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

Verily thy exceeding great honour (O most mighty God) and notable benefits bestowed upon us,¹ require this, that we of duty should come before thy presence with thanks giving, and magnifying thy blessed name with a notable gladness and unspeakable joy. There be two things chiefly which ⟨image 155⟩seem to hinder us from doing thereof: first we are burdened with an innumerable multitude of horrible vices, and so kept down with sin, that we dare scarcely lift up our eyes unto thee: furthermore we are by the desert of our own lewd facts, environed in such wise with anguish and fear of Antichrist, as we are in a manner swallowed up therewith. For experience teacheth that he is so stirred up against us by thy justice, through our own wicked behaviour, that (unless thy loving mercy be our ready helper) mans power and strength shall further us nothing in this behalf. First and foremost therefore our earnest request is, that thou wouldest take utterly away from thy faithful servants, the burden of wickedness, and grant that we may lead a pure and undefiled life, in stead of such a one as is very lewd and marvellous corrupt. Secondly, that thou wouldst deliver thy blessed people from the Jaws of the most cruel enemies, whose endeavour is always to bring not only the bodies and goods, but also the souls of thy faithful servants to eternal destruction. Thou that art our God, suffer not ⟨image 155⟩