Psalm 128: That We May Fear God & Lead a Blessed life
strength (if it were duly considered) is altogether insufficient to so puissant a work. But seeing we have been now very ungrateful, and most lewdly abused so great and manifold benefits, thou hast not without just cause begun to vex us with exceeding grievous troubles, from which men's painful travail and subtle policy are of no ability to deliver us. Make thou hast therefore, for thy accustomed mercies sake, (when we think least hereof, or judge ourselves to be in danger of many perils) to entangle those which fly unto thy divine Majesty, that being set at liberty, we may acknowledge thee to be the only Author of true and perfect salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 3) Because so many as enterprise anything without thy especial assistance and favorable good will (O most gracious and merciful God) do labor to no purpose and trouble themselves in vain, and that they which have not thee for their ready helper, cannot save and defend themselves from their cruel enemies: therefore seeing (that both thy Church standeth always in very great need of building, and the City of our congregation is destitute and void of defense) we call upon thee only to be our courageous helper, who art ready to aid the builders, and canst strongly defend the valiant fighters. But to the intent we may the readilier attain the same, multiply (we earnestly require thee) the issue of thy sacred church, which may be sent out as arrows to raise it up everywhere by thy blessed word, and be made so skillful and well practiced in handling thy sayings, that when those things be done which appertain to their vocation, they may by no means be put to shame and rebuke of the most godless and unfaithful persons, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 128: THAT WE MAY FEAR
GOD & LEAD A BLESSED LIFE
(Prayer 1) If no good thing or any kind of felicity can happen to any but to such as fear God and reverence him, and to those, which (through a perfect life) walk faithfully in the ways of his blessed commandments, the matter is now manifested unto us why we are thus vexed with grievous calamities. For whereas thou
of thy infinite mercy (O almighty God) hast given us a comfortable and wholesome doctrine, we have performed nothing less than honored thee as is our bounden duty: who have set more by our own filthy desires, then the fear of thee and due reverence of thy glorious name, by casting aside the ordinances of thy blessed precepts. Wherefore there is no cause why we should complain that afflictions are wrongfully laid upon us at any time. Pardon we heartily pray thee, our grievous iniquities and mischievous deeds, and renew in us (for thy infinite mercies sake) perfect fear, true godliness, and holy conversation. Finally shine down out of Zion (that is, from thy exceeding high light, and such as cannot be attained unto) upon thy afflicted Church, and deliver the same from the number of perils which she is in danger of. But forsomuch as thou hast coupled her unto thee to be thy wife by faith, grant that she may have an infinite company of holy children: let her be as a vine spreading itself far abroad, which Antichrist may not with all his industry be of force to cut and hew down. For we require this chiefly at thy merciful hands (O most excellent father) that thou wouldest indue thy heavenly Jerusalem with good and wholesome things, and send peace and tranquility upon thy true Israel, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Thy sacred word (O most good and merciful God) doth teach us that godliness only maketh men right happy and blessed. For the fear and dread wherewith godly men do reverence thee, is an effectual bridle to cause them for to proceed justly in the way of thy righteousness. But because this virtue is a singular ornament of thy beloved church, our earnest request is, that there may be continual laboring in the same by doctrine and example to nurture thy blessed children, so that the works be not in vain, or to none effect. Let her be daily made like unto a most fruitful woman, that may be compared to the rank Olives and exceeding fertile vines: which unspeakable happy gifts we mistrust not but thou wilt one day bestow readily upon us, if from the seat of thy Majesty, it shall please thee to behold the congregation of the faithful with thy merciful eye, because all things that appertain to true and perfect felicity, come from the will of thy inestimable goodness. For seeing we doubt not but this redowneth to the honor of thy glorious name, (that a continual offspring of thy dear children should be