A translation by
Charles Glemhan of the Josias Simmler [153-1576] edition of Preces sacrae
ex psalmis Davidis deumptae, by Pietro Martire Vermiglio [1499-1562]. Imprinted
at London: By William Seres, 1569.
[STC 2: 24671]
We lamentablye wyth heartye prayer call upon thy loving mercie (O moste good and gracious God) that we maye be clensed, washed and pourged from our heinous iniquities, and exceeding detestable and mischievous deedes: who do acknowledge and confesse how lewdly we have hitherto behaved our selves, but our grievous sinnes shall never be of such force, as to make thee unjust, or false of thy excellent promise: // we truely doe right well understand that our defects are not such, as thou shouldest vouchsafe to make most large and notable promises unto us, but stand nowe in great neede of thy unspeakable faythfulnesse and constancie to helpe us. Thou seest that we were brought forth into this worlde corrupted and defiled even from our mothers wombe, and were before conceyved in the same iniquities also: purifie therefore our mindes, and garnish them with such a passing whitenesse as seemeth acceptable unto thee. Create in us a pure heart, a right, holy, and serviceable spirit, that we be not caast of from thee as moste wicked persons, but may recover the true joyes and perfect consolation. If thou wilt deliver us from those deadly sinnes which accuse us as gyltie of eternal death, our lippes shall merily and with right great joy shew forth thy worthie prayse. Graunt (we heartily beseech thee) that we may approche unto thy divine Majestie with a troubled spirite, and an humble and contrite heart, as an offering wherein thou chiefly delightest: then shall our present calamities be mollefied, and then also shall we not celebrate thy prayses unthankefully: manifest thy loving kindnesse unto Sion, thy beloved church: for thou right well perceyvest the manifold perils it is subject unto, and that she is grievously assaulted both without and within. We hartily require thee to deliver hir not onely from outward enimies, but also reforme the same, and set it in good state, to the intent she may not seeme altogither unworthie such an husband as thou art, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.