Psalm 149: For the Advancement of the Gospel
diligence, it is very requisite that we should be stirred up to magnify thy blessed name, because in them thy own only workmanship cometh to our sight and remembrance: whereupon we, being moved hereby, do as now fly unto thee for succor, whom we have learned to be the author of so great and manifold good things, whose earnest desire is, that thou wouldst lift up the horn of thy mighty power unto thy beloved people being thy blessed Church, so as she may have sufficient ability to withstand all the force of hell, and be linked daily more and more unto thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 149: FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE GOSPEL
(Prayer 1) Eight worthy art thou (O almighty God) to whom new songs should continually be song in the sacred Church, and whose praise should be set out in the Congregation of Saints. For can it be that such as are thy faithful people will not publish thee their king and maker, doing the same not only with heart and voice, but also with every outward instrument prepared for the same purpose. Seeing then that thou oughtest to be so greatly commended and highly magnified for thy nature, goodness, and excellent benefits extended towards us, be not so greatly provoked at our heinous sins, as to chastise us in thy fury: pardon us, (we humbly beseech thee) for thy infinite mercies sake, when we turn unto thee, and lamentably crave thy ready help by continual prayer. But if thou have so good a liking of thy blessed people as thou hast oftentimes affirmed, then assist and garnish them with thy ready help in so great an extremity. Give us this cause of exalting thy glorious name, which may be evermore in the mouth of thy faithful servants. For we doubt not but thou canst be revenged of the nations and people that blaspheme thee, and bind the kings and princes (who be adversaries to thy blessed religion) with fetters and links of Iron, by executing most severe justice upon them. Our earnest desire is therefore that thou wouldst either convert them unto thee with the two edged sword of thy blessed word, or if it seemeth not good in thy fight so to do, remove the same far from our necks, that all men may right well perceive what great things thou dost for such as commit