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
when as the cruell aduersaries of thy glorie shall right well vnderstand the same they may in good earnest vnfeynedly turne and bée conuerted vnto thée throughe Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxxvij Psalme SEing that the Church is thy blessed house wherein thou O Lord God art highly praysed greatly coÌ„mended A prayer for the reedifying of the christian congregation Vouchsafe we humbly beseech thee that the foundation thereof be not made vpon sand but in a large plaine ground cituated vpon the hils of thy most holy Saints whose head and Chieftain is Christ And to the intent thou O good Lord mayst continually abide therein or the place of thy habitation to be wonderfull pleasant and delectable in which thou speakest things of very great importance wherevnto men haue recourse from all partes and borders of the worlde being augmented through the mighty preaching of thy blessed worde and is notably increased vpon all men by the comfort of thy excéeding sweete promise let hir fame be very largely spred abroad for that she hath no respect of persons or deserts but cause all thy sanctified children bée they Iewes or Ethnicks Lordes or seruauntes to spring and grow vp in the same togither through the stedfast and vnremoueable fayth they haue in Christ Iesu For this was thy owne purposed will O most high mightie God euen from the beginning to gather some togither out of diuers nations of the world throughe the most manifest declaratioÌ„ of straunge vnknowne tongues by whom thou mightest be highly celebrated in pleasaunt songes and lowde blastes of glorious Trumpettes through Iesus Christ our Lorde So be it ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxxviij Psalme A prayer in the tryall of fayth SEing that our onelye saluation dependeth wholy vpon thy diuine Maiestie O almightie God and that we doe crie dayly vpon thée bowe downe thy fauourable eare to our humble prayers turne not away thy face from them but permit the same to come into thy blessed presence specially at thys tyme when we be so glutted with aduersitie who are neyther vniustly nor yet without good cause punished with these troublesome and most sharpe afflictions for wée haue behaued our selues so vnthankfully liued after such a wicked sort and so negligently honored thée as all those euilles light vpon vs for our naughtie and lewde behauiour How be it we are excéeding sorie for the same and doe lamentably in our most feruent prayers require thy fauourable mercy besâ—eching thee not to deale with vs according to our iniquities and naughtie vsages Make vs not like vnto them that nowe lie in the graue neyther recken vs with those that goe downe into the pit Thou séest what mans strength is what succour is to be had in fleshly handes and howe vaine a thing outwarde power is wherefore make haste to be our readie helper neyther establishe thou thy wrath vppon vs nor yet suffer vs to be drowned in these stormie tymes of Antichrist We are become an open shame vnto the aduersaries of thy glorious name and Gospell our friendes and acquaintaunce withdraw and hide themselues from vs. For which cause we call earnestly vppon thée and stretche forth our sorrowfull handes vnto thy most fauourable mercies seate hide not thy louing face from vs we humbly beséech thée whereas otherwise we shall die like miserable wretches neyther be able to abide the terror of thy fierce iustice Althoughe our déere friendes nere neighbors and familier acquaintaunce withdraw themselues farre from vs yet shewe thou thy selfe present with vs and lighten vs in such wise with thy most redie helpe to the intent that being deliuered from so great perilles wée maye not prayse thée in the graue or in death but amongs such as remaine a liue through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme BYcause O most mightie God we often fall from thée like men so long as wée here liue our mindes being ouercast with darknesse and wée who ought to walke outwardly in thy blessed wayes haue dyuers times eyther fallen or else do cowardly lye still from the which thou of thy vnspeakable goodnesse hast béene accustomed to rayse vp such as thou well fauourest either with some sicknesse or aduersitie to the intent thou mayest shake of their vnpalpable darknesse and slouthfull sluggishnesse from them which thing we assuredly knowe thou wilt presentlye doe and that without any delay who feele our selues so bowed to the grounde and made crooked with the heauy burthen of woful miseries as we are euen in a maner brought to vtter confusion and vndoing Wherefore our earnest request is O moste déere Father that thou wouldest not chastice vs in thy furie nor destroy vs with the wrath of thy sore displeasure but we woulde that the things which haue hitherto happened might make to our renuing or restoremeÌ„t For we nowe poure out our humble peticions and lamentable cryes before thy eye sight thou séest how our friends and alies are gone cleane against vs that the aduersaries laying awayt for our lyfe ceasse not to pitche snares who do alwayes imagine craftes and deceypts whereby they might do vs some notable mischiefe Giue eare O good God to our feruent prayers and earnest peticions and suffer not the enimies of thy glorious name to triumph ouer vs. Forsake vs not vtterly holde not thy selfe aloofe from vs and make haste to bée our readie helper forsomuche as the whole hope of our saluation consisteth only in thée through Iesus Christ oure Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme FOrsomuch as O almightie God during this wretched life we are hedged in with naughtinesse on euery side who haue such plentie of calamities and bée so glutted with miseries that being yet aliue we walke in the middest of death therefore with vehement and continuall prayer we crie vnto thée without ceassing whom we accompt as our onely Sauiour Behold we humbly beséech thée howe we by reason of our heinous sinnes are so sore pined away as we be now in a maner swalowed vp of finall destruction thy gréeuous wrath and heauie indignation being kindled for their sakes doth make vs much afrayde and miserably vexeth vs. Neyther can our faithfull friends louing neighbors or well willers helpe vs any thing at al touching our deliueraunce from so greeuous inconueniences Wherefore make hast O excellent father to helpe vs and for thy infinite mercies sake pardon whatsoeuer we haue most lewdly coÌ„mitted against thée which if thou doest not so loÌ„g as we here liue that which our desire is thou wouldst remoue from vs can take no place after thy laste iudgement and sentence of condemnation Shew forth againe the light of thy fauourable countenaunce vpon vs which by reason of our most wicked and lewde deserts thou seemedst worthily to haue turned so long time from vs whereas otherwise we shall not be able to indure anye longer our conscience accusing vs and
¶ 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
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
thou art forgetfull and takest thy grace and fauour vtterly away fro them Graunt that suche maner of thoughtes and suspicions be not graft and fixed in our minds for surely we deserue to be vtterly left and quite forsaken of thée by reason of our most heynous offences but suffer not O good God for thy most glorious names sake the stoute arrogant enimies of Godlinesse eyther to preuaile any thing at all or haue occasion to triumphe ouer thy faythfull seruauntes like victorious conquerors illuminate and lighten the eyes of our minde we humblie beséech thée with thy holy spirit that wée séeing and right well allowing those thinges which be most iust may neyther honor nor worship thée amisse nor yet become slouthfull towardes the amendment of our sinfull life for so shall all occasion of reioysing and vaunting be quite taken from our aduersaries and we haue great cause to render eternall thankes vnto thy diuine Maiestie as thou hast right well deserued through Iesus christ our lord AmeÌ„ ¶ A prayer out of the .xiiij. Psalme A praier that we may perceuer in the nuÌ„ber of true christians TAke away from thy déere children O most mightie God those notorious wicked Counsels and foolishe imaginations whereby we may surmise in our mindes that thou art no God at all and although thou knowest well ynoughe that we haue oftentymes erred gone astray from the true path of righteousnesse for which cause sake we haue very well deserued euen like bread and most delicious meate of them to be deuoured and vtterly consumed as are the most mischieuous and furious enimies of godlines We humblie besech thée that as thou hast promised to ayde and assist the generation of these men and all such as put their trust in thée so thou wouldest not forsake vs being thus extréeme miserable greauously afflicted Let thy help appeere and shew forth it selfe out of the heauenlye Sion that when thou hast deliuered vs from the bondage and corruption of sinne death and the Deuill thy beloued Church maye not onely be cheered and refreshed but also be excéeding ioyous through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xv. Psalme SEing that O most mighty god none can inhabite and dwell in perpetuall felicitie and thy heauenly kingdom but such as haue béene voyde of fault and vndefiled fro the filthie corruption of wickednesse who haue in suche wise yéelded and dedicated their heart tongue and outward workes to the honor of thy blessed name that they do omit or let slip by negligence or malice none of thy sacred coÌ„maundements Hereby we nowe perceyue and right well vnderstand that if we should be dealt withal as our owne deserts are and according to the worthinesse of our workes how farre of we be from thence so as we may in a maner dispayre and be altogither doubtfull of our saluation but trusting in thy excellent goodnesse we boldely demaunde this at thy mercifull handes that the merits of our déedes beyng layde apart thy faythfull promises maye according to our assured hope still remaine most firme and stable and vouchsafe to graunt vnto vs receyued againe into thy louing fauour that being henceforth adourned with the ornamentes of perfite righteousnesse sincere truth and pure loue wee maye neuer bée drawen away from the habitation of thy blessed felicitie through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xvj. Psalme FOrsomuch as we are so poore O most déere father of heauen and thou so exceding rich in al things A praier thaâ— we may not perishe by fayth but attayne vnto glory therby â–ª and thy workes most noble and plentiful surely nothing is giuen vnto vs nor any thing at all in our power whereby we may eyther merite or increase thy most blessed estate and felicitie but yet seing that our whole trust and affiaunce dependeth on thée onely we humbly present our selues and fall downe before thy deuine Maiestie beséeching thée to preserue vs from those euils which inuiron compasse vs about on euery side And our heynous sinnes wherewith thou well perceyuest vnto be ouerladen being pardoned graunt that as thou art become our rightful inheritaunce so we may wholâ— set our ioy and delight in thée agaâ—â— and accompt it a most pleasant camely thing to set forth and commend thée onely and none else instruct thou vs counsaile thou vs be thou alwaies before our eies least we swarue at any tyme from the right way so that wee may with great ioy during this mortall life remaine and abide in thée and after the most and glorious resurrection be partakers of those euerlasting perfect pleasures which we beleue do consist onely in thy most mightie will and power through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xvij. Psalme â— praier that â—ur enimies may not get â—he victorie â—uer vs. THy blessed Churche prayeth thée O most mightie God and lifteth vp hir voice daily vnto thy throne beséeching thée to weigh and consider at one time or other hir most righteteous cause wherefore giue eare and haue regarde vnto the prayers which the faythfull sort poure out before thée with an vnfayned heart who knowe verie well that we are laden and burthened with other innumerable sinnes so as we are faine at all tymes humbly to craue pardon of thée for the same but as for those which oure aduersaries doe lay to our charge wée are nothing giltie in them wherefore if thou thy selfe who art a most righteous iudge be examined in this case we knowe nothing can be found that by thy holy worde may be condemned But our whole doing is onely for this ende and purpose that the renuing and setting vp againe of religion and true godlinesse may be aduaunced to the intent thy blessed commaundementes might be duly obserued and thy sacred law with more sinceritie obeyed And whereas this care and studie hath brought vpon vs most extreeme perils yea almost vtter destruction vnlesse thou remoue and turne the same away quite from vs we humbly beséech thée to hold vp and strengthen our goynges in thy pathes with a puyssaunt steadinesse which are otherwise of themselues very slipperie that we may neither stand in doubt nor be discouraged in these kinde of distresses Thou mayest hereby make thy excellent goodnesse O mercifull God to be much marueled and wondered at if thou wilt defende those that trust in thee at a tyme vnlooked for yea thou shalt not onely reuenge vs thy louing seruants by that meanes but thy selfe also forsomuch as they haue chiefly risen vp and beÌ„t themselues against thee Hide vs therefore vnder the shadowe of thy winges and the more prosperous successe that they seeme to haue in their doyngs so that now they hang vpon our neckes like hungry Lions the more a great deale preuent thou their furye and spéedily deliuer and rescue the life of thy faithfull seruauntes out of theyr handes and vnto the same graunt that by acknowledging
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
able to redresse our good cause We doe not denie but that our deserts are marueylous wicked insomuch as we should verye iustly be altogither destroyed with these present calamyties who haue nothing faythfully performed that which in name and outwarde shewe hath béene of vs professed But it is thy nature O good God forsomuche as thou art mercy and very goodnesse it selfe not to cast off those which flie vnto thée for succour Sende downe thy ayding hande from heaueÌ„ we humble besech thee wherby thou mayst deliuer thy faythfull people from the reproches of vngodly and wicked persons The Antichristians rore against thy blessed Church like Lyons and theyr hote burning furie agaynst thy holy worde increaseth dayly more and more Shewe forth thy selfe therefore O excellent father and cause thy glorie wherewith thou art renowmed aboue all other to be manifestly knowen Rende the nettes fill vppe the ditches and make the deceiptes of none effect which they practise agaynst the sacred Gospell whereby our minde may daylye more and more be strengthned heartily to confesse couragiously to extoll and aboue all thinges to exalt thy wonderfull prayses vncessauntlye through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lviij Psalme â—â—ayer aâ—st our â—rall deâ—ngs froÌ„ 〈◊〉 crafty â—ges aâ—e of the â—dly THe princes of this wretched world O moste mightie God doe gréeuously assault thy blessed Church bicause sounde and vpright iudgement is not giuen vppon diuine and heauenly things by such as continually imagine mischiefe in their mindes and onelye practise violence against thy elect and chosen seruaunts But howe should they doe otherwise that euen from their mothers wombe are borne wicked into this worlde and haue a most noysome venime like vnto poyson of Serâ—ents naturally graffed in them which câ—uld neuer by any exhortations or friendly â—arnings at gods hand be taken out of theâ— for they put those thinges after none oâ—her sort from them then doe the deafe Adders that shunne the charmes of the Charmers Our heynous sinnes therefore haue verye well deserued that the outragious enimies of thy fayth doctrine should afflict vs which nowe we both hartily confesse and also for thy infinite mercies sake earnestly require thée to pardon and forgiue Furthermore we feruently desire this at thy mercifull handes that thou wouldest breake in péeces and gnashe the Lions téeth to the intent they may shed away as water and be like broken shaftes neyther let those men hurt thy faythfull seruauntes any more but cause them to wither awaye as a Snaile in hir shell and be weake as the vntimely fruite of a woman And finally let their outrage fade away euen so easily as a flame made of thornes is quenched But chéere thou vp O good God thy faithfull seruaunts who séeing the great reuengementes which thou thy selfe takest vppon the sworne aduersaries of thy blessed religion may right well perceyue that thou hast a reward laid vp in store for thy faythfull beléeuers and let their well doing be established when as they shall assuredly know and perfectly vnderstand that thou executest streight iudgement vpon the earth through Iesus christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme ANtichrist with all his adherentes doe imagin none other thing in their mind agaynst thy sacred Church O most good and merciful God then mischiefe and most wicked deuices but whereas they make a goodly shewe to the intent they woulde be accompted godly and religious yet in very deede they imagine nothing but lyes going astray from thée euen from their birth hauing alwayes hitherto marueylous great delight in erronious thinges Nowe at length are they desirous to spewe out and cast forth their venome which they like the Adder haue kept in a readinesse neyther could they so be charmed with the sayings of the holy Scriptures as to ceasse from their owne lewde desires Surely O heauenly father we are not they that deserue not to be destroyed by them for oure euill déedes and lewde behauiour for somuch as through thy excellent mercy we haue wel knowen the waye of truth and life albeit we haue coÌ„tinually started aside therefro giuen our selues to vaine ymaginations wicked desires But deale thou with vs according to the glorie honor of thy name and vouchsafe to yéelde vnto vs not that which we haue deserued but that which by thy promises behight vs. Ouerthrowe grinde to powder and vtterly make voyde the subtile deuices outragious force and deuilishe power of the enimies of thy glorious name and sincere doctrine so that the godly may perfectly reioyce when as they sée thée take their cause in hande and shall perceyue that their is some fruite of righteousnesse while thou dealest by vpright iudgement through Iesus Christ our lord Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THe behauiours of the wicked O most mighty God are so corrupt and naughtie that verye little wholsomnesse or none at all can seeme to be in their decrées they practise deceyts they offer wrong and now from their childhood haue both fallen from thée also liue in subiection to their owne caÌ„kred maliciousnes in fiercenes in hardnesse of heart in furious moode in outrage of minde in vnbrideled crueltie they may be likned vnto stinging Serpents roring Lyons such kinde of rauenous beastes therefore we earnestly require thée not to suffer vs for to fall as our heynous sinnes haue iustly deserued into such an extréeme madnesse that forsaking thee who art the Well Fountaine of all good things we may put our trust coÌ„fidence in them neither permitting vs to followe their lewde decrées fond fantasies which were so perillous a thing as the other Cause vs we humbly require thée to dissent wholy from them in the meane time let their power in doing any hurt be vtterly abated so that as men altogither vnarmed althoughe their desire to do mischiefe be not aswaged yet both habilitie and knowledge to fulfill their wicked desire and extréeme egernesse be quite taken from them Confound thou in the turning of a hande their lewde deuices cause the Congregation of the faithfull greatly to triumph when as they may right well perceyue that thou both renderest the fruit of righteousnesse to the righteous and also takest punishement of the vngodly according to their wretched and lewde desertes through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lix Psalme OVr earnest request is O moste mightie God that thou onelye wouldest be our spéedie deliuerer A prayer agaynst the Pharisies and false prâ—phets when as the extreeme enimies of thy sacred doctrine and pure religion doe gréeuously oppresse vs nowe it apperteyneth vnto thee for to defend vs froÌ„ naughty persons who gape much for our destruction and haue augmented theyr force and power with great and huge conspiracies to wipe out thy holye ones from off the earth They do persecute vs nothing at all for our heynous faultes and
and outragious enimies through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxj. Psalme A prayer for constant â—â—ith in christ â—esus OVr earnest and feruent desire is O most good and mercifull God that as thou art in déede a singuler good father and wonderfull mercifull vnto vs so thou wouldst heare the lamentable cries which we poure out before thée by reason of the excéeding heauinesse wee are oppressed withall and for the gréeuous temptations we indure suffer not thy beloued seruaunts miserably to perishe in whome the deuill goeth about to quenche and burie thy benigne grace and especiall good giftes Permit vs therefore to haue a fort and strong Tower with thée wherevnto bicause we are not able to clime vp of our owne power breath thou thy louing fauour downe vpon vs in such wise as we may bée lifted vp vnto the Tabernacle of thy glorious sight and vnder the couering of thy glistering winges so that by thys meanes we shall bée deliuered from the thresholde and iawes of death We truely haue transgressed thy holy lawe through our moste heynous sinnes haue defiled the sacred bodie of thy blessed Church How be it whilest wee acknowledge this and lamentably require thy fauourable mercie surely we féele verye great ease comfort neyther are we now afrayed of any bytter mishaps forsomuch as our whole confideÌ„ce dependeth vpon thy inestimable goodnesse but rather our heart is inflamed with an ardent loue both in celebrating thy glorious name and also in rendring moste abundant thankes for those thinges which by our profession we owe and thinke to be due vnto thée throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxij Psalme â— prayer for true fayth â—nd contempt â—f mutable â—hinges SEing that we are perswaded O most good and mercifull God that thou art our strong defence inuincible tower sure ayde mightie safegarde we kéepe a quiet and verye peaceable minde euen in the middest of our extréeme miseries and gréeuous calamities For we doubt not but that the deuill and his wicked members shal haue no successe at all in those thinges they enterprise to do agaynst our welfare and whosoeuer they be which thrust forwarde themselues contrary to thy blessed will are in no wise able to stand and abide but are at the ende disappoynted of that they looke for Wherefore we humblye require thee that our offences being done away which by reason of our infirmitie we denie not but are an infinite number thou wouldest still perseuer to be our Buckler and sure defence as thou hast hitherto beene accustomed Forsomuch as through thy especiall helpe wée shake of all worldly mens feare as whom we know to be altogither vaine yea and so foolishe that if they were weyed in a ballance they should be found altogither lighter then vanitie it selfe And as we dreade them nothing at al so likewise our earnest request is that we may haue no affiaunce in euill gotten goodes and flourishing ryches but alwayes well and diligently to set before our eyes that thou art iust mercifull of a wonderfull inuincible power through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxiij Psalme WEe doe in this wretched life O most good and mighty God with great feruencie sighe desire A prayer iâ— distresse for the comforâ— of the gospeâ— and earnestly thirst for thee onelye when as all thinges are become troublesome horrible and cruell vnto vs. We are greatly desirous cléerely to beholde thy singuler vertue excellent honor for nothing can happeÌ„ more blessed nothing more ioyful nothing more pleasaÌ„t to mortal creatures then the perfect knowledge thereof We may through thy readie helpe O heaueÌ„ly father exalt thy glorious name continually when as we render due thanks for the excellent benefites thou hast bestowed vpon vs alwayes requiring of thée in our earnest peticions and most ardent prayers those things which may be both to thy glorie and our owne saluation These verily are the meere delites of the godly there is the minde fed with perfect and true gladnesse when as euen at midnight in the bed it is not forgetfull of thy goodnesse and clemencie But our heynous offences are a very great hinderance to this singuler benifite whereinto both our infirmitie and ignoraunce driueth vs which we humbly beséech thée for thy infinite mercies sake to wipe away be our ready helper as thou hast begunne hide vs vnder thy fauourable winges and cause our mindes to be linked alwayes vnto thee But as for such as resist thy glorye obstinately and with stubburnesse let them runne hedlong into the déepe gulfe of perdicion and make vs euermore reioyce and be glad in thy comfort and consolation through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxiiij Psalme IF we were not altogither drowsie minded and vtterly dulled O heauenly father we are dayly stirred vp to inuocate and call vpon thée with our feruent prayer For why A prayer agaynst the wicked enimies of the Godly Sathan and his wicked retinue make great haste both day and night to destroy vs and the filthinesse of the flesh striueth continually to driue vs hedlong into the disobedience of thy blessed commaundements Séeyng that therefore our minde is on sides assayled and the strength we haue become féeble and deminished through a false tongue deceiptfull wordes most pearcing stinges and deadly darts we flie vnto thée onely being the true hauen of safegarde and require that sith thou perceiuest vs to be sore and painefully troubled sundrie wayes for the sinnes and gréeuous offences we haue committed thou wouldest for thy tender mercies sake pardon and forgiue what spotte or giltinesse soeuer we are infected with ruling and gouerning vs in suche sort as wée maye laye all the burthens wherwith we are gréeuously oppressed on thée onely So shall we haue iust cause to be excéeding ioyous neyther shall it repent vs any thing at all but contrariwise wée will greatly glorie for that we haue betaken our selues wholy to thy protection and gouernment through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxv. Psalme â— prayer for â—stenaunce â—nd all kinde â—f Gods beâ—efites SO great and manifold are thy benefites O most good mercifull God towards maÌ„kind as al people in euery place ought greatly to land wonderfully to prayse highly to extol thy blessed name for what thing can be more pleasant to men then that thou doest easily heare them at what tyme they call vpon thée for such things as they stande in néede of In what other good thing ought we more to reioyce of then this for that thou yeeldest thy selfe appeased and fauourable to our iniquities Or why be we not right happie and blessed whome thou didst vouchsafe to annix vnto thy selfe in thy sacred coÌ„gregatioÌ„ in féeding our hungry stomacks with spirituall good things heauenly dainties Thou dealest fauorably euen with all other creatures for thy elects
O moste good and mercifull God who neyther minister iustice nor right vnto their people A prayer for a good Magistrate vnlesse they be ruled and guided with thy blessed spirite Wherefore we earnestly requyre thee to helpe mortall mens causes which be farre out of order both by multiplying and mainteyning of good Princes and also by correcting the lewde and outragious so that poore mens suyts be not neglected that the oppressed may be set at libertie and that godlinesse in especiall maye flourishe and greatly go forward And as thou hast vouchedsafe through thy diuine power to bewtifie our Maiestrates Princes and King with thy heauenly name euen so we hartily require thée also of thy vnspeakeable goodnesse to cause their worke and ministerie to be such and so duly executed as the faythfull so long as they liue in this wretched worlde may honor thée purelye and lead a right vertuous and godly life so that togither with them they maye be brought vnto thée who art king of kings and Lord of Lordes where they may ioyntly be pertakers of eternall good thinges and moste excellent felicitie throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WE hartily acknowledge and earnestly confesse O moste mightie God that thy chosen people who haue neglected their obedience towardes thée are very often inforced to be in subiection vnto wicked rulers and vnbeleuing Princes neither is there any cause why we should complaine of iniurie profered vnto vs in so doing For we haue so gréeuously and after such a froward maner sinned against thée as wée haue not only deserued these but also much more heynouser punishments Notwithstanding the assured hope we repose in thy blessed wordes and louing promises wée most heartily and with much feruencie beséeche thée to succor thy sacred Church in these most troublesome times And thou who hast vouchedsafe to bewtifie the superior powers and Magistrates with the name and title of Gods vouchsafe also to ouerlooke their counsels with thy iustice shewing thy selfe as an vpright iudge amongst them least they being left vnto their owne sensualitie and lewdnesse wherwith mans corrupt nature is of it selfe greatly ouercharged do not very wrongfully persecute thy holy Church and yéeld vnto vngodlinesse those thinges which be neither méete nor conuenient If thou O most déere father do according to our earnest prayers intermeddle thy selfe amongst them in ordring the common wealth we doubt not but thou wilt by thy direction and furtheraunce reuenge the poore and fatherlesse and set such at liberty from their most gréeuous and extréeme perils as be exceedingly afflicted and very sore opprest Our earnest request is that thou wouldest not deliuer thy blessed Church vnder their rule dominion which walke in darknesse who hauing no maner of vnderstanding nor perceyueraunce of their duetie go about so much as in them lyeth to ouerthrowe all right iustice and godlinesse Nowe when these men who are so highly promoted by thée as to be called Gods and the Sonnes of the moste highest doe neyther perceyue nor yet vnderstande the same they deserue to be cast away and die like most vile persons The Church O good God is thy chosen heritage wherefore mightily assist it and take thou thy selfe vpon thée hir case to mainteine and defende through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxxiij Psalme â— praier that â—od would â—fende hys â—ord in disâ—te of the â—ngodly THe hatred armies deceipts and pernicious deuices of the fierce enimies of our saluation O almightie God do so dayly increase that we are inforced to crie vpon thée continually Whose whole driftes tende to none other purpose then to pull vs from thée and that there might not any person be found which should eyther trust in thée or purely call vpon thy blessed name as he ought to do For our owne fleshe our senses and vngodly men haue togither with the fierce rulers of darknesse conspired against thy sacred Churche and finally all earthly and worldlye affections and habilitie haue lift vp themselues to ouerthrow the same Wherefore our earnest request is that thou wouldest not keepe silence neyther holde thy peace nor yet be in quiet for like as thou hast of olde time ouerthrowne the Egyptians Madianites Cananites and Philistines for the safegard of the Israelites euen so at this day deliuer thou those which haue wholy committed themselues to thy faythfull protection and gouernement whose force puyssaunce and saluation is layde vp in thee onely Bridle thou so the boldnesse of our outragious enimies or rather of thine to the entent all men may perceyue that thou onely art the God whom reiecting all maner of supersticions they ought wholy to worship and purely call vpon through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxxiiij Psalme A prayer for â—he increasement of â—ayth LOke what earnest and feruent desire so euer the olde fathers had O most mightie God to come vnto the place wherein thou haddest appointed a Tabernacle to thy selfe for that tyme euen the like are we kindled withall in beholding the repayring of thy sacred Church and to sée therin a very great companie of Godly men lawfully assembled togither for the aduauncement of thy glorie hearing thy holy doctrine and duly receyuing of thy blessed sacraments accordingly Wherefore we humbly besech thée which art our God and King that we may one day or other reioyce to be there for what felicitie soeuer maye bee attayned vnto in this frayle life we doubt not but it will light vpon the sacred companie of the godly Giue eare therefore O excellent father vnto our earnest prayers and graunt that we make none other accompt of thy blessed house then thy will and pleasure is wée should do for a more blessed thing it were for vs to haue one dayes méeting and abode therein then if we abide neuer so great a time of continuaunce in the congregation of the vngodlye or in suche a one as is not lawfully assembled with the aduauntage and ouerplus of all the pleasures of thys transitorie world Seeing that therefore thou art our most splendent light strong defence cause our assemblies on the earth so to redound to thy vnspeakeable glory that our assured hope by comming in the ende vnto thée into the euerlasting tabernacles of the heauens may be augmented and very muche increased through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxxv. Psalme SHewe thy selfe gentle and gracious O almightie God towards thy beloued Churche A prayer fâ— the whole congregatâ— of Christ for thy excéedinge great gloryes sake and mercie moste magnificent that we may be miraculously delyuered from the horrible fardell and cruell bondage of our deadlye sinnes who haue hitherto béene bond slaues to the fleshe and wretched prisoners of the diuill and yet hast thou vouchedsafe to release forgiue vs the whole number of our deadly iniquities and couered all our heynous
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
father let their cursings and blasphemies which they haue continually in their mouth returne vppon them ouertake and sore oppresse them hauing a iust rewarde for their hatred and iniuries which they extend chiefly both towardes thée and also towardes vs that be thy faythfull people But deale not with vs O moste mercifull father according to the worthinesse of our iniquities who haue in such wise sinned and behaued our selues so wickedly in thy sight as there are no punishments though they be neuer so gréeuous but that we haue deserued theÌ„ Yet haue thou not a regard vnto vs but to the glorie of thy owne name preserue and succour vs for thy infinite goodnesse sake when we be gréeuously afflicted and vtterly destitute of all succor let the Antichristians bée put to rebuke and clothed wyth shame and cause reuilings to be a daylye cloke to couer them withall But be thou alwayes readie to assist vs with thy readie helpe saue the soules of thy faythfull seruauntes which depende wholy vpon thée through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme SEing therefore thou art the same God O heauenly father which we make a vaunt that thou art Neither be thou silent or at rest in so great oppressions of thy sacred Church when as none other thinges are euery where heard then meere blaspheemies agaynst thee agaynst thy pure doctrine and agaynst thy blessed people yea and that chiefly of such for whose preseruation shée hath alwayes prayed hartily to thée Thou knowest right well how we haue continually wished that peace and all good things might happen vnto our chiefest aduersaries who notwithstanding are nowe moste impudently puffed vp forsomuch as they verily thinke that they haue espyed a conuenient time to ouerthrow thy blessed heritage Wherefore they surely do right well deserue that thou shouldest paye them the hire of their lewd behauiours and all those things which we haue now heard thy holy spirite to threaten agaynst obstinate and vncurable sinners But our conscience doth accuse vs that we haue behaued our selues most vnworthie of thee and thy sacred doctrine who first confesse our sinnes to be excéeding gréeuous and secondly doe earnestly desire thée for thy infinite mercies sake to forgiue vs the same and finally that thou wilt succor thy afflicted people to the intent we may both confesse thée and also celebrate thy glorious name in holye and great congregations bicause thou hast set thy selfe as a ready defender at the right hande of the poore and of such as are verye like to be ouerthrowne and hast preserued their life and religion from the force and madnesse of Antichrist who now séemeth to presume and take vpon him to do what he lysteth agaynst them through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme O Most good and mercifull God who of all the prayses wherewith the Church magnifieth thée art the rightfull and rich ground and matter it is not hidden from thy diuine Maiestie what the subtile and deceyptfull sort doe dayly practise agaynst the same Shée of hir gentlenesse loueth them with a motherly affection and with prayers both most feruent and also moste often doth make supplication to thée for their welfare Notwithstanding seing that they do not amend but are more stubburnly boldned in their naughtinesse we humbly beséeche thée at length to asswage and represse their furious rage and appoynt some meane and ende for thy seruaunts afflictions Thou séest howe all thinges are nowe in a maner brought to extréeme weaknesse so that there is almost nothing in thy worshipping but is shamefully defiled and very lewdly corrupted Make haste therefore to be our ready helper to the intent it may be perfectly knowen that thou wantest neyther strength nor wisdome to succor those that be thine which shall bée marueylous conuenient for the delating and publishing of thy blessed name most worthie prayses wherefore seing that there is now great scarcitie of good and spirituall stuffe in thy blessed Church remedy thou the same with the most plentiful treasures of thy bright light pure doctrine benigne graces and vnspeakable benefites through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cx. Psalme â— prayer for â—e benefite our reâ—mption â—rchased â— Christ SEing that thou O most mightie God hast vouchsafed thy dearely beloued Sonne our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ to sitte at thy right hand hauing a full perfect and souereigne power insomuch as he doth rule and gouerne all things neyther shall there be any of his aduersaries remayning but may at length be cast vnder him as his footstoole ponder diligently we humbly besech thée after what sort the vngodly and most outragious AntichristiaÌ„s aduaunce themselues in these dayes who dare openly say of him we will not haue this man raigne ouer vs neyther can they be any thing satisfied by shewing forth this their outragious anger after a moste spitefull maner both against thy blessed spirite and also vpon vs thy chosen people wherefore sende out from heauen O mightie GOD thy puissaunt Scepter and rod of thy great furie vpon them so that thy déere sonne may by the holy ghost and sacred Gospell be of souereigne aucthoritie euen in the middest of his deadly enimies GrauÌ„t also his faithfull people to be of such a willing and readie minde as they being a very great number maye assemble and méete togither for the defence of his glorious kingdome not onely with their most feruent prayers but also by all that meanes they can possible imagine and deuise We truely are by reason of our heynous sinnes vnworthie of so great and vnspeakable a benefit who haue hitherto ledde our life nothing faythfully Haue no regarde to vs at all O heauenly father but vnto thy solemne othe and promise wherewith thou hast ordeyned thy déere sonne to be both a noble Prince and also a louing priest in the true Church for the preseruation therof Vouchsafe therfore in these our dayes that the kings rulers mightie powers of this wretched worlde who haue so layde their heddes togither agaynst him maye bee vtterlye consumed with the furie of thy heauie displeasure and do due execution vppon these blasphemous and most dishonest aduersaries so as this sacred Dominion and Empire of the glorious Gospell may be greatly inlarged thorowout the vniuersall world and that Iesus Christ thy déere sonne which séemeth to be in a maner altogither opprest in vs may be right well knowen to lift vp his heade most renowmedly and after an excellent maner for whose sake we heartily require all these things which liueth and reigneth with thee euermore worlde without ende Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme FOrsomuch as it is thy gracious wil and pleasure O moste good and mercifull God that our sauiour Iesus Christ thy deere sonne should shewe forth his notable power ouer all creatures and set in suche wise on thy right hande as at length the
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
Antichrist and his cursed members haue worse dealt with vs thē our deserts required but know assuredly that thou doest not chasten and correct vs in thy furious displeasure but with fatherly mercie and louing kindnesse Wherefore we whom thou sore chastisest hauing recourse vnto thée require these thinges at thy mercifull handes that thou wouldst open the eyes of our minde wyth thy healthfull light so that we be not blinded at the beholding of thy wonderous workes let not thy sacred precepts be hid from vs so long as we be pilgrimes in this wretched world causing our mindes to bée continually inflamed with a moste ardent desire towardes those thinges which thou hast giuen in commaundement to be obserued Graunt that our deserts be not such henceforth as we be reproued amongst the lewde sort or cursed like execrable thinges bicause we haue greatly swarued from thy holy precepts Thou séest right well the slaunders and reproches wherwith thy cruell enimies do euery where assaile vs and after what sort the great princes and mighty rulers of this wretched world when they were set togither agaynst vs did striue not onely by worde but also by indeuour to turne vs away from thy sincere worde from the deuout worshipping of thee and from thy pure ceremonies Thou therefore so strengthē and quicken vs with thy puyssaunt force and mightie power as we may bée assuredly perswaded that thy faythfull promises are most true and certain through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Aleph Beth. SVch truelye are to bée accompted right happie amongst mortall men O moste good and mercifull God as haue thy sacred law alwayes set out before the eyes of their minde which they make as a patterne to beginne their life by and as a rule to proceede by when they haue begunne so that if they shal perhappes go astray their fault may both be amended thereby and they also lead a vertuous life according vnto iustice These shal liue blamelesse and when their doinges shall be examined by vpright iudgemēt they shal not be ashamed which will greatly auaile if it be diligently practised from the tender age But we heartily acknowledge and earnestlye confesse O most deere father that all mans pollicie is altogither vnprofitable and none accompt at all to be made thereof vnlesse thou bee present with thy blessed spirite and doest direct our minds for otherwise what gaine may wée haue by meditating of thy holye law then a colde and very hurtfull knowledge Wherefore our earnest request is that thou wouldest not onelye minister strength vnto vs by thy grace for the accomplishing of those thinges which thou commaundest in thy diuine lawe but also to bring this vnto good effect so that wée may haue more felicitie in them then in all our owne deuices and take a greater delight in the execution hereof then in anye fleshly or worldly pleasures through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Gimel Daleth SEing that all the force wee haue dependeth vpon thee O most good and mercyfull God and that wée do nothing wythout thy gracious ayde and furtheraunce which may please thée wée haue good cause to flie vnto thy excellent mercie seate so that we may through the helpe and assistaunce of thy good grace frame our deedes altogither confirmable vnto thy holye lawes which thing can in no wise happen vnlesse thou remouest from oure eyes the vale which euill lustes and lewd desires do alwayes put betwixt vs and thy wholsome doctrine by reason whereof we do not wel consider the beneficiall thinges which are there commaunded vs to obserue Driue also farre from vs we heartily beséech thée the swelling of the minde and a haute conceypt wherethrough wée are accustomed beyond all measure to haue mens ordinances and humaine deuices in marueylous admiration so that sometime thy holy preceptes séeme vile vnto vs in comparison of them and that moste chiefly when as wée be afraid to abide the displeasure of mightie men and the shame of this wretched world At what tyme therefore our minde shall be thus diuersly seuered refreshe thou vs O good God with thy blessed worde and mittigate with thy spirituall calmnesse the ouer vnquiet thoughtfulnesse of our mind and suffer vs not to be deceyued by the leasings of this corrupt life being of themselues marueylous pleasaunt and flattering For if thou shalt once set our destressed hart at libertie there can be no cause to the contrarie but that we may make wonderfull expedition for the accomplishing of thy sacred commaundements which we humbly beséech thée to vouchsafe that we may obteyne with as earnest an intention as can be possibly deuised through Iesus christ our Lorde Amen He Vau. WHen as we on the one side doe consider the weakenesse of oure owne strength O moste mightie God and contrariwise the absolutenesse and perfectnesse of thy blessed lawe wée euidently perceyue that for the obteyning thereof thy moste puyssant helpe will stand vs in very great steade first therefore teache vs the true wayes of thy holye commaundementes moreouer illuminate in such sort our mind and vnderstanding as we may be able to incline with great feruencie vnto those things which thou hast both taught commaunded Furthermore it is néedefull for thee to graunt vs power and habilitie to performe whatsoeuer we haue learned of thée otherwise it shall profite vs little or nothing at all to haue knowledge vnlesse some part of obedience be eyther performed or at least wise begunne in vs which the lewde inclination of our sinfull heart doth greatly hinder and finally our senses and corrupt affections are wonderfull huge aduersaries herevnto Succor thou vs therefore we humbly beséech thée with thy good grace and abundant fauor forgiuing whatsoeuer we haue committed and do dayly after a most sinfull maner agaynst thy sacred lawe neyther let it be imputed vnto vs for our eternall destruction And in the meane season O good God let thy louing mercies vtter and shewe forth themselues to be a strong defence and mightie preseruation for thy sanctified Church which thou seest gréeuously tormented with great perilles mischieuous reproches and diuerse kyndes of afflictions not permitting hir to bée in such sort wrested out of thy handes as shée may be robbed eyther of thy blessed worde or of the lawfull holy and most pure honoring of thée through Iesus Christ our lord Amen Zain Heth. WE flie vnto thée in this most troublesome time O almightie God when as we see thy blessed church so sore afflicted and that thorow our owne euill desertes who haue greatly sinned against thee done very lewdely and transgressed thy sacred lawes innumerable wayes and there is but one thing onely which rayseth vp our hope and comforteth vs most in these our gréeuous afflictions namely that we know how thou art right mindfull of the louing promises made to thy faythfull seruaunts Forsomuch as our sinnes former wretched life doe marueylously accuse vs wée humbly beséech thée therefore so to quicken and lift vs vp with thy
God are tormented with these sorrowfull most troublesome times our heartes and eyes are erected to thee onelye as vnder whose dominion we doubt not but the chiefe force of all thinges consisteth whereby we are greatly inflamed lamentably to requyre thy readie helpe For by what most excellent power thou hast formed the heauen and earth it is nowe very needefull for thée to helpe thy blessed Church with the same when it is in a maner swalowed vp with the most noysome Iawes of hir cruell enimies Suffer not wée humbly beseech thée the féete of our fayth to stagger or folter for of it selfe such is the infirmitye wherewith we are clothed rounde about it is weake and wauering ynough We truly fell first from thée and swarued wretchedly from the law and decrées of thy blessed wil but vouchsafe we humbly beséech thée not to deale with vs according to our worthinesse but after thy vnspeakable goodnesse and most excellent mercie preseruing the Church being well hedged in and compassed about with thy puyssaunt defence for if thou shouldest forsake hir who art otherwise the keeper of Israell shée can in no wise indure But if it be bereft and spoiled of thy mightie protection then through whose care and industrie maye shée bée preserued Graunt that we maye gather our wittes to vs and call them backe vnto thée to the intent thou mayest not onely be our defender but also the preseruer of all that euer we haue through Iesus christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme FOrsomuch as we are alwayes subiect to aduersities O most mightie god during this wretched life therfore do we loke euery where about vs with our eyes froÌ„ whence found and perfect helpe might be ministred vnto vs and thou before all things méetest with our fayth For seeing we right well know that all creatures were made by thée euen from the beginning and that thou nourishest with thy perpetuall goodnesse both celestiall powers and also terrestriall we humbly beséeche thée that whereas otherwise thy high and excellent prouidence is not vsed to be interrupted thou wouldst shewe thy selfe to be a most vigilant shepheard towards vs. Let thy louing fauour we heartily pray thee be euery where our sure defence that we burne not with to feruent an heate of filthye lustes or through coldnesse of infidelitie graft in our sinfull heartes both the loue we ought to beare towards our neighbours and also the godly deuotion which of right is due to thée be not vtterly extinguished O that we might by dayly prayer and intercession obteyne to be kept pure by thée from all infection of vices so that our lyfe maye be such as eyther by our going or comming we may be both clensed from our wicked faultes and also plentiously garnished with most excellent vertues through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxxij Psalme A praier that â—he christian Church may throughe â—ayth chaâ—itie be reâ—ayred THe Godly do continually stirre vp one another to make holy assemblies O almightie God with woÌ„derfull exhortations wherein thy blessed name is lifted vp with high praises the faythfull instructed in thy sacred words and thy holye Sacraments duly receyued Nowe forsomuch as wee see presently before our eyes that this is in a maner hindered by Antichrist to our excéeding great sorow for like a naughtie packe and cast away as he is he practiseth nothing else but that the holy Hierusalem which is newlye begunne to be edified and repayred should fall to decaye againe and be vtterly ouerthrowne to the intent the pure worshipping and holye inuocating of thy blessed name might haue no more place there We earnestly and with a feruent minde and vehement affection humbly beséeche thée O most excellent father who well considerest how great a broyle and trouble he maketh that thou wouldst cause those things for to haue good successe which appertaine vnto the quietnesse of Ierusalem being thy holy and santified Churche our vnséemely deserts somewhat layde apart For séeing we do exceeding filthtly transgresse and moste lewdly defile thy sacred lawes we ought of right to assure our selues of no good thing But when as we haue an especiall regard to the honor of thy glorious name then taking a courage again we do boldly require thée that thou wouldest be present with theÌ„ which are assembled togither in the name of Iesus Christ and do call vpon thée therby to the entent we may one day repose our selues in the true Hierusalem being quite deliuered from the furious and violent inuasion of Antichrist And cause that those Citizens which doe credite the sacred doctrine of thy holy Church may by thy excellent benefites become friendes and faythful brethren one to an other through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme ALthough the holy Scriptures doe teach vs euery where that the heaueÌ„ O most good and mercifull God is thy dwelling place yet the same doe in such wise set out thy infinit goodnesse as the Church is both called and also is in déede thy sanctified house wherein thou most frequentest at what time therefore we shall come togither in the holy congregations our earnest request is that we may be there with chéerfull and very desirous mindes For thou truly hast of an excéeding liberalitie adorned thy holy Church with most flourishing and excellent giftes neyther is there any thing pretermitted that apperteyneth to hir garnishing which maye eyther belong to the spirituall decking and bewtifiyng thereof or to the plenteous inriching of it in abundaunce of all heauenly good things Which seeing they haue procéeded most fully from thée this only remayneth that thou wouldest so condiscend vnto our feruent prayers as the members therof may be annixed togither with a perpetuall concorde cause their meetinges to bée in such sort as they may render due honor vnto thée let the sacred scriptures be there purely and sincerely interpreted and let thy glorious Kingdome from day to day be more and more inlarged making all these things to be stablished with thy ioyous peace and the tranquilitie of thy holy spirite For so long as we pray for the quietnesse and felicitie hereof let vs procure substanciall and perfect good things both to our neighbours and also vnto thy blessed house through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxxiij Psalme THere remayneth no greater helpe for thy faythful seruaunts O most mightie God then that which coÌ„meth from heauen A prayer foâ— the mercie of God for the puissant force of Antichrist and his deuilish practises haue so greatly preuayled as true godlynesse and the right honoring of thée are in a maner extinguished and vtterlye ouerthrowne Therefore lift we vp our eyes to heauen vnto thée to the intent thy helping hand may reuiue vs againe and that wée may escape out of so manyfold great daungers For as the eyes of seruauntes and maydes looke vnto their Maisters and
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