Psalm 50: Remembrance in Distress of the Last Judgment and Promises of God
(Prayer 2) The renowned oracles of the sacred doctrine which thou hast vouched safe to set out in the holy scriptures, ought men (O mighty God) well to consider with most attentive minds: yea, there is no man so ignorant, or any of so high degree, but it behooveth him very diligently, to ponder and weigh the excellent things that thou speakest. And this thou chiefly admonishest us of, that we have not that confidence in the pleasures of this world, (being very vain and frail) which we ought to repose in thee only. What thing soever is wonderful, puissant, exceeding strong, marvelous excellent, or very honorable amongst men, are of no force to redeem and deliver us from death: but such is their property and condition, that they are quickly changed, and perish in the twinkling of an eye: neither may the man which hath his whole affiance in these, abide any while in honor. For so soon as they wither and perish, so soon also doth their counterfeit renown fade away. Wherefore we earnestly require thee (O good father) to forgive us, because we have hither to (so long, and with such a fervent desire) trusted in these transitory riches, that our hearts and minds being withdrawn therefrom, thou wouldest most straightly annex them to thee and thy sacred words, to the intent we may delight in nothing more, than to follow thee, and cheerfully endeavor to do whatsoever is thy holy will and pleasure, least we become as brute beasts, and perish like most dumb cattle, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
PSALM 50: REMEMBRANCE IN DISTRESS OF THE LAST
JUDGMENT AND PROMISES OF GOD
(Prayer 1) O Puissant and most mighty God, who of thy bountiful mercy hast vouchedsafe to gather thee a blessed Church out of all parts of the world, and that first by the Apostles whom in Mount Zion thou endued with thy sons most abundant spirit. Neither wouldest thou for any other cause gather thy very chosen and good people so wonderfully together, but that a true way how to worship thee (wherein doubtless consisteth the whole perfection of faithful believers) might at length be universally known amongst all nations: and cause us
to learn that godliness doth not altogether consist in outward observations and most dumb ceremonies. For like as these things do please thee so long as they are witnesses and testimonies of faith, so if they be destitute thereof, they are exceeding odious, and very detestable in thy sight. The thing that thou chiefly requirest of us, is this, that thy holy name may be highly praised and duly glorified, not only in words and thoughts, but with all the deeds of this our life. Thy blessed will is that we should unfeignedly perform whatsoever we have heartily promised, and with fervent zeal vowed unto thee, so as we be assuredly persuaded that they are both agreeable to thy sacred word, and a furtherance to perfect godliness.
Moreover thou requirest us to invocate and call upon thee when we are most touched with adversity, and to render due thanks to thy divine Majesty (as expedient it is so to do) at what time soever we be mightily delivered therefrom. Thou dost exact and require these things at our hands as the chiefest points of our religion. But we (O good God) have hitherto most wretchedly and unhappily sinned, who have always put no small affiance in our own rites, and ceremonies, and perused oftentimes the holy Scriptures when our heart was far from them: discipline hath been displeasant unto us, and we have everywhere (through our most wicked lusts) neglected thy sacred commandments. Now therefore (for thy singular mercy and infinite goodness sake) pardon and forgive us these our misdeeds, and mightily deliver us from such as (being wrapped in with rapine and unchasteness) spake most villainously of thy sanctified Church and holy Gospel, believing that thou spiest not the naughtiness which they lewdly commit, when as thou seemest not to revenge it, but very patiently to permit and suffer the same. Cause them shortly to understand this right well, neither let us be harassed thus violently of them, as though there were none that could or would deliver us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Thou hast showed unto us (O most good and mighty God) through that severe sentence of thine, by what thing mortal men's causes are to be decided before thy high judgment seat, and it liketh thee nothing at all to make inquisition for burnt offerings, or outward sacrifices, seeing the Calves, Goats, wild beasts, and finally all living things that be in the world, are in thy mighty