neuer made an ende of abusing both these most faythfull scholemaisters Therefore our earnest request is that thou wouldest vouchsafe to pardon and forgiue wherin we haue offended thee contrary to the admonitions of so worthy instructions and graunt vs hereafter so attentiuely to beholde with due fruct the creation and workmanship of the world that we may become very earnest obseruers of thy sacred lawes through Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xx Psalme OVr dayly peticion is O almightie god that the kingdome of our Lorde Iesus Christ may be augmented A prayer for the prosperouâ— successe of christs kingdome againâ—â— the enimies thereof and appeare at length to be most perfect which thing we nowe also desire very instantly in our hartie prayers and humble supplications Be alwayes mindfull thereof O good God of his fatte and most pleasant oblation which he made for vs vpon the Aultare of the Crosse and graunt that by the tryumphe of his moste perfect victorie and conquest wée maye take both saluation and delyghtfull pleasure Althoughe wée denie not but that the same shall come to passe without oure deserts who haue through our manifolde wickednesse offended thée very many and infinite wayes yet for thy tender louing mercies sake put them to shame and confusion that repose all their trust in Charets horse and worldly power but raise and lift vp to saluation such as are wholy bent to depend vpon thee and bow downe thy merciful and fauourable eares to heare the feruent prayers and peticions whiche we make vnto thy diuine Maiestie for the mightie inlarging of our Lord Iesus christ his kingdome throughe the same Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxj. Psalme A prayer for â—he prayse â—nd augmenâ—ation of the Gospell WEe confesse with a singuler ioy O most mightie God that Iesus Christ our king being indued with power and honour after his resurrection doth abide and liue with thée And forsomuch as he hath nowe obteyned and gotten most largely whatsoeuer may bee wished or desired tending to moste perfect and euerlasting blessednesse it can not otherwise be but that verye much of his saluation giftes and glory be shedde abroade and light vpon vs also which are his members Of which felicitie and most singuler gift although we acknowledge and confesse our selues most vnworthie by reason of our wicked maners and vngodlye life yet forsomuch as we heartily repent vs of them we are nothing doubtfull of his redy helpe but doe also most assuredly beleue that he will once vanquishe and bring to nought so many as do aduaunce and sette themselues agaynst hys glorious Kingdome Graunt wée humblye beséeche thee moste deere father that their pestiferous deuices being of none offect thy high and famous power
may at length bée so knowen and manifested as we may alwayes shew foorth thy worthy prayses and passing wonderous workes through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxij. Psalme A prayer for Gods fauour in distresse THou couldest indure and suffer that our Lorde Iesus Christ thy Sonne O most mightie God should so be tormēted on the crosse for the sinnes of men that he did appeare to be vtterly forsaken of thée and left voide of all helpe Thou which wert woont to ayde and succour thy Saintes at what tyme they called vpon thee séemedst to contemne our Sauiours praiers as though he had béene a worme and no man the verye abiect of all mankinde and the outcast of the people and at length sufferedst him to die a very shamefull death by the hands of the furious raging Iewes who came and fell vpon him as they had béene mad dogs fierce bulles and roaring Lions Whom notwithstanding thou diddest rayse afterwarde from death in suche glorious wise that for the same cause his faythfull members doe alwayes laude and celebrate thy excellent name therefore we heartily pray and humbly beseche thée for that thy most abundant mercye wherewith thou wert moued in such wise to permit so many euils to happen vnto thy onely beloued son for our sakes not to suffer the cause of thy most afflictted Church to come into ruine and decay We acknowledge our sinnes to be passing horrible for the which not onely a temperall but also an immortall death is due yet looke thou not vpon vs O mightie God in respect of that we are our selues but because we be members of thy déere and onely begotten sonne effectually preseruing and mightily defending our cause in the Gospell being also thy case and which the aduersaries of the gospell iudge that thou hast left destitute and vtterly forsaken through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme FOrsomuch as thy sonne our lord Iesus Christ O most mightie God suffered in such wise for our redemption sake as he might séeme to be cast out of thy sight and vtterly forsaken of thée who being ouerwhelmed on the Crosse with the waues and sourges of a most bitter death at the last dyed and being made a most innocent sacrifice suffered the paynes and torments which we had iustly deserued Then being raysed from death after thrée dayes appeared to his disciples and manifestly shewed forth and published thy excellent name and glorie none otherwise then he accustomablye vsed a little before to doe while he liued among them Séeing that therefore we both acknowledge and also confesse our selues to haue béene abusers of such an vnspeakable mercie and infinite clemencie we humbly flée vnto thée hartily praying that whom thou hast graunted and ordeyned to be ingraffed and to spring a newe in so excellent a Mediator who is the authour and onely preseruer of our saluation thou wouldest graunt the same to be pricked forwarde and stirred vp somuch as in vs lyeth to séeke for all true godlynesse so that not onely the whole number of vs which be now liuing but all mortall men also that shall liue hereafter may be drawne to worship and serue thée alone holily and after a most chaste maner through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Another prayer out of the same psalme THy Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ O most good and mightie God suffered maruelous bitter punishmentes and extreeme painefull torments for the saluatiō of mankinde For when he had layde the sinnes of the worlde vpon himselfe it behoued him to be vexed so fiercely and outragiously as he might suffer the full punishment for them all Finallye being nayled vnto the Crosse he spent his moste swéete life for vs vnto whom he hath by that meanes purchased pardon forgiuenesse of sinnes thy louing friendship and eternall life if we shall faythfully beleue his sacred doctrine and blessed gospell But alas as we be very weake in fayth so are we lightly forgetful of such great and manifolde benefites yea we rather liue as men vnworthye of the redemption that was of so mightie a price vnto our moste innocent lord For which cause we bewail this calamitie in thy presence O heauenly father humbly praying and earnestly beseeching thée not to suffer vs to be vtterly destitute of the fruite of our Lord Iesus Christ his Crosse and death who liueth and reigneth with thée euermore worlde without ende Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxiij. Psalme A praier that God woulde both feede defende vs. AL such as haue thée O most mightie God for their shepherd do leade their life excéeding happily as those who haue alwayes foode abundantly ynough of thy heauenly doctrine and most fruitfull and plenteous watering of the holy Ghost whereby they may be renued and comforted so often as they shall be oppressed with the mishaps of this wretched world or wearied with the afflictions of the persecution thereof Although therefore we acknowledge and confesse our selues vnworthie of thy gouernaunce and shepherdlike care ouer vs who haue verie often dispised thée and thy sacred word and by reason of oure most greauous and innumerable transgressions deserue to bée thrust out of thy blessed shéepefoldes notwithstanding we hauing confidence in thy great mercie and goodnesse which is vnto thée proper and naturall humbly beseeche thy goodnesse that thou wouldest vouchsafe to gather vs home as lost sheepe vnto thy selfe and suffer vs not to wander and stray without thée through the wide desertes and outgrounds of this deceyuable world Thou seest vs nowe to be at deathes doore therefore be so present with vs as we may put away and cast off all feare who nowe stande in néede of thée to strengthen and comfort vs with the staffe and shéepehooke of thy authoritie Thou canst refreshe vs if it please thée with a most exquisite and well furnished banquet of thy sacred doctrine and blessed sacraments and make vs to drinke plentifully of the cup of thy holy spirite and grace the enimies and aduersaryes of thy glorious name beholding the same O let that thy mercy and clemencie alwayes so imbrace vs we humbly beséech thée which thou hast accustomed to bestow vpon thy faythfull seruauntes as in the sacred Church which is thy mansiō house we maye continue stedfastly in fayth and thy most glorious Gospell throughe the merits and loue of our Lord Iesus Christ who liueth and reigneth with thée world◠without ende Amen Another prayer out of the same Psalme THou vsest O most mighty God to preserue those thy children whom thou hast louingly adopted with no lesse care and diligence then if they were shéepe the same alwayes ledde of thée being their most louing shepheard toward their owne health and perfect commoditie who so long as they haue thée for their maister and gouernor they shall be destitute neyther of the meate nor drinke of thy moste wholsome doctrine Wherby it is manifest that if we pine
away so long as we liue in this miserable and wretched life for the hunger and thirst of true and perfect goodnesse it happeneth for this cause and of no other in that we haue forsaken thée and folowed straunge guydes whereof come the great perilles and miserable troubles of mind which fall vpon vs. Wherefore we humbly beséech thée O most faythfull and louing shepheard to call vs backe from errors into the right and perfect way correct the vices of the wandring and straying flocke with the rod and shéepehooke of thy righteousnesse so that we maye féede at length orderly purely and chastly of the moste wholesome delicates of thy sacred worde and blessed Sacramentes by which meanes the whole heade heart and all the powers of our minde may be made fat and well liking and we be alwayes so vnderpropped with thy louing mercie as we maye finallye inioy in thy house the souereigne delightes and dainties of euerlasting life through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxiiij. Psalme THou O most mightie God which art not onely the founder and maker of the earth and all thinges conteyned therein A prayer fo◠the kingdo◠of Christ a◠a new life but also hast fourmed man the tiller and inhabitor therof and vouchedsafe to instruct vs mortall creatures with the doctrine of thy diuine law and sacred Gospell by which meanes they may annex and knitte themselues againe vnto thée from whom they came into this worldly light that is to haue their habitation in the holy Mount of thy sacred Churche wherein thou art alwayes conuersant who truly requirest this of them that they should be of an vndefiled conuersation pure of heart not addicted to vaine and transitorie delights neyther folowers of deceipts nor yet periured persons which sort of men thou doest promise to be partakers of thy infinite mercie and singuler liberalitie Therefore ought we to haue indeuored our selues to séeke thée out by these meanes but we haue like most sinfull wretches declined from this path of truth and righteousnesse and fallen from thée thorow the perillous steepe wayes of vices and of all voluptuousnesse Wherfore no maruell is it if we nowe be fallen into so marueylous difficult times troublesome estate Thus thou séest and right well perceyuest by what meanes the state of thy blessed Church is at this present in a maner desolate and throwne downe We hūbly require thée not to take vengeance vpon our euill and lewde factes as they haue deserued but for the glorie of thy name as thou art a most puyssaunt king and excellent in vertue in whose handes are all armies and powers euē so shew forth thy most valiaunt strength in defending thy beloued Church and thy singuler good wil towardes those which repose their whole trust and confidence in thée through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme SEing that all thinges O most good and mightie God haue their being through thy creation and making we must certainly without any doubt conclude that both the earth and also men which inhabite the same be onely thine but vnto thee verily who as thou art Lorde of all thinges so art thou accompted and that most rightfully to be the perfection and highest tipe of our felicitie can no man come but such as haue a pure heart innocent hands and constaunt fidelitie towardes their neighbors Forsomuch as we be not as now indued with these kinde of ornamentes but rather spotted with filthie vices being altogither vtter enimies to these vertues we do in our feruent prayers lamentably desire thy fauorable mercy which thing only is the last refuge we haue to stay our selues vpon that thou which art called the king of glory accompted strong mightie a valiant conquerour and noble triumpher in warres wilt with thy mercifull goodnesse farre surmount and ouerpasse oure sinfull deseruings And graunt although of our partes greatly vndeserued that wée may be partakers of thy excellent blessing and incomperable righteousnesse for so much as we haue reposed our whole fayth and confidence in Iesus Christ thy sonne who liueth and reigneth with thée euermore worlde without ende Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxv. Psalme A prayer for constancie in a troublesom contention for the word of God WE lift vp our mindes prayers wordes and hands vnto thée O most mightie God desiring this especially that whilest we staye our selues and depende wholye vpon thy goodnesse thou do not suffer vs to be so confounded as the aduersaries of thy glorious name and enimies of the pure and sincere doctrine may greatly reioyce thereat and be much boldned in their wickednesse Neither do we pray for this as though our deserts iustly required the same but confesse how much and how greatly we haue gone astray from thy sacred lawe and blessed will which as we acknowledge willingly and before the face of the worlde so indeuor we our selues to craue pardon and forgiuenesse of thée in these our dayly praiers Declare therefore thy blessed wayes hereafter effectually vnto vs according to thy mercie louing kindnes bring vs in vre with thy sacred lawes statutes to the performaunce whereof thou wouldst haue vs surely bound For it is a thing impossible but that he doth stedfastly perseuere and abide in thy holy couenaunt whome thou thy selfe shalt instruct and teache bicause his minde without doubt shall inioy perfect good things and his féete be set at libertie were they intangled in neuer so strong and craftie a net Beholde nowe O good God with what troublesome afflictions and painefull griefes thy blessed Church is oppressed whose safetie and deliuerance dependeth onely vpon thée Deliuer hir therefore in such sort O mightie God of Israell that she fall not vnder the most furious rage of Antichrist and the Deuill through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme WE do resort haue dayly accesse vnto thee O most mightye God who instātly in our earnest praiers feruent peticions require thy mercifull goodnesse not to suffer nor permitte vs to haue the foyle in the contention which we nowe holde continuallye with the cruell enimies and aduersaries of mans saluation Pourge and vtterly wipe awaye the sinfull blemishes and spottes of our infirmitie with thy vnspeakable clemencie and although we be altogither vnworthie of thy louing fauour by reason of our naughtinesse and wicked life yet we heartily require and earnestly desire thee to direct teach gouerne and finally shewe vs thy blessed wayes which we knowe are garnished with an incredible liberalitie and marueylous assured truth Haue a great regarde and care O most gentle father vnto the perils and calamities wherein we are wrapped and in maner ouerwhelmed Deliuer vs oute of them and wipe away al our wretched iniquities and rescue thy sacred Churche which to do is in thy onely power not only from outward afflictions wherewith it is diuerslye vexed but chieflye from
Church Let thy thoughtes ymaginations stande immoueable towardes that people which hath thée for their fauourable God most lawfull heritage Thou that beholdest the heartes of men from the high heauen and which hast fourmed them from the beginning knowest well what the Antichristians haue ymagined against thy faythfull seruauntes Wherefore vouchsafe wée humbly beseech thée to maintaine and defende vs at this instant for we require neyther valiaunt prince nor strong horse nor yet mans force which are of no power to saue and deliuer vs but flie vnto thee onely who settest our soules at freedome and libertie let thy inestimable mercy we earnestly require thée be at hande and redie for vs as we vndoubtedly beleue and certainly hope it will so be through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THy glorious name O almightie God for diuers causes deserueth to be extolled with vnspeakable prayses and to be celebrated with a meruelous earnest indeuour of the godlye forsomuch as all thy wordes and all thy precepts and déedes are nothing but faythfulnesse vertue iustice and goodnesse Whatsoeuer is in the whole vniuersall worlde eyther bewtiful or gorgeous what soeuer is profitable and commodious all that procéedeth and commeth from thée onely Thou alone bringest to naught the pernicious counsayles of the vngodly and makest their wicked enterprises voyde and of none effect But thy ordinaunces are most sure with a marueylous inuiolable constancie Wherefore right happie and blessed are those people who haue chosen thee to be their God and honor thée most purely and alonely as their principall heritage Therefore thou being such a one and so mighty a fourmer and maker of vs art not ignoraunt how often and horribly we haue transgressed thy diuine law Pardon vs we humbly beséeche thée neyther suffer thou vs to repose our trust in the force power of any creature but graunt that we hauing thy wonderfull mercye in experience maye perfectly reioyce and rightfully take pleasure in the same through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxxiiij. Psalme THy singuler and most notable desertes extended towardes vs O mightie God in what case so euer we are A prayer for comfort in distresse whether it be prosperitie or aduersitie moueth vs at all tymes to celebrate thy glorious name with great prayses Surely thou art alwayes present to those that vnfeynedly craue thy furtheraunce and deliuerest the miserable from carefull and greeuous calamities and such as flie to thée for defence thou doest fortifie and inclose them with a gard of Aungels We therfore being sore oppressed and vexed with the fardell of most gréeuous mischiefes are like to be led and caried awaye vnto finall destruction without thy assistaunt helpe Wherefore we heartily pray and earnestly require thée to rayse vp those that be fallen and receyuing vs againe into thy louing fauour thou will teach vs the true feare perfect worship and sincere loue of thée so that we may haue especially a pure conscience bridle our tongue least it bable vnaduisedly such things as be vnséeming for thée or our owne vocation but let vs in all our deedes decline from wickednesse and rightfully perfourme those thinges which thou willest vs to doe and become verye zealous desirers and earnest séekers of thy gracious peace and as thou wouldest not haue our soules to be redéemed with a common and simple price so vouchsafe to bestowe eternall saluation liberally bountifully vpon them through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxxv. Psalme SEing that thou O moste good and mercyfull God hast an inuincible strength and most ready will to helpe thy faythfull seruauntes when they vnfeynedly call vpon thée A praier bot◠against our enimies and false prophets also We now earnestly require and hope assuredly in all our feruent peticions that thou wilt vouchsafe to ayde and assist vs séeing wée are continually during thys mortall lif so greatly opprest through the violence and force of our aduersaries for Sathan is risen vp with an vnspeakeable deadly hatred to cut vs off from our saluation Wherefore haue no regard at all how wickedly and lewdly we haue behaued our selues towardes thée but of thy infinite mercy forgiue our most heinous and gréeuous offences wherewith we féele our selues to be most miserably ouerburthened driue away farre from vs through thy inuincible power and force of thy blessed Aungels the outragious assaultes of the Deuill and all his adherents in such wise as both they may be disappoynted of theyr practises and our mindes by reason of thy louing fauour and present helpe maye swéetely reioyce and proclayme abroade howe there can be no God founde which may deliuer those that call vnfeynedly vpon him from al wofull calamitie like vnto thee They scorne and mocke at our infirmitie and weakenesse but we humblye beséech thée O excellent father who beholdest the great daungers and miserable distresses we are in to take vs into thy mightie protection and vouchsafe to preserue vs from euerlasting damnation thorowe Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WEe haue a great while sore longed O most mercifull God to celebrate thee in the most frequented assembly of the godly which truly we will then do with a most readie and ioyfull minde when as thou through thy mightie power shalt rid and deliuer vs from the cruell Deuill and his furious Ministers It is not vnknowne to thée howe craftily deceptfully and after what a wicked maner he disquieteth thy faythfull seruauntes Wherefore we heartily beséech thée with so Godly an affection as we can first to pardon and remit whatsoeuer we haue vnworthily committed against thy sacred lawe and consequently stirre vp thy selfe stoutly to mainteine and valiauntly to defende our rightfull cause least the pernicious enimies deride and vaunt themselues agaynst thy deerely beloued seruauntes when as at their pleasures they shall make them become very miserable but rather let confusion and shame fall vpon them at what tyme they dare presume to set themselues agaynst thy glory and our saluation But contrariwise let vs which be desirous of thy famous honor and excellent righteousnesse be filled with perfite ioy and gladnesse that with a pleasaunt and chéerefull heart we maye set foorth thy noble prayse and deserued worthinesse through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxxvj. Psalme WEe knowe right well O moste mightie God the force of wickednesse to be so great A prayer for vpright iustice that who soeuer hath the same abiding in him cannot be pricked and moued with the feare or reuerence of thy diuine power For he is so delighted in his owne detestable actes that in the ende it becommeth both knowne and hatefull vnto all men For whatsoeuer he speaketh is verye wicked neither can he be perswaded to permit himselfe to be instructed to do well but ymagineth much mischiefe in the night and so
gréeuous wrath and dreadfull indignation from these present aduersities Surely we féele thy heauy hand and perceyue the great perils we are in who know that it can not be remedyed and amended by mans helpe which thing doth not befall and happen vnto vs without our iust desectes For doubtlesse our heynous sinnes and gréeuous iniquities haue wrapped vs in on al sides wherwith we are sore bourthened and miserably opprest farre aboue our power Herevpon it coÌ„meth to passe that we go alwayes mourning and are in a maner at deathes doore through great heauinesse and anguishe of heart We sée our neighbors and friendes stand a farre of and our aduersaryes pitch guileful snares who worke all the meanes they can possible deuise vtterly to ouerthrowe vs. Thou therefore O good God for thy louing mercies sake first and formost reconcile vs vnto thée by louinglye forgiuing and fauorably pardoning whatsoeuer we haue most filthily committed against thy diuine Maiestie then make hast and speede to be our readie helpe We abide looking forthee our onely refuge who hast béene accustomed readily to succour those that vnfeynedly call vpon thee and giue eare vnto their lamentable peticions Thou art not ignoraunt howe the Antichristians triumph and rise vp agaynst vs whilest we are so shaken and tossed for they which hate vs verye vniustly increase and waxe dayly stronger and stronger Wherefore we humbly require thée O excellent Father not to forsake vs in so great and gréeuous afflictions séeyng that thou thy selfe art our onelye saluation make haste we hartily beséech thée to helpe and succour thy blessed Church and mightily rescue it being in extréeme perill thorough Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme ALthough O most good and mercifull God we finde the fardell and burthen of wickednesse which we haue committed agaynst thee to be so great as we are not now any lenger able to susteyne and beare them therefore vpon affyaunce of thy vnspeakeable goodnesse we come and call vpon thée with a sorowfull heart not to correct vs for them with yre and wrathfull indignation let thy admonition be fatherly as thou hast béene accustomed of olde to shewe and extende the same towardes thy faithfull seruaunts Behold how through conscience of our heynous sinnes our hartes be altogether amazed all thinges are marueylously putrified and verye corrupt in vs we shall liue excéeding sorowfully in affliction and in a maner quite destitute of light vnlesse thou puttest to thy assistant helping hande Neyther doe we trust any thing at all in our friends neighbors for our gréeuous sinnes purchase vs all thinges frowardly and after an enuious maner Therefore O good God at what time we poure out our wretched iniquities into thy bosome and are so much carefull to procure pardon for them let vs not be vtterly destitute of the louing fauor and riche mercie that is naturally graffed in thée but as thou art alwayes tractable and easie to be intreated so vouchsafe to make haste for to minister spéedie and stedfast helpe in our sorowfull distresses through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxxix. Psalme â— prayer aâ—â—inst vaniâ— and the â—ters of â—ns lyfe â—d safetie SEing that O most mighty God we are vexed with present calamities in this most troublesome time and opprest with so great a storme of afflictions we flie vnto thee for succour humblye requiring that thou wouldest so bridle our mouth and tongue with thy holy spirite as nothing may passe from vs either detestable to thy diuine Maiestie or vnséemely for our profession But séeing we cannot rightfullye complaine that these perplexities and anguishes doe surmount our heynous sinnes or that we be vnworthily punished graunt we maye appease and stay the cursed cryes of such as wrongfully complaine of thée but rather let our bowels be stirred vp with a perfect griefe for the heinous sinnes we haue committed let them waxe whotte with a most inward sorrow and cause our hartes to be kindled and set on fire with a continuall earnest repentaunce Graunt that we may right well vnderstand O most gentle father euery moment and houre the state of our vnripe life forsomuch as it is but méere vanitie howsoeuer we lead it and we are farre wide to thinke that our carefull turmoyle or heaping togither of vncerteine riches are able to profite or auaile vs anye thing at all Therefore it behoueth vs O mightie Lorde to haue a speciall regarde vnto thée onely whom if thou wilt especially reléeue from our gréeuous sinnes and heynous iniquities our assured hope is that we shall be no more a scorne and reproche to the vngodly For thou hast béene accustomed to remoue thy plagues from such as be purged and clensed of their wicked crymes and sinfull déedes least they should be vtterly consumed at the shaking of thy most mightie and inuincible hande which if it should perseuer and go on in continuall vexing men according to their iust deserts it would no lesse consume theÌ„ grind them to powder then Mothes fret out clothes Giue eare therefore O good God vnto our humble prayers and séeing thou knowest we cannot haue an assured and perfect rest vpon earth graunt that we maye finallye liue with thy excellent Maiesty by a constant fayth and walke before thée in muche safetie through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WHile we féele any tokens of thy rygor and seueritie O most mightye God although we are perswaded in spirit not to speake euill of thy goodnesse or iustice yet through the greatnesse of our extreeme sorrow testimonie of our sinnes we are almost so farre gone brought to such a poynt that our life is very yrkesome vnto vs wherefore seing that we confesse our heynous sinnes vnto thée and haue sundry wayes wickedly offended thy diuine Maiestie bée mercifull fauorable vnto vs for thy louing kindnesse mercies sake Thou seest howe short and vaine a thing our life is beyng lyke vnto shadowes wherein is nothing firme sound or worth the trusting to we fade away in a moment and what tyme soeuer thou giuest vs here to liue we passe ouer all the same through our owne default with most heady troublesome and pernicious affections We require thée therefore that thou wouldest yet at length haue mercy vpon vs let our earnest peticions and sorowfull mourning which thy blessed spirite hath from our hearts wrong out in vs enter into thy mercifull eares and moreouer vouche thou safe to refreshe our distressed mindes with thy louing fauour from time to tyme so long as wee wander lyke pilgrymes in this wretched worlde through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xl. Psalme THose which are susteyned and stayed vp with suche a hope O most mightie God that they looke for thy ready helpe in their present tribulations wheÌ„ they most charge them A praier thâ— our sinnes may be pardoned thorow the
ought therefore to haue reioysed in the alone and highly to extoll thy blessed name onely but alas for sorowe we haue beene most vngratefull for all these excellent benefites in flesh and mans power hath bene our onely affiance for we through our most wicked life and vngodly behauiour haue brought thy blessed doctrine which we professe to great infamie and reproche Thou therefore doest cast vs down presently and heapest shame vpon vs we are now in a maner become a praye vnto Antechrist and a mocking stocke vnto our neighbours Thy sacred Gospell O good God is at this present a bye worde vnto the Infidels a scorne vnto the people and a Mayegame vnto euerye rascall we acknowledge that all these thinges haue happened vnto vs by reason of our mischieuous sinnes and that right worthelye But O excellent Father reconcile vs againe vnto thée according to thy mercifull goodnesse and vouchsafe to pardon whatsoeuer we haue very lewdlye and foolishlye committed agaynst thy diuine Maiestie and graunt also that we be not any thing at all forgetfull of thée neither be found false harted or vnfaythful in thy holy couenant Let not our minde at any tyme start and shrinke aside from thy blessed footesteppes although we should be worne to the vttermost and compassed about on euerie side with the shadowe of death Let vs neuer so ouershoote our selues no though we be appoynted as shéepe to the slaughter as to be forgetfull of thy glorious name and to haue recourse vnto detestable worshipings Awake we humbly beséech thée O good God neither slumber nor sléepe thou any more Let not thy face be hidden from our gréeuous afflictions arise and mightily preserue them that are throwne downe and brought verye low whome we doubt not but thou of thy vnspeakeable mercy hast chosen vnto thy selfe through Iesus Christ our lord Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WOnderfull things are set forth vnto vs in the sacred scriptures O most good and mercifull God of thy excellent mercy and victorious actes which thou hast shewed in old time as touching the strong defence the mightie preseruation and excellent increasing of thy faithfull seruants by hearing whereof we are assuredly perswaded to repose oure whole trust in thée onely and not in our owne strength ryches and power But nowe being sore opprest with the most gréeuous burthen of our heynous sinnes when as we féele the deserued reuengement of thy heauy wrath and fearing more dreadfull paynes and sharpe punishments as men whose consciences do iustly accuse them earnestly require thée who art alwayes verye mercifull to pardon and forgiue whatsoeuer we haue lewdly commitced agaynst thy diuine Maiestie furthermore if thou shalt purpose and determine with thy selfe to vex vs with bitter calamities and wofull miseryes graunt that the same be not the cause we defile the godly awe and reuerence which is due of our partes vnto thée neyther suffer thou vs to haue recourse vnto any other counsels then thine Stirre vp thy selfe therefore and make haste to helpe vs for thou séemest to haue turned away thy fauor from vs while thou prolongest the tyme to be our strong helper And therfore to the intent thy accustomed tender mercy and fauourable goodnesse maye bée manifested and well knowne vouchsafe mightily to deliuer vs from these daungerous perils that inuiron and compasse vs about on euery side through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xlv. Psalme A prayer for saluation purchased vnto vs by Christ WE haue Christ Iesus O moste good and mercifull God an onelye and most ample King to all sortes of good men whose force as it is verie notable so is the throne of hys glorious Empire established for euer His excellent power is inuincible it is garnished with most notable righteousnesse he standeth in highe fauour with thée and is in his vnspeakeable wisedome right glorious The Church is vnto him as a most royall Quéene espoused to the intent she may bring him foorth a most plentifull and holy seede We therefore which ought with all our indeuour to haue honored so mightie a King haue through our naughtinesse and lewde behauiour defiled his excellent name and holy kingdome which we now heartily acknowledge and earnestly confesse before the O most excellent father humbly requiring thy diuine maiestie to pardon and forgiue vs the same that we being receyued into thy louing fauour may féele a fresh the benifits of our good king and although we neyther merite nor deserue the same yet graunt that he may arise in this time of our great distresse be girded about with his two edged sworde and deliuer his déere espoused Church from the violent iniuries and opprobrious slaunders of Antichrist Let him now drawe out the excéeding sharpe darts of his mightie worde and blessed spirit and execute the rodde of seuere iudgement and righteousnesse wherewith he hath béene alwayes accustomed to gouerne his kingdome and at this present verie manifestly to declare that he greatly loueth truth and hateth iniquitie as a most wicked thing through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THy onely begotten sonne our Lord Iesus Christ O most good and mercifull God is worthie to be commended by all meanes possible that can be deuised who hath aboue all things vttered and set forth him selfe elegantlye and after a beautifull maner in the forme of excellent vertues and shape of pure holinesse vsing a most gentle maner of perswasion both in his teaching and exhortation and bringeth all things vnder his diuine power and omnipotent gouernment through the puissant sworde of his blessed worde and efficacie of his incomparable force who hath from time to time shewed himselfe a verie great louer of righteousnesse a most extreeme enimie of iniquitie But whereas we sinfull wretches as a chast spouse in wedlocke were handfasted to such so puissant a one as he is haue defiled our selues through sundrie and manifolde spottes of corrupt vices Therefore our earnest request is that thou wouldest clense vs with heartie rapentaunce and thy blessed spirit whereby the wicked and lewde desires that bée graffed in vs being once forgotten wée may altogither aspire vnto the loue of this most delectable bridgrome that through our labor layde togither in stéede of our fathers who are now alreadie gathered vnto him manie mo faithfull children maye be begotten vnto him a new wyth whome we may alwayes set out and celebrate his famous honour and moste noble prayses thorowe the selfe same Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xlvj. Psalme WHosoeuer doe certainely beléeue thée O most good and mercifull God to be their onely hope and assured strength A prayer for victorie in temptation thou hast béene alwayes very prone readie to helpe them in their great afflictions Wherefore the faithfull are vtterly voyde of all maner of feare although the whole earth be mooued the hilles shake the waues and sourges
prayer out of the same Psalme WEe acknowledge O moste mightie God with howe great a pernicious infection of sinnes wée haue defiled oure mindes which thing séeing that it is most troublesome and excéedingly gréeueth vs neyther can we through our own strength and good workes wash out the spottes alreadie conceyued but this is our onely refuge that we may come vnto thée béeing the well spring of mercye so that thou hauing compassion vpon vs mayest doe away our greeuous offences washe away our deadly iniquities blot out our heinous sinnes and purifie againe our vices wherwith we are wonderfully infected euen froÌ„ our conception and birth For if thou wilt most franklye pardon the misdeedes and wickednesse wherwith we are sore burthened then verily shalt thou appéere to be exceeding true faythfull and most constant in thy faythfull promises Vouchsafe to sprinckle vs with the bloud of thy only begotten sonne by whiche one souereigne thing both the soule and bodie maye bée renued with a marueylous comfortable ioy We earnestly desire a new heart to be created in our bowels and to be indued also with thy most noble spirite to the entent we may not compelled but with right good will offer vnto thee a sacrifice of a troubled and contrite heart which thou neuer vsest to contemne that finally beyng so clensed by thy gracious fauour and louing mercie we maye alwayes offer vnto thée an acceptable sacrifice of thankesgiuing throughe Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lij Psalme SVch as haue through their owne maliciousnesse preuayled A prayer agaynst all pernicious seducement and by their pernicious factes attayned vnto some aucthoritie are woont to boast arrogantly thereof and haue alwaies had a great delight in cursed words accompting it for the singularest pleasure in the worlde to do hurt to lye to speake very deceyptfully But yet like miserable wretches as they be they doe not in the meane while diligently consider howe sodainly in a time vnlooked for their prosperous estate and such transitorie goodes will be turned vp side downe and they also to haue no porcion at all of eternall saluation in such sort as they shall not haue any place in the land of the liuing But we O almighty and most mercifull God who chiefly trust in thy vnspeakable mercy infinite goodnesse beséech thée that the heynous sinnes being done awaye whereinto we haue through humain inbecility ofteÌ„times falleÌ„ may be of a right lowly mind neither puffed vp with arrogancye through any of thy excellent gifts but by the fall ouerthrow of prowde persons may rightly perceyue that they tooke not God for their inuincible strength and sure defence but riches and worldlye prosperitie Graunt vs wée humbly beséech thée for thy infinite mercie and goodnesse sake stedfastly to repose our whole confidence in thée only and that we may like the leauie and florishing Oliue trée liue fruitfullye in thy sacred Church and magnifie thée as meete it is so to bée bycause thou art moste richely liberall to suche as be thy faythfull and louing seruauntes through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Liij Psalme A prayer for deliueraunce â—ut of trouble through faith WO be vnto the brainsicke lewdnesse of the vngodly which hath burst forth into suche madnesse that they perswade themselues howe there is no God whereby they leade a most filthy life and are defiled thorowout with detestable conditions and most abhominable factes but as they be beneficiall to none so do they séeke their owne things with doing of wrong to other folke But God whome they little set by knoweth these their lewde practises right well who although he filleth the heauens with his Maiestie yet espyeth he out mens wicked and lewde facts amongst whome alas for sorrow he séeth not one truly that setteth hys minde vpon goodnesse faythfulnesse and vprightnesse all haue strayed aside from the right way al oppresse the weaker sort neyther do they vprightly honor God nor truly call vpon his blessed name But the tyme will come when as these that be so carelesse shall be quickned vp with most vehement feare And such as nowe seeme to welter fortunately in their owne wickednesse shall at the last be depriued of all their goodes and feele God to shewe himselfe angrie with them Wherefore oure earnest request is O heauenly father that thou wouldest be fauourable and mercifull to such as flie vnto thée for succour and losen vs from the Chaynes of our gréeuous sinnes wherewith we are fast bound so that we maye be comforted with a right perfect ioy and liue with thee in perpetuall felicitie and most happie blessednesse thorow Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Liiij Psalme A prayer for helpe in necessitie against the crueltie of the vngodly AT what time thy faythfull seruants O most good and mercifull God bée tost with doubtfull casualties and their mindes very vnstable through most gréeuous thoughts then laying a side all mans helpe which thou tellest them is altogither vaine and in no wise to be trusted vnto do come vnto thée as their most strong defence calling vpon thy inuincible Godhead and that from the bottome of their heart to deliuer them froÌ„ the outragious vnmerciful and cruel harted who rise vp to assault thy déere saints whome thou hast chosen vnto thy selfe to inherite thy glorious kingdome and so much the more maliciously doe they deale with them and practise all kinde of outrage bicause they neuer sette thée before their eyes whome they ought to haue in great honour and high reuerence Séeing therefore by reason of the heynous sinnes by vs committed we perceyue that deserued tormentes and gréeuous punishments doe hang ouer our heades we require thée to shewe thy lawfull fauour vnto them which make humble intercession who are hartily sorie in that they haue so gréeuously offended thée and for thy infinite mercies sake stand in their defence when their raging and most cruell enimies do assault them for although our merites require it not yet neuerthelesse doth thy assured faithfulnesse stedfast truth and constant promises assure vs the same But hauing atchieued our desires we shall with songes of prayses continually call vpon thée and wil shewe forth our thankefull minde in the ioyfull Congregation of faithfull and godly men through Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme WE doe continually call vpon thy glorious name O most mightie God to the intent we may find thy present helpe in these extréeme miseries of thy greeuous afflicted Church it is nowe néedefull for thée through thy force inuincible power to rescue vs out of the hands of the vngodlye and take vs vnto thy selfe and although our corrupt maners and wicked life which we haue hitherto led do nothing at all deserue the same yet notwithstanding we knowe thy fauourable mercie to be such that thou wilt not dispise those that flie vnto thée
for succour be they neuer so miserable and vnworthie for that mercies sake therefore and not for our good works which as we haue none so can we not boast of any giue eare O good God vnto our deuout prayers and gently accept the words that we with one consent haue poured out before thy diuine Maiestie thou séest after what sort the wicked and straungers which feare thée not doe most cruelly rise vp agaynst vs who séeing that they haue not thee nor thy sacred wordes before their eyes go about by all the meanes they can possibly deuise to ouerthrow thy blessed and sanctified Church Be thou wée humblye beséeche thée our readie helper make thou thy seruauntes to be of a notable stout courage and requite the vngodly with the notorious euils which they haue deserued to the intent we may abundantly glorifie thy most excellent name and euery where shewe foorth thy vnspeakable goodnesse bicause we be deliuered from all gréeuous oppressions and sée those things light vpon thy enimies which all the faithfull would right gladly wishe to haue fallen vpon them through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lv. Psalme WE are inforced O most good and mercifull God by reason of the extréeme and vrgent distresse of the Church A prayer for saluation purchased vs by Christ to cry out dayly vnto thée for we cannot be quiet in our minds when as we both sée and knowe for a certaintie that those who wishe muche euill vnto the Gospell do so carefully indeuour themselues to bring such vnto confusion as vnfeynedly trust in thée we greatly tremble we are thorowly troubled and quake for feare wishing that we had wings like Doues whereby we eschuing these mischiefes may at length rest quietly in thée But very conuenient is it that we should be afflicted for our heynous sinnes wherewith we haue of long time and that excéeding gréeuously offended thée those trulye are the occasion why these great mischiefes doe light vpon vs. But we earnestly require thée O most excellent father not to be more heynously moued against our wickednesse and very lewde behauiour then thou wilt giue vs grace well to beare deliuer vs for thy infinite mercies sake from subtill wordes and deceiptfull deuices and haue a great foresight that thy holy church be not sore plagued of them who seeme sometime greatly to fauour hir and were partakers in the same with vs of the most pleasant and swéete foode of thy blessed Sacraments we nowe heartily call and earnestly cry vnto thée with importunate praiers that as thou hast oftentymes heretofore miraculously holpen thy faythfull seruauntes so thou wouldest at this present time deliuer vs from imminēt destruction Let not the league be broken which those haue that be at one with thée We nowe cast our heauie burthens and moste gréeuous troublesome cares wholy vpon thy shoulders vouchsafe to beare both them and vs also through thy mightie power otherwise we slide and faint vnder the burthen wherefore sustaine and increase this our féeble and slender hope with thy moste present and readie helpe throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THere is right great cause why wée should alwayes O most mightie God lamentably require thy ayding hande for we are continually afflicted by sundrie mishaps of the worlde the fleshe the Deuill and enimies of righteousnesse which moueth vs more often and after a vehementer sort to wishe that thou wouldest gyue vs wings and feathers of Doues wherewith we might flie hence most spedily vnto thée for here haue we no man to deliuer vs out of so great euils but thee onely yea so deceiptfull is the hope which we repose in men that such as a man woulde iudge to be most bound vnto him in loue those are founde his extréemest enimies for venemous tongues do euery where scourge the godly violence quareling wrongfulnesse oppression fraudes and deceipts doe in all places assault them Wherefore we earnestly crie vnto thée euen from the heart roote that our mindes being pourged thou wouldst blot out the faults wherewith we are miserably stayned and betake vs to thy selfe who repose our whole confidence in thée onely for we haue cast our heauy burthens and great griefes vppon thy backe And in somuch as we are almost sunken downe vnder them we beséech thee to hold vs vp with thy vnspeakable goodnesse and mightie power that the confidence we haue affixed in thee doe not slide nor bée weakened but maye become strong and stedfast dayly more and more through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lvj. Psalme A prayer for a stedfast cōfession of the Gospell WIcked men O moste good and mercifull God go about to swallow vs vp they doe assault and afflict vs so much as in them lyeth But seing that thy mightie power far excelleth the princes kinges of the earth and our whole affiaunce dependeth on thée onely extende nowe thy fauourable mercy vnto vs for we heartily confesse that wée haue most gréeuously prouoked thy heauie displeasure for our manifolde sinnes considering that we haue so wretchedly dispised the doctrine of thy sacred law and Gospell which thou hast sent vnto vs that we haue alwayes hitherto béene a slaunder vnto the same But nowe are we very heartily sorie for it who trusting in the death and bloudshedding of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour doe with great feruencie and most earnest prayers lamentably call vppon thée for pardon of all our sinful crimes For when thou shalt haue receyued vs into thy gracious fauour we néede nothing at all to feare what flesh can doe agaynst vs. Thou shalt be present at thy owne case and shalt sée howe the vngodly doe all the day long rayle vpon thy glorious Gospell and true worshipping of thee and how they continually imagine mischiefe agaynst thy déere and chosen people Forsomuch as therefore they deale lewdely agaynst those whome thou hast redéemed how shall they escape thy wrathfull indignation Thou art woont to put downe thy aduersaries at what time thou art angrie with them It is not thy propertie to be forgetfull of the sorowfull mournings and lamentable cries of thy poore afflicted seruaunts for the whole number of our prayers are already written in the booke of thy prouidence Harken vnto them O God our heauenly father and when as we be moued and stirred vp through thy holy spirite to call vpon thy blessed name turne thou our enimies back and put them to flight Be thou present with thy armie defende it strengthen it and confirme the same with couragious boldenesse if thou bée on oure side wee will not feare what man doe agaynst vs who beeing deliuered by thée shall magnifie thy blessed wordes and faythfull promises for euer Vouchsafe O good God that we hauing atchieued peace tranquilitie may be conuersant in thy sight for euer and directed alwayes with the bright light of thy fauourable and louing
mischieuous déedes whereof we acknowledge and confesse that we haue committed many but they runne vpon vs for hatred they onelye beare to sincere godlinesse and perfect religion to the intent they would both craftily with extréeme violence furnishe themselues to our destruction But thou O good God who hast dominion ouer all creatures first pardon whatsoeuer we haue wickedlye committed against thée then stirre vp thy selfe and at length discusse the cause of the godly Our most cruel enimies go to and fro they grenne like Doggs and runne aboute in all Countries for when they speake anye thing of oure matters swordes and weapons onely are in theyr lippes but thou O good God shalt laugh these men to scorne and haue them in great dirision we attend and looke for helpe altogither at thy mercifull handes who art our mightie Tower and moste strong defence Let thy sacred Church be such a partaker of thy wonderfull and vnspeakeable goodnesse as she may sée hir desire vpon the enimies of all righteousnesse Slay not these men after an accustomable maner but destroy them vtterlye in such a sort as thy blessed people may not lightly forgette the same cause thou them to become runagates beggers for euer by reason of their abhominable vices blasphemous lyes and cursed periuries wherewith they are be wrapped and abound greatly consume thou such maner of men at length bring them to naught I say as they may become a laughing stocke and by word vnto euery man to the intent all people may assuredly know and right well perceyue that thou shewest thy selfe a very God vnto thy blessed Church wherein thou oughtest to bée highly magnified as a firme defence and most strong ayde for all such as will vnfeinedly inuocate and call vpon thy glorious name throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WE being hedged in O most mightie God through humaine infirmitie and bound in conscience with the chaynes of most heauie sinnes do continually with right great lamentation call vpon thy vnspeakable mercie wherewith thou mayest willingly and gently bowe downe thy fauourable eare to our humble peticions the force of our outragious enimies doth wonderfully assault marueylously inuade and greatly oppresse vs but seing that the strēgth of our nature vtterly falleth in this behalf and sheweth it selfe altogither vnuaylable arise thou O God and ouerthrowe by thy mightie puyssaunce whatsoeuer shall bée repugnant to our saluation and finally deride and mock such a one as hath a greater pleasure to resist thy blessed will then to submit himselfe therevnto as méete it is he should so doe We haue reposed the whole strength of our welfare in thée onely hauing no mistrust but that thou art oure chiefe goodnesse and most mercifull God although therefore the fierce enimies of thy glorious name compasse vs about and after a sort besiege vs with the darke and obscure blindnesse which they shead we trusting in thy excellent goodnesse hope that the malicious wickednesse they haue imagined shall not fall on vs but light vpon their owne neckes wherfore let thy inestimable goodnesse according to our assured hope be in stéed of a strong fortresse puyssaunt refuge and mightie Bulwarke vnto vs who are wonderfull desirous to celebrate and set forth thy excéeding great honor and vnspeakable mercy through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lx. Psalme THou hast vsed oftentimes O most good and mercifull God to chastice thy déere children with a fatherly correction A prayer for Gods helpe in necessitie so that they béeing at length brought low through vnfortunate mishappes and broken with miseryes may right well perceyue and vnderstand that they haue sinned greatly who aspiring with all their indeuour to come vnto thée may much couet to be deliuered from these abhominable vices wherewith they were before excedingly ouerwhelmed there doest thou yeelde thy selfe againe being altogither appeased and at attonement with them Wherefore we humbly require thée O heauenly father that thou wouldst in like maner keepe still with vs this thy auncient couenaunt and vouchsafe to take thy poore humble suters which fly vnto thee for succour from their gréeuous sorowes and lamentable miseries that our heinous sinnes doe dayly purchase vnto vs which we mistrust not but will come to passe forsomuch as we be nothing doubtfull but such things as thou hast promised shall not fade out of our remembraunce For thys cause chiefly is our minde much reuiued hereby we be well cheered and finally by this wée are certainly perswaded that wée which séemed in tymes past and that lately to be reiected of thée are nowe in verye déede and that wholy receyued into thy louing fauour Procéede and go forwarde therefore to succour vs so that we béeyng furthered by thy mighty defence may boldly and manfully go thorow with the matter to the glorie of thy blessed name by Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme THou séemest verye often O most good and merciful God to put back thy faithfull seruauntes from thee and being in a maner sore angrie with these men doest scatter them abroade into diuers partes of the worlde but thou comforting thy blessed people againe with thy excéeding great clemencie bowest downe thy fauour and louing kindnesse afreshe towardes them by meanes whereof our hope is renued in vs that seing it hath séemed good vnto thee to moue the lande in this our age and to dismay the inhabiters thereof with a newe and extraordinarie feare thou wilt also heale hir gréeuous wounds And although it be thy good will now and then to vex thy faythfull people with hard and most bitter mishappes in like wise as if thou shouldest giue them a poysoned cup to drinke of yet notwithstanding thou raysest vp the banner of saluation vnlooked for vnto such as dayly feare and perfectly honor thee to the intent that thy louing promises being assuredly performed they may lead their life verye prosperously vnder the same nowe therefore turne thou alway thy eyes from the sinnes we haue most greeuously committed for we denie not but that we haue done very wickedly and peruersely but for so much as of thy infinite mercy fake thou wilt pardon and quite forgiue such as vnfeynedly call vpon thee finally ayde thou thy beloued Church according to thy accustomed vse and mightily preserue hir with thy puyssant right hande But go thou O good God which seemest to haue forsaken thy blessed people for a time nowe forth with vs and rayse vp thy selfe to be our readie helper for we craue not thy fauourable ayde without iust cause who haue learned euen by experience it selfe that mans power and strength is but a vaine thing to stay by Be thou therefore a present succour vnto those which repose their whole trust and confidence in thée graunt that they may deale manfully doe mightie actes so that they may by thy meanes get the victorie ouer their most cruell
Church no lesse then thou shewedst the same in tymes past touching the deliueraunce of the Israelites from the Egyptians bondage and seruitude to the intent that howe much the more care thou hast therof so much the more a great deale it may appéere that thou hast mightily deliuered the same from the deuill sinne and moste cruell death through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxviij Psalme A prayer for grace and â—prightnesse of heart FOrsomuch as the diuine scriptures haue most perfectly published thy excéeding glorious workes O most mightie God by setting thy children at libertie in Egypt assuredlye knowing that what thinges soeuer are set forth in the holy Bible they all make very much to our comfort and consolation wée nowe most heartily require thée that thou wouldest in these excéeding daungerous tymes continuallye renue our memorie with thy holye spirite who béeing moued herewith may repose our whole coÌ„fidence in thee onely Thou broughtest thy children of Israell oute of Egypt in working of dreadfull things agaynst Pharao The sea gaue place a clowde couered them a light of fire guided them on their iourney the rocke gaue water the heauen sent them both Manna and fleshe and in Mount Sinai thou shewedst thy selfe at what tyme it pleased thée to giue them a law by Moyses Thou therefore who hast done so great and manifold things for the Israelites forsake vs not in such wise as the shepe of thy flocke may be scattered abroade by the Deuill and Antichrist We verily haue sinned agaynst thee and that gréeuously and very often howbeit they also were oftentymes rebellious and murmured agaynst thy diuine Maiestie in the wildernesse when as they had lesse credite to thy sacred worde then beseemed them There thou diddest sharpely punishe that people neyther yet sufferedst thy heritage to be destroyed but knewest well that they were fleshe and had a verye wauering spirite wherefore thou wert so touched with mercy that thou didst helpe them in aduersitie We therfore earnestly require thee O good God that thou wouldest doe none otherwise to thy blessed Church at this present in mightie defending and valiant deliuering hir after any other sort then thou didst the Iewes when thou haddest layde thy rod of correction somewhat vpon them through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WEe heartily acknowledge and earnestly confesse O most mighty god that the ingratitude of mankinde is excéeding great which thing truely appeareth plainly by our lewd deedes but séeing that it is an easie matter for euery man to bee blind in his owne case it is more manifestly set forth by our forefathers actes which are most truely made mencion of in the holy scriptures We haue heard that the childreÌ„ of Israell were deliuered through thée by a number of miracles when as thou broughtest them out of Egypt who being gouerned defended and nourished in the desert with such a diligent studie and prudent care as no greater could be deuised and imagined yet for all this the same people are reported to shewe themselues so much vngratefull and obliuious of thy excellent benefites that they alwayes murmured against thée their god their maker deliuerer guide most iust Therefore we humbly beseeche thée O excellent father that seéing thou of thy frée mercie hast elected vs and moreouer bewtified vs with the highest ornamentes of thy grace thou wouldest neuer suffer or cause the same to depart out of our memory but rather stirre vs vp euery moment with thy blessed spirit to render such kinde of thankes vnto thée wherby both thou mayst be most honored and we greatly prouoked forward to leade a godlye and vertuous life through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme BEsides the prodigious wonders and marueylous signes O moste good and mercifull God whereby thou thoughtest good diuers and sundry times to maintaine and defend the fathers in the olde lawe the selfe same hast thou commaunded both to be set forth for the commoditie of those that come after and also to be registred for a perpetuall remembraunce to the intent that so many as shall perceyue the things by fayth may conceyue as assured an hope of thy mercie louing kindnesse and faythfulnesse toward themselues as they wonder excéeding greatly at thy vnspeakeable goodnesse extended vpon their olde fathers For the séeing of those mens chasticements by the seueritie of thy iust iudgement may also be a verye great warning vnto them that they shall be no more spared then the others when through their lewde behauiour they ceasse not to prouoke thy wrathfull indignation agaynst them Our earnest request is therefore O heauenly father that we may reape much commoditie hereby For we verilye are through thy gracious fauor deliuered from euerlasting destruction euen as they were out of Egypt But this is our most earnest request which we require as nowe at thy mercifull handes that we be not ledde by our filthie lustes and lewd desires to prouoke thy heauie wrath vnto our confusion in such sort as they were by grudging at thy vnestimable goodnesse in the wildernesse through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme WE may right well perceyue O most good and mercifull God that the desires of our wicked lustes be much hurtful either bicause we are prouoked through theÌ„ to poure out complaints agaynst thée who art most perfectly good or else for that in compassing the filthie desires of them we purchase greatly vnto our selues the most seuere punishmentes of thy vnspeakable iustice for we are now admonished in due tyme by the holy ghost of all such thinges as happened vnto the Israelits in the wildernesse Wherefore we being taught by other mens perilles are very carefull least we be wrapped in semblable misfortunes through the like misbehauiour Our earnest desire is therefore that thou wouldest giue eare vnto our feruent prayers wherein we humbly beséech thee to giue vs grace that we may neuer be forgetfull of thy excellencie neyther let it come at any time into our harts either by words or thought to dallye with thée in whome is nothing but most perfect veritie For whensoeuer we fall through humaine infirmitie haue thou mercie vpon vs who knowest vs to he both frayle fleshe and also very weake spirited and so of thy infinite goodnesse incline thy selfe nowe partly to rayse vs vp being alreadie fallen and partlye also to confirme vs that we be not thrust downe into euerlasting destruction through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxix Psalme A prayer for obteyning of mercie and fauor agaynst the persecutors of the Church THou hast chosen vs O most mightie God to be thy heritage and doubtlesse there is nothing permitted which might be a furtheraunce to the furnishing garnishing and making vs right blessed thou hast giuen vs the knowledge of thy sacred scriptures the preaching of thy blessed Gospel the
administration of thy holy Sacraments and others innumerable which belong to the bewtefying of this thy heritage But wée alas being vngratefull of all these moste excellent and singuler giftes haue accomplished nothing as was required of vs. Therefore the wicked and barbarous Nations are not without iust desert stirred vp togither through thy wrathfull indignation to inuade thy holy Churche and to shed the bloud of thy faythfull people and blessed inheritance as if it were water making of vs a verye scorne and laughing stocke and that which is more lamentable and greatlier to be sorowed they persecute in vs not our deadly sinnes but thy owne selfe thy holy Gospell thy diuine honor and pure worshipping of thée Wherfore O God most déere father our earnest request is that thou wouldest not bée alwayes angrie with thy people and shéepe of thy pasture Poure out therefore thys thy wrath which is kindled against vs for our sinnes vpon the heathen that haue not knowne thée and suffer not thy blessed Church to be deuoured of the vngodly We hartily desire thée for thy infinite mercies sake and by the intercession of thy moste déerely beloued sonne our Lorde to haue no more in remembrance our olde heynous sinnes And séeing that we put our whole trust and confidence in thy goodnesse onely assist and deliuer such as crie and call vnto thée euen for the glorie of thy names sake Be mercifull vnto our gréeuous sinnes otherwise the vngodly will say that thou hast reiected thy owne case Let the sorrowfull sighing lamentable teares of the oppressed came before thée and not be put out of thy sight pardō whatsoeuer we haue gréeuously cōmitted agaynst thee and vouchsafe to shew vpon vs the force of thy assistant help to the intent that we thy louing heritage thy faythfull people and shéepe of thy good pasture maye giue thee thankes for euer and shewe forth thy worthie prayses from one generation to another through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme LEt the wonderfull examples of thy rygorous iustice O moste mightie God wherewith thou hast subuerted the Kingdome of Israell and wrapped that people for their rebelliousnesse agaynst thee in slaughters rapes booties burnings captiuities with all kinde of miseries and infelicitie be a wholesome and comfortable admonition vnto vs so that we may with a right chéerefull minde lay hold vpon true repentaunce and be deliuered therby from most gréeuous torments which through our innumerable heynous sinnes we haue worthely deserued For verye méete it is that thou shouldst haue an especiall regard vnto thy moste blessed and glorious name but if thou shalt poure out thy wrath vpon vs the wicked will imagine that thou hadst no care to helpe such as duely honor thée and craue thy assistaunce with abundance of teares for if any calamitie or aduersitie light vpon thy sacred Church it is incontinent their accustomed maner malipartly to scoffe agaynst the same saying where is nowe their God become What profite haue they by theyr religion By meanes whereof this kinde of reproch redowndeth vnto thée ▪ vpon thy sacred doctrine and vpon thy holy Gospell Wherefore our humble and earnest request is that being right mindfull of the sheepe of thy pasture thou wouldest so defende and mainteyne vs as we may perpetually in all places both publish and also set forth thy worthye prayses through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxx. Psalme A prayer for the repairing of the afflicted Church THou hast alwayes hitherto béene accustomed O most mightie god to be present like a louing shéepeherd with thy faythfull people and to lead them forth vnder thy protection as if they were sheepe We now therefore require thée to stirre vp thy mightye power in so great perilles and shewe vs the bright light of thy fauourable countenaunce Rayse vp thy selfe and be ready to helpe and deliuer vs. We truely acknowledge and earnestly confesse that in consideration of our heynous iniquities most gréeuous sinnes committed against thée thy heauie wrath hath not without good desert béene kindled agaynst vs and thy iustice to be the principall cause why these excéeding great mischiefes wherewith thy blessed Church is nowe opprest haue inuaded the same But séeing that at this present we are right hartily sorie for all the sinnes which haue by vs béene committed agaynst thée and that we may lamentably require thy louing fauour and mercie how long wilt thou be angrie with vs Howe long wilt thou suffer the great strife gréeuous rebukes and opprobrious slaunders wherewith the vngodly and moste lewde persons do touch thée in vs Turne vnto vs O excellent father in this most troublesome time the quiet and cheerefull coūtenaunce of thy inestimable goodnesse and be mindfull of thy notable benefits which thou hast bestowed vpon thy sacred church and séeing that thou hast hitherto nourished it bewtified it and alwayes garnished the same with the most plentiful and large giftes of thy blessed spirite Deliuer hir not now ouer we humbly beséeche thée to be spoyled of the outragious vngodly most cruell Antichristians suffer not so pleasant and chosen a vineyarde which with thy most high excéeding mightie right hand thou hast planted increased to be shamefully and after a very wretched maner cast downe set on fire and vtterlye rooted vp Looke downe from heauen and haue an especiall regard vnto suche as earnestly crie and call for thy spéedy assistaunce let the vngodly perish at the rebuke of thy louing countenaunce who doe perpetually blasphéeme cruell bondage of Antichrist but we vile wretches haue most filthily abused our fredome and benefite of quietnesse Thou hast oftner then once as thou didst vnto the Israelites both by the sacred Scriptures and also through the ministers of thy blessed worde protest vnto vs on this wise giue eare vnto me O my people and acknowledge me truly to be thy God not in words I say only but in minde verily and with a perfect and most pure worshipping But we alas haue turned our heart from thy holy wordes whereby our heynous sinnes are continually more and more increased and the aduersaries of thy holy Church also whome thou without doubt wouldest haue ouerthrowne and cast downe if wée had giuen credite vnto thée are nowe become a very terrour vnto vs for we that might exceeding quietly and carelesly haue inioyed thy most swéete and pleasant gifts are nowe ouerthrowne day by day wyth greater and more greeuous afflictions Yet we humblye beséeche thée for thy singuler mercyes sake not to forsake thy sacred Church being vexed so miserably and after such a wretched sort Be present at length therevnto in such wise that she may perpetually kéepe and retaine the true Religion and pure doctrine which thou hast set forth and deliuered vnto hir through Iesus christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxxij Psalme THe gouernment of all kingdomes and earthly power appertayneth vnto thée
the sharpe hands of thy iustice ouerwhelming vs through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxxix Psalme THy inestimable mercy O almightie god is most manifestly knoweÌ„ A prayer to put God in remeÌ„brance of his promise both bicause all Saintes do celebrate the same and also for that it doth continually vtter and shewe forth it selfe throughout all generations by meanes whereof thou art brought to make a couenant with thy elect people the Christes kingdome his séede which is the Church should alwayes indure neyther ought any mortall man to feare or stande in doubt that thou art not able to performe whatsoeuer thou hast stedfastlye and with a solemne othe promised The euident proofes of thy almightie power appeared by punishing the Egyptians and seeing that the heauens the earth the whole circuit of the worlde the windes the seas and whatsoeuer thou hast made perteyne to thy mightie gouernement we doubt not but thou canst right well preserue thy beloued people whom thou hast adopted vnto thée and which walke in the light of thy blessed countenaunce And herevpon wée haue great néede that thou shouldest doe thus much for vs in especially namely to vouchsafe to forgiue vs the sinnes wherwith we confesse our selues to haue most gréeuously offended thée forsomuch as they truely be the onely things why we are sore afflicted and it is the waight of them that presse vs most downe Giue pardon therefore vnto such as humbly cal to thée for readie helpe and be our strong defence against the fierce aduersaries of thy blessed name stretche out thy mightie arme make thy hand stroÌ„g for our preseruation and in these daungers arme thy puyssaunt right hande for our deliueraunce least the outragious violence of the vngodly preuaile against vs and suffer not the children of iniquitie to trouble vs according to their hatred and malicious euill will Shake thou those and turne thou them so aside that they be not able to execute the mischieuous deuises which they intend to doe agaynst our holy Gospell We call vpon thee being our only Sauiour louing God and mercifull father performe therefore and kéepe thy sacred couenant which thou hast fauourably made with thy faithfull ones We haue vtterly forsaken thy diuine law we haue not walked in thy holy commaundements we haue vnhallowed thy sacred thinges neyther haue we bene obedient to thy blessed will wherefore refuse we not to be beaten with the roddes of thy heauie displeasure or to be kept vnder with the scourges of thy most greeuous chasticement but this onelye is our humble request that thou wouldest not berefe vs of thy vnspeakeable mercie fauourable louing kindnesse and vnspotted truth through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WE hartily acknowledge O almightie God that it is the vse and guise of the Godly to set forth thy vnspeakeable mercie and fauourable goodnesse when as their affayres haue so good successe as they would gladly wish but if we vndoubtedly shall reteyne and kéepe that custome in vnfortunate mishappes and greeuous calamities as to set out thy fauourable mercie and louing kindnesse continually thorowout all generations then shall we bée most assuredly able to beare witnesse of the effectuall working of thy grace in vs. Suffer therefore we humbly beséech thée the promises and couenaunts which thou madest with Dauid thy moste faythfull seruaunt neuer to slip out of our memories namely that thou wouldst of his séede giue Iesus Christ a moste puyssant and euerlasting king for all faythfull beleuers vnder whose gouernment the vniuersall Church should both be defended from the enimies force and also greatly flourish being right well garnished with all kinde of good thinges More then once we haue tryed the assurednesse of these faythfull promises For thou hast oftentimes deliuered thy blessed people from moste gréeuous and horrible daungers for none other cause theÌ„ this onely and therefore are we nowe incouraged to be importunate vpon thée that thou wouldest according to thy olde woont and accustomed maner prouide remedy for the necessitie of thy louing people when they stande in most neede thereof through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme THou hast not onely promised vnto vs O most mightie God abundaunce of grace in Christ Iesus our Lorde whereby we maye be acceptable vnto thee and become thy trustie friends déere children and peculier heyres but also thou hast taken vpon thee to bestow so great clemencie vpon vs that if we fall into any kinde of vice through our weaknesse thou wilt chastice our iniquities with a fatherly rodde and mercifull scourge and not turne away thy louing countenaunce well inclined mind from thy blessed Church at any tyme. Bée mindfull therefore O heauenly father of this thy sacred couenaunt which thou didst once determine to bée more firme and of stedfaster continuaunce then the high heauen the bright Sunne and the splendent Moone but forsomuch as thy wrathful indignation is not a little kindled by reason of our most gréeuous sinnes and that thou séemest to thrust down the case of thy faithfull seruauntes and not a little to fauour the aduersaries of true godlynesse and enimies of thy glorious name shewe forth nowe at length we humbly beséech thée thy great mercies of olde neyther suffer vs which are the déere members of Christ although of our partes marueylous vnworthie not to be made a laughter and mocking stocke for the vnbeleuers to iest at through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xc. Psalme â— praier both 〈◊〉 attain vnâ—â— the knowâ—dge of god â—nd the vaâ—tie of this â—e also FOrsomuch as thou O almighty God wouldest we shoulde haue this knowledge of thy holy Tabernacle that it was not in déede of so great bignesse as it could conteine thy infinite power and vnmeasurable nature therefore do we nowe hartily confesse thys to be most manifest that thou art the only tabernacle habitation sure refuge to our weaknesse neyther art thou to be compted a fresh or new made dwelling place for the faythfull but such a one as is perpetuall and permanent seing thou choosest them before the making and constitution of the worlde And therefore the gréeuous calamities and painfull miseries which we indure driue vs from all sides vnto thée our mightie bulwark and most strong defence Surely we lead both a very miserable fugitiue life which floweth abroad like water fadeth away as a sleepe and withereth incontinent in such sort as doth a gréene herbe while we are continually consumed and putte in feare by thy greeuous wrath and heauy indignation We acknowledge that the heynous sinnes which we haue lewdly committed be the onely cause why thou art iustly sore displeased with vs for if thou didst purpose assuredly to be reuenged of them thy most arden displeasure woulde vtterly consume and bring vs to naught Our earnest request is therefore O mightie God that thou wouldest
calamitie and such verily as is euerlasting and hath no end when as the iust men like the Ceder and Palme trée inioy the sincere and euerlasting good things in the blessed habitation of the heauens We humbly beséech thée O excellent father to cherishe and comfort this hope in vs to the intent we maye right well perceyue that thou art both good and iust and also doest publishe vnto all creatures that there is no vnrighteousnesse in thy noble iudgement through Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xciij. Psalme WHen as wée right well consider O moste mightie God that the world was made of thee to abide exceeding firme and vnmouable A prayer 〈◊〉 the establiâ—â—meÌ„t of chriâ—â— kingdome who doest gouerne the same with so great constancie and in such perfect order as wée verily know thy excellencie might and noble power thereby Wherefore wée take heart to vs and perswade our selues most assuredly that thy louing promises shall be of no lesse assuraunce to sticke vnto then the nature of things teacheth vs that thy glorious kingdome is both strong and vnmoueable Although therefore the cruell enimies of our saluation doe vaunt themselues agaynst vs fret excéedingly continually dashe vs togither with the sourges of their yrefulnesse and gréeuous temptations and rise vp against vs like huge waters and tempestuous seas yet our assured hope is that thou wilt defende vs wyth thy inuincible power and excéeding great might Vouchsafe therefore that both this fayth maye alwayes bee printed in oure mindes and also that thy good and notable promises which thou hast made vnto thy blessed Churche maye not onely come to passe but also being bestowed vpon it may long tyme be preserued in the same so that thy moste famous goodnesse and vnspeakeable mercie maye be published more and more throughout the vniuersal world by Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xciiij. Psalme â— prayer aâ—aynst our eâ—â—mies deâ—eyptfull teaâ—hers cruel â—â—raunts THe presumption and statelinesse of sinners O most mightye God is wonderfull for it doth not onely teare in péeces the féeble and grinde to powder the weaklinges but also bringeth them in the end to such madnesse as they iudge their wickednesse and greeuous offences which they haue most lewdly committed to be hid and vnknowne vnto thée Vouchsafe therefore that this kinde of foolishnesse maye bâ—e farre from oure thoughts and graunt that we may be most assuredly perswaded that thou hauing made the eare fourmed the eye and giuen vnto men the power and habilitie of vnderstanding art ignoraunt of nothing which is done by vs in earth but rule and order vs so in the meane season as we may not only escape and flie from the euerlasting and perpetuall destructions which are prepared for the vngodlye but also inioy the moste high quietnesse perpetuall felicitie which thou hast vouchedsafe to bestow vpon thy faythfull seruaunts If thou verily be not present hauing the helpe alwayes prepared and in a readinesse wherewith thou mayest mightily defend vs we shall easily fall into those mischiefes which hang ouer our heades Be thou we humbly beséech thée our Castle fortresse strong shielde of defence least we séeme to haue vainely reposed our whole trust and confidence in thée onely through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xcv. Psalme FOrsomuch as O moste mightie God thou art our saluation and strength A prayer foâ— true fayth it is meete wée shoulde prayse thy glorious name to the vttermost of our powers and to the intent we may the more orderly doe the same we first and formost come vnto thée with hartie coÌ„fession of our heinous sinnes Wheras thou hast of thy infinite goodnesse and not for oure merites sake chosen vs to be thy blessed people shéepe of thy pasture as hauing no néede of our seruice at all forsomuche as thou art the great king aboue all Gods in whose hand be not onely the earth and exceeding high Mountaynes but also the heauens and all creatures we haue gréeuously offended thée diuers and sundrie wayes hardning our sinfull hearts at thy fatherly admonicions who haue very readily fainted in temptation our mind hath fowlye erred and we haue alwayes by reason of our lewde sinnes and moste wicked desertes become bourdenous and merueylous troublesome vnto thee For which cause thou hast at this tyme raysed vp so prowd and cruel enimies against vs by whom we are brought into great perill and daunger neuerthelesse acknowledging howe vnrighteouslye we haue dealt wée knowe for a certaintie that besides thy infinite goodnesse and mercy there remayneth none other defence for vs. Wherfore with these our feruent prayers and earnest supplications we prease into thy sight or euer we perishe requiring thée not to grinde vs vnto powder in thy most gréeuous wrath take away the heynous sinnes we humbly beséech thée wherewith we and our fathers haue greatly tempted thée and prouoked thy heauie displeasure agaynst vs. Call to remembraunce that thou art oure mightie God valiaunt king and louing shepherd Therfore mightily preserue valiantly kéepe and noblye defende vs from those that hate thée no lesse then they do vs suffer them not according to the lust of their crueltie vtterly to destroy the worke of thy blessed handes which thou hast begunne passing well in vs through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme THy excellent Maiestie and inuincible power O most good and mercifull god is of such force as euery where it excelleth and beareth dominion moste amplye and without desert but séeing that all thinges as well high as lowe were made by thée there is nothing to be found eyther hidden in the depth of the earth or set vppe in the height of the mountaynes whereof thou wert not the author and first founder for which cause we iustly desire to shewe forth thy worthy prayse To the furtheraunce hereof also maketh this that thou art our onely stay and we as thy blessed flocke and sheepe of thy pasture appertain and belong vnto thée onely Therefore doe we greatly worship humbly reuerence duely honor right earnestly cal vpon thy most fauorable Godbeade requiring this especiallye that thou suffer not our heart which of nature is disposed vnto euill to be hardned at thy friendly admonitions Make the same soft we hartily pray thée with the inspiration of thy good grace and holye spirite neyther suffer vs to striue and struggle against thy blessed commaundementes like vnto the stifnecked Iewes who woulde so often tymes put thée to the tryall of thy mightye power but séeing it was not their hap to inioy the promised land graunt for thy infinite mercies sake that we may at length be permitted to enter into the hauen of eternall felicitie after our long and daylye trauaile through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xcvj. Psalme WE are admonished for diuers and sundrie causes O most mightye
God greatly to magnifie thee A prayer of thankes giuing for Christs benefites bestowed vppon vs. and highlye to sanctifie thy holy name But able we are not thus to doe vnlesse the heynous sinnes wherewith we are miserably oppressed be first put away and driuen farre from vs. We haue receyued at thy mercifull handes through the preaching of thy blessed Gospell the most noble and excellent gift of saluation but we haue hitherto led our life so coldly therin and wrought so contrary to our vocation in neglecting and dispising thy sacred commaundements that néedfull it was in the ende for the calamities which we now suffer to incounter with oute lewdnesse and that thou shouldest extende thy furious wrath vpon vs by these moste gréeuous perilles being moued and prouoked thereto through oure wicked desertes and naughtie behauiour Notwithstanding O good God haue no regard at all to our merites but rather sée to this that thy famous glorie may be greatly published amongest the heathen and thy wonderfull worckes made manifest vnto all people Both thy aduersaries and ours also repose their whole affiaunce in worldly strength and cursed Idolatrie who would inforce vs to yéeld such honor vnto Antichrist as they do wheras we contrarywise acknowledge thée to be a great and terrible Lorde aboue all Goddes Wherefore we earnestly call vpon thy excellent Maiestie and in these daungerous daies flie vnto thy mercy seat requyring pardon for our heynous sinnes and that thou wouldest shewe howe vaine our enimies goodes be Iudge O good god the aduersaryes of thy true worshippe and enimies of thy sacred Gospell so that thou as right méete it is mayst reigne beare dominion ouer the heathen Stretche out thy inuincible power thy puyssaunt glory and thy renowmed magnificence O good God for our speedy deliueraunce who being deliuered from so many and great inconueniences maye render vnto thée due oblations of heartie prayses Cause thy glorious name to be well spoken off in euery place and let all men honor and reuerence thy diuine Maiestie with moste pure and perfect deuotion through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THy benefites O almightie God are not only bestowed vpon vs coÌ„tinually but also after a new and vnaccustomed maner do spring vp freshe from time to tyme wherefore vnlesse we will be marueylous vngratefull they deserue that we should euermore magnifie the same with newe prayses and pleasaunt songes Such is thy magnificencie and vnspeakeable power whose bewtie and Maiesty is so great that thou doest surmount beyonde all measure what Godhed or Deitie soeuer meÌ„ could at any time deuice to themselues GrauÌ„t therfore that whensoeuer we go about duely to honor reuerently to worship thée we may chéerfully offer vp our selues al that euer we haue to thy incoÌ„prehensible glorye so that we may preache thy glorious kingdome to all nations not onely with wordes but in verteous lyfe and holy conuersation to the intent euery man maye right well knowe and perceyue that like as thou hast created vs and the whole vniuersall worlde so also shall we and all thinges be repayred againe throughe Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xcvij. Psalme A praier that we may appeare in the â—ay of iudgement with a â—ure chearâ—ull heart THou thy selfe O moste mightye God which art the author of full ioy and perfect gladnesse art also indued with exceeding seueritie and dreadfull power which thy properties thou bestowest vpon man according to thy infinite iustice and righteousnesse Wherefore our earnest request is that thou wouldst not burne vs vp with the fire of thy wrathfull indignation who otherwise by reason of our heynous sinnes are worthie of most greeuous punishments but according to thy great mercie and through the merits of thy onely Sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde and sauiour remit and pardon whatsoeuer we haue lewdly committed agaynst thée but contrariwise turne the wrath of thy heauie displeasure vpon thy fierce aduersaryes Let those men be set on fire make them to tremble let them melt away like wax at the sight of thy bright countenance But let vs being restored and reformed in a new kind of life by thy blessed spirit feele in our selues and set out thy noble iustice such wise vnto them as all people maye right wel perceyue the same For although we haue greatly and verye muche strayed from thy holy will reuealed vnto vs in the sacred scriptures we are notwithstanding heartily sorye for our lewde deserts and be verye desirous to make thy glorious renowme excéeding famous Let not therfore this our assured hope and feruent desire be made frustrate put them to confusion who beleue nothing at all in thée but haue an infinite number of Idols wherein they put their whole trust wherevnto they shewe much worship merueylous great honour and wonderfull obedience And finally graunt this thing also that suche as thou hast regenerated and quickned with thy blessed spirit may vtterly detest sinne and whatsoeuer fighteth or is repugnant to thy holy will Afterward take the soules of thy faythfull seruauntes out of wicked mens handes and when we be throughly delyuered from them cause vs not onely to reioyce with great gladnesse but make thy healthfull light of saluation to shine vpon all that are thine whereby they may bee conuerted vnto thée and celebrate thy worthie memoriall with perpetuall prayses throughe the selfe same Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme SEing it is thou O almightie God that rulest farre and néere and mightily gouernest all things there is nothing in the whole worlde but ought to be excéeding glad thereof for like as thy glorious kingdome which is the chiefest thing to be desired is most gorgeously decked with iustice and equitie euen so is there such strength and puyssaunce graffed in the same as no crafty deuices and subtile practises can preuaile agaynst it but that whatsoeuer thou hast with a most rightful counsaile and singuler iustice decreed vpon shall be brought to good ende We earnestly require thée therefore that as the earth heauen and vniuersall worlde are most euident witnesses of thy vnspeakeable wisedome and singuler iustice so the truth and sincere worshipping of thée may appéere in thy blessed Church where all men maye heartily reioyce togither bicause supersticious and corrupt Religions are altogither banyshed Let them be ioyfull in this behalfe which purely and with feruent zeale do vnfeynedly loue and honor God whome finally we humblye beséeche to augment the light of our mindes and that we maye with an exceeding pleasant chéerefulnesse reioyce in the sacred Congregation of hys blessed Sainctes for the vnspeakeable benefites he hath bestowed vpon vs through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme FOrsomuch as all thy iudgementes O most good and mercifull God doe shine forth with perfect equitie and right vp iustice we ought therefore to be excéeding glad
the Eagle from time to time renue hir youth And like as thou dissembling the sinnes of the Israelites didst not onely bring them to the dwelling place that thou hadst promised by Moses whom thou hadst taught but also through the perpetuall benefites of thy excellent mercie bestowed vppon that people didst shewe and manifest that thy goodnesse towardes them surmounted all their mischieuous dedes no lesse space then the heauens are distant from the earth bée thou which art our father and we thy déere children moued with mercie towardes vs who are lyke to be ouerwhelmed wyth darknesse and lewde behauiours vnlesse thou presently puttest to thy assistant helping hand Cause vs to finde by proofe that thou hast renued the couenaunt made betwixt thée and vs and the same being restored let vs with all earnessnesse indeuor our selues to set forth thy blessed lawe and commaundementes in holynesse of life whereby not onely the earthly Church may render condigne thankes vnto thy vnspeakable goodnesse for our saluation but also the Aungelles which accomplishe thy holy will with a marueylous cheerefulnesse may do the same through Iesus Christ our lord Amen ¶ A prayer out of the. Ciiij Psalme A praier that we may vse â—he creatures of God in such â—ort as we â—re willed EVery creature doth abundauntlye shew forth vnto vs thy inuincible force splendant bewtte and famous glorie O most mighty god inasmuch as we sée that all things doe adorne thee with their whole power might obeying not onely thy sacred wordes but euen thy very beckes also it behoueth vs in like sort to be likewise affectioned séeing that thou hast created all things chiefly to our profite and singuler commoditie For we certainly know and right well perceiue howe the earth doth continually yéeld fruit for our sustentation and how we be helped with the welles flouds beastes raine herbes corne wine oyle and all kinde of foode but our nature is so blinde corrupt and defiled that the more we are bounde to thée for thy excéeding great benefites so much the stubburnlier swarue we from thy sacred wordes and blessed will Wherefore our earnest request is that thou wouldest for thy infinite mercies sake pardon whatsoeuer wée haue hitherto committed agaynst thy diuine Maiestie and vouchsafe vs to depend soly vpon thée will we or nill we touching our bodily foode so that also our whole motions strength counsels and workes be fastned onely vpon thy excellent goodnesse Moreouer we humbly beséech thée not to turne thy face awaye from vs in these our dayes whereas otherwise we shall be sore troubled giue vp the ghost and be brought to nothing Thou hast O good God diuers meanes and sundrie wayes to destroy thy mischieuous enimies who vsest the moste violent windes lightnings and flames of fire in steede of thy messengers for if thou doest looke downe vpon the earth it trembleth by and by and if thou touchest the mouÌ„taynes they smoke straight wayes Sley thou therefore the wicked Antichristians in such wise as they may no more remaine and let peace and tranquilitie be so giuen to thy blessed Church that she may ioyfully sing and pleasantly shewe forth thy moste worthie prayses through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme IT is not vnbeknowne to thy faythfull people O most mightie God that thou hast created all things from the beginning to the behoofe of thy elect seruaunts Therefore like as we see the whole worlde which thou hast made to be garnished with wonderfull and most bewtifull ornamentes so we humbly beséeche thée to lighten and pollishe thy blessed Church in suche wise which is the congregation of such as shall be saued that thy glorie maye no lesse appéere in hir then in the whole worlde let the pure light of thy sacred wordes shine especially therein which maye cause the mightie power and inuincible force of thy Spirite to worke more effectually in oure heartes and make the constancie in fayth of the beleuers so great as they may be more stedfast then the masse of the earth or foundations and pillers of the worlde Driue from thence at the rebuke of thy puyssance daungerous temptations the hurtfulnesse of hell and the prince of darknesse and contrariwise in stéede of them let the inspiration of thy most swéete spirite succéede like springs of liuing water and let not perpetuall foode bée wanting to our weaknesse where with to féede it But let there be a fortresse in the confidence of thy glorious name for vs to retire vnto and like as in thy blessed creatures is great abundance of light whether it be in the starres or in the sundrie variety of beasts herbes stones so we humbly beséech thée to garnishe and bewtifie thy holy Church with the brightnesse of all vertues through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme AL creatures which thou hast created O most good and mercifull God are witnesses by their greatnesse and most exquisite ornaments with what a wonderfull wisdome and inuincible power thou flourishest there is nothing but it dependeth wholy vppon thée for what things soeuer haue life are fed by the foode which thou giuest them and from such as thou hidest the sight of thy louing countenaunce they are not able any longer to indure but die incontinent whensoeuer they be depriued of thy spirit Forsomuch as therfore O excellent father thou art so good and mighty in working euen towards those things chiefly which thou hast ordeyned to be farre inferiour to man wée humbly beséech thée to extend thy fauourable clemencie no lesse towards thy blessed Church Shee verily is thy owne worke wherefore reioyce and delight therein and of thy excéeding highe prouidence cause thy maiesty to shew forth it selfe in hir most euidently whereby wée may alwayes both ioyntly amongest our selues haue most pleasaunt wordes concerning thy blessed wil and also magnifie thée with perpetuall prayses forsomuch as thou hast taken all vncleanesse quite from hir through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cv. Psalme THy marueylous and vnspeakable workes O heauenly father doe much counsaile vs A praier thâ— we be not â—â—norant of tâ—â— works of oâ— redemptioâ— and thy commaundements earnestly teach vs to search for thy louing countenaunce with a most pure worship and faythfull inuocation in thy holy congregations by calling this to mind and remembraunce that thou art our mercifull God who hast made vs the true Israell by Christ and sonnes of thy most famous seruaunt Abraham thorow fayth Take away therefore from vs we humblye beséeche thée our heynous sinnes and all vncleanesse of life to the intent we may according to our bouÌ„den dutie séeke thée come before thy diuine presence We acknowledge our selues to haue hitherto most gréeuously offended thée both in minde and voyce and vnlesse thou makest haste to helpe vs our sinnes will cast vs downe into the déepe For euen according to our iust
which thou hast vouchedsafe more then once to enter into with thy faythfull seruaunts We right well perceyue and the Scripture doth euery where put vs in remembraunce how thou hast alwayes stood most constantly to thy blessed couenaunts For thou hast not onely brought our Fathers out of Egipt but of thy woÌ„derful clemencie feddest them in the desert who didst according to thy faythfull promise place those thy people in the land of Canaan our earnest request and humble desire is therefore O excellent father that thou wouldst extend thy mercie truth no lesse towards vs. For performaunce whereof sende out thy most puyssant force of thy blessed word whereby the true honouring of thy holye name in thy sacred Church may be set frée from errors and darknesse so that we may at length luckily attaine to the true worshipping of thée which is the originall and piller of all wisdome through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxij Psalme A praier that â—he godly â—aye be â—lessed FOrsomuch as we haue not yéelded such honor vnto thée O most excellent father as was our right bounden dutie neyther haue bene obedient to thy blessed commaundementes as we ought therefore are these troublesome and difficult tymes nowe come vpon vs. For those which duely obey faythfully loue and truely worship thée according to thy prescript word do not wallow in darknesse but are strengthned in righteousnes and order all their doyngs with an vpright iudgement Let thy vnspeakable mercye therefore O most mighty God amend that in vs which hath through our lewde default béene greatly appared First vouchsafe to giue thy benigne consent vnto this that we swarue hereafter nothing at all from the perfect waye which thou hast set forth vnto vs then so strengthen oure mindes and heartes that we be not more affrayed of imminent mischiefe then néede is but vndershore thou the weakenesse of our féeble minde and graunt that we may repose our whole trust in thée onely Cause the horne of thy people to bee exalted and lifted vp in this so sharpe and perillous a battaile Thou séest how greatly ourwicked and vngodly enimies do fret at vs for if they were of abilitie they would not only destroy vs and all that we haue but also vtterly race and abolishe out of the Church the pure worshipping of thée all perfect Godlinesse and true religion who gnashe the téeth of their crueltie and with moste forceable weapons they rage without mercie Beate thou downe therefore and make frustrate their deuilishe enterprises with thy excellent might and inuincible power so that they maye fade awaye as voyde of their fond practises and all their moste detestable ymaginations vtterly perishe to the glorie and prayse of thy name through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THe due feare of thée O moste mightie God that is to say reuerent godlinesse causeth men to be right blessed who care for none other thing then howe they may most readily obey thy blessed will Therefore are we moued lamentably to require thy louing mercie whereby thou mightest renue thy holye Church being in a maner come to vtter ruine for otherwyse shall not hir or rather thy posteritie or ofspring be at any time eyther famous or mightie for the abundaunce of spirituall giftes is to be looked for from none other place neither wil light burst out by any other meanes in the middle darknesse of errors and wickednesse Moreouer if godlinesse according to our earnest peticion may reuiue in hir the perfect office of charitie towards our neighbor shall not be wanting but euery man will pleasure his brethren somuch as in him lyeth ordering his doings not rashely or by chaunce but with a spirituall ghostly iudgement Wherefore we earnestly desire thée to establishe vs quickly in thy confidence from the which let not eyther tempestuous stormes gréeuous aduersities or the delight of fortunate thinges in any wise withdraw vs through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme LYke as they which indeuor themselues to the vttermost of their powers for to follow true godlinesse and the obseruation of thy holy commaundements O mercifull God do leade a right happie and blessed life euen so do we right well perceyue that it was very agréeable to thy incoÌ„parable iustice that we should be presently tormented with these troublesome times who haue coldely applied our selues to the true honoring of thée and negligently obeyed thy sacred law as becommeth vs. But take not thou O good God for thy infinite mercies sake such reuengement of our sinnes as they haue iustly deserued but cause some light to shine out vnto vs in so great a mist of darknesse whereby pure godlinesse may be set vp agayne in thy sacred Church and holy religion flourish excéedingly Graunt moreouer that thy true worde and faythfull promises may take such déepe roote in our sinfull hearts that although we heare of gréeuous mischiefes hanging ouer our heddes yet let vs not start nor stagger any thing at all from thy sacred fayth and holy purpose Vnderproppe thou vs thy owne selfe by causing it thus to fall out that we may in this dreadfull time leane stedfastly to thée alone so as Antichrist may fret and gnash with his téeth and the spitefull aduersaries of thy glorious name pine away But contrariwise let the prayse and clearenesse of thy fauourable mercie exalt it selfe more and more and be made manifest to all creatures through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxiij Psalme A prayer for the comfort coÌ„solation of Christes Church SEing that we ought to magnifie thy glorious name O most good and mercifull God so much as in vs lyeth and by all the meanes we can possibly deuise who haue not liued in such wise heretofore as to further thy worthy prayses according to our right bouÌ„den dutie but rather thy blessed truth and sacred Gospell hath through our great default and cursed lewdnesse béene muche slaundered and that thing which ought to haue béene highly commended amongst all Nations is euery where by our naughtinesse made of none accompt Wherefore we heartily acknowledge and earnestlye confesse that thou hast most gréeuously vexed and troubled vs to the intent we should the better vnderstand thy iustice vpright iudgement Yet notwithstanding our earnest request is that forsomuch as nothing can be compared vnto thee in respect of goodnes mercy thou wouldst at length be our ready helper speedy deliuerer who hast béene accustomed of thy infinite bountiousnesse to looke not onely vpon the things that are in heauen but also doest humble thy selfe to beholde all matters which be done vpon the face of the earth Haue an eye therefore vnto the troublesome estate of thy blessed Church and diligently regarde the moste greeuous oppression of thy faythfull people Forsomuch as we haue hitherto wallowed in the mâ—ery puddle of our lewd
vyces and be now according to our iust deserts sore tost with the heauie burthen of extréeme aduersities Stretch thou out thy helping hand to ayde our princes armies who vsest to take the simple out of the dust doest lift the poore from the dunghill and succor thy blessed Church in such sort as it do not become altogither barren Vouchsafe that it may one day reioyce in peace and tranquillitie and graunt hir to bee made vnto thée through thy sacred worde and holye spirit a mother of many children by whom thy glorious name maye bee exalted with perpetuall prayses euen as it behoueth thē through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme WHosoeuer addict themselues to honor thée O moste mightie God wyth fayth and pure deuocion are bound to render immortal thanks to thy glorious name which they ought to paye vnto thée in all places euery yere without ceassing euery day and euery houre The puyssaunt force of thy great goodnesse extended towards vs is manifested in such wise as all men must néedes confesse that thou art no lesse mercifull then inuincible For although thou art sayde to haue placed thy kingly Court and Pallace in the highest coastes of the Heauens notwithstanding thou submittest thy diuine prouidēce to euery base thing which lyeth hid in the lowest part of the earth insomuch as nothing can be done eyther in heauen or earth but is cléerely and moste plainely séene of thée For séeing therefore we perfectly vnderstande that such thinges as bée done of vs are not vnbeknowne to thée and that it is alwayes thy accustomed maner to rayse vp the poore and needie so they beleue vnfeynedly in thée out of the fowle and filthie dust to more noble most renowmed Kingdomes who also doest often cause the childlesse and barren women to haue a plenteous houshold we doe with great humilitie lamentably require this at thy fauourable handes that thou wouldest be mercifull vnto the calamities thy blessed Church is nowe in so as it may at length by thy good meanes be most noble right famous which yet goeth bestoubered with filth and dust and whereas she séemeth to haue left child bearing let hir be glad with a perfect and substanciall ioy for the number of hir most faythfull sonnes through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxiiij Psalme WHen as thou O moste mercifull God broughtest the children of Israell by thy inuincible power A prayer for a true fayth by the contemolation of Goddes wonderfull workes from the bondage of Egypt and hadst layd sufficient greeuous punishments vpon the cruell and obstinate Egyptians hauing a fatherly carefull regarde and singuler affection towardes the people of the Iewes diddest therefore moste manifestly declare through wonderfull examples and moste abundaunt fauour that thou wert with them at the deuision of the waters in the red sea by the marueylous quaking of mount Sinay by the goyng backe of the riuer of Iordane the vncredible gushing of waters out of the hard rocke whereby we may right euidently vnderstand that al things happen prosperously and are greatly obedient to those whome thou hast vouchedsafe to regester in the number of thy elect seruaunts For which cause sake an excéeding liuely hope is raised vp in vs that séeing our assured affiaunce is that we belong to thy blessed house by the adoption of fayth it will come to passe that as we bée alreadie deliuered by thy benigne grace from the miserie of eternall death so also whatsoeuer is among thy blessed creatures whether it be the likenesse of prosperitie or aduersitie shall redounde at length moste luckely for the welfare of thy sacred church vnto the which thing as we right well perceyue that our heynous sinnes be worthily and not without iust cause a great let and hinderance so also we humbly beséech thée for thy infinite mercie and promised good willes sake to bring the same very spéedily to passe and that in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde who liueth and reigneth with thée euermore worlde without ende Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxv. Psalme AT what time we do lamentably require thy fauourable mercy O most mightie God A prayer for a constant confession of the Gospell thereby to be deliuered from such horrible calamities as do greatly assaile vs which is not done onlye to the intent we our selues shoulde receiue benefite thereby but also that thy blessed name might become more glorious through out wonderfull deliuerance For if thou shouldst suffer thy blessed seruaunts to lie vnder foote we sée it woulde easilye come to passe that the children of this wretched world will vpbrayde them accompt the hope they repose in thée onely to be as a vaine thing As for our part who being illumined with thy heauenly grace doe very well consider that what good thing soeuer is in this wretched worlde whereof the vnbeleuers haue made thēselues their ydols they haue neyther power nor habilitie at all to make men happie blessed although they both honor reuerence them Wherefore we knowe this to be still remayning for vs that so many as haue the feare of thy diuine maiesty before their eies and appertaine to the spirituall Israel be also graffed in the Kingdome priesthood of Christ should make their ful accompt to haue thée as their onely helper and defender For if that be done which they are bound to performe they shall dayly attaine greater encreasementes of perfect good thinges For which cause we heartily require thée who dwellest in the high heauen and hast ordeined vs to haue our habitation in the earth so long as this life indureth graunt vs so to liue that thou suffer vs not to passe our tyme like vnto them which be deade who can not set forth thy worthye prayses but our earnest desire is that we may both in talke and holy workes alwayes set out thy most glorious name through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxvj. Psalme THou doest then moste chiefly declare thy singuler good will towardes the Godly O almightye God A prayer to the like effe◠of the psalm◠which goe◠next before when as thou art present to helpe such as lamentably call vpon thée in the middest of their vnfortunate mishaps and the heynouser those be whereout thou doest deliuer them so much the greater is thy notable louing kindnesse manifested vppon them and the mindes of them all more inflamed to haue accesse vnto thée in their moste harde and troublesome tymes Wee therefore being sore cast downe and ouerwhelmed with the most gréeuous burthen of our heynous sinnes do humbly call vpon thée And forsomuch as we know by experience that men are lyers and all hope to be of none effect which shall be reposed in things created we hartily require thée with so much earnestnes as can be deuised to forgiue vs whatsoeuer we haue wickedly and lewdly
committed by taking away those punishments from thy sacred Church which our deadly sinnes haue worthilye deserued that we being mightily deliuered may bée exceeding ioyfull before thée and both quaffe the cup of thankes giuing and also cause thy singuler louing kindnesse towardes vs to be made manifest vnto all men And like as thou hast alwayes had not onely a speciall regarde vnto the death of the blessed saints but also vnto their miserable affliction and most pitious lamentation so wée humbly beséech thée to take pitie at this time vpon the féeblenesse of thy sacred Church being in a maner as nowe distroyed brought to vtter ruine through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxvij Psalme â— prayer for â—e perfect â—nowledge â— Christ THou hast created mankinde O most mightie God to the intent all Nations should be knitte togither to render vniuersall prayses vnto thy glorious name for the doing whereof thou didst in olde time ordeine the Patriarkes Prophetes and Apostles to this office at this time when all things were now defaced with darknesse fond abvses and filthie defilinges thou hast gathered vs in the sacred Church for the selfe same worke and purpose Which thing to the intent we may commodiously and very conueniently accomplishe we humbly require thée that our heynous iniquities and most deadly sinnes be not an hinderaunce herevnto which as we heartily acknowledge and earnestly coÌ„fesse to be right gréeuous and innumerable so we humbly desire thée that they may be vtterly wiped away cléerely remitted and quite pardoned who be nowe as thou well seest so hedged in with great perils and little better then alreadie opprest bicause we haue reposed our whole trust and confidence in thée alone Looke therefore we humbly beseeche thee that our fayth maye be so vnderpropped with thy blessed spirit as it shrinke not in these troublesome daies Set we hartily pray thée thy vnspeakeable goodnesse before our eyes which thou hast alwayes moste louingly bestowed vpon the godlye that we acknowledging the same fullye and euidently may be nothing mistrustfull but that thou wilt at this present be a faithfull patrone and assured defender of thy blessed Church through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme AT such time as mankind O most good and mercifull God was striken with a wonderfull blindnesse and ouerwhelmed with mischiefes innumerable then was thy vnfallible mercie at hande vnto him through the which thou diddest vouchsafe to deliuer thy onely begotten sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde for the saluation of the world therefore are we bound to giue thée immortall thankes who sée our selues preserued by thy méere and singuler goodnesse onely and not through our owne deserts And forsomuch as we haue founde thée so constant and right faythfull in thy louing promises we doubt not but thou wilt of thy excellent mercy and vnspeakable goodnesse at thy appoynted tyme fully accomplishe those small thinges which are yet remayning to be fulfilled Our earnest request is therefore that thou wouldest so fortifie our weake mindes with the spirite of fayth as we may not onely lay holde vppon the good things thou proferest vs without any mistrustfulnesse but also render thee condigne thanks in thy sacred Church with all people and nations for so great bountifulnesse and liberalitie bestowed vpon thy faythfull seruauntes through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxviij Psalme SO manye as feare God A praier â— we may â— comforted in fayth and bée graffed in Christ and haue a feruent zeale to godlinesse are dayly allured and prouoked by newe meanes and infinite benefites to magnifie his blessed name for séeing that they well know Gods goodnesse to be of suche great force as he is present therewith vnto those that vnfeynedly call vpon him for the same and deliuereth them from all perill and disquietnesse of minde who causeth them to haue so great fayth and confidence as they neede not to stand in néede of mans power bée it of neuer so great a force Wherefore in as much as the same is not at this present vnbeknowne to vs we coÌ„mit our selues to thée onely O most mightie God who art our alone sauiour requiring that thou wouldest vouchsafe to defend thy blessed Church being as now hedged in and compassed about on euery side with extreeme perils our sinnes haue iustly deserued farre gréeuouser thinges who do confesse O good God that we haue heynously and like miserable wretches offended thée but here it behoueth that for thy singuler clemeÌ„cies sake our wicked déedes shoulde be vanquished of thy vnspeakable mercie Graunt vs therefore being chastised by thée as disobedient and rebellious children not so to be deliuered to subiection and destruction as we may not highly celebrate worthily prayse and duly magnifie thy woÌ„derous workes within the Gates of thy glorious kingdome amidst the congregation of the righteous Vouchsafe that we who are now as reprobates castawayes and made a laughing stock to al men may be aduaunced so muche in righteousnesse holinesse and good liuing as all men may right well vnderstand that whatsoeuer we determine or go about to do touching religion it is not mans deuise but thy owne onely worke through Iesus Christ oure Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WE are continually tost with so many gréeuous stormes of aduersities O almightie God as it behoueth vs to haue accesse and recourse vnto thy mercie onely that we be not ouerwhelmed vnder them But now we know for a certayntie that mans power can do nothing touching their ouerthrow whome thou hast appoynted to saluation Forsomuch as therefore we sée them fed with a false and deceiptfull hope which haue anye confidence in men wée iudge this to be a singuler poynt of wisedome of the godly to trust hereafter in no mortall creature but to repose their whole affiaunce in thee alone For which cause we humblie beséech thy diuine Maiestie O excellent father that although thou art sometime angrie and by reason of our heinous sinnes doest worthilye chastice and subdue our stubbornnesse yet let vs not fal vtterly away from thée which thing shall verily come to passe if thou wilt builde vs vpon that most firme corner stone who as he was layde aside and dissalowed of men so is he aduaunced by thée to the chiefest top and piller of glorie through our Lord Iesus Christ thy sonne who liueth and reigneth with thée euermore worlde without ende Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxix Psalme â— prayer in â—ecessitie anâ—uishe and â—stresse THou hast alwayes of thy vnspeakable goodnesse and clemencie O most good and merciful God from time to time indued vs with notable and plentifull benefites but we of the contrary part who ought to obey thy blessed coÌ„maundements with all earnestnesse haue very miserably transgressed the same and procured vnto oure selues the euilles wherewith we are sore oppressed neyther can we iustlye complaine that
better for thy holy Church then for any house of honour or most large Citie of this worlde knowe assuredly that the same can by no meanes continue without thy mighty preseruatioÌ„ and that especially in this tyme when as both so many of the deuils engines and also of Antichristes subtile pollecies do much inuade vs. For that thing therefore which could not be atchieued by the painfull labour carefull watchings and great industrie of men we do most earnestly require of thée O heauenly father by continuall praiers who hast bene accustomed to grauÌ„t vnto thine as it were in their sleepe the thing which séemed otherwise to bee exceeding difficult and almost impossible First and formost take away our greeuous iniquities which are the chiefest let and stay why thou releauest not the present wretchednesse and miserable calamitie we are in for it is they and none other thing that do disseuer and withdraw vs from hauing confidence in thy vnspeakable mercie Now at what tyme thou shalt haue pardoned them as our earnest desire is that thou wouldst be so good as to increase thy blessed Church with a plentifull issue for if shée shall ingender children vnto thée let them who are worthie of thée and thy blessed spirite be sent out lyke arrowes through thy inuincible arme agaynst the outragious enimies of godlynesse and doctrine of the sacred Gospell but cause the vncorrupted Congregations and assemblies to haue a companie of valiaunt and strong men who so long as they take vpon them to defende thy sincere truth both in worde and déede may neither be ashamed not yet once shrinke backe therefro through Iesus christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme AL our force and enterprices are of none effect O almightie God without thy especiall grace and fauour for if no priuate house can be maintayned or any City builded except thou layest to thy present helpe and gracious good will howe much lesse then may the blessed Church bée reedified enlarged and set at a stay vnlesse thou bée marueylous readie to assist the same with thy holye spirite and benigne grace men haue labored in vaine their rising vp early and holding long fastings shall be to none effect vainly and to no purpose shall they forespend theÌ„selues with toiles troubles Wherefore wée earnestly intreat thée O good God that thy diuine presence mightie power bée not farre from vs in any of our attempts and enterprises For what thing verily soeuer hath béene at any time gathered vp and repayred of the ruines of the Church it taketh no good successe without thee yet rather thou hast giueÌ„ the same to thy labourers as it were in their sléepe making it such a thing by thy secrete and wonderfull meanes as humane strength if it were duly considered is altogither insufficient to so puyssant a worke But séeing we haue béene nowe very vngratefull and most lewdly abused so great and manifold benefites thou hast not without iust cause begunne to vexe vs with excéeding gréeuous troubles from which mennes painefull trauayle and subtill pollecie are of no abilitie to deliuer vs. Make thou hast therefore for thy accustomed mercies sake when we thinke least hereof or iudge our selues to be in daunger of many perils to vntangle those which flie vnto thy diuine Maiestie that being set at libertie we may acknowledge thee to be the onely Authour of true and perfect saluation through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme BIcause so manie as enterprice any thing without thy especiall assistance and fauourable good will O most gracious and mercifull God do labour to no purpose and trouble themselues in vaine and that they which haue not thee for theyr readie helper cannot saue and defende themselues from their cruell enimies therefore séeing that both thy Church standeth alwayes in very great néede of building and the City of our congregation is destitute and voyde of defence we cal vpon thée onely to be our couragious helper who art readie to ayde the builders and canst strongly defend the valiaunt fighters But to the intent we may the readilier attain the same multiplie we earnestly require thée the issue of thy sacred church which may be sent out as arrowes to rayse it vppe euery where by thy blessed worde and be made so skilfull and well practised in handling thy sayinges that when those thinges bee done which apperteyne to theyr vocation they maye by no meanes be put to shame and rebuke of the most godlesse and vnfaithfull persons thorow Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxxviij Psalme â— praier that â—e may feare God leade blessed â—â—fe IF no good thing or any kinde of felicity can happen to any but to such as feare God and reuerence him and to those which through a perfect lyfe walke faythfully in the wayes of his blessed commaundements the matter is nowe manifested vnto vs why we are thus vexed with gréeuous calamities For whereas thou of thy infinite mercie O almightie God hast giuen vs a comfortable and wholesome doctrine we haue performed nothing lesse then honoured thee as is our bounden dutie who haue set more by our owne filthie desires then the feare of thée due reuerence of thy glorious name by casting aside the ordinaunces of thy blessed precepts Wherefore there is no cause why we should complaine that afflictions are wrongfully layde vpon vs at any time Pardon we hartily pray thée our gréeuous iniquities and mischieuous déedes and renue in vs for thy infinite mercies sake perfect feare true godlinesse and holy conuersation Finally shine downe out of Sion that is from thy excéeding high light and such as can not be attayned vnto vpon thy afflicted Church and deliuer the same from the number of perils which she is in daunger of But forsomuch as thou hast coupled hir vnto thée to be thy wife by faith graunt that she may haue an infinite companie of holy children let hir be as a vine spreading it selfe farre abroad which Antichrist maye not with all his industrie be of force to cut and hewe downe For wée require thys chiefly at thy mercifull handes O most excellent father that thou wouldest indue thy heauenly Hierusalem with good wholesome things and send peace and tranquilitie vpon thy true Israell through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THy sacred word O most good and mercifull God doth teach vs that godlinesse onely maketh men right happie and blessed For the feare and dread wherwith godly men doe reuerence thée is an effectuall bridle to cause them for to proceede iustly in the way of thy righteousnesse But bicause this vertue is a singuler ornament of thy beloued church our earnest request is that there may be continuall labouring in the same by doctrine and example to nurter thy blessed children so that the workes be not in vaine or to none effect Let hir be dayly
made like vnto a moste fruitfull woman that may be compared to the ranke Oliues and exceeding fertile vines which vnspeakable happie giftes we mistrust not but thou wilt one day bestowe readily vppon vs if from the seate of thy Maiestie it shal please thee to behold the congregation of the faithfull with thy merciful eye bicause al things that apperteyne to true and perfect felicitie come from the will of thy inestimable goodnesse For seing we doubt not but this redowneth to the honor of thy glorious name that a continuall ofspring of thy déere children shoulde bée multiplied in the blessed Church and become notable in peace in prayses and in puritie of life we heartily require thée in our most feruent prayers to obteine the same through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxxix Psalme THou knowest O moste good and mercifull God howe greatly the enimies of thy gloryous name haue fought continuallye agaynst thy sacred Church A prayer agaynst the counterfeit holinesse of such as wold be iustified by their workes and alwayes troubled the same from hir infancie yet notwithstanding thou hast done this of thy singuler fauor thou barest therevnto that hir aduersaryes coulde neuer preuaile agaynst hir who diddest it for this intent bicause thy faythfull promises should be accomplished They seemed diuers and sundry times to thrust the share of affliction verye deepe into hir backe who hauing a marueylous obstinate heart purposed to make exceeding long ridges vpon the same But thou O good God of thy perfect iustice hast alwaies cut a sunder the cordes of the vngodly in péeces Wherefore we nowe heartily beséech thée not to regard our wicked factes but the glorie of thy name For if thou shouldest deale with vs according to oure worthinesse we do not onely deserue such painefull miseries and sorowfull calamities but much more gréeuouser Yet for thy infinite mercies sake poure not out thy furious wrath on vs but vpon the vngodly let them be confounded and turned backeward and graunt that they maye quickly wither euen as the grasse before they bée any thing able to bring their lewde enterprises to an end whose deserts are not such as we ought to pray for their good successe séeing their practises bée excéeding naught But now cause the Church of thy faythfull people to inioye some blessing of peace and tranquilitie through Iesus Christ our lord Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THe assaultes of thy faythfull people O moste good and mercifull God be not onely very many and diuers but they are also continually tempted and be inforced to fall into vtter destruction for the deuill and power of our fierce aduersaries desire nothing more then to turne thy Image vnto them from the purpose thou hast ordeyned it for And therefore we heartily crie and call vnto thée who hast an incomprehensible mercie ioyned with thy excéeding great Iustice that thou wouldest for the intire good will and louing fauour thou bearest vnto vs breake a sunder the slithe coardes of temptations and teare in péeces the subtile snares of such as lay deceyptfull trappes to snarle vs in so that the wicked enimies of our saluation maye according to their iust demerites be brought to vtter shame and confusion to the intent all men may right wel know that thy perfect righteousnesse will not suffer their deuilishe fraudes and cursed deceyptes to escape alwayes vnpunished whereby thy blessing which thou hast appoynted for the elect and chosen may not be impeached and let not the force of the deuils subtilties and craftie ymaginations disappoynt the saluation which we that hope in thy faythfull promises looke to atchieue and attaine vnto thorow Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxxx. Psalme THou art woont verye often O almightie God to punish thy faythfull seruaunts greeuously A prayer for grace in the time of nede to the intent they might therby returne vnto thée with earnest and perfect repentance which now experience teacheth vs to féele in thy sacred Church by reason of these most troublesome tymes for we that haue béene hitherto innumerable wayes very vngratful towards thée and euery where transgressed thy holy lawe and blessed commaundements are so oftentymes vexed with the fiercenesse of the cursed deuill and his bondslaues that we be inforced to crie vnto thée out of the bottomlesse pit and from the vnmeasurable déepenesse of our aduersities requiring thée not to marke our heynous sinnes so seuerely For if thou O good god wilt dulye consider and iustly punishe the iniquities that we haue committed according to their iust deserts which of vs shall be so blamelesse and holy as he may be able to stand before thy iustice But forsomuch as we right well know that thou art indued with excéeding great gentlenesse we doe both early and late looke and wayte for thy readie helpe Although therefore our iniquities are very many in number vouche thou safe for thy most abundaunt goodnesse and infinite mercies sake to redéeme vs from them all so that wée being deliuered from imminent perils and present calamities may as well beleue in thée onely as publish to the whole worlde that there is true and perfect redemption through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme SEing that we be perpetually tost O almightie God with the most déepe sea of temptations neyther are able of our selues to match them there is good reason why we do not without iust cause require thée spéedily to helpe and succour our wofull miseries But if thou who art both a rightfull iudge and perfect arbitrer of oure causes wouldst consider all things whatsoeuer we haue gréeuously offended thée in and earnestly marke the same who were able I pray thée to stand before thy tribunal seat Seing therefore thy mercie is notable and infinite our earnest desire is that we maye in such wise depend onely therevpon as the iniquities which we haue cōmitted might be redeemed thereby who are nourished dayly and hourely in this hope alone trusting that thou wilt neuer be forgetfull of the true Israell which is thy holy and blessed Church Graunt vs therefore we humblie beséech thée to obteyne at thy fauourable handes pardon and remission of sinnes as a sound and sincere fruite of this stedfast confidence through Iesus Christ our lord Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxxxj. Psalme A praier that we may haue humilitie and dispise arrogancie FOrsomuch as we are marueilous vngratefull towards thée O most mightie God for the exceeding great benefits bestowed vpon vs leading a life hitherto nothing agréeable to thy holinesse and our vocation there is no cause why our heart should bée puffed vp or walke in wonders Cause thy holy spirite to be aboundantly poured vpon vs insomuch as all pride and arrogancie beeing vtterly layd aside and quite done away we maye heartily acknowledge this which is most true howe that we are heynous sinners by which
when as they shall perceyue the marueylous wisdome of thy deepe counsels and excellent deuices For though thou excellest all others in heigth yet doest thou not dispise such thinges as be humble and lowly but séemest to behold the prowde a farre of bicause thou alowest in no wise their doings We humbly require thée therefore to refreshe and quicken vs in the middest of our sorowfull tribulations and represse the violence and hatred of the outragious enimies of godlinesse so that whilest thou shalt nourishe and defende vs being the worke of thy puyssaunt handes thy infinite mercie maye be made right famous wyth eternall glorie through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxxxix Psalme A prayer for the knowledge of Gods diuine prouidence THy knowledge and wisdome O most mightie God is of such force as thou perfectly knowest all mens wordes déedes and thoughts who also vnderstandest the ymaginations of our mindes before we vtter them For no man is able to conceyue and euidently discerne the great wisdome thou shewest in making and fourming of our bodies if wée were comparable to the swift course of the Sunne or did excell the quickenesse of the Morning or might clime vp to heauen or go downe to hell there is no place but thou wouldst méete with vs who hast seene and moste euidently perceyued euen from the first creation the vnshapen masse of our bodies with all the members thereof when as yet there was none of them Forsomuch therefore as thou séemest to bée on all sides so wonderfull our earnest request is that thou wouldest for thy famous honors sake be at length highlye reuerenced and dulye worshipped in thy blessed Church Let the wicked and such as haue thy glorious name in great contempt depart thence but trie thy faythfull seruaunts we humbly beseech thée and search them thorowly out to the intent they may know themselues that if perhaps they swarue from the true right way as it often so happeneth by humaine infirmitie bring thou them againe of thy great goodnesse into the streight path of perpetuall felicitie through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxl. Psalme SEing that wée can looke for none other thing to procéede from wicked and vngodlye men O moste good and mercifull God then abhominable naughtinesse A prayer agaynst the venemous tongues of the vngodly for where there is a lewd heart a man can neuer sée an vprightnesse to be obserued neither in wordes nor déedes Therefore do we most earnestly call vpon thée so much as we ran possible to rid and deliuer vs from the violence and malicious enterprises of lewd persons But many are the coardes trappes and snares which the Deuill and his cursed members doe prepare agaynst the Church Bée thou thy selfe therefore hir mightie strength and puyssant preseruation by fortifying the same in such sort with thy stedfast defence at what time the battayles of temptations are fought as the lewde subtilties wherewith it is furiously assayled and vnluckely opprest maye fall and light vpon the Authors thereof Which thing if thou wilt thus doe thou shalt reteyne thy olde wont by vndershoring with thy diuine and celestiall helpe such as be vtterly destitute of mans ayde whereby the godly may continually set forth thy glorious name and inioy eternall felicitie by the fauour of thy bright and shining countenaunce through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxlj. Psalme A prayer agaynst hipocrisie WEe dayly craue for thy gracious helpe O almightie God and earnestly require this at thy mercifull hands that our feruent prayers maye be accepted with thee as a moste laudable sacrifice for séeing we perceyue it can not bée done vnlesse we refraine oure minds wholy from vice we desire thée therfore inespecially to remooue all our sinnes from vs wherewith we haue excéeding filthily defiled both our owne selues and thy glorious name also who do not kéepe this secret that we haue liued heretofore vnworthily and after a most wretched maner but acknowledge and make the same manifest before thee with a common and verye willing confession Our earnest desire is then that thou wouldst pardon thy poore suppliants by seuering our heartes in such sort hereafter from the contagion of filthie wickednesse as wée maye in no wise attaine thereto either by thought worde or deede vouchingsafe to fortifie godly mens minds with such a maner of puyssant force and renowmed godlynesse that they suffer not themselues to be deceyued with the subtile allurementes and craftie promises of the wicked but rather beate chastice and correct thou vs thy selfe O good God then permit vs to bee shaken or made tender with the subtile inticementes delectable pleasures and poysoned flatteries of mischieuous persons We be discouraged and slain as thou right well knowest and finall destruction hangeth ouer the Church notwithstanding we lift vp our eyes excéeding stedfastly towards thée and heartily require that thou wouldst deliuer vs from the subtile wiles and craftie layings awayte of execrable men But forsomuch as they are past all hope of recouerie better it is for them to be caught in their owne nettes and lewde engynes to the intent thy sacred Church may escape the mischieuous hands of those wicked and vngodly men through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme MAke hast to be present with vs O most mightie God according to thy accustomed goodnesse when we heartily inuocate and call vpon thée least we be inticed by any meanes from thy sacred worde and pure religion Let the vnfayned prayers which we poure forth ascende into thy sight like a pleasant perfume and a most acceptable sacrifice although our sinnes do not deserue the fame For we earnestly confesse euen from the heart roote that we haue verye often inclined to most hurtfull thinges and not obeyed thée hitherto in worde and wyth mouth but haue offended thée in that behalfe also and bene more readie and hastie then néedeth to committe deadly wickednesse which is the onelye cause why thou doest nowe thus gréeuouslye rebuke and chastice vs. But graunt this O good God for thy excéeding great goodnesse and infinit mercies sake that we may assuredly know these thy fauorable chasticements to be the mâ—ere benefites of thy most fatherly good affection towardes vs so that when as they procéede from thy diuine prouidence wee maye both accompt and also estéeme them more profitable then if we inioyed marueilous aboundantly the loue of the world and pleasure of vngodly persons for our assured affiance is such in thee as we knowe most certainly that it is thy accustomed vse to helpe them so that they craue the same at thy fauourable handes whose bones are both broken a sunder and also dispersed in such wise as though they should go downe out of hand into hell Forsake not therefore the Church according to thy woonted maner in these perillous dayes at what time she is
be euil spoken of Vouchsafe O good God that we may leade the rest of our life altogither in godly and religious workes for if we shall obteyne this at thy mercifull handes we mistrust not but thou wilt immediately after powre out thy fierce iudgements vpon thy enimies who do assault vs thus cruelly And thou thy selfe seest how vndeseruedly they do it For although wée haue sinned so heynously as we haue procured vnto our selues greeuouser punishmentes then these be yet our aduersaries haue not for our sinnes sake onely digged these pittes for vs but they persecute yea and would vtterly destroy vs for that religion is a little purged the true worshipping of thée restored Therefore confirme and strengthen thou vs O excellent father for thy infinite goodnesse sake vouchingsafe that thy holy worde may haue a perpetuall abyding in thy sacred Church and suffer vs not to perish in this gréeuous persecution but cause vs to bée delighted therein and to refresh our selues therwith that forsomuch as we are thy faythfull seruauntes and haue no confidence at all in mans force saue and defend vs thy owne self frō such perils as hang ouer our necks through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Caph Lamed OVr soules haue nowe fainted vs O most good merciful God with carefull longing after thy blessed worde so long as we hope both for helpe and saluation at thy handes onely Vnto thée I say do we lift vp our handes day and night to the entent thy faythfull seruaunts maye at length inioy their hoped promises who in the meane season do desire to haue this graunted vs that in no wise we be forgetfull of thy sacred lawe whilest thou delayest thy helpe in the middest of our gréeuous calamities And like as thy sacred lawe abideth stedfast in the most bewtifull furniture of the heauens and by it a most firme stabilitie in the earth and also that most commodious and goodly varietie of time perseuereth and hath his continuaunce euen so we humbly beséeche thée that it be not worne out of our heart and inward partes by any processe of time for vnlesse our meditation be alwaies hereof we shall easily perish in our sorowfull afflictions Seing then it is thy blessed worde which quickneth vs for if we giue credite thereto we shall obteine both saluation and also know how to behaue our selues according to iustice neyther shall we bée troubled at the iniuries which our aduersaries profer vs graunt O excellent father that this may neuer slippe out of our remembraunce but vouchsafe vs rather to sée an ende of all other things then thy sacred worde eyther to be forespent or ouerthrowne in thy blessed Church through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Lamed Mem. WHosoeuer they bée that applye themselues to thy blessed worde O moste good and mercifull God shall reape at length no small fruit and commoditie therby for they shall not onely surmount their enimies in knowledge and vnderstanding of heauenly thinges but also farre excell those which are had in great reputation both for their learning and also for the experience they haue attained vnto by reason of their long life To the intent therefore we be not depriued of so great a benefite we humbly beseech thee that detesting vtterly the lewdnesse of our heynous sinnes we maye haue more felicitie in thy sacred wordes then in all other pleasures And forsomuch as this life of ours is hedged in and compassed aboute on euerye side with blind ignoraunce we can not haue a meter lampe then thy diuine worde to lighten our mindes withall mans way ought to be ordered and directed hereby euen like a most cleere light and that chiefly when as the matter it selfe doth declare howe that euery one of vs doe beare his life alwayes in hys handes by reason of the excéeding great perils we are in There want not euery where puyssaunt Champions of the aduersaries which lay a thousand snares for our life wherefore wee intreate thée so much as in vs lyeth that thou wouldst stirre vp our sinfull heartes to fulfill thy holy commaūdements which thou hast vouchedsafe to bewtify with so great promises through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Mem Nun. THy diuine law and sacred wordes O most mightie God be of such force as those which loue them and thinke continually thereof become euery day wyser then other and surmount all mortall men in vnderstanding althoughe they bée better learned and auncienter in yeares which study is marueylous commodious to withdraw our feete from the path of wickednes and doth sometime confirme our feeble footsteps least they swarue peruersly from thy blessed commaundements Forsomuch as therefore we haue miserably declined from thee in our former life and shamefully sinned which doth manifestly appéere in that wee haue neglected thy righteous wordes louing promises sacred ceremonies and whole law Wherefore wée ought not to wonder or complaine at all that thou doest at this present punish vs vniustly but haue truely well deserued this through oure naughtie and lewd behauiours that so vniust and cruell enimies should rise vppe agaynst vs for these things verily would not haue happened vnto vs if wée had alwayes vsed thy blessed words and holy precepts as a Lanterne to our feete neuerthelesse our earnest request is O good God that thou wouldst for thy infinite mercies sake haue an especiall regarde to the gréeuous daungers and perils whereinto our soule is now brought Pardon wée hartily beséech thée our heynous sinnes and make our heart méeke and forwarde to fulfill thy holy commaundements so that thou mayst deliuer vs from the snares which the enimies of thy blessed name haue layd to tray vs in and suffer not those whom thou hast chosen and adopted into thy euerlasting inheritaunce to be vtterly opprest and come to miserable confusion through Iesus christ our Lorde Amen Samech Ain SVch as be illumined with thy heauenly spirit O most mightie God do vtterly hate all maner of sinne and iniquitie and therfore haue thée for their sure refuge and strong shielde bicause they sée them liue most blessedly and in great felicitie whom thou doest strengthen with thy puyssaunt force and inuincible power such as thou susteynest and nourishest be deliuered from most gréeuous perilles whereas contrariwise so many as fall from thée and goe astray from thy blessed precepts are horribly punished Our earnest desire is therefore that being moued by lyke perswasions we maye both put our whole trust in thée onely and also become most zealous in all thy holy commaundements For flesh and the power of our aduersaries practise continuall enmitie agaynst vs let them not be of such force as they may destroy vs but make vs rather sticke fast vnto thy sacred wordes so that we may take as much delight in them as in the greatest pleasures for the accomplishing whereof it is verye néedefull that thou of thy infinite mercye doest instruct and teach vs. For séeing the knowledge of diuine things can not be
atteyned vnto without thy good spirite vouchsafe thou therefore thy owne selfe that we may very perfectly vnderstande thy sacred law and iudge thereof aright through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Ain Pe. THy blessed wordes O almightie God are in all places so worthie of admiration that they can not but bée regarded of the godly therefore we earnestly require thée that thou who art mercifull and plentious in goodnesse wouldest looke vpon vs altogither well appeased and so frame our thoughts and déedes that we giue no roome at all to vngodlinesse then the which nothing is more vaine for seeing we be men and therefore hedged in with a fleshly burthen suffer not the waight thereof to ouerwhelme vs but rather breath the spirite of repentance into our nostrelles whereby we may shed forth most flowing riuers of teares for the faultes we haue euery where committed For bicause thou art our excéeding right vp Iudge who neyther clokest our sinnes nor yet permittest them to go vnpunished and seing that thy iudgements and lawes are stuft with so great vprightnesse as nothing is conteyned in them that any creature can by iust reason reproue or finde fault with for siluer and golde tryed in the fire matcheth not the purenesse of them Therefore we earnestly desire thee that thou wouldest not onely cause vs to acknowledge them but also obey the same so much as our féeble weake nature is able to doe through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Pe Zade OVr minde O most good and mercifull God is verye much darckned euen of natiue infection with a thicke mistinesse so that it is not able to vnderstand thy holye commaundements perfectly and we are of nature excéedingly bent vnto affections which as they be displeasant to thée so they marueylously like vs and we cannot abide the scorninges of the vngodly wherewith they vaunt themselues ouer vs when wée do wholye applie our mindes to serue thy excellent Maiestie We earnestly require thee therefore that thou wouldst lighten our darkned mindes asswage our lewde affections and strengthen vs in such wise that what reproch so euer shall hang ouer our heades for thy glorious Gospels sake we may ouercome it with a stout courage And cause vs to resist those which ieast at vs with a stedfast hope and assured confidence we haue to thy louing promises so that the naughtinesse of lewde lustes may be broken in péeces with the puyssant force of thy blessed truth Let not any worldly power moste deere father be an impediment to vs but that we may stedfastly defend thy holy precepts in the presence of all men be they neuer so glorious and wonderfull in their doings which I beseech thee to make so pleasant and delectable vnto vs as we may compt nothing in this life to be preferred before thē neither any matter to be an hinderaunce but the we may performe the same with an excéeding cheereful mind through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Cuph Res. WE require thee O most mighty god euen from the bottome of our heart and with an vnfayned fayth that we may he diligent obseruers of thy sacred law and holy commaundementes for we are wonderfully prouoked to defile thy blessed precepts through the impulsion of fleshly motions fiercenesse of our natiue corruption and vices graffed in vs but seing that we haue bound our selues with such a number of most gréeuous and detestable sinnes it is no maruaile if thou who vsest iustice and seueritie towards thy elect seruauntes doest suffer vs to be thus tormēted and put in feare of Antichrist and his rascals But now our earnest request is that thou wouldest for thy great goodnesse and infinit mercies sake pardō whatsoeuer we haue gréeuouslye committed against thee and looke vppon the state of the Church being in a maner rent and torne with a marueylous louing eye right fauourable countenaunce deliuering hir according to thy accustomed maner from imminent perils when as she could not be preserued but by thy onely guidaunce and gouernment It is méete O good God that saluation shoulde be farre from the vngodly who do vtterly dispise thy sacred worde holy lawe and blessed commaundements but it happeneth otherwise to them that trust in thée for they haue louing promises of their saluation of all the which truth is the most excellent and notablest To the intent therefore it may remaine without spot and vnuiolated defend vs with thy owne handes when as we bée in great distresse and much perill for the profession of thy glorious name through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen Cuph Res. FOrsomuch as through fleshlye affection O moste good and mercifull God wée are perswaded to receyue any thing rather then thy diuine law therfore haue we dayly recourse vnto thee in our feruent praiers ▪ that thou wouldest guide vs with thy holy spirite for the obseruing therof And to the intent our lamentable cryes may not be in vaine soften thou our harts and bow thou our mindes in such wise that they may care for nothing so much as to obey thée in all things whatsoeuer they doe We meditate vpon this one only matter at midnight and in the dawning of the day that whereas there wanteth no store of thinges to drawe vs an other way we may therefore be fortified with thy mighty protection agaynst the same And as thy blessed precepts be certaine and sure so cause vs to sticke fast vnto them for whosoeuer of a frowardnesse swarue therefro do stray farre from saluation by meanes wherof if this shall happen vnto vs through our infirmitie lay to thy helping hande without any delaye by raysing vp vs that are fallen and although our case be very naught yet helpe vs wyth the warrant of thy blessed worde For séeing it is not vnbeknowne to thée O excellent father how many go about to destroy vs therefore make thou speedie hast to bée our readie helper and deliuerer by confirming those most stedfastly which inuocate and cal vpon thée with most stedfast beliefe in thy faythfull promises through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Schin Tau THe Deuill verily Antichrist and puyssaunt Princes of this wretched worlde do persecute thy blessed Church O moste mightie God without any offence giuen who séeme in suche wise to vaunt themselues and waxe furious agaynst godlinesse as the faythfull bée not without iust cause greatly afrayde whome nothing but thy worde is able to make mirry and restore to gladnesse againe therefore stirre vs vp in such sort with thy blessed spirite that wée may be alwayes wonderfull desirous therof For we certainly know that peace will insue augment continue in them which loue thy sacred law so that nothing verily shall be able at any time to doe them hurt but if we be as nowe voyde of perfect peace and quietnesse of minde the occasion without doubt must rise hereof bicause we haue neglected thy holy worde and slenderly folowed thy diuine lawe Pardon vs therefore pardon we humbly beséech thée what wicked and lewde
what great stormes of temptations soeuer the deuill or worlde doe styrre vp agaynst them for as Cities be fortefied and raunged euery where about with thick rampires strong walles huge towers and high hilles so God doth as with a shield defend those whom he greatly fauoureth and which are his elect seruaunts and gardeth them also like an excéeding strong Bulwarke Therefore do we not without iust cause O excellent father call earnestly vppon thée that thou doest not permit the vngodly to poure out their crueltie vppon the Church of the righteous least if such as be yet weaklings amongs the faythfull sée the prosperitie of wicked persons they also of an euill zeale begin to follow their lewd vices and most greeuous sinnes Wherefore rather defend and aduaunce we heartily pray thée thy blessed saintes and be fauourable vnto them whom thou hast now appoynted to followe thée with a perfect mind and vncorrupt faith But beat downe such with thy puyssaunt strength mightie power as bée enimies to godlinesse and the honor of thy glorious name so that thy sacred Church which is the holy Israell bée not defrauded of the ioyfull saluation shée looketh for at thy mercifull handes through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxxvj. Psalme A praier that we may bee deliuered froÌ„ thraldome attaine to the glory of god SVrely the thraldome and bondage of thy blessed church O most good and mercifull God hath béene hitherto excéeding hard beyonde all measure being sore opprest vnder the tyrannie of Antichrist and yet notwithstanding thou of thy infinite goodnesse hast redéemed it to our wonderfull comfort and the great hope of others which as yet haue an earnest desire to the attayning of Christian libertie We at this present heartily beséech thée that at what time the deuill and power of the aduersarie séeme by all the meanes they can deuise to bende their force for to hinder the good workes which is begunne not to be forgetfull of thy Churches captiuitie from which thou hast after a sort begunne to restore the same who verily hath behaued hir selfe so vnthankfully towardes thée as one that made small accompt of the benefites bestowed vpon hir according to their worthinesse But forsake hir not for thy accustomed mercies sake before thou hast fully repayred in hir that which remayneth as yet to be restored thereto yea rather vouchsafe to bestowe vpon the same as on fieldes wanting moysture at noone tyme the moste swift streames of thy heaueÌ„ly grace flowing waters of thy blessed spirite to the intent we maye with abundaunt gladnesse reape the pleasant fruite of the prayers which we doe now sowe with teares â–ª so as the heathen which behold these calamities with a doubtfull minde wherewith the outragious enimies of thy glorious name do sore oppresse vs may at length openly publish that thou hast dealt honourably with thy faythfull seruants by which meanes we may after these gréeuous sorrowes bée ended inioy not onely suche a gladnesse as we woulde willingly wishe but also a very healthfull comfort through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme SEing it is thy most auncient accustomable maner O almightie God to aâ—d and helpe such as vnfeinedly trust in thée by thy wonderfull and singuler prouidence when as they be fallen into greatest distresse so that thou sendest them deliueraunce euen when they least looke for it séeming rather to inioy the same as a dreame then lyke a matter of truth we haue no dispayre at all of thy sacred Church being almost without hope of recouery who know right wel that it is a light thing to thée yea and excéeding easie to fill our mouth with laughter and our tongue with ioy in suche wise as our cruell enimies shall be inforced to say whether they will or not that these mens God hath vndoubtedlye done wonderfull great thinges for them at what tyme he caused those his seruants to inioy a notable comfort and marueylous delectation eueÌ„ when they were without hope thereof Our earnest request is therefore that thou wouldst for thy infinite mercies sake pardon the offences wherewith wee haue stubburnlye through our outragious madnesse feeble imbecillitie and naturall corruption prouoked thée to extréeme anger so that wée obteyning againe at thy mercifull handes the auncient fauour and beneuolence may finde no lesse alteration of our estate then those which being parched with a Southerne drougth and such ardent burning as is at noone day may be moysted with a freshe and sodeyne abundaunce of waters vnlooked for And what things soeuer we sowe with teares graunt vs we heartily praye thée to reape them at length with great ioy and gladnesse so that finally we may haue most plentifull fruites of consolation out of the prayers wée in moste humble wise poure out dayly before thée through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme WHen it happeneth at any tyme O moste good and mercifull God that thou of thy singuler goodnesse doest vtterly deliuer thy sacred Church from the captiuitie and thraldome of the deuill and that it beholdeth al thy members and hirs quite set frée from fond errors and blinde darkenesse then shall it be replenished with such gladnesse as shée shall rather thinke howe shée dreameth of that great good thing then verily to inioy the same At what time shée maye well say that shée is mitry in déede and shall be indued with perfect gladnesse neither shall shée not onely render immortall thankes and prayses vnto thée but also euery man will maruaile at the high and mightie things thou hast done for hir Our earnest request is therfore that thou woldst now at length condiscend vnto the accomplishment of these thinges and excéedingly fauour hir captiuitie being thus miserable and of such long continuaunce deliuer thy faythfull seruants from obscure darknesse and vnloose the bandes of thy accustomed louing kindnesse wherewith thou hast redéemed the children of Adam which are so long a time in bondage and thraldome and with the liuely waters of thy benigne grace cause thou the barrennesse and thirsty soyle of our soule to be right pleasaunt and fertile so that the wofull teares which the godly did sowe and poure out in the time of their captiuitie may bring them at length to their desired ioyes and that such as with great sorrow and heauinesse haue hitherto sowne the séede of feruent praiers and dolefull sighings may with very much ioy and marueilous pleasure reape the sound fruits of true godlinesse and pure religion thorow Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxxvij Psalme IT is out of all controuersie A prayer for sustentation and safe keping and a matter agreed vpon among al godly persons that no family can be well ordered or any common welth rightly gouerned vnlesse thou O moste mightie god doest further and prosper their proceedings We therefore who are not ignorant but thou wilt do farre