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

¶ A prayer out of the .xxiiij. Psalm.

¶ A prayer out of the .xxiiij. Psalme.

Thou (O most mighty God) which art not only the founder and maker of the earth and all things contained therein,¹ but also hast formed man the tiller and inhabitor thereof, and vouchsafed to instruct us mortal creatures with the doctrine of thy divine law and sacred Gospel, by which means they may annex and knit themselves again unto thee from whom they came into this worldly light, that is to have their ⟨image 38⟩habitation in the holy Mount of thy sacred Church wherein thou art always conversant: who truly requirest this of them, that they should be of an undefiled conversation, pure of heart, not addicted to vain and transitory delights, neither followers of deceits, nor yet perjured persons, which sort of men thou doest promise to be partakers of thy infinite mercy and singular liberality. Therefore ought we to have endeavoured our selves to seek thee out by these means: but we have, (like most sinful wretches) declined from this path of truth and righteousness, and fallen from thee, through the perilous steep ways of vices and of all voluptuousness. Wherefore no marvel is it, if we now be fallen into so marvellous difficult times & troublesome estate. Thus thou seest and right well perceivest by what means the state of thy blessed Church is at this present in a manner desolate and thrown down. We hum bly require thee not to take vengeance upon our evil and lewd facts as they have deserved: but (for the glory of thy name) as thou art a most puissant king and excellent in virtue, in whose hands are all ⟨image 38⟩