Most godly prayers compiled out of Davids PsalmsMost godly prayers compiled out of Dauids Psalmes

¶A prayer out of the .xxxviij. Psalm.

¶A prayer out of the .xxxviij. Psalme.

¹Rebuke and chasten us (O most good and merciful God) like thy deer children, by removing and taking away thy grievous wrath and dreadful indignation from these present adversities. Surely we feel thy heavy ⟨image 57⟩hand and perceive the great perils we are in, who know that it can not be remedied and amended by mans help: which thing doth not befall and happen unto us without our just defects. For doubtless our heinous sins and grievous iniquities have wrapped us in on all sides, wherewith we are sore burdened and miserably oppressed far above our power. Hereupon it cometh to pass that we go always mourning, and are in a manner at deaths door, through great heaviness and anguish of heart. We see our neighbours and friends stand a far of, and our adversaries pitch guileful snares, who work all the means they can possible devise utterly to overthrow us. Thou therefore (O good God) for thy loving mercies sake, first and foremost reconcile us unto thee, by lovingly forgiving and favourably pardoning whatsoever we have most filthily committed against thy divine Majesty, then make hast and speed to be our ready help. We abide looking for thee our only refuge, who hast been accustomed readily to succour those that unfeignedly call upon thee, and give ear unto their lamentable petitions. ⟨image 58⟩Thou art not ignorant how the Antichristians triumph and rise up against us, whilst we are so shaken and tossed: for they which hate us very unjustly, increase and wax daily stronger and stronger. Wherefore we humbly require thee (O excellent Father) not to forsake us in so great and grievous afflictions, seeing that thou thy self art our only salvation, make haste (we heartily beseech thee) to help and succour thy blessed Church, and mightily rescue it, being in extreme peril, thorough Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¹REbuke and chasten vs (O most good and mercifull God) like thy déere children, by remouing and taking away thy gréeuous wrath and dreadfull indignation from these present aduersities. Surely we féele thy heauy ⟨image 57⟩hand and perceyue the great perils we are in, who know that it can not be remedyed and amended by mans helpe: which thing doth not befall and happen vnto vs without our iust desectes. For doubtlesse our heynous sinnes and gréeuous iniquities haue wrapped vs in on al sides, wherwith we are sore bourthened and miserably opprest farre aboue our power. Herevpon it cōmeth to passe that we go alwayes mourning, and are in a maner at deathes doore, through great heauinesse and anguishe of heart. We sée our neighbors and friendes stand a farre of, and our aduersaryes pitch guileful snares, who worke all the meanes they can possible deuise vtterly to ouerthrowe vs. Thou therefore (O good God) for thy louing mercies sake, first and formost reconcile vs vnto thée, by louinglye forgiuing and fauorably pardoning whatsoeuer we haue most filthily committed against thy diuine Maiestie, then make hast and speede to be our readie helpe. We abide looking forthee our onely refuge, who hast béene accustomed readily to succour those that vnfeynedly call vpon thee, and giue eare vnto their lamentable peticions. ⟨image 58⟩Thou art not ignoraunt howe the Antichristians triumph and rise vp agaynst vs, whilest we are so shaken and tossed: for they which hate vs verye vniustly, increase and waxe dayly stronger and stronger. Wherefore we humbly require thée (O excellent Father) not to forsake vs in so great and gréeuous afflictions, séeyng that thou thy selfe art our onelye saluation, make haste (we hartily beséech thée) to helpe and succour thy blessed Church, and mightily rescue it, being in extréeme perill, thorough Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1. 1A prayer against our enemies and •he dread of conscience.A prayer against our e•imies and •he dread of •onscience.

An other prayer out of the same Psalm.

An other prayer out of the same Psalme.

Although (O most good and merciful God) we find the fardel and burden of wickedness which we have committed against thee to be so great, as we are not now any longer able to sustain and bear them, therefore upon affiance of thy unspeakable goodness, we come and call upon thee with a sorrowful heart, not to correct us for them with ire and wrathful indignation: let thy admonition be fatherly as thou hast been accustomed of old to ⟨image 58⟩show and extend the same towards thy faithful servants. Behold how (through conscience of our heinous sins) our hearts be altogether amazed, all things are marvellously putrefied and very corrupt in us: we shall live exceeding sorrowfully in affliction, and in a manner quite destitute of light, unless thou puttest to thy assistant helping hand. Neither do we trust any thing at all in our friends & neighbours: for our grievous sins purchase us all things frowardly and after an envious manner. Therefore (O good God) at what time we pour out our wretched iniquities into thy bosom, and are so much careful to procure pardon for them, let us not be utterly destitute of the loving favour and rich mercy that is naturally grafted in thee, but as thou art always tractable and easy to be entreated, so vouchsafe to make haste for to minister speedy and steadfast help in our sorrowful distresses, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALthough (O most good and mercifull God) we finde the fardell and burthen of wickednesse which we haue committed agaynst thee to be so great, as we are not now any lenger able to susteyne and beare them, therefore vpon affyaunce of thy vnspeakeable goodnesse, we come and call vpon thée with a sorowfull heart, not to correct vs for them with yre and wrathfull indignation: let thy admonition be fatherly as thou hast béene accustomed of olde to ⟨image 58⟩shewe and extende the same towardes thy faithfull seruaunts. Behold how (through conscience of our heynous sinnes) our hartes be altogether amazed, all thinges are marueylously putrified and verye corrupt in vs: we shall liue excéeding sorowfully in affliction, and in a maner quite destitute of light, vnlesse thou puttest to thy assistant helping hande. Neyther doe we trust any thing at all in our friends & neighbors: for our gréeuous sinnes purchase vs all thinges frowardly and after an enuious maner. Therefore (O good God) at what time we poure out our wretched iniquities into thy bosome, and are so much carefull to procure pardon for them, let vs not be vtterly destitute of the louing fauor and riche mercie that is naturally graffed in thée, but as thou art alwayes tractable and easie to be intreated, so vouchsafe to make haste for to minister spéedie and stedfast helpe in our sorowfull distresses, through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ A prayer out of the .xxxix. Psalm.

¶ A prayer out of the .xxxix. Psalme.

¹Seeing that (O most mighty God) we are vexed with present calamities in this most troublesome time, and oppressed with so great a storm of afflictions: we fly unto thee for succour, humbly requiring that thou wouldest so bridle our mouth and tongue with thy holy spirit as nothing may pass from us either detestable to thy divine Majesty, or unseemly for our profession. But seeing we cannot rightfully complain that these perplexities and anguishes do surmount our heinous sins, or that we be unworthily punished, grant we may appease and stay the cursed cries of such as wrongfully complain of thee: but rather let our bowels be stirred up with a perfect grief for the heinous sins we have committed, let them wax hot with a most inward sorrow, and cause our hearts to be kindled and set on fire with a continual earnest repentance. Grant that we may right well understand (O most gentle father) every moment and hour the state of our unripe life, forsomuch as it is but mere vanity howsoever we lead it, and we are far wide to think that our careful turmoil, ⟨image 59⟩or heaping together of uncertain riches, are able to profit or avail us any thing at all. Therefore it behoveth us (O mighty Lord) to have a special regard unto thee only, whom if thou wilt especially relieve from our grievous sins and heinous iniquities, our assured hope is that we shall be no more a scorn and reproach to the ungodly. For thou hast been accustomed to remove thy plagues from such as be purged and cleansed of their wicked crimes, and sinful deeds, least they should be utterly consumed at the shaking of thy most mighty and invincible hand: which, if it should persevere and go on in continual vexing men (according to their just deserts) it would no less consume them, & grind them to powder then Moths fret out clothes. Give ear therefore (O good God) unto our humble prayers, and seeing thou knowest we cannot have an assured and perfect rest upon earth, grant that we may finally live with thy excellent Majesty by a constant faith, and walk before thee in much safety, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¹SEing that (O most mighty God) we are vexed with present calamities in this most troublesome time, and opprest with so great a storme of afflictions: we flie vnto thee for succour, humblye requiring that thou wouldest so bridle our mouth and tongue with thy holy spirite as nothing may passe from vs either detestable to thy diuine Maiestie, or vnséemely for our profession. But séeing we cannot rightfullye complaine that these perplexities and anguishes doe surmount our heynous sinnes, or that we be vnworthily punished, graunt we maye appease and stay the cursed cryes of such as wrongfully complaine of thée: but rather let our bowels be stirred vp with a perfect griefe for the heinous sinnes we haue committed, let them waxe whotte with a most inward sorrow, and cause our hartes to be kindled and set on fire with a continuall earnest repentaunce. Graunt that we may right well vnderstand (O most gentle father) euery moment and houre the state of our vnripe life, forsomuch as it is but méere vanitie howsoeuer we lead it, and we are farre wide to thinke that our carefull turmoyle, ⟨image 59⟩or heaping togither of vncerteine riches, are able to profite or auaile vs anye thing at all. Therefore it behoueth vs (O mightie Lorde) to haue a speciall regarde vnto thée onely, whom if thou wilt especially reléeue from our gréeuous sinnes and heynous iniquities, our assured hope is that we shall be no more a scorne and reproche to the vngodly. For thou hast béene accustomed to remoue thy plagues from such as be purged and clensed of their wicked crymes, and sinfull déedes, least they should be vtterly consumed at the shaking of thy most mightie and inuincible hande: which, if it should perseuer and go on in continuall vexing men (according to their iust deserts) it would no lesse consume thē, & grind them to powder then Mothes fret out clothes. Giue eare therefore (O good God) vnto our humble prayers, and séeing thou knowest we cannot haue an assured and perfect rest vpon earth, graunt that we maye finallye liue with thy excellent Maiesty by a constant fayth, and walke before thée in muche safetie, through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1. 1• prayer against vani•, and the •ters of •ns life •d safety.• prayer a••inst vani•, and the •ters of •ns lyfe •d safetie.

An other prayer out of the same psalm.

An other prayer out of the same psalme.

While we feel any tokens of thy rigour and severity (O most mighty God) although we are persuaded in spirit not to speak evil of thy goodness or justice: yet (through the greatness of our extreme sorrow & testimony of our sins) we are almost so far gone, & brought to such a point that our life is very irksome unto us: wherefore, seeing that we confess our heinous sins unto thee, and have sundry ways wickedly offended thy divine Majesty, be merciful & favourable unto us for thy loving kindness & mercies sake. Thou seest how short and vain a thing our life is, being like unto shadows, wherein is nothing firm, sound, or worth the trusting to: we fade away in a moment, and what time soever thou givest us here to live, we pass over all the same (through our own default) with most heady, troublesome, and pernicious affections. We require thee therefore that thou wouldest yet at length have mercy upon us: let our earnest petitions and sorrowful mourning (which thy ⟨image 60⟩blessed spirit hath from our hearts wrong out in us) enter into thy merciful ears, and moreover vouch thou safe to refresh our distressed minds, with thy loving favour from time to time, so long as we wander like pilgrims in this wretched world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

WHile we féele any tokens of thy rygor and seueritie (O most mightye God) although we are perswaded in spirit not to speake euill of thy goodnesse or iustice: yet (through the greatnesse of our extreeme sorrow & testimonie of our sinnes) we are almost so farre gone, & brought to such a poynt that our life is very yrkesome vnto vs: wherefore, seing yt we confesse our heynous sinnes vnto thée, and haue sundry wayes wickedly offended thy diuine Maiestie, bée mercifull & fauorable vnto vs for thy louing kindnesse & mercies sake. Thou seest howe short and vaine a thing our life is, beyng lyke vnto shadowes, wherein is nothing firme, sound, or worth ye trusting to: we fade away in a moment, and what tyme soeuer thou giuest vs here to liue, we passe ouer all the same (through our owne default) with most heady, troublesome, and pernicious affections. We require thée therefore that thou wouldest yet at length haue mercy vpon vs: let our earnest peticions and sorowfull mourning (which thy ⟨image 60⟩blessed spirite hath from our hearts wrong out in vs) enter into thy mercifull eares, and moreouer vouche thou safe to refreshe our distressed mindes, with thy louing fauour from time to tyme, so long as wee wander lyke pilgrymes in this wretched worlde, through Iesus Christ our Lorde. Amen.

¶ A prayer out of the .xl. Psalm.

¶ A prayer out of the .xl. Psalme.

Those which are sustained and stayed up with such a hope (O most mighty God) that they look for thy ready help in their present tribulations, when they most charge them,¹ and have an especial regard unto thee, being in no despair thereof at all, thou at length (according to thy accustomed goodness and unspeakable mercy) grantest their humble requests, thou hearest their loud cries out of the deep waters, and sticking fast in mire and dirt liftest them out thereof with thy most puissant help. Whereby it happeneth, that they being mightily delivered, have thy inestimable praises continually in their mouths, which ⟨image 61⟩they celebrate with new ditties, both openly and privately, to the intent they would stir up and provoke all men to the perfect belief, assured hope, and due fear of thee. Give us therefore at this present such grace, as we may both repose our whole trust in thee only, and also not to pass for the proud persons or liars that have risen up together against thy sacred church, perceiving right well that thou art the author of all wonderful matters, who hast in the high treasures of thy divine providence, such devises and purposes which no man can rehearse or show forth in order, nor yet once to utter, in as much as they excel in number and greatness all force of words, and efficacy of speech. Therefore where as we have hitherto grievously offended thee, by reason of our heinous sins, neither can make sufficient satisfaction by any sacrifice of our own, grant us an obedient faith to be at all times proclive and ready to follow thy blessed will, which thou hast vouchsafed to manifest and reveal unto us in the book of thy sacred law: grant that we may readily and with a free will execute the ⟨image 61⟩same, being surely printed in the most inward parts of our sinful body. And like as thou doest never withhold thy self from speedy mercy and unspeakable goodness towards us: so again let thy zealous loving servants manifestly show forth thy steadfast faithfulness, upright justice, and sincere truth, both in their words and conversation. Thou seest how we are borne down and laden with grievous sins, how we are overwhelmed with miserable adversities, and how both heart and wit faileth us: wherefore have thou an especial regard to our salvation, and make speedy hast to help us.

THose which are susteyned and stayed vp with suche a hope (O most mightie God) that they looke for thy ready helpe in their present tribulations, whē they most charge them,¹ and haue an especiall regard vnto thée, being in no dispayre thereof at all, thou at length (according to thy accustomed goodnesse and vnspeakable mercie) grauntest their humble requestes, thou hearest theyr lowde cryes out of the deepe waters, and sticking fast in myre and durt liftest them out thereof with thy most puyssaunt helpe. Whereby it happeneth, that they beyng mightily deliuered, haue thy enestimable prayses cōtinually in their mouthes, which ⟨image 61⟩they celebrate with new ditties, both openly and priuately, to the intent they would stirre vp and prouoke all men to the perfect beliefe, assured hope, and due feare of thée. Giue vs therefore at this present such grace, as we maye both repose our whole trust in thée onely, and also not to passe for the prowde persons or lyers that haue risen vp togither against thy sacred church, perceyuing right well that thou art the authour of all wonderfull matters, who hast in the high treasures of thy diuine prouidence, such deuises and purposes which no man can rehearse or shewe forth in order, nor yet once to vtter, in as muche as they excell in number and greatnesse all force of wordes, and efficacie of speache. Therfore where as we haue hitherto greeuously offended thée, by reason of our heynous sinnes, neyther can make sufficient satisfaction by any sacrifice of our owne, graunt vs an obedient fayth to be at all tymes procliue and readie to followe thy blessed will, which thou hast vouchedsafe to manifest and reuele vnto vs in the booke of thy sacred lawe: graunt that we maye readily and with a frée will execute the ⟨image 61⟩same, being surely printed in the most inwarde partes of our sinfull bodie. And like as thou doest neuer withhold thy selfe from spéedie mercie and vnspeakable goodnesse towardes vs: so againe let thy zealous louing seruauntes manifestly shew forth thy stedfast faythfulnesse, vpright iustice, and sincere truth, both in their words and conuersation. Thou séest howe we are borne downe and loden with gréeuous sinnes, howe we are ouerwhelmed with miserable aduersities, and howe both heart and witte fayleth vs: wherefore haue thou an especiall regard to our saluation, and make spéedy hast to helpe vs.

1. 1A prayer th• our sins may be pardoned through the merits of Christ.A praier th• our sinnes may be pardoned thorow the merites of Christ.

Or rather confound and put the fierce enemies of thy blessed name to utter confusion, but let us which unfeignedly seek thee, be at length greatly refreshed, and cause us to find by proof, that it is not in vain, that thou art reported to be the most assured salvation it self, and helper of poor silly wretches and grievous afflicted persons, through Jesus christ our Lord. Amen.

Or rather confound and putte the fierce enimies of thy blessed name to vtter confusion, but let vs which vnfeynedly séeke thée, be at length greatly refreshed, and cause vs to finde by proofe, that it is not in vaine, that thou art reported to be the most assured saluation it selfe, and helper of poore siely wretches and greeuous afflicted persons, through Iesus christ our Lorde. Amen.

An other prayer out of the same Psalm.

An other prayer out of the same Psalme.

They which suffer the prolonging of thy favourable help (O most mighty God) with right & patient minds, do at length well perceive and assuredly feel that thou hearest their fervent prayers: and when in good earnest they find themselves to be delivered, do not only celebrate thy glorious name with due praises, but give a sufficient example to other godly men for to do the like. Now therefore (which we may only do) forsomuch as thou delightest not in outward sacrifices, we endeavour and strive to obtain thus much by our hearty prayers, that we may become very loving and desirous to follow thy holy will daily more and more, setting forth thy blessed truth and unspeakable mercy towards us with often, or rather continual praises. But in the mean season, what soever we have done dishonestly or after a wicked manner against thee, according to thy loving mercy and excellent goodness forgive it us, neither suffer those grievous punishments and woeful calamities to overwhelm us, which our sins have justly deserved. And let such as seek thy dishonour and our confusion, be put to utter ⟨image 62⟩shame and rebuke: but cause those that be exceeding zealous and very careful of thy blessed name, to be replenished with true joy and perfect gladness. But seeing thou right well knowest that we are greatly despised, & marvellous destitute of worldly and fleshly help, make thou hast mightily to save us, who art our puissant defence, and very strong fortress, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THey which suffer the prolonging of thy fauorable helpe (O most mighty God) with right & pacient mindes, do at length well perceyue and assuredly féele that thou hearest their feruent prayers: and when in good earnest they finde themselues to bée deliuered, do not onely celebrate thy glorious name with due prayses, but giue a sufficient example to other godly men for to do the like. Nowe therefore (which we may onely doe) forsomuch as thou delightest not in outwarde sacrifices, we indeuor and striue to obteyne thus much by oure hartie prayers, that we may become verye louing and desirous to follow thy holy wil dayly more and more, setting forth thy blessed truth and vnspeakeable mercye towardes vs with often, or rather continuall praises. But in the meane season, what soeuer we haue done dishonestly or after a wicked maner agaynst thee, according to thy louing mercye and excellent goodnesse forgiue it vs, neyther suffer those gréeuous punishments and wofull calamities to ouerwhelme vs, which our sinnes haue iustly deserued. And let such as séeke thy dishonour and our confusion, be put to vtter ⟨image 62⟩shame and rebuke: but cause those that be excéeding zealous and very carefull of thy blessed name, to be replenished with true ioy and perfect gladnesse. But séeing thou right well knowest that we are greatlye dispised, & marueylous destitute of worldly and fleshly helpe, make thou hast mightily to saue vs, who art our puyssaunt defence, and very strong fortresse, through Iesus Christ our Lorde. Amen.