Psalm 142: For Comfort in Persecution
in such wise, as though they should go down out of hand into hell. Forsake not therefore the Church (according to thy wonted manner) in these perilous days, at what time she is in most misery, but deliver her from the traps, snares, and nets of the ungodly, and let the wicked fall into their own wiles and pits, which they have made and digged, and not thy faithful people, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 3) Withdraw not thy ready help from us, we humbly beseech thee (O most good and merciful God) so long as we lamentably require the same at thy merciful hands: for this is our daily sacrifice wherewith we do greatly honor and highly reverence thy glorious name, neither doth it less please thee to have us taught in thy blessed word, then if we should burn upon Alters a most sweet odor and pleasant perfume of spices, as the use and custom was in old time: our earnest desire is therefore, that thou wouldest set a sure watch upon our tongue and heart, that we may not do anything either in word, or thought, (and much less in deeds) contrary to thy blessed law. Remove from us all intercourse of the ungodly, but cause us to take in exceeding good worth brotherly admonitions and friendly rebukes, having no regard at all to high praises and pleasant flattering tales. For seeing that there be a thousand snares and traps which our ancient enemy hath laid to snarl us in, let thy gracious favor at length deliver us from the whole number of them, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 142: FOR COMFORT IN PERSECUTION
(Prayer 1) We cry out daily in thy sight (O most good and merciful God) pouring out our fervent prayers and humble supplications, that the sorrow and heaviness conceived in our heart may be uttered, and this we do in thy gracious presence, who only knowest the way and means how to deliver thy faithful servants in their uttermost troubles. Our spirit verily is continually vexed within us, so long as we consider the present state of things, insomuch as whether we look on the right hand or towards the left, we see no man truly which will unfeignedly take upon him either to defend or acknowledge the cause of thy blessed Church.
Which evils indeed happen unto us by reason of our heinous sins, wherewith thou art thus grievously offended against us, as to stir up so fierce and sly enemies against thy chosen people, who lay snares almost in all places, and extend violence everywhere upon us. Be merciful now therefore unto us (O God our dear father) at what time we seem to be destitute of all succor, neither is there any remaining alive that hath a regard for the preservation of our souls: hear thou thyself our woeful complaints, and be a sure refuge for us, and our portion amongst the living: by delivering us from our malicious persecutors, who seem at this present to have the upper hand. For if thou wilt mightily deliver thy sacred Church from this sorrowful calamity, thy excellent name shall be spread abroad in every place, and all men will rejoice with us, upon whom they shall perceive that thou hast showed this unspeakable favor and loving kindness, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Seeing that we are perpetually environed (O most mighty God) with an infinite number of perils, necessity itself persuadeth us never to desist from prayer, but always to pour them out exceeding fervently before thee. For, to whom may we better declare our extreme heaviness and grievous misery
(which doth daily assail us) then to thee? who knowest all things right well, neither art ignorant of the crafts and subtleties of the force of our cruel adversaries.
Thou only canst succor and deliver us: who may not trust in man's aid, either because they will not, or else for that they be not able to help us. And therefore do we earnestly cry unto thee, being our sanctuary and lotte in the land of the living, to the intent thou wouldst set us free from the devil the ancient enemy of mankind, and his cursed garde: whose minds being thus recreated and refreshed, shall incessantly acknowledge thy blessed name: and all such as be faithful lovers of virtue, will together with us publish and set out thy excellent benefits with condign and deserved praises, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.