Psalm 6: A Prayer in Distress
and sound, but all full of viciousness) prevail against us, let their counsels and devises be of none effect, and cause their force and layings await to be utterly consumed and brought to naught: so that we thy dear and faithful children may perfectly rejoice, whilst thou dost defend, nourish, and compass us about with thy favorable kindness us with a shield: Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 6: A PRAYER IN DISTRESS
So it is, that we deserve without fail (O most mighty God) by reason of the evils and infinite sins we have committed, to be grievously and sharply chastised at thy hands. Yet we beseech thee, (trusting in thy excellent and exceeding great mercy) not to chastise us in thy furious wrath and hot indignation: who tremble
(O good Father) and are almost dead whilst we consider on the one side our own sins, and on the other side thy justice: therefore we beseech thee that thou wilt not (as we have justly deserved) thrust us down into the pit, because we can there neither sing, nor by any means praise thee. Our enemies do marvelously, yea and that with great fervency desire it should so be, but have thou (O good God) a regard unto the tears and clamors of those that trust in thee, and cause the authors and inventers of iniquity to depart and go far from us. Finally give ear unto us in such wise, that so many as are enemies to thy glory and our salvation, may be ashamed and brought to utter confusion: Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
PSALM 7: AGAINST THE ADVERSARIES OF THE GOSPEL
(Prayer 1) Thou knowest, O most mighty and merciful God, with what an earnest affection the adversaries of our salvation do both day and night assault us, who, (except thou be our ready helper) covet most cruelly like fierce and savage beasts to have us torn in pieces and swallowed up into everlasting destruction.
But like as we put our trust and confidence in thee only, so our earnest desire is, that thou wilt succor and defend us. We do not lay forth our own cause before thee, as though we had committed none of these things whereof they accuse us,
but are persuaded that thou (of thine own mercy) wilt pardon and forgive us the same, through the intercession of Jesus Christ our Mediator. Wherefore we humbly require and earnestly beseech thee to stand up for to be our helper, that thou wilt also direct, and as a most strong shield defend us that those evils may fall from us, and light upon the authors of all temptations, deceits, and maliciousness, so as we may on the other side praise thee and set forth thy glorious name with all possible and studied commendations, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) It is truly a singular and right excellent benefit (O almighty God) to be an observer and keeper of thy blessed precepts, but yet such a one as they cannot attain and reach unto, from whose eyes thou hast not taken away the veil and cloak of darkness. Which being not removed, the secret and hidden things of thy divine law cannot be seen: wherefore we lamentably desire thee to help and lighten our infirmity and blind ignorance, that whilst we live and remain here as strangers and pilgrims, thou wouldest not hide from us the pure and right understanding of thy blessed commandments: wherewith, for so much as we have through our own default been hitherto little instructed, we are fallen into these reproaches, into this contempt, and into these evil reports. For besides the perils and grievous afflictions wherewith thy holy Church is at this day sore vexed and oppressed, are added slanders of thy sacred doctrine, revilings of true godliness, and horrible blasphemies of thy blessed name: forgive therefore thy people and pardon (O mighty God) whatsoever they have committed against thee, refresh those that be fallen, with thy sacred word and promises. We do day by day very boldly open and declare our cause to thee: hearken unto us (we earnestly beseech thee) and from time to time confirm with new benefits the faith and hope of those that be doubtful, neither put them to shame and reproach which call upon thee, so that we being again quieted and restored to liberty, may run in the way and path of thy blessed commandments with a perfect joy and hearty cheerfulness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.