Psalm 109: Of the Godly for the Enemies of the Gospel
man's help is of none effect. Be thou therefore present with us, and grant that we may behave ourselves both boldly and with great constancy in the behalf of thy glorious name and of thy holy Gospel, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Whilst we call to our remembrance and think upon the riches (O most good and merciful God) of thy loving promises, we are wonderfully stirred up to celebrate thy name with singular praises, which then augmenteth a more vehement desire, when we find by experience that thou dost very faithfully perform whatsoever thou hast promised to bestow upon us. Thou verily hast given us hitherto many things, and that truly without our deserts, yet there be many remaining, which we earnestly require may very speedily be accomplished. Thou hast begun to deliver us from the hands of our cruel enemies, and let this lucky beginning proceed to a further success: we be now so far forth exempted from sin, that (so long as we truly believe in thee) they shall not be imputed to us unto death. But yet for all that are we hitherto still oppressed with them: let us therefore by thy high and mighty power, shake of their yoke daily more and more.
Forsomuch as thou art the first founder of thy sons Kingdom (who is the true David) have a regard therefore, (we humbly beseech thee) to set forth and make famous the light thereof amongst all Nations, and that he may purely and with great devotion be honored and called upon by us in especial, whereby thy sacred
Church may do things nobly for the advancement of thy glory, and not be plucked back by the enemies of ungodliness from the right path of perfect religion, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 109: OF THE GODLY FOR
THE ENEMIES OF THE GOSPEL
(Prayer 1) We acknowledge and confess that thou alone (O most mighty God) dost give us all things which we possess: under whose government and religion we accompt it a marvelous felicity to lead our life, neither have we any other thing so dear and precious unto us, as to continue in the praise and commendation of thy glorious name. Dissemble not at this time nor keep silence
against the wicked persons and guileful enemies of thy holy Church, who do not only rise up against thee with forged tales and blasphemies, but also make war against us with a most furious hatred and outrageous cruelty, being utterly forgetful of all humanity and godliness. But thou (O good God) right well knowest how peaceably we have been hitherto towards them, and have heartily loved those men, and earnestly prayed for them both publicly and privately, who now recompense us with extreme afflictions and grievous calamities for our good turns extended towards them. Wherefore be thou stirred up against them (O heavenly father) let their cursings and blasphemies which they have continually in their mouth return upon them, overtake, and sore oppress them, having a just reward for their hatred and injuries, which they extend chiefly both towards thee and also towards us that be thy faithful people. But deal not with us (O most merciful father) according to the worthiness of our iniquities, who have in such wise sinned, and behaved ourselves so wickedly in thy sight, as there are no punishments (though they be never so grievous) but that we have deserved then. Yet have thou not a regard unto us, but to the glory of thy own name: preserve and succor us, for thy infinite goodness sake, when we be grievously afflicted and utterly destitute of all succor: let the Antichristians be put to rebuke and clothed with shame, and cause revilings to be a daily cloak to cover them withal. But be thou always ready to assist us with thy ready help, save the souls of thy faithful servants which depend wholly upon thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Seeing therefore thou art the same God (O heavenly father) which we make a vaunt that thou art, Neither be thou silent or at rest in so great oppressions of thy sacred Church, when as none other things are everywhere heard, than mere blasphemies against thee, against thy pure doctrine, and against thy blessed people, yea and that chiefly of such, for whose preservation she hath always prayed heartily to thee. Thou knowest right well how we have continually wished that peace and all good things might happen unto our chiefest adversaries, who notwithstanding are now most impudently puffed up, forsomuch as they verily think that they have espied a convenient time to overthrow thy blessed heritage. Wherefore, they surely do right well deserve that thou shouldest pay
them the hire of their lewd behaviors, and all those things which we have now heard thy holy spirit to threaten against obstinate and incurable sinners. But our conscience doth accuse us that we have behaved ourselves most unworthy of thee and thy sacred doctrine, who first confess our sins to be exceeding grievous, and secondly do earnestly desire thee (for thy infinite mercies sake) to forgive us the same: and finally that thou wilt succor thy afflicted people, to the intent we may both confess thee, and also celebrate thy glorious name in holy and great congregations, because thou hast set thyself as a ready defender at the right hand of the poor, and of such as are very like to be overthrown, and hast preserved their life and religion from the force and madness of Antichrist, who now seemeth to presume and take upon him to do what he listeth against them, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 3) O most good and merciful God, who of all the praises wherewith the Church magnifieth thee, art the rightful and rich ground and matter, it is not hidden from thy divine Majesty, what the subtle and deceitful sort do daily practice against the same. She of her gentleness loveth them with a motherly affection, and with prayers both most fervent, and also most often, doth make supplication to thee for their welfare. Notwithstanding, seeing that they do not amend, but are more stubbornly boldened in their naughtiness (we humbly beseech thee) at length to assuage and repress their furious rage, and appoint some mean and end for thy servants' afflictions. Thou seest how all things are now in a manner brought to extreme weakness, so that there is almost nothing in thy worshipping, but is shamefully defiled and very lewdly corrupted. Make haste therefore to be our ready helper, to the intent it may be perfectly known that thou wantest neither strength nor wisdom to succor those that be thine, which shall be marvelous convenient for the declaring and publishing of thy blessed name and most worthy praises: wherefore, seeing that there is now great scarcity of good and spiritual stuff in thy blessed Church, remedy thou the same with the most plentiful treasures of thy bright light, pure doctrine, benign graces, and unspeakable benefits, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.