force of all his outragious enimies may bée like a footestoole cast vnder him our earnest request is that he would nowe set out and publishe his mightie power in this great needfull time of the Church Let him rayse vnto himselfe willing and forward labourers for such a noble excellent and moste commodious a worke who being inflamed with the zeale of his honor and dignitie may establishe the truth of his doctrine amend mens maners and set vp integritie of life amongst thy faythfull people For séeing we heartily acknowledge and humbly confesse that we haue both defiled and polluted our selues by diuers innumerable and moste gréeuous crimes we earnestly beséech thée to absolue vs of them through the expiation of Christ our mediatour and high priest which thing vnlesse he doth it who is ordeyned a priest for vs after the order of Melchisedech wee can none other wayes obteyne the same Forsomuch therefore as our heynous sinnes are blotted out and wiped away by him turne thy heauie displeasure from vs and poure it out agaynst the stubburne and rebellious enimies of al godlinesse Giue sentence in such wise vpon the wicked people that at what time thy streight iustice shall bée séene knowne and manifestly perceyued al men in generall may lift thée vp with perpetual prayses according to thy worthie desertes through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme WE know O almightie God that the desolution of the world is not so long deferred and that our Lorde Iesus Christ thy most dearely beloued sonne being conueyed out of our sight sitteth on thy right hand in glorie for any other cause but that all the enimies of the Gospell should in the meane while fall downe flat vnder his féet and that his doctrine which by the impulsion of the holy Ghost is spred abroad from Mount Sion thorowout the whole world shoulde both be published farre and néere and also bring forth fruit in such wise that thou mayest haue whole nations true worshippers of thée not now constrayned and brought thereto by compulsion but of a willing heart and such as will thinke it a goodly matter to spende not onely all their goodes but euen their life also for the defence of thy sacred truth Seing that thou O excellent father hast promised with an assured othe to performe these thinges in very deede we do chalenge thée at this time vpon thy faythfulnesse to accomplish them with so muche spéede as possible may bée pronounce sentence I heartily pray thée with thy sacred Church which the prince of darkenesse hath of such long time and so sharpely assayled Teare in péeces the deuils cursed engines mad outrage wherewith the infernall powers kéepeth hir besieged so that one time or other Christ may put vp his bright hed amongst vs who lyueth and reigneth with thée in the vnity of the holye Ghost euermore worlde without ende Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxj. Psalme AL thy works O most mightie god A praier th◠Gods wonderful wor◠may be mad◠manifest are very great wonderfull which if we did deuoutly and with much feruencie search out we should find nothing in them that shoulde not greatly satisfie our desires But alas for sorrowe séeing that we are so much burthened with a corrupt life and an innumerable multitude of sinnes we are not able purely and with singlenesse of heart to beholde the magnificence and vprightnesse that thou vsest in thy marueylous workes Yet notwithstanding by calling to remembraunce the vnspeakable benefites which thou hast bestowed vpon vs and our fathers we can not but say that thou art louing and mercifull vnto vs. Abolishe not thou therefore who neuer hast forsaken thy faythfull seruauntes by nourishing and giuing them the promised heritage of the Gentiles the holye couenaunt which thou madest wyth them neyther be forgetfull of vs for thy infinite mercies sake but shewe forth thy selfe an earnest louer of iudgement and veritie by manifesting the equitie iustice and vprightnesse of thy blessed will The cause why our fierce enimies doe so assaile vs is not vnbeknowen to thée but thou vnderstandest right well the cruell malice and mischieuous hatred they haue borne to sincere godlinesse true religion and pure inuocation of thy blessed name who can not abide that the Gospell should flourishe in our Churches for which cause they are so earnestly bent to swallow vs vp Sende thou therefore redemption vnto thy faythfull people and let the blessed couenaunt which thou haste made wyth thy sacred Church be inuiolable and euerlasting in respect whereof we humbly beséech thée mightily to deliuer vs so that all men may right well perceyue thy infinite goodnesse and greatly feare and stand much in awe of thy diuine Maiestie but cause vs alwayes to celebrate thy most worthie prayses thorow Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme IF we did diligently pervse and seeke out the thinges which thou O almightie God hast created we should euen with all our heart be inforced to acknowledge the equity and vprightnesse of them forsomuch as we see nothing amongest all thy creatures but is wonderfull notable and most excellent Moreouer the famous tokens of thy inestimable goodnesse which thou doest for men are of euerlasting memoriall and ought at no time to be forgottē Thy faithfull seruaunts haue hitherto neuer lacked or béene destitute of thy readie helpe who hast very carefully thought alwayes of the couenāt thou madest with them For thou giuest vs abundauntly all maner of things which are for the health of the bodie thou adornest them with an excéeding great heritage doest furnishe them with doctrine most wholesome precepts adding moreouer herevnto the wonderfull promises annixed to a marueylous stedfast veritie and finally hast béene accustomed to deliuer thē from sorowfull bondage and greeuous oppression We that beleue assuredly these things do nowe with much humilitie present our selues before thy gracious presence requiring thée to remit the most gréeuous sinnes wherewith we haue offended thee and to deliuer vs from imminent perils so that we being voyd of fearefulnesse and frée from wicked persons shall by that meanes haue the feare of thée which is the beginning of wisdome and the true vnderstanding of thy blessed law through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WE ought to poure out both openly and in priuate places no fained praises before thée O moste good and mercifull God but such as procéede from the bottom of the heart for thy notable factes whereby thou hast linked vs vnto thée are so to bée marueyled at of all men as the Godly doe not search those out but for a singuler delight they take in them Neyther doubt we but that thou wilt yet doe such thinges for our preseruation as shall be worthie to be regestred in perpetuall memorie for wée are nothing mistrustfull that thou canst be at any time forgetfull of thy holy couenant
of the ninth Psalme A prayer agaynst our enimies in persecution IF thou O good God wilt take our cause in hād reuenge vs vpō the enimies of thy glorious name of mans saluation we will from the bottome of our hart and with an excéeding great gladnesse shewe forth and celebrate thy wōderous and excellent actes who be afflicted in déede with temptations other like oppressions by reason of our heynous sinnes but we beséeche thée O highe and mightie God for thy goodnesse and mercies sake that as thou hast accustomed to be a Sanctuarie and sure defence for the oppressed which flie vnto thee for succour so now forsake vs not neyther séeme to be forgetful of the prayers that we vnfeinedlye poure out before thy diuine Maiestye Haue mercy vpon vs O good God deliuer and rescue vs from the Gates of death least we be swallowed vp therewith being aided and holpen by thée we shal shew forth thy worthy prayses in the congregation namely bycause our trust hath not bene reposed in thee in vaine Arise therefore and suffer not impietie vnrighteousnesse and sinne to preuayle agaynst vs but graunt also that we bearing well in minde oure owne estate and condition maye with a modest and lowlye minde be alwayes obedient to thy will and pleasure through Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen Another prayer out of the same psalme IT happened verie often in our fathers dayes O most mightie God that thy people were filled with a wonderful vnspeakable gladnes who being replenished with exceeding great ioye did set forth thy glorious name with songs and celebrated thée with high praises and that with their whole heart bicause they hauing thée for their rock of defence droue their enimies back in the daye of battayle who fell and perished at thy presence Neyther hast thou onely once giuen sentence on the behalfe of thy saintes or defended their cause but didst oftentimes rebuke and destroye the Heathen that purposed in themselues to subuert the famous Cytyes of thy people with an vtter ruyne and haste puyssauntlye ouerthrowne suche wicked men insomuche as euen the very name of them is also abolished Seeing therefore that thou reignest eternallye and hast alwayes a seate prepared for iudgement to the intent thou mayest presently trie oute the truth as touching the spilling and shedding of thy Sainctes bloud Despise not neyther yet contemne our hartie prayers O mightie God nor be thou forgetfull of them We know verily that we haue sinned and offended thy excellent maiestie dyuers sundry waies which nowe we are both hartily sorie for and also doe openlye confesse the same yet through the confidence we haue conceyued by the things which thou O Lord hast done for our fathers though of their partes vndeserued wée drawe nere vnto thy diuine Maiestie and humbly beséeche thée to be fauorable vnto thy Church haue a regarde we hartily pray thée vnto hir great trouble and deliuer the same from the cruell gates of death so that it maye daylye be able to celebrate thy worthye prayses more feruentlye Extende thy wrathe towardes them that are forgetfull of thee lette them perishe in their owne crafts and deceites and be taken in the nettes that they themselues haue laid which with such gréedie indeuor and violence séeke thy peoples destruction and vtter vndoing But let vs that are helplesse and gréeuously afflicted take a little breth and receiue some comfort vnder thy strong defence mighty protectiō Vp lord and suffer not vile mortal men to haue the vpper hand of thee and thy holye Gospell put our enimies in feare and terrefie them in such sort as they may vnderstand what a thing it is to set themselues against true godlynesse and pure religion through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the tenth Psalme A prayer agaynst enimies and tyraunts SEing that O most good mercifull God our beliefe and confidence is that thou art not onely the chiefe good thing but godlynesse it selfe we earnestly desire thée not to turne and withdrawe thy countenaunce from vs as sometime thou séemest to doe For although we do not deny but that our sinnes haue deserued that punishment yet we humbly beséech thée euen as thou art right gentle and mercifull to pardon and forgiue vs the same and that contrarie to oure desertes thou wilt notwithstanding fauour oure cause for the glorie of thy name to the intent the vngodlye may well vnderstande that they beguile themselues in thinking thée to bée no GOD neyther meanest at anye time to looke for an accompt at their handes of the heynous déedes and crymes which they doe wickedly commit who laye snares oppresse beat and miserably kill the godly being nowe fully perswaded that thou hast forgotten and art vtterlye vnmindfull of the state of the worlde Wherefore assist those whiche call vpon thée and louingly giue eare vnto their humble petitions so that the Godlye being by thée set at libertie may teache the proude and oppressors to behaue themselues after a more modest fashion when as it shall bée manifestly knowen that thou hast a most vigilant care and regard of thy beloued Church through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen Another prayer out of the same psalme THou mightest be thought O moste mercifull father to haue withdrawne thy selfe marueilous farre off from thy seruaunts in this most troublesome tyme of affliction insomuch as with closed vp eies thou forgettest to looke and beholde what the wicked Antichristes with an extréeme pride and set obstinacie attempt and enterprise agaynst thy faythfull people because the thinges they deuise haue so good and luckie successe whereby it commeth to passe that they sticke not to blaspheme thée yea and be perswaded that there is no God bicause thou séemest to haue withdrawne al kind of punishment from them their opinion and beléefe is that they shall neuer fall and assure themselues that their estate will be alwayes prosperous whereby they haue no measure in periuries deceites iniuryes and dishonestie they kill thy faithfull seruauntes both openly and priuily they do assayle vexe and oppresse thy blessed Church thinking O good god that thou regardest not the same nor hast any care at all thereof But although wee haue now wel deserued that thou shouldst turne away thy eyes from our calamityes and to consider nothing at al our troubles in that wée haue grieuouslye sinned and béene marueylous vngratefull for thy notable benefits abusing our vocation Gospell and Sacramentes and dispising the libertie offered vnto vs to serue thée according to the expresse rule of thy sacred word yet we acknowledge and confesse our selues to haue committed all these thinges against thée and other innumerable detestable factes whereof we do nowe earnestly craue perdon and most humbly beséeche thee at length to arise and with thy mightie hande to represse the wicked from the blasphemies wherewith he hath both rayled agaynst thée and thy blessed doctrine we commit our selues wretched creatures
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
away so long as we liue in this miserable and wretched life for the hunger and thirst of true and perfect goodnesse it happeneth for this cause and of no other in that we haue forsaken thée and folowed straunge guydes whereof come the great perilles and miserable troubles of mind which fall vpon vs. Wherefore we humbly beséech thée O most faythfull and louing shepheard to call vs backe from errors into the right and perfect way correct the vices of the wandring and straying flocke with the rod and shéepehooke of thy righteousnesse so that we maye féede at length orderly purely and chastly of the moste wholesome delicates of thy sacred worde and blessed Sacramentes by which meanes the whole heade heart and all the powers of our minde may be made fat and well liking and we be alwayes so vnderpropped with thy louing mercie as we maye finallye inioy in thy house the souereigne delightes and dainties of euerlasting life through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxiiij. Psalme THou O most mightie God which art not onely the founder and maker of the earth and all thinges conteyned therein A prayer fo◠the kingdo◠of Christ a◠a new life but also hast fourmed man the tiller and inhabitor therof and vouchedsafe to instruct vs mortall creatures with the doctrine of thy diuine law and sacred Gospell by which meanes they may annex and knitte themselues againe vnto thée from whom they came into this worldly light that is to haue their habitation in the holy Mount of thy sacred Churche wherein thou art alwayes conuersant who truly requirest this of them that they should be of an vndefiled conuersation pure of heart not addicted to vaine and transitorie delights neyther folowers of deceipts nor yet periured persons which sort of men thou doest promise to be partakers of thy infinite mercie and singuler liberalitie Therefore ought we to haue indeuored our selues to séeke thée out by these meanes but we haue like most sinfull wretches declined from this path of truth and righteousnesse and fallen from thée thorow the perillous steepe wayes of vices and of all voluptuousnesse Wherfore no maruell is it if we nowe be fallen into so marueylous difficult times troublesome estate Thus thou séest and right well perceyuest by what meanes the state of thy blessed Church is at this present in a maner desolate and throwne downe We hūbly require thée not to take vengeance vpon our euill and lewde factes as they haue deserued but for the glorie of thy name as thou art a most puyssaunt king and excellent in vertue in whose handes are all armies and powers euē so shew forth thy most valiaunt strength in defending thy beloued Church and thy singuler good wil towardes those which repose their whole trust and confidence in thée through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme SEing that all thinges O most good and mightie God haue their being through thy creation and making we must certainly without any doubt conclude that both the earth and also men which inhabite the same be onely thine but vnto thee verily who as thou art Lorde of all thinges so art thou accompted and that most rightfully to be the perfection and highest tipe of our felicitie can no man come but such as haue a pure heart innocent hands and constaunt fidelitie towardes their neighbors Forsomuch as we be not as now indued with these kinde of ornamentes but rather spotted with filthie vices being altogither vtter enimies to these vertues we do in our feruent prayers lamentably desire thy fauorable mercy which thing only is the last refuge we haue to stay our selues vpon that thou which art called the king of glory accompted strong mightie a valiant conquerour and noble triumpher in warres wilt with thy mercifull goodnesse farre surmount and ouerpasse oure sinfull deseruings And graunt although of our partes greatly vndeserued that wée may be partakers of thy excellent blessing and incomperable righteousnesse for so much as we haue reposed our whole fayth and confidence in Iesus Christ thy sonne who liueth and reigneth with thée euermore worlde without ende Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxv. Psalme A prayer for constancie in a troublesom contention for the word of God WE lift vp our mindes prayers wordes and hands vnto thée O most mightie God desiring this especially that whilest we staye our selues and depende wholye vpon thy goodnesse thou do not suffer vs to be so confounded as the aduersaries of thy glorious name and enimies of the pure and sincere doctrine may greatly reioyce thereat and be much boldned in their wickednesse Neither do we pray for this as though our deserts iustly required the same but confesse how much and how greatly we haue gone astray from thy sacred lawe and blessed will which as we acknowledge willingly and before the face of the worlde so indeuor we our selues to craue pardon and forgiuenesse of thée in these our dayly praiers Declare therefore thy blessed wayes hereafter effectually vnto vs according to thy mercie louing kindnes bring vs in vre with thy sacred lawes statutes to the performaunce whereof thou wouldst haue vs surely bound For it is a thing impossible but that he doth stedfastly perseuere and abide in thy holy couenaunt whome thou thy selfe shalt instruct and teache bicause his minde without doubt shall inioy perfect good things and his féete be set at libertie were they intangled in neuer so strong and craftie a net Beholde nowe O good God with what troublesome afflictions and painefull griefes thy blessed Church is oppressed whose safetie and deliuerance dependeth onely vpon thée Deliuer hir therefore in such sort O mightie God of Israell that she fall not vnder the most furious rage of Antichrist and the Deuill through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme WE do resort haue dayly accesse vnto thee O most mightye God who instātly in our earnest praiers feruent peticions require thy mercifull goodnesse not to suffer nor permitte vs to haue the foyle in the contention which we nowe holde continuallye with the cruell enimies and aduersaries of mans saluation Pourge and vtterly wipe awaye the sinfull blemishes and spottes of our infirmitie with thy vnspeakable clemencie and although we be altogither vnworthie of thy louing fauour by reason of our naughtinesse and wicked life yet we heartily require and earnestly desire thee to direct teach gouerne and finally shewe vs thy blessed wayes which we knowe are garnished with an incredible liberalitie and marueylous assured truth Haue a great regarde and care O most gentle father vnto the perils and calamities wherein we are wrapped and in maner ouerwhelmed Deliuer vs oute of them and wipe away al our wretched iniquities and rescue thy sacred Churche which to do is in thy onely power not only from outward afflictions wherewith it is diuerslye vexed but chieflye from
well vnderstande that thou mightily preseruest thy faithfull seruauntes and doest greatly strengthen such as honor and reuerence thee with an vnfeyned heart through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme LEt thy fauourable and louing countenaunce O most mightie God shine vpon vs from whence commeth all consolation ioy and gladnesse vnto thy beloued seruaunts and seing we craue for thy ready helpe bring vtterly to naught the subtile inuentions craftes deceptes and laiyngs awaite of the violent force of our enimies Surely most great most bewtifull and most ioyfull is the swéetenesse of thy inestimable goodnesse which thou hast layde vp for those that repose their whole trust in thée that the sinnes therfore which we haue lewdly committed seclude vs not from the same we hartily beséeche thée to clense and purifie vs with thy gracious fauour For if we once obteyne this there is no doubt but that we shall be both hidden and also defended from all imminent mischiefes vnder the tabernacle strong defence of thy mightie protection so as we boldely and stedfastly perseuering in thy blessed loue may at length be brought and conueyed vnto thée being the piller and chiefe stay of our saluation through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THe confidence O most mightie God which the Godly repose in thée hath this notable and singuler propertie that it maketh no man ashamed thereof nor defraudeth any person of his iust desire the same therefore doth greatly inforce vs to craue thy readie helpe that thou wouldest alwayes be our puyssaunt strength strong defence assured stay valiaunt Capitaine and most prouident nourisher Moreouer we know right well that by reason of our manifolde sinnes the malicious enimies of thy glorious name and our saluation haue euery where layde snares trappes and ambushes for vs. Therefore doe wée commit our whole spirite and lyfe to thy faythfull custodie and put them into thy hands to be strongly defended forsomuch as thou séest our innumerable infirmities and howe we are alwayes inuironed and compassed about with the violent force of our fierce enimies be mercifull therfore to our sorowfull estate and helpe vs presently without any delay And as thou hast both life and death in thy puyssant hands graunt that we thy faythfull seruants may liue and rest with thée for euer through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxxij. Psalme WEe are admonished by thée O most good and mercifull God that the felicitie of thy faythfull seruaunts consisteth herein A praier thaâ— our sinfull crimes may be pardoned that their sinnes are forgiuen couered and not imputed vnto them in thy iust iudgement which thing if euer we had néede to obteyne certainly we nowe séeme to lacke it most when as through present calamities our heynous sinnes are set before our eyes For we feele thy hande to waxe heauie ouer thy sacred Church wherefore we haue thought good not to hide our sinnes but publikely and openly to confesse them before thy dâ—uine Maiestie neyther doe we any thing at all mistrust the vnspeakable goodnesse thou art indued withall who incontinent doest quite pardon and vtterly forgiue vs our gréeuous offences Therfore we that be thy déere beloued seruants doe nowe earnestly require thée doubting not but thou art to be found not to permit thy faythfull people to be violently oppressed of their cruell enimies who be like vnto ouerflowing waters Be thou a denne and place of refuge for vs in these moste greeuous afflictions Informe and teache vs the right way of blessed saluation and whatsoeuer brutishe and beastlye lust remayneth as yet in vs kéepe thou it so vnder with the hard bit and bridle of thy holy spirite that wée bée not for the same cast downe hedlong into perpetual destruction and finally poure out lamentable sorowes and pitious calamities vpon the aduersaryes of thy most glorious name but let such as trust onely in thée be inclosed and fortified with thy singuler louing kindenesse as with a strong rampire that those which haue a feruent zeale to thy excellent name and be of an vpright heart maye chéerefully reioyce in thée and triumphe with a perfite gladnesse throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THey without doubt are right happie and blessed O most mightie God to whom thou of thy vnspeakable mercy hast forgiuen their gréeuous sinnes not imputing them but couering and remitting what wicked and naughtie thing soeuer they haue bene stayned and polluted with Wée doe most manifestly acknowledge that so great and notable a benefite coulde not haue happened vnto vs vnlesse oure sinnes verilye were openly knowen and disclosed to thée and that we poure into thy blessed bosome what sinnes so euer we haue lewdely and shamelessely committed agaynst thy sacred lawe Therefore we acknowledge and confesse vnto thée O heauenly father that our vnrighteousnesse is excéeding great and our soules miserably burthened with the waight of our impietie wherefore nowe ayde and helpe vs with thy fauourable mercye and we heartily beseeche thee to wipe away after a louing gentle maner what naughtinesse soeuer doth remain behind Deliuer vs froÌ„ the sorowful calamities and greeuous miseries that are hanging ouer our heades make vs to haue an vncorrupt minde and gouerne vs with thy prouident care least through our euill affections we do not degenerate into most foolishe brute beastes but being inuironed and compassed about with thy excellent goodnesse let vs be cheared vp with rightfull mirth and assured ioy before thée through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxxiij. Psalme A prayer for prayse and â—hankes gyâ—ing to God â—or his omniâ—otencie HOw many soeuer O most mighty God as haue attayned vnto righteousnesse throughe an vnfeyned fayth doe well vnderstande howe much prayse and glorie thou art worthy of by reason of thy maruelous works There is nothing in the world but it beareth witnes that thou art good The heauens stand fast and all the hostes of them were made by thy sacred worde neyther are the waters of the sea and great déepes conteyned within their boundes by any other power then through thy holy spirite and mightie force Therefore it is and hath béene oure dutie both to honour and feare thée onely euen as thou hast rightly deserued but we haue O sinfull wretches that we are done nothing lesse in all our whole lyfe And therefore haue well and iustly deserued the great troubles and daungerous perilles we now are in But séeing that thy infinite goodnesse cannot be drayned drie through mens naughtinesse and lewd behauior be they neuer so innumerable we craue pardon and forgiuenesse of all those thinges which we haue committed agaynst thy diuine Maiestie and heartily require thee according to thy woonted mercy to make voyde all the subtile counsayles and lewde deuices wherewith the fierce enimies of godlinesse pretend to subuert and ouerthrowe thy sacred
incourageth himselfe in his heynous sinnes that he escheweth no kinde of euill which commeth in his minde For thy infinite mercye sake therefore O good God and for thy singuler faythfulnesse iustice and most vpright iudgement which reacheth euen vnto the glorious heauens and high clowdes which passeth the most large Mountaynes and excelleth the bottomlesse depth giuing life and health not onely to men but to euery liuing thing also Wée humbly beséeche thée that our gréeuous sinnes being done away thou wouldst not suffer our soules to be defiled stained with filthy wickednes Yea rather graunt that we reposing our selues vnder the shadow of thy winges may through thy most rich spirit and his eternal dainties inioy the Princely Palace of heauen and quaffing verye abundantly of the well spring of life which is with thée may by the excellent benefite of thy glorious light behold the brightnesse of perpetual felicitie so that they which be deadly enimies of our saluation may be of no force or abilitie to pull vs therefrom but rather vnlesse they ceasse from that they haue begun let them so fall that they haue no power at all to rise vppe againe through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxxvij. Psalme FOrsomuch as thy blessed Church O almightie God hath manye weaklinges which might perhaps bée gréeuously offended in seeing most wicked and naughtie persons to haue such prosperous successe A prayer for constancie in fayth against such as will hurt vs. confirme thou them therefore with thy holy spirite to the intent they may right well vnderstand this felicitie which now the enimies of the Gospell inioy is not stable and durable but rather that it shall be dryed vp verye quickly like a withered wéede and moste vile grasse Vouchsafe so to replenishe vs with thy heauenly grace that we may haue our affiaunce onely in thée and alwayes conceiue a singuler delight in charitie and well doyng whereby we maye thorowlye perswade our selues that all pleasure and felicitie ought to bee fetched from thée as out of the onely vndraynable well spring Graunt also that we maye with a right contented and pacient minde suffer thée to worke thy diuine will in all our affayres so farre as it shall séeme good in thy sight and boldly abide and wayte thy blessed leysure when it shall happen that thou séemest to prolong the tyme for our helpe and deliueraunce in suche wyse as we be not furiously offended at matters which bée presently done but perfectly vnderstand and right well perceyue that our most heynous sinnes haue deserued farre gréeuouser plagues for we haue in such sort O good God sinned agaynst thée that all the punishment which lighteth vpoÌ„ vs is farre lesse then our wicked lewde merits deserue Yet notwithstanding vouchsafe thou who art most fauourable to direct our goyngs and so assist those which trust in thee that all men may perceyue vs not to be vtterly throwne downe although we haue gone farre astray bicause we are very gently and maruelous softly holden vp with thy strong hande and let all people vnfeynedly confesse that thou doest in no wise forsake and abandon thy faythfull seruauntes whereby very many may bée bolde and hardie to commit themselues to thy mightie protection so that thou mayst be their readie helper and deliuer them through thy present ayde from the hands of their vngodly and cursed enimies by Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme LEt not the prosperous successe of the wicked O moste good and mercifull God moue vs to withdrawe our mindes from folowing thy most pure and sincere Religion forsomuch as thou declarest vnto vs that their prosperitie is so short and vanishe so quickly away as the gréenenesse of grasse and flowers in Medowes Vnburthen thou quickly we humbly beséeche thée our consciences from the heauie ferdell of our sinnes from the which vnlesse we be eased by thy gracious fauour wée shall verie readily fall into vtter destruction But séeing that thou art our sole and onely confidence vpon whome we wholy depend and haue committed our selues altogither vnto thy custodie we doubt not but thou wilt condiscend and giue eare vnto our earnest requestes which is that we may repose all our whole pleasure and felicitie in thée alone wholy dispising and setting vtterly at naught all the prosperity of this wretched worlde For like as such as leane therevnto are destroyed in a moment euen so those that be exceeding quiet very méeke and of a right vp minde shall after a marueylous gentle and peaceable maner inioy a perpetuall heritage Wée néede not to feare howsoeuer the vngodly rage whatsoeuer he doth manace practice agaynst thy blessed Sainctes for his naughtie and lewde enterprises shall fall vpon his owne head But pardon thou O good God and trye both our intentes and doings whereby an euerlasting herytage may remaine and abide for vs who celebrate thy glorious name from day to day with most highe prayses through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme SEing that thou O most mightie God hast taken vpon thée to be a guide and companion for the godly to the intent they shoulde not stray from the true path of righteousnesse and a proppe to shore them vp if peraduenture they should fall by mishap and moreouer inasmuch as these thy promises haue beene hitherto so firme and stable that there was neuer found any godly person so destitute of thy fauourable good wil but had all things necessary for the preseruation of his life Therefore assuredly hoping and faythfully trusting in thy mercifull promises we humbly beséech thee not to punishe vs as the sinnes we haue committed agaynst thée do merite and deserue but pardon them for thy excellent mercies sake to suche as flie vnto thée for readie helpe and vouchsafe to bestow vpoÌ„ those that trust onely in thy goodnesse thy blessed wil and sacred lawes to be printed and ingrauen within their heartes to the intent they maye continually meditate and talke of the same neyther let them be variable and inconstant touching the execution thereof Suffer not the glittering and famous fortune of the vngodly who beare vnreconcileable hatred and deadly foode to thy faythfull seruauntes to remoue vs any thing at all from the right way but so inflame and lighten our soules with thy holy spirite that we may quickly perceyue them to be vtterly wiped out and fallen into most extreeme and endlesse torments but indue thou vs with firme strength and perfect health according to the confidence we haue reposed in thy faythfull promises and graunt that we may be deliuered from imminent calamities and the spitefull enimies of our saluation through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxxviij. Psalme A prayer against our eâ—imies and â—he dread of â—onscience REbuke and chasten vs O most good and mercifull God like thy déere children by remouing and taking away thy
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
mischieuous déedes whereof we acknowledge and confesse that we haue committed many but they runne vpon vs for hatred they onelye beare to sincere godlinesse and perfect religion to the intent they would both craftily with extréeme violence furnishe themselues to our destruction But thou O good God who hast dominion ouer all creatures first pardon whatsoeuer we haue wickedlye committed against thée then stirre vp thy selfe and at length discusse the cause of the godly Our most cruel enimies go to and fro they grenne like Doggs and runne aboute in all Countries for when they speake anye thing of oure matters swordes and weapons onely are in theyr lippes but thou O good God shalt laugh these men to scorne and haue them in great dirision we attend and looke for helpe altogither at thy mercifull handes who art our mightie Tower and moste strong defence Let thy sacred Church be such a partaker of thy wonderfull and vnspeakeable goodnesse as she may sée hir desire vpon the enimies of all righteousnesse Slay not these men after an accustomable maner but destroy them vtterlye in such a sort as thy blessed people may not lightly forgette the same cause thou them to become runagates beggers for euer by reason of their abhominable vices blasphemous lyes and cursed periuries wherewith they are be wrapped and abound greatly consume thou such maner of men at length bring them to naught I say as they may become a laughing stocke and by word vnto euery man to the intent all people may assuredly know and right well perceyue that thou shewest thy selfe a very God vnto thy blessed Church wherein thou oughtest to bée highly magnified as a firme defence and most strong ayde for all such as will vnfeinedly inuocate and call vpon thy glorious name throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WE being hedged in O most mightie God through humaine infirmitie and bound in conscience with the chaynes of most heauie sinnes do continually with right great lamentation call vpon thy vnspeakable mercie wherewith thou mayest willingly and gently bowe downe thy fauourable eare to our humble peticions the force of our outragious enimies doth wonderfully assault marueylously inuade and greatly oppresse vs but seing that the strēgth of our nature vtterly falleth in this behalf and sheweth it selfe altogither vnuaylable arise thou O God and ouerthrowe by thy mightie puyssaunce whatsoeuer shall bée repugnant to our saluation and finally deride and mock such a one as hath a greater pleasure to resist thy blessed will then to submit himselfe therevnto as méete it is he should so doe We haue reposed the whole strength of our welfare in thée onely hauing no mistrust but that thou art oure chiefe goodnesse and most mercifull God although therefore the fierce enimies of thy glorious name compasse vs about and after a sort besiege vs with the darke and obscure blindnesse which they shead we trusting in thy excellent goodnesse hope that the malicious wickednesse they haue imagined shall not fall on vs but light vpon their owne neckes wherfore let thy inestimable goodnesse according to our assured hope be in stéed of a strong fortresse puyssaunt refuge and mightie Bulwarke vnto vs who are wonderfull desirous to celebrate and set forth thy excéeding great honor and vnspeakable mercy through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lx. Psalme THou hast vsed oftentimes O most good and mercifull God to chastice thy déere children with a fatherly correction A prayer for Gods helpe in necessitie so that they béeing at length brought low through vnfortunate mishappes and broken with miseryes may right well perceyue and vnderstand that they haue sinned greatly who aspiring with all their indeuour to come vnto thée may much couet to be deliuered from these abhominable vices wherewith they were before excedingly ouerwhelmed there doest thou yeelde thy selfe againe being altogither appeased and at attonement with them Wherefore we humbly require thée O heauenly father that thou wouldst in like maner keepe still with vs this thy auncient couenaunt and vouchsafe to take thy poore humble suters which fly vnto thee for succour from their gréeuous sorowes and lamentable miseries that our heinous sinnes doe dayly purchase vnto vs which we mistrust not but will come to passe forsomuch as we be nothing doubtfull but such things as thou hast promised shall not fade out of our remembraunce For thys cause chiefly is our minde much reuiued hereby we be well cheered and finally by this wée are certainly perswaded that wée which séemed in tymes past and that lately to be reiected of thée are nowe in verye déede and that wholy receyued into thy louing fauour Procéede and go forwarde therefore to succour vs so that we béeyng furthered by thy mighty defence may boldly and manfully go thorow with the matter to the glorie of thy blessed name by Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme THou séemest verye often O most good and merciful God to put back thy faithfull seruauntes from thee and being in a maner sore angrie with these men doest scatter them abroade into diuers partes of the worlde but thou comforting thy blessed people againe with thy excéeding great clemencie bowest downe thy fauour and louing kindnesse afreshe towardes them by meanes whereof our hope is renued in vs that seing it hath séemed good vnto thee to moue the lande in this our age and to dismay the inhabiters thereof with a newe and extraordinarie feare thou wilt also heale hir gréeuous wounds And although it be thy good will now and then to vex thy faythfull people with hard and most bitter mishappes in like wise as if thou shouldest giue them a poysoned cup to drinke of yet notwithstanding thou raysest vp the banner of saluation vnlooked for vnto such as dayly feare and perfectly honor thee to the intent that thy louing promises being assuredly performed they may lead their life verye prosperously vnder the same nowe therefore turne thou alway thy eyes from the sinnes we haue most greeuously committed for we denie not but that we haue done very wickedly and peruersely but for so much as of thy infinite mercy fake thou wilt pardon and quite forgiue such as vnfeynedly call vpon thee finally ayde thou thy beloued Church according to thy accustomed vse and mightily preserue hir with thy puyssant right hande But go thou O good God which seemest to haue forsaken thy blessed people for a time nowe forth with vs and rayse vp thy selfe to be our readie helper for we craue not thy fauourable ayde without iust cause who haue learned euen by experience it selfe that mans power and strength is but a vaine thing to stay by Be thou therefore a present succour vnto those which repose their whole trust and confidence in thée graunt that they may deale manfully doe mightie actes so that they may by thy meanes get the victorie ouer their most cruell
but for our Lord Iesus Christes sake thy most déerely beloued sonne be mercifull vnto vs and set forwarde thy selfe to defende vs agaynst our most vehement and outragious enimies and publishe that abroade to their shame which is rightfull excéeding iust when it shall séeme good in thy sight Thou vpholdest the earth and whole worlde and euery creature depend onely vpon thée wherfore if thou doest stand on our side nothing can so hinder vs but that we may be safely preserued The very foolishe and vngodly Antichristians haue not onely lift vppe their hornes but also are wonderfull outragious against vs who vtter horrible and vnspeakable blasphemies agaynst thée and with a stiffe necke cast away from them euery yoke or burthen that thy sacred worde bringeth Our helpe O good God which is of any force commeth neyther from the East nor from the West nor yet from any other part or coast of the world but thou onely oughtest to be our iudge who canst at thy will and pleasure both rayse vs vp and cast vs downe againe But forsomuch as the cup is in thy hande let them drinke and sucke out the dregges thereof wherewith they may be so brought a sléepe as thy blessed Church maye be no more hereafter troubled of them We will then talke of thée and sing Psalmes vnto thy glorious name when as the hornes of the vngodlye shall be broken in péeces and the righteous take quiet and peaceable rest in thée through Iesus Christ our lord Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme FOr this intent and purpose O moste mightie God are we determined to honor extoll thée bicause thou art alwayes readie to heare those that call vpon thy glorious name with a right sincere fayth and doest manifest thy presence by the bestowing of notable and excellent giftes We render most heartie thankes vnto thee for this cause chiefly in that thou hast vouchedsafe to choose vnto thy selfe a Church out of this great number of vs wherein seeing it is conuenient that thou shouldest reigne and shewe thy almightie power we earnestly require thée vtterly to subuert all maner of vngodlinesse and contrariwise maintein innocencie and right pure religion What earthly and fleshly thing of the worlde remaineth in vs let it forthwith be drowned and cause thou all thinges which by thy heauenly spirite thou hast bestowed vpon vs in our regeneration to bée throughly grounded in vs make thy righteous and elect seruauntes like vnto most strong pillers but let suche as inhabite the earth which striue against thy holye name and blessed doctrine stagger and fall Haue a regarde to this we humbly beséech thée O excellent father that the fooles may forsake at one tyme or other their folly and let the wicked at length ceasse to abuse their power which they séeme to bend against godlinesse and thy sacred Gospell doe away their furious wordes arrogant taunts and rebellious blasphemies Neyther haue thou O good God any respect in this case what our sinnes haue deserued which are verye heauie and right gréeuous to be borne neither are we ignoraunt of them nor yet doe we mistrust but thou for thy infinite mercies sake wilt vtterly blotte those out least we be inforced through the same to drinke drie the cup of thy most bitter wrath Let so manye as giue themselues to naughtinesse drinke of the same yea make them to sucke out all the dregges thereof so that thy blessed church may haue thy iust iudgements in perpetuall remembraunce and extoll them with continuall prayses when as she shall sée the hornes of the vngodlye broken and suche mightily preserued and highly set vppe as haue altogither addicted thēselues to righteousnesse a perfect godly life through Iesus Christ our lord Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxvj. Psalme A praier that our courage faileth vs not in affliction IT hath pleased thy vnspeakeable goodnesse without anye of our desertes O most mightie God that thy blessed worde shoulde be well knowne amongst vs and thy sonnes holy Gospell preached in the midst of vs which thing as we do know to be a singuler and right excellent benefite so doe we diligently cōsider that through our owne default the same doth greatly burthen vs. For we haue doubtlesse vsed shamefull vnthankefulnesse towardes thy diuine Maiestie in that we haue framed our life nothing at all according to the knowledge of thy blessed worde and sacred doctrine Notwithstanding forsomuch as we be sorowfull for our great wickednesse and are willing to amend our heynous faultes we humbly require thée to helpe them that are fallen stretch out thy ayding hande to such as call vpon thy most holy name and pardon vs whome it heartily repenteth to haue any thing at all offended thée And forsomuch as according to thy louing promises we be thy Tabernacle and dwelling place against the which the vngodly haue set themselues in battaile to the intent they maye vtterly subuert it and pull vp the same by the rootes breake thou their Dartes and Bowes in péeces and strike downe their shields swords armor This canst thou doe without any trouble bicause thy force is more excellent of greater power then all the tirannie of the world Let it therefore wast al to spoile them let both their horsmen footemē be cast in a dead sléepe at thy mighty rebuke And whē as such haue slept their sléepe which leane so prowdly to their own strength let them find in their hands that which may eyther do them good or delight them We know for a certaintie that thou art very terrible and how no man is able to stande before thée when thy heauie wrath shall be kindled wherfore we humbly require thée to arise and saue thy méeke people For at what time thou shalt subdue this force and furie of our aduersaries it will redowne to thy worthie prayse forsomuche as therefore thou canst mightilye bridle the spirite and crueltie of Princes neyther suffer vs to come vnder the yoke thereof but rather assist vs in such wise that we atchieuing and getting the victory maye pay the heartie vowes which wée owe vnto thée with a right ioyfull minde and most ready will through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme FOrsomuch as O moste mightie God thou hast chosen thée an house and mansion place in thy sacred Church therefore art thou well knowen in hir and thy glorious name is there most notably set forth bicause thou hast full many a time and very often driuen the shaftes bowe sworde and shielde therefro with all warlike ingines and subtil deuices inuented by souldiours which the fierce aduersaries of thy sacred doctrine and enimies of true religion did prepare against the same being set vp thereto by thee There thou hast I say for this cause béene continuallye famous and had in very great admiration aboue al robbers tyraunts of this wretched world Wherefore our right humble request is
that oure sinnes bée not the occasion thou withdrawest thy selfe from so laudable and renowmed a custome of thy excellencye But if thy sacred Church be a little while afflicted and greeuously troubled as wee haue well deserued make thou for the glorie of thy name hir puyssaunt aduersaries yea rather thine of such féeblenesse as those be which are a slepe so that if they will abuse their strength let them greatly faile thereof and cause both their footmen and horsemen throughe thy rebuking of them to be of no force at all We right wel know O good God that thou onely oughtest to be feared insomuch as no man is able to indure thy wrathfull displeasure Arise therefore to iudge thy sacred Churches cause insomuch as hir milde Citizens may by thy puyssant helpe be mightily preserued that whatsoeuer the most disdainfull enimies haue interprised by threates to doe against the same it maye redowne to thy owne prayse and renowmed glorie Graunt O good God that we maye with an excéeding cheerefulnesse and ioyfulnesse of heart render such thankes giuinges as we haue vowed vnto thee for so great a benefite when as we shall perceyue all the kinges of the earth to stande in great feare of thy excellent Maiesty and that thou hast abated the courages of the mightie princes of this wretched worlde throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxvij Psalme â— prayer of â—onsolation â— distresse â— coÌ„sidering â—â—e wonderâ—ll workes â— God WE crye vnto thée in heart voyce O most mightie God with such an assured confidence that seing thou be our puyssaunt God wée are heard of thée in théese our sorowfull tribulations who through our earnest repentance and hartie inuocation of thy blessed name make diligent searche for thée whilest we are on euery side oppressed with much anguishe and sore afflictions neither is there any other firme substanciall consolatioÌ„ remayning vnto vs. For so long as our minde is gréeuously troubled and hart excéedingly disquieted what other thing remaineth but that we being moued with extréeme heauinesse and dolefull sorrowe doe make our mone and heauie complaint vnto thée Aboue all other things our heynous sinnes do sting vs whereby we both right well knowe that thou art offended and also féele by experience a troublesome and wounded conscience in oure selues Wherefore our mindes are miserably afflicted and being ouerwhelmed with feare and sorrowe all our strength doth vtterly fade away Our eyes attend diligently vpon thée whose minde and heart being broken and cast downe wée lamentably require thy fauourable mercie Ah God most déere father shall our manifolde sinnes bée the cause why thou wilt alwayes hyde thy selfe from vs Wilt thou ceasse to shewe thy selfe both merciful and gentle vnto vs For thou truely art of nature patient and long suffering wherefore let vs not be destitute of thy mercie and louing kindnesse which are vnmeasurable Be not thou O good God who art the father of mercie forgetfull to shew thy fauourable compassion towardes vs. We verily haue prouoked thy heauie displeasure by reason of oure naughty behauiour notwithstanding thou canst with thy most high right hand easily alter the same and pardon our gréeuous offences which we haue no mistrust of so long as thy excellent workes depart not out of our remeÌ„brance Thou wert woont to shewe wonders in deliuering thy faythfull people therefore at this time also stretch out thy mightie power against the vngodlye who haue assayled thy blessed flocke with deceyptfull pollecies and warlike crueltie and deale with them according to thy olde accustomed maner It is not vnbeknowen to vs how wonderfully thou diddest deliuer the Israelites from the Egyptians The waters of the great depe the clowdes the thunders the lightnings and al creatures haue at thy forceable word set forth their safegarde and welfare insomuch as thou didst lead out thy chosen people like shéepe by the hands of Moyses and Aaron euen whither soeuer it pleased thée Be thou O excellent father in such wise assistant vnto vs with thy armies that being deliuered from our moste cruell enimies we may through an vnfeyned fayth and pure conuersation of life be drawne vnto thée who art our assured hope and chiefe thing we delight in through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme WE haue a perpetual regard to thy excelleÌ„t goodnesse O almightie God in these most troublesome times who make thée wearie through our dayly prayers and very feruent peticions flying to thy diuine Maiestie as vnto our only Sauior whilest thy blessed Church is in so great peril Neither is our sorrow and mournings smally increased so long as we call to remembraunce the things that were done in olde time wherein a man might with an assured minde and very quiet conscience peaceablye and without offence haue addicted himselfe to set forth with high prayses both thy glorious name and also thy excellent doctrine But forsomuch as we haue very muche abused the gift of so great securitie and most sound quietnesse we do now earnestly beséech thée O excellent father to forgiue whatsoeuer we haue committed agaynst thy excellent Maiestie but seing it cannot come to passe that thou shouldest be forgetfull to shewe mercie towardes thy faythfull seruauntes cast vs not vtterly away And forsomuch as it behoueth thy louing promises to take place at length withdraw not thy fauourable mercie altogither from vs. We doe nowe right well cal to remembrance thy wonderous works of olde which thou wroughtest in deliuering the children of Israell out of Egypt for so soone as the waters in the sea behelde thy omnipotent power they were sore afrayed and moued after a marueylous sort Thou didst fight against the vngodly with darke clowdes thunderinges lightnings windes and an horrible tempest In lyke maner therefore thou then deliueredst thy people of Israel euen so now preserue thy blessed Church from the outragious crueltie of Sathan and enuious enterprises of his wretched adherentes throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THe greater the afflictions be O moste good and merciful God that we indure so muche the more are we accustomed to pray the ferueÌ„tlier vnto thée for seing that we nowe right well perceyue and do dayly more more feele that thy sacred church is miserably tormented and vexed sundrye wayes we come and make intreatance to thy gentlenesse beséeching thée to ayde hir in such wise as thou wert woont to doe in hir first age Doubtlesse thy most perfect nature and also thy excéeding constancie wherewith thou art indued can not abide that thou who hast béene alwayes fauourable towards those which thou didst most tenderly loue shouldest nowe gather thy goodnesse togither in a bundel to the intent thou wouldest withdrawe the same from them Wherefore our earnest and hartye desire is that thou wouldest vtter thy auncient inuincible power towardes vs at this instant in raysing cherishing and restoring thy holy
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
abundance of water to drie and sandie places and in altering and turning the barren ground to a fruitfull soyle And contrariwise mens sinnes are the occasion thereof that by a wonderfull exchaunge thou makest pleasaunt and fertile places to be come barren and altogither fruitlesse in fine to the intent thou mayst be well knowne thou causest mortall creatures to féele thy inuincible force by casting downe excéeding mightie kings and princes and making them to be had in contempt and become a moste shamefull laughing stock and liftest vp the poore and basest in degree vnto highest kingdomes We earnestly require thée therefore not to suffer vs to thinke of those thinges negligently but rather graunt this thing onely that we being moued hereby may commit our selues altogither both to be preserued through thy vnspeakable goodnesse and also guyded by thy sacred lawe so that thou being our chiefe Capitaine and ruler we may swim out of worldly sourges whose mindes being hitherto vtterly voide of good déedes may now bring forth most abuÌ„dant fruit and that wheras we haue bene pinched with an excéeding scarcitie of goodnes we may by thy onely helpe attaine to the excellent riches of the kingdome of heauen through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme WHosoeuer they be O moste good and mercifull God that thou deliuerest from exceeding gréeuous daungers it behoueth them vncessantly to celebrate thy worthie praises and to render condigne thanks to thee for the same Such as are driuen to wander from place to place and walke through théeuishe wayes in solitarie and vnhaunted places being in daunger of wilde beasts and théeues euen these when they earnestly pray vnto thée do dayly feele thy louing mercie and readie helpe Thou art present also with them that are distressed with captiuitie bound with fetters of Iron and layde in moste darke dungions Neither art thou forgetfull of them whom deadly diseases haue almost consumed and made vtterly an end of forsomuch as thou hast once decréed that suche as lamentably require thy assistaunce from the bottome of their heart shall neuer be destitute of thy helping hand We therefore that haue of long time and that gréeuously wandred out of the path of godlinesse and holy life doe nowe come vnto thee for succor who being so wretchedly opprest with the tirannicall bondage of our heynous sinnes do call vppon thée and finally in all our prayers doe earnestly desire that thou wouldest heale the diseases of our wounded soules so that we may alwayes liue as thy faythfull seruaunts and thou thereby to receyue perpetuall praise through Iesus Christ our lord Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cviij Psalme A praier that the godly may â—aue grace to â—ithstand the assaultes of â—he wicked STrengthen and furnish our mindes and heartes in such wise with thy holy spirite O most mightie God that although diuers sundrie mishappes fall vpon them or that they be shaken with the feare and dread of the enimies of true godlinesse and sincere religion yet they may not ceasse to shewe forth thy worthie prayses Let our whole witte minde and perceyueraunce O excellent father he stirred vp in vs for the right vnderstanding of thy goodnesse and acknowledging of the moste stedfast faythfulnesse of thy benigne promises For these two things are so famous in thée as they do not onely by reason of their hugenesse surmount the highe Cloudes of the ayre but also farre excéede the height of the heauens Therefore are we bolde humbly to intreat and heartily beséech thée that our innumerable and most gréeuous sinnes being forgiuen thou wilt set vp thy honor againe and shewe thy famous glorie to the whole worlde by deliuering thy sacred Churche from the Iawbones of Antichrist Call to remembraunce that she is thy beloued heritage and chosen possession which although for our iniquities sake thou séemest sometime to relinquishe and cast of from thy fauourable protection yet art thou not able for thy goodnesse faythfulnesse sake to forget it in déede Wherefore our whole trust consisteth in thée onely as they that know most certainly that mans helpe is of none effect Be thou therefore present with vs and graunt that we maye behaue our selues both boldly and with great constancie in the behalfe of thy glorious name and of thy holy Gospell through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WHilest we call to our remembraunce and thinke vpon the riches O moste good and mercifull God of thy louing promises we are wonderfully stirred vp to celebrate thy name with singuler prayses which then augmenteth a more vehement desire when we finde by experience that thou doest very faythfully performe whatsoeuer thou hast promised to bestowe vpon vs. Thou verily hast giuen vs hitherto many thinges and that truly without our desertes yet there bée manye remayning which we earnestly require may very spéedily be accomplished Thou hast begunne to deliuer vs from the handes of our cruell enimies and let this luckie beginning procéede to a further successe we bée nowe so farre forth exempted from sinne that so long as we truely beleue in thée they shall not be imputed to vs vnto death But yet for all that are we hitherto still oppressed with them let vs therfore by thy high and mightie power shake of their yoke dayly more and more Forsomuch as thou art the first founder of thy sonnes Kingdome who is the true Dauid haue a regard therefore we humbly beséech thée to set forth make famous the light thereof amongest all Nations and that he may purely with great deuocion be honoured and called vppon by vs in especiall whereby thy sacred Church may doe thinges nobly for the aduauncement of thy glorie and not be plucked back by the enimies of vngodlinesse from the right path of perfect religion through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cix Psalme WE acknowledge and confesse that thou alone O most mighty god doest giue vs all thinges which we possesse A prayer of the godly for the enimies of the gospell vnder whose gouernment and religion wee accompt it a marueylous felicitie to leade our life neyther haue we anye other thing so déere and precious vnto vs as to continue in the prayse and commendation of thy glorious name Dissemble not at this time nor kéepe silence against the wicked persons guilefull enimies of thy holye Church who doe not onely rise vp agaynst thée with forged tales and blasphemies but also make war agaynst vs with a most furious hatred and outragious crueltie being vtterly forgetful of all humanitie and godlinesse But thou O good God right well knowest howe peaceably we haue béene hitherto towards them and haue heartily loued those men and earnestly prayed for them both publikly and priuately who nowe recompence vs with extréeme afflictions and gréeuous calamities for our good turnes extended towardes them Wherefore be thou stirred vp agaynst them O heauenly
be euil spoken of Vouchsafe O good God that we may leade the rest of our life altogither in godly and religious workes for if we shall obteyne this at thy mercifull handes we mistrust not but thou wilt immediately after powre out thy fierce iudgements vpon thy enimies who do assault vs thus cruelly And thou thy selfe seest how vndeseruedly they do it For although wée haue sinned so heynously as we haue procured vnto our selues greeuouser punishmentes then these be yet our aduersaries haue not for our sinnes sake onely digged these pittes for vs but they persecute yea and would vtterly destroy vs for that religion is a little purged the true worshipping of thée restored Therefore confirme and strengthen thou vs O excellent father for thy infinite goodnesse sake vouchingsafe that thy holy worde may haue a perpetuall abyding in thy sacred Church and suffer vs not to perish in this gréeuous persecution but cause vs to bée delighted therein and to refresh our selues therwith that forsomuch as we are thy faythfull seruauntes and haue no confidence at all in mans force saue and defend vs thy owne self frō such perils as hang ouer our necks through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Caph Lamed OVr soules haue nowe fainted vs O most good merciful God with carefull longing after thy blessed worde so long as we hope both for helpe and saluation at thy handes onely Vnto thée I say do we lift vp our handes day and night to the entent thy faythfull seruaunts maye at length inioy their hoped promises who in the meane season do desire to haue this graunted vs that in no wise we be forgetfull of thy sacred lawe whilest thou delayest thy helpe in the middest of our gréeuous calamities And like as thy sacred lawe abideth stedfast in the most bewtifull furniture of the heauens and by it a most firme stabilitie in the earth and also that most commodious and goodly varietie of time perseuereth and hath his continuaunce euen so we humbly beséeche thée that it be not worne out of our heart and inward partes by any processe of time for vnlesse our meditation be alwaies hereof we shall easily perish in our sorowfull afflictions Seing then it is thy blessed worde which quickneth vs for if we giue credite thereto we shall obteine both saluation and also know how to behaue our selues according to iustice neyther shall we bée troubled at the iniuries which our aduersaries profer vs graunt O excellent father that this may neuer slippe out of our remembraunce but vouchsafe vs rather to sée an ende of all other things then thy sacred worde eyther to be forespent or ouerthrowne in thy blessed Church through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Lamed Mem. WHosoeuer they bée that applye themselues to thy blessed worde O moste good and mercifull God shall reape at length no small fruit and commoditie therby for they shall not onely surmount their enimies in knowledge and vnderstanding of heauenly thinges but also farre excell those which are had in great reputation both for their learning and also for the experience they haue attained vnto by reason of their long life To the intent therefore we be not depriued of so great a benefite we humbly beseech thee that detesting vtterly the lewdnesse of our heynous sinnes we maye haue more felicitie in thy sacred wordes then in all other pleasures And forsomuch as this life of ours is hedged in and compassed aboute on euerye side with blind ignoraunce we can not haue a meter lampe then thy diuine worde to lighten our mindes withall mans way ought to be ordered and directed hereby euen like a most cleere light and that chiefly when as the matter it selfe doth declare howe that euery one of vs doe beare his life alwayes in hys handes by reason of the excéeding great perils we are in There want not euery where puyssaunt Champions of the aduersaries which lay a thousand snares for our life wherefore wee intreate thée so much as in vs lyeth that thou wouldst stirre vp our sinfull heartes to fulfill thy holy commaūdements which thou hast vouchedsafe to bewtify with so great promises through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Mem Nun. THy diuine law and sacred wordes O most mightie God be of such force as those which loue them and thinke continually thereof become euery day wyser then other and surmount all mortall men in vnderstanding althoughe they bée better learned and auncienter in yeares which study is marueylous commodious to withdraw our feete from the path of wickednes and doth sometime confirme our feeble footsteps least they swarue peruersly from thy blessed commaundements Forsomuch as therefore we haue miserably declined from thee in our former life and shamefully sinned which doth manifestly appéere in that wee haue neglected thy righteous wordes louing promises sacred ceremonies and whole law Wherefore wée ought not to wonder or complaine at all that thou doest at this present punish vs vniustly but haue truely well deserued this through oure naughtie and lewd behauiours that so vniust and cruell enimies should rise vppe agaynst vs for these things verily would not haue happened vnto vs if wée had alwayes vsed thy blessed words and holy precepts as a Lanterne to our feete neuerthelesse our earnest request is O good God that thou wouldst for thy infinite mercies sake haue an especiall regarde to the gréeuous daungers and perils whereinto our soule is now brought Pardon wée hartily beséech thée our heynous sinnes and make our heart méeke and forwarde to fulfill thy holy commaundements so that thou mayst deliuer vs from the snares which the enimies of thy blessed name haue layd to tray vs in and suffer not those whom thou hast chosen and adopted into thy euerlasting inheritaunce to be vtterly opprest and come to miserable confusion through Iesus christ our Lorde Amen Samech Ain SVch as be illumined with thy heauenly spirit O most mightie God do vtterly hate all maner of sinne and iniquitie and therfore haue thée for their sure refuge and strong shielde bicause they sée them liue most blessedly and in great felicitie whom thou doest strengthen with thy puyssaunt force and inuincible power such as thou susteynest and nourishest be deliuered from most gréeuous perilles whereas contrariwise so many as fall from thée and goe astray from thy blessed precepts are horribly punished Our earnest desire is therefore that being moued by lyke perswasions we maye both put our whole trust in thée onely and also become most zealous in all thy holy commaundements For flesh and the power of our aduersaries practise continuall enmitie agaynst vs let them not be of such force as they may destroy vs but make vs rather sticke fast vnto thy sacred wordes so that we may take as much delight in them as in the greatest pleasures for the accomplishing whereof it is verye néedefull that thou of thy infinite mercye doest instruct and teach vs. For séeing the knowledge of diuine things can not be
in most miserie but deliuer hir from the trappes snares and nettes of the vngodlye and let the wicked fall into theyr owne wiles pittes which they haue made and digged and not thy faythfull people through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme WIthdrawe not thy readie helpe from vs we humbly beseech thee O moste good and mercifull God so long as wée lamentably require the same at thy mercifull handes for this is our dayly sacrifice wherwith we do greatly honor and highly reuerence thy glorious name neyther doth it lesse please thée to haue vs taught in thy blessed worde then if we should burne vppon Alters a most swéete odor and pleasant perfume of spices as the vse and custome was in old time our earnest desire is therfore that thou wouldest set a sure watche vppon our tongue and heart that we may not do any thing either in word or thought and much lesse in déedes contrarie to thy blessed lawe Remoue from vs all intercourse of the vngodly but cause vs to take in exceding good worth brotherly admonicions and friendly rebukes hauing no regard at all to highe prayses and pleasant flattering tales For séeing that there be a thousand snares and trappes which our auncient enimie hath layde to snarle vs in let thy gracious fauour at length deliuer vs from the whole number of them through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxlij Psalme WEe crie out dayly in thy sight O most good and mercifull GOD pouring out our feruent prayers and humble supplications A prayer for comfort in persecution that the sorow and heauinesse conceyued in our heart maye be vttered and this wée doe in thy gracious presence who onely knowest the way and meanes howe to deliuer thy faythfull seruaunts in their vttermost troubles Our spirit verily is continually vexed within vs so long as we consider the present state of thinges insomuch as whether we looke on the right hand or towardes the left we sée no man truely which will vnfeynedly take vpon him eyther to defende or acknowledge the cause of thy blessed Church Which euilles in deede happen vnto vs by reason of our heynous sinnes wherewyth thou art thus gréeuously offended agaynst vs as to stirre vp so fierce and slie enimyes against thy chosen people who lay snares almoste in all places and extende violence euery where vpon vs. Bée mercifull nowe therefore vnto vs O God oure deere father at what time we seeme to bée destitute of al succor neither is there any remayning aliue that hath a regard for the preseruation of our soules heare thou thy selfe oure wofull complaints and be a sure refuge for vs and our porcion amongs the liuing by deliuering vs from our malicious persecutors who séeme at this present to haue the vpper hand For if thou wilt mightily deliuer thy sacred Church from this sorowfull calamitie thy excellent name shall be spred abroad in euery place and all men will reioyce with vs vpon whome they shall perceyue that thou hast shewed this vnspeakeable fauour and louing kindnesse through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme SEing that we are perpetually inuironed O most mightie God with an infinite number of perils necessitie it selfe perswadeth vs neuer to desist from prayer but alwayes to poure them out exceeding feruently before thée For to whom may wee better declare our extréeme heauinesse and gréeuous miserie which doth dayly assaile vs then to thée who knowest all thinges right wel neither art ignorant of the crafts and subtilties of the force of our cruell aduersaries Thou onely canst succor and deliuer vs who may not trust in mans ayde either because they will not or else for that they be not able to helpe vs. And therefore do we earnestly crie vnto thée béeing our sanctuarie and lotte in the land of the liuing to the intent thou wouldst set vs frée from the deuill the auncient enimy of mankinde and his cursed garde whose mindes being thus recreated and refreshed shall vncessantly acknowledge thy blessed name and all such as be faithfull louers of vertue will togither with vs publishe and set out thy excellent benefites with condigne and deserued prayses through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxliij Psalme WEe doe earnestly desire thée O most good and mercifull God to accept our common petitâ—ons A prayer in temptation for the auoyding of desperation and that thou wouldest for thy excellent mercies sake heare the heartie prayers which we poure out before thée neyther denie wée that the heynous sinnes wherwith we dayly prouoke thy heauie wrath hath not deserued the same But if thou wilt enter into iudgement with vs and giue seuere and vpright sentence seing that no man liuing yea no creature at all be it neuer so pure and holy is able to abide the same we also shall without fayle be cast neyther haue any force to stand in thy presence before the tribunall seate Looke thou therefore vppon vs with thy louing fauour and woonted clemencie that as the enimie hath gréedily persecuted our soules so verily wée séeme being sore smitten and greatly forsaken to be in a maner at the poynt of death bicause our spirit is thus vexed within vs and hart made desolate Who are notwithstanding right mindfull of thy old and auncient mercie wherewith thou hast beene accustomed to succor and helpe thy elect people at what tyme they were miserably afflicted Therefore doe we not onely lift vp our sorowfull handes vnto thy diuine Maiestie but indeuour our selues so much as in vs lyeth for to haue thée deliuer thy blessed church from the handes of hir outragious enimies directing vs so with thy good spirite that we maye hereafter execute those things faythfully which are right and holy according to thy diuine will and pleasure being conueyed out of this present distresse by thy good guidaunce and quickned with thy readye helpe throughe Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THe infirmitie of our righteousnesse O most good and mercifull God is of such force as those which be instructed with thy blessed spirite know very well that it is not able to stande before thy iudgement seate when as therefore we do consider our lewd deserts our spirite fadeth awaye and our hart waxeth amazed But we haue recourse out of hand to thy infinite mercie who doe heartily acknowledge and earnestlye confesse that our righteousnesse proceedeth not of our selues but commeth from thee onely so that we being stayed vp and confirmed by this stedfast faith do lamentably require thy fauourable assistaunce in the daungerous perils of this wretched life For vnlesse thou puttest to thy redie helping hand wée doe vtterlye dispaire of our saluation Shew vs the way wherein we may walke without daunger and teach vs after what maner we may accomplish thy blessed will and rule all our thoughts and déedes by
sing nor by any meanes praise thée Our enimies doe maruelously yea and that with great feruencie desire it should so be but haue thou O good God a regarde vnto the teares and clamours of those that trust in thee and cause the authorâ— and â—nâ—enters of iniquitie to depart and go farre from vs. Finally giue eare vnto vs in such wise that so many as are enimies to thy glorie and our saluation may be ashamed and brought to vtter confusion Through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the seuenth Psalme A prayer against the aduersaries of the Gospell THou knowest O most mighty and mercifull God wyth what an earnest affection the aduersaries of our saluation do both daye and night assaulte vs who except thou be our ready helper couet most cruelly like fierce sauage beastes to haue vs torne in péeces swallowed vp into euerlasting destruction But like as we put oure trust and confidence in thée only so our earnest desire is that thou wilte succour and defende vs. We doe not lay forth our owne cause before thée as though we had commytted none of these thynges whereof they accuse vs but are perswaded that thou of thine owne mercye wilt pardon and forgiue vs the same through the intercession of Iesus Christ our Mediator Wherefore we humbly require and earnestly beséeche thee to stande vp for to be our helper that thou wilt also direct and as a most strong shield defende vs that those euils may fall from vs and lyght vpon the authors of al temptations deceites maliciousnesse so as we may on the other side praise thée and set forth thy glorious name with all possible studied coÌ„mendations through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen Another prayer out of the same psalme IT is trulie a singuler and right excelleÌ„t benefite O almightie God to be an obseruer keper of thy blessed precepts but yet such a one as they can not attaine and reach vnto from whose eyes thou hast not taken away the vayle and cloke of darkenesse Which being not remoued the secret and hidden things of thy diuine lawe cannot be seene wherefore we lamentably desire thée to helpe lighten our infirmitie blinde ignorance that whilst we liue and remaine here as straungers and pilgrimes thou wouldest not hide from vs the pure and right vnderstanding of thy blessed commaundements wherwith for so much as we haue through our owne default béene hitherto little instructed we are fallen into these reproches into this coÌ„tempt and into these euil reportes For besides the perils grieuous afflictioÌ„s wherwith thy holy Church is at this daye sore vexed oppressed are added slauÌ„ders of thy sacred doctrine reuylinges of true godlynesse and horrible blasphemies of thy blessed name forgiue therfore thy people and pardon O mightie God whatsoeuer they haue committed against thée refresh those that be fallen with thy sacred word promises We do day by day very boldly open and declare our cause to thee harken vnto vs we earnestly beséeche thée and from tyme to tyme confirme with newe benefites the faith and hope of those that be doubtfull neyther putte them to shame and reproche which call vpon thée so that we being againe quieted and restored to libertie may runne in the way and pathe of thy blessed commaundementes with a perfite ioy and hartye chéerefulnesse through Iesus Christ oure Lord. AmeÌ„ ¶ A prayer out of the eight Psalme ALl the thinges O most good mercifull God which thou hast created both in heauen earth for our commodity and singuler profite A prayer in trouble for the fauour of Christ declare most euidently howe wonderfull and excellent thy glorious name is and although thy goodnesse be spreade forth and séene in all things neuerthelesse euen the very infantes and sucking babes whome from their mothers wombe thou causest to be cherished and brought vp wyth moste tender and louing carefulnesse do giue vs such assurance thereof that we cannot but warrant our selues al excellency of the same insomuch that the infantes in the time of their noureing wheÌ„ they begin to speak do set before our eies most euideÌ„t tokens of thy gentlenesse by these wonderful things are all the wicked confounded which carpâ— and speake euyll of thy excellent goodnesse and diuine prouidence The heauens truelye might haue beene thought a péece of worke worthy such a workemaister as thou art but in that thou wouldest so muche humble and abase thy selfe as to haue so careful a regard to fraile and mortall man it appereth to be a signe and token of thy wonderfull vnspeakable loue towarde vs. Wherefore againe and that worthily are we prouoked although we haue heynously sinned lyued vnworthily both in respect of thee of our owne vocation to begge and craue at thy handes with a verye earnest assured confidence not to permitte thy Churche to be ouerwhelmed with these present troubles For if thou hast so highly extolled man to be litle inferiour vnto Aungels wheras otherwise he is vyle of his owne nature remember them much more I hartily besech thée whome thou hast nowe adopted to be thy deere children and to whom thou wouldst for thy mercies sake haue all the workes of thy handes serue and be obedient suffer them not to be troden vnder foote of vngodly and wicked persons For thou hast alwayes accustomed to visite the children of men with thy fatherly care and prouydence assist vs now also with thy readye helpe when wée stande in moste néede thereof Deliuer vs in such sort we humbly beséech thée that all men may well vnderstande thy name thereby to bée right wonderfull as most certainly it is and by all meanes possible worthy to be honored and made glorious through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen Another prayer out of the same psalme THy magnificence renoumed glory O almighty god is well sufficiently set forth by these things which through thy excellent power diuine prouidence be done both in heaueÌ„ earth notwithstanding for the more better stirring vp of our grosse and leaden harts thy power would set out it selfe also in babes yong children Euen froÌ„ our childhood we are miserable wretched not by the workemanship creation by the which thou hast made and fourmed vs but through our originall and naturall sinne an infinite number of faults that we our selues haue added thereto for the which neuerthelesse wee humblye beséeche thée bée not so displeased with vs but that according to thy accustomed mercie thou wilt often visite and looke vppon vs and those whome thou hast made little inferiour vnto Aungels make them partakers of thy owne nature Finallye seing that thou haste in lawfull wise made vs Lordes ouer all thy creatures graunt that we maye vse them to the praise and glorie of thy name so as thy sacred worde and Gospell maye be spreade abroade amongst all Nations through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out
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
confessing thée they maye both in this life and in the life to come be farre more happy and blessed then their enimies bicause they reioyce vaunt themselues aboue measure in their present luckie estate through Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen Another prayer out of the same psalme FOr this intent and purpose we nowe pray O most mightie God bicause we nothing at all mistrust but that thou wilt harken and giue eare to our humble petitions which we poure out before thée not of hypocrisie and double dealing but sincerely and from the heart for séeing that we desire to be tryed rather by thy iudgement then mans graunt that when wée are sore tempted and proued by greauous aduersities nothing maye be found in vs whereby we should be condemned and adiudged to perpetuall destruction but forsomuch as we are naturally euill how can this thing come to passe vnlesse thou doe stay and gouerne our steps with thy excellent grace and holy spirite and so vpholde and vndersette vs as thy vnspeakeable mercy may wonderfully vtter and shewe forth it selfe by our saluation defende and keepe vs therefore from all men which resist the force of thy glorious Gospell and striue agaynst thy holy will so much as in them lyeth Thou seest what diligent watch our enimies lay for vs and howe lyke deuouring Lions they couet to praye vpon vs they are as swordes O good God prepared to be the handes and instrumentes of thy indignation defende and kéepe vs neuerthelesse vnder the shadowe and moste sure defence of thy wings that during this wretched life wee may be comforted with thy fauourable countenaunce and in the blessed resurrection haue with an exceding great pleasure the fruition of thy glorious presence through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xviij. Psalme A prayer to be deliuered out of great distresse WE acknowledge and confesse thée O most mightie God to be our onelye health buckler defence strength and sure refuge and therefore do wée both earnestly loue thée and greatly couet to publishe and set forth thy worthy prayse euerlastingly but our extreeme enimies do now thus greauously oppresse vs bicause our sinnes deserue the same so that we being sore discomforted are almost in the straite pangues and anguishes of death wherfore it séemeth that no other helpe and succour remayneth for vs but to make our crye vnto thée and to direct our prayers towardes thy mercies seate vnto whom séeing that the Mountaines the earth the heauens lightnings windes clowdes raynes hayle and tempestes are obedient without any delaye or gainsaying it shall be a thing most easy for thée to rid and deliuer vs from the force of our outragoius enimies although they bée neuer so mightie which we earnestly require O good God that thou wouldest vouchsafe to graunt vnto the feruent praiers of thy sacred Churche hauing no regard at all to our lewde deserts but chiefly to thy exceeding great clemencye and vprightnesse of the cause it selfe so that thou mayst deale holily with the holy and contrariwise vpon the wicked sende trouble and aduersitie preserue thy afflicted people according to thy accustomed maner and in so great darckenesse lighten them with the bright lampe of fayth and perfite wisdome to the intent they may acknowledge none other buckler or defence but thee onely Graunt vs O most deere father so to walk without fal or stumbling as the féete of our fayth may not stacker in such great perilles arme and strengthen thy beloued seruants to battaile and confound them O most mightie God who go about to gainsay and resist thée to the intent thy blessed name may be spoken of and magnified amongst all Nations bycause thou hast giuen great and glorious prosperitie vnto thy renowmed Church through Iesuâ— Christ our Lord. Amen Another prayer out of the same Psalme SEing that we are verye weake by nature anâ— compassed about on euery side with most thicke clowdes of darknesse we come vnto thée O most mightie God and require at thy handes that the splendent light of thy holy spirite may bée kindled in our heartes for so shall we vnderstand thy vndefiled word and most vncorrupt spéech of thy sacred scriptures wherein it is most cléerely and euidently promised that thou wilt be an excellent strong defence for all such as haue their onely affâ—aunce in thée The sinnes truly which we haue committed deserue not that we should obteyne so much fauour and helpe at thy hande but our earnest desire is that these things may happen vnto vs euen for the glory of thy most renowmed and excellent name Forsomuch as therefore none other God is to be sought out or founde who may be compared with thée eyther in power or goodnesse garnishe thou vs with holinesse and girdâ— vs about with such strength as wee may once be led out and vtterly deliuered from imminent daungers and obteyne full triumphe and conquest ouer the enimies both of thy glorie and our saluation through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Another prayer out of the same psalme WE can not choose O most mightie and mercifull God but earnestlye loue thée séeing that by the fayth whiche thou hast giuen vs wée well perceyue thée to be our onely refuge stay and deliuerer for our sinnes haue oftentymes purchased vnto vs most deadly griefes and mightye and valiaunt enimies who haue like vehement streames of water enuironed and compassed vs aboute with tribulations snares yea and death it selfe but thou O good God who as thou being the souereigne Lord of all thinges art knowne to haue thy throne in heauen euen so for thy infinite mercies sake haue respect vnto vs and when thou hast remitted and pardoned our offences vouchsafe that we maye be deliuered from thy wrath and extréeme punishments which thou art woont to laye vpoÌ„ the vngodly And grauÌ„t that whilest we inuocate cal vpon thée our loud cries and earnest praiers be not poured out in vaine through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THou knowest O mercifull and most mightie God howe many and howe great aduersaries we haue both within and without who as they can not awaye with thy name and glorie so do they also most lewdly wickedly repine at our saluation wherefore we do not without iust cause humbly sue vnto thée that as thou hast often deliuered vs out of the daungerous perilles of damnation and perpetuall destruction so now also notwithstanding the most grieuous and heynous offences which we haue committed against thée and for the which we repent vs at this time of them from the bottome of our heart it would please thée to fortefie and strength vs in such wise with thy assistaunce as we may vanquishe and ouercome what thing soeuer hath set it selfe against thy glorious kingdome whereby we maye at length shewe forth and magnifie thée onely in the chiefest assemblies of men for our alone defender and excellent sauiour throughe Iesus Christ our
the vngodly which thing they are very readie to do vpbrayde vs therewith through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxj. Psalme A praier that â—ur faith fayâ—th vs not in â—ge and great â—istresse FOrsomuch as we doe euidentlye knowe O almightie God that there is alwayes spéedie succour in a readinesse to helpe and further such as flie vnto thy protection therefore haue we reposed our whole trust and confidence in thée onely that of whom we ought to craue assistaunce vnto him must our fayth and hope be most aduisedly directed Thou aydest chéerishest and garnishest those which honour thée from their youth insomuch as that if thou séemest at any tyme to leaue them it is woont to bée taken for a wonder We hope therefore that séeing thou hast béene alwayes with vs from our conception birth thou wilt not forsake vs neyther in our crooked olde age nor at the last ende of our life in consideration whereof that what prayses and thankes we are bounde to giue vnto thée the same do we dayly yeelde and as our assured trust is shall yéelde for euer that as thy benefites towardes vs are infinite and the more thy goodnesse also and mightie déedes are set forth so much the more are they knowen to surmount the prowes of all prayse and commendation Notwithstanding vnto the rest of thy benefits adde this also we hartily beséech thée that as thou layest now and then bitter and vnfortunate things vpon thy faythfull seruants so thou thy selfe wouldst vouchsafe readily to comfort and quicklye ease them of the same through Iesus Christ our lord AmeÌ„ ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxij Psalme A praier that the kingdom of heaueÌ„ may come vpon vs through the preaching of the gospell FOrsomuch as we shall haue Iesus Christ our Lorde as a moste iust iudge it is méete that wée should alwayes both feare and reuerence him For seing that his father hath as nowe also indued him with a singuler power this was his chiefest care that the righteous might be strengthned to the intent they should both set vp and also inlarge the true worshipping of him so farre as might be Our humble request is therefore O heauenly father that before we be brought vnto his tribunal iudgement seat we may be redéemed from the heynous sinnes which we are giltie of who being thus regenerated by his blessed spirit may bring forth plentie of good workes so that we be not dampned for oure wicked misdéedes which thing if we by strong and constant fayth may perceyue our selues to haue obteyned we shall verily by reason thereof iudge our selues blessed and marueylous happie for the same who minde to extoll and celebrate thy excellent name and glorie with moste high prayses whereby the whole earth if it were possible may haue true and perfite knowledge of thée through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxiij Psalme ALthough thy goodnesse O almightie and most gracious God A praier thâ— we may nâ— repine at thâ— prosperitie the wicked â–ª be excéeding notable towardes those men that reuerence thée with true and perfect deuocion Yet notwithstanding such is the weaknesse of man that the prosperity of the wicked doth very often bleare and dasell the eyes of thy elect and chosen seruaunts whilest they sée all things happen vnto them luckely and as they woulde wishe who contemne aswell all humaine lawes as diuine and are fallen into so extréeme wickednesse insomuch as they both thinke and preach most shamelessely that thou hast nowe no regarde of our affayres and welfare Neither suffer we humbly beséech thée the féete of our fayth eyther to stacker or to be any thing doubtfull stretch forth thy mightie hand to our great misfortune and bridle our mouthes and imaginations in such sort that we beginne not to ymagine a vaine and vnprofitable maner of worshipping thée Strengthen vs so as we may paciently and with a Christian kinde of sufferaunce abide the issue and vttermost successe of things At what tyme thy last excéeding great iudgement shall mightily shew forth hir selfe then wil it appéere with howe notable an vprightnesse thou orderest all thinges Graunt vs also in the meane season to desire nothing more feruently then that our mindes may be fastned and linked vnto thée with an indissoluble knot through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxiiij Psalme A prayer for â—e churches â—reseruation â—gaynst the â—duersaries the gospell IF it shall happen O most mighty God which we right well knowe doth oftentimes come to passe that by reason of the manifolde sinnes which are by vs oftentymes committed we prouoke thy wrathfull indignation agaynst vs and purchase the gréeuous scourges wherewith we be much chastised Be mindfull we humbly beseech thée of thy exceeding great goodnesse and louing promises which thou knowest we haue alreadie layde holde of by fayth neyther deliuer thou our soules into the power of the outragious aduersaries of thy glorie and our saluation Forsomuch as they earnestlye bend themselues about none other thing but eyther to throwe downe thy excellent works or to make voyde and of none effect the saluation of mankinde which with so great mercifulnesse thou hast purchased let their enterprises be made frustrate whose driftes tend to none other ende but that thy glorious name maye be blasphéemed and very euil spoken of Be mindefull we huÌ„bly beseech thée of the good thinges which thou hast hitherto bestowed vpon vs neyther ceasse to bring vnto perfection the work of redemption that thou hast alredy mightily begunne in vs. Arise O good god and aide such with thy spéedie helping hand as vnfeynedly call vpon thée that the fonde deuises of the vngodlye haue no successe at all either agaynst thy renowmed glorie or our saluation through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxv. Psalme A praier that we may be obedient to â—he worde of God OVr earnest and feruent desire is O moste mightie God to celebrate thy glorious name and excéeding wonderous actes for we require thée euen from the bottome of the heart to bring to passe that thy blessed people maye be defended from these terrible daungers in such wise as they come not to vtter ruine Remoue our heynous sinnes out of thy remembraunce we humbly beséech thée neyther impute this thing chiefly vnto vs that where as thou hast called vs vnto thée and set before our eyes an order of true godlinesse and made the same free for euery one of vs to leade our life according to thy blessed word and christian profession we haue not onely behaued oure selues coldely therein but haue most vnthankfully cast away the discipline trade of liuing which the fayth thou inlargest vs with and bestowest vpon vs is worthy of Regard not therfore the nuÌ„ber of our heynous sinnes neither how great our deserts be nor yet what thy iustice might rightfully require at our handes
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