Psalm 126: That We May Be Delivered from Thralldom & Attain to the Glory of God
thick ramparts, strong walls, huge towers, and high hills, so God doth, as with a shield defend those whom he greatly favoreth, and which are his elect servants, and guardeth them also like an exceeding strong Bulwark. Therefore do we not without just cause (O excellent father) call earnestly upon thee, that thou dost not permit the ungodly to pour out their cruelty upon the Church of the righteous, least if such as be yet weaklings amongst the faithful, see the prosperity of wicked persons, they also of an evil zeal, begin to follow their lewd vices and most grievous sins. Wherefore rather defend and advance (we heartily pray thee) thy blessed saints, and be favorable unto them, whom thou hast now appointed to follow thee with a perfect mind and uncorrupt faith. But beat down such with thy puissant strength and mighty power, as be enemies to godliness and the honor of thy glorious name, so that thy sacred Church (which is the holy Israel) be not defrauded of the joyful salvation she looketh for at thy merciful hands, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 126: THAT WE MAY BE DELIVERED FROM
THRALLDOM & ATTAIN TO THE GLORY OF GOD
(Prayer 1) Surely the thralldom and bondage of thy blessed church (O most good and merciful God) hath been hitherto exceeding hard beyond all measure, being sore oppressed under the tyranny of Antichrist, and yet notwithstanding, thou (of thy infinite goodness) hast redeemed it to our wonderful comfort, and the great hope of others which as yet have an earnest desire to the attaining of Christian liberty. We at this present heartily beseech thee (that at what time the devil and power of the adversary seem by all the means they can devise to bend their force for to hinder the good works which is begun) not to be forgetful of thy Churches captivity, from which thou hast after a sort begun to restore the same, who verily hath behaved herself so unthankfully towards thee, as one that made small accompt of the benefits bestowed upon her, according to their worthiness. But forsake her not (for thy accustomed mercies sake) before thou hast fully repaired in her that which remaineth as yet to be restored thereto, yea rather
vouchsafe to bestow upon the same (as on fields wanting moisture at noon time) the most swift streams of thy heavenly grace, and flowing waters of thy blessed spirit, to the intent we may with abundant gladness reap the pleasant fruit of the prayers which we do now sow with tears: so as the heathen which behold these calamities with a doubtful mind, wherewith the outrageous enemies of thy glorious name do sore oppress us, may at length openly publish that thou hast dealt honorably with thy faithful servants by which means we may (after these grievous sorrows be ended) enjoy not only such a gladness as we would willingly wish, but also a very healthful comfort, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Seeing it is thy most ancient accustomable manner, O almighty God, to aid and help such as unfeignedly trust in thee (by thy wonderful and singular providence) when as they be fallen into greatest distress, so that thou sendest them deliverance even when they least look for it, seeming rather to enjoy the same as a dream then like a matter of truth: we have no despair at all of thy sacred Church, being almost without hope of recovery, who know right well that it is a light thing to thee, yea and exceeding easy, to fill our mouth with laughter and our tongue with joy, in such wise as our cruel enemies shall be enforced to say whether they will or not, that these men's God hath undoubtedly done wonderful great things for them, at what time he caused those his servants to enjoy a notable comfort and marvelous delectation, even when they were without hope thereof. Our earnest request is therefore that thou wouldst, for thy infinite mercies sake, pardon the offenses wherewith we have stubbornly (through our outrageous madness, feeble imbecility, and natural corruption) provoked thee to extreme anger, so that we obtaining again at thy merciful hands the ancient favor and benevolence, may find no less alteration of our estate, than those which being parched with a Southern drought and such ardent burning as is at noon day, may be moistened with a fresh and sovereign abundance of waters unlooked for.
And what things soever we sow with tears, grant us (we heartily pray thee) to reap them at length with great joy and gladness, so that finally we may have most plentiful fruits of consolation out of the prayers we (in most humble wise) pour out daily before thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.