Most godly prayers compiled out of Dauids Psalmes by D. Peter Martyr. Translated out of Latine into English by Charles Glemhan. G. Seene and allowed according to the order appointed.

¶ A prayer out of the .xliiij. Psalme.

THou hast of thy singuler goodnesse (O most mightie God) chosen thée a Church out of many nations, planted with thy puyssaunt hand, and not by mans force, which beyng (tho∣rowe thy singuler fauour and blessed spi∣rite) clensed and pourged from hir heinous sinnes, hath hitherto escaped the mischie∣uous assaultes of the cruell deuill, through thy mightie ayde and strong defence: thou hast alwayes preserued it from hir outra∣gious aduersaryes, and put them to vtter shame & endlesse rebuke which bore dead∣ly hate thereto. We ought therefore to haue reioysed in the alone, and highly to extoll thy blessed name onely: but alas for sorowe, we haue beene most vngratefull

for all these excellent benefites, in flesh and mans power hath bene our onely affiance, for we (through our most wicked life and vngodly behauiour) haue brought thy bles∣sed doctrine which we professe, to great in∣famie and reproche. Thou therefore doest cast vs down presently, and heapest shame vpon vs: we are now in a maner become a praye vnto Antechrist, and a mocking stocke vnto our neighbours. Thy sacred Gospell (O good God) is at this present a bye worde vnto the Infidels, a scorne vnto the people, and a Mayegame vnto euerye rascall: we acknowledge that all these thinges haue happened vnto vs by reason of our mischieuous sinnes, and that right worthelye. But (O excellent Father) reconcile vs againe vnto thée (according to thy mercifull goodnesse) and vouchsafe to pardon whatsoeuer we haue very lewd∣lye and foolishlye committed agaynst thy diuine Maiestie, and graunt also that we be not any thing at all forgetfull of thée, neither be found false harted, or vnfaythful in thy holy couenant. Let not our minde at any tyme start and shrinke aside from thy blessed footesteppes, although we should be

worne to the vttermost, and compassed a∣bout on euerie side with the shadowe of death. Let vs neuer so ouershoote our sel∣ues, (no though we be appoynted as shéepe to the slaughter) as to be forgetfull of thy glorious name, and to haue recourse vnto detestable worshipings. Awake (we hum∣bly beséech thée (O good God) neither slum∣ber nor sléepe thou any more. Let not thy face be hidden from our gréeuous afflicti∣ons: arise and mightily preserue them that are throwne downe, and brought verye low, whome we doubt not but thou of thy vnspeakeable mercy hast chosen vnto thy selfe, through Iesus Christ our lord. Amen.

Notes

• prayer in ••secution, ••el against ••porall eni∣••es as spi∣••all.