Psalm 68: For the Unity and Enlargement of the Christian Congregation
replenished with the light and brightness of thy loving countenance, which two we right well know do fail us by reason of the sins we have very grievously committed: therefore our earnest request is that thou wouldst heal our deadly wounds with the plaster of thy unspeakable mercy, and whatsoever we have offended thee in, let thy loving favor wholly remit, and cause thy most gladsome light to drive away the darkness that we have procured unto ourselves: which suit, if we may obtain, yet shall we readily acknowledge (although we be environed with the darkness of this mortal life) the devises, ordinances, and means, whereby thou dost greatly govern, providently maintain, puissantly defend, and mightily preserve all things with incomparable goodness and faithfulness, and providest wonderfully for thy blessed people: which things being well seen and rightly considered, we and all people shall show forth thy worthy praises, and be also thoroughly replenished with pleasant joy, forsomuch as thou rulest all Nations, Provinces, and Kingdoms, with rightful judgment and most indifferent justice. For if all people did manifestly know the same in such sort as it is, every man would praise thee in the open face of the world. Grant unto us therefore (O excellent father) these two things, neither disdain to add unto them a plenteous fruitfulness of the earth: for the more bountifully thou dealest with thy dearly beloved children; the more shalt thou be feared and amplier honored, through the whole universal world, by Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 68: FOR THE UNITY AND ENLARGEMENT
OF THE CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION
(Prayer 1) We have both our health and also all other commodities of this life at thy merciful hands (O most good and mighty God) being the fountain and original of all good things, who dost both adorn and continually bestow so great benefits upon thy faithful servants, that impossible it is to count the number of them. But this chiefly ought not to be passed over with silence, that thou thyself hast so happily and with so good success fought our battles against sin, death, the devil, and all evils, insomuch as the deadly enemies of our salvation felt thee to
be our present help, when as thou diddest puissantly overcome, mightily subdue, and grievously punish them. Wherefore it is our right bounden duty to render perpetual thanks with Psalms, loving praises, godly songs, and all kind of ditties and music, which thing that it may not be done maliciously, and grudgingly, but with a mind void and free from fleshly cares and carnal desires, we humbly beseech thee to pardon whatsoever we have transgressed, either through the darkness of ignorance or weakness of mind, and proceed also ever hereafter to defend us from the crafty snares and subtle layings await of the force of our enemies (as thou hast heretofore steadfastly from time to time assisted such as trust in thee) whereby all men shall assuredly perceive that thou so favourest the faithful believers, as thou givest unto them abundance of strength and power invincible, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Seeing that thy power is such, O most good and merciful God, as no enemies (although they be never so strong and mighty) are able to stand against thee, our earnest request is that thou wouldest (for thy infinite mercies sake) most puissantly arise to help us. The children of Israel felt thy presence to be a continual safeguard unto them, at what time they encountered to fight with their enemies, although kings and armies thoroughly furnished were raised up against them: forsomuch as therefore thou hast lifted up thy invincible power and puissant strength on high, disdain not (we humbly beseech thee) to turn thy loving countenance towards us, who do continually wrestle with Satan, the flesh, and lusts thereof: surely we acknowledge that thou art our sole and only defense, who fly therefore unto thee, because thou art the fountain and root of all good things, requiring, that we (being mightily delivered from the mischievous evils which environ us on every side) may set forth the worthy praises of thy most glorious name, even as it hath right well deserved, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
(Prayer 3) Thy force and puissance (O most good and mighty God) is of so great a strength, that when thou movest and stirrest up thyself, they are immediately scattered from their place, and put to flight whosoever they be that bear hatred to thy blessed name and glorious kingdom: wherefore, neither do we
doubt but that at this time the power of Satan and his adherents (who cease not everywhere to overthrow thy faithful people) shall be dispatched and come to naught, even like unto smoke that vanisheth, and mists which pass away. And for this cause, there is laid up a great pleasure and exceeding comfort unto the faithful, whereof, we heartily require thee that we also may be partakers, and that thou wouldst ease us of the fardell of sin wherewith we are most grievously burdened, and that taking us unto thy gracious favor again, thou wilt indue us very largely with thy Holy Spirit. Seeing that thou art the father of the fatherless, and a revenger of such as be miserably oppressed, vouchsafe also to deliver us from the fetters of our iniquities, neither be thou anything less our strong defense, then thou wert the children of Israel's mighty protector in the wilderness. We be as thou well perceivest (by reason of our heinous sins) greatly disfigured: let therefore the bright favor and light of thy favorable countenance be present with us, whereby our minds may be made splendent and reformed unto the sovereign bless and highest felicity, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 4) Such is thy excellent wisdom (O most good and merciful God) that as thou hast an innumerable manner of ways and infinite means to preserve thy faithful servants, so hast thou also as many to bring the wicked to perdition.
Wherefore in restoring thy blessed people being sore oppressed both of sin and Satan, and in getting great and famous victories of thy cruel enemies, out of all doubt, thou deservest that so many as naturally appertain to the stock and linage of Israel, should set out thy worthy praises and most noble triumphs with a wonderful great gladness. Wherefore we humbly require thee (by thy notable and exceeding great power) that what gifts of salvation thou hast begun to bestow upon us, thou wouldest from day today augment and increase with a prosperous success, whereby we may offer unto thee (who art borne up beyond the heavens with noble triumph) not the sacrifices of brute beasts, but ourselves as an acceptable and blameless freewill offering, to the intent it may be left for a sufficient witness both unto us and to all others, that it only appertaineth unto thy singular force and incomparable power to bring thy elect children unto the most desired