Psalm 45: For Salvation Purchased unto Us by Christ
thrown down, and brought very low, whom we doubt not but thou of thy unspeakable mercy hast chosen unto thyself, through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Wonderful things are set forth unto us in the sacred scriptures (O most good and merciful God) of thy excellent mercy and victorious acts which thou hast showed in old time, as touching the strong defense, the mighty preservation, and excellent increasing of thy faithful servants: by hearing whereof, we are assuredly persuaded to repose our whole trust in thee only, and not in our own strength, riches, and power. But now (being sore oppressed with the most grievous burden of our heinous sins, when as we feel the deserved revengement of thy heavy wrath, and fearing more dreadful pains and sharp punishments, (as men whose consciences do justly accuse them) earnestly require thee, who art always very merciful, to pardon and forgive whatsoever we have lewdly committed against thy divine Majesty: furthermore, if thou shalt purpose and determine with thyself to vex us with bitter calamities and woeful miseries, grant that the same be not the cause we defile the godly awe and reverence which is due of our parts unto thee: neither suffer thou us to have recourse unto any other counsels than thine. Stir up thyself therefore, and make haste to help us: for thou seemest to have turned away thy favor from us, while thou prolongest the time to be our strong helper. And therefore, to the intent thy accustomed tender mercy and favorable goodness may be manifested and well known, vouchsafe mightily to deliver us from these dangerous perils that encircle and compass us about on every side, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 45: FOR SALVATION PURCHASED
UNTO US BY CHRIST
(Prayer 1) We have Christ Jesus (O most good and merciful God) an only and most ample King to all sorts of good men, whose force as it is very notable, so is the throne of his glorious Empire established forever. His excellent power is invincible, it is garnished with most notable righteousness, he standeth in high favor with thee, and is (in his unspeakable wisdom) right glorious. The Church
is unto him as a most royal Queen espoused, to the intent she may bring him forth a most plentiful and holy seed. We therefore which ought with all our endeavor to have honored so mighty a King, have (through our naughtiness, and lewd behavior) defiled his excellent name and holy kingdom, which we now heartily acknowledge, and earnestly confess before thee (O most excellent father) humbly requiring thy divine majesty to pardon, and forgive us the same, that we being received into thy loving favor, may feel a fresh the benefits of our good king: and although we neither merit nor deserve the same, yet grant that he may arise in this time of our great distress, be girded about with his two edged sword, and deliver his dear espoused Church from the violent injuries and opprobrious slanders of Antichrist. Let him now draw out the exceeding sharp darts of his mighty word and blessed spirit, and execute the rod of severe judgment and righteousness, wherewith he hath been always accustomed to govern his kingdom: and at this present very manifestly to declare that he greatly loveth truth, and hateth iniquity as a most wicked thing, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Thy only begotten son our Lord Jesus Christ (O most good and merciful God) is worthy to be commended by all means possible that can be devised, who hath above all things uttered and set forth himself elegantly and after a beautiful manner, in the form of excellent virtues, and shape of pure holiness, using a most gentle manner of persuasion, both in his teaching and exhortation, and bringeth all things under his divine power and omnipotent government, through the puissant sword of his blessed word, and efficacy of his incomparable force: who hath from time to time showed himself a very great lover of righteousness, and a most extreme enemy of iniquity. But whereas we sinful wretches as a chaste spouse in wedlock were handfasted to such and so puissant a one as he is, have defiled ourselves through sundry and manifold spots of corrupt vices.
Therefore our earnest request is, that thou wouldest cleanse us with hearty repentance and thy blessed spirit, whereby the wicked and lewd desires that be grafted in us, being once forgotten, we may altogether aspire unto the love of this most delectable bridegroom, and that through our labor laid together instead of our fathers, who are now already gathered unto him, many more faithful