Psalm 41: Against the Enemies of God's Holy Word, and for the Works of Charity
especial regard to our salvation, and make speedy hast to help us. Or rather confound and put the fierce enemies of thy blessed name to utter confusion, but let us which unfeignedly seek thee, be at length greatly refreshed, and cause us to find by proof, that it is not in vain, that thou art reported to be the most assured salvation itself, and helper of poor silly wretches and grievous afflicted persons, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) They which suffer the prolonging of thy favorable help (O most mighty God) with right and patient minds, do at length well perceive and assuredly feel that thou hearest their fervent prayers: and when in good earnest they find themselves to be delivered, do not only celebrate thy glorious name with due praises, but give a sufficient example to other godly men for to do the like.
Now therefore (which we may only do) forsomuch as thou delightest not in outward sacrifices, we endeavor and strive to obtain thus much by our hearty prayers, that we may become very loving and desirous to follow thy holy will daily more and more, setting forth thy blessed truth and unspeakable mercy towards us with often, or rather continual praises. But in the mean season, whatsoever we have done dishonestly or after a wicked manner against thee, according to thy loving mercy and excellent goodness forgive it us, neither suffer those grievous punishments and woeful calamities to overwhelm us, which our sins have justly deserved. And let such as seek thy dishonor and our confusion, be put to utter shame and rebuke: but cause those that be exceeding zealous and very careful of thy blessed name, to be replenished with true joy and perfect gladness. But seeing thou right well knowest that we are greatly despised, and marvelous destitute of worldly and fleshly help, make thou hast mightily to save us, who art our puissant defense, and very strong fortress, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 41: AGAINST THE ENEMIES OF GOD'S HOLY
WORD, AND FOR THE WORKS OF CHARITY
(Prayer 1) It is a token of no small grace (O most mighty God) well to judge both of such as be feeble minded, and also of all the Godly whom thou dost
sometime chastise and scourge diverse manner of ways, although thou usest correction with a fatherly affection, yet wilt thou readily deliver them, speedily quicken them, and in the end abundantly bless them with thy excellent presence: which hope we also leaning unto, and trusting upon, (who are now most grievously afflicted) do here together earnestly require thee to have mercy upon us, by relieving and delivering us from the grievous sins wherewith we have most heinously offended thee. Thou knowest undoubtedly that the cruel enemies of thy holy Gospel, wish us much evil: thou understandest what they imagine and determine amongst themselves of our destruction. They verily practice and go about nothing more then to overthrow thy blessed Church, and with them also do such take part as we though to have been allied with us, both by religion, and also for many other respects and good turns. Extend thou therefore (O good
God) thy mercy and compassion towards us, whereby thou hast been accustomed not only to raise up such as are fallen and lie under foot, but also utterly to confound and bring their adversaries to utter ruin. Give not the fierce enemies of true religion and perfect godliness, scope to rejoice at thy faithful servants destruction. But if thou wilt mightily deliver us out of these present calamities, and with great force confirm the same by thy holy spirit, thy blessed name shall be openly commended and highly praised of all godly men, which thing we earnestly require may continually come to pass and that without ceasing, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) There remain wonderful great rewards (O most good and merciful God) for such as have much compassion upon the afflicted: but those that show mercy unto the most miserable, and such men as be in great distress, do imitate and follow the example of thy exceeding great goodness. For thou art wont to comfort thy faithful servant which lieth sore sick in his bed, so that thou thyself seemest to make the same, to the intent that he which is diseased might lie the softer, neither is there any point of dutifulness which we accompt most singular, wherewith thou dost not very favorably pleasure and serve the turn of thy blessed people, whensoever thou shalt think time convenient to help them.
Wherefore seeing we may well perceive that (for our grievous sins) we be fallen