Psalm 23: That God Would Both Feed and Defend Us
to be pricked forward and stirred up, so much as in us lieth, to seek for all true godliness, so that not only the whole number of us which be now living, but all mortal men also that shall live hereafter may be drawn to worship and serve thee alone, holily and after a most chaste manner, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
(Prayer 3) Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ (O most good and mighty God) suffered marvelous bitter punishments, and extreme painful torments for the salvation of mankind. For when he had laid the sins of the world upon himself, it behooved him to be vexed so fiercely and outrageously, as he might suffer the full punishment for them all. Finally, being nailed unto the Cross, he spent his most sweet life for us, unto whom he hath, by that means purchased pardon and forgiveness of sins, thy loving friendship, and eternal life, if we shall faithfully believe his sacred doctrine and blessed gospel. But alas, as we be very weak in faith, so are we lightly forgetful of such great and manifold benefits: yea we rather live as men unworthy of the redemption that was of so mighty a price unto our most innocent lord. For which cause we bewail this calamity in thy presence (O heavenly father) humbly praying and earnestly beseeching thee not to suffer us to be utterly destitute of the fruit of our Lord Jesus Christ his Cross and death, who liveth and reigneth with thee evermore world without end. Amen.
PSALM 23: THAT GOD WOULD
BOTH FEED AND DEFEND US
(Prayer 1) All such as have thee (O most mighty God) for their shepherd, do lead their life exceeding happily, as those who have always food abundantly enough of thy heavenly doctrine, and most fruitful and plenteous watering of the holy Ghost, whereby they may be renewed, and comforted so often as they shall be oppressed with the mishaps of this wretched world, or wearied with the afflictions of the persecution thereof. Although therefore we acknowledge and confess ourselves unworthy of thy governance and shepherd like care over us, who have very often despised thee and thy sacred word, and (by reason of our
most grievous and innumerable transgressions) deserve to be thrust out of thy blessed sheepfolds: notwithstanding we having confidence in thy great mercy and goodness, which is unto thee proper and natural, humbly beseech thy goodness that thou wouldest vouchsafe to gather us home as lost sheep unto thyself, and suffer us not to wander and stray without thee, through the wide deserts, and outgrounds of this deceivable world. Thou seest us now to be at deaths door, therefore be so present with us as we may put away and cast off all fear: who now stand in need of thee to strengthen and comfort us, with the staff and sheep hook of thy authority. Thou canst refresh us if it please thee, with a most exquisite and well furnished banquet of thy sacred doctrine and blessed sacraments, and make us to drink plentifully of the cup of thy holy spirit and grace, the enemies and adversaries of thy glorious name beholding the same. O let that thy mercy and clemency always so embrace us (we humbly beseech thee) which thou hast accustomed to bestow upon thy faithful servants, as in the sacred Church (which is thy mansiō house) we may continue steadfastly in faith and thy most glorious
Gospel, through the merits and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee world without end. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Thou used (O most mighty God) to preserve those thy children whom thou hast lovingly adopted, with no less care and diligence, than if they were sheep, and the same always led of thee, being their most loving shepherd, toward their own health and perfect commodity, who, so long as they have thee for their master and governor, they shall be destitute neither of the meat nor drink of thy most wholesome doctrine. Whereby it is manifest that if we pine away (so long as we live in this miserable and wretched life) for the hunger and thirst of true and perfect goodness, it happeneth for this cause (and of no other) in that we have forsaken thee and followed strange guides: whereof come the great perils and miserable troubles of mind which fall upon us. Wherefore we humbly beseech thee (O most faithful and loving shepherd) to call us back from errors into the right and perfect way: correct the vices of the wandering and straying flock, with the rod and sheep hook of thy righteousness, so that we may feed at length, orderly, purely, and chastely of the most wholesome delicates of thy