Psalm 55: For Salvation Purchased Us by Christ
PSALM 55: FOR SALVATION PURCHASED US BY CHRIST
(Prayer 1) We are enforced (O most good and merciful God) by reason of the extreme and urgent distress of the Church, to cry out daily unto thee: for we cannot be quiet in our minds, when as we both see and know for a certainty, that those who wish much evil unto the Gospel, do so carefully endeavor themselves to bring such unto confusion as unfeignedly trust in thee, we greatly tremble, we are thoroughly troubled, and quake for fear, wishing that we had wings like
Doves: whereby we (eschewing these mischiefs) may at length rest quietly in thee.
But very convenient is it that we should be afflicted for our heinous sins wherewith we have of long time, and that exceeding grievously offended thee: those truly are the occasion why these great mischiefs do light upon us. But we earnestly require thee (O most excellent father) not to be more heinously moved against our wickedness and very lewd behavior, than thou wilt give us grace well to bear: deliver us (for thy infinite mercies sake) from subtle words, and deceitful devices, and have a great foresight that thy holy church be not sore plagued of them, who seem sometime greatly to favor her, and were partakers in the same with us, of the most pleasant and sweet food of thy blessed Sacraments. We now heartily call and earnestly cry unto thee with importunate prayers, that as thou hast oftentimes heretofore miraculously holpen thy faithful servants, so thou wouldest at this present time deliver us from imminent destruction. Let not the league be broken which those have that be at one with thee. We now cast our heavy burdens and most grievous troublesome cares wholly upon thy shoulders.
Vouchsafe to bear both them and us also through thy mighty power, otherwise we slide and faint under the burden. Wherefore sustain and increase this our feeble and slender hope with thy most present and ready help, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) There is right great cause why we should always (O most mighty God) lamentably require thy aiding hand: for we are continually afflicted by sundry mishaps of the world, the flesh, the Devil, and enemies of righteousness, which moveth us more often and after a vehementer sort to wish that thou