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
vnspeakeable mercie which we sée offered vnto vs in the benigne promises of thy holye Scriptures Our earnest request is that thou wouldest not permitte vs to swarue from the sacred lawe which thou hast vouchedsafe to set before vs who do with much feruencie desire to be vnseperably annixed vnto thée howsoeuer the vngodly doe sore vexe and scorne vs. For séeing that thou hast diuers times heretofore taken vppon thée to discide thy faythfull seruauntes causes when as they were in a maner drowned with extreeme calamities therefore nowe also leaue not of to succour and helpe those which vnfeynedly call vpon thee Thy outragious enimies commit none other thing then to depriue the Church of thy sacred wordes thy holy ceremonies and all deuout worshipping of thee Forsomuch as thou art our onely lot we lift vp our eyes vnto thy face with our whole heart but or euer the multitude of wicked and moste abhominable men do swallow vs vp be thou present for thy infinite goodnesse sake to succor vs so that we may applie our selues day night to laude and prayse thée for thy iust iudgement through Iesus Christ our lord Amē Zain Heth. WEe haue not conceyued hope of our saluation O almightie God anye where else then from thy moste faythfull promises drawing out thereof onely an assured consolation if that at any time either the fleshe mans reason the deuill or wicked men shall vaunt themselues any thing stoutly against vs. We take a marueilous good courage agaynst all these thinges forsomuch as thou wilt most largely perform whatsoeuer thou hast faythfully promised bicause that euen from the beginning we haue had thy fayth in perfect remembrance seing it doth manifestly appeare 〈◊〉 thou hast neuer deceyued any that trust onely in thée Vouchsafe therefore that we may both day night be vnseperably annixed to this most strong rocke inuincible fortresse and well cast Anchor For inasmuch as we mistrust not but thou wilt performe whatsoeuer belongeth vnto thee this remayneth that we execute with an excéeding feruent desire the charge which is left vnto vs so that we may marueylous spéedily bestyrre our steppes and feete towarde the fulfilling of thy blessed law Cause thou vs O excellent father we humbly beséeche thée to cut of and cast aside all delayes and that contrary to the expectation of the vngodly who alwayes cast lettes to intrappe vs we may be obedient to thy sacred precepts so that all those which honour and loue thée purelye may accompany vs that like as the earth is euery where replenished with thy inestimable goodnesse so the number of thy true and faythfull suppliauntes may be daylye more and more greatly augmēted through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Teth Iod. THou hast bene hitherto accustomed O almightie God to deale louingly with thy faythfull seruaunts and we especially being through thy vnspeakable mercye brought to the true knowledge and perfect vnderstanding of thy sacred Gospell haue had thy excellent benefites in a wonderfull triall which we do plainly acknowledge and confesse that our heynous sinnes haue greatly defiled wherewith we haue not onely polluted our selues but also thy holy name and the blessed doctrine of thy deere sonne is thereby euill spoken of amongest the Gentiles and a great number by our default driuen with feare from the way of truth We now therefore heartily beséech thée O heauenly father to cause vs for to sauer thee rightly and so acknowledge thy blessed name as we maye most constantly sticke to thy sacred wordes and holye commaundementes Let the afflictions wherwith we are touched be effectuall spurres and prickes to moue vs for to returne into the right perfect waye and forsomuch as thou art good and fauourable vnto al men suffer not those whome thou hast adobted to be thy beloued sonnes by Christ to denie thée shamefully For the more that the deuill Antichrist and his cursed members indeuour with all their industrie to plucke vs from thée make thou vs on the contrary part we heartily pray thée to be vnfeinedly obedient vnto thy blessed precepts and what troublesome things soeuer these men haue subtilty deuised let the same turne to the profite of thy blessed Church Let our heart which of it selfe is grosse and fat be made soft diligently to perceyue right well vnderstanding thy sacred worde diuine law hauing it in more credite and estimation then golde siluer and all the treasure of the worlde Forsake not O good God the worke of thy handes which thou thy selfe haste made and garnished and let the vngracious persons be put to shame who through a lewde zeale go about to ouerthrowe thy blessed wayes But let such reioyce in thée as honour thy diuine Maiestie and haue an eye with a pure fayth vnto thy louing promises Cause them also to inioy thy vnspeakable goodnesse lead alwayes such a lyfe as may right well please thée through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Teth Iod. THere is nothing either more honorable or greatlier to bee wished for of vs O most good and merciful God then that thou wouldest giue vs power to vnderstand thy holye worde with a right vp iudgement and we so feruentlye desire this that wée may be also in a readinesse to purchase the same with any calamitie whatsoeuer it be Wherefore if thou sée that thou canst by euill successe of fortune or by aduersities bring thy elect to a right minde which slide away oftentimes deale which way thou séemest best for to make vs applie our selues with earnest desire to liue after thy diuine lawe And séeing thou hast fashioned vs in our mothers wombe so fauour thou vs also and illuminate vs in such wise that we be not blinded in the worde of thy blessed truth For whilest we earnestly desire these things at thy mercifull handes O excellent father we doe not onely with heart craue our owne consolation but the comfort of all those which make much of thy sacred lawe and perfect truth These verily will wonderfully reioyce if they shall perceyue euery one of vs to be annixed vnto thee with vncorrupt mindes Wherfore we heartily beséech thée that thy holy will which thou hast set forth vnto vs in the sacred Scriptures maye be dearer vnto vs then gold and more beloued then all riches so as we may imbrace the same with a right perfect heart and nothing whatsoeuer wée attempt to do may redowne eyther to our shame or to the dishonour of thy sanctified Church through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen Caph Lamed FOrsomuch as we haue an especiall regard O most mightie God in these our dayes to thy faythfull promises and that our soule doth in a maner faint with longing for thy ayde whiles health séemeth to vanish away from before our eies it is time for thée to be our readie helper and sure defence Wey not we humbly beseech thée our weake fayth corrupt vices and wicked behauiour wherewith we haue slaundered thy blessed name and caused thy sacred gospell to
thou art forgetfull and takest thy grace and fauour vtterly away fro them Graunt that suche maner of thoughtes and suspicions be not graft and fixed in our minds for surely we deserue to be vtterly left and quite forsaken of thée by reason of our most heynous offences but suffer not O good God for thy most glorious names sake the stoute arrogant enimies of Godlinesse eyther to preuaile any thing at all or haue occasion to triumphe ouer thy faythfull seruauntes like victorious conquerors illuminate and lighten the eyes of our minde we humblie beséech thée with thy holy spirit that wée séeing and right well allowing those thinges which be most iust may neyther honor nor worship thée amisse nor yet become slouthfull towardes the amendment of our sinfull life for so shall all occasion of reioysing and vaunting be quite taken from our aduersaries and we haue great cause to render eternall thankes vnto thy diuine Maiestie as thou hast right well deserued through Iesus christ our lord AmeÌ„ ¶ A prayer out of the .xiiij. Psalme A praier that we may perceuer in the nuÌ„ber of true christians TAke away from thy déere children O most mightie God those notorious wicked Counsels and foolishe imaginations whereby we may surmise in our mindes that thou art no God at all and although thou knowest well ynoughe that we haue oftentymes erred gone astray from the true path of righteousnesse for which cause sake we haue very well deserued euen like bread and most delicious meate of them to be deuoured and vtterly consumed as are the most mischieuous and furious enimies of godlines We humblie besech thée that as thou hast promised to ayde and assist the generation of these men and all such as put their trust in thée so thou wouldest not forsake vs being thus extréeme miserable greauously afflicted Let thy help appeere and shew forth it selfe out of the heauenlye Sion that when thou hast deliuered vs from the bondage and corruption of sinne death and the Deuill thy beloued Church maye not onely be cheered and refreshed but also be excéeding ioyous through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xv. Psalme SEing that O most mighty god none can inhabite and dwell in perpetuall felicitie and thy heauenly kingdom but such as haue béene voyde of fault and vndefiled fro the filthie corruption of wickednesse who haue in suche wise yéelded and dedicated their heart tongue and outward workes to the honor of thy blessed name that they do omit or let slip by negligence or malice none of thy sacred coÌ„maundements Hereby we nowe perceyue and right well vnderstand that if we should be dealt withal as our owne deserts are and according to the worthinesse of our workes how farre of we be from thence so as we may in a maner dispayre and be altogither doubtfull of our saluation but trusting in thy excellent goodnesse we boldely demaunde this at thy mercifull handes that the merits of our déedes beyng layde apart thy faythfull promises maye according to our assured hope still remaine most firme and stable and vouchsafe to graunt vnto vs receyued againe into thy louing fauour that being henceforth adourned with the ornamentes of perfite righteousnesse sincere truth and pure loue wee maye neuer bée drawen away from the habitation of thy blessed felicitie through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xvj. Psalme FOrsomuch as we are so poore O most déere father of heauen and thou so exceding rich in al things A praier thaâ— we may not perishe by fayth but attayne vnto glory therby â–ª and thy workes most noble and plentiful surely nothing is giuen vnto vs nor any thing at all in our power whereby we may eyther merite or increase thy most blessed estate and felicitie but yet seing that our whole trust and affiaunce dependeth on thée onely we humbly present our selues and fall downe before thy deuine Maiestie beséeching thée to preserue vs from those euils which inuiron compasse vs about on euery side And our heynous sinnes wherewith thou well perceyuest vnto be ouerladen being pardoned graunt that as thou art become our rightful inheritaunce so we may wholâ— set our ioy and delight in thée agaâ—â— and accompt it a most pleasant camely thing to set forth and commend thée onely and none else instruct thou vs counsaile thou vs be thou alwaies before our eies least we swarue at any tyme from the right way so that wee may with great ioy during this mortall life remaine and abide in thée and after the most and glorious resurrection be partakers of those euerlasting perfect pleasures which we beleue do consist onely in thy most mightie will and power through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xvij. Psalme â— praier that â—ur enimies may not get â—he victorie â—uer vs. THy blessed Churche prayeth thée O most mightie God and lifteth vp hir voice daily vnto thy throne beséeching thée to weigh and consider at one time or other hir most righteteous cause wherefore giue eare and haue regarde vnto the prayers which the faythfull sort poure out before thée with an vnfayned heart who knowe verie well that we are laden and burthened with other innumerable sinnes so as we are faine at all tymes humbly to craue pardon of thée for the same but as for those which oure aduersaries doe lay to our charge wée are nothing giltie in them wherefore if thou thy selfe who art a most righteous iudge be examined in this case we knowe nothing can be found that by thy holy worde may be condemned But our whole doing is onely for this ende and purpose that the renuing and setting vp againe of religion and true godlinesse may be aduaunced to the intent thy blessed commaundementes might be duly obserued and thy sacred law with more sinceritie obeyed And whereas this care and studie hath brought vpon vs most extreeme perils yea almost vtter destruction vnlesse thou remoue and turne the same away quite from vs we humbly beséech thée to hold vp and strengthen our goynges in thy pathes with a puyssaunt steadinesse which are otherwise of themselues very slipperie that we may neither stand in doubt nor be discouraged in these kinde of distresses Thou mayest hereby make thy excellent goodnesse O mercifull God to be much marueled and wondered at if thou wilt defende those that trust in thee at a tyme vnlooked for yea thou shalt not onely reuenge vs thy louing seruants by that meanes but thy selfe also forsomuch as they haue chiefly risen vp and beÌ„t themselues against thee Hide vs therefore vnder the shadowe of thy winges and the more prosperous successe that they seeme to haue in their doyngs so that now they hang vpon our neckes like hungry Lions the more a great deale preuent thou their furye and spéedily deliuer and rescue the life of thy faithfull seruauntes out of theyr handes and vnto the same graunt that by acknowledging
merites of Christ and haue an especiall regard vnto thée being in no dispayre thereof at all thou at length according to thy accustomed goodnesse and vnspeakable mercie grauntest their humble requestes thou hearest theyr lowde cryes out of the deepe waters and sticking fast in myre and durt liftest them out thereof with thy most puyssaunt helpe Whereby it happeneth that they beyng mightily deliuered haue thy enestimable prayses cōtinually in their mouthes which they celebrate with new ditties both openly and priuately to the intent they would stirre vp and prouoke all men to the perfect beliefe assured hope and due feare of thée Giue vs therefore at this present such grace as we maye both repose our whole trust in thée onely and also not to passe for the prowde persons or lyers that haue risen vp togither against thy sacred church perceyuing right well that thou art the authour of all wonderfull matters who hast in the high treasures of thy diuine prouidence such deuises and purposes which no man can rehearse or shewe forth in order nor yet once to vtter in as muche as they excell in number and greatnesse all force of wordes and efficacie of speache Therfore where as we haue hitherto greeuously offended thée by reason of our heynous sinnes neyther can make sufficient satisfaction by any sacrifice of our owne graunt vs an obedient fayth to be at all tymes procliue and readie to followe thy blessed will which thou hast vouchedsafe to manifest and reuele vnto vs in the booke of thy sacred lawe graunt that we maye readily and with a frée will execute the same being surely printed in the most inwarde partes of our sinfull bodie And like as thou doest neuer withhold thy selfe from spéedie mercie and vnspeakable goodnesse towardes vs so againe let thy zealous louing seruauntes manifestly shew forth thy stedfast faythfulnesse vpright iustice and sincere truth both in their words and conuersation Thou séest howe we are borne downe and loden with gréeuous sinnes howe we are ouerwhelmed with miserable aduersities and howe both heart and witte fayleth vs wherefore haue thou an especiall regard to our saluation and make spéedy hast to helpe vs. Or rather confound and putte the fierce enimies of thy blessed name to vtter confusion but let vs which vnfeynedly séeke thée be at length greatly refreshed and cause vs to finde by proofe that it is not in vaine that thou art reported to be the most assured saluation it selfe and helper of poore siely wretches and greeuous afflicted persons through Iesus christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same Psalme THey which suffer the prolonging of thy fauorable helpe O most mighty God with right pacient mindes do at length well perceyue and assuredly féele that thou hearest their feruent prayers and when in good earnest they finde themselues to bée deliuered do not onely celebrate thy glorious name with due prayses but giue a sufficient example to other godly men for to do the like Nowe therefore which we may onely doe forsomuch as thou delightest not in outwarde sacrifices we indeuor and striue to obteyne thus much by oure hartie prayers that we may become verye louing and desirous to follow thy holy wil dayly more and more setting forth thy blessed truth and vnspeakeable mercye towardes vs with often or rather continuall praises But in the meane season what soeuer we haue done dishonestly or after a wicked maner agaynst thee according to thy louing mercye and excellent goodnesse forgiue it vs neyther suffer those gréeuous punishments and wofull calamities to ouerwhelme vs which our sinnes haue iustly deserued And let such as séeke thy dishonour and our confusion be put to vtter shame and rebuke but cause those that be excéeding zealous and very carefull of thy blessed name to be replenished with true ioy and perfect gladnesse But séeing thou right well knowest that we are greatlye dispised marueylous destitute of worldly and fleshly helpe make thou hast mightily to saue vs who art our puyssaunt defence and very strong fortresse through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen ¶ A prayer out of the .xlj. Psalme IT is a token of no small grace O most mightie God well to iudge both of such as be féeble minded A prayer agaynst the enimies of Gods holy worde and for the worke of charitye and also of all the Godly whome thou doest sometime chastice and scourge diuers maner of wayes although thou vsest correction with a fatherly affection yet wilt thou readily deliuer them speedily quicken them and in the ende abundantly blesse them with thy excellent presence which hope we also leaning vnto and trusting vpon who are nowe most gréeuously afflicted doe here togither earnestly require thée to haue mercy vpon vs by releuing and deliuering vs from the greeuous sinnes wherewith we haue most heinously offended thée Thou knowest vndoubtedly that the cruell enimies of thy holy Gospell wishe vs muche euill thou vnderstandest what they ymagine and determine amongest themselues of our destruction They verily practise and goe about nothing more then to ouerthrow thy blessed Church and with them also do such take part as we though to haue béene allyed with vs both by religion and also for many other respectes and good turnes Extend thou therefore O good God thy mercie and compassion towardes vs whereby thou hast béene accustomed not onely to rayse vp suche as are fallen and lie vnder foote but also vtterly to confound and bring their aduersaries to vtter ruine Giue not the fierce enimies of true religion and perfect godlinesse scope to reioyce at thy faithfull seruants destruction But if thou wilt mightily deliuer vs out of these present calamities and with great force confirme the same by thy holy spirite thy blessed name shall be openly commended and highlye praysed of all godly men which thing wee earnestly require may continually come to passe and that without ceassing throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An other prayer out of the same psalme THere remaine wonderfull great rewardes O most good and mercifull God for such as haue much compassion vpon the afflicted but those that shewe mercy vnto the most miserable and such men as be in great distresse doe immitate and follow the example of thy excéeding great goodnesse For thou art woont to comfort thy faythfull seruaunt which lieth sore sicke in his bed so that thou thy selfe séemest to make the same to the intent that he which is diseased might lye the softer neyther is there anye point of dutifulnesse which wee accompt most singuler wherewith thou doest not verye fauourably pleasure and serue the turne of thy blessed people whensoeuer thou shalt thinke time conuenient to helpe them Wherefore seeing we may well perceyue that for our gréeuous sinnes we be fallen into most daungerous and sore distresses we humbly flie vnto thy goodnesse onely hoping that thou wilt vouchsafe to remit whatsoeuer we haue offended or displeased thee in neyther suffer the wicked enimies of our
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