Psalm 111: That God's Wonderful Works May be Made Manifest
brought thereto by compulsion, but of a willing heart, and such as will think it a goodly matter to spend not only all their goods, but even their life also for the defense of thy sacred truth. Seeing that thou (O excellent father) hast promised with an assured oath to perform these things in very deed, we do challenge thee at this time upon thy faithfulness to accomplish them with so much speed as possible may be: pronounce sentence (I heartily pray thee) with thy sacred
Church, which the prince of darkness hath of such long time and so sharply assailed. Tear in pieces the devils cursed engines, and mad outrage wherewith the infernal powers keepeth her besieged, so that one time or other Christ may put up his bright head amongst us, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the holy Ghost evermore world without end. Amen.
PSALM 111: THAT GOD'S WONDERFUL
WORKS MAY BE MADE MANIFEST
(Prayer 1) All thy works, O most mighty God, are very great and wonderful, which (if we did devoutly and with much fervency search out) we should find nothing in them that should not greatly satisfy our desires. But (alas for sorrow) seeing that we are so much burdened with a corrupt life and an innumerable multitude of sins, we are not able purely and with singleness of heart, to behold the magnificence and uprightness that thou usest in thy marvelous works. Yet notwithstanding by calling to remembrance the unspeakable benefits which thou hast bestowed upon us and our fathers, we cannot but say that thou art loving and merciful unto us. Abolish not thou therefore (who never hast forsaken thy faithful servants, by nourishing and giving them the promised heritage of the Gentiles) the holy covenant which thou madest with them, neither be forgetful of us, for thy infinite mercies sake, but show forth thyself an earnest lover of judgment and verity, by manifesting the equity, justice, and uprightness of thy blessed will. The cause why our fierce enemies do so assail us, is not unbeknown to thee, but thou understandest right well the cruel malice and mischievous hatred they have borne to sincere godliness, true religion, and pure invocation of
thy blessed name: who cannot abide that the Gospel should flourish in our Churches, for which cause they are so earnestly bent to swallow us up. Send thou therefore redemption unto thy faithful people: and let the blessed covenant which thou haste made with thy sacred Church, be inviolable and everlasting, in respect whereof (we humbly beseech thee) mightily to deliver us, so that all men may right well perceive thy infinite goodness, and greatly fear and stand much in awe of thy divine Majesty: but cause us always to celebrate thy most worthy praises, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) If we did diligently peruse and seek out the things which thou (O almighty God) hast created, we should even with all our heart be enforced to acknowledge the equity and uprightness of them: forsomuch as we see nothing amongst all thy creatures but is wonderful notable, and most excellent. Moreover the famous tokens of thy inestimable goodness which thou dost for men, are of everlasting memorial, and ought at no time to be forgotten. Thy faithful servants have hitherto never lacked or been destitute of thy ready help, who hast very carefully thought always of the covenant thou madest with them. For thou givest us abundantly all manner of things which are for the health of the body, thou adornest them with an exceeding great heritage, and dost furnish them with doctrine and most wholesome precepts: adding moreover hereunto the wonderful promises annexed to a marvelous steadfast verity, and finally hast been accustomed to deliver then from sorrowful bondage and grievous oppression. We that believe assuredly these things, do now with much humility, present ourselves before thy gracious presence, requiring thee to remit the most grievous sins wherewith we have offended thee, and to deliver us from imminent perils, so that we
(being void of fearfulness and free from wicked persons) shall by that means have the fear of thee (which is the beginning of wisdom) and the true understanding of thy blessed law, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 3) We ought to pour out (both openly and in private places) no feigned praises before thee (O most good and merciful God) but such as proceed from the bottom of the heart: for thy notable facts whereby thou hast linked us unto thee, are so to be marveled at of all men, as the Godly do not search those