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

O Puissant and most mighty God,¹ who of thy bountiful mercy hast vouchsafed to gather thee a blessed Church out of all parts of the world, and that first by the Apostles whom in Mount Zion thou induedst with thy sons most abundant spirit. Neither wouldest thou for any other cause gather thy very chosen and good people so wonderfully together, but that a true way how to worship thee (wherein doubtless consisteth the whole perfection of faithful believers) might at length be universally known amongst all nations: and cause us to learn that godliness doth not altogether consist in outward observations and most dumb ⟨image 78⟩ceremonies. For like as these things do please thee so long as they are witnesses and testimonies of faith, so if they be destitute thereof, they are exceeding odious, and very detestable in thy sight. The thing that thou chiefly requirest of us, is this, that thy holy name may be highly praised and duly glorified, not only in words and thoughts, but with all the deeds of this our life. Thy blessed will is that we should unfeignedly perform whatsoever we have heartily promised, and with fervent zeal vowed unto thee, so as we be assuredly persuaded that they are both agreeable to thy sacred word, and a furtherance to perfect godliness. Moreover thou requirest us to invocate and call upon thee when we are most touched with adversity, and to render due thanks to thy divine Majesty (as expedient it is so to do) at what time soever we be mightily delivered therefrom. Thou doest exact & require these things at our hands as the chiefest points of our religion. But we (O good God) have hitherto most wretchedly and unhappily sinned, who have always put no small affiance in our own rites, and ceremonies, and perused oftentimes