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

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxvij. Psalm.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxvij. Psalme.

¹WE cry unto thee in heart & voice (O most mighty God) with such an assured confidence, that seeing thou be our puissant God, we are heard of thee in thieves our sorrowful tribulations, who (through our earnest repentance and hearty invocation of thy blessed name) make diligent search for thee, ⟨image 116⟩whilst we are on every side oppressed with much anguish and sore afflictions, neither is there any other firm & substantial consolation remaining unto us. For so long as our mind is grievously troubled, and hart exceedingly disquieted, what other thing remaineth, but that we (being moved with extreme heaviness and doleful sorrow) do make our moan and heavy complaint unto thee. Above all other things our heinous sins do sting us, whereby we both right well know that thou art offended, and also feel by experience a troublesome and wounded conscience in our selves. Wherefore our minds are miserably afflicted, and being overwhelmed with fear and sorrow, all our strength doth utterly fade away. Our eyes attend diligently upon thee, whose mind and heart being broken and cast down, we lamentably require thy favourable mercy. Ah God most deer father, shall our manifold sins be the cause why thou wilt always hide thy self from us? Wilt thou cease to show thy self both merciful and gentle unto us? For thou truly art of nature patient and long suffering: wherefore let us not be destitute ⟨image 117⟩of thy mercy and loving kindness which are unmeasurable. Be not thou (O good God, who art the father of mercy) forgetful to show thy favourable compassion towards us. We verily have provoked thy heavy displeasure, by reason of our naughty behaviour: notwithstanding thou canst with thy most high right hand easily alter the same and pardon our grievous offences, which we have no mistrust of, so long as thy excellent works depart not out of our remembrance. Thou wert wont to show wonders in delivering thy faithful people: therefore at this time also stretch out thy mighty power against the ungodly, who have assailed thy blessed flock with deceitful policies and warlike cruelty, and deal with them according to thy old accustomed manner. It is not unbeknown to us how wonderfully thou diddest deliver the Israelites from the Egyptians.

¹WE crye vnto thée in heart & voyce (O most mightie God) with such an assured confidence, that seing thou be our puyssaunt God, wée are heard of thée in théese our sorowfull tribulations, who (through our earnest repentance and hartie inuocation of thy blessed name) make diligent searche for thée, ⟨image 116⟩whilest we are on euery side oppressed with much anguishe and sore afflictions, neither is there any other firme & substanciall consolatiō remayning vnto vs. For so long as our minde is gréeuously troubled, and hart excéedingly disquieted, what other thing remaineth, but that we (being moued with extréeme heauinesse and dolefull sorrowe) doe make our mone and heauie complaint vnto thée. Aboue all other things our heynous sinnes do sting vs, whereby we both right well knowe that thou art offended, and also féele by experience a troublesome and wounded conscience in oure selues. Wherefore our mindes are miserably afflicted, and being ouerwhelmed with feare and sorrowe, all our strength doth vtterly fade away. Our eyes attend diligently vpon thée, whose minde and heart being broken and cast downe, wée lamentably require thy fauourable mercie. Ah God most déere father, shall our manifolde sinnes bée the cause why thou wilt alwayes hyde thy selfe from vs? Wilt thou ceasse to shewe thy selfe both merciful and gentle vnto vs? For thou truely art of nature patient and long suffering: wherefore let vs not be destitute ⟨image 117⟩of thy mercie and louing kindnesse which are vnmeasurable. Be not thou (O good God, who art the father of mercie) forgetfull to shew thy fauourable compassion towardes vs. We verily haue prouoked thy heauie displeasure, by reason of oure naughty behauiour: notwithstanding thou canst with thy most high right hand easily alter the same and pardon our gréeuous offences, which we haue no mistrust of, so long as thy excellent workes depart not out of our remēbrance. Thou wert woont to shewe wonders in deliuering thy faythfull people: therefore at this time also stretch out thy mightie power against the vngodlye, who haue assayled thy blessed flocke with deceyptfull pollecies and warlike crueltie, and deale with them according to thy olde accustomed maner. It is not vnbeknowen to vs how wonderfully thou diddest deliuer the Israelites from the Egyptians.

1. 1• prayer of consolation • distress, • considering ••e wonder•ll works • God.• prayer of •onsolation • distresse, • cōsidering ••e wonder•ll workes • God.

An other prayer out of the same Psalm.

An other prayer out of the same Psalme.

WE have a perpetual regard to thy excellent goodness (O almighty God) in these most troublesome times, who make thee weary through our daily prayers and very fervent petitions, flying to thy divine Majesty as unto our only Saviour, whilst thy blessed Church is in so great peril. Neither is our sorrow and mournings smally increased, so long as we call to remembrance the things that were done in old time, wherein a man might with an assured mind and very quiet conscience, peaceably and without offence have addicted himself to set forth with high praises, both thy glorious name, and also thy excellent ⟨image 118⟩doctrine. But forsomuch as we have very much abused the gift of so great security and most sound quietness, we do now earnestly beseech thee (O excellent father) to forgive whatsoever we have committed against thy excellent Majesty: but seeing it cannot come to pass that thou shouldest be forgetful to show mercy towards thy faithful servants, cast us not utterly away. And forsomuch as it behoveth thy loving promises to take place at length, withdraw not thy favourable mercy altogether from us. We do now right well call to remembrance thy wondrous works of old, which thou wroughtest in delivering the children of Israel out of Egypt: for so soon as the waters in the sea beheld thy omnipotent power, they were sore afraid, and moved after a marvellous sort. Thou didst fight against the ungodly with dark clouds, thunderings, lightnings, winds and an horrible tempest. In like manner therefore thou then deliveredst thy people of Israel, even so now preserve thy blessed Church from the outrageous cruelty of Satan and envious enterprises of his wretched adherents, through Jesus ⟨image 118⟩Christ our Lord. Amen.

WE haue a perpetual regard to thy excellēt goodnesse (O almightie God) in these most troublesome times, who make thée wearie through our dayly prayers and very feruent peticions, flying to thy diuine Maiestie as vnto our only Sauior, whilest thy blessed Church is in so great peril. Neither is our sorrow and mournings smally increased, so long as we call to remembraunce the things that were done in olde time, wherein a man might with an assured minde and very quiet conscience, peaceablye and without offence haue addicted himselfe to set forth with high prayses, both thy glorious name, and also thy excellent ⟨image 118⟩doctrine. But forsomuch as we haue very muche abused the gift of so great securitie and most sound quietnesse, we do now earnestly beséech thée (O excellent father) to forgiue whatsoeuer we haue committed agaynst thy excellent Maiestie: but seing it cannot come to passe that thou shouldest be forgetfull to shewe mercie towardes thy faythfull seruauntes, cast vs not vtterly away. And forsomuch as it behoueth thy louing promises to take place at length, withdraw not thy fauourable mercie altogither from vs. We doe nowe right well cal to remembrance thy wonderous works of olde, which thou wroughtest in deliuering the children of Israell out of Egypt: for so soone as the waters in the sea behelde thy omnipotent power, they were sore afrayed, and moued after a marueylous sort. Thou didst fight against the vngodly with darke clowdes, thunderinges, lightnings, windes and an horrible tempest. In lyke maner therefore thou then deliueredst thy people of Israel, euen so now preserue thy blessed Church from the outragious crueltie of Sathan and enuious enterprises of his wretched adherentes, throughe Iesus ⟨image 118⟩Christ our Lorde. Amen.

An other prayer out of the same psalm.

An other prayer out of the same psalme.

The greater the afflictions be (O most good and merciful God) that we endure, so much the more are we accustomed to pray the feruentlier unto thee: for seeing that we now right well perceive and do daily more & more feel that thy sacred church is miserably tormented and vexed sundry ways, we come and make intreatance to thy gentleness, beseeching thee to aid her in such wise as thou wert wont to do in her first age. Doubtless thy most perfect nature, and also thy exceeding constancy, wherewith thou art endued, can not abide that thou (who hast been always favourable towards those which thou didst most tenderly love) shouldest now gather, thy goodness together in a bundle, to the intent thou wouldest withdraw the same from them. Wherefore our earnest and hearty desire is that thou wouldest utter thy ancient invincible power towards us at this instant, in raising, cherishing, and restoring thy holy Church, no less then thou ⟨image 119⟩showedst the same in times past touching the deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians bondage and servitude: to the intent that how much the more care thou hast thereof, so much the more a great deal it may appear that thou hast mightily delivered the same from the devil, sin, and most cruel death, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THe greater the afflictions be (O moste good and merciful God) that we indure, so muche the more are we accustomed to pray the feruētlier vnto thée: for seing that we nowe right well perceyue and do dayly more & more feele that thy sacred church is miserably tormented and vexed sundrye wayes, we come and make intreatance to thy gentlenesse, beséeching thée to ayde hir in such wise as thou wert woont to doe in hir first age. Doubtlesse thy most perfect nature, and also thy excéeding constancie, wherewith thou art indued, can not abide that thou (who hast béene alwayes fauourable towards those which thou didst most tenderly loue) shouldest nowe gather, thy goodnesse togither in a bundel, to the intent thou wouldest withdrawe the same from them. Wherefore our earnest and hartye desire is that thou wouldest vtter thy auncient inuincible power towardes vs at this instant, in raysing, cherishing, and restoring thy holy Church, no lesse then thou ⟨image 119⟩shewedst the same in tymes past touching the deliueraunce of the Israelites from the Egyptians bondage and seruitude: to the intent that howe much the more care thou hast therof, so much the more a great deale it may appéere that thou hast mightily deliuered the same from the deuill, sinne, and moste cruell death, through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxviij. Psalm.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxviij. Psalme.

¹Forsomuch as the divine scriptures have most perfectly published thy exceeding glorious works (O most mighty God) by setting thy children at liberty in Egypt, assuredly knowing that what things soever are set forth in the holy Bible, they all make very much to our comfort and consolation: we now most heartily require thee, that thou wouldest in these exceeding dangerous times, continually renew our memory with thy holy spirit, who being moved herewith, may repose our whole confidence in thee only. Thou broughtest thy children of Israel out of Egypt, in working of ⟨image 119⟩dreadful things against Pharaoh. The sea gave place, a cloud covered them, a light of fire guided them on their journey, the rock gave water, the heaven sent them both Manna and flesh: and in Mount Sinai thou showedst thy self at what time it pleased thee to give them a law by Moses. Thou therefore who hast done so great and manifold things for the Israelites, forsake us not in such wise, as the sheep of thy flock may be scattered abroad by the Devil and Antichrist. We verily have sinned against thee, and that grievously and very often: howbeit they also were oftentimes rebellious and murmured against thy divine Majesty in the wilderness, when as they had less credit to thy sacred word then beseemed them. There thou diddest sharply punish that people, neither yet sufferedst thy heritage to be destroyed, but knewest well that they were flesh, and had a very wavering spirit: wherefore thou wert so touched with mercy that thou didst help them in adversity. We therefore earnestly require thee (O good God) that thou wouldest do none otherwise to thy blessed Church at this present, in mighty ⟨image 120⟩defending and valiant delivering her after any other sort then thou didst the Jews when thou haddest laid thy rod of correction somewhat upon them, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¹FOrsomuch as the diuine scriptures haue most perfectly published thy excéeding glorious workes (O most mightie God) by setting thy children at libertie in Egypt, assuredlye knowing that what thinges soeuer are set forth in the holy Bible, they all make very much to our comfort and consolation: wée nowe most heartily require thée, that thou wouldest in these excéeding daungerous tymes, continuallye renue our memorie with thy holye spirite, who béeing moued herewith, may repose our whole cōfidence in thee onely. Thou broughtest thy children of Israell oute of Egypt, in working of ⟨image 119⟩dreadfull things agaynst Pharao. The sea gaue place, a clowde couered them, a light of fire guided them on their iourney, the rocke gaue water, the heauen sent them both Manna and fleshe: and in Mount Sinai thou shewedst thy selfe at what tyme it pleased thée to giue them a law by Moyses. Thou therefore who hast done so great and manifold things for the Israelites, forsake vs not in such wise, as the shepe of thy flocke may be scattered abroade by the Deuill and Antichrist. We verily haue sinned agaynst thee, and that gréeuously and very often: howbeit they also were oftentymes rebellious and murmured agaynst thy diuine Maiestie in the wildernesse, when as they had lesse credite to thy sacred worde then beseemed them. There thou diddest sharpely punishe that people, neyther yet sufferedst thy heritage to be destroyed, but knewest well that they were fleshe, and had a verye wauering spirite: wherefore thou wert so touched with mercy that thou didst helpe them in aduersitie. We therfore earnestly require thee (O good God) that thou wouldest doe none otherwise to thy blessed Church at this present, in mightie ⟨image 120⟩defending and valiant deliuering hir after any other sort then thou didst the Iewes when thou haddest layde thy rod of correction somewhat vpon them, through Iesus Christ our Lorde. Amen.

1. 1A prayer for grace and uprightness of heart.A prayer for grace and •prightnesse of heart.

An other prayer out of the same psalm.

An other prayer out of the same psalme.

We heartily acknowledge and earnestly confess (O most mighty god) that the ingratitude of mankind is exceeding great, which thing truly appeareth plainly by our lewd deeds: but seeing that it is an easy matter for every man to be blind in his own case, it is more manifestly set forth by our forefathers acts, which are most truly made mention of in the holy scriptures. We have heard that the children of Israel were delivered through thee, by a number of miracles, when as thou broughtest them out of Egypt, who being governed, defended, and nourished in the desert with such a diligent study and prudent care, as no greater could be devised and imagined, yet for all this the same people are reported to show themselves so much ungrateful and oblivious of thy excellent ⟨image 120⟩benefits, that they always murmured against thee their god, their maker, deliverer, & guide most just. Therefore we humbly beseech thee, O excellent father, that (seeing thou of thy free mercy hast elected us, and moreover beautified us with the highest ornaments of thy grace) thou wouldest never suffer or cause the same to depart out of our memory, but rather stir us up every moment with thy blessed spirit to render such kind of thanks unto thee, whereby both thou mayst be most honoured, and we greatly provoked forward to lead a godly and virtuous life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

WEe heartily acknowledge and earnestly confesse (O most mighty god) that the ingratitude of mankinde is excéeding great, which thing truely appeareth plainly by our lewd deedes: but séeing that it is an easie matter for euery man to bee blind in his owne case, it is more manifestly set forth by our forefathers actes, which are most truely made mencion of in the holy scriptures. We haue heard that the childrē of Israell were deliuered through thée, by a number of miracles, when as thou broughtest them out of Egypt, who being gouerned, defended, and nourished in the desert with such a diligent studie and prudent care, as no greater could be deuised and imagined, yet for all this the same people are reported to shewe themselues so much vngratefull and obliuious of thy excellent ⟨image 120⟩benefites, that they alwayes murmured against thée their god, their maker, deliuerer, & guide most iust. Therefore we humbly beseeche thée, O excellent father, that (seéing thou of thy frée mercie hast elected vs, and moreouer bewtified vs with the highest ornamentes of thy grace) thou wouldest neuer suffer or cause the same to depart out of our memory, but rather stirre vs vp euery moment with thy blessed spirit to render such kinde of thankes vnto thée, wherby both thou mayst be most honored, and we greatly prouoked forward to leade a godlye and vertuous life, through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

An other prayer out of the same psalm.

An other prayer out of the same psalme.

Besides the prodigious wonders and marvellous signs (O most good and merciful God) whereby thou thoughtest good divers and sundry times to maintain and defend the fathers in the old law, the self same hast thou commanded both to be set forth for the commodity of those that come after, and also to be registered for a perpetual remembrance, to the intent ⟨image 121⟩that so many as shall perceive the things by faith, may conceive as assured an hope of thy mercy, loving kindness, and faithfulness toward themselves, as they wonder exceeding greatly at thy unspeakable goodness extended upon their old fathers. For the seeing of those mens chastisements by the severity of thy just judgement, may also be a very great warning unto them, that they shall be no more spared then the others, when through their lewd behaviour, they cease not to provoke thy wrathful indignation against them: Our earnest request is therefore (O heavenly father) that we may reap much commodity hereby. For we verily are (through thy gracious favour) delivered from everlasting destruction, even as they were out of Egypt. But this is our most earnest request which we require as now at thy merciful hands, that we be not led by our filthy lusts and lewd desires to provoke thy heavy wrath unto our confusion, in such sort as they were by grudging at thy unestimable goodness in the wilderness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BEsides the prodigious wonders and marueylous signes (O moste good and mercifull God) whereby thou thoughtest good diuers and sundry times to maintaine and defend the fathers in the olde lawe, the selfe same hast thou commaunded both to be set forth for the commoditie of those that come after, and also to be registred for a perpetuall remembraunce, to the intent ⟨image 121⟩that so many as shall perceyue the things by fayth, may conceyue as assured an hope of thy mercie, louing kindnesse, and faythfulnesse toward themselues, as they wonder excéeding greatly at thy vnspeakeable goodnesse extended vpon their olde fathers. For the séeing of those mens chasticements by the seueritie of thy iust iudgement, may also be a verye great warning vnto them, that they shall be no more spared then the others, when through their lewde behauiour, they ceasse not to prouoke thy wrathfull indignation agaynst them: Our earnest request is therefore (O heauenly father) that we may reape much commoditie hereby. For we verilye are (through thy gracious fauor) deliuered from euerlasting destruction, euen as they were out of Egypt. But this is our most earnest request which we require as nowe at thy mercifull handes, that we be not ledde by our filthie lustes and lewd desires to prouoke thy heauie wrath vnto our confusion, in such sort as they were by grudging at thy vnestimable goodnesse in the wildernesse, through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

An other prayer out of the same Psalm.

An other prayer out of the same Psalme.

WE may right well perceive (O most good and merciful God) that the desires of our wicked lusts be much hurtful, either because we are provoked through them to pour out complaints against thee, who art most perfectly good, or else for that (in compassing the filthy desires of them) we purchase greatly unto our selves the most severe punishments of thy unspeakable justice: for we are now admonished in due time by the holy ghost, of all such things as happened unto the Israelites in the wilderness. Wherefore we (being taught by other mens perils) are very careful, least we be wrapped in semblable misfortunes through the like misbehaviour. Our earnest desire is therefore that thou wouldest give ear unto our fervent prayers, wherein, we humbly beseech thee to give us grace that we may never be forgetful of thy excellency, neither let it come at any time into our harts, either by words or thought, to dally with thee, in whom is nothing but most perfect verity. For whensoever ⟨image 122⟩we fall through human infirmity, have thou mercy upon us, who knowest us to he both frail flesh, and also very weak spirited: and so (of thy infinite goodness) incline thy self now partly to raise us up, being already fallen, and partly also to confirm us, that we be not thrust down into everlasting destruction, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

WE may right well perceyue (O most good and mercifull God) that the desires of our wicked lustes be much hurtful, either bicause we are prouoked through thē to poure out complaints agaynst thée, who art most perfectly good, or else for that (in compassing the filthie desires of them) we purchase greatly vnto our selues the most seuere punishmentes of thy vnspeakable iustice: for we are now admonished in due tyme by the holy ghost, of all such thinges as happened vnto the Israelits in the wildernesse. Wherefore we (being taught by other mens perilles) are very carefull, least we be wrapped in semblable misfortunes through the like misbehauiour. Our earnest desire is therefore that thou wouldest giue eare vnto our feruent prayers, wherein, we humbly beséech thee to giue vs grace that we may neuer be forgetfull of thy excellencie, neyther let it come at any time into our harts, either by words or thought, to dallye with thée, in whome is nothing but most perfect veritie. For whensoeuer ⟨image 122⟩we fall through humaine infirmitie, haue thou mercie vpon vs, who knowest vs to he both frayle fleshe, and also very weake spirited: and so (of thy infinite goodnesse) incline thy selfe nowe partly to rayse vs vp, being alreadie fallen, and partlye also to confirme vs, that we be not thrust downe into euerlasting destruction, through Iesus Christ our Lorde. Amen.