Godly Prayers out of Davids Psalms, Prayers based on Psalms · Psalm 119 – Psalm 120
¶ A prayer out of the .Cxix. Pſalme.
… prayer in …eceſſitie, an…uiſhe, and …ſtreſſe.THou haſt alwayes of thy vnſpeakable goodneſſe and clemencie (O moſt good and merciful God) from time to time indued vsus with notable and plentifull benefites, but we of the contrary part (who ought to obey thy bleſſed cōmaundements with all earneſtneſſe) hauehave very miſerably tranſgreſſed the ſame, and procured vntounto oure ſelues the euilles wherewith we are ſore oppreſſed, neyther can we iuſtlye complaine, that Antichriſt and his curſed members hauehave worſe dealt with vsus thē our deſerts required: but know aſſuredly that thou doeſt not chaſten and correct vsus in thy furious diſpleaſure, but with fatherly merciemercy and louing kindneſſe. Wherefore we (whom thou ſore chaſtiſeſt) hauing recourſe vntounto thée, require theſe thinges at thy mercifull handes, that thou wouldſt open the eyes of our minde wyth thy healthfull light, ſo that we be not blinded at the beholding of thy wonderous workes: let not thy ſacred precepts be hid from vsus ſo long as we be pilgrimes in this wretched world, cauſing our mindes to bée continually inflamed with a moſte ardent deſire towardes thoſe thinges which thou haſt giuen in commaundement to be obſerued. Graunt that our deſerts be not ſuch henceforth, as we be reproued amongſt the lewde ſort, or curſed like execrable thinges, bicauſe we hauehave greatly ſwarued from thy holy precepts. Thou ſéeſt right well the ſlaunders and reproches wherwith thy cruell enimies do eueryevery where aſſaile vsus, and after what ſort the great princes and mighty rulers of this wretched world when they were ſet togither agaynſt vsus, did ſtriue not onelyonly by worde, but alſo by indeuour to turne vsus away from thy ſincere worde, from the deuout worſhipping of thee, and from thy pure ceremonies. Thou therefore ſo ſtrengthē and quicken vsus with thy puyſſaunt force and mightie power, as we may bée aſſuredly perſwaded that thy faythfull promiſes are moſt true and certain, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
Aleph, Beth.
SVch truelye are to bée accompted right happie amongſt mortall men (O moſte good and mercifull God) as hauehave thy ſacred law alwayes ſet out before the eyes of their minde, which they make as a patterne to beginne their life by, and as a rule to proceede by, when they hauehave begunne, ſo that if they ſhal perhappes go aſtray, their fault may both be amended thereby, and they alſo lead a vertuous life according vntounto iuſtice. Theſe ſhal liue blameleſſe, and when their doinges ſhall be examined by vpright iudgemēt, they ſhal not be aſhamed, which will greatly auaile, if it be diligently practiſed from the tender age. But we heartily acknowledge and earneſtlye confeſſe (O moſt deere father) that all mans pollicie is altogither vnprofitable, and none accompt at all to be made thereof, vnleſſe thou bee preſent with thy bleſſed ſpirite, and doeſt direct our minds, for otherwiſe what gaine may wée hauehave by meditating of thy holye law, then a colde and very hurtfull knowledge. Wherefore our earneſt requeſt is, that thou wouldeſt not onelye miniſter ſtrength vntounto vsus by thy grace, for the accompliſhing of thoſe thinges which thou commaundeſt in thy diuine lawe, but alſo to bring this vntounto good effect, ſo that wée may hauehave more felicitie in them, then in all our owne deuices, and take a greater delight in the execution hereof, then in anye fleſhly or worldly pleaſures, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
Gimel, Daleth.
SEing that all the force wee hauehave, dependeth vponupon thee (O moſt good and mercyfull God) and that wée do nothing, wythout thy gracious ayde and furtheraunce, which may pleaſe thée, wée hauehave good cauſe to flie vntounto thy excellent merciemercy ſeate, ſo that we may (through the helpe and aſſiſtaunce of thy good grace) frame our deedes altogither confirmable vntounto thy holye lawes, which thing can in no wiſe happen vnleſſe thou remoueſt from oure eyes the vale which euill luſtes and lewd deſires do alwayes put betwixt vsus and thy wholſome doctrine, by reaſon whereof we do not wel conſider the beneficiall thinges which are there commaunded vsus to obſerue. Driue alſo farre from vsus (we heartily beſéech thée) the ſwelling of the minde and a haute conceypt, wherethrough wée are accuſtomed beyond all meaſure to hauehave mens ordinances and humaine deuices in marueylous admiration, ſo that ſometime thy holy preceptes ſéeme vile vntounto vsus, in compariſon of them: and that moſte chiefly when as wée be afraid to abide the diſpleaſure of mightie men and the ſhame of this wretched world. At what tyme therefore our minde ſhall be thus diuerſly ſeuered, refreſhe thou vsus (O good God) with thy bleſſed worde, and mittigate with thy ſpirituall calmneſſe, the ouer vnquiet thoughtfulneſſe of our mind, and ſuffer vsus not to be deceyued by the leaſings of this corrupt life, being of themſelues marueylous pleaſaunt and flattering. For if thou ſhalt once ſet our deſtreſſed hart at libertie, there can be no cauſe to the contrarie, but that we may make wonderfull expedition for the accompliſhing of thy ſacred commaundements: which, we humbly beſéech thée, to vouchſafe that we may obteyne with as earneſt an intention as can be poſſibly deuiſed, through Ieſus chriſt our Lorde. Amen.
He, Vau.
WHen as we on the one ſide doe conſider the weakeneſſe of oure owne ſtrength (O moſte mightie God) and contrariwiſe the abſoluteneſſe and perfectneſſe of thy bleſſed lawe, wée euidently perceyue, that for the obteyning thereof, thy moſte puyſſant helpe will ſtand vsus in very great ſteade: firſt therefore teache vsus the true wayes of thy holye commaundementes, moreouer illuminate in ſuch ſort our mind and vnderſtanding, as we may be able to incline with great feruencie vntounto thoſe things which thou haſt both taught & commaunded. Furthermore it is néedefull for thee to graunt vsus power and habilitie to performe whatſoeuer we hauehave learned of thée, otherwiſe it ſhall profite vsus little or nothing at all to hauehave knowledge, vnleſſe ſome part of obedience be eyther performed or at leaſt wiſe begunne in vsus, which the lewde inclination of our ſinfull heart doth greatly hinder; and finally our ſenſes and corrupt affections are wonderfull huge aduerſaries herevnto. Succor thou vsus therefore, we humbly beſéech thée, with thy good grace and abundant fauor, forgiuing whatſoeuer we hauehave committed and do dayly after a moſt ſinfull maner agaynſt thy ſacred lawe, neyther let it be imputed vntounto vsus for our eternall deſtruction. And in the meane ſeaſon (O good God) let thy louing mercies vtter and ſhewe forth themſelues to be a ſtrong defence and mightie preſeruation for thy ſanctified Church, which thou ſeeſt gréeuouſly tormented with great perilles, miſchieuous reproches, and diuerſe kyndes of afflictions, not permitting hir to bée in ſuch ſort wreſted out of thy handes, as ſhée may be robbed eyther of thy bleſſed worde, or of the lawfull, holy, and moſt pure honoring of thée, through Ieſus Chriſt our lord. Amen.
Zain, Heth.
WE flie vntounto thée in this moſt troubleſome time (O almightie God) when as we ſee thy bleſſed church ſo ſore afflicted, and that thorow our owne euill deſertes: who hauehave greatly ſinned againſt thee, done very lewdely, and tranſgreſſed thy ſacred lawes innumerable wayes, and there is but one thing onelyonly which rayſeth vp our hope, and comforteth vsus moſt in theſe our gréeuous afflictions, namely that we know how thou art right mindfull of the louing promiſes made to thy faythfull ſeruaunts. Forſomuch as our ſinnes & former wretched life doe marueylouſly accuſe vsus, (wée humbly beſéech thée) therefore ſo to quicken and lift vsus vp with thy vnſpeakeable merciemercy, which we ſée offered vntounto vsus in the benigne promiſes of thy holye Scriptures. Our earneſt requeſt is that thou wouldeſt not permitte vsus to ſwarue from the ſacred lawe which thou haſt vouchedſafe to ſet before vsus, who do with much feruencie deſire to be vnſeperably annixed vntounto thée, howſoeuer the vngodly doe ſore vexe and ſcorne vsus. 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 vponupon 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 onelyonly lot, we lift vp our eyes vntounto thy face with our whole heart: but or euer the multitude of wicked and moſte abhominable men do ſwallow vsus vp, be thou preſent for thy infinite goodneſſe ſake to ſuccor vsus, 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 hauehave not conceyued hope of our ſaluation (O almightie God) anye where elſe, then from thy moſte faythfull promiſes, drawing out thereof onelyonly 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 vsus. 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 hauehave had thy fayth in perfect remembrance, ſeing it doth manifeſtly appeare … thou haſt neuer deceyued any that truſt onelyonly 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 vntounto thee, this remayneth, that we execute with an excéeding feruent deſire, the charge which is left vntounto vsus, ſo that we may (marueylous ſpéedily) beſtyrre our ſteppes and feete towarde the fulfilling of thy bleſſed law. Cauſe thou vsus (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 vsus, we may be obedient to thy ſacred precepts, ſo that all thoſe which honour and louelove thée purelye, may accompany vsus, that like as the earth is eueryevery 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, hauehave had thy excellent benefites in a wonderfull triall, which we do plainly acknowledge and confeſſe that our heynous ſinnes hauehave greatly defiled, wherewith we hauehave not onelyonly 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 vsus 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 vsus for to returne into the right perfect waye: and forſomuch as thou art good and fauourable vntounto 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 vsus from thée, make thou vsus on the contrary part (we heartily pray thée) to be vnfeinedly obedient vntounto thy bleſſed precepts: and what troubleſome things ſoeuer theſe men hauehave ſubtilty deuiſed, let the ſame turne to ye 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) ye 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 hauehave an eye with a pure fayth vntounto 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 vsus (O moſt good and merciful God) then that thou wouldeſt giuegive vsus 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 vsus applie our ſelues with earneſt deſire to liue after thy diuine lawe. And ſéeing thou haſt faſhioned vsus in our mothers wombe, ſo fauour thou vsus alſo and illuminate vsus 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 onelyonly 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 eueryevery one of vsus to be annixed vntounto thee with vncorrupt mindes. Wherfore we heartily beſéech thée, that thy holy will (which thou haſt ſet forth vntounto vsus in the ſacred Scriptures) maye be dearer vntounto vsus then gold, and more beloued then all riches, ſo as we may imbrace ye 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 hauehave 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 hauehave ſlaundered thy bleſſed name, and cauſed thy ſacred goſpell to 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 vponupon thy enimies, who do aſſault vsus thus cruelly. And thou thy ſelfe ſeeſt how vndeſeruedly they do it. For although wée hauehave ſinned ſo heynouſly as we hauehave procured vntounto our ſelues greeuouſer puniſhmentes then theſe be, yet our aduerſaries hauehave not for our ſinnes ſake onelyonly digged theſe pittes for vsus, but they perſecute, yea and would vtterly deſtroy vsus, for that religion is a little purged, & the true worſhipping of thée reſtored. Therefore confirme and ſtrengthen thou vsus (O excellent father) for thy infinite goodneſſe ſake, vouchingſafe that thy holy worde may hauehave a perpetuall abyding in thy ſacred Church, and ſuffer vsus not to periſh in this gréeuous perſecution, but cauſe vsus to bée delighted therein and to refreſh our ſelues therwith, that forſomuch as we are thy faythfull ſeruauntes, and hauehave no confidence at all in mans force, ſaue and defend vsus thy owne ſelf frō ſuch perils as hang ouer our necks, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
Caph, Lamed.
OVr ſoules hauehave nowe fainted vsus (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 onelyonly. VntoUnto 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 hauehave this graunted vsus, 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 vsus, (for if we giuegive 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 vsus: graunt O excellent father, that this may neuer ſlippe out of our remembraunce, but vouchſafe vsus 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 onelyonly 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 hauehave attained vntounto, 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 hauehave 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 hauehave 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 eueryevery one of vsus doe beare his life alwayes in hys handes, by reaſon of the excéeding great perils we are in. There want not eueryevery where puyſſaunt Champions of the aduerſaries which lay a thouſand ſnares for our life: wherefore wee intreate thée ſo much as in vsus 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 louelove them and thinke continually thereof, become eueryevery 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 hauehave miſerably declined from thee in our former life, and ſhamefully ſinned, which doth manifeſtly appéere in that wee hauehave 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 vsus vniuſtly: but hauehave truely well deſerued this (through oure naughtie and lewd behauiours) that ſo vniuſt and cruell enimies ſhould riſe vppe agaynſt vsus: for theſe things verily would not hauehave happened vntounto vsus, 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) hauehave 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 vsus from the ſnares which the enimies of thy bleſſed name hauehave layd to tray vsus 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 hauehave 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 onelyonly, and alſo become moſt zealous in all thy holy commaundements. For fleſh and the power of our aduerſaries practiſe continuall enmitie agaynſt vsus: let them not be of ſuch force as they may deſtroy vsus, but make vsus rather ſticke faſt vntounto 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 vsus. For ſéeing the knowledge of diuine things can not be atteyned vntounto 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 vponupon vsus altogither well appeaſed, and ſo frame our thoughts and déedes, that we giuegive 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 vsus, but rather breath the ſpirite of repentance into our noſtrelles, whereby we may ſhed forth moſt flowing riuers of teares for the faultes we hauehave eueryevery 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 onelyonly cauſe vsus 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 vntounto affections, which as they be diſpleaſant to thée, ſo they marueylouſly like vsus, and we cannot abide the ſcorninges of the vngodly wherewith they vaunt themſelues ouer vsus 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 vsus 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 vsus to reſiſt thoſe which ieaſt at vsus, with a ſtedfaſt hope and aſſured confidence we hauehave 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 vsus, 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 vntounto vsus, as we may compt nothing in this life to be preferred before thē, neither any matter to be an hinderaunce, but ye 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 vsus, but ſeing that we hauehave 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 vsus to be thus tormēted and put in feare of Antichriſt and his raſcals. But now our earneſt requeſt is yt thou wouldeſt (for thy great goodneſſe and infinit mercies ſake) pardō whatſoeuer we hauehave 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 onelyonly 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 hauehave 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 vsus 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 hauehave we dayly recourſe vntounto thee in our feruent praiers▪ that thou wouldeſt guide vsus 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 vponupon this one only matter at midnight, and in the dawning of the day, that whereas there wanteth no ſtore of thinges to drawe vsus 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 vsus to ſticke faſt vntounto them: for whoſoeuer of a frowardneſſe ſwarue therefro, do ſtray farre from ſaluation: by meanes wherof, if this ſhall happen vntounto vsus through our infirmitie, lay to thy helping hande without any delaye, by rayſing vp vsus that are fallen: and although our caſe be very naught, yet helpe vsus wyth the warrant of thy bleſſed worde. For ſéeing it is not vnbeknowne to thée (O excellent father) how many go about to deſtroy vsus: therefore make thou ſpeedie haſt to bée our readie helper and deliuerer, by confirming thoſe moſt ſtedfaſtly which inuocate and cal vponupon 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 vsus 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 louelove 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 hauehave neglected thy holy worde, and ſlenderly folowed thy diuine lawe. Pardon vsus therefore, pardon we humbly beſéech thée, what wicked and lewde thing ſoeuer wée hauehave committed agaynſt thée, ſo that wée maye not decline anye more hereafter from the perfect waye of thy bleſſed commaundements: then may we clayme vntounto our ſelues the true & ſubſtanciall delightes, wherin our ſoules may liue, yea and lead ſuch a pleaſant life, as they may by al meanes indeuour to ſet forth thy moſt worthie prayſes. For ſéeing that we hauehave wandred hitherto like brute beaſtes, therfore call thou vsus away, O excellent father (who art our onelyonly ſauiour) from the heynous errours and gréeuous ſinnes we are infected withall, ſo that eueryevery one of vsus may be wholy addicted to obey thy ſacred will and holye commaundements, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lorde. Amen.
Schin, Thau.
ALthough the malice and deceyptes of thoſe which in the worlde are alwayes aduerſaryes to thy glorye (O almightie God) be both mightie and of great force againſt our féeble courage: yet notwithſtanding on the contrarie part, ſo great is the pleaſure which thy ſacred worde bringeth vntounto vsus, that it is nowe déerer vntounto the godly then anye ſpoyles bée they neuer ſo fatte, or then any pray be it neuer ſo ritche: for they pricke vsus forward to render day by day wonderfull prayſes vntounto thée. And this onelyonly remayneth as a ſpeciall comfort that thou wilt not ſuffer vsus to be depriued of the ſaluation which we looke for at thy mercifull handes. Our earneſt requeſt is, that thou wouldeſt (for this cauſe) giuegive an attentiue and readie eare to our humble petitions, that forſomuch as the righteouſneſſe of thy bleſſed law is in all pointes true and ſtedfaſt, furniſhe vsus fully with this thy holy ſpirite, that whatſoeuer we hauehave nowe choſen to kéepe, through the grace thereof, we may accompliſhe ſo much as our feeble nature is able to do: and where the weakneſſe of the fleſhe fayleth, there let the inuincible power and notable ſtrength of thy holy ſpirite ſupplie. We hauehave wandred hitherto (O Lorde God) diuers wayes lyke fooliſh & miſled ſhéepe, for vnleſſe thou doeſt ſéeke vsus out with a fatherly and ſhepherdlike prouidence, we ſhall readily periſhe in our naughtineſſe: and therefore ſuffer vsus not who are in verye great daunger, to walke any more in darkneſſe and amongſt rauening Wolues, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lorde. Amen.
¶ A prayer out of the .Cxx. Pſalme.
WEe being wearied and ſore troubled (O almightie GOD) with moſt gréeuous and excéeding perillous miſhappes,A prayer agaynſt the enimies of Gods diui… worde. as thou right well knoweſt, do dayly flie vntounto thy gracious mercies ſeate, humbly requiring thée to giuegive eare at length vntounto the feruēt prayers which we alwayes make, namely that thou wouldeſt deliuer thy bleſſed Church from the deceypts, lyes, and falſe ymaginations of Antichriſt and his retinue. For the blaſphemies, reproches, & ſlaunders wherewith they inuade and defame thy holy goſpell, may be compared to deadly ſharpe arrowes, and whot burning coles, through which the heartes of the godly are ſtriken wyth excéeding great ſorrowe, and their mindes bée inflamed with zeale and rightfull anger for the glorie of thy name. We acknowledge our ſelues verily to hauehave wel deſerued for to be troubled with ſuch vncleane infection and outragious peſtilence, bicauſe we hauehave ſinned moſte heynouſly agaynſt thée and thy diuine lawe. But our earneſt requeſt is that (of thy naturall and frée merciemercy wherewith thou art indued) we who are ſo greatly deſirous of perfect peace, for the true honouring, ſincere celebrating, and due ſetting out thy worthy prayſe, may at length attaine thereto through thy moſt gracious fauour, ſore agaynſt their willes, which are chiefeſt enimies to the peace and tranquillitie of thy faythful, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord, Amen.
An other prayer out of the ſame Pſalme.
WE know by experience (O almightie God) howe great the affliction and miſerie of the Church is, for the vices and lyes of corrupt opinions ſakes which are brought into it. Wherefore we humbly beſéech thée to deliuer hir from this kinde of calamitie: for we hauehave nowe at length begonne right well to vnderſtande how deceyptfull and craftie the ſeducementes of Antichriſt hath bene hitherto. Cauſe henceforth the puyſſaunt force and moſte ſharpe weapons of thy bleſſed worde to be preſent, whereby all the ſubtiltie of Sathan maye be confounded and brought to nought. Yea rather thurſt thou in thy moſt mighty ſhaft (which thou vſeſt diuers tymes to puniſhe vngodlineſſe withall) agaynſt this peſtilent plague, ſo that all malicious ſnares may thereby be conſumed, as it were with moſte whote burning coales: whereas otherwiſe, if thou doeſt not laye to thy moſte ſtrong and puiſſaunt hand, our pilgrimage ſhall be continued in wofull miſeryes and ſinfull wickedneſſe without end. For there is no hope of peace to be loked for where thy ſacred truth is had in deadly contempt: yea rather it ſéemeth dayly to be the further of from thy bleſſed Church, the more louelove and earneſt deſire ſhe hath thereto. Seing therfore that it behoueth vsus to wage continuall warre agaynſt ſpirituall wickedneſſe, refuſe not thou (O excellent father) redily to helpe ſuch as vnfeynedly call vponupon thée for the ſame, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.