Psalm 48: For the Christian Church and Congregation
may inseparably cleave unto thee being the rightful and most true God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 48: FOR THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
AND CONGREGATION
(Prayer 1) Thy excellent Majesty and exceeding honor (O most good and merciful God) aboundeth greatly in the Church, seeing that thou dost mightily rule her with thy sacred word and holy spirit, neither art thou marvelously praised there only: but what comeliness or perfect joy soever is in the whole world, it issueth and proceedeth doubtless from thee. And forsomuch as thou art far better known there than anywhere else, it cometh hereof, that thou art in the same place a sure defense and most strong fortress to thy faithful servants.
Let the kings therefore assemble together, and the princes conspire (as they think good) utterly to subvert and overthrow her, yet shall they be enforced to leave of their fond devices, as who at the feeling of thy mighty power present (being stricken with exceeding fear) must needs cease from their wicked attempts: for such as thou strykest a fear into, they are overtaken with sorrow as women laboring of child. Wherefore (O good God) suffer not our heinous sins to exceed and surmount thy unspeakable goodness: we truly have offended thee very grievously
(neither do we deny the same) but together with our heinous sins we acknowledge also thy exceeding great mercy, which we seek for with sorrowful tears, that we may at length be reconciled unto thee, not for our own deserts, but through the inestimable goodness, loving favor, and bening grace of thy dear son: and grant that the fierce enemies of thy blessed Church may in likewise come to utter ruin, as ships are oftentimes torn amidst the sea through the very great and exceeding hideous noise of the wind which is suddenly stirred up: so that like as we have heard with our ears thy most large promises set forth and preached out of the holy Scriptures, so we may also with our eyes see them mightily come to pass and be performed. We have already conceived an assured hope and steadfast confidence by those things which are set out unto us in thy most blessed word,
now grant (we humbly beseech thee) that the thing may take so good success, as through the publishing of thy glorious name and goodness, incontinent after the performance of thy excellent benefits, we may with great solemnity render due thanks for the same. And to the intent it may be everywhere known, that whatsoever proceedeth from thee, is nothing else but upright justice: be thou our
God, even our God I say, both so long as we here live, and also everlastingly, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) All creatures (O most good and merciful God) do plainly and evidently acknowledge thy great goodness: but thy sacred Church is the especial work wherein thou art singularly preached and magnified. From thence all the whole world receiveth gladness, for so much as the sound doctrine is there, whereby both thou thyself art manifestly known, and we also called to heaven, for what most pleasant, joyful, and blessed thing so ever can be had upon earth, it flourisheth there. And therefore no marvel is it, though the adversaries force rageth against her with cruel threatening, outrageous madness, and furious violence: if thou be at hand without delay, thou dost maintain, favor, and defend it in such wise, that the mighty rulers of the world, and princes of darkness are enforced will they nill they to be sore troubled to run headlong away, and to be marvelously disquieted with exceeding great fear. Their impotent threatenings are utterly disappointed through thy mighty power: but there thy faithful servants are unburdened of their heavy cares and sad griefs, which benefits of thine we now and then feel not, because we fall exceeding miserably and marvelous painfully into sundry and manifold faults, being driven thereto partly by infirmity, and partly through ignorance. By this so great honor of thy glorious house, we humbly beseech thee therefore to blot out whatsoever we have committed against thee, to the intent that thou thyself mayst rule and govern us in the same
Church, to the glory of thy most excellent name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.