Psalm 80: For the Repairing of the Afflicted Church
thee thanks forever, and show forth thy worthy praises from one generation to another, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Let the wonderful examples of thy rigorous justice (O most mighty God) wherewith thou hast subverted the Kingdom of Israel, and wrapped that people for their rebelliousness against thee, in slaughters, rapes, booties, burnings, captivities, with all kind of miseries and infelicity, be a wholesome and comfortable admonition unto us, so that we may with a right cheerful mind, lay hold upon true repentance, and be delivered thereby from most grievous torments, which (through our innumerable heinous sins) we have worthily deserved. For very meet it is that thou shouldst have an especial regard unto thy most blessed and glorious name: but if thou shalt pour out thy wrath upon us, the wicked will imagine that thou hadst no care to help such as duly honor thee, and crave thy assistance with abundance of tears: for if any calamity or adversity light upon thy sacred Church, it is incontinent their accustomed manner malipartly to scoff against the same, saying, where is now their God become?
What profit have they by their religion? By means whereof this kind of reproach redounded unto thee, upon thy sacred doctrine, and upon thy holy Gospel.
Wherefore our humble and earnest request is, that (being right mindful of the sheep of thy pasture) thou wouldest so defend and maintain us, as we may perpetually in all places, both publish and also set forth thy worthy praises, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 80: FOR THE REPAIRING
OF THE AFFLICTED CHURCH
(Prayer 1) Thou hast always hitherto been accustomed (O most mighty God) to be present like a loving shepherd, with thy faithful people, and to lead them forth under thy protection, as if they were sheep. We now therefore require thee to stir up thy mighty power in so great perils, and show us the bright light of thy favorable countenance. Raise up thyself and be ready to help and deliver us. We truly acknowledge and earnestly confess, that (in consideration of our
heinous iniquities and most grievous sins committed against thee) thy heavy wrath hath not without good desert been kindled against us, and thy justice to be the principal cause why these exceeding great mischiefs wherewith thy blessed
Church is now oppressed, have invaded the same. But seeing that at this present, we are right heartily sorry for all the sins which have by us been committed against thee, and that we may lamentably require thy loving favor and mercy, how long wilt thou be angry with us? How long wilt thou suffer the great strife, grievous rebukes, and opprobrious slanders wherewith the ungodly and most lewd persons do touch thee in us? Turn unto us, O excellent father (in this most troublesome time) the quiet and cheerful countenance of thy inestimable goodness, and be mindful of thy notable benefits which thou hast bestowed upon thy sacred church: and seeing that thou hast hitherto nourished it, beatified it, and always garnished the same with the most plentiful and large gifts of thy blessed spirit. Deliver her not now over (we humbly beseech thee) to be spoiled of the outrageous, ungodly, and most cruel Antichristians: suffer not so pleasant and chosen a vineyard, which (with thy most high and exceeding mighty right hand, thou hast planted and increased) to be shamefully and after a very wretched manner cast down, set on fire, and utterly rooted up. Look down from heaven and have an especial regard unto such as earnestly cry and call for thy speedy assistance: let the ungodly perish at the rebuke of thy loving countenance, who do perpetually blaspheme cruel bondage of Antichrist: but we vile wretches have most filthily abused our freedom and benefit of quietness. Thou hast oftener than once (as thou didst unto the Israelites) both by the sacred Scriptures, and also through the ministers of thy blessed word, protest unto us on this wise: give ear unto me (O my people) and acknowledge me truly to be thy God, not in words (I say) only, but in mind verily, and with a perfect and most pure worshipping. But we (alas) have turned our heart from thy holy words, whereby our heinous sins are continually more and more increased, and the adversaries of thy holy Church also (whom thou without doubt wouldest have overthrown and cast down if we had given credit unto thee) are now become a very terror unto us: for we that might exceeding quietly and carelessly have enjoyed thy most sweet