Psalm 44: In Persecution, as well Against Corporal Enemies as Spiritual
PSALM 44: IN PERSECUTION, AS WELL AGAINST
CORPORAL ENEMIES AS SPIRITUAL
(Prayer 1) Thou hast of thy singular goodness (O most mighty God) chosen thee a Church out of many nations, planted with thy puissant hand, and not by man's force, which being (through thy singular favor and blessed spirit) cleansed and purged from her heinous sins, hath hitherto escaped the mischievous assaults of the cruel devil, through thy mighty aid and strong defense: thou hast always preserved it from her outrageous adversaries, and put them to utter shame and endless rebuke which bore deadly hate thereto. We ought therefore to have rejoiced in thee alone, and highly to extol thy blessed name only: but alas for sorrow, we have been most ungrateful for all these excellent benefits, in flesh and man's power hath been our only affiance, for we (through our most wicked life and ungodly behavior) have brought thy blessed doctrine which we profess, to great infamy and reproach. Thou therefore dost cast us down presently, and heapest shame upon us: we are now in a manner become a prey unto Antichrist, and a mocking stock unto our neighbors. Thy sacred Gospel (O good God) is at this present a bye word unto the Infidels, a scorn unto the people, and a May game unto every rascal: we acknowledge that all these things have happened unto us by reason of our mischievous sins, and that right worthily. But (O excellent
Father) reconcile us again unto thee (according to thy merciful goodness) and vouchsafe to pardon whatsoever we have very lewdly and foolishly committed against thy divine Majesty, and grant also that we be not anything at all forgetful of thee, neither be found false hearted, or unfaithful in thy holy covenant. Let not our mind at any time start and shrink aside from thy blessed footsteps, although we should be worn to the uttermost, and compassed about on every side with the shadow of death. Let us never so overshoot ourselves, (no though we be appointed as sheep to the slaughter) as to be forgetful of thy glorious name, and to have recourse unto detestable worshipings. Awake, we humbly beseech thee
(O good God) neither slumber nor sleep thou anymore. Let not thy face be hidden from our grievous afflictions: arise and mightily preserve them that are