Psalm 3: Against Our Persecutors
against the kingdom of thy only son Jesus Christ our Lord: let us yet understand, yea, let us be persuaded through a constant faith that thou dost deride and contemn all such: who (so soon as it pleaseth thee) art able to destroy them in thy wrath and hot displeasure. But alack, seeing in this confidence we are oftentimes unstable and movable, in so much as we (being led away by divers terrors) do obey thy commandments less than it becometh us, we beseech thee of thy favorable and bountiful goodness to be merciful unto us, so that we may ground ourselves steadfastly upon this rock of faith, that thy son our king and redeemer hath in thee of all things the highest power and government, for when thou didst beget him, thou gavest all Nations to him, to rule and govern them by right of inheritance. Grant therefore, that we may once at length be so godly, wise, and so rightly instructed, as (serving thee with all reverence and humble fear) we be not at the last day like a potters vessel, consumed and brought to naught with the rod of thy indignation: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 3: AGAINST OUR PERSECUTORS
(Prayer 1) Their armies (O most merciful and mighty God) which assault and persecute thy Church, are increased above measure: for even now very many are so bold as to disquiet and vex the same, who do cruelly rise up against it, having confidence truly in none other counsel, but that they imagine and determine with themselves, how that there is no more help for us to be looked for at thy hand, as though thou hast utterly abandoned and forsaken thy people, and bereft them of all manner of succor and defense. We deny not truly, considering the sins and wickednesses by which we have offended thee, but that we have deserved to be left destitute of thy help, and set out as laughing stocks to the despiteful dealings and injuries of those which are the enemies of thy holy name. But notwithstanding for the faiths sake, which through thy favorable mercy remaineth in us, we are bold to come nigh unto thee and beseech thee that amongst these rauillous and false braydings of our adversaries, thou wilt vouchsafe to give us so much spirit and constancy, as we may not doubt, but that thou wilt be the only defense,
worship, and mighty revenger of thy blessed people. Having this assured faith and confidence, that if we shall crave thy ready help in our earnest prayers, thou wilt without fail hear us out of thy heavenly dwelling: yea, whilst we do wholly rest and fully repose our hearts on this thy protection, we shall be so void of fear
(even in the middle of thousands of our enemies) that we may according to our accustomed manner, safely take our sleep, and wake again, because we do with a good and bold courage stick steadfastly to thee alone. Wherefore arise (O mighty
God) according to this our assured trust: and according to thy accustomed and wonted manner, break the teeth of those that boast themselves against thee, so that they be not of force to tear and crash thy sacred Church in pieces at their own will and pleasure: make them to understand that salvation belongeth unto thee, and how thou canst of thy favorable goodness, rid and deliver thy blessed people out of these extreme dangers: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Although (O most mighty God) the force of Satan and all malicious powers (who seek to stop from us the kingdom of thy dear son) seem to augment and increase daily more and more, and go about to bring us in utter despair, as though there were no succor nor help anymore hereafter to be looked for of us at thy hands, albeit we perceive that sin aboundeth much and increaseth greatly in us, notwithstanding all this, we lift our head and hands unto thee, who art our strong shield and glory, and desire thee (according to thy accustomed mercy) to pardon and forgive those things that we have done amiss, and also to give a favorable and attentive ear unto the prayers and supplications which we pour out before thy divine majesty: that being raised up from heinous and deadly works, and having a good affiance in thy loving mercy, we need not to fear whole
Millions of thine enemies, whom now by faith, we know thou hast smitten upon the cheek bone, and dismayed utterly. Grant (O dear Father) that we may feel the plentiful abundance of thy blessing to be poured upon us, and be most assuredly persuaded that our salvation dependeth only upon thee: Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.