Psalm 127: For Sustentation and Safe Keeping
(Prayer 3) When it happeneth at any time (O most good and merciful God) that thou of thy singular goodness, dost utterly deliver thy sacred Church from the captivity and thralldom of the devil, and that it beholdeth all thy members and hers quite set free from fond errors and blind darkness, then shall it be replenished with such gladness as she shall rather think how she dreameth of that great good thing, then verily to enjoy the same. At what time she may well say that she is merry indeed, and shall be endued with perfect gladness, neither shall she not only render immortal thanks and praises unto thee, but also every man will marvel at the high and mighty things thou hast done for her. Our earnest request is therefore, that thou wouldst now at length condescend unto the accomplishment of these things, and exceedingly favor her captivity being thus miserable and of such long continuance: deliver thy faithful servants from obscure darkness, and unloose the bands of thy accustomed loving kindness wherewith thou hast redeemed the children of Adam which are so long a time in bondage and thralldom: and with the lively waters of thy benign grace cause thou the barrenness and thirsty soil of our soul to be right pleasant and fertile, so that the woeful tears which the godly did sow and pour out in the time of their captivity, may bring them at length to their desired joys, and that such (as with great sorrow and heaviness) have hitherto sown the seed of fervent prayers and doleful sighings, may with very much joy and marvelous pleasure reap the sound fruits of true godliness and pure religion, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 127: FOR SUSTENTATION AND SAFE KEEPING
(Prayer 1) It is out of all controversy, and a matter agreed upon among all godly persons, that no family can be well ordered, or any common wealth rightly governed, unless thou (O most mighty God) dost further and prosper their proceedings. We therefore who are not ignorant but thou wilt do far better for thy holy Church than for any house of honor, or most large City of this world, know assuredly that the same can by no means continue without thy mighty preservation, and that especially in this time, when as both so many of the devils engines,
and also of Antichrists subtle policies, do much invade us. For that thing therefore which could not be achieved by the painful labor, careful watchings, and great industry of men, we do most earnestly require of thee (O heavenly father) by continual prayers, who hast been accustomed to grant unto thine, as it were in their sleep, the thing which seemed otherwise to be exceeding difficult and almost impossible. First and foremost, take away our grievous iniquities which are the chiefest let and stay why thou relievest not the present wretchedness and miserable calamity we are in, for it is they and none other thing that do dissever and withdraw us from having confidence in thy unspeakable mercy. Now at what time thou shalt have pardoned them (as our earnest desire is, that thou wouldst) be so good as to increase thy blessed Church with a plentiful issue: for if she shall engender children unto thee, let them (who are worthy of thee and thy blessed spirit) be sent out like arrows, through thy invincible arm against the outrageous enemies of godliness and doctrine of the sacred Gospel: but cause the uncorrupted Congregations and assemblies to have a company of valiant and strong men, who (so long as they take upon them to defend thy sincere truth both in word and deed) may neither be ashamed, not yet once shrink back therefore, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) All our force and enterprises are of none effect (O almighty God) without thy especial grace and favor: for if no private house can be maintained, or any City built, except thou layest to thy present help and gracious good will, how much less then may the blessed Church be reedified, enlarged and set at a stay, unless thou be marvelous ready to assist the same with thy holy spirit and benign grace: men have labored in vain, their rising up early, and holding long fastings, shall be to none effect and vainly and to no purpose shall they forespend themselves with toiles and troubles. Wherefore we earnestly entreat thee (O good
God) that thy divine presence and mighty power be not far from us in any of our attempts and enterprises. For what thing verily soever hath been at any time gathered up and repaired of the ruins of the Church, it taketh no good success without thee, yet rather thou hast given the same to thy laborers as it were in their sleep, making it such a thing by thy secrete and wonderful means, as human