Psalm 102: In the Trial of Faith and Affliction of the Church
and prosperous things, whom thou especially favourest according to the meaning of thy loving promises, grant her in such wise to be restored, as all things may be ordered there by thy spiritual wisdom, and avoid those offenses therefore, unto which everlasting damnation is due by justice. Let them depart thence which fall from thee by infidelity, and are through obstinate willfulness, traitorous rebels to thy sacred law: let backbiters, together with such as are proud, and those which dare shamelessly presume anything, be utterly rooted out. And contrariwise, let there be space in especially for such as be very zealous of the truth.
Let not these be only conversant there before thee, but cause them to feed thy blessed people with a singular faith and innocence, and minister all things diligently unto them, which be necessary toward salvation. Remove far from thence, far from them (O excellent father) be all man's invention and deceitful idolatry, so that finally all Godliness may be utterly rooted up from the Congregation of the faithful, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 102: IN THE TRIAL OF FAITH
AND AFFLICTION OF THE CHURCH
(Prayer 1) We are of our own selves altogether unworthy (O most mighty God) that thou shouldest give ear unto our prayers, seeing we have everywhere transgressed thy sacred law and blessed commandments, and lived exceeding dishonestly towards thy holy Gospel, and our vocation. Howbeit, hide thou not away thy face (for thy infinite mercies sake) from our humble petitions and earnest supplications. For we are grievously assailed and sore oppressed with most great perils. And therefore bow down thy favorable ear unto us, and grant them with speed their desires which invocate and call upon thee. First we require to be delivered from our heinous sins and lewd corruptions, and let our weak and feeble hearts be strengthened in thy blessed way, and the withered powers of our mind (which are dried up) watered with the holy Ghost, that we may live unto thee, who (being altogether repaired and wholly renewed) may cause thy glorious name and sacred Gospel to be well spoken of. This once done, extend thy
invincible power and might upon such as raise up innumerable slanders and reproaches upon the name of thy Son and his holy doctrine. Have mercy out of hand (we humbly beseech thee) of Zion, that is to say, thy blessed Church, for the time is now come that she standeth in great need of thy ready help. Look out, we heartily pray thee, from thy high dwelling place, behold our grievous calamities, and hear their pitiful cries which are in great bonds, much beaten, and grievously tormented to death diverse manner of ways for thy glorious names sake, by preserving thy chosen sheep out of so great dangers, whom the Antichristians do adjudge not only to death, but also to utter destruction, that thy adopted children may one time or other lead a peaceable and quiet life before thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) The whole company of thy faithful people (O most good and merciful God) do lamentably require thy favorable help, which is cruelly oppressed through the tyranny of sin, and the sacred sap of godliness almost dried up in the same, for her mouth is in a manner so stopped up that she cannot sing thy worthy praises, and there remaineth not well near any member in her body that may execute his office in helping one another. Thou therefore which always flourishes fresher and fresher, rise up to be our speedy helper, because we have now thought it high time for thee to assist thy blessed Church so grievously afflicted: which thing if thou wilt grant us, we doubt not but the fear of thy glorious name and sincere godliness shall be spread very far abroad. For if thou wilt deliver thy faithful people from so great and mischievous dangers, thou shalt teach thereby that thy loving promise remaineth always firm and unimpaired: in such wise, that although the heaven and earth be troubled with wonderful interchanges, and be so shaken as they perish, yet doth the same continue always one towards thy elect servants, whereby, we heartily beseech thee, to be both preserved, and also set in good estate again, not according to our own strength and deserts, but through his mercy and gentleness effectually working the same, by Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.