to forgiue vs bycause we haue hither to so long and with such a feruent desire trusted in these transitorie riches that oure harts and mindes being withdrawne therfro thou wouldest most straightly annixe them to thee and thy sacred wordes to the intent we may delight in nothing more then to folowe thee and chéerefully indeuour to do whatsoeuer is thy holy will and pleasure least we become as brute beastes and perish like most dumme cattel through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the L. Psalme O Puyssant and most mighty God A prayer for remembranc◠in distresse of the last iudgement promises of god who of thy bountifull mercy hast vouchedsafe to gather thée a blessed Church out of all parts of the world and that first by the Apostles whom in Mount Sion thou induedst with thy sonnes most abundaunt spirite Neyther wouldest thou for any other cause gather thy very chosen and good people so wonderfully togither but that a true way how to worship thée wherein doubtlesse consisteth the whole perfection of faythfull beleuers might at length be vniuersally knowne amongst all nations and cause vs to learne that godlinesse doth not altogither consist in outward obseruations and most dumme ceremonies For like as these thinges doe please thée so long as they are witnesses and testimonies of fayth so if they be destitute thereof they are exceeding odious and very detestable in thy sight The thing that thou chiefly requirest of vs is this that thy holy name may be highly praysed and duly glorified not only in words and thoughts but with all the déedes of this our life Thy blessed will is that we shoulde vnfeynedly performe whatsoeuer we haue hartily promised and with feruent zeale vowed vnto thee so as we be assuredly perswaded that they are both agréeable to thy sacred word and a furtheraunce to perfect godlinesse Moreouer thou requirest vs to inuocate and call vpon thée when we are most touched with aduersitie and to render due thankes to thy diuine Maiestie as expedient it is so to doe at what time soeuer we be mightily deliuered therefro Thou doest exact require these things at our handes as the chiefest poynts of our religion But we O good God haue hitherto most wretchedly and vnhappily sinned who haue alwayes put no smal affiaunce in our owne rites and ceremonies and perused oftentymes the holy Scriptures when our hart was farre from them discipline hath bene displeasaunt vnto vs and we haue euerye where through our moste wicked lustes neglected thy sacred commaundementes Now therfore for thy singuler mercie and infinite goodnesse sake pardon and forgiue vs these our misdéedes and mightily deliuer vs from such as being wrapped in with rapine and vnchastnesse spake most vileynously of thy sanctified Churche and holy Gospell beleuing that thou spiest not the naughtinesse which they lewdly commit when as thou séemest not to reuenge it but very paciently to permit and suffer the same Cause them shortlye to vnderstand this right well neither let vs be haryed thus violently of them as thoughe there were none that coulde or would deliuer vs through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme THou hast shewed vnto vs O most good and mightie God through that seuere sentence of thine by what thing mortall mens causes are to be decided before thy high iudgement seate and it liketh thée nothing at all to make inquisition for burnt offerings or outward sacrifices séeyng the Calues Goates wilde beastes and finally all liuing thinges that be in the worlde are in thy mightie hande and power neyther was it thy good pleasure at any tyme that these thinges should be offered vnto thee any otherwise but as manifest tokens of reuerent awe pure religion and inward godlinesse But thou hast chiefly required this of mankind that they should yeelde and render most hartie thankes for the benefites they haue receyued and to ascribe all the good thinges they inioy vnto thée onely but let them diligently annixe and ioine this therevnto that whatsoeuer they pretend or purpose to do it may according to theyr faythfull promise greatly redowne to the glorie of thy blessed name and call vpon thée onely in their great distresse and miserable calamities We do in this point as thou O good God right well knowest erre very gréeuously and therefore our harty desire is that for thy infinite goodnesse sake thou wouldest pardon and forgiue whatsoeuer we haue wickedly and after a lewde maner committed agaynst thée so as we handle not thy sacred worde to our condemnation least we be through thy vpright sentence pronounced wonderfull arrogant straunge children exceeding couetous giuen to fleshly lust and curssed speakers but rather that we may earnestly offer vnto thee an acceptable sacrifice of thankesgiuing and fashion our whole life according to the square rule of thy blessed commaundements through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lj. Psalme WEe lamentablye wyth heartye prayer call vpon thy louing mercie O moste good and gracious God that we maye be clensed A prayer for remission of sinnes washed and pourged from our heinous iniquities and excéeding detestable and mischieuous déedes who do acknowledge and confesse howe lewdly we haue hitherto behaued our selues but our gréeuous sinnes shall neuer be of such force as to make thée vniust or false of thy excellent promise we truely doe right well vnderstand that our deserts are not such as thou shouldest vouchsafe to make most large and notable promises vnto vs but stand nowe in great néede of thy vnspeakable faythfulnesse and constancie to helpe vs. Thou seest that we were brought forth into this worlde corrupted and defiled euen from our mothers wombe and were before conceyued in the same iniquities also purifie therefore our mindes and garnish them with such a passing whitenesse as séemeth acceptable vnto thee Create in vs a pure heart a right holy and seruiceable spirit that we be not cast of from thée as moste wicked persons but may recouer the true ioyes and perfect consolation If thou wilt deliuer vs from those deadly sinnes which accuse vs as gyltie of eternall death our lippes shall merily and with right great ioy shewe forth thy worthie prayse Graunt we heartily beséech thée that we may approche vnto thy diuine Maiestie with a troubled spirite and an humble and contrite heart as an offring wherein thou chiefly delightest then shall our present calamities be mollefied and then also shall we not celebrate thy prayses vnthankefully manifest thy louing kindnesse vnto Sion thy beloued Church for thou right well perceyuest the manifold perils it is subiect vnto and that she is gréeuously assaulted both without and within We hartily require thée to deliuer hir not onely from outward enimies but also reforme the same and set it in good state to the intent she may not séeme altogither vnworthie such an husband as thou art through Iesus Christ our lord Amen An other
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
feruent desire it hath towards thée To the intent therefore our stonie and frozen hearts might be more vehemently styrred vp thou hast chosen out for thy selfe one people which was Israel by whom thou mightest declare with howe great zeale and after what maner of prouidence and moste large benefites thou hast shewed thy selfe beneficiall vnto such as continually applyed themselues to the true worshipping of thee and vnto godlinesse But hast at length poured out al treasures of thy excellent goodnesse in Christ Iesu our Lord and thy most intierly beloued sonne to the ende thou wouldest deliuer vs from eternall and euerlasting death For which cause sake we being prouoked through the wonderfull miracles of so great and manifolde benefites do render hartie thanks vnto thee although verily not such as thou deseruest yet those that we are able and to the vttermoste of our power we doe commend thy sacred Church vnto thée by the selfesame Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxxxvij Psalme WHosoeuer they bée O almightye God that make a true accompt of sincere godlinesse and pure religion A prayer â—gaynst suâ— as be eniâ—â—es deridâ— of the gospâ— are excéeding sorowfull if they sée the sacred Church scattered wholesome doctrine derided the prayses of thy diuine name had in contempt such things as apperteyne to a deuout worshipping of thee turned vnto heathnish gewgawes and voluptuous pleasures To the intent therfore these things may in no wise happen as nowe vnto vs which we sée not to be farre of we power forth dayly before thée with great submission these our dolefull complaints that thou wouldest first of thy excéeding great goodnesse and louing mercye blot out all our heynous offences being in a maner infinite and excéeding gréeuous committed not onely through weaknesse and ignoraunce but also done oftentymes both maliciously and of a set purpose Moreouer be fauourable vnto our gréeuous sinnes and turne away from vs in such sort the most fierce wiles and subtile layings awayte of Antichrist as thy sacred Churche bée not depriued of all blessed ioy and spirituall gladnesse suffer not the mouthes of good and wholsome instructors to be closed vp permit not thy due honour to be had in obliuion nor yet let the hymnes and songs wherewith thou art highly celebrated bée vsurped of such as will haue the same in derision We humbly beséech thée O excellent father that what wrath or indignation so euer is due vnto vs by reason of the heinous sinnes we haue wickedly committed thou wouldst for the glorie of thy famous name turne it from thy sanctified Church and poure out the same rather vppon them who with a enimy like rage and most malicious affection ymagine nothing else but quite to marre and vtterly laye waste thy blessed heritage through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THy sacred Church would be greatly desirous O most mightie God to extoll thy famous name ioyfully with Psalmes and Hymnes but as yet hir oppression and bondage is so great in darknesse and blinde errors of newe fond supersticions that haue béene brought thereto as it is more agréeable for hir sorowfull estate rather to laye aside the instruments of gladnesse and giue hir selfe day night to weaping wayling mournings lamentable prayers and most feruent supplications wherewith she may craue thy furtherance and readie helpe to the intent it may in the straunge tentes of this wretched world rather be forgetfull of all delectable pleasures then vtterly voyde of true perfect worshipping of thee Our earnest request is therefore that thou wouldst very spéedily deliuer hir from the tirannie of the enimies of Godlinesse who haue in nothing so great a delight as to reioyce in the destruction thereof Turne thy selfe wée hartily require thée vnto them and restrain their mad outrage so that they may hereafter the lesse pollute and defile the Church thy louing spouse eyther with theyr deuilishe errors or lewde behauiours through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxxxviij Psalme THy mercie O most mightie God is so notable famous â— praier that â— men of â—â—eat power â—d high auâ—oritie may â—brace the â—ord of god as it ought to be celebrated with séemely prayses euen in the assembly of princes highest powers for séeing that thou hast with all faithfulnesse aboundantly accomplished thy louing promises the reputation of thy glorious name is wonderfully augmented by giuing saluation euery where to such as lameÌ„tably requyre the same Forsomuch as therfore the monuments of thy great mercie be innumerable we earnestly intreat humbly beséech thée not to decline therfro in these our most wretched dayes nor yet permit thy selfe to bée alienated withdrawne from vs. Although we haue not framed our déedes according to thy sacred lawes and diuine will as was our bounden dutie but haue wretchedly sinned agaynst thée deadly offended and spitefully reuolted from thy excellent Maiestie which verily we heartily acknowledge and earnestly confesse and albeit we are vnworthy that thou shouldest be fauourable and mercifull vnto vs yet it greatly apperteyneth vnto thée for to pardon such as craue mercie at thy hands thorow an vnfayned fayth Wey not then in this so cruell a case what we are bound to doe but that which belongeth to thy vnspeakable goodnesse For if thou wilt be present at this time to helpe such as vnfeynedly cal vpon thée there is no man liuing but shall follow thée with a wonderfull admiration The common people the nobilitie yea and kinges also shall striue who maye prayse thée most for thou shalt very manifestly proue to their faces that thou hast a great respect to such things as be excéeding lowlye and of verye small reputation although thy tribunal seate be in heauen for notwithstanding thou seemest to dwel very ry farre of from vs yet thou makest all men vnderstande the wonderfull tokens of thy excellent iustice and vnspeakable goodnesse Establishe vs O good God with hope in in such wise as if we shoulde walke euen through the middest of trouble and great distresse thou wilt not permit our courage being vpholden with thy right hande any thing to fayle but remember the worke of thy handes what maner a people so euer we be of our selues through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme THe people common sort of men ought not onely to extoll the honor of thy glorious name and noblenesse of thy famous words with right great praises O almightie God but also such as bee noble and renowmed are bound to do the like bicause thou pourest thy singuler benefits vpon all mortall creatures and neuer faylest of thy louing promises in faythfulnesse and truth but rather doest perpetually giue an attentiue eare to those which call vpon thée with a pure fayth and vncorrupt minde Let so many therefore as be famous and excell in dignitie and power amongest men prayse thée
vertuous life bée thou therefore our assured strength and strong shield of defence agaynst them If we be thy blessed people and chosen heritage as thou hast promised as we faithfully beleue then preserue féede and be fauourable vnto vs and bring vs forth to the chiefe and highest blesse which we haue alwayes an especiall eye and principall regard vnto through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxix. Psalme A praier that we may be obedient to the word of god SO many of vs O heauenly father as are promoted throughe thy vnspeakeable mercy that we both be and also are named the children of God haue no light occasion or small regarde to celebrate thy diuine maiestie by the effect of those things which in the worke of nature we see to procéede frō thée which are so passing excellent and maruelous that they shewe forth themselues to those that behold them as most certaine and manifest tokens of thy vnspeakable glorie and dignitie Thou bringest forth so mightily when thy good pleasure is showers clowdes lightnings earthquakes and ouerflowings of waters that euen the hilles and trées although they be very high and all other liuing things doe both greatly and horribly quake We only O good God are blinde deafe and dull to conceyue these thy moste wonderous workes Wherefore for the loue thou bearest vnto vs hauing compassion vpon so great foolishnesse and vnskilfulnesse which procéedeth of nothing else then of sinne graunt that we being at length exempted from them maye both acknowledge thy excellencie in thy notable workes and sing also perpetuall prayses to thée for thy manifolde benefites extended towarde vs through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxx. Psalme WE ought O most mercifull god to celebrate and extoll thée with wonderfull and vnspeakeable prayses A praier tha◠all our afflictions maye well depart from vs by Gods especiall grace bicause thou art so prone and readie to preserue those that with an vnfeyned heart call diligently vpon thy blessed name We doe plainely acknowledge and openly confesse our sinnes to be innumerable and most heynous for the which right worthy are we to be adiudged of eternal destruction and perpetual death But our earnest request is the thou wouldst shewe the like fauourable mercy towards vs as thou wert accustomed to doe vnto thy elect and chosen seruauntes although thou art woont to chastice them with a short kinde of wrath and such a one as indureth but the turning of a hande which forthwith thou alterest into an excéeding great good will and such a one as lasteth continually Preserue vs therefore from the present euils and iminent perils which hang ouer our heades that we beyng saued and deliuered out of all daunger may confesse thée and be both sure and experienced witnesses touching the truth of thy faythfull promises and also euery where and in all places shewe forth and publishe that thou onely and none other ought to be trusted in through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme THy blessed Churche O almightie GOD prayeth thee to relieue hir beeyng sore tossed and oppressed with these stormye tempestes neyther suffer thou the fierce enimyes of thy glorious name to reioyce and triumphe at hir destruction Thou art accustomed O good God both to heare and also to helpe without delay such as earnestly call vpon thée and it is in thy mightie hand power to bring backe againe from the graue and to quicken those which were nowe in a maner fallen into the pitte Wherefore to the intent thou mayest stirre vp an earnest desire feruent affection in our mindes to thy worthy prayse shewe thy selfe to haue bene angry with vs yet let it be but for a moment neyther shall that inestimable loue of thine towardes vs whereby wée liue and shall liue in thée be any thing the more in that respect deminished Bring spéedily to passe we humbly beseeche thée that our sorrowfull teares déepe sighes and piteous grones may shortly be chaunged into godly mirth and ioyful gladnesse Marke thou in no wise our desertes but what beséemeth thée best We truely are worthie of deadly hatred and extréeme punishmentes by reason of our manifolde sinnes who so long as all thinges happened luckely and as we woulde haue it vainely imagined that we could beare out all things of our owne strength power But nowe when thou hast a little turned thy louing countenaunce from vs and present calamities haue appeared we are so astonished and stricken with feare that we can scarcely abide or stande vpright Howbeit haue thou an especiall regard O good God what thy mercifull promises require namely that thou wilte not suffer those to perishe and come to ruine which crie heartily vnto thée For our aduersaries would doe nothing lesse then set forth thy worthie prayses At length therefore make an ende of our sorowfull mourning that the spirite of gladnesse beyng restored to vs againe we maye both nowe and in an other world also render euerlasting prayse and thanks vnto thée through Iesus christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxxj. Psalme SEing that thou O most mighty God art our assured rocke and strong defence A prayer in distresse and triall of faith it is nowe néedefull for thy names sake that thou shouldest saue and deliuer those which repose their whole trust in thée so that we may be nothing ashamed of the fayth that we haue firmely affixed in thée Thou séest howe they of whome thy sacred doctrine and holy Gospell is had in contempt haue priuily layde snares and nettes to trap vs. We therfore which sée that we can be preserued by none other meane do now commit our selues to be defended by thy onely handes and mightie power For we haue no affiaunce in curious and wicked artes but repose our selues O good God vpon thy goodnesse only and require thée to haue an especiall care and regarde to the afflictions we nowe are in neyther suffer thou vs to be shut vp into the handes of wicked persons We knowe for a certaintie that our sinnes wherewith we are so sore burthened shall make exceedingly agaynst vs in thy iust iudgement that of right we can not escape But beséeche thée of thy infinite goodnesse to haue mercy vpon vs neyther suffer thy blessed Church to be a by word and ieasting stock both to the neighbors and enimies thereof Shew forth thy chearefull countenaunce vpon hir let the wicked be put to vtter shame we humbly pray thee who mayest stop the mouthes of lyars when they most arrogantly imagine very horrible accusations agaynst hir And although as to the iudgement of the flesh we thinke our selues to be thrust downe hedlong and cast vtterly from the sight of thine eyes yet notwithstanding we stil hope in spirite that thou wilt giue attentiue eare vnto our hartie prayers Graunt therefore that the vertuous men which earnestly loue thée may
gréeuous wrath and dreadfull indignation from these present aduersities Surely we féele thy heauy hand and perceyue the great perils we are in who know that it can not be remedyed and amended by mans helpe which thing doth not befall and happen vnto vs without our iust desectes For doubtlesse our heynous sinnes and gréeuous iniquities haue wrapped vs in on al sides wherwith we are sore bourthened and miserably opprest farre aboue our power Herevpon it coÌ„meth to passe that we go alwayes mourning and are in a maner at deathes doore through great heauinesse and anguishe of heart We sée our neighbors and friendes stand a farre of and our aduersaryes pitch guileful snares who worke all the meanes they can possible deuise vtterly to ouerthrowe vs. Thou therefore O good God for thy louing mercies sake first and formost reconcile vs vnto thée by louinglye forgiuing and fauorably pardoning whatsoeuer we haue most filthily committed against thy diuine Maiestie then make hast and speede to be our readie helpe We abide looking forthee our onely refuge who hast béene accustomed readily to succour those that vnfeynedly call vpon thee and giue eare vnto their lamentable peticions Thou art not ignoraunt howe the Antichristians triumph and rise vp agaynst vs whilest we are so shaken and tossed for they which hate vs verye vniustly increase and waxe dayly stronger and stronger Wherefore we humbly require thée O excellent Father not to forsake vs in so great and gréeuous afflictions séeyng that thou thy selfe art our onelye saluation make haste we hartily beséech thée to helpe and succour thy blessed Church and mightily rescue it being in extréeme perill thorough Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme ALthough O most good and mercifull God we finde the fardell and burthen of wickednesse which we haue committed agaynst thee to be so great as we are not now any lenger able to susteyne and beare them therefore vpon affyaunce of thy vnspeakeable goodnesse we come and call vpon thée with a sorowfull heart not to correct vs for them with yre and wrathfull indignation let thy admonition be fatherly as thou hast béene accustomed of olde to shewe and extende the same towardes thy faithfull seruaunts Behold how through conscience of our heynous sinnes our hartes be altogether amazed all thinges are marueylously putrified and verye corrupt in vs we shall liue excéeding sorowfully in affliction and in a maner quite destitute of light vnlesse thou puttest to thy assistant helping hande Neyther doe we trust any thing at all in our friends neighbors for our gréeuous sinnes purchase vs all thinges frowardly and after an enuious maner Therefore O good God at what time we poure out our wretched iniquities into thy bosome and are so much carefull to procure pardon for them let vs not be vtterly destitute of the louing fauor and riche mercie that is naturally graffed in thée but as thou art alwayes tractable and easie to be intreated so vouchsafe to make haste for to minister spéedie and stedfast helpe in our sorowfull distresses through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxxix. Psalme â— prayer aâ—â—inst vaniâ— and the â—ters of â—ns lyfe â—d safetie SEing that O most mighty God we are vexed with present calamities in this most troublesome time and opprest with so great a storme of afflictions we flie vnto thee for succour humblye requiring that thou wouldest so bridle our mouth and tongue with thy holy spirite as nothing may passe from vs either detestable to thy diuine Maiestie or vnséemely for our profession But séeing we cannot rightfullye complaine that these perplexities and anguishes doe surmount our heynous sinnes or that we be vnworthily punished graunt we maye appease and stay the cursed cryes of such as wrongfully complaine of thée but rather let our bowels be stirred vp with a perfect griefe for the heinous sinnes we haue committed let them waxe whotte with a most inward sorrow and cause our hartes to be kindled and set on fire with a continuall earnest repentaunce Graunt that we may right well vnderstand O most gentle father euery moment and houre the state of our vnripe life forsomuch as it is but méere vanitie howsoeuer we lead it and we are farre wide to thinke that our carefull turmoyle or heaping togither of vncerteine riches are able to profite or auaile vs anye thing at all Therefore it behoueth vs O mightie Lorde to haue a speciall regarde vnto thée onely whom if thou wilt especially reléeue from our gréeuous sinnes and heynous iniquities our assured hope is that we shall be no more a scorne and reproche to the vngodly For thou hast béene accustomed to remoue thy plagues from such as be purged and clensed of their wicked crymes and sinfull déedes least they should be vtterly consumed at the shaking of thy most mightie and inuincible hande which if it should perseuer and go on in continuall vexing men according to their iust deserts it would no lesse consume theÌ„ grind them to powder then Mothes fret out clothes Giue eare therefore O good God vnto our humble prayers and séeing thou knowest we cannot haue an assured and perfect rest vpon earth graunt that we maye finallye liue with thy excellent Maiesty by a constant fayth and walke before thée in muche safetie through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WHile we féele any tokens of thy rygor and seueritie O most mightye God although we are perswaded in spirit not to speake euill of thy goodnesse or iustice yet through the greatnesse of our extreeme sorrow testimonie of our sinnes we are almost so farre gone brought to such a poynt that our life is very yrkesome vnto vs wherefore seing that we confesse our heynous sinnes vnto thée and haue sundry wayes wickedly offended thy diuine Maiestie bée mercifull fauorable vnto vs for thy louing kindnesse mercies sake Thou seest howe short and vaine a thing our life is beyng lyke vnto shadowes wherein is nothing firme sound or worth the trusting to we fade away in a moment and what tyme soeuer thou giuest vs here to liue we passe ouer all the same through our owne default with most heady troublesome and pernicious affections We require thée therefore that thou wouldest yet at length haue mercy vpon vs let our earnest peticions and sorowfull mourning which thy blessed spirite hath from our hearts wrong out in vs enter into thy mercifull eares and moreouer vouche thou safe to refreshe our distressed mindes with thy louing fauour from time to tyme so long as wee wander lyke pilgrymes in this wretched worlde through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xl. Psalme THose which are susteyned and stayed vp with suche a hope O most mightie God that they looke for thy ready helpe in their present tribulations wheÌ„ they most charge them A praier thâ— our sinnes may be pardoned thorow the
seruauntes Let the kinges therefore assemble togither and the princes conspire as they thinke good vtterly to subuert and ouerthrow hir yet shall they be inforced to leaue of their fonde deuices as who at the féeling of thy mighty power present being striken with excéeding feare must néedes ceasse from their wicked attempts for such as thou strykest a feare into they are ouertaken wyth sorrowe as women laboring of childe Wherefore O good God suffer not our heynous sinnes to excéede surmount thy vnspeakable goodnesse we truely haue offended thée verye gréeuously neyther doe we denie the same but togither with oure heynous sinnes wée acknowledge also thy excéeding great mercy which we séeke for with sorowfull teares that we may at length be reconciled vnto thée not for our owne deserts but through the inestimable goodnesse louing fauour and bening grace of thy deere sonne and graunt that the fierce enimies of thy blessed Church may in likewise come to vtter ruine as shippes are oftentymes torne amiddest the sea through the very great and excéeding hideous noyse of the wind which is sodenlye stirred vp so that like as wée haue heard with our eares thy most large promises set forth and preached out of the holy Scriptures so we may also with our eyes sée them mightily come to passe and be performed We haue alreadie conceyued an assured hope and stedfast confidence by those thinges which are set out vnto vs in thy most blessed worde now graunt wée humbly beséech thée that the thing maye take so good successe as through the publishing of thy glorious name and goodnesse incontinent after the performaunce of thy excellent benefites we may with great solemnitie render due thankes for the same And to the intent it maye be euery where knowne that whatsoeuer procéedeth from thée is nothing else but vpright iustice be thou our God euen our God I say both so long as we here liue and also euerlastingly through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme ALl creatures O most good and mercifull God doe plainelye and euidentlye acknowledge thy great goodnesse but thy sacred Church is the especial worke wherin thou art singularlye preached and magnified From thence all the whole worlde receyueth gladnesse for so much as the sounde doctrine is there wherby both thou thy selfe art manifestly knowne we also called to heauen for what most pleasaunt ioyful and blessed thing so euer can be had vppon earth it florisheth there And therefore no maruell is it though the aduersaries force rageth against hir with cruell threatning outragious madnesse and furious violence if thou be at hande without delay thou doest maintain fauor and defend it in such wise that the mighty rulers of the worlde and princes of darkenesse are inforced will they nill they to be sore troubled to runne hedlong away to be marueylously disquieted with excéeding great feare Their impotent threatnings are vtterly disapoynted through thy mighty power but there thy faithfull seruants are vnburthened of their heauie cares and sadde gréefes which benifites of thine we now and then féele not bicause we fall excéeding miserably and meruelous painfullye into sundrie and manifolde faults being driuen therto partly by infirmitie and partly through ignoraunce By this so great honor of thy glorious house we humbly beséech thée therefore to blot out whatsoeuer we haue committed against thée to the intent that thou thy selfe mayst rule and gouerne vs in the same Church to the glory of thy most excellent name through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xlix. Psalme WE heartily require thée O most mightie God that fayth may be annixed to the doctrine of thy holy Ghost A praier that we abuse not temporall goodes when as being greeuouslye afflicted through the naughtie behauiour of our outragious enimies we maye duely way this with our selues that they stay most vpon their transitorie riches and welth wherein they much abounde for they verilye perceyue not that men can by no riches in this world redeme themselues from death and eternall damnation Bridle thou O excellent father our affections in such wise that no fraile things take any place at all in vs. Let the common infirmity and miserie which is wholy sowne in such as we be admonish vs or else verie death that spreadeth it selfe ouer all people how wise or foolish soeuer men be they can in no sort so mocke death as alwayes to kéepe and inioy the goods they haue gotten in this wreched world We also doe plainly confesse that we haue oftentimes fallen on this behalfe who trusting in worldlye strength were perswaded of wonderfull victories pompes triumphes as though our names shoulde haue beene exalted aboue all measure Neyther did we well consider that a good fortune and prosperous successe of the fleshe endureth but a time and so many as haue assured confidence in them shall perishe at length lyke beastes and are put into hell and inprisoned vnder an euerlasting night Forgiue vs O good God this heynous crime that putting awaye and casting aside all vayne hope of worldly welth thou thy selfe mayst take vs vp into thy tuition and rayse vs from eternal death and the paines of Hell Graunt that we stande in no feare at all of them who haue greatly increased themselues and their houses with riches and honor all which things are but commodious onely for this present life that they might be the better able to follow the sensuall appetite of their fleshly lustes Finally wée humbly require thée O good God to deliuer thy blessed church from these outragious enimies which haue not this perceyueraunce as to vnderstande that the honor and authoritie they haue is giuen them of God whoe dye not onely like senselesse beastes but being depriued of their worldly goods shall after this wretched life suffer eternall punishment through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THe renowmed oracles of the sacred doctrine which thou hast vouched safe to set out in the holye scriptures ought men O mightie God well to consider with most attentiue mindes yea there is no man so ignoraunt or any of so high degree but it behoueth him verie diligentlye to ponder and waye the excellent things that thou speakest And this thou chiefly admonishest vs off that we haue not that confidence in the pleasures of this world being verie vayne and frayle which wée ought to repose in thee only What thing soeuer is wonderfull puissaunt excéeding strong meruailous excellent or verye honourable amongst men are of no force to redéeme and deliuer vs from death but such is their propertie and condicion that they are quicly chaunged perish in the twinckling of an eie neyther may the man which hath his whole affiaunce in these abide anye while in honor For so soone as they wither and perish so sone also doth their counterfeit renowne fade away Wherefore we earnestly require thée O good father
for succour be they neuer so miserable and vnworthie for that mercies sake therefore and not for our good works which as we haue none so can we not boast of any giue eare O good God vnto our deuout prayers and gently accept the words that we with one consent haue poured out before thy diuine Maiestie thou séest after what sort the wicked and straungers which feare thée not doe most cruelly rise vp agaynst vs who séeing that they haue not thee nor thy sacred wordes before their eyes go about by all the meanes they can possibly deuise to ouerthrow thy blessed and sanctified Church Be thou wée humblye beséeche thée our readie helper make thou thy seruauntes to be of a notable stout courage and requite the vngodly with the notorious euils which they haue deserued to the intent we may abundantly glorifie thy most excellent name and euery where shewe foorth thy vnspeakable goodnesse bicause we be deliuered from all gréeuous oppressions and sée those things light vpon thy enimies which all the faithfull would right gladly wishe to haue fallen vpon them through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lv. Psalme WE are inforced O most good and mercifull God by reason of the extréeme and vrgent distresse of the Church A prayer for saluation purchased vs by Christ to cry out dayly vnto thée for we cannot be quiet in our minds when as we both sée and knowe for a certaintie that those who wishe muche euill vnto the Gospell do so carefully indeuour themselues to bring such vnto confusion as vnfeynedly trust in thée we greatly tremble we are thorowly troubled and quake for feare wishing that we had wings like Doues whereby we eschuing these mischiefes may at length rest quietly in thée But very conuenient is it that we should be afflicted for our heynous sinnes wherewith we haue of long time and that excéeding gréeuously offended thée those trulye are the occasion why these great mischiefes doe light vpon vs. But we earnestly require thée O most excellent father not to be more heynously moued against our wickednesse and very lewde behauiour then thou wilt giue vs grace well to beare deliuer vs for thy infinite mercies sake from subtill wordes and deceiptfull deuices and haue a great foresight that thy holy church be not sore plagued of them who seeme sometime greatly to fauour hir and were partakers in the same with vs of the most pleasant and swéete foode of thy blessed Sacraments we nowe heartily call and earnestly cry vnto thée with importunate praiers that as thou hast oftentymes heretofore miraculously holpen thy faythfull seruauntes so thou wouldest at this present time deliuer vs from imminēt destruction Let not the league be broken which those haue that be at one with thée We nowe cast our heauie burthens and moste gréeuous troublesome cares wholy vpon thy shoulders vouchsafe to beare both them and vs also through thy mightie power otherwise we slide and faint vnder the burthen wherefore sustaine and increase this our féeble and slender hope with thy moste present and readie helpe throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THere is right great cause why wée should alwayes O most mightie God lamentably require thy ayding hande for we are continually afflicted by sundrie mishaps of the worlde the fleshe the Deuill and enimies of righteousnesse which moueth vs more often and after a vehementer sort to wishe that thou wouldest gyue vs wings and feathers of Doues wherewith we might flie hence most spedily vnto thée for here haue we no man to deliuer vs out of so great euils but thee onely yea so deceiptfull is the hope which we repose in men that such as a man woulde iudge to be most bound vnto him in loue those are founde his extréemest enimies for venemous tongues do euery where scourge the godly violence quareling wrongfulnesse oppression fraudes and deceipts doe in all places assault them Wherefore we earnestly crie vnto thée euen from the heart roote that our mindes being pourged thou wouldst blot out the faults wherewith we are miserably stayned and betake vs to thy selfe who repose our whole confidence in thée onely for we haue cast our heauy burthens and great griefes vppon thy backe And in somuch as we are almost sunken downe vnder them we beséech thee to hold vs vp with thy vnspeakable goodnesse and mightie power that the confidence we haue affixed in thee doe not slide nor bée weakened but maye become strong and stedfast dayly more and more through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lvj. Psalme A prayer for a stedfast cōfession of the Gospell WIcked men O moste good and mercifull God go about to swallow vs vp they doe assault and afflict vs so much as in them lyeth But seing that thy mightie power far excelleth the princes kinges of the earth and our whole affiaunce dependeth on thée onely extende nowe thy fauourable mercy vnto vs for we heartily confesse that wée haue most gréeuously prouoked thy heauie displeasure for our manifolde sinnes considering that we haue so wretchedly dispised the doctrine of thy sacred law and Gospell which thou hast sent vnto vs that we haue alwayes hitherto béene a slaunder vnto the same But nowe are we very heartily sorie for it who trusting in the death and bloudshedding of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour doe with great feruencie and most earnest prayers lamentably call vppon thée for pardon of all our sinful crimes For when thou shalt haue receyued vs into thy gracious fauour we néede nothing at all to feare what flesh can doe agaynst vs. Thou shalt be present at thy owne case and shalt sée howe the vngodly doe all the day long rayle vpon thy glorious Gospell and true worshipping of thee and how they continually imagine mischiefe agaynst thy déere and chosen people Forsomuch as therefore they deale lewdely agaynst those whome thou hast redéemed how shall they escape thy wrathfull indignation Thou art woont to put downe thy aduersaries at what time thou art angrie with them It is not thy propertie to be forgetfull of the sorowfull mournings and lamentable cries of thy poore afflicted seruaunts for the whole number of our prayers are already written in the booke of thy prouidence Harken vnto them O God our heauenly father and when as we be moued and stirred vp through thy holy spirite to call vpon thy blessed name turne thou our enimies back and put them to flight Be thou present with thy armie defende it strengthen it and confirme the same with couragious boldenesse if thou bée on oure side wee will not feare what man doe agaynst vs who beeing deliuered by thée shall magnifie thy blessed wordes and faythfull promises for euer Vouchsafe O good God that we hauing atchieued peace tranquilitie may be conuersant in thy sight for euer and directed alwayes with the bright light of thy fauourable and louing
countenaunce through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme SO long as we liue here O most mightie God all things are so vnquiet and at so small stay vnto vs through the desert of our gréeuous offences that we be on euery side assayled with the deadly assaults of the force of oure aduersaries but vnlesse thou puttest to thy helping hande we shall séeme to be swalowed vppe out of hande Wherefore to the intent we may be defended so oft as our fraile mindes be possest with a vehement feare we poure out our feruent prayers before thy mercie seate which glistereth and shineth most farre abroade that regarding and highlye estéeming thy sacred wordes and louing promises in such sort as being strengthned by them we may with a stout courage ouercome whatsoeuer sorrowfull horrible vnpleasaunt and rough thing setteth it selfe agaynst vs. As our teares O excellent father are gathered and written by thee euen so when thou art called vpon deliuer thy faythfull seruauntes from the Gyues and Fetters of their carefull myndes and thou of thy infinite goodnesse purging our gyltinesse bestow vpō vs so much strength and stedfast hope as we néede nothing at all to feare the violence and power of malicious disposed persons for if thou shalt be our redemer especially from eternal death we will alwayes in oure dayly prayers shew forth the worthie prayses of thy most glorious name through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WE doe dayly indeuour our selues O moste mightie God lamentably to call vpon thy mercie when as they go about to subuert thy sacred Churche who being not a fewe in number and waxen strong aboue measure do not ceasse by sundrie meanes to assault the same Neyther is there any thing that maketh vs more afrayed then these our owne proper sinnes wherewith we haue moste greeuously offended thée and made our selues vtterlye vnworthy of thy gracious fauour yet notwithstanding of the great and vnspeakeable louing kindnesse that is in thée wée ceasse not to hope but set thy louing promises before our eyes the sayinges and words wherof we commend and approue and also so much as in vs lyeth take holde of them by fayth Graunt therefore O excellent father that we be not more feareful then is decent which the flesh is able to worke agaynst vs. We know assuredly that the wicked do now euery where maliciously rayle vpon vs bending all their deuices agaynst thy most sacred doctrine lying in wayte and séeking occasion by all meanes possible quite to subuert and vtterly ouerthrowe thy sacred Churche Dispise not thou O good God the prayers and sighes of thy faythfull seruauntes so strengthen and confirme our weake consciences that we passe nothing at all what men doe agaynst vs. Deliuer our soules from sliding and destruction so that we may both nowe and also after this life be partakers of thy most commodious and splendent blessed light throughe Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lvij. Psalme SEing that there is no refuge for vs O moste gracious and moste mightie God but to flie vnto thée onely A prayer for the aduaūcement of the Gospell contrary to hir enimies expectation we commit our whole saluation into thy tuition and gouernment to the intent thou shouldest miraculously preserue the same so that thou mayest bée our strong defence vntill this their outragious furie who violently oppresse thy sacred Church be much abated and greatly brought lowe Therefore we incessauntly call vpon thy euerlasting name through whose mightie power and high aucthority all thinges maye for the Godly be surely brought to passe Graunt we humbly beséech thée that our heynous sinnes be not the cause thou withdrawest thy mercifull goodnesse from vs which as we confesse them to be most gréeuous and infinite so are wée nothing doubtfull but that they shall be forgiuen vs for our onely mediator Iesus Christes sake through whose louing fauour thy faythfull seruaunts shal not only be preserued in the glorious kingdome of heauen but for thy excellent promise and goodnesse sake they shall also at length be brought to confusion whosoeuer they are which go aboute to oppresse thy constant and stedfast beleuers Thou thy selfe right well seest O excellent father howe his blessed Church is compelled to haue hir dwelling continually amongest Lyons in the middest of whote burning flames inuironed with moste forceable weapons and tongues chiefly that be very noysome and do excéeding great hurt To the intent therefore thou mayst shew forth and mightily declare thy inuincible power touching hir preseruation graunt that the snares and great layings awayte which be prepared for thy holy ones may in conclusion be onely hurtfull to the Authors and chiefe deuisers thereof but vouchsafe to giue vnto vs a right stedfast heart and excéeding constant minde touching the confession and publishing of thy blessed name For wée heartily acknowledge and earnestly confesse thy vnspeakable goodnesse to be so great as it deserueth high prayse not onely in voyce but with Lute and Harpe and by all wayes and meanes of commendation that possible may be which pearceth the clowdes euen vnto the glorious heauen And for bicause it may dayly increase the better and be more vnderstood lift vp thy selfe in this our age by shewing forth thy right excellent power in being oure shielde of defence and buckler through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THere is nothing that doth more reléeue and comfort our féeble mindes being in great distresse and extréeme calamities O most good and merciful God then the Ancre of fayth which dependeth most stedfastly vpon thy excellent goodnesse Wherfore seing that not without iust cause we burne and frie in our lewde vices we resort vnto thy diuine Maiestie and being marueylous sore burthened with the gréeuous fardell of our most heynous sinnes do dayly call vpon thée for thy assistant and readye helpe Send vs ayde from heauen we humbly beséech thée otherwise we shall not be in safetie from the Lions Speares Darts and deceiptfull tongues wherewith Sathan doth merueylouslye aflict thy holye Church Aduaunce thy selfe and make thy infinite power most manifest in taking vs out of our enimies handes For so thy vnspeakable clemencie and notable faythfulnesse which farre surmount the Clowdes and glorious heauens shall appéere bright in their owne excellent greatnesse and we in giuing due thankes for our deliuerance will ioyfullye sing double prayses to thy glorious name for euermore through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme SEing that thy blessed Church O moste mightie God is so vexed with the cruell enimies of thy glorious name and blessed doctrine we repose our whole confidence in thee onely and flie for succor vnder the shadowe of thy wings we acknowledge and confesse that it is our partes to direct oure supplications parpetually vnto thée when thou only and none else art
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
be ordered there by thy spirituall wisdome and auoyde those offences therefro vnto which euerlasting damnation is due by iustice Let them depart thence which fall from thée by infidelitie and are through obstinate wilfulnesse trayterous rebelles to thy sacred lawe let backebiters togither with suche as are proude and those which dare shameleslye presume any thing bée vtterly rooted out And coÌ„trariwise let there be space in especiallye for suche as be verye zealous of the truth Let not these be onely conuersant there before thée but cause them to féed thy blessed people with a singuler fayth and innoâ—sie minister all things diligently vnto them which be necessary toward saluation Remoue far from thence far from them O excellent father be all mans inueÌ„tion and deceyptfull ydolatrie so that finally all Godlinesse maye be vtterly rooted vp from the Congregation of the faythfull through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cij Psalme WE are of our owne selues altogither vnworthie O most mightie God A prayeâ— the tryal fayth aâ—â—fliction â— Church that thou shouldest gyue eare vnto our prayers seeing we haue euery where transgressed thy sacred lawe and blessed commaundements and liued excéeding dishonestly towards thy holy Gospel and our vocation Howbeit hide thou not away thy face for thy infinit mercies sake from our humble petitions earnest supplications For we are greeuously assayled and sore opprest with most great perilles And therefore bowe downe thy fauourable eare vnto vs and graunt them with spéede their desires which inuocate and call vpon thée First we require to be deliuered from our heynous sinnes and lewde corruptioÌ„s and let our weake and feeble heartes bée strengthned in thy blessed way and the withered powers of our minde which are dried vp watered with the holy Ghost that we may liue vnto thée who being altogither repaired and wholy renued may cause thy glorious name and sacred Gospell to be well spoken of This once done extende thy inuincible power and might vpon such as rayse vp innumerable slaunders and reproches vpon the name of thy Sonne and his holy doctrine Haue mercy out of hande we humbly beséech thée of Sion that is to say thy blessed Church for the time is now come that she standeth in great néede of thy readie helpe Looke out we heartily pray thée from thy high dwelling place behold our gréeuous calamities and heare theyr pitifull cryes which are in great bondes much beaten and gréeuously tormented to death diuers maner of wayes for thy glorious names sake by preseruing thy chosen sheepe out of so great daungers whom the Antichristians doe adiudge not onelye to death but also to vtter destruction that thy adobted children maye one time or other lead a peaceable and quiet life before thée through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme THe whole company of thy faithfull people O most good and mercifull God do lamentably require thy fauourable helpe which is cruelly opprest through the tyrannie of sinne and the sacred sappe of godlinesse almoste dryed vp in the same for hir mouth is in a maner so stopped vp that she cannot sing thy worthie prayses and there remayneth not well néere any member in hir bodie that may execute his office in helping one another Thou therefore which alwayes florishest fresher and fresher rise vp to be our spéedie helper bicause we haue now thought it highe time for thée to assist thy blessed Church so gréeuously afflicted which thing if thou wilt graunt vs wée doubt not but the feare of thy glorious name and sincere godlinesse shall bée spred very farre abroade For if thou wilt deliuer thy faythfull people from so great and mischeeuous daungers thou shalt teach thereby that thy louing promise remayneth alwayes firme and vnappayred in such wise that although the heauen earth be troubled with wonderfull interchaunges and be so shaken as they perishe yet doth the same continue alwayes one towardes thy elect seruaunts whereby we heartily beséech thée to be both preserued and also set in good estate againe not according to our owne strength and desertes but throughe his mercy and gentlenesse effectually working the same by Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Ciij Psalme WE are bounde O moste mightye God for thy singuler deserts extended towards vs A prayer for a newe life to prayse thée continually with minde heart all our whole power rendring condigne thanks vnto thy diuine maiesty vnlesse we will like vngratefull persons forget all those thinges which thou hast hitherto bestowed vpoÌ„ vs. First thou hast freely offred vs forgiuenesse of sinnes by Christ and regeneration throughe his precious bloud herevnto is added doctrine sacraments bodily life and whatsoeuer else apperteyneth to the preseruation both of the outwarde and inwarde man But wee heartily acknowledge that we haue notwithstanding moste filthily abused all these thy excellent benefites for we haue done nothing faythfully that aunswereth fully to our calling We nowe therefore do humbly beséech thée to pardon our gréeuous offences and lewd behauiour amending our corrupt maners and the dishonest life which we haue led hitherto Deale not with vs after our sinnes neyther reward vs according to our iniquities Wilt thou seing that singuler louing kindnesse and mercie preuayleth with thee bée alwayes reuengeable or correct and chastice vs in thy furie Remember that thou art our father and therefore earnestly do we desire thee to shewe forth a fatherly affection towards such as both honour and worship thée It is not vnbeknowne to thy diuine Maiestie that we are dust and vnlesse thou be present with vs the vaynest things that euer were made we are more lither then grasse and flowers Regard not therefore our lewde and wicked factes but way rather the league made betwixt thée and vs and deliuer thy faythfull people from the hands of thy cursed and most mischieuous enimies so that we may magnifie thy wonderous workes with the glorious Aungels and all holy men for euermore through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme MAnnes weake and féeble nature can at no tyme O almightye GOD prayse thée according to thy worthinesse for thou doest not onelye bestowe vppon vs the benefites whereby we both obteyne lyfe and also doe from day to day continue and maintain the same but thou hast forgiuen thy faythfull people their most gréeuous and infinite sinnes by Christ which surmounteth al other things that thou hast participated amongst vs for the which most excellent and notable gift we yéelde thee heartie thankes although not such as we ought yet such as we can and to the intent we may thereby become more chéerefull in requiring the same our earnest request is O excellent Father that thou wouldest establishe and perpetually maintaine the worde of pure and sincere doctrine in the mouth of thy blessed Church so that an alteration of hir olde Leuen being made she may like