Godly Prayers Compiled Out of David's Psalms

Most Godly prayers compiled out of David's Psalms by D. Peter Martyr. Translated out of Latin into English by Charles Gremhan. G. Seen and allowed according to the order appointed. Imprinted at London by William Seres. 1569. Cum priuilegio. woodcut title page incorporating printer's device of William Seres, similar to those in McKerrow 139 and 148 To the Reader. Correct your Book in the arguments of the.14. and 15. prayer as follows. Prayer.14. The argument thereunto set, belongs unto the.15. Prayer the.14. His proper argument: A prayer for the grace of Christ against original sin. Josias Simler sends hearty greeting to the right worshipful and his singular good friend Doctor Herman Folkersheimer Friselander. WHen as the last year (most courteous Herman) I perused the writings of the exceeding godly and notable learned man Peter Martyr my scholemaster, and had gathered together out of his library every small pamphelet noted with his own hand, I lighted by chance upon certain papers cast a side and laid apart, wherein were diverse holy prayers of his own hand writing. And when I had perused these diligently over, I thought it meet to put them forth in print: for although I certainlye knew he did not make them to that intent, yet nevertheless there be diverse causes which move me to go on with my former determination. The first is, that when the counsel of Trent began, there rose up both grievous and deadly war in Germany for Religion, at which time Martyr finished these prayers which he openly used in the Schools at Strasborow at the end of his lectures, and are now very convenient to be set forth in these days, wherein it behooves us to make fervent prayers unto almighty God, that the like to the Counsel of Trent being now ended be not kindled again. Moreover the prayers contained in this small book, are both plain, and do very little disagree from the words of the Psalms, which I account to be highly esteemed amongst prayers. For diverse arguments of many Psalms are briefly and evidently expounded in these prayers, and a number of dark and hard places made plain with a notable Paraphrase. Wherefore I doubt not but that such as be desirous to read this short little book, shall reap far greater commodity thereby then many would suppose. Now have I dedicated this small book unto thee (my dear Herman) that thou may have both our Martyrs token of remembrance and mine also. For seeing that thou did honor and reverence Doctor Martyr (so long as he lived) like a father: and moreover louedst me so excedingly hitherto, as I may rightfully place thee in the number of my dearest friends: I verilye think that thou vvilt take this book in right good vvorth, (although it be of a very small volume) which I send unto thee being vvritte^ in both our names. For so often as you shall look in this book (which of your godly disposition you vvil do very often) so many times shall you call to mind the remembrance of your old friends, not altogether to thee unpleasant (as I hope.) Neither can the death of Doctor Martyr cause us to be any thing forgetful of him: nor yet the distance of place be any breach of our unfeigned good will so long as we have life, that we should retain any whit less the friendship heretofore begun with letters and a friendly recordation of old acquaintance.

Fare well at Zurike the xx. day of June in the year of our Lord 1564. Holy Prayers collected out of David's Psalms, by Docter Peter Martyr. A prayer out of the first Psalm. O Most good and most mighty God save and keep us (we pray thee) first from the persuasion of all wicked counsayles, A prayer for a christian life. next after this from all heinous and deadly crimes: suffer us not to fall into a wicked and vicious kind of life, and finally remove our minds far from the contempt of godliness and deryding of all manner of virtuous deeds: grant that in the stead of these most pestilent things, we may perpetually occupy our selves in thy law and in the holy Scriptures, so that we be not led about like the wicked with every blast of affections and doctrines, as small dust and empty chafe: but rather as trees planted by the rivers side, being endued with the life of the spirit and with faith, we may abundantly show forth the fruits of good works: and that whatsoever we go about, may have prosperous success: to the praise and glory of thy name, and the increase of our salvation: So that at the last, when in the trial of thy judgment, the wicked shall be cast down and brought to shame and utter confusion, we may by thy mercy both stand and be acquitted through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. An other prayer out of the same psalm. WE know evidently enough (O most mighty God) ye grievous calamities and miserable, do in this respect vex the Church, because we have often freque^ted the counsels of the wicked, which (being known of us) we ought forthwith to have eschewed: who have in like manner not declyned from ye way of naughty and malicious persons, but daily followed their lewd footesteps, through continual transgressions of thy blessed commandments: moreover, wholesome corrections and helthfull discipline have of long time been despised by us: and whatsoever was through thy sacred word offered unto us, we have frowardly enough, yea and impudently neglected it, and made a laughter thereat. Wherefore no marvel is it, if in steed of felicity and quiet peace, which we have hitherto (alas) too too long abused, we are now enforced to taste al heavy, sorrowful, yea, and most sore and bitter griefs. But now (O good God) by the acknowledging of these our wicked and lewd deserts, we humbly fly unto thee for succor, and with vehement and most fervent supplications, desire, yt the sins which we have so foolishly and wickedly committed, thou will favorably pardon and forgive. We heartily pray thee yt thou would make our minds most studious of thy sacred law, so as we may day and night meditate in our hearts none other thing then ye words of the holy scriptures. For so through assured confidence in thy blessed word, we shall bring forth seasonable and pleasant fruits: neither shall the ornaments of ye holy ghost be quite taken from us: yea happy successes will always ensue of our works, although at this present, through ye just desert of our heinous sins, we are like to dust or chafe toste up and down with the blastes of tempestious afflictions. Grant yet at ye least way (O most merciful father) that our life may not come to an evil end, as wicked men's does. But that thou will defend ye cause of the righteous with an exceeding great care and mighty protection, so as in the judgment and fellowship of the just, we may stand, and not be brought to confusion: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.