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

IT happened very often in our fathers days (O most mighty God) that thy people were filled with a wonderful & unspeakable gladness, who being replenished with exceeding great joy, did set forth thy glorious name with songs, and celebrated ⟨image 18⟩thee with high praises, and that with their whole heart, because they (having thee for their rock of defence) drove their enemies back in the day of battle, who fell and perished at thy presence. Neither hast thou only once given sentence on the behalf of thy saints, or defended their cause, but didst oftentimes rebuke and destroy the Heathen that purposed in themselves to subvert the famous Cities of thy people with an utter ruin, and haste puissantly overthrown such wicked men, insomuch, as even the very name of them is also abolished. Seeing therefore that thou reignest eternally, and hast always a seat prepared for judgement, to the intent thou mayest presently try out the truth, as touching the spilling and shedding of thy Saints blood. Despise not neither yet contemn our hearty prayers (O mighty God) nor be thou forgetful of them. We know verily that we have sinned and offended thy excellent majesty divers & sundry ways, which now we are both heartily sorry for, and also do openly confess the same: yet through the confidence we have conceived ⟨image 18⟩by the things which thou (O Lord) hast done for our fathers, (though of their parts undeserved) we draw near unto thy divine Majesty and humbly beseech thee to be favourable unto thy Church: have a regard (we heartily pray thee) unto her great trouble, and deliver the same from the cruel gates of death, so that it may daily be able to celebrate thy worthy praises more fervently. Extend thy wrath towards them that are forgetful of thee: let them perish in their own crafts and deceits, and be taken in the nets that they themselves have laid, which (with such greedy endeavour and violence) seek thy peoples destruction and utter undoing. But let us (that are helpless and grievously afflicted) take a little breath and receive some comfort under thy strong defence & mighty protection. Up lord and suffer not vile mortal men to have the upper hand of thee and thy holy Gospel?