Lord. Amen Another prayer out of the same psalme SEing that we are O heauenly father during this miserable life wrapped in and compassed about with an infinite nuÌ„ber of perilles we direct our humble prayers and hartie peticions vnto thée to the intent thou wouldest stretche foorth thy mightie arme to be our defence and not suffer the great and verie strong enimyes of oure saluation to preuayle agaynst vs. When we are most busily vexed and afflicted of them O good God make it manifest that thou art our mighty protector redy defender There is no righteousnesse or puritie in our workes which we maye vaunt and boast off in thy presence wée francklye acknowledge and confesse that we haue greatly strayed from thy holy precepts Neuerthelesse yet pardon according to thy accustomed woont and mercie the grieuous sinnes committed by vs and vouchsafe of thy gracious fauour to grauÌ„t that we may hereafter liue as becommeth thy chosen blessed and innocent people so that on the other side we may finde thee elect holy and hurtlesse vnto vs throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xix. Psalme â— praier that â—s may be â—rtakers of Gods diuine â—orde THy wonderfull power wisdome and goodnesse O most mightie God which thy nature is excéeding plentifully indued withall sheweth it selfe in all places vnto vs by those things which thou hast fourmed and created The heauen truly with all hir ornaments with the alteration of tymes with the brightnesse of the Starres and of the most whote burning Sunne are nothing else but plain voices and a vniuersal doctrine for all sortes of people by the which the prayses of thy Maiestie are most amply blazed and set forth Wherfore we confesse howe that we can make no excuse at all of our so slender confidence and féeble loue towardes thée who ought truelye to haue béene assuredly perswaded by the aucthoritie of these thinges that we should vnseperably cleaue vnto thée alone being the chiefe and principall causer of so many good workes bestowed vpon vs but alas these admonishments not regarded we haue folowed the lustes and desires of our filthie fleshe with mad imaginations and feyned thinges of our owne braine and made very little accompt of thée who art the Creator and maker of all thinges And for that cause doe well deserue the offlictions which we are assayled with who haue not onelye dispised and had in contempt the workes of nature that should haue allured and drawne vs vnto thée but haue coldely altogither vnprofitably heard thy worde that is to say the holy Scripture and Gospel of thy déere and welbeloued sonne prouoking thy indignation towardes vs by that from whence we shoulde to the comfort of our soules haue drawne out wisedome light ioyfulnesse and perfect righteousnesse but although we now séeme for these weighty considerations most vnworthie of thy mercie yet we instantly require thée to pardon and forgiue vs and not to afflict thy Church according to hir deserts Graunt we humbly beséech thée that we may hereafter to our great profite and coÌ„fort haue these thy creatures in estimation and let thy wordes be not only swéeter vnto vs than hony but farre excéede all the ioy and pleasure of this world Take from vs our heynous sinnes and shewe thy selfe to be a true defender and redéemer of thy chosen people through Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WE vnderstande it commeth to passe through thy excelleÌ„t goodnesse O almightie God that the knowledge of thée may be graft and imprinted in mennes mindes by the fourme order and most beautifull comlinesse of the thinges that be created whom the circles and globes of the Heauens the continuall alteration of the day and night and most goodly brightnesse of the sunne do declare to be their most wise Creator with wordes plain ynough doe teach vs both to knowe and also to wonder at thy Maiestie herevnto are added thy written lawes which haue brought vnto vs mortall creatures the true wisedome the testimonie of thy will the substanciall pleasure of the soule heauenly delicates But as we be lewd and wicked wretches so haue we neuer made an ende of abusing both these most faythfull scholemaisters Therefore our earnest request is that thou wouldest vouchsafe to pardon and forgiue wherin we haue offended thee contrary to the admonitions of so worthy instructions and graunt vs hereafter so attentiuely to beholde with due fruct the creation and workmanship of the world that we may become very earnest obseruers of thy sacred lawes through Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xx Psalme OVr dayly peticion is O almightie god that the kingdome of our Lorde Iesus Christ may be augmented A prayer for the prosperouâ— successe of christs kingdome againâ—â— the enimies thereof and appeare at length to be most perfect which thing we nowe also desire very instantly in our hartie prayers and humble supplications Be alwayes mindfull thereof O good God of his fatte and most pleasant oblation which he made for vs vpon the Aultare of the Crosse and graunt that by the tryumphe of his moste perfect victorie and conquest wée maye take both saluation and delyghtfull pleasure Althoughe wée denie not but that the same shall come to passe without oure deserts who haue through our manifolde wickednesse offended thée very many and infinite wayes yet for thy tender louing mercies sake put them to shame and confusion that repose all their trust in Charets horse and worldly power but raise and lift vp to saluation such as are wholy bent to depend vpon thee and bow downe thy merciful and fauourable eares to heare the feruent prayers and peticions whiche we make vnto thy diuine Maiestie for the mightie inlarging of our Lord Iesus christ his kingdome throughe the same Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxj. Psalme A prayer for â—he prayse â—nd augmenâ—ation of the Gospell WEe confesse with a singuler ioy O most mightie God that Iesus Christ our king being indued with power and honour after his resurrection doth abide and liue with thée And forsomuch as he hath nowe obteyned and gotten most largely whatsoeuer may bee wished or desired tending to moste perfect and euerlasting blessednesse it can not otherwise be but that verye much of his saluation giftes and glory be shedde abroade and light vpon vs also which are his members Of which felicitie and most singuler gift although we acknowledge and confesse our selues most vnworthie by reason of our wicked maners and vngodlye life yet forsomuch as we heartily repent vs of them we are nothing doubtfull of his redy helpe but doe also most assuredly beleue that he will once vanquishe and bring to nought so many as do aduaunce and sette themselues agaynst hys glorious Kingdome Graunt wée humblye beséeche thee moste deere father that their pestiferous deuices being of none offect thy high and famous power
we here liue coÌ„sisteth in this that we take heede of the wicked counsels and curssed behauiours of men by eschewing the felowship of them who bee so dispitefull that they laugh and scorne at all matters And that in stead of these most deadly things there be placed in vs an excéeding feruent zeale of Gods lawe therein to delight and exercise oure selues both day and nyght therby to perceyue how that hitherto we haue greatly gone astray from the scope and marke of our saluation yea to haue offended very miserably lewdly agaynst this thy blessed lawe and diuine worde wée desire thée that thou wouldst of thy singuler mercie pardon remit whatsoeuer we haue committed against thy excellent maiesty And vouchsafe through the continuall studie and exercise of thy worde to make vs euer hereafter fruitful and liuely plants so that we may not onely bring forth wholsome and pleasaunt fruites in thy sacred Church during this life but also maye in the other worlde stande faste in iudgement before thee who knowest and best vnderstandest the way of the righteous through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the second Psalme WE nowe perceyue O most good and mightie God that not onely Antichrist A prayer for comfort in persecution but also the force power of the world hath coÌ„spired agaynst thée and thy annoynted as they who think the gospel and réedefying of thy blessed Church to be intollerable bandes and a most hard gréeuous yoke Wherfore they indeuour themselues by all meanes they can possible deuise to breake the societie of the faithfull vtterly to cast awaye all discipline but seing that thou sittest in the heauens and art not ignoraunt what the Deuill and wickednesse of the fleshe enterpriseth laugh thou also their vaine counsels to scorne and make such things as they haue begon enterprised of none effect causing them in like maner to bee as a mocking iesting stock vnto thy elect chosen seruants Do those meÌ„ to vnderstande thy heauie wrath at the length to be so terrified with the fury of thy indignatioÌ„ that they may haue no power or strength to destroy thy blessed Church ouer the which thou hast set Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour for to reigne therein with his blessed worde and holye spirite with suche might and puissaunce as maye neuer haue ende Vouchsafe therefore to giue vnto vs although thy most vnworthy and trayterous children so much faith and constancie as we may both take him to be oure onely king and also confesse hym so to bée and wythout all doubting assure oure selues that we are hys Nation people and herytage knowing this assuredly howe that he is of such force and power as he can torment and vexe whome he liste wyth a dominion farre stronger then any stéele and breake them in péeces like potsheards Conuert therfore O mightie God the hearts of the kings of the earth in such sort vnto thée that they may be so perfite wise as truly to acknowledge heartily imbrace louingly kisse thy dâ—ere only sonne least his ireful wrath being kindled enflamed they perishe immediatly and make those which haue wholly committed themselues to thy protection euermore happie and blessed when it shall séeme good in thy sight through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An orher prayer out of the same psalme ALthoughe moste good and myghtie God the Deuill fret the powers of the worlde stande vp daylie and the fleshe wyth all hir seruitors conspire against the kingdome of thy onely sonne Iesus Christ our Lord let vs yet vnderstande yea let vs be perswaded through a constant fayth that thou doest deryde and contemne all such who so soone as it pleaseth thée art hable to destroye them in thy wrath and whote displeasure But alack seing in this confidence we are oftentimes vnstable and moueable in so much as we being led away by dyuers terrours doe obey thy commauÌ„dements lesse than it becommeth vs we beséeche thée of thy fauourable and bountifull goodnesse to bée mercifull vnto vs so that we may ground our selues stedfastly vpoÌ„ this rock of faith that thy sonne our king and redeemer hath in thée of all thinges the highest power and gouernement for when thou didst beget him thou gauest all Nations to hym to rule and gouerne them by right of inheritaunce Graunt therefore that we maye once at length be so godlye wyse and so ryghtly instructed as seruing thee wyth all reuerence and humble feare wée bee not at the last daye lyke a potters vessell consumed and brought to naught wyth the rod of thy indignation through Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the thirde Psalme THeir armies O most mercifull and mightie God which assault and persecute thy Church A prayer against our persecutors â–ª are increased aboue measure for euen now verie many are so bolde as to disquiet and vexe the same who doe cruelly rise vp agaynst it hauing confidence truely in none other counsell but that they imagine and determine with themselues how that there is no more helpe for vs to be looked for at thy hande as thought thou hast vtterly abandoned and forsaken thy people and bereft them of all manner of succour and defence We denie not truely considering the sinnes and wickednesses by which we haue offended thee but that we haue deserued to be loft destitute of thy help and set out as laughing stockes to the despitefull dealings and iniuries of those which are the enimies of thy holye name But notwithstaÌ„ding for the faithes sake which through thy fauourable mercie remayneth in vs we are bolde to come nigh vnto thée and beséeche thee that amongst these rauillous false braydings of our aduersaries thou wilt vouchsafe to giue vs somuch spirite constancy as we may not doubt but that thou wilt be the only defence worship mighty reuenger of thy blessed people Hauing this assured fayth confidence that if we shall craue thy ready help in our earnest praiers thou wilt without faile heare vs out of thy heauenly dwelling yea whilst we doe wholy rest and fully repose our hartes on this thy protection we shall be so voyde of feare euen in the middle of thousands of our enimies that we may according to oure accustomed maner safely take our sleepe and wake agayne bicause we doe with a good and bolde courage stick stedfastly to thée alone Wherefore arise O mightie God according to thys our assured trust and according to thy accustomed woonted maner breake the teeth of those that boast themselues against thee so that they be not of force to teare crash thy sacred Church in peeces at their owne wil and pleasure make them to vnderstande that saluation belongeth vnto thée how thou canst of thy fauourable goodnesse rid and delyuer thy blessed people out of these extreme daungers through Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme ALthough O most
God greatly to magnifie thee A prayer of thankes giuing for Christs benefites bestowed vppon vs. and highlye to sanctifie thy holy name But able we are not thus to doe vnlesse the heynous sinnes wherewith we are miserably oppressed be first put away and driuen farre from vs. We haue receyued at thy mercifull handes through the preaching of thy blessed Gospell the most noble and excellent gift of saluation but we haue hitherto led our life so coldly therin and wrought so contrary to our vocation in neglecting and dispising thy sacred commaundements that néedfull it was in the ende for the calamities which we now suffer to incounter with oute lewdnesse and that thou shouldest extende thy furious wrath vpon vs by these moste gréeuous perilles being moued and prouoked thereto through oure wicked desertes and naughtie behauiour Notwithstanding O good God haue no regard at all to our merites but rather sée to this that thy famous glorie may be greatly published amongest the heathen and thy wonderfull worckes made manifest vnto all people Both thy aduersaries and ours also repose their whole affiaunce in worldly strength and cursed Idolatrie who would inforce vs to yéeld such honor vnto Antichrist as they do wheras we contrarywise acknowledge thée to be a great and terrible Lorde aboue all Goddes Wherefore we earnestly call vpon thy excellent Maiestie and in these daungerous daies flie vnto thy mercy seat requyring pardon for our heynous sinnes and that thou wouldest shewe howe vaine our enimies goodes be Iudge O good god the aduersaryes of thy true worshippe and enimies of thy sacred Gospell so that thou as right méete it is mayst reigne beare dominion ouer the heathen Stretche out thy inuincible power thy puyssaunt glory and thy renowmed magnificence O good God for our speedy deliueraunce who being deliuered from so many and great inconueniences maye render vnto thée due oblations of heartie prayses Cause thy glorious name to be well spoken off in euery place and let all men honor and reuerence thy diuine Maiestie with moste pure and perfect deuotion through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THy benefites O almightie God are not only bestowed vpon vs coÌ„tinually but also after a new and vnaccustomed maner do spring vp freshe from time to tyme wherefore vnlesse we will be marueylous vngratefull they deserue that we should euermore magnifie the same with newe prayses and pleasaunt songes Such is thy magnificencie and vnspeakeable power whose bewtie and Maiesty is so great that thou doest surmount beyonde all measure what Godhed or Deitie soeuer meÌ„ could at any time deuice to themselues GrauÌ„t therfore that whensoeuer we go about duely to honor reuerently to worship thée we may chéerfully offer vp our selues al that euer we haue to thy incoÌ„prehensible glorye so that we may preache thy glorious kingdome to all nations not onely with wordes but in verteous lyfe and holy conuersation to the intent euery man maye right well knowe and perceyue that like as thou hast created vs and the whole vniuersall worlde so also shall we and all thinges be repayred againe throughe Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xcvij. Psalme A praier that we may appeare in the â—ay of iudgement with a â—ure chearâ—ull heart THou thy selfe O moste mightye God which art the author of full ioy and perfect gladnesse art also indued with exceeding seueritie and dreadfull power which thy properties thou bestowest vpon man according to thy infinite iustice and righteousnesse Wherefore our earnest request is that thou wouldst not burne vs vp with the fire of thy wrathfull indignation who otherwise by reason of our heynous sinnes are worthie of most greeuous punishments but according to thy great mercie and through the merits of thy onely Sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde and sauiour remit and pardon whatsoeuer we haue lewdly committed agaynst thée but contrariwise turne the wrath of thy heauie displeasure vpon thy fierce aduersaryes Let those men be set on fire make them to tremble let them melt away like wax at the sight of thy bright countenance But let vs being restored and reformed in a new kind of life by thy blessed spirit feele in our selues and set out thy noble iustice such wise vnto them as all people maye right wel perceyue the same For although we haue greatly and verye muche strayed from thy holy will reuealed vnto vs in the sacred scriptures we are notwithstanding heartily sorye for our lewde deserts and be verye desirous to make thy glorious renowme excéeding famous Let not therfore this our assured hope and feruent desire be made frustrate put them to confusion who beleue nothing at all in thée but haue an infinite number of Idols wherein they put their whole trust wherevnto they shewe much worship merueylous great honour and wonderfull obedience And finally graunt this thing also that suche as thou hast regenerated and quickned with thy blessed spirit may vtterly detest sinne and whatsoeuer fighteth or is repugnant to thy holy will Afterward take the soules of thy faythfull seruauntes out of wicked mens handes and when we be throughly delyuered from them cause vs not onely to reioyce with great gladnesse but make thy healthfull light of saluation to shine vpon all that are thine whereby they may bee conuerted vnto thée and celebrate thy worthie memoriall with perpetuall prayses throughe the selfe same Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme SEing it is thou O almightie God that rulest farre and néere and mightily gouernest all things there is nothing in the whole worlde but ought to be excéeding glad thereof for like as thy glorious kingdome which is the chiefest thing to be desired is most gorgeously decked with iustice and equitie euen so is there such strength and puyssaunce graffed in the same as no crafty deuices and subtile practises can preuaile agaynst it but that whatsoeuer thou hast with a most rightful counsaile and singuler iustice decreed vpon shall be brought to good ende We earnestly require thée therefore that as the earth heauen and vniuersall worlde are most euident witnesses of thy vnspeakeable wisedome and singuler iustice so the truth and sincere worshipping of thée may appéere in thy blessed Church where all men maye heartily reioyce togither bicause supersticious and corrupt Religions are altogither banyshed Let them be ioyfull in this behalfe which purely and with feruent zeale do vnfeynedly loue and honor God whome finally we humblye beséeche to augment the light of our mindes and that we maye with an exceeding pleasant chéerefulnesse reioyce in the sacred Congregation of hys blessed Sainctes for the vnspeakeable benefites he hath bestowed vpon vs through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme FOrsomuch as all thy iudgementes O most good and mercifull God doe shine forth with perfect equitie and right vp iustice we ought therefore to be excéeding glad
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
and miserable caytifes vnto thée who of thy owne accorde vsest to bee an helper to the poore and distressed Breake thou yet once at length the power of the vngodlye heare the prayers of the afflicted and finally deliuer the oppressed so that they being set free from so great terrours may giue due thanks vnto thée in thy sacred church for thy great mercye and compassion thorow Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xj. Psalme IN thée O most good and mightye God repose wée our whole trust and confidence A prayer against the temptation of fayth therfore when our fleshe when humaine wisedome when also the vngodly do obiect and lay to our charge that our cause is turned vpside downe and quite ouerthrowne neyther any helpe at all left for the maintenance of the true doctrine and the most holy and sacred Gospell wée are not for all this perswaded to dispaire of thy mercy power â–ª who see in deede that the enimies of thy glorious name haue bent the bowe of their puyssaunce and made ready their arrowes to pearce and shoote vs thorow Moreouer wee also wey and consider that oure lyfe hath béene such as we deserue all maner of euill hap and miserie that may bée who haue not done after thy will as it became obedient children no but haue alwaies hitherto which now sore gréeueth vs rebelled agaynst thy holy commaundementes Yet nowe with all humilitie do we craue pardon for our sinnes and are very bolde to require this of thee through the confidence wée haue in thy excellent goodnesse and singuler clemencie that thou which hast thy exceding princely palace and most holy seate in the heauens from whence it is thy accustomed woont to looke downe and fixe thine eyes vpon all thinges that are done on the earth wilt at length diligently trie out the equitie of this cause and looke vpon the vngodlynesse and crueltie of our enimies But restraine thou and kéepe backe which hast very often vsed to cast fire brimstone and burning thunderboltes vpon the vngodlye at the least wise the cruell persecutors of thy blessed Churche to the intent all men maye knowe that thou beyng most righteous doest fauour the right cause and wilt bee our strong defence who haue taken vpon vs an earnest zeale and loue of thy most glorious name through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Another prayer out of the same Psalme WHen we O most good and mightye God do put our whole trust and coÌ„fidence in thee so much as in vs lyeth the desires of our owne fleshe the counsayles of the vngodly and the temptations of Sathan do not sléepe or cease wherewith wée are alured day and night to renounce and vtterly forsake all Godlinesse as thoughe we should be wholy oppressed and vanquished with the strength of bowe of arrowes and other force of our wicked enimies if we go on forwarde to leade such a life as becommeth thy seruauntes But we notwithstanding we be compassed about and ouerwhelmed with greauous sinnes and iniquitie yet neuerthelesse vpon the sure trust and confidence that we haue in thy rich mercy we humbly besech thee first to forgiue vs our heynous offences who do acknowledge and confesse the same vnto thy diuine Maiestie And that then thou wouldest out of thy celestiall and heauenly palace shewe forth thy louing countenaunce to be our most strong helper that at what tyme thou hast tryed and proued the case on both partes with an equall ballance then the enimies of godlinesse maye be iustly punished according to their owne desertes and on the contrary part thy beloued seruauntes trie by receyuing of saluation that thou art a defender of equitie and vpright dealing through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xij. Psalme â— praier aâ—ainst huâ—aine false 〈◊〉 erronious â—octrine IN so great a want and scarsitie of good and godly men thou onely O most mercifull and mightie God remaynest to be our strong defeÌ„ce Wherefore we drawe néere and approche vnto thée with these our dayly prayers beséeching thy diuine Maiestie to helpe at length our most troublesome and afflicted estate For vnlesse thou mightily defendest thy louing Church howe can it be in safety amongst such kinde of enimies who do not kéepe any maner of fidelitie and go alwayes aboute to deceyue plaine simple persons with vaine lyes and false flattering wordes neuer faythfullye thinking that in their hart which they vtter by word of mouth Deliuer vs not ouer O most mercifull father to be handled of them as our sinnes and wickednesse deserue but in this case haue an especiall regarde to the glory of thy puyssaunt name the mightye increasing of thy Gospell and the farre passing faythfulnesse of thy louing promises this do not for our sakes but for the causes here shewed and mencioned beare not with these men that séeke to augment and enlarge their owne power only which being straungers to Godlinesse haue no knowledge at all of thée Looke vpon the great affliction and groninges of thy blessed Church arise vp nowe and helpe vs according to thy mercifull promises For thy wordes are white and more pure then the most excellent and finest siluer Finally seing euery sort of wicked and vngodly persons did couitte with all the witte and industrie they can to bée moste mightie defende thou thy Church for thy infinite mercies sake from those mens extréeme iniuryes and cruell oppressions through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme FOrsomuch as O heauenly father during the time we liue in this transitory worlde amongst frayle mortall creatures of Godly true dealing and faythfull persons there is marueylous great want wheras contrariwise men may sée a wonderfull company of vngodly persons deceytfull men flatterers such as be great talkers and speake very prowde wordes we poure out our humble prayers before hande vnto thée who art our refuge beséeching thee that thou wouldest not so weigh and regard those things which wee haue frowardly committed against thée as to giue vs ouer vnto the lust and furye of wicked and lewde men according to our iust deserts But rather for thy great mercyes sake which is marueylous ample and excéeding large arise and with thy mightie power deliuer those that trust in thée from the snares deceipt and subtile wiles which the enimies of all godlines do practise and imagin continually against them that whilest thou art their defence mightie preseruer from the wicked and moste cursed generation all men may vnderstand thy promises and woordes to be both garnished with a singuler and vnspeakeable veritie and also most pure and vncorrupt from euery sporte of deceyuablenesse and vaine léesing through Iesus Christ oure Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the xiij Psalme WHilest that the Godly O most mightie God do sée themselues vexed with grieuous afflictions A praier that we dispayre not in trybulation and tossed with painefull miseries they greatly feare that
ought therefore to haue reioysed in the alone and highly to extoll thy blessed name onely but alas for sorowe we haue beene most vngratefull for all these excellent benefites in flesh and mans power hath bene our onely affiance for we through our most wicked life and vngodly behauiour haue brought thy blessed doctrine which we professe to great infamie and reproche Thou therefore doest cast vs down presently and heapest shame vpon vs we are now in a maner become a praye vnto Antechrist and a mocking stocke vnto our neighbours Thy sacred Gospell O good God is at this present a bye worde vnto the Infidels a scorne vnto the people and a Mayegame vnto euerye rascall we acknowledge that all these thinges haue happened vnto vs by reason of our mischieuous sinnes and that right worthelye But O excellent Father reconcile vs againe vnto thée according to thy mercifull goodnesse and vouchsafe to pardon whatsoeuer we haue very lewdlye and foolishlye committed agaynst thy diuine Maiestie and graunt also that we be not any thing at all forgetfull of thée neither be found false harted or vnfaythful in thy holy couenant Let not our minde at any tyme start and shrinke aside from thy blessed footesteppes although we should be worne to the vttermost and compassed about on euerie side with the shadowe of death Let vs neuer so ouershoote our selues no though we be appoynted as shéepe to the slaughter as to be forgetfull of thy glorious name and to haue recourse vnto detestable worshipings Awake we humbly beséech thée O good God neither slumber nor sléepe thou any more Let not thy face be hidden from our gréeuous afflictions arise and mightily preserue them that are throwne downe and brought verye low whome we doubt not but thou of thy vnspeakeable mercy hast chosen vnto thy selfe through Iesus Christ our lord Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WOnderfull things are set forth vnto vs in the sacred scriptures O most good and mercifull God of thy excellent mercy and victorious actes which thou hast shewed in old time as touching the strong defence the mightie preseruation and excellent increasing of thy faithfull seruants by hearing whereof we are assuredly perswaded to repose oure whole trust in thée onely and not in our owne strength ryches and power But nowe being sore opprest with the most gréeuous burthen of our heynous sinnes when as we féele the deserued reuengement of thy heauy wrath and fearing more dreadfull paynes and sharpe punishments as men whose consciences do iustly accuse them earnestly require thée who art alwayes verye mercifull to pardon and forgiue whatsoeuer we haue lewdly commitced agaynst thy diuine Maiestie furthermore if thou shalt purpose and determine with thy selfe to vex vs with bitter calamities and wofull miseryes graunt that the same be not the cause we defile the godly awe and reuerence which is due of our partes vnto thée neyther suffer thou vs to haue recourse vnto any other counsels then thine Stirre vp thy selfe therefore and make haste to helpe vs for thou séemest to haue turned away thy fauor from vs while thou prolongest the tyme to be our strong helper And therfore to the intent thy accustomed tender mercy and fauourable goodnesse maye bée manifested and well knowne vouchsafe mightily to deliuer vs from these daungerous perils that inuiron and compasse vs about on euery side through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xlv. Psalme A prayer for saluation purchased vnto vs by Christ WE haue Christ Iesus O moste good and mercifull God an onelye and most ample King to all sortes of good men whose force as it is verie notable so is the throne of hys glorious Empire established for euer His excellent power is inuincible it is garnished with most notable righteousnesse he standeth in highe fauour with thée and is in his vnspeakeable wisedome right glorious The Church is vnto him as a most royall Quéene espoused to the intent she may bring him foorth a most plentifull and holy seede We therefore which ought with all our indeuour to haue honored so mightie a King haue through our naughtinesse and lewde behauiour defiled his excellent name and holy kingdome which we now heartily acknowledge and earnestly confesse before the O most excellent father humbly requiring thy diuine maiestie to pardon and forgiue vs the same that we being receyued into thy louing fauour may féele a fresh the benifits of our good king and although we neyther merite nor deserue the same yet graunt that he may arise in this time of our great distresse be girded about with his two edged sworde and deliuer his déere espoused Church from the violent iniuries and opprobrious slaunders of Antichrist Let him now drawe out the excéeding sharpe darts of his mightie worde and blessed spirit and execute the rodde of seuere iudgement and righteousnesse wherewith he hath béene alwayes accustomed to gouerne his kingdome and at this present verie manifestly to declare that he greatly loueth truth and hateth iniquitie as a most wicked thing through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THy onely begotten sonne our Lord Iesus Christ O most good and mercifull God is worthie to be commended by all meanes possible that can be deuised who hath aboue all things vttered and set forth him selfe elegantlye and after a beautifull maner in the forme of excellent vertues and shape of pure holinesse vsing a most gentle maner of perswasion both in his teaching and exhortation and bringeth all things vnder his diuine power and omnipotent gouernment through the puissant sworde of his blessed worde and efficacie of his incomparable force who hath from time to time shewed himselfe a verie great louer of righteousnesse a most extreeme enimie of iniquitie But whereas we sinfull wretches as a chast spouse in wedlocke were handfasted to such so puissant a one as he is haue defiled our selues through sundrie and manifolde spottes of corrupt vices Therefore our earnest request is that thou wouldest clense vs with heartie rapentaunce and thy blessed spirit whereby the wicked and lewde desires that bée graffed in vs being once forgotten wée may altogither aspire vnto the loue of this most delectable bridgrome that through our labor layde togither in stéede of our fathers who are now alreadie gathered vnto him manie mo faithfull children maye be begotten vnto him a new wyth whome we may alwayes set out and celebrate his famous honour and moste noble prayses thorowe the selfe same Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xlvj. Psalme WHosoeuer doe certainely beléeue thée O most good and mercifull God to be their onely hope and assured strength A prayer for victorie in temptation thou hast béene alwayes very prone readie to helpe them in their great afflictions Wherefore the faithfull are vtterly voyde of all maner of feare although the whole earth be mooued the hilles shake the waues and sourges
to forgiue vs bycause we haue hither to so long and with such a feruent desire trusted in these transitorie riches that oure harts and mindes being withdrawne therfro thou wouldest most straightly annixe them to thee and thy sacred wordes to the intent we may delight in nothing more then to folowe thee and chéerefully indeuour to do whatsoeuer is thy holy will and pleasure least we become as brute beastes and perish like most dumme cattel through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the L. Psalme O Puyssant and most mighty God A prayer for remembranc◠in distresse of the last iudgement promises of god who of thy bountifull mercy hast vouchedsafe to gather thée a blessed Church out of all parts of the world and that first by the Apostles whom in Mount Sion thou induedst with thy sonnes most abundaunt spirite Neyther wouldest thou for any other cause gather thy very chosen and good people so wonderfully togither but that a true way how to worship thée wherein doubtlesse consisteth the whole perfection of faythfull beleuers might at length be vniuersally knowne amongst all nations and cause vs to learne that godlinesse doth not altogither consist in outward obseruations and most dumme ceremonies For like as these thinges doe please thée so long as they are witnesses and testimonies of fayth so if they be destitute thereof they are exceeding odious and very detestable in thy sight The thing that thou chiefly requirest of vs is this that thy holy name may be highly praysed and duly glorified not only in words and thoughts but with all the déedes of this our life Thy blessed will is that we shoulde vnfeynedly performe whatsoeuer we haue hartily promised and with feruent zeale vowed vnto thee so as we be assuredly perswaded that they are both agréeable to thy sacred word and a furtheraunce to perfect godlinesse Moreouer thou requirest vs to inuocate and call vpon thée when we are most touched with aduersitie and to render due thankes to thy diuine Maiestie as expedient it is so to doe at what time soeuer we be mightily deliuered therefro Thou doest exact require these things at our handes as the chiefest poynts of our religion But we O good God haue hitherto most wretchedly and vnhappily sinned who haue alwayes put no smal affiaunce in our owne rites and ceremonies and perused oftentymes the holy Scriptures when our hart was farre from them discipline hath bene displeasaunt vnto vs and we haue euerye where through our moste wicked lustes neglected thy sacred commaundementes Now therfore for thy singuler mercie and infinite goodnesse sake pardon and forgiue vs these our misdéedes and mightily deliuer vs from such as being wrapped in with rapine and vnchastnesse spake most vileynously of thy sanctified Churche and holy Gospell beleuing that thou spiest not the naughtinesse which they lewdly commit when as thou séemest not to reuenge it but very paciently to permit and suffer the same Cause them shortlye to vnderstand this right well neither let vs be haryed thus violently of them as thoughe there were none that coulde or would deliuer vs through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme THou hast shewed vnto vs O most good and mightie God through that seuere sentence of thine by what thing mortall mens causes are to be decided before thy high iudgement seate and it liketh thée nothing at all to make inquisition for burnt offerings or outward sacrifices séeyng the Calues Goates wilde beastes and finally all liuing thinges that be in the worlde are in thy mightie hande and power neyther was it thy good pleasure at any tyme that these thinges should be offered vnto thee any otherwise but as manifest tokens of reuerent awe pure religion and inward godlinesse But thou hast chiefly required this of mankind that they should yeelde and render most hartie thankes for the benefites they haue receyued and to ascribe all the good thinges they inioy vnto thée onely but let them diligently annixe and ioine this therevnto that whatsoeuer they pretend or purpose to do it may according to theyr faythfull promise greatly redowne to the glorie of thy blessed name and call vpon thée onely in their great distresse and miserable calamities We do in this point as thou O good God right well knowest erre very gréeuously and therefore our harty desire is that for thy infinite goodnesse sake thou wouldest pardon and forgiue whatsoeuer we haue wickedly and after a lewde maner committed agaynst thée so as we handle not thy sacred worde to our condemnation least we be through thy vpright sentence pronounced wonderfull arrogant straunge children exceeding couetous giuen to fleshly lust and curssed speakers but rather that we may earnestly offer vnto thee an acceptable sacrifice of thankesgiuing and fashion our whole life according to the square rule of thy blessed commaundements through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lj. Psalme WEe lamentablye wyth heartye prayer call vpon thy louing mercie O moste good and gracious God that we maye be clensed A prayer for remission of sinnes washed and pourged from our heinous iniquities and excéeding detestable and mischieuous déedes who do acknowledge and confesse howe lewdly we haue hitherto behaued our selues but our gréeuous sinnes shall neuer be of such force as to make thée vniust or false of thy excellent promise we truely doe right well vnderstand that our deserts are not such as thou shouldest vouchsafe to make most large and notable promises vnto vs but stand nowe in great néede of thy vnspeakable faythfulnesse and constancie to helpe vs. Thou seest that we were brought forth into this worlde corrupted and defiled euen from our mothers wombe and were before conceyued in the same iniquities also purifie therefore our mindes and garnish them with such a passing whitenesse as séemeth acceptable vnto thee Create in vs a pure heart a right holy and seruiceable spirit that we be not cast of from thée as moste wicked persons but may recouer the true ioyes and perfect consolation If thou wilt deliuer vs from those deadly sinnes which accuse vs as gyltie of eternall death our lippes shall merily and with right great ioy shewe forth thy worthie prayse Graunt we heartily beséech thée that we may approche vnto thy diuine Maiestie with a troubled spirite and an humble and contrite heart as an offring wherein thou chiefly delightest then shall our present calamities be mollefied and then also shall we not celebrate thy prayses vnthankefully manifest thy louing kindnesse vnto Sion thy beloued Church for thou right well perceyuest the manifold perils it is subiect vnto and that she is gréeuously assaulted both without and within We hartily require thée to deliuer hir not onely from outward enimies but also reforme the same and set it in good state to the intent she may not séeme altogither vnworthie such an husband as thou art through Iesus Christ our lord Amen An other
administration of thy holy Sacraments and others innumerable which belong to the bewtefying of this thy heritage But wée alas being vngratefull of all these moste excellent and singuler giftes haue accomplished nothing as was required of vs. Therefore the wicked and barbarous Nations are not without iust desert stirred vp togither through thy wrathfull indignation to inuade thy holy Churche and to shed the bloud of thy faythfull people and blessed inheritance as if it were water making of vs a verye scorne and laughing stocke and that which is more lamentable and greatlier to be sorowed they persecute in vs not our deadly sinnes but thy owne selfe thy holy Gospell thy diuine honor and pure worshipping of thée Wherfore O God most déere father our earnest request is that thou wouldest not bée alwayes angrie with thy people and shéepe of thy pasture Poure out therefore thys thy wrath which is kindled against vs for our sinnes vpon the heathen that haue not knowne thée and suffer not thy blessed Church to be deuoured of the vngodly We hartily desire thée for thy infinite mercies sake and by the intercession of thy moste déerely beloued sonne our Lorde to haue no more in remembrance our olde heynous sinnes And séeing that we put our whole trust and confidence in thy goodnesse onely assist and deliuer such as crie and call vnto thée euen for the glorie of thy names sake Be mercifull vnto our gréeuous sinnes otherwise the vngodly will say that thou hast reiected thy owne case Let the sorrowfull sighing lamentable teares of the oppressed came before thée and not be put out of thy sight pardō whatsoeuer we haue gréeuously cōmitted agaynst thee and vouchsafe to shew vpon vs the force of thy assistant help to the intent that we thy louing heritage thy faythfull people and shéepe of thy good pasture maye giue thee thankes for euer and shewe forth thy worthie prayses from one generation to another through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme LEt the wonderfull examples of thy rygorous iustice O moste mightie God wherewith thou hast subuerted the Kingdome of Israell and wrapped that people for their rebelliousnesse agaynst thee in slaughters rapes booties burnings captiuities with all kinde of miseries and infelicitie be a wholesome and comfortable admonition vnto vs so that we may with a right chéerefull minde lay hold vpon true repentaunce and be deliuered therby from most gréeuous torments which through our innumerable heynous sinnes we haue worthely deserued For verye méete it is that thou shouldst haue an especiall regard vnto thy moste blessed and glorious name but if thou shalt poure out thy wrath vpon vs the wicked will imagine that thou hadst no care to helpe such as duely honor thée and craue thy assistaunce with abundance of teares for if any calamitie or aduersitie light vpon thy sacred Church it is incontinent their accustomed maner malipartly to scoffe agaynst the same saying where is nowe their God become What profite haue they by theyr religion By meanes whereof this kinde of reproch redowndeth vnto thée ▪ vpon thy sacred doctrine and vpon thy holy Gospell Wherefore our humble and earnest request is that being right mindfull of the sheepe of thy pasture thou wouldest so defende and mainteyne vs as we may perpetually in all places both publish and also set forth thy worthye prayses through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxx. Psalme A prayer for the repairing of the afflicted Church THou hast alwayes hitherto béene accustomed O most mightie god to be present like a louing shéepeherd with thy faythfull people and to lead them forth vnder thy protection as if they were sheepe We now therefore require thée to stirre vp thy mightye power in so great perilles and shewe vs the bright light of thy fauourable countenaunce Rayse vp thy selfe and be ready to helpe and deliuer vs. We truely acknowledge and earnestly confesse that in consideration of our heynous iniquities most gréeuous sinnes committed against thée thy heauie wrath hath not without good desert béene kindled agaynst vs and thy iustice to be the principall cause why these excéeding great mischiefes wherewith thy blessed Church is nowe opprest haue inuaded the same But séeing that at this present we are right hartily sorie for all the sinnes which haue by vs béene committed agaynst thée and that we may lamentably require thy louing fauour and mercie how long wilt thou be angrie with vs Howe long wilt thou suffer the great strife gréeuous rebukes and opprobrious slaunders wherewith the vngodly and moste lewde persons do touch thée in vs Turne vnto vs O excellent father in this most troublesome time the quiet and cheerefull coūtenaunce of thy inestimable goodnesse and be mindfull of thy notable benefits which thou hast bestowed vpon thy sacred church and séeing that thou hast hitherto nourished it bewtified it and alwayes garnished the same with the most plentiful and large giftes of thy blessed spirite Deliuer hir not now ouer we humbly beséeche thée to be spoyled of the outragious vngodly most cruell Antichristians suffer not so pleasant and chosen a vineyarde which with thy most high excéeding mightie right hand thou hast planted increased to be shamefully and after a very wretched maner cast downe set on fire and vtterlye rooted vp Looke downe from heauen and haue an especiall regard vnto suche as earnestly crie and call for thy spéedy assistaunce let the vngodly perish at the rebuke of thy louing countenaunce who doe perpetually blasphéeme cruell bondage of Antichrist but we vile wretches haue most filthily abused our fredome and benefite of quietnesse Thou hast oftner then once as thou didst vnto the Israelites both by the sacred Scriptures and also through the ministers of thy blessed worde protest vnto vs on this wise giue eare vnto me O my people and acknowledge me truly to be thy God not in words I say only but in minde verily and with a perfect and most pure worshipping But we alas haue turned our heart from thy holy wordes whereby our heynous sinnes are continually more and more increased and the aduersaries of thy holy Church also whome thou without doubt wouldest haue ouerthrowne and cast downe if wée had giuen credite vnto thée are nowe become a very terrour vnto vs for we that might exceeding quietly and carelesly haue inioyed thy most swéete and pleasant gifts are nowe ouerthrowne day by day wyth greater and more greeuous afflictions Yet we humblye beséeche thée for thy singuler mercyes sake not to forsake thy sacred Church being vexed so miserably and after such a wretched sort Be present at length therevnto in such wise that she may perpetually kéepe and retaine the true Religion and pure doctrine which thou hast set forth and deliuered vnto hir through Iesus christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxxij Psalme THe gouernment of all kingdomes and earthly power appertayneth vnto thée
when as the cruell aduersaries of thy glorie shall right well vnderstand the same they may in good earnest vnfeynedly turne and bée conuerted vnto thée throughe Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxxvij Psalme SEing that the Church is thy blessed house wherein thou O Lord God art highly praysed greatly coÌ„mended A prayer for the reedifying of the christian congregation Vouchsafe we humbly beseech thee that the foundation thereof be not made vpon sand but in a large plaine ground cituated vpon the hils of thy most holy Saints whose head and Chieftain is Christ And to the intent thou O good Lord mayst continually abide therein or the place of thy habitation to be wonderfull pleasant and delectable in which thou speakest things of very great importance wherevnto men haue recourse from all partes and borders of the worlde being augmented through the mighty preaching of thy blessed worde and is notably increased vpon all men by the comfort of thy excéeding sweete promise let hir fame be very largely spred abroad for that she hath no respect of persons or deserts but cause all thy sanctified children bée they Iewes or Ethnicks Lordes or seruauntes to spring and grow vp in the same togither through the stedfast and vnremoueable fayth they haue in Christ Iesu For this was thy owne purposed will O most high mightie God euen from the beginning to gather some togither out of diuers nations of the world throughe the most manifest declaratioÌ„ of straunge vnknowne tongues by whom thou mightest be highly celebrated in pleasaunt songes and lowde blastes of glorious Trumpettes through Iesus Christ our Lorde So be it ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxxviij Psalme A prayer in the tryall of fayth SEing that our onelye saluation dependeth wholy vpon thy diuine Maiestie O almightie God and that we doe crie dayly vpon thée bowe downe thy fauourable eare to our humble prayers turne not away thy face from them but permit the same to come into thy blessed presence specially at thys tyme when we be so glutted with aduersitie who are neyther vniustly nor yet without good cause punished with these troublesome and most sharpe afflictions for wée haue behaued our selues so vnthankfully liued after such a wicked sort and so negligently honored thée as all those euilles light vpon vs for our naughtie and lewde behauiour How be it we are excéeding sorie for the same and doe lamentably in our most feruent prayers require thy fauourable mercy besâ—eching thee not to deale with vs according to our iniquities and naughtie vsages Make vs not like vnto them that nowe lie in the graue neyther recken vs with those that goe downe into the pit Thou séest what mans strength is what succour is to be had in fleshly handes and howe vaine a thing outwarde power is wherefore make haste to be our readie helper neyther establishe thou thy wrath vppon vs nor yet suffer vs to be drowned in these stormie tymes of Antichrist We are become an open shame vnto the aduersaries of thy glorious name and Gospell our friendes and acquaintaunce withdraw and hide themselues from vs. For which cause we call earnestly vppon thée and stretche forth our sorrowfull handes vnto thy most fauourable mercies seate hide not thy louing face from vs we humbly beséech thée whereas otherwise we shall die like miserable wretches neyther be able to abide the terror of thy fierce iustice Althoughe our déere friendes nere neighbors and familier acquaintaunce withdraw themselues farre from vs yet shewe thou thy selfe present with vs and lighten vs in such wise with thy most redie helpe to the intent that being deliuered from so great perilles wée maye not prayse thée in the graue or in death but amongs such as remaine a liue through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme BYcause O most mightie God we often fall from thée like men so long as wée here liue our mindes being ouercast with darknesse and wée who ought to walke outwardly in thy blessed wayes haue dyuers times eyther fallen or else do cowardly lye still from the which thou of thy vnspeakable goodnesse hast béene accustomed to rayse vp such as thou well fauourest either with some sicknesse or aduersitie to the intent thou mayest shake of their vnpalpable darknesse and slouthfull sluggishnesse from them which thing we assuredly knowe thou wilt presentlye doe and that without any delay who feele our selues so bowed to the grounde and made crooked with the heauy burthen of woful miseries as we are euen in a maner brought to vtter confusion and vndoing Wherefore our earnest request is O moste déere Father that thou wouldest not chastice vs in thy furie nor destroy vs with the wrath of thy sore displeasure but we woulde that the things which haue hitherto happened might make to our renuing or restoremeÌ„t For we nowe poure out our humble peticions and lamentable cryes before thy eye sight thou séest how our friends and alies are gone cleane against vs that the aduersaries laying awayt for our lyfe ceasse not to pitche snares who do alwayes imagine craftes and deceypts whereby they might do vs some notable mischiefe Giue eare O good God to our feruent prayers and earnest peticions and suffer not the enimies of thy glorious name to triumph ouer vs. Forsake vs not vtterly holde not thy selfe aloofe from vs and make haste to bée our readie helper forsomuche as the whole hope of our saluation consisteth only in thée through Iesus Christ oure Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme FOrsomuch as O almightie God during this wretched life we are hedged in with naughtinesse on euery side who haue such plentie of calamities and bée so glutted with miseries that being yet aliue we walke in the middest of death therefore with vehement and continuall prayer we crie vnto thée without ceassing whom we accompt as our onely Sauiour Behold we humbly beséech thée howe we by reason of our heinous sinnes are so sore pined away as we be now in a maner swalowed vp of finall destruction thy gréeuous wrath and heauie indignation being kindled for their sakes doth make vs much afrayde and miserably vexeth vs. Neyther can our faithfull friends louing neighbors or well willers helpe vs any thing at al touching our deliueraunce from so greeuous inconueniences Wherefore make hast O excellent father to helpe vs and for thy infinite mercies sake pardon whatsoeuer we haue most lewdly coÌ„mitted against thée which if thou doest not so loÌ„g as we here liue that which our desire is thou wouldst remoue from vs can take no place after thy laste iudgement and sentence of condemnation Shew forth againe the light of thy fauourable countenaunce vpon vs which by reason of our most wicked and lewde deserts thou seemedst worthily to haue turned so long time from vs whereas otherwise we shall not be able to indure anye longer our conscience accusing vs and
the Eagle from time to time renue hir youth And like as thou dissembling the sinnes of the Israelites didst not onely bring them to the dwelling place that thou hadst promised by Moses whom thou hadst taught but also through the perpetuall benefites of thy excellent mercie bestowed vppon that people didst shewe and manifest that thy goodnesse towardes them surmounted all their mischieuous dedes no lesse space then the heauens are distant from the earth bée thou which art our father and we thy déere children moued with mercie towardes vs who are lyke to be ouerwhelmed wyth darknesse and lewde behauiours vnlesse thou presently puttest to thy assistant helping hand Cause vs to finde by proofe that thou hast renued the couenaunt made betwixt thée and vs and the same being restored let vs with all earnessnesse indeuor our selues to set forth thy blessed lawe and commaundementes in holynesse of life whereby not onely the earthly Church may render condigne thankes vnto thy vnspeakable goodnesse for our saluation but also the Aungelles which accomplishe thy holy will with a marueylous cheerefulnesse may do the same through Iesus Christ our lord Amen ¶ A prayer out of the. Ciiij Psalme A praier that we may vse â—he creatures of God in such â—ort as we â—re willed EVery creature doth abundauntlye shew forth vnto vs thy inuincible force splendant bewtte and famous glorie O most mighty god inasmuch as we sée that all things doe adorne thee with their whole power might obeying not onely thy sacred wordes but euen thy very beckes also it behoueth vs in like sort to be likewise affectioned séeing that thou hast created all things chiefly to our profite and singuler commoditie For we certainly know and right well perceiue howe the earth doth continually yéeld fruit for our sustentation and how we be helped with the welles flouds beastes raine herbes corne wine oyle and all kinde of foode but our nature is so blinde corrupt and defiled that the more we are bounde to thée for thy excéeding great benefites so much the stubburnlier swarue we from thy sacred wordes and blessed will Wherefore our earnest request is that thou wouldest for thy infinite mercies sake pardon whatsoeuer wée haue hitherto committed agaynst thy diuine Maiestie and vouchsafe vs to depend soly vpon thée will we or nill we touching our bodily foode so that also our whole motions strength counsels and workes be fastned onely vpon thy excellent goodnesse Moreouer we humbly beséech thée not to turne thy face awaye from vs in these our dayes whereas otherwise we shall be sore troubled giue vp the ghost and be brought to nothing Thou hast O good God diuers meanes and sundrie wayes to destroy thy mischieuous enimies who vsest the moste violent windes lightnings and flames of fire in steede of thy messengers for if thou doest looke downe vpon the earth it trembleth by and by and if thou touchest the mouÌ„taynes they smoke straight wayes Sley thou therefore the wicked Antichristians in such wise as they may no more remaine and let peace and tranquilitie be so giuen to thy blessed Church that she may ioyfully sing and pleasantly shewe forth thy moste worthie prayses through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme IT is not vnbeknowne to thy faythfull people O most mightie God that thou hast created all things from the beginning to the behoofe of thy elect seruaunts Therefore like as we see the whole worlde which thou hast made to be garnished with wonderfull and most bewtifull ornamentes so we humbly beséeche thée to lighten and pollishe thy blessed Church in suche wise which is the congregation of such as shall be saued that thy glorie maye no lesse appéere in hir then in the whole worlde let the pure light of thy sacred wordes shine especially therein which maye cause the mightie power and inuincible force of thy Spirite to worke more effectually in oure heartes and make the constancie in fayth of the beleuers so great as they may be more stedfast then the masse of the earth or foundations and pillers of the worlde Driue from thence at the rebuke of thy puyssance daungerous temptations the hurtfulnesse of hell and the prince of darknesse and contrariwise in stéede of them let the inspiration of thy most swéete spirite succéede like springs of liuing water and let not perpetuall foode bée wanting to our weaknesse where with to féede it But let there be a fortresse in the confidence of thy glorious name for vs to retire vnto and like as in thy blessed creatures is great abundance of light whether it be in the starres or in the sundrie variety of beasts herbes stones so we humbly beséech thée to garnishe and bewtifie thy holy Church with the brightnesse of all vertues through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme AL creatures which thou hast created O most good and mercifull God are witnesses by their greatnesse and most exquisite ornaments with what a wonderfull wisdome and inuincible power thou flourishest there is nothing but it dependeth wholy vppon thée for what things soeuer haue life are fed by the foode which thou giuest them and from such as thou hidest the sight of thy louing countenaunce they are not able any longer to indure but die incontinent whensoeuer they be depriued of thy spirit Forsomuch as therfore O excellent father thou art so good and mighty in working euen towards those things chiefly which thou hast ordeyned to be farre inferiour to man wée humbly beséech thée to extend thy fauourable clemencie no lesse towards thy blessed Church Shee verily is thy owne worke wherefore reioyce and delight therein and of thy excéeding highe prouidence cause thy maiesty to shew forth it selfe in hir most euidently whereby wée may alwayes both ioyntly amongest our selues haue most pleasaunt wordes concerning thy blessed wil and also magnifie thée with perpetuall prayses forsomuch as thou hast taken all vncleanesse quite from hir through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cv. Psalme THy marueylous and vnspeakable workes O heauenly father doe much counsaile vs A praier thâ— we be not â—â—norant of tâ—â— works of oâ— redemptioâ— and thy commaundements earnestly teach vs to search for thy louing countenaunce with a most pure worship and faythfull inuocation in thy holy congregations by calling this to mind and remembraunce that thou art our mercifull God who hast made vs the true Israell by Christ and sonnes of thy most famous seruaunt Abraham thorow fayth Take away therefore from vs we humblye beséeche thée our heynous sinnes and all vncleanesse of life to the intent we may according to our bouÌ„den dutie séeke thée come before thy diuine presence We acknowledge our selues to haue hitherto most gréeuously offended thée both in minde and voyce and vnlesse thou makest haste to helpe vs our sinnes will cast vs downe into the déepe For euen according to our iust
which thou hast vouchedsafe more then once to enter into with thy faythfull seruaunts We right well perceyue and the Scripture doth euery where put vs in remembraunce how thou hast alwayes stood most constantly to thy blessed couenaunts For thou hast not onely brought our Fathers out of Egipt but of thy woÌ„derful clemencie feddest them in the desert who didst according to thy faythfull promise place those thy people in the land of Canaan our earnest request and humble desire is therefore O excellent father that thou wouldst extend thy mercie truth no lesse towards vs. For performaunce whereof sende out thy most puyssant force of thy blessed word whereby the true honouring of thy holye name in thy sacred Church may be set frée from errors and darknesse so that we may at length luckily attaine to the true worshipping of thée which is the originall and piller of all wisdome through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxij Psalme A praier that â—he godly â—aye be â—lessed FOrsomuch as we haue not yéelded such honor vnto thée O most excellent father as was our right bounden dutie neyther haue bene obedient to thy blessed commaundementes as we ought therefore are these troublesome and difficult tymes nowe come vpon vs. For those which duely obey faythfully loue and truely worship thée according to thy prescript word do not wallow in darknesse but are strengthned in righteousnes and order all their doyngs with an vpright iudgement Let thy vnspeakable mercye therefore O most mighty God amend that in vs which hath through our lewde default béene greatly appared First vouchsafe to giue thy benigne consent vnto this that we swarue hereafter nothing at all from the perfect waye which thou hast set forth vnto vs then so strengthen oure mindes and heartes that we be not more affrayed of imminent mischiefe then néede is but vndershore thou the weakenesse of our féeble minde and graunt that we may repose our whole trust in thée onely Cause the horne of thy people to bee exalted and lifted vp in this so sharpe and perillous a battaile Thou séest how greatly ourwicked and vngodly enimies do fret at vs for if they were of abilitie they would not only destroy vs and all that we haue but also vtterly race and abolishe out of the Church the pure worshipping of thée all perfect Godlinesse and true religion who gnashe the téeth of their crueltie and with moste forceable weapons they rage without mercie Beate thou downe therefore and make frustrate their deuilishe enterprises with thy excellent might and inuincible power so that they maye fade awaye as voyde of their fond practises and all their moste detestable ymaginations vtterly perishe to the glorie and prayse of thy name through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THe due feare of thée O moste mightie God that is to say reuerent godlinesse causeth men to be right blessed who care for none other thing then howe they may most readily obey thy blessed will Therefore are we moued lamentably to require thy louing mercie whereby thou mightest renue thy holye Church being in a maner come to vtter ruine for otherwyse shall not hir or rather thy posteritie or ofspring be at any time eyther famous or mightie for the abundaunce of spirituall giftes is to be looked for from none other place neither wil light burst out by any other meanes in the middle darknesse of errors and wickednesse Moreouer if godlinesse according to our earnest peticion may reuiue in hir the perfect office of charitie towards our neighbor shall not be wanting but euery man will pleasure his brethren somuch as in him lyeth ordering his doings not rashely or by chaunce but with a spirituall ghostly iudgement Wherefore we earnestly desire thée to establishe vs quickly in thy confidence from the which let not eyther tempestuous stormes gréeuous aduersities or the delight of fortunate thinges in any wise withdraw vs through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme LYke as they which indeuor themselues to the vttermost of their powers for to follow true godlinesse and the obseruation of thy holy commaundements O mercifull God do leade a right happie and blessed life euen so do we right well perceyue that it was very agréeable to thy incoÌ„parable iustice that we should be presently tormented with these troublesome times who haue coldely applied our selues to the true honoring of thée and negligently obeyed thy sacred law as becommeth vs. But take not thou O good God for thy infinite mercies sake such reuengement of our sinnes as they haue iustly deserued but cause some light to shine out vnto vs in so great a mist of darknesse whereby pure godlinesse may be set vp agayne in thy sacred Church and holy religion flourish excéedingly Graunt moreouer that thy true worde and faythfull promises may take such déepe roote in our sinfull hearts that although we heare of gréeuous mischiefes hanging ouer our heddes yet let vs not start nor stagger any thing at all from thy sacred fayth and holy purpose Vnderproppe thou vs thy owne selfe by causing it thus to fall out that we may in this dreadfull time leane stedfastly to thée alone so as Antichrist may fret and gnash with his téeth and the spitefull aduersaries of thy glorious name pine away But contrariwise let the prayse and clearenesse of thy fauourable mercie exalt it selfe more and more and be made manifest to all creatures through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxiij Psalme A prayer for the comfort coÌ„solation of Christes Church SEing that we ought to magnifie thy glorious name O most good and mercifull God so much as in vs lyeth and by all the meanes we can possibly deuise who haue not liued in such wise heretofore as to further thy worthy prayses according to our right bouÌ„den dutie but rather thy blessed truth and sacred Gospell hath through our great default and cursed lewdnesse béene muche slaundered and that thing which ought to haue béene highly commended amongst all Nations is euery where by our naughtinesse made of none accompt Wherefore we heartily acknowledge and earnestlye confesse that thou hast most gréeuously vexed and troubled vs to the intent we should the better vnderstand thy iustice vpright iudgement Yet notwithstanding our earnest request is that forsomuch as nothing can be compared vnto thee in respect of goodnes mercy thou wouldst at length be our ready helper speedy deliuerer who hast béene accustomed of thy infinite bountiousnesse to looke not onely vpon the things that are in heauen but also doest humble thy selfe to beholde all matters which be done vpon the face of the earth Haue an eye therefore vnto the troublesome estate of thy blessed Church and diligently regarde the moste greeuous oppression of thy faythfull people Forsomuch as we haue hitherto wallowed in the mâ—ery puddle of our lewd
vyces and be now according to our iust deserts sore tost with the heauie burthen of extréeme aduersities Stretch thou out thy helping hand to ayde our princes armies who vsest to take the simple out of the dust doest lift the poore from the dunghill and succor thy blessed Church in such sort as it do not become altogither barren Vouchsafe that it may one day reioyce in peace and tranquillitie and graunt hir to bee made vnto thée through thy sacred worde and holye spirit a mother of many children by whom thy glorious name maye bee exalted with perpetuall prayses euen as it behoueth thē through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme WHosoeuer addict themselues to honor thée O moste mightie God wyth fayth and pure deuocion are bound to render immortal thanks to thy glorious name which they ought to paye vnto thée in all places euery yere without ceassing euery day and euery houre The puyssaunt force of thy great goodnesse extended towards vs is manifested in such wise as all men must néedes confesse that thou art no lesse mercifull then inuincible For although thou art sayde to haue placed thy kingly Court and Pallace in the highest coastes of the Heauens notwithstanding thou submittest thy diuine prouidēce to euery base thing which lyeth hid in the lowest part of the earth insomuch as nothing can be done eyther in heauen or earth but is cléerely and moste plainely séene of thée For séeing therefore we perfectly vnderstande that such thinges as bée done of vs are not vnbeknowne to thée and that it is alwayes thy accustomed maner to rayse vp the poore and needie so they beleue vnfeynedly in thée out of the fowle and filthie dust to more noble most renowmed Kingdomes who also doest often cause the childlesse and barren women to haue a plenteous houshold we doe with great humilitie lamentably require this at thy fauourable handes that thou wouldest be mercifull vnto the calamities thy blessed Church is nowe in so as it may at length by thy good meanes be most noble right famous which yet goeth bestoubered with filth and dust and whereas she séemeth to haue left child bearing let hir be glad with a perfect and substanciall ioy for the number of hir most faythfull sonnes through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxiiij Psalme WHen as thou O moste mercifull God broughtest the children of Israell by thy inuincible power A prayer for a true fayth by the contemolation of Goddes wonderfull workes from the bondage of Egypt and hadst layd sufficient greeuous punishments vpon the cruell and obstinate Egyptians hauing a fatherly carefull regarde and singuler affection towardes the people of the Iewes diddest therefore moste manifestly declare through wonderfull examples and moste abundaunt fauour that thou wert with them at the deuision of the waters in the red sea by the marueylous quaking of mount Sinay by the goyng backe of the riuer of Iordane the vncredible gushing of waters out of the hard rocke whereby we may right euidently vnderstand that al things happen prosperously and are greatly obedient to those whome thou hast vouchedsafe to regester in the number of thy elect seruaunts For which cause sake an excéeding liuely hope is raised vp in vs that séeing our assured affiaunce is that we belong to thy blessed house by the adoption of fayth it will come to passe that as we bée alreadie deliuered by thy benigne grace from the miserie of eternall death so also whatsoeuer is among thy blessed creatures whether it be the likenesse of prosperitie or aduersitie shall redounde at length moste luckely for the welfare of thy sacred church vnto the which thing as we right well perceyue that our heynous sinnes be worthily and not without iust cause a great let and hinderance so also we humbly beséech thée for thy infinite mercie and promised good willes sake to bring the same very spéedily to passe and that in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde who liueth and reigneth with thée euermore worlde without ende Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxv. Psalme AT what time we do lamentably require thy fauourable mercy O most mightie God A prayer for a constant confession of the Gospell thereby to be deliuered from such horrible calamities as do greatly assaile vs which is not done onlye to the intent we our selues shoulde receiue benefite thereby but also that thy blessed name might become more glorious through out wonderfull deliuerance For if thou shouldst suffer thy blessed seruaunts to lie vnder foote we sée it woulde easilye come to passe that the children of this wretched world will vpbrayde them accompt the hope they repose in thée onely to be as a vaine thing As for our part who being illumined with thy heauenly grace doe very well consider that what good thing soeuer is in this wretched worlde whereof the vnbeleuers haue made thēselues their ydols they haue neyther power nor habilitie at all to make men happie blessed although they both honor reuerence them Wherefore we knowe this to be still remayning for vs that so many as haue the feare of thy diuine maiesty before their eies and appertaine to the spirituall Israel be also graffed in the Kingdome priesthood of Christ should make their ful accompt to haue thée as their onely helper and defender For if that be done which they are bound to performe they shall dayly attaine greater encreasementes of perfect good thinges For which cause we heartily require thée who dwellest in the high heauen and hast ordeined vs to haue our habitation in the earth so long as this life indureth graunt vs so to liue that thou suffer vs not to passe our tyme like vnto them which be deade who can not set forth thy worthye prayses but our earnest desire is that we may both in talke and holy workes alwayes set out thy most glorious name through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxvj. Psalme THou doest then moste chiefly declare thy singuler good will towardes the Godly O almightye God A prayer to the like effe◠of the psalm◠which goe◠next before when as thou art present to helpe such as lamentably call vpon thée in the middest of their vnfortunate mishaps and the heynouser those be whereout thou doest deliuer them so much the greater is thy notable louing kindnesse manifested vppon them and the mindes of them all more inflamed to haue accesse vnto thée in their moste harde and troublesome tymes Wee therefore being sore cast downe and ouerwhelmed with the most gréeuous burthen of our heynous sinnes do humbly call vpon thée And forsomuch as we know by experience that men are lyers and all hope to be of none effect which shall be reposed in things created we hartily require thée with so much earnestnes as can be deuised to forgiue vs whatsoeuer we haue wickedly and lewdly
Antichrist and his cursed members haue worse dealt with vs thē our deserts required but know assuredly that thou doest not chasten and correct vs in thy furious displeasure but with fatherly mercie and louing kindnesse Wherefore we whom thou sore chastisest hauing recourse vnto thée require these thinges at thy mercifull handes that thou wouldst open the eyes of our minde wyth thy healthfull light so that we be not blinded at the beholding of thy wonderous workes let not thy sacred precepts be hid from vs so long as we be pilgrimes in this wretched world causing our mindes to bée continually inflamed with a moste ardent desire towardes those thinges which thou hast giuen in commaundement to be obserued Graunt that our deserts be not such henceforth as we be reproued amongst the lewde sort or cursed like execrable thinges bicause we haue greatly swarued from thy holy precepts Thou séest right well the slaunders and reproches wherwith thy cruell enimies do euery where assaile vs and after what sort the great princes and mighty rulers of this wretched world when they were set togither agaynst vs did striue not onely by worde but also by indeuour to turne vs away from thy sincere worde from the deuout worshipping of thee and from thy pure ceremonies Thou therefore so strengthē and quicken vs with thy puyssaunt force and mightie power as we may bée assuredly perswaded that thy faythfull promises are most true and certain through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Aleph Beth. SVch truelye are to bée accompted right happie amongst mortall men O moste good and mercifull God as haue thy sacred law alwayes set out before the eyes of their minde which they make as a patterne to beginne their life by and as a rule to proceede by when they haue begunne so that if they shal perhappes go astray their fault may both be amended thereby and they also lead a vertuous life according vnto iustice These shal liue blamelesse and when their doinges shall be examined by vpright iudgemēt they shal not be ashamed which will greatly auaile if it be diligently practised from the tender age But we heartily acknowledge and earnestlye confesse O most deere father that all mans pollicie is altogither vnprofitable and none accompt at all to be made thereof vnlesse thou bee present with thy blessed spirite and doest direct our minds for otherwise what gaine may wée haue by meditating of thy holye law then a colde and very hurtfull knowledge Wherefore our earnest request is that thou wouldest not onelye minister strength vnto vs by thy grace for the accomplishing of those thinges which thou commaundest in thy diuine lawe but also to bring this vnto good effect so that wée may haue more felicitie in them then in all our owne deuices and take a greater delight in the execution hereof then in anye fleshly or worldly pleasures through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Gimel Daleth SEing that all the force wee haue dependeth vpon thee O most good and mercyfull God and that wée do nothing wythout thy gracious ayde and furtheraunce which may please thée wée haue good cause to flie vnto thy excellent mercie seate so that we may through the helpe and assistaunce of thy good grace frame our deedes altogither confirmable vnto thy holye lawes which thing can in no wise happen vnlesse thou remouest from oure eyes the vale which euill lustes and lewd desires do alwayes put betwixt vs and thy wholsome doctrine by reason whereof we do not wel consider the beneficiall thinges which are there commaunded vs to obserue Driue also farre from vs we heartily beséech thée the swelling of the minde and a haute conceypt wherethrough wée are accustomed beyond all measure to haue mens ordinances and humaine deuices in marueylous admiration so that sometime thy holy preceptes séeme vile vnto vs in comparison of them and that moste chiefly when as wée be afraid to abide the displeasure of mightie men and the shame of this wretched world At what tyme therefore our minde shall be thus diuersly seuered refreshe thou vs O good God with thy blessed worde and mittigate with thy spirituall calmnesse the ouer vnquiet thoughtfulnesse of our mind and suffer vs not to be deceyued by the leasings of this corrupt life being of themselues marueylous pleasaunt and flattering For if thou shalt once set our destressed hart at libertie there can be no cause to the contrarie but that we may make wonderfull expedition for the accomplishing of thy sacred commaundements which we humbly beséech thée to vouchsafe that we may obteyne with as earnest an intention as can be possibly deuised through Iesus christ our Lorde Amen He Vau. WHen as we on the one side doe consider the weakenesse of oure owne strength O moste mightie God and contrariwise the absolutenesse and perfectnesse of thy blessed lawe wée euidently perceyue that for the obteyning thereof thy moste puyssant helpe will stand vs in very great steade first therefore teache vs the true wayes of thy holye commaundementes moreouer illuminate in such sort our mind and vnderstanding as we may be able to incline with great feruencie vnto those things which thou hast both taught commaunded Furthermore it is néedefull for thee to graunt vs power and habilitie to performe whatsoeuer we haue learned of thée otherwise it shall profite vs little or nothing at all to haue knowledge vnlesse some part of obedience be eyther performed or at least wise begunne in vs which the lewde inclination of our sinfull heart doth greatly hinder and finally our senses and corrupt affections are wonderfull huge aduersaries herevnto Succor thou vs therefore we humbly beséech thée with thy good grace and abundant fauor forgiuing whatsoeuer we haue committed and do dayly after a most sinfull maner agaynst thy sacred lawe neyther let it be imputed vnto vs for our eternall destruction And in the meane season O good God let thy louing mercies vtter and shewe forth themselues to be a strong defence and mightie preseruation for thy sanctified Church which thou seest gréeuously tormented with great perilles mischieuous reproches and diuerse kyndes of afflictions not permitting hir to bée in such sort wrested out of thy handes as shée may be robbed eyther of thy blessed worde or of the lawfull holy and most pure honoring of thée through Iesus Christ our lord Amen Zain Heth. WE flie vnto thée in this most troublesome time O almightie God when as we see thy blessed church so sore afflicted and that thorow our owne euill desertes who haue greatly sinned against thee done very lewdely and transgressed thy sacred lawes innumerable wayes and there is but one thing onely which rayseth vp our hope and comforteth vs most in these our gréeuous afflictions namely that we know how thou art right mindfull of the louing promises made to thy faythfull seruaunts Forsomuch as our sinnes former wretched life doe marueylously accuse vs wée humbly beséech thée therefore so to quicken and lift vs vp with thy
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
better for thy holy Church then for any house of honour or most large Citie of this worlde knowe assuredly that the same can by no meanes continue without thy mighty preseruatioÌ„ and that especially in this tyme when as both so many of the deuils engines and also of Antichristes subtile pollecies do much inuade vs. For that thing therefore which could not be atchieued by the painfull labour carefull watchings and great industrie of men we do most earnestly require of thée O heauenly father by continuall praiers who hast bene accustomed to grauÌ„t vnto thine as it were in their sleepe the thing which séemed otherwise to bee exceeding difficult and almost impossible First and formost take away our greeuous iniquities which are the chiefest let and stay why thou releauest not the present wretchednesse and miserable calamitie we are in for it is they and none other thing that do disseuer and withdraw vs from hauing confidence in thy vnspeakable mercie Now at what tyme thou shalt haue pardoned them as our earnest desire is that thou wouldst be so good as to increase thy blessed Church with a plentifull issue for if shée shall ingender children vnto thée let them who are worthie of thée and thy blessed spirite be sent out lyke arrowes through thy inuincible arme agaynst the outragious enimies of godlynesse and doctrine of the sacred Gospell but cause the vncorrupted Congregations and assemblies to haue a companie of valiaunt and strong men who so long as they take vpon them to defende thy sincere truth both in worde and déede may neither be ashamed not yet once shrinke backe therefro through Iesus christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme AL our force and enterprices are of none effect O almightie God without thy especiall grace and fauour for if no priuate house can be maintayned or any City builded except thou layest to thy present helpe and gracious good will howe much lesse then may the blessed Church bée reedified enlarged and set at a stay vnlesse thou bée marueylous readie to assist the same with thy holye spirite and benigne grace men haue labored in vaine their rising vp early and holding long fastings shall be to none effect vainly and to no purpose shall they forespend theÌ„selues with toiles troubles Wherefore wée earnestly intreat thée O good God that thy diuine presence mightie power bée not farre from vs in any of our attempts and enterprises For what thing verily soeuer hath béene at any time gathered vp and repayred of the ruines of the Church it taketh no good successe without thee yet rather thou hast giueÌ„ the same to thy labourers as it were in their sléepe making it such a thing by thy secrete and wonderfull meanes as humane strength if it were duly considered is altogither insufficient to so puyssant a worke But séeing we haue béene nowe very vngratefull and most lewdly abused so great and manifold benefites thou hast not without iust cause begunne to vexe vs with excéeding gréeuous troubles from which mennes painefull trauayle and subtill pollecie are of no abilitie to deliuer vs. Make thou hast therefore for thy accustomed mercies sake when we thinke least hereof or iudge our selues to be in daunger of many perils to vntangle those which flie vnto thy diuine Maiestie that being set at libertie we may acknowledge thee to be the onely Authour of true and perfect saluation through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme BIcause so manie as enterprice any thing without thy especiall assistance and fauourable good will O most gracious and mercifull God do labour to no purpose and trouble themselues in vaine and that they which haue not thee for theyr readie helper cannot saue and defende themselues from their cruell enimies therefore séeing that both thy Church standeth alwayes in very great néede of building and the City of our congregation is destitute and voyde of defence we cal vpon thée onely to be our couragious helper who art readie to ayde the builders and canst strongly defend the valiaunt fighters But to the intent we may the readilier attain the same multiplie we earnestly require thée the issue of thy sacred church which may be sent out as arrowes to rayse it vppe euery where by thy blessed worde and be made so skilfull and well practised in handling thy sayinges that when those thinges bee done which apperteyne to theyr vocation they maye by no meanes be put to shame and rebuke of the most godlesse and vnfaithfull persons thorow Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxxviij Psalme â— praier that â—e may feare God leade blessed â—â—fe IF no good thing or any kinde of felicity can happen to any but to such as feare God and reuerence him and to those which through a perfect lyfe walke faythfully in the wayes of his blessed commaundements the matter is nowe manifested vnto vs why we are thus vexed with gréeuous calamities For whereas thou of thy infinite mercie O almightie God hast giuen vs a comfortable and wholesome doctrine we haue performed nothing lesse then honoured thee as is our bounden dutie who haue set more by our owne filthie desires then the feare of thée due reuerence of thy glorious name by casting aside the ordinaunces of thy blessed precepts Wherefore there is no cause why we should complaine that afflictions are wrongfully layde vpon vs at any time Pardon we hartily pray thée our gréeuous iniquities and mischieuous déedes and renue in vs for thy infinite mercies sake perfect feare true godlinesse and holy conuersation Finally shine downe out of Sion that is from thy excéeding high light and such as can not be attayned vnto vpon thy afflicted Church and deliuer the same from the number of perils which she is in daunger of But forsomuch as thou hast coupled hir vnto thée to be thy wife by faith graunt that she may haue an infinite companie of holy children let hir be as a vine spreading it selfe farre abroad which Antichrist maye not with all his industrie be of force to cut and hewe downe For wée require thys chiefly at thy mercifull handes O most excellent father that thou wouldest indue thy heauenly Hierusalem with good wholesome things and send peace and tranquilitie vpon thy true Israell through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THy sacred word O most good and mercifull God doth teach vs that godlinesse onely maketh men right happie and blessed For the feare and dread wherwith godly men doe reuerence thée is an effectuall bridle to cause them for to proceede iustly in the way of thy righteousnesse But bicause this vertue is a singuler ornament of thy beloued church our earnest request is that there may be continuall labouring in the same by doctrine and example to nurter thy blessed children so that the workes be not in vaine or to none effect Let hir be dayly
the helpe of thy holye spirite which procéedeth from thée through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxliiij Psalme WE vnfeynedly confesse O moste good and mercifull God that all warlike force and pollicie procéedeth from thée onely â— prayer aâ—aynst wicâ—ed doctrine ydolatrous â—orshipping who bestowest the same at thy will and pleasure vpon such as thou wilt forsomuch as therefore we ascribe all power victorie to thy blessed name wée take thee onelye to bée our strong Castell inuincible Tower vnremoueable rocke and mightie shield For although we right well perceyue that man of his owne nature is a thing of naught in respect of that he should be acknowledged of thée and we to haue sinned so heynously as we are altogither vnworthye that thou shouldst make any accompt at all of vs but hauing neuerthelesse assured confidence in thy vnspeakable mercie we are bolde to direct our hartie praiers vnto thy diuine Maiesty in this our most difficult troublesome time requiring thee to shew forth thy mightie power from heauen for our deliuerance by scattering and dispersing of our cruell enimies Stretch out thy puyssaunt hande we humbly beseeche thée and rid vs from the layings awayte of vngodly persons It is thou which hast sent helpe vnto kinges and princes that put their whole confidence in thée by the deliuering not of Dauid only but also through the often setting at libertie of verie many of the auncient fathers from noysome mishappes and extréeme perils Forsomuch as therefore thou hast alwayes indued thy faythfull seruaunts with innumerable and most excellent benefites as well temporall as spirituall things that is to wit a plentifull issue flocks of shéepe riches and honour insomuch as all people might easily iudge the nation blessed which tooke thée for their God Reiect not now thy sacred Church for séeing that thou knowst the great afflictions wonderfull perils and marueylous distresse shée is in make spéede to helpe hir neyther permit the enimies of thy glorious name to lay the same waste and graunt that she being at length deliuered from these euils may sing new songs vnto thée and extol thy excellent name with perpetual praises through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THere is none other force O most good and mercifull God besides thine wherein thy faythfull people may haue their rock theyr fortresse shield and place of refuge in a readinesse But shoulde thy godlinesse make any accompt of vs who be vile dwarfish men For both we and all our doings shall fade away like a shadowe and meere vaine thing vnlesse thou of thy excellent mercy be present and deliuerest vs from the daungers that are without measure layde euery where for vs who then can otherwise escape the subtile crafts and wilie imaginations wherewith the enimies of mankind doth dayly assaile vs Our earnest desire is therefore to haue thée lay to thy helping hand whereby we may diuers times celebrate thy worthye prayses with newe songes and ditties Neyther doe we onely require this that those thinges may thriue with vs which apperteine to this life and a worldly prosperitie for although these coÌ„monlye bee of great waight yet doe we accompt it a greater blessednesse if thou verily wilt so shew thy selfe to be our god as in dede thou art through Iesus christ thy son who liueth and reigneth with thee euermore worlde without ende Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxlv. Psalme THy worthynesse is so noble and excellent O almightie God A prayer for the glorifyinâ— of gods workes in vs with the prâ—seruation of the Church and comfort of the faithfâ— as our searching bee it neuer so exactlye done can in no wise comprehende the same Yet we certainly vnderstand this by fayth that thou art excéeding mercifull and so aboundest therewith as it is verye long before thy heauie wrath be kindled For such is thy vnspeakable goodnesse that nothing can be founde eyther among the creatures which thou hast made or in the gouernment of the worlde but that thy singuler clemencie appeereth in the same Forsomuch as therfore we know assuredly that the sacred Churche which is thy glorious kingdome shal indure for euer we earnestly require thée to vpholde the same continually when as it is like to fall to rayse it vp when it seemeth most pressed downe by féeding all thy people in time conuenient with thy blessed worde and satisfying all suche with thy liberall grace as repose theyr whole trust in thée neyther suffer these mens prayers to be in vaine which with a pure and vnfeyned heart call vpon thy most holy name through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxlvj. Psalme A prayer for â—he acknowâ—edging of our â—utie in prayâ—ng God and â—rusting in â—im of our â—eaknesse â—f Gods proâ—ection ouer â—ll sortes of â—eople THou right well deseruest O most good and mercifull God that wée should continually extoll thy worthie prayses from the bottome of our heart and with a right pure minde neither can we practise any thing in this lyfe more noble or of greater profite In thée only ought we to repose our whole trust and not in men bée they neuer so famous and puissant for their bodie is easily dissolued their soule is soone breathed out and their ymaginations are of none effect But thou who hast created the whole worlde doest confirme thy faythfull promises with euerlasting truth in reuenging the oppressed satisfying the hungrie deliuering the fettered out of prison giuing sight to the blinde recomforting the heauie hearted fauouring the righteous defending the straungers fatherlesse children and widdowes and also in disappoynting the lewde wyles slie craftes and subtile disceyts of vngodly persons Seing that all these thinges bée thy wonderous works and are séene of vs continually they do marueylously establish our wauering fayth And therefore being styrred vp by them we do earnestly beseech thee both to gouerne and also preserue the Church which is thy blessed kingdome among the waues of this wretched worlde throughe Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxlvij Psalme WE are bounde to render excéeding great praise O most mightie god to thy glorious Maiestie A praier thâ— the worde 〈◊〉 God may bâ— of great forâ— in vs. who doe euidently perceyue that thou healest those which are broken in heart exaltest them that be méeke bringest the vngodly euen vnto hell There is no force able to incounter with thy puissaunce which rulest the starres and callest them forth by name for the accomplishing of thy blessed will as though they were thy sheepe or seruaunts Thou therfore that bringest forth clowdes raine and hay which doest féede cattell and yong Rauens and preseruest such as feare thée without the helpe eyther of footmen or horsemen looke vpon thy blessed Church we humbly beséeche thée fortifie it agaynst hir enimies and indue hir children wyth continuall peace Suffer it not to pine away
for lack of the foode of thy blessed word and euen as by thy word thou sendest forth snow yse hore frost dissoluing the same incontinent with a puffe of winde when it seemeth good in thy sight euen so with thy gracious fauour cause thou those aduersities which thou procurest for a tyme to exercise hir withall to vanishe spéedily away And thou who hast not dealt in such wyse with other nations as to reuele the misteries of thy sacred scriptures vnto them graunt that we may vse them to our soules health through Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxlviij Psalme SEing that the monuments of thy excelleÌ„t goodnesse inuincible power in all things which thou hast created O almighty God be farre néere so famous notable A praier that God may be commended in al his creatures the setting out of thy worthy prayses in them séemeth woÌ„derfull and in a maner singuler if so be that any man doth déepely wel consider the heauenly mindes the Sunne Moone Starres and workmanship of the Skies none other thing shall bee founde there then a méere commendation of thy louing fauour and vnspeakable wisedome All which things séeing that the clowdes rayne thunder windes hilles plantes liuing creatures with the whole vniuersall worke both of nature and of ciuell ordinaunce whereby common wealthes be gouerned amongest men do manifest the same vnto vs it is a thing to be wondered at how we should be so cold in this behalfe that being so pricked forward and stirred vppe with all things should kéepe silence and become almost as dumbe persons in publishing of thy worthy praises yea and which ought to séeme more hard and gréeuous in stead of praysing and glorifying thy excellent name which wée owe vnto thy diuine Maiestie for so great benefites as thou hast bestowed vppon vs we haue requited thée with slaunders reproches and blasphemies which thinges although we do not pronounce in expresse wordes yet notwithstanding forsomuch as we haue so sore defiled our selues with the most filthie spottes of sinne dishonored thy holy doctrine and by our lewde examples haue called others backe from the praysing of thy blessed name we dare not be so bolde as to speake of thy commendation and therfore worthily are our calamities made euery day more gréeuous then other But our earnest request is O good God that thou wouldst swaâ—ue nothing at all in this most sorowfull time from thy accustomed goodnesse and louing mercie who knowe thée very well to be of sufficient force for to vanquishe all maner of thinges that be repugnaunt to thy blessed will which puissaunce of thine is in no wise shaken of albeit thou hast thought good to hide it for a time to the intent we should vnderstand how sore wée haue sinned Vouchsafe now therefore that thy blessed Church maye according to thy faythfull promises both inioy and also retaine all good things which make to the glorifying of thy blessed name euen as it deserueth through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THy vnmeasurable goodnesse infinite power and excellent wisedome O moste mightie God hath after a wonderfull sort set forth it selfe in all thinges which thou hast created for our sakes Wherefore it is not without iust cause sayd that euery creature doth publishe thy glorious renowme for they haue not come to light of their own proper nature but to the intent they should bée they were called out by thée and afterward when they were made thou didst not stablish them any otherwise then by thy sacred commaundement who do obserue the lawes which thou hast appoynted neyther passe they the certaine and decréed boundes that be limitted them All which things so long as we do dayly beholde with diligence it is very requisite that we should be stirred vp to magnifie thy blessed name bicause in them thy owne onely workmanship commeth to our sight and remembrance whervpon we being moued hereby do as nowe flie vnto thee for succour whome we haue learned to bée the aucthour of so great and manifold good thinges whose earnest desire is that thou wouldst lift vp the horne of thy mighty power vnto thy beloued people being thy blessed Church so as she maye haue sufficient abilitie to withstande all the force of hell and be linked dayly more and more vnto thee through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cxlix Psalme â— prayer for â—e aduauÌ„ceâ—ent of the Gospell EIght worthie art thou O almighty god to whom new songs should continually bée song in the sacred Church and whose prayse should be set out in the Congregation of Saints For can it be that such as are thy faythfull people will not publish thée their king and maker doyng the same not onely with hart and voyce but also with euery outwarde instrument prepared for the same purpose Seing then that thou oughtest to bée so greatly commended and highly magnified for thy nature goodnesse and excellent benefites extended towardes vs bée not so greatly prouoked at our heynous sinnes as to chastice vs in thy furie pardon vs wee humbly beséeche thée for thy infinite mercies sake when we turne vnto thée and lamentably craue thy readie helpe by continuall prayer But if thou haue so good a lyking of thy blessed people as thou hast oftentymes affirmed then assist and garnish them with thy readie helpe in so great an extremitie Giue vs this cause of exalting thy glorious name which may be euermore in the mouth of thy faythfull seruants For we doubt not but thou canst be reuenged of the nations people that blasphéeme thee and binde the kings and princes who be aduersaries to thy blessed religion with fetters and linkes of Iron by executing most seuere iustice vpon them Our earnest desire is therfore that thou wouldst either conuert them vnto thée with the two edged sworde of thy blessed worde or if it séemeth not good in thy fight so to doe remoue the same farre from our neckes that all men may right well perceyue what great things thou doest for such as commit themselues wholy to thée and be desirous to celebrate thy worthy prayses through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme FOrsomuch as thou hast from tyme to tyme O most mightie God blessed vs with new benefites it is very requisite vnlesse we will become vtterly vnmindfull of our bounden dutie that we shoulde dayly with freshe ditties and newe songes giue thanks to thy blessed name in the congregation of the faythfull For what end shall we make of praysing thée whom in all things and at all tymes we féele to be our maker and perfect king of our saluation Certenly séeing that we right well perceyue thée to be so fauourable to the faythfull and doest garnish such as be godly with most plentifull giftes it is requisite that we should vtter tokens of a right thankfull minde in thought worde and worke
and with all instruments meanes and wayes wherewith that thing may best be done And to the intent this thing may be the better accomplished of vs put into the handes of our heart the sword of thy blessed word whereby we may take vengeance of the flesh wicked vices and lewde desires which doe in a maner destroy vs and so to bridle and kéepe vnder sinne which is naturall vnto vs that it may be deposed from the tyrannie which he executeth vppon the children of Adam through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Cl. Psalme WHen as al things which thou hast created O almightie God praise thée A praier 〈◊〉 wee may prayse Gâ—â— with a châ—â—â—full heart they do not onely that which is due to thy famous honour and glorious renowme but also they worke moste wonderfully and aboundantly theyr owne perfection for there is nothing which we can do of more excellencie then to celebrate thée as being the originall and ende of all good things whose vnmeasurable benefites we feele dayly poured vpon vs. But neither can we sufficiently ynough perceiue them nor yet thy infinite goodnesse so long as we be here oppressed with the most gréeuous burthen of our heynous sinnes and borne downe by reason thereof with an excéeding great waight of afflictions so that a man must néedes vnskilfully prayse the thing which he knoweth not We do therefore earnestlye require thée O mightye God euen from the bottome of the heart to disburthen vs of the fardell of our corrupt naughtinesse which being layde downe we mistrust not but the darknesse of present calamities shall be driuen away from the sacred Church so that she may lift vp hir eyes to hir maker and redéemer who wondering as well at the ryches of thy excellent goodnesse as of the vnspeakable wisdome shall magnifie thée with most highe prayses as méete it is But nowe verily so sorowfull and lamentable things do incounter vs euery where that we sée nothing towardes vs sauing thy wrathfull indignation which as we deny not our selues to haue deserued so wée earnestly desire and heartily praye thee to withdrawe the same from vs at length to the intent we may be stirred vp to the worthie praysing of thy gloryous name not onelye in wordes but with all tunable instruments méete to lift vppe our mindes vnto thée through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme LIke as the holinesse and magnificencie of thy excellent name O most mightie God is continually celebrated in the glorious Sanctuarie of suche as be blessed and spiritually minded which thing maye bée done so much the more excellentlier of them for that they beholde the secretnesse of thy Maiestie both néerer and perfectlier euen so is it méete also that mortall men should alwayes addict themselues to extoll thy worthie prayses who see the vnmeasurable treasure of thy excellent goodnesse mightie power and incomprehensible wisedome to be dayly manifested both in heauen and in all creatures But aboue all others this belongeth to our charge who being illumined with fayth and with thy heauenly spirite doe vnderstande more of thy diuine misteries out of the holy Scriptures then nature is able to set forth with all hir bewtifull furniture and therefore we humblye beséech thee to styrre vp our sinfull heartes in such wise as we may worship thée with moste pure prayses and excéeding feruent peticions through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A Prayer of Doctor Peter Martyr agaynst worshippers of bread and all maner of supersticion AYde vs nowe at length I humbly beséech thée O heauenly father by lightning the mindes and heartes of thy Christian people wyth the spirit of thy sonne Christ Iesus who laying Idolles and superstitions apart may returne to the pure and vncorrupt worshipping honouring and calling vpon thee onely neyther suffer the honor due to thée alone to be wickedly and deuilishly attributed vnto bread wine pictures Images and bones of dead persons thy holye name hath alreadie beene to long slaundered to long hath the puritie of thy blessed Gospell béene polluted men haue ynough to much abvsed the institution of thy sonnes supper by conuerting the same to most filthie Idolatry Mittigate at length these outrages of mad brayned men that miserably ouerthrowe themselues hedlong as they may no more go a whoring lewdly and voyde of shame vpon euery hill vnder euery trée in all by wayes stréetes Churches and Chappels with bread and wine vnder the name of thy déere sonnes Sacrament and let them not defile the true honoring of thée after this wicked and blasphemous maner Vnlesse thou O most good and mercifull God doest with thy puyssant hand take away vtterly subuert this worshipping of bread the saluation of mankind and reedifying of thy sacred Church can neuer be looked for Helpe O good God succour thy faythfull people whome thou hast redéemed with the bloud of thy deere sonne And thou O Christ Iesu who art a true and euerlasting God establishe this worke which is begunne by thée and bring it to the desired ende or if the sore bée without hope of recouery and that thy truth maye not any more take place commonly and openly in thy sacred Church then come and excercise iudgement with all spéede and driue awaye for the glorie of thy name so shamefull a reproche from thy holy supper which thou of thy incredible mercie and singuler goodnesse hast instituted who lyuest and reignest with the father and the holy ghost euermore world without ende Amen Finis A Table wherein is conteyned the effect of all such notes or arguments as be set in the margent at the beginning of the first prayer for euery Psalme conteyning in number Cl. A Prayer for a Christian life Psalme j. A praier for coÌ„fort in persecution Ps ii A praier against our persecutors Ps iij. A prayer for a true fayth Psal iiij A prayer agaynst false Prophetes and enimies of the truth Psal v. A prayer in distresse Psal vj. A prayer agaynst the aduersaries of the Gospell Psal vij A prayer in trouble for the fauour of Christ Psal viij A prayer agaynst our enimies in persecution Psal ix A praier against enimies and tiraunts Psal x. A praier against the temptatioÌ„ of faith Psal xj A prayer against humaine false and erronious doctrine Psal xij A prayer that we dispayre not in tribulation Psal xiij A prayer for the grace of Christ agaynst originall sinne Psal xiiij A prayer that we may perseuer in the number of true Christians Psal xv A prayer that we may not perishe by fayth but attaine vnto glorie thereby Psal xvj A prayer that our eminies may not get the victorie ouer vs. Psal xvij A prayer to be deliuered out of great distresse Psal xviij A prayer that we may bee partakers of Gods diuine worde Psal xix A prayer for the prosperous successe of Christes kingdome against the enimies therof Psal xx A prayer for the prayse and
for succour be they neuer so miserable and vnworthie for that mercies sake therefore and not for our good works which as we haue none so can we not boast of any giue eare O good God vnto our deuout prayers and gently accept the words that we with one consent haue poured out before thy diuine Maiestie thou séest after what sort the wicked and straungers which feare thée not doe most cruelly rise vp agaynst vs who séeing that they haue not thee nor thy sacred wordes before their eyes go about by all the meanes they can possibly deuise to ouerthrow thy blessed and sanctified Church Be thou wée humblye beséeche thée our readie helper make thou thy seruauntes to be of a notable stout courage and requite the vngodly with the notorious euils which they haue deserued to the intent we may abundantly glorifie thy most excellent name and euery where shewe foorth thy vnspeakable goodnesse bicause we be deliuered from all gréeuous oppressions and sée those things light vpon thy enimies which all the faithfull would right gladly wishe to haue fallen vpon them through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lv. Psalme WE are inforced O most good and mercifull God by reason of the extréeme and vrgent distresse of the Church A prayer for saluation purchased vs by Christ to cry out dayly vnto thée for we cannot be quiet in our minds when as we both sée and knowe for a certaintie that those who wishe muche euill vnto the Gospell do so carefully indeuour themselues to bring such vnto confusion as vnfeynedly trust in thée we greatly tremble we are thorowly troubled and quake for feare wishing that we had wings like Doues whereby we eschuing these mischiefes may at length rest quietly in thée But very conuenient is it that we should be afflicted for our heynous sinnes wherewith we haue of long time and that excéeding gréeuously offended thée those trulye are the occasion why these great mischiefes doe light vpon vs. But we earnestly require thée O most excellent father not to be more heynously moued against our wickednesse and very lewde behauiour then thou wilt giue vs grace well to beare deliuer vs for thy infinite mercies sake from subtill wordes and deceiptfull deuices and haue a great foresight that thy holy church be not sore plagued of them who seeme sometime greatly to fauour hir and were partakers in the same with vs of the most pleasant and swéete foode of thy blessed Sacraments we nowe heartily call and earnestly cry vnto thée with importunate praiers that as thou hast oftentymes heretofore miraculously holpen thy faythfull seruauntes so thou wouldest at this present time deliuer vs from imminēt destruction Let not the league be broken which those haue that be at one with thée We nowe cast our heauie burthens and moste gréeuous troublesome cares wholy vpon thy shoulders vouchsafe to beare both them and vs also through thy mightie power otherwise we slide and faint vnder the burthen wherefore sustaine and increase this our féeble and slender hope with thy moste present and readie helpe throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THere is right great cause why wée should alwayes O most mightie God lamentably require thy ayding hande for we are continually afflicted by sundrie mishaps of the worlde the fleshe the Deuill and enimies of righteousnesse which moueth vs more often and after a vehementer sort to wishe that thou wouldest gyue vs wings and feathers of Doues wherewith we might flie hence most spedily vnto thée for here haue we no man to deliuer vs out of so great euils but thee onely yea so deceiptfull is the hope which we repose in men that such as a man woulde iudge to be most bound vnto him in loue those are founde his extréemest enimies for venemous tongues do euery where scourge the godly violence quareling wrongfulnesse oppression fraudes and deceipts doe in all places assault them Wherefore we earnestly crie vnto thée euen from the heart roote that our mindes being pourged thou wouldst blot out the faults wherewith we are miserably stayned and betake vs to thy selfe who repose our whole confidence in thée onely for we haue cast our heauy burthens and great griefes vppon thy backe And in somuch as we are almost sunken downe vnder them we beséech thee to hold vs vp with thy vnspeakable goodnesse and mightie power that the confidence we haue affixed in thee doe not slide nor bée weakened but maye become strong and stedfast dayly more and more through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lvj. Psalme A prayer for a stedfast cōfession of the Gospell WIcked men O moste good and mercifull God go about to swallow vs vp they doe assault and afflict vs so much as in them lyeth But seing that thy mightie power far excelleth the princes kinges of the earth and our whole affiaunce dependeth on thée onely extende nowe thy fauourable mercy vnto vs for we heartily confesse that wée haue most gréeuously prouoked thy heauie displeasure for our manifolde sinnes considering that we haue so wretchedly dispised the doctrine of thy sacred law and Gospell which thou hast sent vnto vs that we haue alwayes hitherto béene a slaunder vnto the same But nowe are we very heartily sorie for it who trusting in the death and bloudshedding of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour doe with great feruencie and most earnest prayers lamentably call vppon thée for pardon of all our sinful crimes For when thou shalt haue receyued vs into thy gracious fauour we néede nothing at all to feare what flesh can doe agaynst vs. Thou shalt be present at thy owne case and shalt sée howe the vngodly doe all the day long rayle vpon thy glorious Gospell and true worshipping of thee and how they continually imagine mischiefe agaynst thy déere and chosen people Forsomuch as therefore they deale lewdely agaynst those whome thou hast redéemed how shall they escape thy wrathfull indignation Thou art woont to put downe thy aduersaries at what time thou art angrie with them It is not thy propertie to be forgetfull of the sorowfull mournings and lamentable cries of thy poore afflicted seruaunts for the whole number of our prayers are already written in the booke of thy prouidence Harken vnto them O God our heauenly father and when as we be moued and stirred vp through thy holy spirite to call vpon thy blessed name turne thou our enimies back and put them to flight Be thou present with thy armie defende it strengthen it and confirme the same with couragious boldenesse if thou bée on oure side wee will not feare what man doe agaynst vs who beeing deliuered by thée shall magnifie thy blessed wordes and faythfull promises for euer Vouchsafe O good God that we hauing atchieued peace tranquilitie may be conuersant in thy sight for euer and directed alwayes with the bright light of thy fauourable and louing
countenaunce through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme SO long as we liue here O most mightie God all things are so vnquiet and at so small stay vnto vs through the desert of our gréeuous offences that we be on euery side assayled with the deadly assaults of the force of oure aduersaries but vnlesse thou puttest to thy helping hande we shall séeme to be swalowed vppe out of hande Wherefore to the intent we may be defended so oft as our fraile mindes be possest with a vehement feare we poure out our feruent prayers before thy mercie seate which glistereth and shineth most farre abroade that regarding and highlye estéeming thy sacred wordes and louing promises in such sort as being strengthned by them we may with a stout courage ouercome whatsoeuer sorrowfull horrible vnpleasaunt and rough thing setteth it selfe agaynst vs. As our teares O excellent father are gathered and written by thee euen so when thou art called vpon deliuer thy faythfull seruauntes from the Gyues and Fetters of their carefull myndes and thou of thy infinite goodnesse purging our gyltinesse bestow vpō vs so much strength and stedfast hope as we néede nothing at all to feare the violence and power of malicious disposed persons for if thou shalt be our redemer especially from eternal death we will alwayes in oure dayly prayers shew forth the worthie prayses of thy most glorious name through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WE doe dayly indeuour our selues O moste mightie God lamentably to call vpon thy mercie when as they go about to subuert thy sacred Churche who being not a fewe in number and waxen strong aboue measure do not ceasse by sundrie meanes to assault the same Neyther is there any thing that maketh vs more afrayed then these our owne proper sinnes wherewith we haue moste greeuously offended thée and made our selues vtterlye vnworthy of thy gracious fauour yet notwithstanding of the great and vnspeakeable louing kindnesse that is in thée wée ceasse not to hope but set thy louing promises before our eyes the sayinges and words wherof we commend and approue and also so much as in vs lyeth take holde of them by fayth Graunt therefore O excellent father that we be not more feareful then is decent which the flesh is able to worke agaynst vs. We know assuredly that the wicked do now euery where maliciously rayle vpon vs bending all their deuices agaynst thy most sacred doctrine lying in wayte and séeking occasion by all meanes possible quite to subuert and vtterly ouerthrowe thy sacred Churche Dispise not thou O good God the prayers and sighes of thy faythfull seruauntes so strengthen and confirme our weake consciences that we passe nothing at all what men doe agaynst vs. Deliuer our soules from sliding and destruction so that we may both nowe and also after this life be partakers of thy most commodious and splendent blessed light throughe Iesus Christ oure Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lvij. Psalme SEing that there is no refuge for vs O moste gracious and moste mightie God but to flie vnto thée onely A prayer for the aduaūcement of the Gospell contrary to hir enimies expectation we commit our whole saluation into thy tuition and gouernment to the intent thou shouldest miraculously preserue the same so that thou mayest bée our strong defence vntill this their outragious furie who violently oppresse thy sacred Church be much abated and greatly brought lowe Therefore we incessauntly call vpon thy euerlasting name through whose mightie power and high aucthority all thinges maye for the Godly be surely brought to passe Graunt we humbly beséech thée that our heynous sinnes be not the cause thou withdrawest thy mercifull goodnesse from vs which as we confesse them to be most gréeuous and infinite so are wée nothing doubtfull but that they shall be forgiuen vs for our onely mediator Iesus Christes sake through whose louing fauour thy faythfull seruaunts shal not only be preserued in the glorious kingdome of heauen but for thy excellent promise and goodnesse sake they shall also at length be brought to confusion whosoeuer they are which go aboute to oppresse thy constant and stedfast beleuers Thou thy selfe right well seest O excellent father howe his blessed Church is compelled to haue hir dwelling continually amongest Lyons in the middest of whote burning flames inuironed with moste forceable weapons and tongues chiefly that be very noysome and do excéeding great hurt To the intent therefore thou mayst shew forth and mightily declare thy inuincible power touching hir preseruation graunt that the snares and great layings awayte which be prepared for thy holy ones may in conclusion be onely hurtfull to the Authors and chiefe deuisers thereof but vouchsafe to giue vnto vs a right stedfast heart and excéeding constant minde touching the confession and publishing of thy blessed name For wée heartily acknowledge and earnestly confesse thy vnspeakable goodnesse to be so great as it deserueth high prayse not onely in voyce but with Lute and Harpe and by all wayes and meanes of commendation that possible may be which pearceth the clowdes euen vnto the glorious heauen And for bicause it may dayly increase the better and be more vnderstood lift vp thy selfe in this our age by shewing forth thy right excellent power in being oure shielde of defence and buckler through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THere is nothing that doth more reléeue and comfort our féeble mindes being in great distresse and extréeme calamities O most good and merciful God then the Ancre of fayth which dependeth most stedfastly vpon thy excellent goodnesse Wherfore seing that not without iust cause we burne and frie in our lewde vices we resort vnto thy diuine Maiestie and being marueylous sore burthened with the gréeuous fardell of our most heynous sinnes do dayly call vpon thée for thy assistant and readye helpe Send vs ayde from heauen we humbly beséech thée otherwise we shall not be in safetie from the Lions Speares Darts and deceiptfull tongues wherewith Sathan doth merueylouslye aflict thy holye Church Aduaunce thy selfe and make thy infinite power most manifest in taking vs out of our enimies handes For so thy vnspeakable clemencie and notable faythfulnesse which farre surmount the Clowdes and glorious heauens shall appéere bright in their owne excellent greatnesse and we in giuing due thankes for our deliuerance will ioyfullye sing double prayses to thy glorious name for euermore through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme SEing that thy blessed Church O moste mightie God is so vexed with the cruell enimies of thy glorious name and blessed doctrine we repose our whole confidence in thee onely and flie for succor vnder the shadowe of thy wings we acknowledge and confesse that it is our partes to direct oure supplications parpetually vnto thée when thou only and none else art