Godly Prayers out of Davids Psalms, Prayers based on Psalms · Psalm 133 – Psalm 140
¶ A prayer out of the .Cxxxiij. Pſalme.
WHen as thoſe which take vppon them the defence of thy glorious name (O moſt mightie God) doe liue wonderful friendly amongſt themſelues,A prayer f… chriſtian charitie. and practiſe al the meanes they can deuiſe to honor and reuerence thee, then doth thy bleſſed church increaſe dayly more and more in famouſneſſe and puyſſaunt power. And in likewiſe on the other ſide it is greatly torne and weakned if they which ought to hauehave dwelt togither like brethren, breake out into diſſentions, or elſe be plucked aſunder through any debate. Our earneſt requeſt is therefore to hauehave ſuch peace graunted vsus by thy excellent goodneſſe, as we may be ioyned togither like members in thy one bodie which is the holy Church. But, ſeing that our innumerable ſinnes do marueylouſlye hinder ſo great a felicitie, howe then can it fall out that ſuch as bée at diſcorde with thée, maye be in vnitie amongſt themſelues? We earneſtly deſire this at thy mercifull handes, that the heynous offences wherewith we hauehave ſundrie tymes and that greeuouſlye prouoked thy wrathfull indignation beeing quite forgiuen, thou wouldſt receyue vsus againe into thy bleſſed fauour, cauſing vsus faythfully to imbrace mercy and louing kindneſſe in ſuch wiſe, as wée maye bee annixed vntounto thée without ſeperation: for hereof our tranquilitie ſhall hauehave hir originall and deriuation, hereof ſhall there be made an excellent & moſt fertile Church of good déedes, hereof ſhal the hid and ſecret treaſures of thy holy ſpirite open themſelues vntounto vsus, & bruſt out into very ſwéete and pleaſaunt fruites, and finally a moſt redolent ſmell of iuſtice and vertue ſhall breath forth from thence thorow out the whole worlde. Graunt therfore (O excellent father) to thy humble ſuters, that they may hauehave peace with thée, amongſt themſelues, and alſo with all men ſo much as in them lyeth, whereby, they béeing gathered togyther in thy bleſſed name, according to thy louing promiſes, may hauehave thee preſent with them, feele thy moſt plentifull bleſſing, and finally obteine eternall ioy and felicitie, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
An other prayer out of the ſame Pſalme.
FOrſomuch as thou haſt of thy ſinguler fauour and exceding great goodneſſe (O mercifull God) adopted vsus to be thy déere children through fayth we hauehave conceyued in Chriſt Ieſu, it behoueth vsus to leade a life amongeſt our ſelues not like ſtraungers, but as brethren and ſiſters ought to do: neither hauehave the godly a greater deſire or more pleaſure in anye thing, then to be in perfect vnitie & peaceable agreement in the houſe of God. Wherefore it is no ſmall griefe vntounto vsus that this brotherly affinitie is eueryevery where rent and broken aſunder, which we ought warely to chéeriſhe and hauehave in great eſtimation. But we acknowledge oure ſelues to hauehave giuen an apparaunt cauſe of this gréeuous vexation and ſorowfull calamitie: for how can it be then that we who are not knit vntounto thee with our whole heart, and be nothing in ſuch wiſe obedient to thy ſacred commaundements as thou requireſt, ſhould be well ioyned togither, or be in louelove with our neighbours? We humbly beſeech thée therefore (O good God) to pardon whatſoeuer we hauehave heretofore lewdly committed agaynſt thee, béeing aduerſaries to thy diuine lawe and ſacred commaundementes, and to couple vsus one to another, with an excéeding ſtedfaſt charitie, into the ſacred bodie of thy holye Church, ſo that our louing conſent & faythfull agreement may ſpread it ſelfe abroade moſt largely as a ſwéete ſmell of mutuall louelove, and through the pleaſaunt dew of thy heauenly bleſſing, become eueryevery day more fruitfull then other in good and godly workes, leading (of thy ſinguler good will) not onelyonly a quiet and peaceable life, frée from the preſent euils in this wretched worlde, but finally obteyne ſuch a one as is bleſſed and euerlaſting, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
An other prayer out of the ſame pſalme.
SEing thou haſt of thy louing kindneſſe (O moſt good and mercifull God) choſen all faythfull people to be thy déere children, graunt that we who are brethren by a bleſſed generation, may be faſtned togither in mutuall louelove, long peace, and perpetuall charitie, ſo that (during this lfie) wée maye take perfect pleaſure of ſuch kinde of tranquilitie, and alſo become an excéeding delectable odor towardes the perpetuall ſaluation of all others which be as yet ſtraungers to thée. Thy bleſſed Church may bee (O heauenly father) through this eſpeciall example, greatly wondered at of all men. For certainly we know by experience that thou haſt vſed to poure out a moſte ample bleſſing vponupon ſo many as lead an agréeable and friendly lyfe in thy healthfull doctrine and pure religion: and therefore doe wée nowe requyre this earneſtlye at thy mercifull handes béefore all ritches and other earthly commodities, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lorde. Amen.
¶A prayer out of the .Cxxxiiij. Pſalme.
A prayer for fayth in our dayly peticions.IT ought to be a moſt pleaſant and ioyfull thing vntounto vsus (O almighty God) to celebrate thy high prayſes perpetually, and ſhewe forth thy marueylous workes without ceaſſing: for the performance whereof, godlineſſe would require, that we ſhoulde not onelyonly doe the ſame on the day tyme, but alſo in the night ſeaſon. But yet notwithſtanding, our moſt heinous ſinnes and continual backſlidings compell vsus rather to bruſt out into ſorowfull teares, piteous ſobbinges, and déepe ſighes, wherethrough we may ſay alwayes before thée: we verily hauehave ſinned (O good God) excéeding gréeuouſly, whoſe offences are more in number then the ſande of the ſea, and Starres of the ſkie, but nowe wée lift vp our handes vntounto our holy ſanctuary, which is Ieſus Chriſt thy dearely beloued Sonne, ſo that whatſoeuer we cannot obteyne through our owne worthineſſe and deſertes, we indeuour to atchieue the ſame by his onelyonly meanes and gracious fauour. We heartily require this at thy mercifull handes (O moſt excellent father) that thou wouldeſt at one tyme or other, out of Sion (that is to ſay out of the hid treaſure of thy clemencie) be fauourable vntounto the people which flie to thee for ſuccor, by deliuering them from preſent miſhaps, whereby thou (who diddeſt make heauen and earth) haſt vouchedſafe to call vsus vntounto the knowledge of thy bleſſed name, ſo that we maye lawfully render abundant thankes and ſhewe forth thy worthy prayſes with a moſte free and ioyfull heart, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
An other prayer out of the ſame Pſalme.
SEing thou haſt bewtified all thoſe with a notable promiſe (O moſt mightie god) which are knitte togither in the honouring of thy bleſſed name, ſo that thou wilt not onelyonly be preſent with them, but alſo beſtoweſt excellent benefites vponupon theſe men whoſoeuer they are that excell in ſincere fayth and pure godlineſſe, and hauehave an exceeding deſire to be in the bleſſed congregations, inſomuch as there is nothing which they more couet or deſire, then to appeare diuers tymes before thée in the ſacred aſſemblies. But bicauſe we ſee our ſelues greatly defiled with moſt heynous faultes, ouerlading vsus in ſuch wiſe, as we dare not celebrate and prayſe thée as Chriſtians ought to do: our earneſt requeſt is therfore that thou wouldſt (of thy vnſpeakable merciemercy, infinite goodneſſe, and excellent clemencie) deliuer vsus from the Champions of Antichriſt and his miniſters, who indeuour themſelues ſo much as they can poſſible, that thy faythfull ſeruaunts might no more aſſemble and meete togither for to honor thée ſincerely and as they are willed to do. Reſerue thoſe to thy ſelfe (we humblye beſeech thée) who hauehave ſo great a deſire to lift vp their handes vntounto thée and to direct their prayers vntounto thy mercies ſeate with a moſt holye intent: ſhewe theſe men much pleaſure from heauen, cheriſhe them greatly, and be their ſtrong defence, being a thing nothing impoſſible to thy wonderfull and inuincible power, forſomuch as the whole worlde and all thinges conteyned therin, were not only made by thy puiſſant might, but alſo indure and bée preſerued through thy omnipotencie, by Ieſus Chriſt our lord. Amen.
An other prayer out of the ſame pſalme.
THy vnſpeakeable goodneſſe is ſuch (O moſt merciful God) as it ought alwaies to be greatly praiſed and highly magnified. Wee will therefore lift vp pure handes in all places, touching the publiſhing of thy glorious name, & render perpetuall thanks (according to our bounden dutie) for thy louing kindneſſe extended towards vsus. But, ſeing that this ought to be done in the moſt ſacred and holy aſſemblies, our earneſt deſire is for to hauehave thée preſent there wyth vsus, & to beſtow thy plentifull bleſſing vponupon thy beloued Iſraell, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
¶ A prayer out of the .Cxxxv. Pſalme.
WHoſoeuer they be that are moued by the holy ghoſt to aſſemble togither (O almightie God) for to celebrate thy glorious name,A prayer againſt a … and falſe confidence. hauehave a wonderfull heape of benefites ſet out before them, which thou haſt moſt plentifully beſtowed vponupon vsus. For looke what thinges thou haſt by thy wonderfull wiſdome created in heauen and earth, all the ſame doeſt thou continuallye diſpoſe according to the pleaſure of thy good will, cauſing the clowdes, raine, windes, and other workes of nature to be in ſuch wiſe obedient to thée, as they ſerue excéeding commodiouſly for the vtilitie of mankinde. But ſeeing that the hearts of kings and princes are vnderunder thy dominion, thou doeſt cōtinually bow them ſo farre as the preſeruation of thy faythfull ſeruaunts doth require, which is ſufficiently manifeſted ynough by Pharao king of Egypt, Sion, and Og, moſte puyſſaunt princes of the lande of Canaan. By reaſon whereof, the hope that we hauehave aſſuredly conceyued in thy beloued promiſes, is ſo confirmed and eſtabliſhed, that (althoughe wée maye ſée the Churche gréeuouſlye oppreſſed with excéeding great perilles) yet our onelye truſt is that thou wilt ſo aide and helpe the ſame, out of the hidde and ſecrete treaſures of thy louing merciemercy, as firſt and formoſte to pardon our innumerable and moſt ſhamefull declinings from thee, wherwith wée hauehave miſchieuouſly polluted our ſelues: and that thou wilt alſo in ſuch wiſe vanquiſh, ſubdue, and repreſſe the malipertneſſe of the deuill and his gard, as we be not inforced anye more by them, to imbrace againe an ydolatrous trade of worſhipping thée, and giuegive honor to thoſe Images which can neither ſpeake, heare, nor yet hauehave breath, although they ſéeme as if they had both eares, hands, & mouthes. Graunt we heartily pray thee (O excellent father) that all men may perpetually laude and ſet forth thy glorious name out of Sion (which is thy true Church) with an auncient, yea rather an euerlaſting peace and tranquilitie, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
An other prayer out of the ſame pſalme.
THou deſerueſt verye great commendation for a number of excellent cauſes (O almightie God) and diuers wayes to be extolled with moſte noble prayſes: firſt and formoſt thou art good, & thy name is marueylous pleaſant and wonderfull amiable. Moreouer thou haſt choſen vsus to be thy peculiar people, that is, & true Iſraell, who art of ſuch an inuincible force, as there is onelyonly not any creature, but alſo none other God at all that may be compared to thée in power. For thou onelye doeſt wonderous things in heauen, in earth, in the ſea, and in the déepes and bottomleſſe pit: thou alſo ſtirreſt vp and bridleſt at thy will and pleaſure, the flaming lightninges, boyſterous windes, raynie ſhowers, raging waters, and ſtormie tempeſtes. Whoſe mightie puyſſaunce, the Egyptians, Amorreites, and Chenaneits hauehave felt, when thou didſt defend the children of Iſraell with thy accuſtomable clemency, and gouernedſt them through an vnſpeakable louing kindneſſe and wonderfull merciemercy that thou didſt extend towards them. Iudge thou therefore thy faythful people, who haſt béene accuſtomed to rule the courſe of nature by ſuche a wonderful meanes, and finally comfort thy beloued ſeruants, hauehave an eſpeciall regard, behold, and ſée (we humbly pray thée) the gréeuous calamities of thy ſacred Church, neither deale with vsus according to our wicked & lewde deſerts. We acknowledge verily (euen from the heart) that we hauehave led a lyfe to muche vnbeſéeming thy glorious name and our vocation, who doe not nowe returne vntounto dumb Idolles (when we are thus gréeuouſly afflicted) being the workes of mens hands, hauing as it were a mouth, eyes, and eares, and yet do they not ſpeake, neyther ſée, nor vnderſtande: but hauehave recourſe vntounto thée, our true and onelyonly God, that like as thou loueſt the ſacred Church and wouldſt be highly prayſed therein, ſo vouchſafe to deliuer the ſame from imminent perils, through Ieſus Chriſt our lord. Amen.
An other prayer out of the ſame Pſalme.
THere be two thinges (O moſt good and mercifull God) which ought chiefly to ſtyrre vsus vp to ſpeake of thy worthy praiſes: whereof, the one is this, for that nothing can be found or ymagined greater thē thou art: the other, bicauſe there is a pure ioy and aſſured pleaſure conceyued in the very ſetting out of thy worthy praiſes. Moreouer the number of thy notable benefits are ſo great, as not only matter to the publiſhing of thy glorie is miniſtred eueryevery where, but alſo that it doth in a maner ouerwhelme ſuch as thinke thervpon any thing earneſtly, as they can readily finde neither beginning nor yet ende for the ſetting forth of thy glorious name, without the wonderfull aſſiſtaunce of thy holy ſpirite. Which thing (ſo long as it is duly cōſidered of our parts) we doe earneſtly require in our dayly praiers, that eſpecially in the ſacred aſſemblies, we may with moſte pure fayth ſet out thy worthie prayſes, yéeld thée thy true worſhippe, and publiſhe thy renoume with a pure life and holye conuerſation, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
¶ A prayer out of the .Cxxxvj. Pſalme.
A prayer for … knowledge …f Gods om…ipotent goodneſſe.THy puyſſaunt power and ſinguler goodneſſe (O moſte gracious and mercifull God) doth eueryevery where ſo abounde vppon vsus, as mannes thought and ymagination can not ſufficiently comprehend the ſame: for if we looke vntounto the ſkie that is garniſhed with excéeding bewtifull and almoſte innumerable lightes, or if we conſider the earth which is marueylous abundauntly repleniſhed and decked with moſt pleaſant fruites, they bee alwayes wonderful tokens of thy vnſpeakable and paſſing good will towardes vsus. Herevnto are added, the wonders which thou didſt in Egypt, where through (when thou hadſt ſpoyled the tyraunt of all that euer he had, and finally bereft him of hys lyfe) thou madeſt it manifeſt what a pleaſure the fredome of the children of Iſrall was to thée, vntounto whom thou ſhewedſt thy ſelfe no leſſe a moſt ſtedfaſt preſeruer in the waſt & lothſome wilderneſſe, then an excéeding ſtrong defender, at what tyme they walked through the whole lande of Canaan, and cauſedſt the huge & mightie kingdomes thereof to be vnderunder their ſubiection. Thou therefore who art indued with excellent goodneſſe, wonderfull clemency, and vnſpeakable merciemercy that neuer hath ende, hauehave an eſpeciall regard (we heartily pray thée) vntounto thy beloued Church, being nowe in marueylous great perill and extreeme daunger, neyther let the moſt lewde déedes (wherewith we hauehave both polluted our owne ſelues, and alſo thy ſacred Goſpell) drawe thée from thy natiue louing kindneſſe. Pardon (we heartily pray thee) what ſoeuer we hauehave committed agaynſt thy diuine Maieſtie: and ſuffer not thou (who giueſt ſuſtinaunce to all fleſhe) thy faythfull ſeruauntes to bée depriued of a perfect doctrine and moſt pure and ſound ſacraments, which are in déede the feede of eternall lyfe. Vouchſafe that eueryevery man may hereby perceyue howe good and mightie thou art, to the intent all perſons maye eueryevery where (as right méete it is) feare and louelove thée with a moſt feruent and heartie good will, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
An other prayer out of the ſame pſalme.
THy goodneſſe is ſuch and of ſo great force (O moſt mightie God) as thou wouldſt not onelyonly hauehave vsus fedde thereby, but alſo (which is not the leaſt part of our felicitie) that we ſhould féele and perfectly acknowledge the ſame: who haſt for this cauſe, brought forth excéeding bewtifull thinges as well in heauen as in the earth, after a moſt wonderful artificial maner. All which matters, if we did beholde with a godly affection and well diſpoſed minde, our heart without doubt ſhould alwayes be kindled and inflamed with a feruent deſire it hath towards thée. To the intent therefore our ſtonie and frozen hearts might be more vehemently ſtyrred vp, thou haſt choſen out for thy ſelfe one people, which was Iſrael, by whom thou mighteſt declare with howe great zeale and after what maner of prouidence and moſte large benefites thou haſt ſhewed thy ſelfe beneficiall vntounto ſuch as continually applyed themſelues to the true worſhipping of thee and vntounto godlineſſe. But haſt at length poured out al treaſures of thy excellent goodneſſe in Chriſt Ieſu our Lord, and thy moſt intierly beloued ſonne, to the ende thou wouldeſt deliuer vsus from eternall and euerlaſting death. For which cauſe ſake, we being prouoked (through the wonderfull miracles of ſo great and manifolde benefites) do render hartie thanks vntounto thee, although verily not ſuch as thou deſerueſt, yet thoſe that we are able, and to the vttermoſte of our power we doe commend thy ſacred Church vntounto thée, by the ſelfeſame Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
¶ A prayer out of the .Cxxxvij. Pſalme.
WHoſoeuer they bée (O almightye God) that make a true accompt of ſincere godlineſſe and pure religion,A prayer … gaynſt ſu… as be eni… es & derid… of the goſp… are excéeding ſorowfull if they ſée the ſacred Church ſcattered, wholeſome doctrine derided, the prayſes of thy diuine name had in contempt, & ſuch things as apperteyne to a deuout worſhipping of thee turned vntounto heathniſh gewgawes and voluptuous pleaſures. To the intent therfore theſe things may in no wiſe happen as nowe vntounto vsus, which we ſée not to be farre of, we power forth dayly before thée, with great ſubmiſſion, theſe our dolefull complaints, that thou wouldeſt firſt of thy excéeding great goodneſſe and louing mercye, blot out all our heynous offences (being in a maner infinite and excéeding gréeuous) committed not onelyonly through weakneſſe and ignoraunce, but alſo done oftentymes both maliciouſly and of a ſet purpoſe. Moreouer be fauourable vntounto our gréeuous ſinnes, and turne away from vsus in ſuch ſort the moſt fierce wiles and ſubtile layings awayte of Antichriſt, as thy ſacred Churche bée not depriued of all bleſſed ioy and ſpirituall gladneſſe: ſuffer not the mouthes of good and wholſome inſtructors to be cloſed vp, permit not thy due honour to be had in obliuion, nor yet let the hymnes and ſongs wherewith thou art highly celebrated, bée vſurped of ſuch as will hauehave the ſame in deriſion. We humbly beſéech thée, O excellent father, that (what wrath or indignation ſo euer is due vntounto vsus by reaſon of the heinous ſinnes we hauehave wickedly committed) thou wouldſt, for the glorie of thy famous name, turne it from thy ſanctified Church, and poure out the ſame rather vppon them, who, with a enimy like rage and moſt malicious affection, ymagine nothing elſe, but quite to marre and vtterly laye waſte thy bleſſed heritage, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
An other prayer out of the ſame pſalme.
THy ſacred Church would be greatly deſirous (O moſt mightie God) to extoll thy famous name ioyfully with Pſalmes and Hymnes, but as yet hir oppreſſion and bondage is ſo great in darkneſſe and blinde errors of newe fond ſuperſticions that hauehave béene brought thereto, as it is more agréeable for hir ſorowfull eſtate, rather to laye aſide the inſtruments of gladneſſe, and giuegive hir ſelfe day & night to weaping, wayling, mournings, lamentable prayers, and moſt feruent ſupplications, wherewith ſhe may craue thy furtherance and readie helpe: to the intent it may (in the ſtraunge tentes of this wretched world) rather be forgetfull of all delectable pleaſures, then vtterly voyde of true & perfect worſhipping of thee. Our earneſt requeſt is therefore yt thou wouldſt very ſpéedily deliuer hir from the tirannie of the enimies of Godlineſſe, who hauehave in nothing ſo great a delight, as to reioyce in the deſtruction thereof. Turne thy ſelfe wée hartily require thée, vntounto them, and reſtrain their mad outrage, ſo that they may hereafter the leſſe pollute and defile the Church thy louing ſpouſe, eyther with theyr deuiliſhe errors or lewde behauiours, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
¶ A prayer out of the .Cxxxviij. Pſalme.
THy merciemercy (O moſt mightie God) is ſo notable & famous,… praier that … men of …eat power …d high au…oritie may …brace the …ord of god. as it ought to be celebrated, with ſéemely prayſes, euen in ye aſſembly of princes & higheſt powers: for ſéeing yt thou haſt, with all faithfulneſſe aboundantly accompliſhed thy louing promiſes, the reputation of thy glorious name is wonderfully augmented by giuing ſaluation eueryevery where to ſuch as lamētably requyre the ſame. Forſomuch as therfore the monuments of thy great merciemercy be innumerable, we earneſtly intreat & humbly beſéech thée not to decline therfro in theſe our moſt wretched dayes, nor yet permit thy ſelfe to bée alienated & withdrawne from vsus. Although we hauehave not framed our déedes, according to thy ſacred lawes and diuine will, as was our bounden dutie, but hauehave wretchedly ſinned agaynſt thée, deadly offended, and ſpitefully reuolted from thy excellent Maieſtie: which verily we heartily acknowledge and earneſtly confeſſe, and albeit we are vnworthy that thou ſhouldeſt be fauourable and mercifull vntounto vsus, yet it greatly apperteyneth vntounto thée for to pardon ſuch as craue merciemercy at thy hands thorow an vnfayned fayth. Wey not then (in this ſo cruell a caſe) what we are bound to doe, but that which belongeth to thy vnſpeakable goodneſſe. For if thou wilt be preſent at this time to helpe ſuch as vnfeynedly cal vponupon thée, there is no man liuing but ſhall follow thée with a wonderfull admiration. The common people, the nobilitie, yea and kinges alſo ſhall ſtriue who maye prayſe thée moſt: for thou ſhalt very manifeſtly proue to their faces, that thou haſt a great reſpect to ſuch things as be excéeding lowlye and of verye ſmall reputation, although thy tribunal ſeate be in heauen: for, notwithſtanding thou ſeemeſt to dwel very ry farre of from vsus, yet thou makeſt all men vnderſtande the wonderfull tokens of thy excellent iuſtice and vnſpeakable goodneſſe. Eſtabliſhe vsus (O good God) with hope in in ſuch wiſe, as if we ſhoulde walke euen through the middeſt of trouble and great diſtreſſe, thou wilt not permit our courage (being vpholden with thy right hande) any thing to fayle, but remember the worke of thy handes, what maner a people ſo euer we be of our ſelues, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
An other prayer out of the ſame Pſalme.
THe people & common ſort of men ought not onelyonly to extoll the honor of thy glorious name, and nobleneſſe of thy famous words with right great praiſes (O almightie God) but alſo ſuch as bee noble and renowmed are bound to do the like, bicauſe thou poureſt thy ſinguler benefits vponupon all mortall creatures, and neuer fayleſt of thy louing promiſes in faythfulneſſe and truth, but rather doeſt perpetually giuegive an attentiue eare to thoſe which call vponupon thée with a pure fayth and vncorrupt minde. Let ſo many therefore as be famous and excell in dignitie and power amongeſt men, prayſe thée when as they ſhall perceyue the marueylous wiſdome of thy deepe counſels and excellent deuices. For, though thou excelleſt all others in heigth, yet doeſt thou not diſpiſe ſuch thinges as be humble and lowly, but ſéemeſt to behold the prowde a farre of, bicauſe thou aloweſt in no wiſe their doings. We humbly require thée therefore to refreſhe and quicken vsus in the middeſt of our ſorowfull tribulations, and repreſſe the violence and hatred of the outragious enimies of godlineſſe, ſo that whileſt thou ſhalt nouriſhe and defende vsus (being the worke of thy puyſſaunt handes) thy infinite merciemercy maye be made right famous wyth eternall glorie, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lorde. Amen.
¶ A prayer out of the .Cxxxix. Pſalme.
A prayer for ye knowledge of Gods diuine prouidence.THy knowledge and wiſdome (O moſt mightie God) is of ſuch force, as thou perfectly knoweſt all mens wordes, déedes, and thoughts, who alſo vnderſtandeſt the ymaginations of our mindes before we vtter them. For no man is able to conceyue and euidently diſcerne the great wiſdome thou ſheweſt in making and fourming of our bodies: if wée were comparable to the ſwift courſe of ye Sunne, or did excell the quickeneſſe of the Morning, or might clime vp to heauen, or go downe to hell, there is no place but thou wouldſt méete with vsus, who haſt ſeene and moſte euidently perceyued euen from the firſt creation, the vnſhapen maſſe of our bodies with all the members thereof, when as yet there was none of them. Forſomuch therefore as thou ſéemeſt to bée on all ſides ſo wonderfull, our earneſt requeſt is that thou wouldeſt (for thy famous honors ſake) be at length highlye reuerenced and dulye worſhipped in thy bleſſed Church. Let the wicked and ſuch as hauehave thy glorious name in great contempt, depart thence: but trie thy faythfull ſeruaunts, we humbly beſeech thée, and ſearch them thorowly out, to the intent they may know themſelues: that if perhaps they ſwarue from the true & right way (as it often ſo happeneth by humaine infirmitie) bring thou them againe of thy great goodneſſe, into the ſtreight path of perpetuall felicitie, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.
¶ A prayer out of the .Cxl. Pſalme.
SEing that wée can looke for none other thing to procéede from wicked and vngodlye men (O moſte good and mercifull God) then abhominable naughtineſſe:A prayer agaynſt the venemous tongues of the vngodly. for where there is a lewd heart, a man can neuer ſée an vprightneſſe to be obſerued neither in wordes nor déedes. Therefore do we moſt earneſtly call vponupon thée, ſo much as we ran poſſible, to rid and deliuer vsus from the violence and malicious enterpriſes of lewd perſons. But many are the coardes, trappes, and ſnares, which the Deuill and his curſed members doe prepare agaynſt the Church. Bée thou thy ſelfe therefore hir mightie ſtrength and puyſſant preſeruation, by fortifying the ſame in ſuch ſort with thy ſtedfaſt defence, at what time the battayles of temptations are fought, as the lewde ſubtilties, wherewith it is furiouſly aſſayled, and vnluckely oppreſt, maye fall and light vponupon the Authors thereof. Which thing, if thou wilt thus doe, thou ſhalt reteyne thy olde wont by vnderſhoring with thy diuine and celeſtiall helpe, ſuch as be vtterly deſtitute of mans ayde: whereby the godly may continually ſet forth thy glorious name, and inioy eternall felicitie by the fauour of thy bright and ſhining countenaunce, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.