[The flour of godly prayers] [most worthy to be used in these our days…[The flour of godly praiers] [most worthy to be vsed in these our daies…

A prayer for the Commons.

¹Thou hast commanded, O lord in thy holy scriptures, that all subjects should be obedient to the ⟨p. xxxiiii⟩higher powers, not only for fear▪ but also for conscience sake,² for there is no power but of thee. The powers that be, are ordained of thee: whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth thy ordinance, and they that resist, shall get to them selves damnation. Wherefore we knowing this thy commandment and notwithstanding not ignorant of the works, and subtleties of the Devil, which laboureth to the uttermost of his power to drive out of mens hearts true and faithful obedience toward their superiors, and in the stead thereof to plant disobedience, rebellion, sedition, tumult, commotion insurrection, & whatsoever may trouble a christen common weal, and break thy holy ordinance, most hum bly and from the very heart beseech the to grave in the hearts of the common people faithful, true & unfeigned ⟨image 50⟩obedience both toward our king; and toward the other rulers that are sent of him for the punishment of evil doers,³ but for the praise of them that do well: grant them also O most merciful father (a willing mind to give to every man his duty▪ ⁴tribute to whom tribute belongeth, costume to whom custom is due, fear to whom fear belongeth, honour to whom honour pertaineth, and above all things to pray without ceasing for all them that be in authority,