Psalm 118: That We May Be Comforted in Faith
seest) so hedged in with great perils, and little better then already oppressed, because we have reposed our whole trust and confidence in thee alone. Look therefore (we humbly beseech thee) that our faith may be so underpropped with thy blessed spirit, as it shrink not in these troublesome days. Set (we heartily pray thee) thy unspeakable goodness before our eyes, which thou hast always most lovingly bestowed upon the godly, that we, acknowledging the same fully and evidently, may be nothing mistrustful but that thou wilt at this present be a faithful patron and assured defender of thy blessed Church, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) At such time as mankind (O most good and merciful God) was stricken with a wonderful blindness and overwhelmed with mischiefs innumerable, then was thy infallible mercy at hand unto him, through the which thou diddest vouchsafe to deliver thy only begotten son Jesus Christ our Lord for the salvation of the world: therefore are we bound to give thee immortal thanks, who see ourselves preserved by thy mere and singular goodness only, and not through our own deserts. And forsomuch as we have found thee so constant and right faithful in thy loving promises, we doubt not but thou wilt (of thy excellent mercy and unspeakable goodness) at thy appointed time, fully accomplish those small things which are yet remaining to be fulfilled. Our earnest request is therefore, that thou wouldest so fortify our weak minds with the spirit of faith, as we may not only lay hold upon the good things thou proferest us without any mistrustfulness, but also render thee condign thanks in thy sacred Church with all people and nations, for so great bountifulness and liberality bestowed upon thy faithful servants, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 118: THAT WE MAY BE COMFORTED IN FAITH
(Prayer 1) So many as fear God, and be grafted in Christ, and have a fervent zeal to godliness, are daily allured and provoked by new means and infinite benefits, to magnify his blessed name: for seeing that they well know God's goodness to be of such great force as he is present therewith unto those that unfeignedly
call upon him for the same, and delivereth them from all peril and disquietness of mind, who causeth them to have so great faith and confidence, as they need not to stand in need of man's power, be it of never so great a force. Wherefore, in as much as the same is not at this present unbeknown to us, we commit ourselves to thee only (O most mighty God) who art our alone savior, requiring that thou wouldest vouchsafe to defend thy blessed Church being as now hedged in and compassed about on every side with extreme perils: our sins have justly deserved far greivouser things, who do confess (O good God) that we have heinously and like miserable wretches offended thee, but here it behooveth, that for thy singular clemencies sake, our wicked deeds should be vanquished of thy unspeakable mercy. Grant us therefore (being chastised by thee as disobedient and rebellious children) not so to be delivered to subjection and destruction, as we may not highly celebrate, worthily praise, and duly magnify thy wondrous works within the Gates of thy glorious kingdom amidst the congregation of the righteous.
Vouchsafe that we, who are now as reprobates, castaways, and made a laughing stock to all men, may be advanced so much in righteousness, holiness, and good living, as all men may right well understand, that whatsoever we determine or go about to do touching religion, it is not man's devise but thy own only work, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) We are continually tossed with so many grievous storms of adversities (O almighty God) as it behooveth us to have access and recourse unto thy mercy only, that we be not overwhelmed under them. But now we know for a certainty, that man's power can do nothing touching their overthrow whom thou hast appointed to salvation. Forsomuch as therefore we see them fed with a false and deceitful hope which have any confidence in men, we judge this to be a singular point of wisdom of the godly, to trust hereafter in no mortal creature, but to repose their whole affiance in thee alone. For which cause, we humbly beseech thy divine Majesty (O excellent father) that, although thou art sometime angry, and, by reason of our heinous sins, dost worthily chastise and subdue our stubbornness, yet let us not fall utterly away from thee, which thing shall verily come to pass, if thou wilt build us upon that most firm cornerstone, who as he