Psalm 129: Against the Counterfeit Holiness of Such as Would be Justified By Their Works
multiplied in the blessed Church, and become notable in peace, in praises, and in purity of life) we heartily require thee in our most fervent prayers to obtain the same, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 129: AGAINST THE COUNTERFEIT HOLINESS OF
SUCH AS WOULD BE JUSTIFIED BY THEIR WORKS
(Prayer 1) Thou knowest (O most good and merciful God) how greatly the enemies of thy glorious name have fought continually against thy sacred Church, and always troubled the same from her infancy, yet notwithstanding thou hast done this of thy singular favor thou barest thereunto, that her adversaries could never prevail against her, who diddest it for this intent, because thy faithful promises should be accomplished. They seemed diverse and sundry times to thrust the share of affliction very deep into her back, who (having a marvelous obstinate heart) purposed to make exceeding long ridges upon the same. But thou O good God of thy perfect justice, hast always cut a sunder the cords of the ungodly in pieces. Wherefore we now heartily beseech thee not to regard our wicked facts, but the glory of thy name. For if thou shouldest deal with us according to our worthiness, we do not only deserve such painful miseries, and sorrowful calamities, but much more grievouser. Yet (for thy infinite mercies sake) pour not out thy furious wrath on us, but upon the ungodly, let them be confounded and turned backward, and grant that they may quickly wither even as the grass, before they be anything able to bring their lewd enterprises to an end: whose deserts are not such as we ought to pray for their good success, seeing their practices be exceeding naught. But now cause the Church of thy faithful people, to enjoy some blessing of peace and tranquility, through Jesus Christ our lord.
Amen.
(Prayer 2) The assaults of thy faithful people (O most good and merciful God) be not only very many and diverse, but they are also continually tempted, and be enforced to fall into utter destruction: for the devil and power of our fierce adversaries desire nothing more, than to turn thy Image unto them from