Psalm 135: Against a Vain and False Confidence
clemency) deliver us from the Champions of Antichrist and his ministers, who endeavor themselves so much as they can possible, that thy faithful servants might no more assemble and meet together for to honor thee sincerely and as they are willed to do. Reserve those to thyself (we humbly beseech thee) who have so great a desire to lift up their hands unto thee and to direct their prayers unto thy mercies seat with a most holy intent: show these men much pleasure from heaven, cherish them greatly, and be their strong defense, being a thing nothing impossible to thy wonderful and invincible power, forsomuch as the whole world and all things contained therein, were not only made by thy puissant might, but also endure and be preserved through thy omnipotency, by Jesus
Christ our lord. Amen.
(Prayer 3) Thy unspeakable goodness is such (O most merciful God) as it ought always to be greatly praised and highly magnified. We will therefore lift up pure hands in all places, touching the publishing of thy glorious name, and render perpetual thanks (according to our bounden duty) for thy loving kindness extended towards us. But, seeing that this ought to be done in the most sacred and holy assemblies, our earnest desire is for to have thee present there with us, and to bestow thy plentiful blessing upon thy beloved Israel, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 135: AGAINST A VAIN AND FALSE CONFIDENCE
(Prayer 1) Whosoever they be that are moved by the holy ghost to assemble together (O almighty God) for to celebrate thy glorious name, have a wonderful heap of benefits set out before them, which thou hast most plentifully bestowed upon us. For look what things thou hast by thy wonderful wisdom created in heaven and earth, all the same dost thou continually dispose according to the pleasure of thy good will, causing the clouds, rain, winds, and other works of nature to be in such wise obedient to thee, as they serve exceeding commodiously for the utility of mankind. But seeing that the hearts of kings and princes are under thy dominion, thou dost continually bow them so far as the preservation
of thy faithful servants doth require, which is sufficiently manifested enough by Pharaoh king of Egypt, Zion, and Og, most puissant princes of the land of Canaan. By reason whereof, the hope that we have assuredly conceived in thy beloved promises, is so confirmed and established, that (although we may see the Church grievously oppressed with exceeding great perils) yet our only trust is that thou wilt so aide and help the same, out of the hid and secret treasures of thy loving mercy, as first and foremost to pardon our innumerable and most shameful declinings from thee, wherewith we have mischievously polluted ourselves: and that thou wilt also in such wise vanquish, subdue, and repress the malapertness of the devil and his guard, as we be not enforced any more by them, to embrace again an idolatrous trade of worshipping thee, and give honor to those Images which can neither speak, hear, nor yet have breath, although they seem as if they had both ears, hands, and mouths. Grant we heartily pray thee (O excellent father) that all men may perpetually laude and set forth thy glorious name out of Zion (which is thy true Church) with an ancient, yea rather an everlasting peace and tranquility, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Thou deservest very great commendation for a number of excellent causes (O almighty God) and diverse ways to be extolled with most noble praises: first and foremost thou art good, and thy name is marvelous pleasant and wonderful amiable. Moreover thou hast chosen us to be thy peculiar people, that is, and true Israel, who art of such an invincible force, as there is only not any creature, but also none other God at all that may be compared to thee in power.
For thou only dost wondrous things in heaven, in earth, in the sea, and in the deeps and bottomless pit: thou also stirrest up and bridlest at thy will and pleasure, the flaming lightnings, boisterous winds, rainy showers, raging waters, and stormy tempests. Whose mighty puissance, the Egyptians, Amorites, and Chenaneits have felt, when thou didst defend the children of Israel with thy accustomable clemency, and governedst them through an unspeakable loving kindness and wonderful mercy that thou didst extend towards them. Judge thou therefore thy faithful people, who hast been accustomed to rule the course of nature by such a wonderful means, and finally comfort thy beloved servants,