Psalm 97: That We May Appear in the Day of Judgment With a Pure and Cheerful Heart
Majesty is so great, that thou dost surmount beyond all measure, what Godhead or Deity soever men could at any time device to themselves. Grant therefore that whensoever we go about duly to honor and reverently to worship thee, we may cheerfully offer up ourselves and all that ever we have to thy incomprehensible glory, so that we may preach thy glorious kingdom to all nations, not only with words, but in virtuous life and holy conversation, to the intent every man may right well know and perceive that like as thou hast created us and the whole universal world, so also shall we and all things be repaired again, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 97: THAT WE MAY APPEAR IN THE DAY OF
JUDGMENT WITH A PURE AND CHEERFUL HEART
(Prayer 1) Thou thyself (O most mighty God) which art the author of full joy and perfect gladness, art also endued with exceeding severity and dreadful power, which thy properties thou bestowest upon man, according to thy infinite justice and righteousness. Wherefore our earnest request is, that thou wouldst not burn us up with the fire of thy wrathful indignation, who otherwise (by reason of our heinous sins) are worthy of most grievous punishments, but (according to thy great mercy, and through the merits of thy only Son Jesus Christ our
Lord and Savior) remit and pardon whatsoever we have lewdly committed against thee: but contrariwise, turn the wrath of thy heavy displeasure upon thy fierce adversaries. Let those men be set on fire, make them to tremble, let them melt away like wax at the sight of thy bright countenance. But let us (being restored and reformed in a new kind of life by thy blessed spirit) feel in ourselves, and set out thy noble justice such wise unto them, as all people may right well perceive the same. For although we have greatly and very much strayed from thy holy will revealed unto us in the sacred scriptures, we are notwithstanding heartily sorry for our lewd deserts, and be very desirous to make thy glorious renown exceeding famous. Let not therefore this our assured hope and fervent desire be made frustrate: put them to confusion who believe nothing at all in thee, but
have an infinite number of Idols, wherein they put their whole trust, whereunto they show much worship, marvelous great honor, and wonderful obedience.
And finally grant this thing also, that such as thou hast regenerated and quickened with thy blessed spirit, may utterly detest sin, and whatsoever fighteth or is repugnant to thy holy will. Afterward take the souls of thy faithful servants out of wicked men's hands, and when we be thoroughly delivered from them, cause us not only to rejoice with great gladness, but make thy healthful light of salvation to shine upon all that are thine, whereby they may be converted unto thee, and celebrate thy worthy memorial with perpetual praises, through the self same
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Seeing it is thou (O almighty God) that rulest far and near, and mightily governest all things, there is nothing in the whole world but ought to be exceeding glad thereof: for like as thy glorious kingdom (which is the chiefest thing to be desired) is most gorgeously decked with justice and equity, even so is there such strength and puissance grafted in the same, as no crafty devices, and subtle practices can prevail against it, but that (whatsoever thou hast with a most rightful counsel and singular justice decreed upon) shall be brought to good end.
We earnestly require thee therefore that as the earth, heaven, and universal world are most evident witnesses of thy unspeakable wisdom and singular justice, so the truth and sincere worshipping of thee may appear in thy blessed Church, where all men may heartily rejoice together, because superstitious and corrupt
Religions are altogether banished. Let them be joyful in this behalf which purely and with fervent zeal do unfeignedly love and honor God: whom finally (we humbly beseech) to augment the light of our minds, and that we may with an exceeding pleasant cheerfulness, rejoice in the sacred Congregation of his blessed
Saints, for the unspeakable benefits he hath bestowed upon us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 3) Forsomuch as all thy judgments (O most good and merciful God) do shine forth with perfect equity and right up justice, we ought therefore to be exceeding glad and very joyful. For although thy faithful servants be punished for a while so long as they are in this wretched life, yet the time will one day