Psalm 112: That the Godly May Be Blessed
out but for a singular delight they take in them. Neither doubt we but that thou wilt yet do such things for our preservation, as shall be worthy to be registered in perpetual memory: for we are nothing mistrustful that thou canst be at any time forgetful of thy holy covenant which thou hast vouchsafed more than once to enter into with thy faithful servants. We right well perceive, and the Scripture doth everywhere put us in remembrance, how thou hast always stood most constantly to thy blessed covenants. For thou hast not only brought our Fathers out of Egypt, but of thy wonderful clemency fed them in the desert, who didst (according to thy faithful promise) place those thy people in the land of Canaan: our earnest request and humble desire is therefore, O excellent father, that thou wouldst extend thy mercy and truth no less towards us. For performance whereof send out thy most puissant force of thy blessed word, whereby the true honoring of thy holy name in thy sacred Church may be set free from errors and darkness, so that we may at length luckily attain to the true worshipping of thee, which is the original and pillar of all wisdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 112: THAT THE GODLY MAY BE BLESSED
(Prayer 1) Forsomuch as we have not yielded such honor unto thee (O most excellent father) as was our right bounden duty, neither have been obedient to thy blessed commandments as we ought, therefore are these troublesome and difficult times now come upon us. For those which duly obey, faithfully love, and truly worship thee according to thy prescript word, do not wallow in darkness, but are strengthened in righteousness, and order all their doings with an upright judgment. Let thy unspeakable mercy therefore, O most mighty God, amend that in us which hath (through our lewd default) been greatly appared.
First vouchsafe to give thy benign consent unto this, that we swerve hereafter nothing at all from the perfect way which thou hast set forth unto us: then, so strengthen our minds and hearts, that we be not more afraid of imminent mischief then need is, but undershore thou the weakness of our feeble mind, and grant that we may repose our whole trust in thee only. Cause the horn of thy
people to be exalted and lifted up in this so sharp and perilous a battle. Thou seest how greatly our wicked and ungodly enemies do fret at us, for if they were of ability, they would not only destroy us and all that we have, but also utterly race and abolish out of the Church the pure worshipping of thee, all perfect Godliness, and true religion: who gnash the teeth of their cruelty, and with most forceable weapons they rage without mercy. Beat thou down therefore and make frustrate their devilish enterprises with thy excellent might and invincible power, so that they may fade away as void of their fond practices, and all their most detestable imaginations utterly perish, to the glory and praise of thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) The due fear of thee (O most mighty God) that is to say, reverent godliness, causeth men to be right blessed, who care for none other thing then how they may most readily obey thy blessed will. Therefore are we moved lamentably to require thy loving mercy, whereby thou mightest renew thy holy
Church being in a manner come to utter ruin: for otherwise shall not her or rather thy posterity or offspring be at any time either famous or mighty, for the abundance of spiritual gifts is to be looked for from none other place, neither will light burst out by any other means in the middle darkness of errors and wickedness. Moreover, if godliness (according to our earnest petition) may revive in her, the perfect office of charity towards our neighbor shall not be wanting, but every man will pleasure his brethren so much as in him lieth, ordering his doings not rashly or by chance, but with a spiritual and ghostly judgment. Wherefore we earnestly desire thee to establish us quickly in thy confidence, from the which, let not (either tempestuous storms and grievous adversities, or the delight of fortunate things) in any wise withdraw us, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
(Prayer 3) Like as they which endeavor themselves to the uttermost of their powers for to follow true godliness and the observation of thy holy commandments (O merciful God) do lead a right happy and blessed life: even so do we right well perceive that it was very agreeable to thy incomparable justice, that we should be presently tormented with these troublesome times, who have coldly