¶ A prayer out of the first Psalme .

O Most good and moste mightie God saue and kepe vs ( we pray thée ) first from the perswasion of all wicked counsayles , A prayer for a christian lyfe . next after this from all heynous and deadly crimes : suffer vs not to fall into a wicked and vicious kinde of lyfe , and finally remooue our mindes farre from the contempt of godlynesse and deryding of all maner of vertuous déedes : graunt that in the stead of these most pestilent thinges , we maye perpetually occupie our selues in thy law and in the holy Scriptures , so that we bée not led about lyke the wicked with euery blast of affections and doctrines , as small dust and empty chaffe : but rather as trées planted by the riuers side , being indued with the lyfe of the spirite and with faith , we may abundantly shew forth the fruits of good woorkes : and that whatsoeuer we go about , maye haue prosperous successe : to the praise and glorie of thy name , and the increase of our saluation : So that at the last , when in the tryall of thy iudgement , the wicked shall be cast downe and brought to shame and vtter confusion , we may by thy mercie both stand & be acquited through Iesus Christ our Lorde . Amen .

An other prayer out of the same psalme .

WE know euidently ynough ( O most mightie God ) the greeuous calamities and miserable , doe in this respect vexe the Church , bicause we haue often frequented the counsels of the wicked , which ( being knowne of vs ) we ought forthwith to haue eschewed : who haue in lyke maner not declyned from the way of naughty and malicious persons , but daylie followed their lewde footesteps , through continuall transgressions of thy blessed commaundements : moreouer , wholesome corrections and helthfull discipline haue of long tyme beene dispised by vs : and whatsoeuer was through thy sacred word offred vnto vs , we haue frowardly ynough , yea & impudently neglected it , and made a laughter thereat . Wherefore no maruaile is it , if in stéede of felicitie and quiet peace , which we haue hitherto ( alas ) too too long abused , we are now inforced to taste al heauie , sorrowful , yea , and most sore and bitter griefes . But now ( O good God ) by the acknowledging of these our wicked and lewde deserts , we humbly flie vnto thée for succour , & with vehement & most feruent supplications , desire , that the sinnes which we haue so foolishly & wickedly committed , thou wilt fauourably pardon & forgiue . We hartily pray thée that thou wouldst make our minds most studious of thy sacred lawe , so as we maye day & night meditate in our harts none other thing then the words of the holy scriptures . For so through assured confidence in thy blessed worde , we shal bring forth seasonable and pleasant fruites : neither shal the ornaments of the holy ghost be quite taken from vs : yea happy successes wil alwaies ensue of our works , although at this present , through the iust desert of our heynous sinnes , we are lyke to dust or chaffe toste vp & downe wyth the blastes of tempestious afflictions . Graunt yet at the least way ( O most merciful father ) that our lyfe may not come to an euil ende , as wicked mens doth . But that thou wilt defend the cause of the righteous with an exceeding great care and mightie protection , so as in the iudgement and felowship of the iust , we maye stande , and not be brought to confusion : through Iesus Christ our Lorde . Amen .

An other prayer out of the same psalme .

SEing that we know right wel ( O most mightie God ) that a good part of our felicity ( whilst we here liue ) consisteth in this , that we take heede of the wicked counsels and curssed behauiours of men , by eschewing the felowship of them , who bee so dispitefull that they laugh and scorne at all matters : And that in stead of these most deadly things there be placed in vs an excéeding feruent zeale of Gods lawe ( therein to delight and exercise oure selues both day and nyght , ) & therby to perceyue how that hitherto we haue greatly gone astray from the scope and marke of our saluation , yea & to haue offended very miserably & lewdly agaynst this thy blessed lawe and diuine worde : wée desire thée that thou wouldst ( of thy singuler mercie ) pardon & remit whatsoeuer we haue committed against thy excellent maiesty : And vouchsafe ( through the continuall studie and exercise of thy worde ) to make vs euer hereafter fruitful and liuely plants , so that we may not onely bring forth wholsome and pleasaunt fruites in thy sacred Church during this life , but also maye in the other worlde stande faste in iudgement before thee ( who knowest and best vnderstandest the way of the righteous ) through Iesus Christ our Lorde . Amen .

¶ A prayer out of the second Psalme .

WE nowe perceyue ( O most good and mightie God ) that not onely Antichrist , A prayer for comfort in persecution . but also the force & power of the world hath conspired agaynst thée and thy annoynted : as they who think the gospel and réedefying of thy blessed Church to be intollerable bandes , and a most hard & gréeuous yoke : Wherfore they indeuour themselues ( by all meanes they can possible deuise ) to breake the societie of the faithfull , & vtterly to cast awaye all discipline : but seing that thou sittest in the heauens , and art not ignoraunt what the Deuill and wickednesse of the fleshe enterpriseth : laugh thou also their vaine counsels to scorne , and make such things as they haue begon & enterprised , of none effect , causing them in like maner to bee as a mocking & iesting stock vnto thy elect & chosen seruants . Do those men to vnderstande thy heauie wrath , & at the length to be so terrified with the fury of thy indignation , that they may haue no power or strength to destroy thy blessed Church , ouer the which thou hast set Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour , for to reigne therein with his blessed worde and holye spirite , with suche might and puissaunce as maye neuer haue ende . Vouchsafe therefore to giue vnto vs ( although thy most vnworthy and trayterous children ) so much faith and constancie , as we may both take him to be oure onely king , and also confesse hym so to bée , and wythout all doubting assure oure selues that we are hys Nation , people , and herytage : knowing this assuredly howe that he is of such force and power as he can torment and vexe whome he liste , wyth a dominion farre stronger then any stéele , and breake them in péeces like potsheards . Conuert therfore ( O mightie God ) the hearts of the kings of the earth , in such sort vnto thée , that they may be so perfite wise , as truly to acknowledge , heartily imbrace , & louingly kisse thy d●ere & only sonne : least his ireful wrath being kindled & enflamed , they perishe immediatly : and make those which haue wholly committed themselues to thy protection , euermore happie and blessed , when it shall séeme good in thy sight , through Iesus Christ our Lorde . Amen .

An other prayer out of the same psalme .

ALthoughe ( moste good and myghtie God ) the Deuill fret , the powers of the worlde stande vp daylie , and the fleshe wyth all hir seruitors conspire against the kingdome of thy onely sonne Iesus Christ our Lord : let vs yet vnderstande , yea , let vs be perswaded through a constant fayth that thou doest deryde and contemne all such : who ( so soone as it pleaseth thée ) art hable to destroye them in thy wrath and whote displeasure . But alack , seing in this confidence we are oftentimes vnstable and moueable , in so much as we ( being led away by dyuers terrours ) doe obey thy commaundements lesse than it becommeth vs , we beséeche thée of thy fauourable and bountifull goodnesse to bée mercifull vnto vs , so that we may ground our selues stedfastly vpon this rock of faith , that thy sonne our king and redeemer hath in thée of all thinges the highest power and gouernement , for when thou didst beget him , thou gauest all Nations to hym , to rule and gouerne them by right of inheritaunce . Graunt therefore , that we maye once at length be so godlye , wyse , and so ryghtly instructed , as ( seruing thee wyth all reuerence and humble feare ) wée bee not at the last daye lyke a potters vessell , consumed and brought to naught wyth the rod of thy indignation : through Iesus Christ oure Lorde . Amen .

¶ A prayer out of the thirde Psalme .

THeir armies ( O most mercifull and mightie God ) which assault and persecute thy Church , A prayer against our persecutors . are increased aboue measure : for euen now verie many are so bolde as to disquiet and vexe the same , who doe cruelly rise vp agaynst it , hauing confidence truely in none other counsell , but that they imagine and determine with themselues , how that there is no more helpe for vs to be looked for at thy hande , as thought thou hast vtterly abandoned and forsaken thy people , and bereft them of all manner of succour and defence . We denie not truely , considering the sinnes and wickednesses by which we haue offended thee , but that we haue deserued to be loft destitute of thy help , and set out as laughing stockes to the despitefull dealings and iniuries of those which are the enimies of thy holye name . But notwithstanding for the faithes sake , which through thy fauourable mercie remayneth in vs , we are bolde to come nigh vnto thée and beséeche thee that amongst these rauillous & false braydings of our aduersaries , thou wilt vouchsafe to giue vs somuch spirite & constancy , as we may not doubt , but that thou wilt be the only defence , worship , & mighty reuenger of thy blessed people . Hauing this assured fayth & confidence , that if we shall craue thy ready help in our earnest praiers , thou wilt without faile heare vs out of thy heauenly dwelling : yea , whilst we doe wholy rest and fully repose our hartes on this thy protection , we shall be so voyde of feare ( euen in the middle of thousands of our enimies ) that we may according to oure accustomed maner , safely take our sleepe , and wake agayne , bicause we doe with a good and bolde courage stick stedfastly to thée alone . Wherefore arise ( O mightie God ) according to thys our assured trust : and according to thy accustomed & woonted maner , breake the teeth of those that boast themselues against thee , so that they be not of force to teare & crash thy sacred Church in peeces at their owne wil and pleasure : make them to vnderstande that saluation belongeth vnto thée , & how thou canst of thy fauourable goodnesse , rid and delyuer thy blessed people out of these extreme daungers : through Iesus Christ oure Lorde . Amen .

An other prayer out of the same psalme .

ALthough ( O most mightie God ) the force of Sathan and all malicious powers ( who séeke to stop from vs the kingdome of thy déere sonne ) séeme to augment and increase dayly more & more , and go about to bring vs in vtter dispaire , as though there were no succour nor helpe any more hereafter to be loked for of vs at thy hands , albeit wee perceyue that sinne aboundeth much & increaseth greatly in vs , notwithstanding all this , we lift our head & hands vnto thée , who art our strong shield & glory , & desire thee ( according to thy accustomed mercy ) to pardon and forgiue those things that we haue done amisse , and also to giue a fauorable & attentyfe eare vnto the prayers & supplications which we poure out before thy diuine maiestie : that being raised vp from heynous and deadly works , and hauing a good affiaunce in thy louing mercy , we néede not to feare whole Millions of thine enimies , whome now by fayth , we knowe thou hast smitten vpon the chéeke bone , and dismaied vtterly . Graunt ( O deare Father ) that we may féele the plentiful abundaunce of thy blessing to be poured vpon vs , and be most assuredly perswaded that our saluation dependeth onely vpon thee : Through Iesus Christ our Lorde . Amen .

¶ A prayer out of the fourth Psalme .

● prayer for true fayth . WE being streightly holden in with great perilles and distresses , crie vnto thée ( O almighty God ) that thou ayding vs wyth thy puyssaunt helpe , wee may at length haue most large & pleasant passage out of the afflictions of this world . We acknowledge our selues to bée vnworthie of thy assistaunce , bycause we haue verie often & gréeuously declyned from thée : but our humble petition and earnest request is , that thou wouldest vouchsafe not to regarde euerie particuler and seuerall worke of oures , but the worthinesse of the cause . And forsomuch as ( O God ) thou thy selfe art accustomed to shew and approue in euerie point the righteousnesse of thy blessed word , defend & vpholde nowe mightily thy high renowmed honor and Gospell , and vs also , who , according to thy will and pleasure are corrected and chastised . This is it that we bewaile and lament presently before thée , that the mightie & puissaunt of this world , being vnited togither , go about by all the meanes they can , to defate the glory of thy sacred gospel and pure religion , yea , and vtterly to subuerf it , by meanes of their foolishe deuises and vayne hopes , which of themselues they haue imagined . I would it were thy pleasure ( O high and mightie God ) openly to shewe and make manifest the bewtie of thy true Church vnto them , which thou hast picked out and chosen for thy selfe , and which also thou hearest so often as it praieth & calleth faithfully vpon thée . So they should peraduenture vnderstand , so should they be rather moued , & haue a verie great regard they offend it not . They would perhaps weigh with themselues , yea , euen in their bed they would consider ; what a regarde they ought to haue vnto ●t , and so peraduenture they would be in quiet , and perswaded to offer , wysh it the Sacrifices of true righteousnesse : where as now being altogither blinde , they wishe nothing more then to satisfie their madnesse & outrage against the same , and estéeme it an high felicitie to subuert and vtterly ouerthrow the true church . But so many of vs ( O good God ) as honor & worship thy diuine maiesty in spirite & truth , haue verie often prayed to thee for these our cruel enimies : yea when any good and prosperous things happened vnto them , we did hartily reioyce . Graunt therefore ( for thy infinite mercies sake ) that we may at the last lyue peaceably and in quiet by them : vouchsafe also ( I saye ) that reposing oure selues onely in thée , and assuredly stayed on thy faithfull couenaunt and promise , wée maye dwell with thée in safetie without feare , through Iesus Christ our Lorde . Amen .

An other prayer out of the same psalme .

O Mightie God , from whom commeth all oure righteousnesse , who of thy goodnesse art wont to giue eare to those the crye earnestly vnto thée , and bring them out of straightnes & aduersity into a swéete state of fréedome & libertie : we humbly beséeche thée not to despise thy faithfull seruaunts the cry and cal vnto thée for help , nor suffer our glory ( which is true and perfect godlinesse ) to be brought into contempt of anye , although he be a great potentate and mightie ruler of this world . We haue in déede sinned against thee , yea & that verie gréeuouslye : but neuerthelesse of thy infinite mercie & clemency , prouide that vanity and lying ouercome vs not , nor yet preuaile any thing at all against vs , but as thou hast elected & chosen vnto thy selfe those whom thou wilt haue saued , so graunt that the grace and fauor of thy louing countenance may in such wise shine vpon vs , as we may be glad and reioyce euen at the prosperitie and welfare of our enimies : vouchsafe ( O good Father ) that we being grounded on an excellent and perfite fayth , maye take very great pleasure in thée only , and trusting also in thy mightie protection , maye dwell safely in thée and with thée , through Iesus Christ oure Lorde . Amen .

¶ A prayer out of the fift Psalme .

A prayer against false Prophets and enimies of the truth . WE flie daylie vnto thée in oure prayers ( O almightie God ) and doe earely in the morning direct and laye forth our petitions before thy diuine maiestye as those who be not ignoraunt that thou hatest iniquitie , and doest marueylously detest sinne : wherof , although we may not denie but that wee are guiltie ( for we feele our selues to be laden therewyth aboue measure ) yet doe we flie and approch vnto thée for succor , trusting most assuredly in thy excéeding plentifull goodnesse and clemencie . We beséeche thée to pardon and forgiue vs whatsoeuer we haue sinned and committed agaynst thee , and leade vs hereafter in thy righteousnesse and innocencie , least the aduersaries of our saluation ( in whom verily there is no part whole and sounde , but all full of viciousnesse ) preuayle against vs , let their counsels and deuises be of none effect , and cause their force and layings awaite to be vtterly consumed and brought to naught : so that we thy déere and faythfull children may perfitely reioyce , whilest thou doest defend , nourishe , and compasse vs about with thy fauourable kindnesse us with a shield : Through Iesus Christ our Lorde . Amen .

¶ A prayer out of the sixt Psalme .

SO it is , A prayer in distresse . that we deserue wythout fayle ( O most mightie God ) by reason of the euilles and infinite sinnes we haue committed , to be gréeuously and sharpely chastised at thy handes . Yet we beseeche thée , ( trusting in thy excellent and excéeding great mercie ) not to chastise vs in thy furious wrath and whot indignation : who tremble ( O good Father ) and are almost deade whilst wée consider on the one side our owne sinnes , and on the other side thy iustice : therefore we beséeche thée that thou wylt not ( as we haue iustly deserued ) thrust vs downe into the pit , bicause we can there neyther sing , nor by any meanes praise thée . Our enimies doe maruelously , yea and that with great feruencie desire it should so be , but haue thou ( O good God ) a regarde vnto the teares and clamours of those that trust in thee , and cause the author● and ●n●enters of iniquitie to depart and go farre from vs . Finally giue eare vnto vs in such wise , that so many as are enimies to thy glorie and our saluation , may be ashamed and brought to vtter confusion : Through Iesus Christ our Lorde . Amen .

¶ A prayer out of the seuenth Psalme .

A prayer against the aduersaries of the Gospell . THou knowest , O most mighty and mercifull God , wyth what an earnest affection the aduersaries of our saluation do both daye and night assaulte vs , who , ( except thou be our ready helper ) couet most cruelly like fierce & sauage beastes to haue vs torne in péeces & swallowed vp into euerlasting destruction . But like as we put oure trust and confidence in thée only , so our earnest desire is , that thou wilte succour and defende vs . We doe not lay forth our owne cause before thée , as though we had commytted none of these thynges whereof they accuse vs , but are perswaded that thou ( of thine owne mercye ) wilt pardon and forgiue vs the same , through the intercession of Iesus Christ our Mediator . Wherefore we humbly require and earnestly beséeche thee to stande vp for to be our helper , that thou wilt also direct , and as a most strong shield defende vs that those euils may fall from vs , and lyght vpon the authors of al temptations , deceites , & maliciousnesse , so as we may on the other side praise thée and set forth thy glorious name with all possible & studied commendations , through Iesus Christ our Lorde . Amen .

Another prayer out of the same psalme .

IT is trulie a singuler and right excellent benefite ( O almightie God ) to be an obseruer & keper of thy blessed precepts , but yet such a one as they can not attaine and reach vnto , from whose eyes thou hast not taken away the vayle and cloke of darkenesse . Which being not remoued , the secret and hidden things of thy diuine lawe cannot be seene : wherefore we lamentably desire thée to helpe & lighten our infirmitie & blinde ignorance , that whilst we liue and remaine here as straungers and pilgrimes , thou wouldest not hide from vs the pure and right vnderstanding of thy blessed commaundements : wherwith , for so much as we haue through our owne default béene hitherto little instructed , we are fallen into these reproches , into this contempt , and into these euil reportes . For besides the perils & grieuous afflictions wherwith thy holy Church is at this daye sore vexed & oppressed , are added slaunders of thy sacred doctrine , reuylinges of true godlynesse , and horrible blasphemies of thy blessed name : forgiue therfore thy people and pardon ( O mightie God ) whatsoeuer they haue committed against thée , refresh those that be fallen , with thy sacred word & promises . We do day by day very boldly open and declare our cause to thee : harken vnto vs ( we earnestly beséeche thée ) and from tyme to tyme confirme with newe benefites the faith and hope of those that be doubtfull , neyther putte them to shame and reproche which call vpon thée , so that we being againe quieted and restored to libertie , may runne in the way and pathe of thy blessed commaundementes with a perfite ioy and hartye chéerefulnesse , through Iesus Christ oure Lord . Amen .

¶ A prayer out of the eight Psalme .

ALl the thinges ( O most good & mercifull God ) which thou hast created both in heauen & earth for our commodity and singuler profite , A prayer in trouble for the fauour of Christ . declare most euidently howe wonderfull and excellent thy glorious name is : and although thy goodnesse be spreade forth , and séene in all things , neuerthelesse euen the very infantes and sucking babes ( whome from their mothers wombe thou causest to be cherished and brought vp wyth moste tender and louing carefulnesse ) do giue vs such assurance thereof , that we cannot but warrant our selues al excellency of the same , insomuch that the infantes in the time of their noureing , & when they begin to speak , do set before our eies most euident tokens of thy gentlenesse : by these wonderful things are all the wicked confounded which carp● and speake euyll of thy excellent goodnesse and diuine prouidence . The heauens truelye might haue beene thought a péece of worke worthy such a workemaister as thou art , but in that thou wouldest so muche humble and abase thy selfe as to haue so careful a regard to fraile and mortall man , it appereth to be a signe and token of thy wonderfull vnspeakable loue towarde vs . Wherefore againe , and that worthily are we prouoked , ( although we haue heynously sinned , & lyued vnworthily both in respect of thee & of our owne vocation ) to begge and craue at thy handes with a verye earnest & assured confidence , not to permitte thy Churche to be ouerwhelmed with these present troubles . For if thou hast so highly extolled man to be litle inferiour vnto Aungels , wheras otherwise , he is vyle of his owne nature : remember them much more I hartily besech thée , whome thou hast nowe adopted to be thy deere children , and to whom thou wouldst ( for thy mercies sake ) haue all the workes of thy handes serue and be obedient , suffer them not to be troden vnder foote of vngodly and wicked persons . For thou hast alwayes accustomed to visite the children of men with thy fatherly care and prouydence : assist vs now also with thy readye helpe , when wée stande in moste néede thereof . Deliuer vs in such sort we humbly beséech thée , that all men may well vnderstande thy name thereby to bée right wonderfull ( as most certainly it is , ) and by all meanes possible worthy to be honored and made glorious , through Iesus Christ our Lorde . Amen .

Another prayer out of the same psalme .

THy magnificence & renoumed glory ( O almighty god ) is well & sufficiently set forth by these things which through thy excellent power & diuine prouidence , be done both in heauen & earth , notwithstanding for the more & better stirring vp of our grosse and leaden harts , thy power would set out it selfe also in babes & yong children . Euen from our childhood we are miserable & wretched , not by the workemanship & creation , by the which thou hast made and fourmed vs , but through our originall and naturall sinne , & an infinite number of faults that we our selues haue added thereto : for the which neuerthelesse , wee humblye beséeche thée , bée not so displeased with vs , but that ( according to thy accustomed mercie ) thou wilt often visite and looke vppon vs , and those whome thou hast made little inferiour vnto Aungels , make them partakers of thy owne nature . Finallye , seing that thou haste in lawfull wise made vs Lordes ouer all thy creatures , graunt that we maye vse them to the praise and glorie of thy name , so as thy sacred worde and Gospell maye be spreade abroade amongst all Nations , through Iesus Christ our Lorde . Amen .

¶ A prayer out of the ninth Psalme .

A prayer agaynst our enimies in persecution . IF thou ( O good God ) wilt take our cause in hand , & reuenge vs vpon the enimies of thy glorious name & of mans saluation , we will ( from the bottome of our hart , and with an excéeding great gladnesse ) shewe forth and celebrate thy wonderous and excellent actes : who be afflicted in déede with temptations & other like oppressions ( by reason of our heynous sinnes ) but we beséeche thée O highe and mightie God ( for thy goodnesse and mercies sake ) that as thou hast accustomed to be a Sanctuarie and sure defence for the oppressed which flie vnto thee for succour , so now forsake vs not , neyther séeme to be forgetful of the prayers that we vnfeinedlye poure out before thy diuine Maiestye . Haue mercy vpon vs ( O good God ) deliuer and rescue vs from the Gates of death , least we be swallowed vp therewith : being aided and holpen by thée , we shal shew forth thy worthy prayses in the congregation , namely , bycause our trust hath not bene reposed in thee in vaine . Arise therefore , and suffer not impietie , vnrighteousnesse , and sinne to preuayle agaynst vs , but graunt also , that we bearing well in minde oure owne estate and condition , maye with a modest and lowlye minde , be alwayes obedient to thy will and pleasure , through Iesus Christ oure Lorde . Amen .

Another prayer out of the same psalme .

IT happened verie often in our fathers dayes ( O most mightie God ) that thy people were filled with a wonderful & vnspeakable gladnes , who being replenished with exceeding great ioye , did set forth thy glorious name with songs , and celebrated thée with high praises , and that with their whole heart , bicause they ( hauing thée for their rock of defence ) droue their enimies back in the daye of battayle , who fell and perished at thy presence . Neyther hast thou onely once giuen sentence on the behalfe of thy saintes , or defended their cause , but didst oftentimes rebuke and destroye the Heathen that purposed in themselues to subuert the famous Cytyes of thy people with an vtter ruyne , and haste puyssauntlye ouerthrowne suche wicked men , insomuche , as euen the very name of them is also abolished . Seeing therefore that thou reignest eternallye , and hast alwayes a seate prepared for iudgement , to the intent thou mayest presently trie oute the truth , as touching the spilling and shedding of thy Sainctes bloud . Despise not neyther yet contemne our hartie prayers ( O mightie God ) nor be thou forgetfull of them . We know verily that we haue sinned and offended thy excellent maiestie dyuers & sundry waies , which nowe we are both hartily sorie for , and also doe openlye confesse the same : yet through the confidence we haue conceyued by the things which thou ( O Lord ) hast done for our fathers , ( though of their partes vndeserued ) wée drawe nere vnto thy diuine Maiestie and humbly beséeche thée to be fauorable vnto thy Church : haue a regarde ( we hartily pray thée ) vnto hir great trouble , and deliuer the same from the cruell gates of death , so that it maye daylye be able to celebrate thy worthye prayses more feruentlye . Extende thy wrathe towardes them that are forgetfull of thee : lette them perishe in their owne crafts and deceites , and be taken in the nettes that they themselues haue laid , which ( with such gréedie indeuor and violence ) séeke thy peoples destruction and vtter vndoing . But let vs ( that are helplesse and gréeuously afflicted ) take a little breth and receiue some comfort vnder thy strong defence & mighty protection . Vp lord and suffer not vile mortal men to haue the vpper hand of thee and thy holye Gospell ? put our enimies in feare , and terrefie them in such sort , as they may vnderstand what a thing it is to set themselues against true godlynesse and pure religion , through Iesus Christ our Lorde . Amen .

¶ A prayer out of the tenth Psalme .

A prayer agaynst enimies and tyraunts . SEing that ( O most good & mercifull God ) our beliefe and confidence is , that thou art not onely the chiefe good thing , but godlynesse it selfe : we earnestly desire thée not to turne and withdrawe thy countenaunce from vs , as sometime thou séemest to doe . For although we do not deny but that our sinnes haue deserued that punishment , yet we humbly beséech thée , ( euen as thou art right gentle and mercifull ) to pardon and forgiue vs the same : and that contrarie to oure desertes , thou wilt notwithstanding , fauour oure cause ( for the glorie of thy name ) to the intent the vngodlye may well vnderstande that they beguile themselues in thinking thée to bée no GOD , neyther meanest at anye time to looke for an accompt at their handes , of the heynous déedes and crymes which they doe wickedly commit : who laye snares , oppresse , beat , and miserably kill the godly , being nowe fully perswaded that thou hast forgotten and art vtterlye vnmindfull of the state of the worlde . Wherefore assist those whiche call vpon thée , and louingly giue eare vnto their humble petitions , so that the Godlye ( being by thée set at libertie ) may teache the proude and oppressors to behaue themselues after a more modest fashion , when as it shall bée manifestly knowen that thou hast a most vigilant care and regard of thy beloued Church , through Iesus Christ our Lorde . Amen .

Another prayer out of the same psalme .

THou mightest be thought ( O moste mercifull father ) to haue withdrawne thy selfe marueilous farre off from thy seruaunts , in this most troublesome tyme of affliction , insomuch as with closed vp eies thou forgettest to looke and beholde what the wicked Antichristes ( with an extréeme pride and set obstinacie ) attempt and enterprise agaynst thy faythfull people , because the thinges they deuise haue so good and luckie successe : whereby it commeth to passe that they sticke not to blaspheme thée , yea , and be perswaded that there is no God , & bicause thou séemest to haue withdrawne al kind of punishment from them , their opinion and beléefe is , that they shall neuer fall , and assure themselues that their estate will be alwayes prosperous , whereby they haue no measure in periuries , deceites , iniuryes , and dishonestie , they kill thy faithfull seruauntes , both openly and priuily , they do assayle , vexe , and oppresse thy blessed Church , thinking ( O good god ) that thou regardest not the same , nor hast any care at all thereof . But although wee haue now wel deserued that thou shouldst turne away thy eyes from our calamityes , and to consider nothing at al our troubles , in that wée haue grieuouslye sinned , and béene marueylous vngratefull for thy notable benefits ( abusing our vocation , Gospell , and Sacramentes , and dispising the libertie offered vnto vs ) to serue thée according to the expresse rule of thy sacred word : yet we acknowledge and confesse our selues to haue committed all these thinges against thée , and other innumerable detestable factes , whereof we do nowe earnestly craue perdon , and most humbly beséeche thee at length to arise , and ( with thy mightie hande ) to represse the wicked from the blasphemies , wherewith he hath both rayled agaynst thée and thy blessed doctrine : we commit our selues wretched creatures and miserable caytifes vnto thée , who of thy owne accorde vsest to bee an helper to the poore and distressed . Breake thou yet once at length the power of the vngodlye , heare the prayers of the afflicted , and finally deliuer the oppressed , so that they being set free from so great terrours , may giue due thanks vnto thée in thy sacred church , for thy great mercye and compassion , thorow Iesus Christ our Lord . Amen .

¶ A prayer out of the .xj. Psalme .

IN thée ( O most good and mightye God ) repose wée our whole trust and confidence , A prayer against the temptation of fayth . therfore when our fleshe , when humaine wisedome , when also the vngodly do obiect and lay to our charge that our cause is turned vpside downe , and quite ouerthrowne , neyther any helpe at all left for the maintenance of the true doctrine and the most holy and sacred Gospell , wée are not for all this perswaded to dispaire of thy mercy & power ▪ who see in deede that the enimies of thy glorious name haue bent the bowe of their puyssaunce , and made ready their arrowes to pearce and shoote vs thorow : Moreouer wee also wey and consider that oure lyfe hath béene such as we deserue all maner of euill hap and miserie that may bée , who haue not done after thy will as it became obedient children , no , but haue alwaies hitherto ( which now sore gréeueth vs ) rebelled agaynst thy holy commaundementes . Yet nowe with all humilitie do we craue pardon for our sinnes , and are very bolde to require this of thee , through the confidence wée haue in thy excellent goodnesse , and singuler clemencie , that thou ( which hast thy exceding princely palace and most holy seate in the heauens , from whence it is thy accustomed woont to looke downe , and fixe thine eyes vpon all thinges that are done on the earth ) wilt at length diligently trie out the equitie of this cause , and looke vpon the vngodlynesse and crueltie of our enimies : But restraine thou and kéepe backe ( which hast very often vsed to cast fire , brimstone , and burning thunderboltes vpon the vngodlye ) at the least wise the cruell persecutors of thy blessed Churche , to the intent all men maye knowe ( that thou beyng most righteous ) doest fauour the right cause , and wilt bee our strong defence , who haue taken vpon vs an earnest zeale and loue of thy most glorious name , through Iesus Christ our Lord . Amen .

Another prayer out of the same Psalme .

WHen we ( O most good and mightye God ) do put our whole trust and confidence in thee so much as in vs lyeth , the desires of our owne fleshe , the counsayles of the vngodly , and the temptations of Sathan do not sléepe or cease , wherewith wée are alured day and night to renounce and vtterly forsake all Godlinesse , as thoughe we should be wholy oppressed and vanquished with the strength of bowe , of arrowes , and other force of our wicked enimies , if we go on forwarde to leade such a life as becommeth thy seruauntes . But we ( notwithstanding we be compassed about and ouerwhelmed with greauous sinnes , and iniquitie ) yet neuerthelesse vpon the sure trust and confidence that we haue in thy rich mercy , we humbly besech thee first to forgiue vs our heynous offences who do acknowledge and confesse the same vnto thy diuine Maiestie : And that then thou wouldest ( out of thy celestiall and heauenly palace ) shewe forth thy louing countenaunce to be our most strong helper , that at what tyme thou hast tryed and proued the case on both partes with an equall ballance , then the enimies of godlinesse maye be iustly punished according to their owne desertes , and on the contrary part thy beloued seruauntes trie by receyuing of saluation that thou art a defender of equitie and vpright dealing , through Iesus Christ our Lord . Amen .

¶ A prayer out of the .xij. Psalme .

● praier a●ainst hu●aine , false , 〈◊〉 erronious ●octrine . IN so great a want and scarsitie of good and godly men , thou onely ( O most mercifull and mightie God ) remaynest to be our strong defence : Wherefore we drawe néere and approche vnto thée with these our dayly prayers beséeching thy diuine Maiestie to helpe at length our most troublesome and afflicted estate : For vnlesse thou mightily defendest thy louing Church , howe can it be in safety amongst such kinde of enimies , who do not kéepe any maner of fidelitie , and go alwayes aboute to deceyue plaine simple persons with vaine lyes and false flattering wordes , neuer faythfullye thinking that in their hart which they vtter by word of mouth : Deliuer vs not ouer ( O most mercifull father ) to be handled of them as our sinnes and wickednesse deserue : but in this case haue an especiall regarde to the glory of thy puyssaunt name , the mightye increasing of thy Gospell , and the farre passing faythfulnesse of thy louing promises : this do not ( for our sakes ) but for the causes here shewed and mencioned : beare not with these men that séeke to augment and enlarge their owne power only , which being straungers to Godlinesse , haue no knowledge at all of thée : Looke vpon the great affliction and groninges of thy blessed Church : arise vp nowe and helpe vs , according to thy mercifull promises : For thy wordes are white and more pure then the most excellent and finest siluer . Finally seing euery sort of wicked and vngodly persons did couitte with all the witte and industrie they can , to bée moste mightie , defende thou thy Church ( for thy infinite mercies sake ) from those mens extréeme iniuryes and cruell oppressions , through Iesus Christ our Lord . Amen .