The Prayer collected out of the 31. Psalm.
O Merciful Father, who art wont to take pity on those who are distressed, have mercy on me a poor wretch, [Vers. 9] who am in trouble and great misery: So many and so great are the sorrows of my heart, that my eye is grown dim, and consumed with grief, my soul pines away, and the activest parts of my whole body are dryed up, and become unserviceable. The best part of my life is spent in heaviness, [Vers. 10] and my years are unpleasant for mourning, my ini∣quity and transgression against thée is so great, that when I sadly think there∣upon, my vital spirits and strength fails me, and the solidity and firmness of my bones is wasted with a consumption.
Yea, though my affliction be so great and urgent, yet among men I found not any to comfort me. [ 11] To my enemies I am become a proverb of reproach, and to the many a scorn and derision, they load me so thick with slanderous reports, that fear is on every side, they take counsel together to take away my life. [ 13]
But these were enemies, and I expected no other from them, that which most déeply pierceth my heart, [ 11] is, that all my friends should become misera∣ble comforters; these, even these when they saw me destitute of thy help, have forsaken me, conveyed themselves away, and fled from me; there's not a Neighbour that doth not scorn me, not any of my acquaintance who is not afraid to own me: I am forgotten as a dead man, of whom, being laid in the grave, [ 12] there is no remembrance, I am of no more accompt than a bro∣ken vessel, of which there is no estéem, because of no use, but is cast to the Dunghill.
Yet though I am brought to this pitiful condition. I do not despair, in thee, [ 1.14.] O Lord, I do put my trust. I have said, Thou art my God. Suffer me not Page 79to be ashamed of my hope and expectation; [Vers. 2] Bow down thine ear to my com∣plaint, and deliver me for thy righteousness sake, [ 16] save me speedily from the hands of my enemies, and from them that persecute me. Make thy gracious countenance to shine upon thy servant, and save me for thy meer Mercy. It is only to thy hands, to thy power and care, I commend my spirit and life, which they go about to take from me. This, at other times, [Vers. 5] thou hast re∣deem'd from their fury, be then a good God now unto me, and trus in thy promises, and deliver me now. [ 4] [ 2] They have laid a net and snare to take me at unawares, but do thou pull me out of it. Be my house and defence to save me, [ 3] my strength to confirm me, my Rock to uphold me, [ 15] my light to lead and guide me. They lie in wait for my blood, but my time is in thy hand, who art the Lord of life and death, thou givest, thou takest away, O then shut me not up in the hand of the enemy, set my feet in a large room, and let me enjoy my liberty.
O how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee? [ 19] It passeth mans understanding to conceive, and the eye of humane reason sées it not, which judgeth of all things by the present success: This thou hast re∣serv'd in secret for those which serve thée with a sincere heart, and in thy good time, thou by great works, which thou wilt do for those who trust in thee, wilt manifest it, even before the sons of men.
The pride of man is great, [ 20] and in their pride they attempt to throw down those who in sincerity worship thée, their tongues are sharp and contentious, and in their malice they invent many lyes and scandals against them, but thou O Lord, wilt hide those thou lovest in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man, and wilt keep them secretly, as in a Pavilion, from the strife of tongues.
And yet I pressed with the consideration of many evils, [ 22] in which I thought my self forsaken, said rashly in my hast, Surely I am cut off from before thine eyes, thou wilt never certainly cast any favourable look toward me. Such was my infirmity, so great my inconsideration. But thy mercy passed by even then my weakness, and setled my staggering soul. Notwithstanding my imperfections, thou heardst the voice of my Supplications, when I cryed un∣to thee.
Hear me then now, O Lord, consider my troubles, [ 7] know that my soul is in adversity, have mercy upon me, for I call unto thée for help, and let me not be ashamed. But as for the wicked, let them be put to confusion, [ 17] and let them be cut off for the grave, that they be able to do no more mischief. [ 18] Let those that invent and speak lyes be put to silence, that with pride, disdain, [ 18] and cruelty speak against the righteous.
Blessed be the Lord, and praised be his name, [ 21] who hath not only delive∣red me out of danger, but hath shewed unto me, in a superabundant manner, his marvellous great kindness, and loaded me with happiness, glory, and super∣fluity of all things, yea and set me in a safe and defenced place.
O lov• ye the Lord, all ye his Saints, all ye that serve the Lord in holiness, [ 23] murmure not against his providence, but when ye sée me a man destitute of all humane help, delivered, hope for the same favour from his hands, be of good courage, and strengthen your hearts.
O Lord, preserve the faithful, and though the wicked flourish, and pride it in their success, yet look upon our affliction, and plentifully reward the proud doer. As for those, who with an honest heart serve thée, give them constancy and perseverance in thy love, fear, and Truth, and let their hope in thée be well rooted and confirmed through the Son of thy love, Iesus Christ our only Lord and Saviour. Amen.
