well vnderstande that thou mightily preseruest thy faithfull seruauntes and doest greatly strengthen such as honor and reuerence thee with an vnfeyned heart through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme LEt thy fauourable and louing countenaunce O most mightie God shine vpon vs from whence commeth all consolation ioy and gladnesse vnto thy beloued seruaunts and seing we craue for thy ready helpe bring vtterly to naught the subtile inuentions craftes deceptes and laiyngs awaite of the violent force of our enimies Surely most great most bewtifull and most ioyfull is the swéetenesse of thy inestimable goodnesse which thou hast layde vp for those that repose their whole trust in thée that the sinnes therfore which we haue lewdly committed seclude vs not from the same we hartily beséeche thée to clense and purifie vs with thy gracious fauour For if we once obteyne this there is no doubt but that we shall be both hidden and also defended from all imminent mischiefes vnder the tabernacle strong defence of thy mightie protection so as we boldely and stedfastly perseuering in thy blessed loue may at length be brought and conueyed vnto thée being the piller and chiefe stay of our saluation through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THe confidence O most mightie God which the Godly repose in thée hath this notable and singuler propertie that it maketh no man ashamed thereof nor defraudeth any person of his iust desire the same therefore doth greatly inforce vs to craue thy readie helpe that thou wouldest alwayes be our puyssaunt strength strong defence assured stay valiaunt Capitaine and most prouident nourisher Moreouer we know right well that by reason of our manifolde sinnes the malicious enimies of thy glorious name and our saluation haue euery where layde snares trappes and ambushes for vs. Therefore doe wée commit our whole spirite and lyfe to thy faythfull custodie and put them into thy hands to be strongly defended forsomuch as thou séest our innumerable infirmities and howe we are alwayes inuironed and compassed about with the violent force of our fierce enimies be mercifull therfore to our sorowfull estate and helpe vs presently without any delay And as thou hast both life and death in thy puyssant hands graunt that we thy faythfull seruants may liue and rest with thée for euer through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxxij. Psalme WEe are admonished by thée O most good and mercifull God that the felicitie of thy faythfull seruaunts consisteth herein A praier thaâ— our sinfull crimes may be pardoned that their sinnes are forgiuen couered and not imputed vnto them in thy iust iudgement which thing if euer we had néede to obteyne certainly we nowe séeme to lacke it most when as through present calamities our heynous sinnes are set before our eyes For we feele thy hande to waxe heauie ouer thy sacred Church wherefore we haue thought good not to hide our sinnes but publikely and openly to confesse them before thy dâ—uine Maiestie neyther doe we any thing at all mistrust the vnspeakable goodnesse thou art indued withall who incontinent doest quite pardon and vtterly forgiue vs our gréeuous offences Therfore we that be thy déere beloued seruants doe nowe earnestly require thée doubting not but thou art to be found not to permit thy faythfull people to be violently oppressed of their cruell enimies who be like vnto ouerflowing waters Be thou a denne and place of refuge for vs in these moste greeuous afflictions Informe and teache vs the right way of blessed saluation and whatsoeuer brutishe and beastlye lust remayneth as yet in vs kéepe thou it so vnder with the hard bit and bridle of thy holy spirite that wée bée not for the same cast downe hedlong into perpetual destruction and finally poure out lamentable sorowes and pitious calamities vpon the aduersaryes of thy most glorious name but let such as trust onely in thée be inclosed and fortified with thy singuler louing kindenesse as with a strong rampire that those which haue a feruent zeale to thy excellent name and be of an vpright heart maye chéerefully reioyce in thée and triumphe with a perfite gladnesse throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THey without doubt are right happie and blessed O most mightie God to whom thou of thy vnspeakable mercy hast forgiuen their gréeuous sinnes not imputing them but couering and remitting what wicked and naughtie thing soeuer they haue bene stayned and polluted with Wée doe most manifestly acknowledge that so great and notable a benefite coulde not haue happened vnto vs vnlesse oure sinnes verilye were openly knowen and disclosed to thée and that we poure into thy blessed bosome what sinnes so euer we haue lewdely and shamelessely committed agaynst thy sacred lawe Therefore we acknowledge and confesse vnto thée O heauenly father that our vnrighteousnesse is excéeding great and our soules miserably burthened with the waight of our impietie wherefore nowe ayde and helpe vs with thy fauourable mercye and we heartily beseeche thee to wipe away after a louing gentle maner what naughtinesse soeuer doth remain behind Deliuer vs froÌ„ the sorowful calamities and greeuous miseries that are hanging ouer our heades make vs to haue an vncorrupt minde and gouerne vs with thy prouident care least through our euill affections we do not degenerate into most foolishe brute beastes but being inuironed and compassed about with thy excellent goodnesse let vs be cheared vp with rightfull mirth and assured ioy before thée through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xxxiij. Psalme A prayer for prayse and â—hankes gyâ—ing to God â—or his omniâ—otencie HOw many soeuer O most mighty God as haue attayned vnto righteousnesse throughe an vnfeyned fayth doe well vnderstande howe much prayse and glorie thou art worthy of by reason of thy maruelous works There is nothing in the world but it beareth witnes that thou art good The heauens stand fast and all the hostes of them were made by thy sacred worde neyther are the waters of the sea and great déepes conteyned within their boundes by any other power then through thy holy spirite and mightie force Therefore it is and hath béene oure dutie both to honour and feare thée onely euen as thou hast rightly deserued but we haue O sinfull wretches that we are done nothing lesse in all our whole lyfe And therefore haue well and iustly deserued the great troubles and daungerous perilles we now are in But séeing that thy infinite goodnesse cannot be drayned drie through mens naughtinesse and lewd behauior be they neuer so innumerable we craue pardon and forgiuenesse of all those thinges which we haue committed agaynst thy diuine Maiestie and heartily require thee according to thy woonted mercy to make voyde all the subtile counsayles and lewde deuices wherewith the fierce enimies of godlinesse pretend to subuert and ouerthrowe thy sacred
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
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
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
of the sea doe so outragiously beate vppon the shore that all things may séeme incontinent to be destroyed and quite ouerflown with waters and on the other side they are indued with a great and notable assuraunce when as thou refreshest them in their grieuous distresses with the most pleasaunt riuers of thy heauenly consolations namelye in setting out the rare and wonderfull meanes of thy assistant helpe through thy fruitfull spirit Vpon which thy excellent goodnesse we also hauing assured confidence notwithstanding the innumerable sinnes which we confesse to be the chiefe cause why we haue offended thee most gréeuously require that thou wouldst shake and make feeble the Nations and Kingdomes which thou seest doe resist thy sacred Churche with great violence and most craftie deuices shew forth that voyce of thine wherewith the earth and euerye creature therin are woont to be shaken and vtterly brought to naught Be thou O our God as a most strong and vnuincible Tower vnto vs cause thou warres here to ceasse and make thou speares horse charets and all kinde of weapons blunt that they may finally leaue of their lewde enterprises who mightily fight agaynst vs and shewe thou thy selfe great and excellent aboue all things while thou doest manifest thy selfe to be better for our deliueraunce then all the armies and puyssance of the whole worlde through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme AFter what sort soeuer a very sodaine or horrible mishappe O most mightie God shall sore vex vs our hope shall not faile vs neyther will we be any thing dismaied or troubled séeing we are now fully resolued that thou art our onely helper and deliuerer although the whole worlde be moued the stormes of humaine flesh do swell and that all the Deuils of hell with their whole furniture shoulde séeme to shake all thinges of ours yet do we repose and settle our selues in thy vnspeakeable goodnesse and inuincible power Oure sinnes truely deserue all maner of trouble and enmitie but forgiue thou vs them according to thy accustomed goodnesse and pitiyng our present calamities graunt that such as vnfeynedly call vpon thee may enioy health peace and quietnesse of minde for thou canst very easily disappoynt and breake the swordes bow warlike ingines and all the craftie deceyptes and imaginations of the Deuill not onely through thy most mightie and inuincible worde but also euen with a becke and at thy onely will and pleasure our earnest request is O good God to applie our selues here vnto that wee maye attentiuely beholde those marueylous actes which thou doest for thy faithfull seruauntes whereby all Nations maye right well knowe and perceyue that thou takest our part and determinest to bée a continuall helper of thy blessed people throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xlvij. Psalme A prayer for the good sucâ—esse and inâ—reasment of â—he Gospell THou hast vouchedfafe O moste mightie God to gather and collect a Churche vnto thy selfe on earth which thou hast not conueyed into stonie houses or Temples of Marble but into the liuely hearts of men whome thou deckest and garnishest with thy most wonderfull giftes and doest pollishe the same passing well with the holy Ghost and therefore séeing they be indued with so great a rewarde it behoueth all faythful people to make an excéeding pleasant mirth and ioyfull gladnesse But the most deadly and heynous sinnes which we haue committed doe greatly darken these thankes giuings and mery songs who are worthily verye sore oppressed with the afflictions of them and seing we heartily acknowledge and earnestly confesse that we haue hitherto gone astray and suffer none otherwise then we haue most iustly deserued thou that art very mercie it selfe forgiue thy faythfull people and thou also who art most highe and rulest farre and néere destroy vs not according to our merits Graunt O excellent father that our naughtie and lewd behauiours hinder not the propagation of thy glorious kingdom arise and go forwards by causing strauÌ„ge people to be in subiection to the fayth and make those Nations which haue béene hitherto Infidels obedient to thy sacred worde and thou who hast chosen thée a Church as a most notable and famous heritage magnifie thy selfe continually by al meanes and with most exquisite prayses therein in such wise as all men maye accompt preach and exalt thée for their king but as for thy faythfull seruants who now séeme to be aboue all others most cast awayes lighten them in such wise with thy blessed spirit and rule them so by thy holy worde as all men may perceyue that they be guyded and gouerned by thy mightye power And vouchsafe that the souereigne estates and what power soeuer is in the world may at length be annexed and knit vnto thée that thou be none otherwise their God then thou wert in olde time the God of faythfull Abraham Graunt that the kings and princes who ought of duetie to helpe and defende their subiectes may perfectly acknowledge thée whereby thy famous honour and renowmed glorie maye most brightly shine therein to the singuler benefite of thy sacred Church through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme IT behoueth all faithfull people O most good and gracious God to extoll and aduaunce the kingdome of Christ with an excéeding ioy wonderfull gladnesse and most hartie endeuour for so thy vnspeakeable goodnesse is both mightily declared and we also are come to the full attainement of our saluation Surely it is verye requisite that all people Nations should be in subiection to his gouernment and the worlde shall go best on our side who be his peculier heritage and especial flock We heartily require thée therefore O our most puyssaunt king who art exalted into the high heauens and vnto the right hand of thy father to vouchsafe for to acquire vs of the heynous faultes we haue gréeuously committed and whatsoeuer sorrowfull calamities and straunge mishaps be like to fall vpon vs put them of from our shoulders through thy inestimable mercie and mightie power whereby thou thy selfe alone mayest beare rule and reigne in our mindes And graunt that all kinges all princes and great states that haue aucthoritie vpon earth may vnseperably cleaue vnto thée being the rightfull and most true God throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xlviij. Psalme THy excellent Maiestie and excéeding honour O moste good and mercifull God aboundeth greatly in the Church A prayer fâ—â— the christiaâ— Church aâ— congregatiâ—â— seeing that thou doest mightilye rule hir with thy sacred worde and holye spirite neyther art thou marueylously praysed there onely but what comlinesse or perfect ioy soeuer is in the whole worlde it issueth and procéedeth doubtlesse from thée And forsomuch as thou art farre better knowne there then any where else it commeth hereof that thou art in the same place a sure defence and moste strong fortresse to thy faythfull
Church no lesse then thou shewedst the same in tymes past touching the deliueraunce of the Israelites from the Egyptians bondage and seruitude to the intent that howe much the more care thou hast therof so much the more a great deale it may appéere that thou hast mightily deliuered the same from the deuill sinne and moste cruell death through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxviij Psalme A prayer for grace and â—prightnesse of heart FOrsomuch as the diuine scriptures haue most perfectly published thy excéeding glorious workes O most mightie God by setting thy children at libertie in Egypt assuredlye knowing that what thinges soeuer are set forth in the holy Bible they all make very much to our comfort and consolation wée nowe most heartily require thée that thou wouldest in these excéeding daungerous tymes continuallye renue our memorie with thy holye spirite who béeing moued herewith may repose our whole coÌ„fidence in thee onely Thou broughtest thy children of Israell oute of Egypt in working of dreadfull things agaynst Pharao The sea gaue place a clowde couered them a light of fire guided them on their iourney the rocke gaue water the heauen sent them both Manna and fleshe and in Mount Sinai thou shewedst thy selfe at what tyme it pleased thée to giue them a law by Moyses Thou therefore who hast done so great and manifold things for the Israelites forsake vs not in such wise as the shepe of thy flocke may be scattered abroade by the Deuill and Antichrist We verily haue sinned agaynst thee and that gréeuously and very often howbeit they also were oftentymes rebellious and murmured agaynst thy diuine Maiestie in the wildernesse when as they had lesse credite to thy sacred worde then beseemed them There thou diddest sharpely punishe that people neyther yet sufferedst thy heritage to be destroyed but knewest well that they were fleshe and had a verye wauering spirite wherefore thou wert so touched with mercy that thou didst helpe them in aduersitie We therfore earnestly require thee O good God that thou wouldest doe none otherwise to thy blessed Church at this present in mightie defending and valiant deliuering hir after any other sort then thou didst the Iewes when thou haddest layde thy rod of correction somewhat vpon them through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme WEe heartily acknowledge and earnestly confesse O most mighty god that the ingratitude of mankinde is excéeding great which thing truely appeareth plainly by our lewd deedes but séeing that it is an easie matter for euery man to bee blind in his owne case it is more manifestly set forth by our forefathers actes which are most truely made mencion of in the holy scriptures We haue heard that the childreÌ„ of Israell were deliuered through thée by a number of miracles when as thou broughtest them out of Egypt who being gouerned defended and nourished in the desert with such a diligent studie and prudent care as no greater could be deuised and imagined yet for all this the same people are reported to shewe themselues so much vngratefull and obliuious of thy excellent benefites that they alwayes murmured against thée their god their maker deliuerer guide most iust Therefore we humbly beseeche thée O excellent father that seéing thou of thy frée mercie hast elected vs and moreouer bewtified vs with the highest ornamentes of thy grace thou wouldest neuer suffer or cause the same to depart out of our memory but rather stirre vs vp euery moment with thy blessed spirit to render such kinde of thankes vnto thée wherby both thou mayst be most honored and we greatly prouoked forward to leade a godlye and vertuous life through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme BEsides the prodigious wonders and marueylous signes O moste good and mercifull God whereby thou thoughtest good diuers and sundry times to maintaine and defend the fathers in the olde lawe the selfe same hast thou commaunded both to be set forth for the commoditie of those that come after and also to be registred for a perpetuall remembraunce to the intent that so many as shall perceyue the things by fayth may conceyue as assured an hope of thy mercie louing kindnesse and faythfulnesse toward themselues as they wonder excéeding greatly at thy vnspeakeable goodnesse extended vpon their olde fathers For the séeing of those mens chasticements by the seueritie of thy iust iudgement may also be a verye great warning vnto them that they shall be no more spared then the others when through their lewde behauiour they ceasse not to prouoke thy wrathfull indignation agaynst them Our earnest request is therefore O heauenly father that we may reape much commoditie hereby For we verilye are through thy gracious fauor deliuered from euerlasting destruction euen as they were out of Egypt But this is our most earnest request which we require as nowe at thy mercifull handes that we be not ledde by our filthie lustes and lewd desires to prouoke thy heauie wrath vnto our confusion in such sort as they were by grudging at thy vnestimable goodnesse in the wildernesse through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme WE may right well perceyue O most good and mercifull God that the desires of our wicked lustes be much hurtful either bicause we are prouoked through theÌ„ to poure out complaints agaynst thée who art most perfectly good or else for that in compassing the filthie desires of them we purchase greatly vnto our selues the most seuere punishmentes of thy vnspeakable iustice for we are now admonished in due tyme by the holy ghost of all such thinges as happened vnto the Israelits in the wildernesse Wherefore we being taught by other mens perilles are very carefull least we be wrapped in semblable misfortunes through the like misbehauiour Our earnest desire is therefore that thou wouldest giue eare vnto our feruent prayers wherein we humbly beséech thee to giue vs grace that we may neuer be forgetfull of thy excellencie neyther let it come at any time into our harts either by words or thought to dallye with thée in whome is nothing but most perfect veritie For whensoeuer we fall through humaine infirmitie haue thou mercie vpon vs who knowest vs to he both frayle fleshe and also very weake spirited and so of thy infinite goodnesse incline thy selfe nowe partly to rayse vs vp being alreadie fallen and partlye also to confirme vs that we be not thrust downe into euerlasting destruction through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the Lxxix Psalme A prayer for obteyning of mercie and fauor agaynst the persecutors of the Church THou hast chosen vs O most mightie God to be thy heritage and doubtlesse there is nothing permitted which might be a furtheraunce to the furnishing garnishing and making vs right blessed thou hast giuen vs the knowledge of thy sacred scriptures the preaching of thy blessed Gospel the
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
atteyned vnto without thy good spirite vouchsafe thou therefore thy owne selfe that we may very perfectly vnderstande thy sacred law and iudge thereof aright through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Ain Pe. THy blessed wordes O almightie God are in all places so worthie of admiration that they can not but bée regarded of the godly therefore we earnestly require thée that thou who art mercifull and plentious in goodnesse wouldest looke vpon vs altogither well appeased and so frame our thoughts and déedes that we giue no roome at all to vngodlinesse then the which nothing is more vaine for seeing we be men and therefore hedged in with a fleshly burthen suffer not the waight thereof to ouerwhelme vs but rather breath the spirite of repentance into our nostrelles whereby we may shed forth most flowing riuers of teares for the faultes we haue euery where committed For bicause thou art our excéeding right vp Iudge who neyther clokest our sinnes nor yet permittest them to go vnpunished and seing that thy iudgements and lawes are stuft with so great vprightnesse as nothing is conteyned in them that any creature can by iust reason reproue or finde fault with for siluer and golde tryed in the fire matcheth not the purenesse of them Therefore we earnestly desire thee that thou wouldest not onely cause vs to acknowledge them but also obey the same so much as our féeble weake nature is able to doe through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Pe Zade OVr minde O most good and mercifull God is verye much darckned euen of natiue infection with a thicke mistinesse so that it is not able to vnderstand thy holye commaundements perfectly and we are of nature excéedingly bent vnto affections which as they be displeasant to thée so they marueylously like vs and we cannot abide the scorninges of the vngodly wherewith they vaunt themselues ouer vs when wée do wholye applie our mindes to serue thy excellent Maiestie We earnestly require thee therefore that thou wouldst lighten our darkned mindes asswage our lewde affections and strengthen vs in such wise that what reproch so euer shall hang ouer our heades for thy glorious Gospels sake we may ouercome it with a stout courage And cause vs to resist those which ieast at vs with a stedfast hope and assured confidence we haue to thy louing promises so that the naughtinesse of lewde lustes may be broken in péeces with the puyssant force of thy blessed truth Let not any worldly power moste deere father be an impediment to vs but that we may stedfastly defend thy holy precepts in the presence of all men be they neuer so glorious and wonderfull in their doings which I beseech thee to make so pleasant and delectable vnto vs as we may compt nothing in this life to be preferred before thē neither any matter to be an hinderaunce but the we may performe the same with an excéeding cheereful mind through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Cuph Res. WE require thee O most mighty god euen from the bottome of our heart and with an vnfayned fayth that we may he diligent obseruers of thy sacred law and holy commaundementes for we are wonderfully prouoked to defile thy blessed precepts through the impulsion of fleshly motions fiercenesse of our natiue corruption and vices graffed in vs but seing that we haue bound our selues with such a number of most gréeuous and detestable sinnes it is no maruaile if thou who vsest iustice and seueritie towards thy elect seruauntes doest suffer vs to be thus tormēted and put in feare of Antichrist and his rascals But now our earnest request is that thou wouldest for thy great goodnesse and infinit mercies sake pardō whatsoeuer we haue gréeuouslye committed against thee and looke vppon the state of the Church being in a maner rent and torne with a marueylous louing eye right fauourable countenaunce deliuering hir according to thy accustomed maner from imminent perils when as she could not be preserued but by thy onely guidaunce and gouernment It is méete O good God that saluation shoulde be farre from the vngodly who do vtterly dispise thy sacred worde holy lawe and blessed commaundements but it happeneth otherwise to them that trust in thée for they haue louing promises of their saluation of all the which truth is the most excellent and notablest To the intent therefore it may remaine without spot and vnuiolated defend vs with thy owne handes when as we bée in great distresse and much perill for the profession of thy glorious name through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen Cuph Res. FOrsomuch as through fleshlye affection O moste good and mercifull God wée are perswaded to receyue any thing rather then thy diuine law therfore haue we dayly recourse vnto thee in our feruent praiers ▪ that thou wouldest guide vs with thy holy spirite for the obseruing therof And to the intent our lamentable cryes may not be in vaine soften thou our harts and bow thou our mindes in such wise that they may care for nothing so much as to obey thée in all things whatsoeuer they doe We meditate vpon this one only matter at midnight and in the dawning of the day that whereas there wanteth no store of thinges to drawe vs an other way we may therefore be fortified with thy mighty protection agaynst the same And as thy blessed precepts be certaine and sure so cause vs to sticke fast vnto them for whosoeuer of a frowardnesse swarue therefro do stray farre from saluation by meanes wherof if this shall happen vnto vs through our infirmitie lay to thy helping hande without any delaye by raysing vp vs that are fallen and although our case be very naught yet helpe vs wyth the warrant of thy blessed worde For séeing it is not vnbeknowne to thée O excellent father how many go about to destroy vs therefore make thou speedie hast to bée our readie helper and deliuerer by confirming those most stedfastly which inuocate and cal vpon thée with most stedfast beliefe in thy faythfull promises through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Schin Tau THe Deuill verily Antichrist and puyssaunt Princes of this wretched worlde do persecute thy blessed Church O moste mightie God without any offence giuen who séeme in suche wise to vaunt themselues and waxe furious agaynst godlinesse as the faythfull bée not without iust cause greatly afrayde whome nothing but thy worde is able to make mirry and restore to gladnesse againe therefore stirre vs vp in such sort with thy blessed spirite that wée may be alwayes wonderfull desirous therof For we certainly know that peace will insue augment continue in them which loue thy sacred law so that nothing verily shall be able at any time to doe them hurt but if we be as nowe voyde of perfect peace and quietnesse of minde the occasion without doubt must rise hereof bicause we haue neglected thy holy worde and slenderly folowed thy diuine lawe Pardon vs therefore pardon we humbly beséech thée what wicked and lewde
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