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

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxix. Psalm.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxix. Psalme.

¹Mans weak and frail nature (O most mighty God) is continually tossed and turmoiled with infinite calamities. Neither should that seem a matter so greatly to be lamented, if in this universal case, such as faithfully honour and worship thee, were not seen to be more grievously afflicted and punished then the rest: but the world goeth so that the stormy waves, the clammy mire, the ⟨image 105⟩deep and whirling gulfs of temptations do little better then choke up those which have a steadfast belief and assured trust in thee. Which matters being done to the intent they may patiently and with a quiet mind suffer whatsoever is commodious for them, doth certainly not much further the salvation of such as be weak, who see these things come to pass, unless thou (for thy infinite goodness and unspeakable mercies sake wherewith thou art plentifully endued) puttest too quickly thy speedy furtherance: for so shall the thing which seemeth to have weakened and dismayed their hearts, wonderfully cheer and refresh them: for if thou shalt give ear unto our lowly prayers (as our assured trust is) and deliver us out of so great perils according to our humble petitions, these grievous afflictions truly shall bring forth fruit not to be repented of. Grant we heartily beseech thee (O excellent father) that such as be in a manner consumed and at deaths door for the zeal they bear to thy glory, may according to their fervent prayers, obtain this of thee, both the enlarging of thy most famous kingdom, and also their welfare ⟨image 106⟩which assault the same, and be sworn adversaries thereto, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¹MAns weake and fraile nature (O most mighty God) is continually tost and turmoyled with infinite calamities. Neyther should that séeme a matter so greatly to be lamented, if in this vniuersall case, such as faythfully honor and worship thee, were not séene to be more greeuously afflicted and punished then the rest: but the worlde goeth so that the stormie waues, the clammie mire, the ⟨image 105⟩déepe and whirling gulphes of temptations doe little better then choke vppe those which haue a stedfast beliefe and assured trust in thee. Which matters being done to the intent they may paciently and with a quiet mind suffer whatsoeuer is commodious for them, doth certainlye not muche further the saluation of such as be weake, who see these things come to passe, vnlesse thou (for thy infinit goodnesse and vnspeakable mercies sake wherwith thou art plentifully indued) puttest too quickly thy spéedy furtheraunce: for so shall the thing which seemeth to haue weakened and dismayed their heartes, wonderfullye cheere and refreshe them: for if thou shalt giue eare vnto our lowly prayers (as our assured trust is) and deliuer vs out of so great perils according to our humble peticions, these gréeuous afflictions truly shal bring forth fruit not to be repented of. Graunt we hartily beséech thée (O excellent father) that suche as be in a maner consumed and at deathes doore for the zeale they beare to thy glorie, may according to their feruent praiers, obtaine this of thée, both the inlarging of thy most famous kingdome, and also their welfare ⟨image 106⟩which assault the same, and be sworne aduersaries thereto, through Iesus Christ our Lorde. Amen.

1. 1A prayer in tribulation •or the glory •f the resurrection.A prayer in •ribulation •or the glory •f the resur•ection.

An other prayer out of the same psalm.

An other prayer out of the same psalme.

Such was thy exceeding great goodness and clemency towards mankind (O most good and merciful God) that to save them thou diddest suffer thy son Jesus Christ our Lord to be touched with most grievous reproaches and heinous slanders, insomuch that even at the hour of his death he being greatly a thirst, they gave him none other drink, but most sharp and sour vinegar mingled with gall. If we be any thing forgetful of these things, either we show that we are utterly destitute of faith, or make our selves guilty of most hateful ungratitute. We have before our eyes the most grievous vengeance which in the end thou tookest of those wicked and ungodly persons, who raged so greatly against thy most dearly beloved son, and yet are not moved by their example to amend our naughty facts and wicked life: then the which, look how ⟨image 106⟩much he is now more glorious and excellent then he was at that time, so much the more wrong and reproach is done unto him on our behalf. We therefore humbly require and earnestly entreat thee that thou wouldest vouchsafe to inspire into us a more perfect mind & a better desire which profess his glorious name and most pure religion, by the self same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SVch was thy excéeding great goodnesse and clemencie towardes mankinde (O most good and mercifull God) that to saue them thou diddest suffer thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde to be touched with moste greeuous reproches and heynous sclaunders, insomuch that euen at the houre of his death he being greatlye a thirst, they gaue him none other drink, but most sharp and sowre vinegar mingled with gall. If we be any thing forgetfull of these things, eyther we shewe that we are vtterly destitute of fayth, or make our selues giltie of most hatefull vngratitute. We haue before our eyes the moste gréeuous vengeaunce which in the ende thou tookest of those wicked and vngodly persons, who raged so greatly agaynst thy most déerely beloued sonne, and yet are not moued by their example to amende our naughtie factes and wicked life: then the which, looke howe ⟨image 106⟩much he is nowe more glorious and excellent then he was at that tyme, so much the more wrong and reproch is done vnto him on our behalfe. We therefore humbly require and earnestly intreate thée that thou wouldest vouchesafe to inspire into vs a more perfect minde & a better desire which professe his glorious name and most pure religion, by the selfe same Iesus Christ our Lorde. Amen.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxx. Psalm.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxx. Psalme.

For this intent and purpose (O most good and merciful God) have we recourse in our fervent prayers to thy gracious tuition and favourable mercy,¹ for that we see nothing in this life, either void of perils, or in safety from the outrageous enemies of our salvation, through whose spiteful malice, devilish falsehood, and tyrannous cruelty, we find all things very froward, and full of most grievous enmity: but because we feel our selves guilty of no small or light crimes, and are nothing ignorant how thou of thy justice takest punishment of our grievous ⟨image 107⟩sins, we humbly beseech thee (according to thy wonted and accustomed mercy) to forgive us whatsoever we have filthily committed, and what vengeance or punishment is worthily and of desert due unto us, may either be utterly released, or else mercifully mitigated. So shall so many as be sworn adversaries to thy true religion which we profess, be abashed and put to utter shame when thou shalt have helped and assisted us: but contrariwise they which be greatly desirous to set forth thy glorious name, shall be right glad and triumphantly rejoice with us. Therefore make no long tarrying to be our ready helper, least the ungodly (which thing they are very ready to do) upbraid us therewith, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOr this intent and purpose (O most good and merciful God) haue we recourse in our feruent prayers to thy gracious tuicion and fauourable mercie,¹ for that we see nothing in this life, eyther voyde of perils, or in safety from the outragious enimies of our saluation, through whose spitefull malice, deuilishe falshoode, and tyrannous crueltie, we finde all thinges very froward, and full of most gréeuous enmitie: but bicause we feele our selues giltie of no smal or light crimes, and are nothing ignorant how thou of thy iustice takest punishment of our greeuous ⟨image 107⟩sinnes, we humbly beséech thée (according to thy woonted and accustomed mercie) to forgiue vs whatsoeuer we haue filthily cō mitted, and what vengeaunce or punishment is worthilye and of desert due vnto vs, may eyther be vtterly released, or else mercifully mittigated. So shall so many as be sworne aduersaries to thy true religion which we professe, be abashed and put to vtter shame when thou shalt haue helped and assisted vs: but contrariwise they which be greatly desirous to set forth thy glorious name, shall be right glad and triumphantly reioyce with vs. Therefore make no long tarying to be our readie helper, least the vngodly (which thing they are very readie to do) vpbrayde vs therewith, through Iesus Christ our Lorde. Amen.

1. 1A prayer i• necessity.A prayer i• necessitie.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxj. Psalm.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxj. Psalme.

¹Forsomuch as we do evidently know (O almighty God) that there is always speedy succour in a readiness to help and further such as fly unto thy protection, therefore have we reposed our whole trust and ⟨image 107⟩confidence in thee only, that of whom we ought to crave assistance, unto him must our faith and hope be most advisedly directed. Thou aidest, cherishest, and garnishest those which honour thee from their youth, insomuch as that if thou seemest at any time to leave them, it is wont to be taken for a wonder. We hope therefore, that (seeing thou hast been always with us from our conception & birth) thou wilt not forsake us, neither in our crooked old age nor at the last end of our life: in consideration whereof, that what praises and thanks we are bound to give unto thee, the same do we daily yield, and (as our assured trust is) shall yield for ever, that as thy benefits towards us are infinite, and the more thy goodness also and mighty deeds are set forth, so much the more are they known to surmount the prows of all praise and commendation. Notwithstanding, unto the rest of thy benefits, add this also (we heartily beseech thee) that as thou layest now and then bitter and unfortunate things upon thy faithful servants, so thou thy self wouldst vouchsafe readily to comfort and quickly ease them of the ⟨image 108⟩same, through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen.

¹FOrsomuch as we doe euidentlye knowe (O almightie God) that there is alwayes spéedie succour in a readinesse to helpe and further such as flie vnto thy protection, therefore haue we reposed our whole trust and ⟨image 107⟩confidence in thée onely, that of whom we ought to craue assistaunce, vnto him must our fayth and hope be most aduisedly directed. Thou aydest, chéerishest, and garnishest those which honour thée from their youth, insomuch as that if thou séemest at any tyme to leaue them, it is woont to bée taken for a wonder. We hope therefore, that (séeing thou hast béene alwayes with vs from our conception & birth) thou wilt not forsake vs, neyther in our crooked olde age nor at the last ende of our life: in consideration whereof, that what prayses and thankes we are bounde to giue vnto thée, the same do we dayly yeelde, and (as our assured trust is) shall yéelde for euer, that as thy benefites towardes vs are infinite, and the more thy goodnesse also and mightie déedes are set forth, so much the more are they knowen to surmount the prowes of all prayse and commendation. Notwithstanding, vnto the rest of thy benefits, adde this also (we hartily beséech thée) that as thou layest now and then bitter and vnfortunate things vpon thy faythfull seruants, so thou thy selfe wouldst vouchsafe readily to comfort and quicklye ease them of the ⟨image 108⟩same, through Iesus Christ our lord. Amē.

1. 1A prayer that •ur faith faith us not in •ge and great •istresse.A praier that •ur faith fay•th vs not in •ge and great •istresse.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxij. Psalm.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxij. Psalme.

¹Forsomuch as we shall have Jesus Christ our Lord as a most just judge, it is meet that we should always both fear and reverence him. For seeing that his father hath as now also endued him with a singular power, this was his chiefest care, that the righteous might be strengthened to the intent they should both set up, and also enlarge the true worshipping of him so far as might be. Our humble request is therefore (O heavenly father) that (before we be brought unto his tribunal judgement seat) we may be redeemed from the heinous sins which we are guilty of, who being thus regenerated by his blessed spirit, may bring forth plenty of good works, so that we be not damned for our wicked misdeeds, which thing if we by strong and constant faith may perceive our selves to have obtained, we shall verily (by reason thereof) judge our selves blessed and marvellous happy for the same, who mind to extol ⟨image 108⟩and celebrate thy excellent name and glory with most high praises, whereby the whole earth (if it were possible) may have true and perfect knowledge of thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¹FOrsomuch as we shall haue Iesus Christ our Lorde as a moste iust iudge, it is méete that wée should alwayes both feare and reuerence him. For seing that his father hath as nowe also indued him with a singuler power, this was his chiefest care, that the righteous might be strengthned to the intent they should both set vp, and also inlarge the true worshipping of him so farre as might be. Our humble request is therefore (O heauenly father) that (before we be brought vnto his tribunal iudgement seat) we may be redéemed from the heynous sinnes which we are giltie of, who being thus regenerated by his blessed spirit, may bring forth plentie of good workes, so that we be not dampned for oure wicked misdéedes, which thing if we by strong and constant fayth may perceyue our selues to haue obteyned, we shall verily (by reason thereof) iudge our selues blessed and marueylous happie for the same, who minde to extoll ⟨image 108⟩and celebrate thy excellent name and glorie with moste high prayses, whereby the whole earth (if it were possible) may haue true and perfite knowledge of thée, through Iesus Christ our Lorde. Amen.

1. 1A prayer that the kingdom of heaven may come upon us through the preaching of the gospel.A praier that the kingdom of heauē may come vpon vs through the preaching of the gospell.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxiij. Psalm.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxiij. Psalme.

Although thy goodness (O almighty and most gracious God)¹ be exceeding notable towards those men that reverence thee with true and perfect devotion. Yet notwithstanding (such is the weakness of man) that the prosperity of the wicked doth very often blear and dazzle the eyes of thy elect and chosen servants, whilst they see all things happen unto them luckily and as they would wish, who contemn aswell all human laws as divine, and are fallen into so extreme wickedness, insomuch as they both think and preach most shamelessly, that thou hast now no regard of our affairs and welfare. Neither suffer (we humbly beseech thee) the feet of our faith either to stagger or to be any thing doubtful, stretch forth thy mighty hand to our great misfortune, ⟨image 109⟩and bridle our mouths and imaginations in such sort, that we begin not to imagine a vain and unprofitable manner of worshipping thee. Strengthen us so, as we may patiently and with a Christian kind of sufferance abide the issue and uttermost success of things. At what time thy last exceeding great judgement shall mightily show forth her self, then will it appear with how notable an uprightness thou orderest all things. Grant us also in the mean season, to desire nothing more fervently, then that our minds may be fastened and linked unto thee with an indissoluble knot, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALthough thy goodnesse (O almightie and most gracious God)¹ be excéeding notable towardes those men that reuerence thée with true and perfect deuocion. Yet notwithstanding (such is the weaknesse of man) that the prosperity of the wicked doth very often bleare and dasell the eyes of thy elect and chosen seruaunts, whilest they sée all things happen vnto them luckely and as they woulde wishe, who contemne aswell all humaine lawes as diuine, and are fallen into so extréeme wickednesse, insomuch as they both thinke and preach most shamelessely, that thou hast nowe no regarde of our affayres and welfare. Neither suffer (we humbly beséech thée) the féete of our fayth eyther to stacker or to be any thing doubtfull, stretch forth thy mightie hand to our great misfortune, ⟨image 109⟩and bridle our mouthes and imaginations in such sort, that we beginne not to ymagine a vaine and vnprofitable maner of worshipping thée. Strengthen vs so, as we may paciently and with a Christian kinde of sufferaunce abide the issue and vttermost successe of things. At what tyme thy last excéeding great iudgement shall mightily shew forth hir selfe, then wil it appéere with howe notable an vprightnesse thou orderest all thinges. Graunt vs also in the meane season, to desire nothing more feruently, then that our mindes may be fastned and linked vnto thée with an indissoluble knot, through Iesus Christ our Lorde. Amen.

1. 1A prayer th• we may n• repine at th• prosperity the wicked▪A praier th• we may n• repine at th• prosperitie the wicked▪

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxiiij. Psalm.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxiiij. Psalme.