-jUi-
/ yv' i
Library of
Emory University
.
MAR 17
THE
SUNDAY SERVICE
OF THE
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
SOUTH.
EDITED BY T, 0. SUMMERS, D.D.
TSTasfybtlle, Cettn.:
PUBLISHED BY A. H. BEDFORD,
FOR THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH.
1867.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867,
By A. H. REDFORD,
in the office of the Clerk of the District Court for the Middle District
of Tennessee.
PREFACE.
This edition of the Sunday Service is published by
order of the G-eneral Conference of the Methodist Episco¬
pal Church, South, at its session in New Orleans, May 2,
1866. It is a reprint of the second edition of the Prayer-
book, printed on Mr. Wesley's press, in 1786—except in
the following particulars : The Psalms (c., xcviii., lxvii.)
and Benediction are taken from the authorized version of
the English Bible, as being preferable to the old version:
they are printed without abridgment and without the
Gloria Patri. The Epistles and Gospels are also printed
according to the authorized version, from which in several
instances—perhaps for the better—Mr. Wesley's book
varies.
For the sake of uniformity, the recension of the Lord's
Prayer in the Discipline and Catechisms has been
adopted.
The clause in the Creed, " He descended into hell" has
been removed, as it was omitted in the Creed in the
Office of Baptism, in the Prayer-book of 1786, and has
not since been inserted in that place, or in the Creed as
contained in the various Catechisms of our Communion,
as it was not in the original Creeds of the Greek and
Latin Churches; and the Third Article of the Anglican
Confession, which asserts it, was omitted by Mr. Wesley
when he abridged the Thirty-nine Articles for insertion
4
PREFACE.
in the Prayer-book—it being equivocal in its import,
some interpreting it of the -wrath of God, due for sin,
which Christ bore in his soul; some, of the place of tor¬
ment; some, of a fabulous place called Limbus Palrum;
some, of paradise, the place of disembodied saints; some,
of the state of the dead; and others, of the grave.
The clause, " holy Catholic Church," being retained in
the Creed as found in the Catechisms, but exchanged for
" the Church of God" in the Office of Baptism, is retained,
with a rubric allowing the use of the latter.
In the Prayer for all " Conditions of Men," the word
" Catholic" is exchanged for " universal," as in the
Litany.
In the Prayers for Rulers, some necessary changes have
been made, which need not be specified in this place; and
in a few instances the language has been modernized,
e. g., " prosperity " and " fear " have been substituted for
"wealth" and "dread," to avoid ambiguity.
A Table of Psalms for every Day in the Calendar
would have been inserted with the other Tables, had it
not been rendered impracticable by Mr. Wesley's omis¬
sions not only of whole Psalms, but, iu many cases, single
verses; and it was thought inexpedient to reprint the
Psalter, as it is in the old and inferior translation, and
would unduly swell the work—not to say, that it is
divided into portions for a Daily, not a Sunday Service.
This part of the Service is therefore left to the discretion
of the Minister.
Great attention has been given to the punctuation,
which is very defective in Mr. Wesley's and many other
editions of the Liturgy.
The alterations and omissions have been made with
the sanction of the Bishops—the General Conference
having given no instructions in the premises Bishop
McTyeire, in particular, being present, has favored the
editor with his valuable counsels and approbation.
It would be improper to issue this edition of the Prayer-
PREFACE.
5
book without inserting Mr. Wesley's original Preface—
which is as follows :
" I believe there is no Liturgy in the world, either in
ancient or modern language, which breathes more of a
solid, scriptural, rational piety, than the Common-Prayer
of the Church of England. And though the main of it
was compiled considerably more than two hundred years
ago, yet is the language of it, not only pure, but strong
and elegant in the highest degree.
" Little alteration is made in the following edition of it,
(which I recommend to our Societies in America) ex¬
cept in the following instances :
" 1. Most of the holy-days (so-called) are omitted, as at
present answering no valuable end.
"2. The service of the Lord's Day, the length of
which has been often complained of, is considerably
shortened.
" 3. Some sentences in the offices of Baptism, and for
the Burial of the Dead, are omitted—And,
" 4. Many Psalms left out, and many parts of the
others, as being highly improper for the mouths of
a Christian congregation.
" John Wesley.
"Bristol, Sept. 9, 1784."
It will be seen that this abridgment of the English
Liturgy was made by Mr. Wesley for the " Societies in
America," before the Methodist Episcopal Church was
organized by his authority in December, 1784.
The Sunday Service is reprinted for " any congrega¬
tion that may choose to use it;" but is not, like the
Ordination, Sacramental, Marriage, and Burial Services,
(which were at first bound up with the former,) made
obligatory.
Thos. 0. Summers.
Publishing House of the M. E. Church, South,
February 13, 1867.
PROPER LESSONS
lo be read at Morning and Evening Prayer, on the
Sundays throughout the Year.
Sundays in Advent.
The first
2
3
4
Sundays after Christmas.
The first
2
3 ■
4 ■
5 •
6
7 ■
8 ■
9 .
10 .
11
12
13
14
15
Sunday before Easter.
1 Lesson.
2 Lesson.
Easter-Day.
1 Lesson.
2 Lesson.
Sundays after Easter.
The first
2 —
3
Sunday after Ascension-
Day.
Whitsunday.
1 Lesson.
2 Lesson.
Trinity Sunday.
1 Lesson.
2 Lesson.
Sund. aft. Trin. Sund.
The first
Morning.
Isaiah
Genesis
Exodus
Matt.
Exodus
Rom.
Num.
Deut.
1
5
25
30
37
41
44
51
'55
57
59
65
1
3
7
30
24
39
43
9
26
12
6
16
23 & 24
4
6
19 to v.
12
16 to v. 18
Acts 10 ver. 34
Genesis 1
Matt. 3
Joshua
Judges
1 Samuel
10
4
2
12
15
Evening.
Isaiah
2
24
26
32
38
43
46
53
56
58
64
66
2
6
18
22
37
42
44 & 45
Exodus 10
Heb. 5 to v. 11
Exodus 14
Acts 2. v. 22
Genesis
Num.
Deut.
22
25
5
7
9
13
Isaiah 11
Acts 19 to v. 21
(Genesis
1 John
Joshua
Judges
1 Samuel
18
5
23
5
3
13
17
PROPER LESSONS FOR SUNDAYS.
Sund. aft. Trin. Sund.
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
Morning.
2 Samuel 12
. 21
1 Kings 13
18
21
2 Kings 5
10
19
Jeremiah 5
35
Ezekiel 2
14
20
Daniel 3
Joel 2
Habakkuk 2
Proverbs 2
11
13
15
17
Evening.
2 Samuel 19
21
1 Kings 17
19
22
2 Kings 9
18
23
Jeremiah 22
36
Ezekiel 13
18
24
Daniel 6
Micah 6
Proverbs 1
3
12
14
16
19
N. B. Let the Second Lesson in the Morning he a Chapter
out of the Four Gospels, or the Acts of the Apostles; and
the Second Lesson in the Evening he a Chapter out of the
Epistles in regular rotation, excepting where it is other¬
wise provided.
PROPER LESSONS FOR PARTICULAR DAYS.
Nativity of Christ.
1 Lesson.
2 Lesson.
Good-Friday.
1 Lesson.
2 Lesson.
Ascension-Day.
1 Lesson.
2 Lesson.
Morning.
Isaiah 9 to v. 8
Luke 2 to v. 15
Gen. 22 to y. 20
John 18
Deut. 10
Luke 24, v. 44
Evening.
Isai. 7, y. 10 to 17
Tit. 3, v. 4 to 9
Isaiah 53
1 Peter 2
2 Kings 2
Eph. 4 to v. 17
PROPER PSALMS ON CERTAIN DAYS.
Christmas-Day.
Good-Friday.
Easter-Day.
Ascension-Day.
Whil-sunday.
Morning.
Psalm 19, 45, 85
Psalm 22, 40
Psalm 2, 57, 111
Psalm 8, 15
Psalm 48, 68
Evening.
Psalm 89
Psalm 69
Ps. 113, 114,118
Psalm 24, 47
Psalm 104, 145
THE ORDER FOR
MORNING PRAYER,
EVERY LORD'S DAY.
At the beginning of Morning Prayer, the Minister shall read with
a loud voice some one or more of these sentences of the Scrip¬
tures that follow ; and then he shall say that which is written
after the said sentences.
When the wicked man turneth away from his
wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth
that which is lawful and right, he shall save his
soul alive. Ezek. xviii. 27.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a
broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt
not despise. Psalm li. 17.
To the Lord our God belong mercies and for¬
givenesses, though we have rebelled against him;
neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our
God, to walk in his laws which he set before us.
Dan. ix. 9, 10.
I will arise, and go to my father, and will say
unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven
and before thee, and am no more worthy to be
called thy son. Luke xv. 18, 19.
Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O
Lord; for in thy sight shall no man living be
justified. Psalm cxliii. 2.
Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth
us, in sundry places, to acknowledge and confess
our manifold sins and wickedness, and that we
1 (9)
10
MORNING PRAYER.
should not dissemble or cloak tbem before the
face of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father; but
confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent,
and obedient heart; to the end that we may
obtain forgiveness of the same, by his infinite good¬
ness and mercy. Wherefore I pray and beseech
you, as many as are here present, to accorhpany
me with a pure heart and humble voice, unto the
throne of the heavenly grace, saying after me :
A general Confession, to be said by the -whole Congregation,
after the Minister, all kneeling.
Almighty and most merciful Father, We have
erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the devices and de¬
sires of our own hearts. We have offended
against thy holy laws. We have left undone those
things which we ought to have done; And we
have done those things which we ought not to
have done; And there is no health in us. But
thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable
offenders. Spare thou those, 0 God, who confess
their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent;
According to thy promises declared unto man¬
kind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O
most merciful' Father, for his sake, That we may
hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
To the glory of thy holy name. Amen.
Then the Minister shall say,
O Lord, we beseech thee, absolve thy people
from their offenses; that, through thy bountiful
goodness, we may be delivered from the bands of
those sins, which by our frailty we have committed.
Grant this, O Heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ's
sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour.
The People shall answer here, and at the end of all other Prayers,
Amen.
Then the Minister shall say the Lord's Prayer; the People also
repeating it with him, both here, and wheresoever else it is
used in Divine Service.
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be
MORNING PRAYER.
11
thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will he
done on earth, As it is in heaven; Give us this
day our daily bread; And forgive us our tres¬
passes, As we forgive those who trespass against
us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver
us from evil; For thine is the kingdom, and the
power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
Then likewise he shall say,
O Lord, open thou our lips.
Ans. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Mm. O God, make speed to save us.
Ans. 0 Lord make haste to help us.
Here all standing up, the Minister shall say,
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to
the Holy Ghost;
Ans. As it was in the beginning, is now, and
ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Min. Praise ye the Lord.
Ans. The Lord's name be praised.
Then shall follow the Psalms, at the discretion of the Minister.
Then shall be read distinctly, the First Lesson, taken out of the
Old Testament, as is appointed in the Table of Proper Lessons:
he that readeth, so standing, and turning himself, as he may
best be heard of all. And after that shall be said the follow¬
ing Hymn:
Te Deum Laudaynus.
"We praise thee, 0 God: we acknowledge thee
to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, the Father ever¬
lasting.
To thee all angels cry aloud: the heavens,
and all the powers therein.
To thee cherubim and seraphim continually
do cry,
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy
glory.
The glorious company of the apostles pr4*'"0
thee.
12
MORNING PRAYER.
The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise
thee.
The noble army of martyrs praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world
doth acknowledge thee:
The Father of an infinite majesty;
Thine honorable, true, and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.
Thou art the King of glory, O Christ;
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
"When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man,
thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
"When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of
death, thou didst open the kingdom of heaven
to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the
glory of the Father.
"We believe that thou shalt come to be our
Judge.
"We therefore pray thee, help thy servants, whom
thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy saints, in
glory everlasting.
0 Lord, save thy people, and bless thine heri¬
tage.
Govern them, and lift them up for ever.
Hay by day we magnify thee;
And we worship thy name ever, world without
end.
Vouchsafe, 0 Lord, to keep us this day without
sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us: have mercy upon
us.
0 Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us, as our
trust is in thee.
0 Lord, in thee have I trusted: let me never
be confounded.
MORNING PRAYER.
13
. Then shall be read in like manner the Second Lesson, taken
out of the New Testament. And after that, the following
Psalm:
Psalm C.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his
presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that
hath made us, and and not we ourselves; we are
his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and
into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him,
and bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations.
Then shall be said the Apostles' Creed by the Minister and the
People, standing.
[Instead of "holy catholic Church," the words "Church of
God" may be substituted.]
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker
of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of
the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, dead, and buried; The third day
he rose again from the dead; He ascended into
heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God,
the Father Almighty; From thence he shall
come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic
Church, The communion of saints; The for¬
giveness of sins; The resurrection of the body;
And the life everlasting. Amen.
And after that the Minister shall pronounce with a loud voice,
The Lord be with you ;
Ans. And with thy spirit.
Minister. Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Ans. Christ have mercy upon us.
Min. Lord, have mercy upon us.
14
MORNING-FETTER.
Then shall follow three Collects: the first of the Day, the second
for Peace; the third for Grace to live well; all devoutly kneel¬
ing.
The Second Collect, for Peace.
O God, who art the author of peace, and lover
of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our
eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom,
defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of
our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy
defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries,
through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Third Collect, for Grace.
0 Lord, our Heavenly Father, Almighty and
everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to
the beginning of this day, defend us in the same
with thy mighty power; and grant that this day
we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of
danger; but that all our doings may be ordered
by thy governance, to do always that which is
righteous in thy sight, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Then these prayers following are to be read.
A Prayer for the Rulers.
0 Lord, our Heavenly Father, high and mighty,
the Ruler of all that govern, who dost from thy
throne behold all the dwellers upon earth, most
heartily we beseech thee with thy favor to behold
the President of these Hnited States, the Con¬
gress, the General Assemblies, the Governors,
and all others in authority; and so replenish
them with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that
they may always incline to thy will, and walk
in thy way: endue them plenteously with heav¬
enly gifts; grant them in health and prosperity
long to live; strengthen them that they may
vanquish and overcome all the enemies of their
country; and finally, after this life, they may
MORNING PRAYER.
15
attain everlasting joy and felicity, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
A JPrayer for the Ministers of the Gospel.
Almighty and everlasting God, who alone
workest great marvels, send down upon all the
ministers of thy gospel the healthful Spirit of thy
grace; and, that they may truly please thee, pour
upon them the continual dew of thy blessing.
Grant this, 0 Lord, for the honor of our Advocate
and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Prayer for all Conditions of Men.
0 God, the Creator and Preserver of all man¬
kind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and
conditions of men, that thou wouldest he pleased
to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving
health unto all nations. More especially we pray
for the good estate of thy holy Church universal;
that it may he so guided and governed by thy good
Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves
Christians, may he led into the way of truth, and
hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of
peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we
commend to thy fatherly goodness, all those who
are any ways afflicted or distressed
in mind, body, or estate; [*especially * , This is to be
those for whom our prayers are de- the^rayJrs of
sired;] that it may please thee to the congregation,
comfort and relieve them accord¬
ing to their several necessities; giving them
patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue
out of all their afflictions; and this we beg for
Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
A General Thanksgiving.
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we thine
unworthy servants do give thee most humble
and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-
16
MORNING PRAYER.
kindness to ns and to all men;
[*particularly to those who desire now * . Tllis is to be
to offer up their praises and thanks- g^e ^VeYurn
givings for thy late mercies vouchsafed thanks.
unto them.'] We bless thee for our
creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this
life ; but above all, for thine inestimable love in
the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus
Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope
of glory. And we beseech thee, give us that due
sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be
unfeignedly thankful, and that we may show forth
thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walk¬
ing before thee in holiness and righteousness all
our days, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom
with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and
glory, world without end. Amen.
Almighty God, who hast given us grace, at this
time, with one accord to make our common sup¬
plications unto thee, and dost promise that when
two or three are gathered together in thy name,
thou wilt grant their requests, fulfill now, 0 Lord,
the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may
be most expedient for them; granting us in this
world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world
to come life everlasting. Amen.
2 Cor. xiii. 14.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the
love of God, and the communion of the Holy
Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
Here endeth the Order of Morning Prayer.
EVENING PRAYER.
17
THE ORDER FOR
EVENING PRAYER,
EVERY LORD'S PAY.
At the beginning of Evening Prayer, the Minister shall read
with a loud voice some one or more of these sentences of the
Scriptures that follow; and then he shall say that which is
written after the said sentences.
"When the wicked man turneth away from his
wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth
that which is lawful and right, he shall save his
soul alive. JEzek. xviii. 27.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a
broken and a contrite heart, 0 God, thou wilt
not despise. Psalm li. 17.
To the Lord our God belong mercies and for¬
givenesses, though we have rebelled against him ;
neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord
our God, to walk in his laws which he set before
ns. Dan. ix. 9, 10.
I will arise, and go to my father, and will say
unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven
and before thee, and am no more worthy to be
called thy son. Luke xv. 18, 19.
Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O
Lord; for in thy sight shall no man living be
justified. Psalm cxliii. 2.
Dearly beloved brethren,"the Scripture moveth
us, in sundry places, to acknowledge and confess
our manifold sins and wickedness ; and that we
should not dissemble or cloak .them before the
1*
18
EVENiNdrrmw.
face of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father;
but confess them with an humble, lowly, peni¬
tent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may
obtain forgiveness of the same, by his infinite
goodness and mercy. "Wherefore I pray and be¬
seech you, as many as are here present, to accom¬
pany me with a pure heart and humble voice,
unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying
after me:
A general Confession to be said by the whole Congregation, after
the Minister, all kneeling.
Almighty and most merciful Father, We have
erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the devices and
desires of our own hearts. We have offended
against thy holy laws. We have left undone
those things which we ought to have done; And
we have done those things which we ought not
to have done; And there is no health in us. But
thou, 0 Lord, have mercy upon us, .miserable
offenders. Spare thou those, 0 God, who confess
their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent;
According to thy promises declared unto mankind
in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most
merciful Father, for his sake, That we may here¬
after live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To
the glory of thy holy name. Amen.
Then the Minister shall say,
0 Lord, we beseech thee, absolve thy people
from their offenses; that, through thy bountiful
goodness, we may be delivered from the bands of
those sins, which by our frailty we have commit¬
ted. Grant this, O Heavenly Father, for Jesus
Christ's sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour.
Amen.
Then the Minister shall say the Lord's Prayer, the People also
repeating it with him.
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be
thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be
done on earth, As it is in heaven; Give us this
EVENING PRAYER.
19
day our daily bread; And forgive us our tres¬
passes, As we forgive tbose who trespass against
us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver
us from evil; For thine is the kingdom, and
the power, and the glory; for ever and ever.
Amen.
Then likewise he shall say,
0 Lord, open thou our lips.
Ans. And our mouth shall show forth thy
praise.
Min. 0 God, make speed to save us.
Ans. O Lord, make haste to help us.
Here all standing up, the Minister shall say,
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to
the Holy Ghost;
Ans. As it was in the beginning, is now, and
ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Mm. Praise ye the Lord.
Ans. The Lord's name be praised.
Then shall be said the Psalms, at the discretion of the Minister.
Then a Lesson out of the Old Testament, as is appointed; and
after that the following Psalm:
Psalm xcviii.
0 sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath
done marvelous things: his right hand, and his
holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
The Lord hath made known his salvation : his
righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight
of the heathen.
He hath remembered his mercy and his truth
toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the
earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the
earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing
praise.
Sing unto the Lord with the harp: with the
harp, and the voice of a psalm.
"With trumpets and sound of cornet make a
joyful noise before the Lord, the King.
20
EVENING PRAYER.
Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof; the
world, and they that dwell therein.
Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be
joyful together before the Lord; for he cometh
to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he
judge the world, and the people with equity.
Then a Lesson out of the New Testament, as is appointed; and
after that the following Psalm:
Psalm lxvii.
God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and
cause his face to shine upon us;
That thy way may be known upon earth, thy
saving health among all nations.
Let the people praise thee, 0 God: let all the
people praise thee.
0 let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for
thou shalt judge the people righteously, and gov¬
ern the nations upon earth.
Let the people praise thee, 0 God: let all the
people praise thee.
Then shall the earth bring forth her increase;
and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
God shall bless us, and all the ends of the
earth shall fear him.
Then shall be said the Apostles' Creed by the Minister and the
People, standing.
[Instead of "holy catholic Church," the words "Church of God"
may be substituted ]
1 believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker
of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord:
"Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; Born of
the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate;
"Was crucified, dead, and buried; The third day
he rose again from the dead; He ascended into
heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the
Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to
judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic
Church, The communion of saints; The for-
EVENING PRAYER.
21
giveness of sins; The resurrection of the body;
And the life everlasting. Amen.
Then shall the Minister pronounce 'with a loud voice,
The Lord be with you;
Ans. And with thy spirit.
Minister. Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Ans. Christ, have mercy upon us.
Min. Lord, have mercy upon us.
Then shall follow three Collects; the first of the Bay; the second
for Peace; the third for Aid against all Perils.
The Second Collect, for Peace.
O God, from whom all holy desires, all good
counsels, and all just works do proceed, give
unto thy servants that peace which the world
cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to
obey thy commandments, and also that by thee
we being defended from the fear of our enemies,
may pass our time in rest and quietness, through
the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
The Third Collect, for Aid against all Perils.
Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O
Lord, and by thy great mercy defend us from
all perils and dangers of this night, for the love
of thy only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Prayer for the Rulers.
O Lord our Heavenly Father, high and mighty,
the lluler of all that govern, who dost from thy
throne behold all the dwellers upon earth, most
heartily we beseech thee with thy favor to behold
the President of these United States, the Con¬
gress, the General Assemblies, the Governors,
and all others in authority; and so replenish
them with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that
they may always incline to thy will, and walk in
thy way: endue them plenteously with heavenly
gifts, grant them in health and prosperity long to
22
EVENING PRAYER.
live; strengthen them that they may vanquish
and overcome all the enemies of their country;
and finally, after this life, they may attain ever¬
lasting joy and-felicity, through Jesus Christ our
. Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for ike Ministers of the Gospel.
Almighty and everlasting God, who alone
workest great marvels, send down upon all the
ministers of thy gospel the healthful Spirit of thy
grace; and, that they may truly please thee, pour
upon them the continual dew of thy blessing.
• Grant this, 0 Lord, for the honor of our Advo¬
cate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Prayer for all Conditions of Men.
O God, the Creator and Preserver of all man¬
kind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and
conditions of men, that thou wouldest be pleased
to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving
health unto all nations. More especially we pray
for the good estate of thy holy Church universal;
that it may be so guided and governed by thy good
Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves
Christians, may be led into the way of truth, and
hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of
peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we
commend to thy fatherly goodness, all those who
are anyways afflicted or distressed
in mind, body, or estate; [*especially * This is to be
those for whom our prayers are de- saidyhen any de-
• i —i .-I . .. 1 ,, . sire the prayers of
SIV6CL ^ tll&t it TO&y plGRSC tllGG to the congregation.
comfort and relieve them accord¬
ing to their several necessities; giving them
patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue
out of all their afflictions; and this we beg for
Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
A General Thanksgiving.
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we thine
unworthy servants do give thee most humble and
EVENING PRAYER.
23
hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-
kindness to ns and to all men;
[*'particularly to those who desire now * . Th5s is to be
to offer wp their praises and thanks- said w,hen an.y de~
. . /» ,7 7 . 7 /• 7 s,re to return
givmgs for thy Late mercies vouchsafed thanks.
unto them.'] We bless thee for our
creation, preservation, and all the blessings of
this life; hut above all, for thine inestimable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus
Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope
of glory. And .we beseech thee, give us that
due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may
be unfeignedly thankful, and that we may show
forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our
lives, by giving up ourselves to thy service, and
by walking before thee in holiness and righteous¬
ness all our days, through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all
honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
Almighty God, who hast given us grace, at
this time, with one accord to make our common
supplications unto thee, and dost promise that
when two or three are gathered together in thy
name, thou wilt grant their requests, fulfill now,
0 Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants,
as may be most expedient for them; granting us
in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the
world to come life everlasting. Amen.
2 Cor. xiii. 14.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the
love of God, and the communion of the Holy
Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
Here endelh the Order of Evening Prayer.
24
THE LITANY.
Here followeth the Litany, or General Supplication,
to sale? act discretion.
O God the Father, of heaven, have mercy upon
us miserable sinners.
0 God the Father, of heaven, have mercy upon us
miserable sinners.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have
mercy upon us miserable sinners.
0 God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have
mercy upon us miserable sinners.
0 God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the
Father and the Son, have mercy upon us miser¬
able sinners.
0 God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father
and the Son, have mercy upon us miserable sinners.
0 holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three
Persons and one God, have mercy upon us mis¬
erable sinners.
0 holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three Persons
and one God, have mercy upon us miserable sinners.
Remember not, Lord, our offenses, nor the
offenses of our forefathers; neither take thou ven¬
geance of our sins: spare us, good Lord, spare
thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy
most precious blood, and be not angry with us
for ever.
Spare us, good Lord.
From all evil and mischief; from sin, from the
crafts and assaults of the devil, from thy wrath,
and from everlasting damnation,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all blindness of heart; from pride, vain¬
glory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and
malice, and all uncharitableness,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all the deceits of the world, the flesh,
and the devil,
Good Lord, deliver us.
THE LITANY.
25
From lightning and tempest; from plague,
pestilence, and famine; from battle and murder,
and from sudden death,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all sedition, privy conspiracy, and rebel¬
lion ; from all false doctrine, heresy, and schism;
from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy word
and commandment,
Good Lord, deliver us.
By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation; by
thy holy Nativity and Circumcision ; by thy Bap¬
tism, Fasting, and Temptation,
Good Lord, deliver us.
By thine Agony and Bloody Sweat; by thy
Cross and.Passion; by thy precious Death and
Burial; by thy glorious Resurrection and Ascen¬
sion ; and by the coming of the Holy Ghost,
Good Lord, deliver us.
In all time of our tribulation; in all time of
our prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the
day of judgment,
Good Lord, deliver us.
¥e sinners do beseech thee to hear us, 0 Lord
God; and that it may please thee to rule and
govern thy holy Church universal in the right
way;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to illuminate all the
ministers of the gospel, with true knowledge and
understanding of thy word; that both by their
preaching and living they may set it forth, and
show it accordingly;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bless and keep all
who are in authority, giving them grace to execute
justice, and to maintain truth;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bless and keep all
thy people;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
26
the>T!Tm.
That it may please thee to give to all nations
unity, peace, and concord;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give us a heart to
love and fear thee, and diligently to live after
thy commandments;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give to all thy peo¬
ple increase of grace, to hear meekly thy word,
and to receive it with pure affection, and to bring
forth the fruits of the Spirit;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bring into the way
of truth all such as have erred, and are deceived;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to strengthen such as
do stand, and to comfort and help the weak-
hearted, and to raise up those who fall, and finally
to beat down Satan under our feet;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to succor, help, and
comfort all who are in danger, necessity, and
tribulation;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to preserve all that
travel by land or by water, all women in the perils
of childbirth, all sick persons, and young children,
and to show thy pity upon all prisoners and cap¬
tives ;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to defend, and provide
for, the fatherless children, and widows, and all
who are desolate and oppressed;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to have mercy upon all
men;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to forgive our enemies,
persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their
hearts;
THE LITANY.
27
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give and preserve to
our use the kindly fruits of the earth, so as in
due time we may enjoy them;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give us true repent¬
ance, to forgive us all our sins, negligences, and
ignorances, and to endue us with the grace of
thy Holy Spirit, to amend our lives according to
thy holy word;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.
Son of. God, we beseech thee to hear us.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of
the world,
Grant us thy peace.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of
the world,
Have mercy upon us.
O Christ, hear us.
0 Christ, hear us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Then shall the Minister and the People with him say the Lord's
Prayer.
Our'Lather, who art in heaven, Hallowed be
thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be
done on earth, As it is in heaven; Give us this
day our daily bread; And forgive us our tres¬
passes, As we forgive those who trespass against
us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver
us from evil. Amen.
Min. O Lord, deal not with us after our sins;
Ans. Neither reward us after our iniquities.
Let us pray.
O God, merciful Father, who despisest not the
28
THE LITANY.
sigliings of a contrite heart, nor the desire of
such as be sorrowful, mercifully assist our prayers
that we make before thee, in all our troubles and
adversities, whensoever they oppress us; and
graciously hear us, that those evils, which the
craft and subtilty of the devil or man worketh
against us, be brought to naught, and by the
providence of thy goodness be dispersed; that
we thy servants, being hurt by no persecutions,
may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy
Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
f 0 Lord, arise, help us, and deliver us, for thy
name's sake.
O God, we have heard with our ears, and our
fathers have declared unto us, the noble works
that thou didst in their days, and in the old time
before them.
0 Lord, arise, help us, and deliver us, for thine
honor.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to
the Holy Ghost;
Ans. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever
shall be, world without end. Amen.
From our enemies defend us, 0 Christ.
Graciously look upon our afflictions.
Pitifully behold the sorrows of our hearts.
Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people.
Favorably with mercy hear our prayers.
0 Son of David, have mercy upon us.
Bpth now and ever vouchsafe to hear us, 0
Christ.
Graciously hear us, 0 Christ; graciously hear us,
0 Lord Christ.
0 Lord, let thy mercy he showed upon us;
Hs we do put our trust in thee.
Let us pray.
We humbly beseech thee, 0 Father, mercifully
to look upon our infirmities; and for the glory of
thy name, turn from us all those evils that we
most righteously have deserved; and grant that
THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
29
in all our troubles we may put our whole trust
and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve
thee in holiness and pureness of living, to thy
honor and glory, through our only Mediator and
Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this
time with one accord to make our common sup¬
plications unto thee, and dost promise that when
two or three are gathered together in thy name,
thou wilt grant their requests, fulfill now, O
Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants,
as may he most expedient for them ; granting us
in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the
world to come life everlasting. Amen.
2 Cor. xiii. 14.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the
love of God, and the communion of the Holy
Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
Here endeth the Litany.
THE
COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS,
TO BE USED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
The Collect.
Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast
away the works of darkness, and put upon us the
armor of light, now in the time of this mortal
life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit
us in great humility ; that in the last day, when
he shall come again in his glorious majesty, to
judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to
the life immortal, through him who liveth and
reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and
ever. Amen.
30
THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
The Epistle. Horn. xiii. 8.
Owe no man any thing, hut to love one another;
for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou
shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not
hear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if
there he any other commandment, it is briefly
comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt
love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no
ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfill¬
ing of the law. And that, knowing the time,
that now it is high time to awake out of sleep;
for now is our salvation nearer than when we
believed. The night is far spent, the day is at
hand; let us therefore cast off the works of dark¬
ness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let
us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting
and drunkenness, not in chambering and wanton¬
ness, not in strife and envying; but put ye on the
Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for
the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
Ihe Gospel. Matt. xxi. 1.
"When they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and
were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of
Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, saying unto
them, Go into the village over against you, and
straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt
with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
And if any man say aught unto you, ye shall say,
The Lord hath need of them; and straightway
he will send them. All this was done, that it
mi/ght be fulfilled which was spoken by the pro¬
phet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Zion,
Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and
sitting upon an ass, and a colt, the foal of an ass.
And the disciples went, and did as Jesus com¬
manded them; and brought the ass, and the colt,
and put on them their clothes, and they set him
thereon. And a very great multitude spread
their garments in the way; others cut down
THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 31
branches from the trees, and strewed them in the
way. And the multitudes that went before, and
that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son
of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name
of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when
he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was
moved, saying, Who is this ? And the multitude
said, This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth of
Galilee. And Jesus went into the temple of
God, and cast out all them that sold and bought
in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the
money changers, and the seats of them that sold
doves; and said unto them, It is written, My
house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye
have made it a den of thieves.
THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
The Collect.
Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scrip¬
tures to be written for our learning, grant that
we may in such wise hear them, read, mark,
learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience
and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace,
and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting
life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour
Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Epistle. Bom. xv. 4.
Whatsoever things were written aforetime were
written for our learning, that we through patience
and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Now the God of patience and consolation grant
you to be like-minded one toward another accord¬
ing to Christ Jesus ; that ye may with one mind
and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye
one another, as Christ also received us, to the
glory of God. Now I say that Jesus Christ was
a minister of the circumcision for the truth of
God, to confirm the promises made unto the
•32 THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
fathers; and that the Gentiles might glorify God
for his mercy; as it* is written, For this cause I
will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing
unto thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye
Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the
Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye peo¬
ple. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a
root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over
the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and
peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Ghost.
The Gospel. Luke xxi. 25.
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the
moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth dis¬
tress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the
waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear
and for looking after those things which are
coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven
shall be shaken. And then shall they see the
Son of man coming in a cloud with power and
great glory. And when these things begin to
come to pass, then look up, and lift up your
heads; for. your redemption draweth nigh. And
he spake to them a parable: Behold the fig-
tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot
forth, ye see and know of your own selves that
summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye,
when ye see these things come to pass, know ye
that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Yerily
I say unto you, This generation shall not pass
away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall
pass away; but my words shall not pass away.
THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
The Collect.
^ 0 Lord Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming
didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way
THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
33
before thee, grant that the ministers and stew¬
ards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare
and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts
of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that
at thy second coming to judge the world we may
be found an acceptable people in thy sight, who
livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy
Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
The Epistle. 1 Cor. iv. 1.
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers
'of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man
be found faithful. But with me it is a very small
thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's
judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For
I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby
justified; but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until
the Lord come, who both will bring to light the
hidden things of darkness, and will make mani¬
fest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall
every man have praise of God.
The Gospel. Matt. xi. 2.
How when John had heard in the'prison the
works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and
said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or
do we look for another? Jesus answered and
said unto them,Go and show John again those
things which ye do hear and see: The blind
receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers
are cleansed, andthQ deaf hear, the dead are raised
up, and the poor have the gospel preached to
them. And blessed is- he, whosoever shall not
be offended in me. And as they departed, Jesus
began to say unto the multitudes concerning John,
"What went ye out into the wilderness to see ? A
reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye
out for to see ? A man clothed in soft raiment ?
behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings'
2
34 THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
houses. But what went ye out for to see ? A
prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a
prophet. For this is he of whom it is written,
Behold, I send my messenger before thy face,
which shall prepare thy way before thee.
THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
The Collect.
O Lord, raise up, we pray thee, thy power, and
come among us, and with great might succor us;
that whereas, through our sins and wickedness,
we are sore let and hindered in running the race
that is set before ns, thy bountiful grace and
mercy may speedily help and deliver us, through
the satisfaction of thy Son our Lord; to whom
with thee and the Holy Ghost be honor and
glory, world without end. Amen.
The Epistle. Phil. iv. 4.
Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say,
Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto
all men. The Lord is at hand, Be careful for
nothing ; but in every thing by prayer and sup¬
plication with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known unto God. And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The Gospel. John i. 16.
This is the record of John, when the Jews
sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask
him, Who art thou ? And he confessed, and
denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
And they asked him, What then ? Art thou
Elias ? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that
Prophet? Aud he answered, Ho. Then said
they unto him, Who art thou ? that we may give
CHRISTMAS-DAY.
35
an answer to them that sent us. What sayest
thou of thyself ? He said,-1 am the voice of one
crying in the wilderness, Make straight the "way
of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And
they which were sent were of the Pharises.
And they asked him, and said unto him, Why
baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ,
nor Elias, neither that Prophet ? John answered
them, saying, I baptize with water; but there
standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
he it is, who coming after me is preferred before
me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to
unloose. These tliinge were done in Bethabara
beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD, OR THE BIRTH-DAY OF
CHRIST, COMMONLY CALLED CHRISTMAS-DAY.
The Collect.
Almighty God, who hast given us thy only-
begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and
as at this time to be born of a pure virgin,
grant that we being regenerate, and made thy
children by adoption and grace, may daily be
renewed by thy Holy Spirit, through the same
our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth
with thee and the same Spirit, ever one God,
world without end. Amen.
The Epistle. Heb. 1. 1.
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners
spake in time past unto the fathers by the
prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us
by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all
things, by whom also he made the worlds; who,
being the brightness of his glory, and the express
image of his person, and upholding all things by
the word of his power, when he had by himself
36
CHRISTMAS-DAY.
purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of
the "Majesty on high ; being made so much better
than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained
a more excellent name than they. For unto
which of the angels said he at any time, Thou
art my Son, this day have I begotten thee ? And
again, I will he to him a Father, and he shall he
to. me a Son ? And again, when he hringeth in
the first-begotten into the world, he saith, And
let all the angels of God worship him. And of
the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels
spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But
unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, 0 God, is
for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is
the scepter of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved
righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God,
even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of
gladness above thy fellows. And, Thou, Lord,
in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the
earth; and the heavens are the works of thine
hands. They shall perish, but thou remainest; and
they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a
vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall
be changed; but thou art the same, and thy years
shall not fail.
The Gospel. John i. 1.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God. The same
was in the beginning with God. All things
were made by him; and without him was not
any thing made that was made. In him was
life; _ and the life was the light of men. And
the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness
comprehended it not. There was a man sent
from God, whose name was John. The same
came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light,
that all men through him might believe. He
was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness
of that Light. That was the true Light, which
THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 37
lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by
him, and the world knew him not. He came
nnto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he
power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on his name : which were horn, not
of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the
will of man, but of God. And the "Word was
made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld
his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of
the Bather, full of grace and truth.
THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
The Collect.
Almighty God, who hast given us thy only-
begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and
as at this time to be born of a pure virgin, grant
that we being regenerate, and made thy children
by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by
thy Holy Spirit, through the same our Lord
Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee
and the same Spirit, ever one God, world with¬
out end. Amen.
The Epistle. Gal. iv. 1.
How I say, That the heir, as long as he is a
child, differeth nothing from a servant, though
he be lord of all; but is under tutors and gov¬
ernors until the time appointed of the father.
Even so we, when we were children, were in bond¬
age under the elements of the world; but when
the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth
his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
to redeem them that were under the law, that we
might receive the adoption of sons. And because
ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his
38 THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
Son into your hearts, crying, Ahha, Father.
"Wherefore thou art no more a servant, hut a
son; and if a son, then an heir of God through
Christ.
The Gospel. Matt. i. 18.
The "birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise:
When as his mother Mary was espoused to
Joseph, before they came together, she was found
with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her
husband, being a just man, and not willing to
make her a public example, was minded to put
her away privily. But while he thought on these
things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared
unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son
of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy
wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the
Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son,
and thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall
save his people from their sins. How all this was
done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken
of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a
virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth
a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel,
which, being interpreted, is, God with us. Then
Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel
of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him
his wife ; and knew her not till she had brought
forth her first-born son ; and he called his name
JESUS.
THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
The Collect.
O Lord, we beseech thee mercifully to receive
the prayers of thy people who call upon thee;
and grant that they may both perceive and
know what things they ought to do, and also
THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 39
may have grace and power faithfully to fulfill the
same, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. Rom. xii. 1.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mer¬
cies of God, that ye present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is
your reasonable service. And he not conformed
to this world; but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove
what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect
will of God. For I say, through the grace given
unto me, to every man that is among you, not to
think of himself more highly than he ought to
think; but to think soberly, according as God
hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
For as we have many members in one body, and
all members have not the same office, so we,
being many, are one body in Christ, and every
one members one of another.
The Gospel. Luke ii. 41.
!N"ow his parents went to Jerusalem every year
at the feast of the passover. And when he was
twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after
the custom of the feast. And when they had
fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child
Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem ; and Joseph
and his mother knew not of it. But they, sup¬
posing him to have been in the company, went a
day's journey ; and they sought him among their
kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they
found him not, they turned back again to Jeru¬
salem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that
after three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing
them, and asking them questions. And all that
heard him were astonished at his understanding
and answers. And when they saw him, they
were amazed; and his mother said unto him,
40 THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
Son, why hast thou, thus dealt with us? behold,
thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought
me ? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's
business ? And they understood not the saying
which he spake unto them. And he went down
with them, and came to Hazareth, and was sub¬
ject unto them; but his mother kept all these
sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in
wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and
man.
THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
The Collect.
Almighty and everlasting God, who dost gov¬
ern all things in heaven and earth, mercifully
hear the supplications of thy people, and grant
us thy peace all the days of our life, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. Rom. xii. 6.
Having then gifts differing according to the
grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let
us prophesy according to the proportion of faith ;
or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or
he that teacheth, on teaching ; or he that exhort-
eth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do
it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence;
he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let
love be without dissimulation. Abhor that
which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Re
kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly
love; in houour preferring one another; not
slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving
the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribu¬
lation ; continuing instant in prayer; distribu¬
ting to the necessity of saints; given to hospi¬
tality. Bless them which persecute you : bless,
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 41
and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice,
and weep with them that weep. Be of the same
mind one toward another. Mind not high things,
but condescend to men of low estate.
The Gospel. John ii. 1.
And the third day there was a marriage in
Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was
there ; and both Jesus was called, and his disci¬
ples, to the marriage. And when they wanted
wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They
have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman,
what have I to do with thee ? mine hour is not
yet come. His mother saith unto the servants,
Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there
were set there six water-pots of stone, after the
manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing
two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto
them, Fill the water-pots with water. And they
filled them up to the brim. And he' saith unto
them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor
of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler
of the feast had tasted the water that was made
wine, and knew not whence it was; (but the
servants which drew the water knew;) the gov¬
ernor of the feast called the bridegroom, and
saith unto him, Every man at the beginning
doth set forth good wine ; and when men have
well drunk, then that which is worse; but thou
hast kept the good wine until now. This
beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of
Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his
disciples believed on him.
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
The Collect.
Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look
upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers
2*
42 THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to
help and defend us, through jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. Rom. xii. 16.
Re not wise in your own conceits. Recom¬
pense to no man evil for evil. Provide things
honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible,
as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all
men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but
rather give place unto wrath; for it is written,
Vengeance is mine ; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if
he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou
shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not
overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
The Gospel. Matt. viii. 1.
"When he was come down from the mountain,
great multitudes followed him. And, behold,
there came a leper, and worshipped him, saying,
Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him,
saying, I will: be thou clean. And immedi¬
ately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith
unto him, See thou tell no man ; but go thy way,
show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that
Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum,
there came unto him a centurion, beseeching
him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home
sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And
Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not
worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof;
but speak the word only, and my servant shall
be healed. For I am a man under authority,
having soldiers under me ; and I say to this
man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come,
and he cometh ; and to my servant, Do this, and
THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 43
he doetti it. "When Jesus heard it, he marveled,
and said to them that followed, Verily, I say unto
you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in
Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall
come from the east and west, and shall sit down
with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the
kingdom of heaven. But the children of the
kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness:
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way;
and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto
thee. And his servant was healed in the self¬
same hour.
THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
The Collect.
O God, who knowest us to be set in the midst
of so many and great dangers, that by reason of
the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand
upright, grant to us such strength and protec¬
tion as may support us in all dangers, and carry
us through all temptations, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. Rom. xiii. 1.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher
powers. For there is no power but of God : the
powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever
therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordi¬
nance of God ; and they that resist, shall receive
to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a
terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou
then not be afraid of the power ? do that which
is good, and thou shalt have praise of the
same ; for he is the minister of God to thee for
good. But if thou do that wThich is evil, be
afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for
44 THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute
wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye
must needs he subject, not only for wrath, but
also for conscience' sake. ITor, for this cause
pay ye tribute also; for they are God's ministers,
attending continually upon this very thing. Ren¬
der therefore to all their dues : tribute to whom
tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to
whom fear; honor to whom honor.
The Gospel. Matt. viii. 23.
And when he was entered into a ship, his
disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose
a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship
was covered with the waves; but be was asleep.
And his disciples came to him, and awoke him,
saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith
unto them, Why are ye fearful, 0 ye of little
faith? Then he- arose, and rebuked the winds
and the sea; and there was a great calm. But
the men marveled, saying, What mannef of man
is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him !
And when he was come to the other side into
the country of the Gergesenes, there met him
two possessed with devils, coming out of the
tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might
pass by that way. And, behold, they cried out,
saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus,
thou Son of God ? art thou come hither to torment
us before the time ? And there was a good way
off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast
us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
And he said unto them, Go. And when they
were come out, they went into the herd of swine;
and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently
down a steep place into the sea, and perished in
the waters. And they that kept them fled, and
went their ways into the city, and told every
thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of
THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 45
the devils. And, behold, the whole city came
out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him,
they besought him that he would depart out of
their coasts.
THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
The Collect.
0 Lord, we beseech thee to keep thy Church
and household continually in thy true religion;
that they who do lean only upon the hope of thy
heavenly grace, may evermore be defended by thy
mighty power, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Epistle. Col. iii. 12.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and
beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness
of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one
another, and forgiving one another, if any man
have a quarrel against any : even as Christ for¬
gave you, so also do ye. And above all these
things put on charity, which is the bond of perfect-
ness. And let the peace of God rule in your
hearts, to the which also ye are called in one
body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly in all wisdom ; teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your
hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in
word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God, and the Father by
him.
The Gospel. Matt. xiii. 24.
The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man
which sowed good seed in his field; but while men
slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among
46 THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
the wheat, and went his way. But when the
blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then
appeared the tares also. So the servants of the
householder came, and said unto him, Sir, didst
not thou sow good seed in thy field ? from whence
then hath it tares ? He said unto them, An
enemy hath done this. The servants said unto
him, "Wilt thou then that we go and gather them
up ? But he said, Hay : lest while ye gather up
the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Let both grow together until the harvest;
and in the time of harvest, I will say to the
reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and
bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather
the wheat into my barn.
THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
The Colled.
0 God, whose blessed Son was manifested that
he might destroy the works of the devil, and
make us the sons of God, and heirs of eternal
life, grant us, we beseech thee, that, having
this hope, we may purify ourselves even as he
is pure ; that when he shall appear again, with
power and great glory, we may be made like
unto him in his eternal and glorious kingdom ;
where with thee, 0 Father, and thee, 0 Holy
Ghost, he liveth and reigneth, ever one God,
world without end. Amen.
The Epistle. 1 John iii. 1.
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath
bestowed upon us, that we should be called the
sons of God ; therefore the world knoweth us not
because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we
the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what
we shall be; but we know that, when he shall
THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 47
appear, we shall "be like him, for we shall see
him as he is. And every man that hath this
hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the
law; for sin is the transgression of the law.
And ye know that he was manifested to take
away our sins ; and in him is no sin. Whosoever
abideth in him, sinneth not: whosoever sinnetli
hath not seen him, neither known him. Little
children, let no man deceive you : he that, doeth
righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the
devil sinneth from the beginning. For this pur¬
pose the Son of God was manifested, that he
might destroy the works of the devil.
The Gospel. Matt. xxiv. 23.
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is
Christ, or there ; believe it not. For there shall
arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall
show great signs and wonders ; insomuch, that,
if it were possible, they shall deceive the very
elect. Behold, I have told you before. Where¬
fore, if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in
the desert; go not forth: Behold, he is in the
secret chambers; believe it not. For as the
lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth
even unto the west, so shall also the coming of
the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcass
is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days
shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall
not give her light, and the stars shall fall from
heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall
be shaken; and then shall appear the sign of
the Son of man in heaven ; and then shall all
the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall
see the Son of man coming in the clouds of
heaven with power and great glory. And he
shall send his angels with a great sound of a
48 THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect
from the four winds, from one end of heaven to
the other.
THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
The Collect.
O Lord, we beseech thee favorably to hear the
prayers of thy people, that we who are justly
punished for our offenses, may be mercifully
delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy
name, through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who
liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost,
ever one God, world without end. Amen.
The Epistle. 1 Cor. ix. 24.
Know ye not that they which run in a race
run all, but one receiveth the prize ? So run,
. that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth
for the mastery is temperate in all things. Kow
they do it to obtain a corruptible crown ; but we
an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as
uncertainly; so tight I, not as one that beateth
the air; but I keep under my body, and bring it
into subjection, lest that by any means, when I
have preached to others, I myself should be a
castaway.
The Gospel. Matt. xx. 1.
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that
is an householder, which went out early in the
morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.
And when he had agreed with the laborers for
a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
And he went out about the third hour, and saw
others standing idle in the market-place, and said
unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and
whatsoever is right I will give you. And they
THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 49
went their way. Again he went out about the
sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And
about the eleventh hour he went out, and found
others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why
stand ye here all the day idle ? They say unto
him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith
unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and
whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So
when even was come, the lord of the vineyard
saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and
give them their hire, beginning from the last
unto the first. And when they came that were
hired about the eleventh hour, they received
every man a penny. But when the first came,
they supposed that they should have received
more ; and they likewise received every man a
penny. And when they had received it, they
murmured against the goodman of the house,
saying, These last have wrought but one hour,
and thou hast made them equal unto us, which
have borne the burden and heat of the day. But
he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do
thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me
for a penny ? Take that thine is, and go thy way:
I will give unto this last even as unto thee. Is
it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine
own ? Is thine eye evil, because I am good ? So
the last shall be first, and the first last; for many
be called, but few chosen.
THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
The Collect.
O Lord God, who seest that we put not our
trust in any thing that we do, mercifully grant
that by thy power we may he defended against
all adversity, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
50 THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
The Epistle. 2 Cor. xi. 19.
Ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are
wise. For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bond¬
age, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a
man exalt himself, if a man smite you on tbe face.
I speak as concerning reproach, as though we
had been weak. Howbeit, whereinsoever any is
bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. Are
they Hebrews ? so am I. Are they Israelites ?
so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham ? so
am I. Are they ministers of Christ ? (I speak
as a fool,) I am more: in labors more abundant,
in stripes above measure, in prisons more fre¬
quent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews, five times
received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I
beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I
suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been
in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of
waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own
countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils
in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils
in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often,
in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold
and nakedness. Beside those things that are
without, that which cometh upon me daily,
the care of all the churches. Who is weak,
and I am not weak? Who is offended, and
I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will
glory of the things which concern mine infirm¬
ities. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth
that I lie not.
The Gospel. Luke viii. 4.
When much people were gathered together,
and were come to him out of every city, he
spake ^ by a parable: A sower went out to
sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell by
the way-side, and it was trodden down, and
THE ^pENTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 51
the fowls of the air devoured it. And some
fell upon a rock, and as soon as it was sprung
up, it withered away, because it lacked moist¬
ure. And some fell among thorns; and the
thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And
other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and
bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had
said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to
hear, let him hear. And his disciples asked him,
saying, What might this parable be ? And he
said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries
of the kingdom of God; but to others in para¬
bles ; that seeing they might not see, and hearing
they might not understand. Now the parable is
this: The seed is the word of God. Those by
the way-side are they that hear; then cometh
the devil, and taketh away the word out of their
hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
They on the rock are they, which, when they hear,
receive the word with joy ; and these have no
root, which for a while believe, and in time of
temptation fall away. And that which fell among
thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go
forth, and are choked with cares and riches and
pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfec¬
tion. But that on the good ground are they,
which, in an honest and good heart, having heard
the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with
patience.
THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
The Collect.
0 Lord, who hast taught us that all our doings
without love are nothing worth, send thy Holy
Spirit, and pour into our hearts that most excel¬
lent gift of love, the very bond of peace, and of
all virtues, without which whosoever liveth is
counted dead before thee. Grant this for thine
only Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
52 THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
The Epistle. 1 Cor. x. iii. 1.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and
of angels, and have not charity, I am become as
sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And
though I have the gift of prophecy, and under¬
stand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and
though I have all faith, so that I could remove
mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the
poor, and though I give my body to be burned,
and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Charity sutfereth long, and is kind; charity
envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not
puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seek-
eth not her own, is not easily provoked, think-
eth not evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but re-
joiceth in the truth ; beareth all things, believeth
all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Charity never faileth; but whether there be
prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be
tongues, they shall cease, whether there be know¬
ledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in
part, and we prophesy in part. But when that
which is perfect is come, then that which is in
part shall be done away. "When I was a child, I
spake as a child, I understood as a child, I
thought as a child; but when I became a man,
I put away childish things. For now we see
through a glass darkly; but then face to face :
now I know in part; but then shall I know
even as also I am known. And now abideth
faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest
of these is charity.
The Gospel. Luke xviii. 81.
Then Jesus took unto him the twelve, and said
unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and,
all things that are written by the prophets con¬
cerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and
THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 53
shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and
spitted on; and they shall scourge him, and put
him to death; and the third day he shall rise
again. And they understood none of these
things; and this saying was hid from them,
neither knew they the things which were spoken.
And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto
Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way-side
begging ; and hearing the multitude pass by, he
asked what it meant. And they told him, that
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried,
saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on
me. And they which went before rebuked him,
that he should hold his peace; but he cried so
much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy
on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him
to be brought unto him ; and when he was come
near, he asked him, saying, What wilt thou that
I shall do unto thee ? And he said, Lord, that I
may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him,
Deceive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
And immediately he received his sight, and fol¬
lowed him, glorifying God; and all the people,
when they saw it, gave praise unto God.
THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
The Collect.
O Lord, who for our sake didst fast forty days
and forty nights, give us grace to use such
abstinence, that our flesh being subdued to
the Spirit, we may ever obey thy godly motions
in righteousness and true holiness, to thy honor
and glory, who livest and reign est with the
Father and the Holy Ghost, one God world with¬
out end. Amen.
The Epistle. 2 Cor. vi. 1.
We then, as workers together with him,
beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of
54 THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AETER CHRISTMAS.
God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in
a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have
I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted
time ; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Giv¬
ing no offense in any thing, that the ministry be
not blamed; but in all things approving our¬
selves as the ministers of God, in much patience,
in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in
stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors,
in watchings, in fastings ; by puraness, by know¬
ledge, by longsufferin'g, by kindness, by the
Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of
truth, by the power of God, by the armor of
righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
by honor, and dishonor, by evil report and good
report; as deceivers and yet true; as unknown,
and yet well known ; as dying, and, behold, we
live ; as chastened, and not killed ; as sorrowful,
yet alway rejoicing ; as poor, yet making many
rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all
things.
The Gospel. Matt. iv. 1.
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And
when he had fasted forty days and forty nights,
he was afterward ahungered. And when the
tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son
of God, command that these stones be made
bread. But he answered and said, It is written,
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city,
and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and
saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast
thyself down ; for it is written, He shall give his
angels charge concerning thee; and in their
hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time
thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said
unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not
THE TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 55
tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh
him up into an exceeding high mountain, and
sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and
the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these
things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and
worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get
thee hence, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt
worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt
thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and,
behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
- THE TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
The Collect
Almighty God, who seest that we have no
power of ourselves to help ourselves, keep us
both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in
our souls, that we may be defended from all
adversities which may happen to the body, and
from all evil thoughts which may assault and
hurt the soul, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Epistle. 1 Thess. iv. 1.
"We beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by
the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how
ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would
abound more and more. For ye know what
commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
For this is the will of God, even your sanctifiea-
cation, that ye should abstain from fornication:
that every one of you should know how to possess
his vessel in sanctification and honor; not in the
lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which
know not God: that no man go beyond and
defraud his brother in any matter; because that
the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also
have forewarned you and testified. For God hath
56 THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man,
hut God, who hath also given unto us his Holy
Spirit.
The Gospel. Matt. xv. 21.
Jesus went thence, and departed into .the
coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a
woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts,
and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on
me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is
grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered
her not a word. And his disciples came and
besought him, saying, Send her away; for she
crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am
not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of
Israel. Then came she and worshiped him, say¬
ing, Lord, help me. But he answered and said,
It is not meet to take the children's bread,
and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth,
Lord ; yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall
from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered
and said unto her, 0 woman, great is thy faith:
be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her
daughter was made whole from that very hour.
THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
The Collect.
We beseech thee, Almighty God, look upon
the hearty desires of thy humble servants, and
stretch forth the right hand of thy Majesty, to be
our defense against all our enemies, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. Eph. v. 1.
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear
children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath
THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 57
loved ns, and hath given himself for us an offer¬
ing and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling
savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or
covetousness, let it not he once named among
you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor
foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not
convenient, but rather giving of thanks. For
this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean
person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater,
hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ
and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain
words; for because of these things cometh the
wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For
ye were sometime darkness, but now are ye light
in the Lord: walk as children of light; (for the
fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and right¬
eousness and truth ;) proving what is acceptable
unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove
them. For it is a shame even to speak of those
things which are done of them in secret. But
all things that are reproved are made manifest
by the light; for whatsoever doth make manifest
is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that
sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall
give thee light.
The Gospel. Luke xi. 14.
Jesus was casting out a devil, and it was
dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was
gone out, the dumb spake; and the people
wondered. But some of them said, He casteth
out devils through Beelzebub, the chief of the
devils. And others, tempting him, sought of
him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their
thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided
against itself is brought to desolation ; and a
house divided against a house falleth. If Satan
also be divided against himself, how shall his
3
58 THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
kingdom stand ? because ye say tliat I cast out
devils through Beelzebub. 'And if I by Beelzebub
cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them
out? therefore shall they be your judges. But
if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no
doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
When a strong man armed keepeth his palace,
his goods are in peace; but when a stronger than
he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he
taketh from him all his armor, wherein he
trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not
with me is against me; and he that gathereth
not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit
is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry
places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith,
I will return unto my house whence I came out.
And when he cometh, he fiudeth it swept and
garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him
seven other spirits more wicked than himself;
and they enter in and dwell there ; and the last
state of that man is worse than the first. And it
came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain
woman of the company lifted up her voice, and
said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare
thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But
he said, Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear
the word of God, and keep it.
THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
The Collect.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God that
we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve
to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may
mercifully be relieved, through our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Epistle. Gal. iv. 21.
Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do
THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 59
ye not hear the law ? For it is written, that
Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid,
the other by a freewoman. But he who was of
the bondwoman, was born after the flesh; but
he of the freewoman was by promise. "Which
things are an allegory; for these are the two
covenants: the one from the mount Sinai, which
gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this
Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth
to Jerusalem, which now is, and is in bondage
with her children. But Jerusalem which is
above is free, which is the mother of us all. For
it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest
not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest
not; for the desolate hath mRny more children
than she which hath a husband. Now we, breth¬
ren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
But as then he that was born after the flesh
persecuted him that was born after the Spirit,
even so it is now. Nevertheless, what saith the
Scripture ? Cast out the bondwoman and her
son ; for the son of the bondwoman shall not be
heir with the son of the freewoman. So then,
brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman,
but of the free.
The Gospel. John vi. 1.
Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the
sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed
him, because they saw his miracles which he did
on them that were diseased. And Jesus went
up into a mountain and there he sat with his
disciples. And the passover, a feast of the
Jews, was nigh. "When Jesus then lifted up his
eyes, and saw a great company come unto him,
he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread,
that these may eat ? And this he said to prove
him; for he himself knew what he would do.
Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth
of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one
60 THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
of them may take a little. One of his disciples,
Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,
There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves,
and two small fishes ; but what are they among
so many ? And Jesus said, Make the men sit
down. Now there was much grass in the place.
So the men sat down, in number about five
thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and
when he had given thanks, he distributed to the
disciples, and the disciples to them that were set
down ; and likewise of the fishes as much as they
would. When they were filled, he said unto his
disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain,
that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered
them together, and filled twelve baskets with the
fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained
over and above unto them that had eaten. Then
those men, when they had seen the miracle that
Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that Prophet
that should come into the world.
THE FIFTEENTH SUN1AY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
The Collect.
We beseech thee, Almighty God, mercifully to
look upon thy people ; that by thy great good¬
ness they may be governed and preserved ever¬
more, both in body and soul; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. Ileb. ix. 11.
Christ being come a High-Priest of good
things to come, by a greater and more perfect
tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say,
not of this building; neither by the blood of
goats and^ calves, but by his own blood he entered
in once into the holy place, having obtained
eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of
THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. 61
bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer
sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying
of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of
Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered
himself without spot to God, purge your con¬
science from dead works to serve the living God?
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new
testament, that by means of death, for the redemp¬
tion of the transgressions that were under the
first testament, they which are called might
receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
The Gospel. John viii. 46.
Jesus said, "Which of you convinceth me of sin ?
And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me ?
He that is of God heareth God's words: ye
therefore hear them not, because ye are not of
God. Then answered the Jews, and said unto
him, Say we not well, that thou art a Samaritan,
and hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not
a devil; but I honor my Father, and ye do dis¬
honor me. And I seek not mine own glory:
there is one that seeketh and judgeth. "Verily,
verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying,
he shall never see death. Then said the Jews
unto him, How we know that thou hast a devil.
Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou
sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never
taste of death. Art thou greater than our father
Abraham, which is dead ? and the prophets are
dead : whom makest thou thyself? Jesus an¬
swered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing:
it is my Father that honoreth me; of whom ye
say, that he is your God: yet ye have not known
him; but I know him; and if I should say, I
know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you;
but I know him and keep his saying. Your
father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he
saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto
him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast
62
THE SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE EASTER.
thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them,
Yerily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham
was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at
him; but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the
temple.
THE SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE EASTER.
The Collect.
Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy
tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son
our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our
flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all
mankind should follow the example of his great
humility, mercifully grant that we may both fol¬
low the example of his patience, and also be made
partakers of his resurrection, through the same
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. Phil. ii. 5.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in
Christ Jesus : who, being in the form of God,
thought it not robbery to be equal with God;
but made himself of no reputation, and took upon
him tbe form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men ; and being found in fashion as
a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient
unto death, even the death of the cross. Where¬
fore God also hath highly exalted him, and
given him a name which is above every name;
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of things in heaven, and things in earth, and
things under the earth; and that every tongue
should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father.
The Gospel. Matt, xxvii. 1.
When the morning was come, all the chief
priests and elders of the people took counsel
THE SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE EASTER.
63
against Jesus to put Mm to death; and when
thej had hound him, they led him away, and
delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he
saw that he was condemned, repented himself,
and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to
the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned
in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And
they said, What is that to us ? see thou to that.
And he cast down the pieces of silver in the
temple, and departed, and went and hanged
himself. And the chief priests took the silver
pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put
them into the treasury, because it is the price
of blood. And they took counsel, and bought
with them the potter's field, to bury strangers
in. Wherefore that field was called, The field
of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled
that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet,
saying, And they took the thirty pieces of
silver, the price of him that was valued, whom
they of the children of Israel did value; and
gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord
appointed me. And Jesus stood before the gov¬
ernor; and the governor asked him, saying, Art
thou the King of the Jews ? And Jesus said
unto him, Thou sayest. And when he was
accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered
nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest
thou not how many things they witness against
thee ? And he answered him to never a word;
insomuch that the governor marveled greatly.
Now at that feast the governor was wont to
release unto the people a prisoner, whom they
would. And they had then a notable prisoner,
called Barabbas. Therefore when they were
gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom
will ye that I release unto you ? Barabbas, or
Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that
for envy they had delivered him. When he was
set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent
64 THE SUNDAY NEXT BEE0RTTTTABTEE.
unto him, saying1, Have thou nothing to do with
that just man; for I have suffered many things
this day in a dream "because of him. But the
chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude
that they should askBarabbas, and destroy Jesus.
The governor answered and said unto them,
Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto
you ? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto
them, What shall I do then, with Jesus which is
called Christ ? They all say unto him, Let him
be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what
evil hath he done ? But they cried out the more,
saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw
that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a
tumult was made, he took water, and washed his
hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent
of the blood of this just person : see ye to it.
Then answered all the people, and said, His blood
be on us, and on our children. Then released he
Barabbas unto them; and when he had scourged
Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then
the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the
common hall, and gathered unto him the whole
band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and
put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had
platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his
head, and a reed in his right hand; and they
bowed the knee before him, and mocked him,
saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit
upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on
the head. And after that they had mocked him,
they took the robe off from him, and put his own
raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
And as they came out, they found a man of
Cyrene, Simon by name : him they compelled to
bear his cross. And when they were come unto a
place* called Golgotha, that is to say, A place of a
skull, they gave him vinegar to drink mingled
with gall; and when he had tasted thereof, he
would not drink. And they crucified him, and
parted his garments, casting lots: that it might
THE SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE EASTER. 65
be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet,
They parted my garments among them, and upon
my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down,
they watched him there; and set up over his
head his accusation written, THIS IS JESIJS
THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were
there two thieves crucified with him : one on the
right hand, and another on the left. And they
that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and
buildest it in three 'days, save thyself. If thou
be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with
the scribes and elders, said, He saved others:
himself he cannot save. If he be the King of
Israel, let him now come down from the cross,
and we will believe him. He trusted in God: let
him deliver him now, if he will have him; for he
said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also
which were crucified with him, cast the same
in his teeth. How from the sixth hour there was
darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a
loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani ?
that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou
forsaken me ? Some of them that stood there,
when they heard that, said, This man calleth for
Elias. And straightway one of them ran, and
took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put
it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest
said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come
to save him. Jesus, when he had cried again
with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And,
behold, the vail of the temple was rent in twain
from the top to the bottom; and the earth did
quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were
opened; and many bodies of the saints which
slept arose, and came out of the graves after his
resurrection, and went into the holy city, and
appeared unto many. Now when the centurion,
and they that were with him, watching Jesus,
3*
66
GOOD FRIDAY.
saw the earthquake, and those things that were
done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was
the Son of God.
GOOD FRIDAY.
The Collects.
Almighty God, we beseech thee graciously
to behold this thy family, for which our Lord
Jesus Christ was contented to he betrayed,
and given up into the hands of wicked men,
and to suffer death upon the cross, who now
liveth and reign eth with thee and the Holy
Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting Gocl, by whose
Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed
and sanctified, receive our supplications and
prayers which we offer before thee for all estates
of men in thy holy Church, that every member
of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may
truly and godly serve thee, through our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
0 merciful God, who hast made all men, and
hatest nothing thou hast made, nor wouldest the
death of a sinner, but rather that he should be
converted, and live, have mercy upon all Jews,
Turks, Infidels, and Heretics, and take from them
all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of
thy word; and so fetch them home, blessed
Lord, to thy flock, that they may be saved among
the remnant of the true Israelites, and be made
one fold under one Shepherd, Jesus Christ our
Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the
Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
The Epistle. ILeb. x. 1.
The law having a shadow of good thing3 to
come, and not the very image of the things, can
GOOD FRIDAY.
07
never with those sacrifices, which they offered
year by year continually, make the comers there¬
unto perfect. For then would they not have
ceased to he offered? because that the worshipers
once purged should have had no more conscience
of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remem¬
brance again made of sins every year. For it is
not possible that the blood of bulls and of
goats should take away sins. "Wherefore, when
he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and
offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou
prepared me : in burnt offerings and sacrifices
for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I,
Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written
of me) to do thy will, 0 God. Above when he
said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings
and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither
hadst pleasure therein, which are offered by the
law: then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, 0
God. He taketh away the first, that he may
establish the second. By the which will we are
sanctified through the offering of the body of
Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest
staudeth daily ministering and offering often¬
times the same sacrifices, which can never take
away sins; but this man after he had offered one
sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right
hand of God ; from henceforth expecting till his
enemies be made his footstool. For by one offer¬
ing he hath perfected for ever them that are
sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a
witness to us; for after that he had said before,
This is the. covenant that I will make with them
after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my
laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I
write them; and their sins and iniquities will I
remember no more. How where remission of
these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having
therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the
holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new-and
living way, which he hath consecrated for us,
68
GOOD FRIDAY.
through the vail, that is to say, his flesh; and
having a High-Priest over the house of God ; let
us draw near with a true heart in full assurance
of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil
conscience, and our bodies washed with pure
water. Let us hold fast the profession of our
faith without wavering, for he is faithful that
promised; and let us consider one another to
provoke unto love and to good works; not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
as the manner of some is; hut exhorting one
another; and so much the more, as ye see the
day approaching.
The Gospel. John xix. 1.
Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and
put it on his head, and they put on him a
purple robe, and said, Hail, King of the Jews!
and they smote him with their hands. Pilate
therefore went forth again, and saitli unto them,
Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may
know that I find no fault in him. Then came
Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and
the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them,
Behold the man ! When the chief priests there¬
fore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying,
Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto
them, Take ye him, and crucify him ; for I find
no fault in him. The Jews answered him, We
have a law, and by our law he ought to die,
because he made himself the Son of God. When
Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the
more afraid ; and went again into the judgment
hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou ?
But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith
Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me ?
knowest thou not that I have power to crucify
thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus
answered, Thou couldest have no power at all
against me, except it were given thee from above ;
GOOD FRIDAY.
69
therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath
the greater sin. And from thenceforth Pilate
sought to release him ; but the Jews cried out,
saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not
Cesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king
speaketh against Cesar. When Pilate therefore
heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and
sat down in the judgment seat in a place that
is called the Pavement, hut in the Hebrew,
Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the
passover, and about the sixth hour ; and he saith
unto the Jews, Behold your King ? But they
cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify
him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your
King? The chief priests answered, We have no
king but Cesar. Then delivered he him there¬
fore unto them to be crucified. And they took
Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his
cross went forth into a place called the place of
a skull, which is called in the Hebrew, Golgotha;
where they crucified him, and two others with
him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross.
And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH
THE KING OE THE JEWS. This title then
read many of the Jews; for the place where
Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city ; and
it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.
Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate,
Write not, The King of the Jews ; but that he
said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered,
What I have written, I have written. Then the
soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his
garments, and made four parts, to every soldier
a part; and also his coat: now the coat was
without seam, woven from the top throughout.
They said therefore among themselves, Let us
not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall
be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which
saith, They parted my raiment among them, and
for my vesture they did cast lots. These things
70
GOOD FRIDAY.
therefore the soldiers did. Now there stood by
the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's
sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Mag¬
dalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother,
and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he
saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son !
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!
And from that hour that disciple took her unto
his own home. After this, Jesus knowing that
all things were now accomplished, that the scrip¬
ture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there
was set a vessel full of vinegar; and they filled
a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop,
and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore
had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished ;
and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
The Jews therefore, because it was the prepara¬
tion, that the bodies should not remain upon the
cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day
was a high day,) besought Pilate that their legs
might be broken, and that they might be taken
away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the
legs of the first, and of the other which was cruci¬
fied with him. But when they came to Jesus,
and saw that he was dead already, they brake
not his legs; but one of the soldiers with a
spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there
out blood and water. And he that saw it bare
record, and his record is true; and he knoweth
that he saith true, that ye might believe. For
these things were done, that the scripture should
be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
And again another scripture saith, They shall
look on him whom they pierced.
EASTER-DAY.
71
EASTER-DAY.
At Morning Prayer, before the Psalms, these sentences shall
be said.
Christ our passover is sacrificed for us : there¬
fore let us keep the feast;
ISTot with the old leaven, neither with the
leaven of malice and wickedness ; hut with the
unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor.
v. 7, 8.
Christ being raised from the dead dieth no
more ; death hath no more dominion over him.
For in that he died, he died unto sin once ;
but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead
indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Mom. vi. 9—11.
Christ, is risen from the dead, and become the
first-fruits of them that slept.
For since by man came death, by man came
also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall
all be made alive. 1 Cor. xv. 20—22.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to
the Holy Ghost;
Ans. As it was in the beginning, is now, and
ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Collect.
Almighty God, who through thine only begot¬
ten Son Jesus Christ, hast overcome death, and
opened unto us the gate of everlasting life, we
humbly beseech thee, that, as by thy special grace
preventing us, thou dost put into our minds good
desires, so by thy continual help we may bring
the same to good effect, through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and
72
EASTER-BAY.
the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without
end. Amen.
The Epistle. Col. iii. 1.
If ye then he risen with Christ, seek those
things which are above, where Christ sitteth on
the right hand of God. Set your affection on
things above, not on things on the earth. For
ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in
God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear,
then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Mortify therefore your members which are upon
the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate
affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness,
which is idolatry: for which things' sake the
wrath of God cometh on the children of disobe¬
dience : in the which ye also walked sometime,
when ye lived in them.
The Gospel. John xx. 1.
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magda¬
lene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepul-
cher, and seeth the stone taken away from the
sepulcher. Then she runneth, and cometh to
Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom
Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have
taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and
we know not where they have laid him. Peter
therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and
came to the sepulcher. So they ran both togeth¬
er ; and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and
came first to the sepulcher. And he stooping
down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes
lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon
Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher,
and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin
that was about his head, not lying with the linen
clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
Then went in also that other disciple, which came
first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed.
THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 73
For as yet they knew not the Scripture, that he
must rise again from the dead. Then the disci¬
ples went away again unto their own home.
THE EIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
The Collect.
Almighty Father, who hast given thine only
Son to die for our sins, and to rise again for our
justification, grant us so to put away the leaven
of malice and wickedness, that we may alway serve
thee in pureness of living and truth, through
the merits of the same thy Son Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. 1 John v. 4.
"Whatsoever is horn of God overcometh the
world ; and this is the victory that overcometh
the world, even our faith. Who is he that over¬
cometh the world, hut he that believeth that
Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came
by wTater and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by
water only, hut by water and blood. And it
is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the
Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear
record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the
Holy Ghost; and these three are one. And
there are three that bear witness in earth, the
spirit, and the water, and the blood; and these
three agree in one. If we receive the witness of
men, the witness of God is greater; for this is
the witness of God which he hath testified of his
Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath
the witness in himself: he that believeth not
God hath made him a liar; because he believeth
not the record that God gave of his Son. And
this is the record, that God hath given to us
eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that
74 THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the
Son of God hath not life.
The Gospel. John xx. 19.
The same day at evening, being the first day
of the week, when the doors were shut where the
disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews,
came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith
unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he
had so said, he showed unto them his hands and
his side. Then were the disciples glad, when
they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them
again, Peace be unto you : as my Father hath
sent me, even so send I you. And when he had
said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto
them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost; whosesoever
sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them ; and
whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained.
THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
The Collect
Almighty God, who hast given thine only
Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and
also an ensample of godly life, give us grace,
that we may always most thankfully receive that
his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavor
ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most
holy life, through the same Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen
The Epistle. 1 Pet. ii. 19.
This is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience
toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
For .what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for
your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if,
when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it
patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even
THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 75
hereunto were ye called; because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye
should follow his steps : who did no sin, neither
was guile found in his mouth; who, when he
was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered,
he threatened not; hut committed himself to
him that judgeth righteously: who his own self
hare our sins in his own body on the tree, that
we, being dead to sins, should live unto right¬
eousness ; by whose stripes ye were healed. For
ye were as sheep going astray; hut are now
returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your
souls.
The Gospel. John x. 11.
Jesus said, I am the good shepherd; the good
shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he
that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose
own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming,
and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf
catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The
hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and
careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd,
and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the
Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
And other sheep I have, which are not of this
fold"! them also I must bring, and they shall hear
my voice ; and there shall be one fold, and one
shepherd.
THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
The Collect.
Almighty God, who showest to them that are
in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that
they may return into the way of righteousness,
grant unto all them that are admitted into the
76
THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
fellowship of Christ's religion, that they may
eschew those things that are contrary to their
profession, and follow all such things as are
agreeable to the same, through our Lord Jesus
Christ. Amen.
The Epistle. 1 Pet. ii. 11.
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and
pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war
against the soul; having your conversation honest
among the Gentiles; that, whereas they speak
against you as evil-doers, they may by your good
works which they shall behold, glorify God in
the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every
ordinance of man for the Lord's sake : whether
it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors,
as unto them that are sent by him for the punish¬
ment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them
that do well. For so is the will of God, that with
well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance
of foolish men : as free, and not using your liberty
for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants
of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood.
Fear God. Honor the king.
The Gospel. John xvi. 16.
Jesus said to his disciples, A little while, and
ye shall not see me; and again, a little while,
and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
Then said some of his disciples among them¬
selves, "What is this that he saith unto us, A little
while, and ye shall not see me; and again, a
little while, and ye shall see me; and, Because I
go to the Father ? They said therefore, What is
this that he saith, A little while ? we cannot tell
what he saith. How Jesus knew that they were
desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye
inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little
while, and ye shall not see me; and again, a little
while, and ye shall see me? Yerily, verily, I
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 77
say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, hut
the world shall rejoice; and ye shall be sorrowful,
but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A
woman when she is in travail hath sorrow,
because her hour is come ; but as soon as she is
delivered of the child, she remembereth no more
the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the
world. And ye now therefore have sorrow ; but
I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice,
and your joy no man taketh from you.
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
The Collect.
O Almighty God, who alone canst order the
unruly wills and affections of sinful men, grant
unto thy people, that they may love the thing
which thou commandest, and desire that which
thou dost promise, that so, among the sundry
and manifold changes of the world, our hearts
may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to
be found, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. James i. 17.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from
-above, and cometh down from the Father of
lights, with whom is no variableness, neither
shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us
with the word of truth, that we should be a kind
of first-fruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my
beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of
man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity
of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the
engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
78 THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
The Gospel. John xvi. 5.
Jesus said unto his disciples, Now I go my
way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh
me, Whither goest thou? But because I have
said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled
your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth:
It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I
go not away, the Comforter will not come unto
you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
And when he is come, he will reprove the world
of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of
sin, because they believe not on me; of right¬
eousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see
me no more; of judgment, because the prince of
this world is judged. I have yet many things to
say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come,
he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not
speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear,
that shall he speak ? and he will show you things
to come. He shall glorify me; for he shall
receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All
things that the Father hath are mine : therefore,
said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show
it unto you.
THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
The Collect.
O Lord, from whom all good things do come,
grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy
holy inspiration we may think those things that
are good, and by thy merciful guiding may per¬
form the same, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
The Epistle. James i. 22.
Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only,
deceiving your own selves. For if any be a
THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 79
hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like
unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass;
for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and
straightway forgetteth what manner of man he
was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of
liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a
forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this
man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man
among you seem, to be religious, and bridleth not
his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this
man's religion is vain. Pure religion and unde-
filed before God and the Father is this, To visit
the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and
to keep himself unspotted from the world.
TJie Gospel. John xvi. 23.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye
shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it
you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my
name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy
may be full. These things have I spoken unto
you in proverbs; but the time cometh, when I
shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I
shall shew you plainly of the Father. At that
day ye shall ask in my name; and I say not unto
you, that I will pray the Father for you; for the
Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved
me, and have believed that I came out from God.
I came forth from the Father, and am come into
the world: again, I leave the world, and go to
the Father. His disciples said unto him, Lo,
now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no pro¬
verb. How are we sure that thou knowest all
things, and needest not that any man should ask
thee : by this we believe that thou earnest forth
from God. Jesus answered them, Do ye now
believe ? Behold the hour cometh, yea, is now
come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to
his own, and shall leave me alone; and yet I am
not alone, because the Father is with me. These
80
THE ASCENSION-DAY.
tilings I have spoken unto you, that in me ye
might have peace. In the world ye shall have
tribulation; hut he of good cheer, I have over¬
come the world.
THE ASCENSION-DAY.
The Collect.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that
like as we do believe thy only begotten Son our
Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the
heavens, so we may also in heart and mind
thither ascend, and with him continually dwell,
who liveth and reigneth with thee, and the' Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
For the Epistle. Acts i. 1.
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus,
of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until
the day in which he was taken up, after that he
through the Holy Ghost had given, command¬
ments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
to whom also he showed himself alive after his
passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of
them forty days, and speaking of the things per¬
taining to the kingdom of God; and, being
assembled together with them, commanded them
that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but
wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith
he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized
with water; but ye shall be baptized with the
Holy Ghost not many days hence. "When they
therefore were come together, they asked of him,
saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again
the kingdom to Israel ? And he said unto them,
It is not for you to know the times or the seasons,
which the Father hath put in his own power.
THE ASCENSION-DAY.
81
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy
Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall he witnesses
unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea,
and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of
the earth. And when he had spoken these things,
while they beheld, he was taken upand a cloud
received him out of their sight. And while they
looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up,
behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye
gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which
.is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come
in like manner as ye have seen him go into
heaven.
The Gospel. Mark xvi. 14.
Jesus appeared unto the eleven as they sat at
meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief
and hardness of heart, because they believed not
them which had seen him, after he was risen.
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world,
and preach the gospel to every creature. He
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;
but he that believeth not shall be damned. And
these signs shall follow them that believe : In
my name shall they cast out devils; they shall
speak with new tongues; they shall take up
serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it
shall not hurt them ; they shall lay hands on the
sick, and they shall recover. So then, after the
Lord had spoken unto them, he was received
up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of
God. And they went forth, and preached every¬
where, the Lord working with them, and confirm¬
ing the word with signs following.
4
82
THE SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION-DAY.
TIIE SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION-DAY.
The Collect.
O God the King of glory, who hast exalted
thine only Son Jesns Christ with great triumph
unto thy kingdom in heaven, we beseech thee
leave us not comfortless, but send to us thine.
Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us unto the
same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone
before, who liveth and reigneth with thee and
the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
The Epistle. 1 Pet. iv. T.
The end of all things is at hand : be ye there¬
fore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above
all things have fervent charity among yourselves;
for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use
hospitality one to another without grudging. As
every man hath received the gift, even so minister
the same one to another, as good stewards of the
manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let
him speak as the oracles of God; if any man
minister, let him do it as of the ability which
God giveth; that God in all things may be glori¬
fied through Jesus Christ: to whom be praise
and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
The Gospel. John xv. 20, and part of Chap. xvi.
When the Comforter is come, whom I will
send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit
of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he
shall testify of me; and ye also shall bear witness,
because ye have been with me from the begin¬
ning. These things have I spoken unto you,
WHIT-SUNDAY.
83
that ye should not he offended. They shall put
you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh,
that whosoever killeth you will think that he
doe.th God service. And these things will they
do unto you, because they have not known the
Father, nor me. But these things have I told
you, that when the time shall come, ye may
remember that I told you of them.
WHIT-SUNDAY.
The Collect.
0 God, who as at this time didst teach the
hearts of thy faithful people, by the sending to
them the light of thy Holy Spirit, grant us by
the same Spirit to have a right judgment in
all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy
comfort, through the merits of Christ Jesus our
Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in
the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world
without end. Amen.
For the Epistle. Acts ii. 1.
"When the day of Pentecost was fully come,
they were all with one accord in one place. And
suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of
a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house
where they were sitting. And there appeared
unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it
sat upon each of them. And they were all filled
with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with
other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews,
devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
How when this was noised abroad, the multitude
came together, and were confounded, because
that every man heard them speak in his own
language. And they were all amazed and mar-
84
WHIT-SUNDAY.
veled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all
these which speak Galileans? And how hear we
every man in our own tongue, wherein we were
horn ? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and
the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and
Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and
Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya
about Cyrene, and strangers of Pome, Jews and
proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them
speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
The Gospel. John xiv. 15.
Jesus said unto his disciples, If ye love me,
keep my commandments. And I will pray the
Father, and he shall give you another Comforter,
that he may abide with you for ever; even the
Spirit of truth ; whom the world cannot receive,
because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him ;
but ye know him ; for he dwelleth with you, and
shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless:
I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the
world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because
I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall
know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and
I in you. He that hath my commandments, and
keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he
that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and
I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Judas saith unto him, (not Iscariot,) Lord, how
is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us,
and not unto the world? Jesus answered and
said unto him, If a man love me he will keep my
words; and my Father will love him, and we
will come unto him, and make our abode with
him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my
sayings; and the word which ye hear is not
mine, but the Father's which sent me. These
things have I spoken unto you, being yet present
with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy
Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name,
TRINITY-SUNDAY.
85
he shall teach you all things, and bring all things
to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said
unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I
give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I
unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither
let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto
you, I go away, and come again unto you. If
ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said,
I go unto the Father; for my Father is greater
than I. And now I have told you before it
come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye
might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much
with you ; for the prince of this world cometh,
and liath nothing in me. But that the world
may know that I love the Father; and as the
Father gave me commandment, even so I do.
TRINITY-SUNDAY.
The Collect.
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given
unto us thy servants grace by the confession of a
true faith to acknowledge the glory of the eternal
Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty
to worship the Unity, we beseech thee, that thou
wouldest keep us steadfast in this faith, and ever¬
more defend us from all adversities, who livest
and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen.
For the Epistle. Rev. iv. 1.
After this I looked, and, behold a door was
opened in heaven; and the first voice which I
heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with
me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show
thee things which must be hereafter. And im¬
mediately I was in the Spirit; and, behold, a
throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the
throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a
86
TRINITY-SUNDAY.
jasper and a sardine stone ; and there was a rain-
how round about the throne, in sight like unto
an emerald. And round about the throne were
four and twenty seats; and upon the seats I saw
four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white
raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of
gold. And out of the throne proceeded light¬
nings and thunderings and voices; and there
were seven lamps of fire burning before the
throne, which are the seven spirits qf God. And
before the throne there was a sea of glass like
unto crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and
round about the throne, were four beasts full of
eyes before and behind. And the first beast was
like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and
the third beast had a face as a man, and the
fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the
four beasts had each of them six wings about
him; and they were full of eyes within; and they
rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is
to come. And when those beasts give glory
and honor and thanks to him that sat on the
throne, who liveth for ever and ever, the four
and twenty elders fall down before him that sat
on the throne, and worship him that liveth for
ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the
throne, saying, Thou art worthy, 0 Lord, to
receive glory and honor and power; for thou
hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they
are and were created.
The Gospel. John iii. 1.
There was a man of the Pharisees, named
Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews : the same came
to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we
know that thou art a teacher come from God;
for no man can do these miracles that thou doest,
except God be with him. Jesus answered and
said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born again he cannot see the
THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
87
kingdom of God. Hicodemus saitli unto Mm,
IIow can a man be born when be is old ? can he
enter the second time into his mother's womb,
and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I
say unto thee, Except a man be born of water
and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the king¬
dom of God. That which is born of the flesh is
flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is
spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye
must be born again. The wind bloweth where
it' listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof,
but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither
it goeth: so is every one that is born of the
Spirit. Hicodemus answered and said unto him,
How can these things be? Jesus answered and
said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and
knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say
unto thee, "We speak that we do know, and testify
that we have seen ; and ye receive not our wit¬
ness. If I have to]d you earthly things, and ye
believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of
heavenly things? And no man hath ascended
up to heaven, but he that came down from
heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilder¬
ness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up :
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have eternal life.
THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
O God, the strength of all them that put their
trust in thee, mercifully accept our prayers; and
because, through the weakness of our mortal
nature we can do no good thing without thee,
grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping
88 THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
thy commandments, we may please thee both in
will and deed, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Epistle. 1 John iv. 7.
Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of
God; and every one that loveth is born of God,
and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth
not God; for God is love. In this was manifested
the love of God toward us, because that God sent
his only begotten Son into the world, that we
might live through him. Herein is love, not that
we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his
Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved,
if God so loved us, we ought also to love one
another. JSTo man hath seen God at any time.
If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and
his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we
that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he
hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen
and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be
the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall con¬
fess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth
in him, and he in God. And we have known
and believed the love that God hath to us. God
is love ; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in
God, and God in him. Herein is our love made
perfect, that we may have boldness in the day
of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this
world. There is no fear in love; but perfect
love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment.
He that fearefh is not made perfect in love.
We. love him, because he first loved us. If a
man say, I love God, and hateth his brother,
he is a liar; lor he that loveth not his brother
whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom
he hath not seen ? And this commandment have
we from him, That he who loveth God love
his brother also.
THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
89
The Gospel. Luke xvi. 19.
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed
in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously
every day; and there was a certain beggarnamed
Lazarus, which was laid at his gate full of sores,
and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell
from the rich man's table: moreover, the dogs
came and licked his sores. And it came to pass,
that the beggar died, and was carried by the
angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man
also died, and was buried; and in hell he lifted
up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abra¬
ham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And
he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy
on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the
tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue;
for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham
said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime
receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus
evil things ; but now he is comforted, and thou
art tormented. And beside all this, between us
and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they
which would pass from hence to you cannot;
neither can they pass to us, that would come from
thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore,
father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's
house ; for I have five brethren; that he may
testify unto them, lest they also come into this
place of torment. Abraham saith unto him,
They have Moses and the prophets; let them
hear them. And he said, Hay, father Abraham;
but if one went unto them from the dead, they
will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear
not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be
persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
4*
90
THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
0 Lord, who never failest to help and govern
them whom thou, dost bring up in thy steadfast
fear and love, keep us, we beseech thee, under
the protection of thy good providence, and make
us to have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy
name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. 1 Johu iii. 13.
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate
you. "We know that we have passed from death
unto life, because we love the brethren. He that
loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whoso¬
ever hateth his brother is a murderer; and ye
know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding
in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God,
because he laid down his life for us ; and we
ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his
brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of
compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of
God in him ? My little children, let us not love
in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in
truth. And hereby we know that we are of the
truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than
our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved,
if our heart condemn us not, then have we
confidence toward God. And whatsoever we
ask, we receive of him, because we keep his
commandments, and do those things that are
pleasing in his sight. And this is his command¬
ment, That we should believe on the name of his
Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he
THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
91
gave us commandment. And he that keepeth
his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in
him. And hereby we know that he abideth in
us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
The Gospel. Luke xiv. 16.
A certain man made a great supper, and bade
many; and sent his servant at supper-time to
say to them that were bidden, Come; for all
things are now ready. And they all with one
consent began to make excuse. The first said
unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and
I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me
excused. And another said, I have bought five
yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray
thee have me excused. And another said, I have
married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So
that servant came, and showed his lord these
things. Then the master of the house, being
angry, said to his servant, Go out quickly into
the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in
hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt,
and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is
done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is
room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go
out into the highways and hedges, and compel
them to come in, that my house may be filled.
For I say unto you, That none of those men
which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
O Lord, we beseech thee mercifully to hear us;
and grant that we, to whom thou hast given an
hearty desire to pray, may by thy mighty aid be
92
TIIE THIRD SU'N'DW'Ali'tliTl1"TTlTNiTM".
defended and comforted in all dangers and adver¬
sities, through. Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. 1 Peter v. 5.
All of you he subject one to another, and he
clothed with humility; for God resisteth the
proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble
yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of
God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting
all your care upon him, for he careth for you. Be
sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the
devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking
whom he may devour; whom resist steadfast in
the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are
accomplished in your brethren that are in the
world. But the God of all grace, who hath called
us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after
that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect,
stablisli, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory
and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
The Gospel. Luke xv. 1.
Then drew near unto him all the publicans
and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees
and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiv-
eth sinners, and eateth with them. And he
spake this parable unto them, saying, AYhat man
of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of
them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the
wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until
he find it ? And when he hath found it, he layeth
it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he
cometh home, he calleth together his friends and
neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me;
for I have found my sheep which was lost. I
say unto you, That likewise joy shall be in heaven
over one sinner that repenteth, more than over
ninety and nine just persons, which need no
repentance. Either what woman having ten
pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 98
light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek
diligently till she find it ? And when she hath
found it, she calleth her friends and her neigh¬
bors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I
have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise,
I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the
angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
0 God, the protector of all that trust in thee,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy,
increase and multiply upon us thy mercy, that
thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass
through things temporal, that we finally lose not
the things eternal: grant this, O Heavenly Father,
for Jesus Christ's sake our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. Rom. viii. 18.
1 reckon that the sufferings of this present
time are not.worth to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed in us. For the
earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for
the manifestation of the sons of God. For the
creature was made subject to vanity, not will¬
ingly, but by reason of him who hatli subjected
the same in hope; because the creature itself
also shall be delivered from the bondage of cor¬
ruption into the glorious liberty of the children
of God. For we know that the whole creation
groaneth and travaileth in pain together until
now. And not only they, but ourselves also,
which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we
ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the
adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
94 THE FIFTH SWD A f'"MTEll"""T'KTO IT t1
The Gospel. Luke vi. 36.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also
is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be
judged: condemn not, and ye shall not he con¬
demned ; forgive, and ye shall he forgiven: give,
and it shall be given unto you; good measure,
pressed down, and shaken together, and running
over, shall men give into your bosom. For
with the same measure that ye mete withal, it
shall be measured to you again. And he spake
a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the
blind ? shall they not both fall into the ditch ?
The disciple is not above his master; but every
one that is perfect shall be as his master. And
why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy
brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is
in thine own eye ? Either how canst thou say to
thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote
that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest
not the beam that is in thine own eye ? Thou
hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine
own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull
out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
Grant, 0 Lord, we beseech thee, that the
course of this world may be so peaceably ordered
by thy governance, that thy church may joyfully
serve thee in all godly quietness, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. 1 Peter iii. 8.
Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one
of another ; love as brethren, be pitiful, be court-,
eous; not rendering evil for evil, or railing for
THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 95
railing; but contrariwise blessing; knowing that
ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a
blessing. For he that will love life, and see
good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil,
and his lips that they speak no guile; let him
eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace,
and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over
the righteous, and his ears are open unto their
prayers; but the face of the Lord is against them
that do evil. And who is he that will harm you,
if ye be followers of that which is good ? But
and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy
are ye ; and be not afraid of their terror, neither
be troubled ; but sanctify the Lord God in your
hearts.
The Gospel. Luke v. 1.
It came to pass, that, as the people pressed
upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by
the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships stand¬
ing by the lake; but the fishermen were gone
out of them, and were washing their nets. And
he entered into one of the ships, which was
Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust
out a little from the land'. And he sat down,
and taught the people out of the ship. How
when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon,
Launch out into the deep, and let down your
nets for a draught. And Simon answering said
unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night,
and have taken nothing; nevertheless, at thy
word I will let down the net. And when they
had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of
fishes; and their net brake. And they beck¬
oned unto their partners, which were in the
other ship, that they should come and help them.
And they came, and filled both the ships, so that
they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he
fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from
me ; for I am a sinful man, 0 Lord. For he was
astonished, and all that were with him, at the
96
THE SITXH SUNDAY" AFTER" TEINITY.
draught of the fishes which they had taken ; and
so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee,
which were partners with Simon. And Jesus
said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou
shalt catch men. And when they had brought
their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed
him.
THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
O God, who hast prepared for them that love
thee such good things as pass man's understand¬
ing, pour into our hearts such love toward thee,
that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain
th}^ promises, which exceed all that we can
desire, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. Lorn. vi. 3.
Know ye not, that so many of us as were bap¬
tized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his
death? Therefore we are buried with him by
baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised
up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been planted together in the
likeness of his death, we shall be also in the like¬
ness of his resurrection ; knowing this, that our
old man is crucified with him, that the body of
sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should
not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from
sin. Kow if we be dead with Christ, we believe
that we shall also live with him; knowing that
Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more;
death hath no more dominion over him. For
in that he died, he died unto sin once; but in
that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise
reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto
TIIE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 97
sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our
Lord.
The Gospel. Matt. v. 20.
Jesus said unto his disciples, Except your
righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of
the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case
enter into the kingdom of heaven. Ye have
heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou
shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be
in danger of the judgment; but I say unto you,
That whosoever is angry with his brother without
a cause, shall be in danger of the judgment; and
whosover shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be
in danger of the council; but whosoever shall say,
Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell-fire. There¬
fore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there
rememberest that thy brother hath aught against
thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and
go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother,
and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with
thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the
way with him; lest at any time the adversary
deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver
thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Yerily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means
come out thence, till thou hast paid the utter¬
most farthing.
TIIE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
Lord of all power and might, who art the
author and giver of all good things, graft in our
hearts the love of thy name, increase in us true
religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of
thy'great mercy keep us in the same, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
98 THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Epistle. Rom. vi. 19.
I speak after the manner of men, because of
the infirmity of your flesh ; for as ye have yielded
your members servants to uncleanness and to
iniquity unto iniquity, even so now yield your
members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were
free from righteousness. "What fruit had ye then
in those things, whereof ye are now ashamed ?
for the end of those things is death. But now
being made free from sin, and become servants
to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the
end everlastiug life. For the wages of sin is
death; but the gift of God is eternal life, through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Gospel. Mark viii. 1.
In those days the multitude being very great,
and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disci¬
ples unto him, and saith unto them, I have com¬
passion on the multitude, because they have now
been with me three days, and have nothing to
eat; and if I send them away fasting to their
own houses, they will faint by the way; for
divers of them came from far. And his disciples
answered him, From whence can a man satisfy
these men with bread here in the wilderness ?
And he asked them, How many loaves have ye ?
And they said, Seven. And he commanded the
people to sit down on the ground; and he took
the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake,
and gave to his disciples to set before them ; and
they did set them before the people. And they
had a few small fishes; and he blessed, and com¬
manded to set them also before them. So they
did eat, and were filled ; and they took up of the
broken meat that was left, seven baskets. And
they that had eaten were about four thousand.
And he sent them away.
THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 99
THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
0 God, whose never-failing providence ordereth
all things both in heaven and earth, we humbly
beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful
things, and to give us those things- which are
profitable for us, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Epistle. Rom. viii. 12.
Brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh^to
live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh,
ye shall die; but if ye, through the Spirit, do
mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For
as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are
the sons of God. For ye have not received the
spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have
received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry,
Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness
with our spirit, that we are the children of God;
and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and
joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer
with him, that we may be also glorified together.
The Gospel. Matt. vii. 15.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you
in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are raven¬
ing wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of this¬
tles ? Even so every good tree bringeth forth
good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil
fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,
neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is
hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore
by their fruits ye shall know them. Rot every
100 THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter
into the kingdom of heaven ; hut he that doeth
the will of my Father which is in heaven.
TIIE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect
Grant to -us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit
to think and do always such things as are right¬
ful, that we, who cannot do any thing that is
good without thee, may by thee be enabled to
live according to thy will, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. 1 Cor. x. 1.
Brethren, I would not that ye should be igno¬
rant, how that all our fathers were under the
cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were
all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the
sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat;
and did all drink the same spiritual drink; for
they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed
them; and that Rock was Christ. But with many
of them God was not well pleased; for they were
overthrown in the wilderness. Ifow these things
were our examples, to the intent we should not
lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither
be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is
written, The people sat down to eat and drink,
and rose up to play. Neither let us commit for¬
nication, as some of them committed, and fell in
one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let
us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted,
and were destroyed of serpents. Neither mur¬
mur ye, as some of them also murmured, and
were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these
things happened unto them for ensamples; and
they are written for our admonition, upon whom
THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 101
the ends of the world are come. "Wherefore let
him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he
fall. There hath no temptation taken you but
such as is common to man ; hut God is faithful,
who will not suffer you to be tempted above that
ye are able ; hut will with the temptation also
make a way to escape, that ye may be able to
bear it.
The Gospel. Luke xvi. 1.
Jesus said unto his disciples, There was a
certain rich man, which had a steward ; and the
same was accused unto him that he had wasted
his goods. And he called him, and said unto
him, How is it that I hear this of thee ? give an
account of thy stewardship ; for thou mayest be
no longer steward. Then the steward said within
himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh
away from me the stewardship : I cannot dig; to
beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do,
that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they
may receive me into their houses. So he called
every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and
said unto the first, How much owest thou unto
my lord ? And he said, A hundred measures of
oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and
sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he
to another, And how much owest thou? And
he said, A hundred measures of wheat. And he
said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
And the lord commended the unjust steward,
because he had done wisely; for the children of
this world are in their generation-wiser than the
children of light. And I say unto you, Make to
yourselves friends of the mammon of unright¬
eousness ; that, when ye fail, they may receive
you into everlasting habitations.
102 THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
Let thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the
prayers of thy hnmhle servants; and that they
may obtain their petitions, make them to ask
such things as shall please thee, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. 1 Cor. xii. 1.
Concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would
not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were
Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols,
even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to
understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit
of God, calleth Jesus accursed ; and that no man
can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy
Ghost. How there are diversities of gifts, hut
the same Spirit. And there are differences of
administrations, hut the same Lord. And there
are diversities of operations, hut it is the same
God which worketh all in all. But the manifes¬
tation of the Spirit is given to every man to
profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit
the word of wisdom; to another, the word of
knowledge by the same Spirit; to another, faith
by the same Spirit; to another, the gifts of heal¬
ing by the same Spirit; to another, the working
of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another,
discerning of spirits; to another, divers kinds
of tongues; to another, the interpretation of
tongues ; but all these worketh that one and the
self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally
as he will.
The Gospel. Luke xix. 41.
And when he was come near, he beheld the
city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst
THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 103
known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the
things which belong unto thy peace ! hut now
they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall
come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a
trench about thee, and compass thee round, and
keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee
even with the ground, and thy children within
thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone
upon another; because thou knewest not the
time of thy visitation. And he went into the
temple, and began to cast out them that sold
therein, and them that bought; saying unto
them, It is written, My house is the house of
prayer ; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
And he taught daily in the temple.
THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
O God, who declarest thy almighty power
most chiefly in showing mercy and pity, merci¬
fully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace,
that we, running the way of thy-commandments,
may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made
partakers of thy heavenly treasure, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. 1 Cor. xv. 1.
Brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which
I preached unto you, which also ye have received,
and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are
saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto
you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I
delivered unto you first of all that which I also
received, how that Christ died for our sins, accord¬
ing to the Scriptures ; and that he was buried;
and that he rose again the third day, according to
the Scriptures; and that he was seen of Cephas,
104 THE TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of
above five hundred brethren at once; of whom
the greater part remain unto this present, hut
some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen
of James ; then of all the apostles. And last of
all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of
due time. For I am the least of the apostles,
that am not meet to be called an apostle, because
I persecuted the church of God. But by the
grace of God I am what I am; and his grace
which was bestowed upon me was not in vain;
but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet
not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach,
and so ye believed.
The Gospel. Luke xviii. 9.
Jesus spake this parable unto certain which
trusted in themselves that they were righteous,
and despised others: Two men went up into the
temple to pray ; the one a Pharisee, and the other
a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus
with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as
other men are, extortioners, unj ust, adulterers, or
even as this publican. I fast twice in the week,
I give tithes of all that I possess. And the
publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so
much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon
his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a
sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his
house justified rather than the other; for every
one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and
he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
THE TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
Almighty and everlasting God, who art always
more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont
THE TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 105
to give more than either we desire or deserve,
pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy,
forgiving us those things whereof our conscience
is afraid, and giving us those good things which
we are not worthy to ask, hut through the merits
and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord.
Amen.
The Epistle. 2 Cor. iii. 4.
Such trust have we through Christ to God-
ward : not that we are sufficient of ourselves to
think any thing as of ourselves ; but our suffici¬
ency is of God; who also hath made us able
ministers of the new testament; not of the letter,
but of the spirit; for the letter killeth, but the
spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of
death, written and engraven in stones, was glori¬
ous, so that the children of Israel could not
steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory
of his countenance, which glory was to be done
away, how shall not the ministration of the
spirit be rather glorious ? For if the ministration
of condemnation be glory, much-more doth the
ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
The Gospel. Mark vii. 31.
Jesus, departing from the coasts of Tyre and
Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through
the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. And they
bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an
impediment in his speech; and they beseech him
to put his hand upon him. And he took him
aside from the multitude, and put his fingers
into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue ;
and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith
unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And
straightway his ears were opened, and the string
of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.
And he charged them that they should tell no
man; but the more he charged them, so much
the more a great deal they published it; and
5
106 THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
were beyond measure astonished, saying, He
bath done all things well: he maketh both the
deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
Almighty and merciful God, of whose only gift
it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee
true and laudable service, grant, we "beseech
thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this
life, that we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly
promises, through the merits- of J esus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. Gal. iii. 16.
To Abraham and his seed were the promises
made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many;
but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
And this I say, that the covenant, that was con¬
firmed before of God in Christ, the law, which
was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot
disannul, that it should make the promise of
none effect. For if the inheritance be of the
law, it is no more of promise; but God gave it
to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth
the law ? It was added because of transgres¬
sions, till the seed should come to whom the
promise was made; and it was ordained by
angels in the hand of a mediator. How a medi¬
ator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
Is the law then against the promises of God ?
God forbid; for if there had been a law given
which could have given life, verily righteousness
should have been by the law. Hut the Scripture
hath concluded all under sin, that the promise
by faith of J esus Christ might be given to them
that believe.
THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 107
The Gospel. Luke x. 23.
Blessed are the eyes which see the things that
ye see; for I tell you, that many prophets and
kings have desired to see those things which ye
see, and have not seen them; and to hear those
things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and
tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to
inherit eternal life ? He said unto him, What
is written in the law ? how readest thou ? And
he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy
God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind;
and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto
him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and
thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify him¬
self, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went
down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among
thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and
wounded him, and departed, leaving him half
dead. And by chance there came down a certain
priest that way; and when he saw him, he
passed by on the other side. And likewise a
Levite, when he was at the place, came and
looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came
where he was; and when he saw him, he had
compassion on him, and went to him, and bound
up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set
him on his own beast, and brought him to an
inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow,
when he departed, he took out two pence, and
gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take
care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more,
when I come again, I will repay thee. Which,
now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor
unto him that fell among the thieves ? And he
said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said
Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
108 THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the
increase of faith, hope, and love; and, that we
may obtain that which thou dost promise, make
us to love that which thou dost command, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. Gal. v. 16.
I say then, "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not
fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth
against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the
flesh; and these are contrary the one to the
other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye
would. But if ye he led by the Spirit, ye are not
under the law. Now the works of the flesh are
manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft,
hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, sedi¬
tions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness,
revelings, and such like ; of the which I tell you
before, as I have also told you in time past, that
they which do such things shall not inherit the
kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, good¬
ness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such
there is no law. And they that are Christ's have
crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
The Gospel. Luke xvii. 11.
And it came to pass, as Jesus went to Jeru¬
salem, that he passed through the midst of Sama¬
ria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain
village, there met him ten men that were lepers,
which stood afar off; and they lifted up their
voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on
THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 109
us. And when lie saw them, he said unto them,
Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it
came to pass, that, as they went, they were
cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that
he was healed, turned back, and with a loud
voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at
his feet, giving him thanks ; and he was a Sama¬
ritan. And Jesus answering said, "Were there
not ten cleansed ? hut where are the nine ? There
are not found that returned to give glory to God,
save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise,
go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.
THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
Keep, we beseech thee, 0 Lord, thy Church
with thy perpetual mercy; and, because the frailty
of man without thee cannot but fall, keep us ever
by thy help from all things hurtful, and lead us
to all things profitable to our salvation, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. Gal. vi. 11.
Ye see how large a letter I have written unto
you with mine own hand. As many as desire
to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain
you to be circumcised; only lest they should
suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For
neither they themselves who are circumcised keep
the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that
they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid
that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified
unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ
Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing,
nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as
many as walk according to this rule, peace be on
110 THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
From henceforth let no man trouble me; for I
bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with your spirit. Amen.
The Gosjpel. Matt. vi. 24.
Ho man can serve two masters; for either he
will hate the one, and love the other; or else he
will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye
cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I
say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what
ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for
your body, what ye shall put on. Is. not the life
more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not,
neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet
your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not
much better than they ? "Which of you by taking
thought can add one cubit unto his stature ?
And why take ye thought for raiment ? Consider
the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil
not, neither do they spin; and yet I say unto
you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not
arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so
clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and
to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much
more clothe you, 0 ye of little faith? There¬
fore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat ?
or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall
we be clothed ? (for after all these things do
the Gentiles seek;) for your heavenly Father
knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added
unto you. Take therefore no thought for the
morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for
the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is
the evil thereof.
THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. Ill
THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
0 Lord, we beseech thee, let thy continual pity
cleanse and defend thy Church; and because it
cannot continue in safety without thy succor,
preserve it evermore by thy help and goodness,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. Eph. iii. 13.
1 desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for
you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow
my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and
earth is named, that he would grant you, accord¬
ing to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened
with might by his Spirit in the inner man ; that
Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye,
being rooted and grounded in love, may be able
to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth,
and length, and depth, and height; and to know
the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,
that ye might be filled with all the fullness of
God. Fow unto him that is able to do exceed¬
ing abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that worketh in us, unto
him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
The Gospel. Luke vii. 11.
And it came to pass the day after, that Jesus
went into a city called Fain ; and many of his
disciples went with him, and much people. Fow
when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold,
there was a dead man carried out, the only son
of his mother, and she was a widow; and much
people of the city was with her. And when the
112 THE SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and
said unto her, "Weep not. And he came and
touched the bier; and they that hare him stood
still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee,
Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began
to speak. And he delivered him to. his mother.
And there came a fear on all; and they glorified
God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up
among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
And this rumor of him went forth throughout all
Judea, and throughout all the region round about.
THE SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
Lord, we pray thee, that thy grace may always
prevent and follow us, and make us continually
to be given to all good works, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. Eph. iv. 1.
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech
you that ye walk worthy of the vocation where¬
with ye are called. With all lowliness and meek¬
ness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another
in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body,
and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope
of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all, who is above all, and
through all, and in you all.
The Gospel. Luke xiv. 1.
It came to pass, as Jesus went into the house
of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on
the sabbath-day, that they watched him. And
behold, there was a certain man before him which
had the dropsy. And Jesus answering spake
THE EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 113
unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it
lawful to heal on the sabbath-day ? And they
held their peace. And he took him, and healed
him, and let him go; and answered them, saying,
"Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen
into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out
on the sabbath-day ? And they could not answer
him again to these things. And he put forth a
parable to those which were bidden, when he
marked how they chose out the chief rooms;
saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any
man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest
room ; lest a more honorable man than thou be
bidden of him; and he that bade thee and him
come and say to thee, Give this man place ; and
thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in
the lowest room; that when he that bade thee
cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up
higher; then shalt thou have worship in the
presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For
whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased ; and
he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
THE EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
Lord, we beseech thee, grant thy people grace
to withstand the temptations of the world, the
flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and
minds to follow thee, the only God, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. 1 Cor. i. 4.
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the
grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
that in every thing ye are enriched by him, in
all utterance, and in all knowledge; even as the
5*
114 THE NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so
that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall also
confirm you unto the end, that ye maybe blame¬
less in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Gospel. Matt. xxii. 34.
"When the Pharisees had heard that Jesus had
put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered
together. Then one of them, which was a law¬
yer, asked him a question, tempting him, and
saying, Master, which is the great commandment
in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This
is the first and great commandment. And the
second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neigh¬
bor as thyself. On these two commandments
hang all the law and the prophets. While the
Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked
them, saying, What think ye of Christ? whose
son is he ? They say unto him, The son of David.
He saith unto them, How then doth David in
spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto
my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand till I make
thine enemies thy footstool ? If David then call
him Lord, how is he his son ? And no man was
able to answer him a word, neither durst any
man from that day forth ask him any more
questions.
THE NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
O God, forasmuch as without thee, we are not
able to please thee, mercifully grant that thy
Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our
hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 115
The Epistle. Eph. iv. IT.
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord,
that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles
walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the
understanding darkened, being alienated from
the life of God through the ignorance that is
in them, because of the blindness of their heart;
who, being past feeling, have given themselves
over unto lasciviousness, to work all unclean-
ness with greediness. But ye have not so learned
Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and
have been taught by him, as the truth is in
Jesus: that .ye put oif concerning the former
conversation the old man, which is corrupt accord¬
ing to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in
the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the
new man, which after God is created in right¬
eousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting
away lying, speak every man truth with his
neighbor; for we are members one of another.
Be ye angry, and sin not; let not the sun go
down upon your wrath; neither give place to
the devil. Let him that stole steal no more; but
rather let him labor, working with his hands the
thing which is good, that he may have to give
to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communi¬
cation proceed out of your mouth, but that which
is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister
grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy
Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day
of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath,
and anger, and clamor, and evil-speaking, be put
away from you, with all malice; and be ye kind
one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one
another, even as God for Christ's sake hath
forgiven you.
The Gospel. Matt. ix. 1.
Jesus entered into a ship, and passed over,
and came into his own city. And behold, they
116 THE TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER. TRINITY.
brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on
a bed; and Jesus seeing their faith, said unto the
sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheery thy
sins be forgiven thee. And behold, certain of
the scribes said within themselves, This man
blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts,
said, "Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts ?
For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven
thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye
may know that the Son of man hath power
on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the
sick of the palsy,) Arise take up thy bed, and
go unto thine house. And he arose, and depart¬
ed to his house. But when the multitudes saw
it, they marveled, and glorified God, which had
given such power unto men.
THE TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Colled.
0 Almighty and most merciful God, of thy
bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech thee,
from all things that may hurt us; that we, being
ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully
accomplish those things that thou wouldest have
done, through Jesus Christ our Lord.. Amen.
The Epistle. Eph. v. 15.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as
fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because
the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise,
but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;
but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to your¬
selves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs;
singing and making melody in your heart to the
Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto
God and the Father, in the name of our Lord
THE TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 11T
Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to
another in the fear of God.
The Gospel. Matt. xxii. 1.
Jesus said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto
a certain king, which made a marriage for his
son, and sent forth his servants to call them that
were bidden to the wedding; and they would
not come. Again, he sent forth other servants,
saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I
have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my
fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come
unto the marriage. But they made light of it,
and went their ways, one to his farm, another to
his merchandise; and the remnant took his serv¬
ants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew
them. But when the king heard thereof, he was
wroth, and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed
those murderers, and burned up their city. Then
saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready,
but they which were bidden were not worthy.
Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many
as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those
servants went out into the highways, and gathered
together all as many as they found, both bad and
good; and the wedding was furnished with guests.
And when the king came in to see the guests, he
saw there a man which had not on a wedding-
garment ; and he saith unto him, Friend, how
earnest thou in hither not having a wedding-
garment ? And he was speechless. Then said
the king to the servants, Bind him hand and
foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer
darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing
of teeth. For many are called, but few are
chosen.
118 THE TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
THE TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy
faithful people, pardon and peace, that they may
be cleansed from, all their sins, and serve thee
with a quiet mind, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. Eph. vi. 10.
My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and
in the power of his might. Put on the whole
armor of God, that ye may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle
not against flesh and blood, but against prin¬
cipalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this world, against spiritual wicked¬
ness in high places. Wherefore take unto you
the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all,
to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins
girt about with truth, and having on the breast¬
plate of righteousness; and your feet shod with"
the preparation of the gospel of peace; above
all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall
be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God ; praying always with all prayer and suppli¬
cation in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with
all perseverance and supplication for all saints; '
and for me, that utterance may be given unto
me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make
known the mystery of the gospel, for which I
am an ambassador in bonds ; that therein I may
speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
THE TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 119
The Gospel. John iv. 46.
^ There was a certain nobleman, whose son was
sick at Capernaum. "When he heard that Jesus
was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went
unto him, and besought him that he would come
down, and heal his son; for he was at the
point of death. Then said Jesus unto him,
Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not
believe. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir,
come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto
him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the
man believed the word that Jesus had spoken
unto him, and he went his way. And as he
was now going down, his servants met him,
and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Then
inquired he of them the hour when he began
to amend. And they said unto him, Yester-
day at the seventh hour the fever left him. So
the father knew that it was at the same hour, in
the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth;
and himself believed, and his whole house. This
is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when
he was come out of Judea into Galilee.
THE TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
Lord, we beseech thee to keep thy household
the Church in continual godliness ; that through
thy protection it may be free from all adversities,
and devoutly given to serve thee in good works,
to the glory of thy name, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. Phil. i. 3.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of
you, always in every prayer of mine for you all
making request with joy, for your fellowship in
120 THE TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
the gospel from the first day until now; being
confident of this very thing, that he which hath
begun a good work in you will perform it until
the day of Jesus Christ; even as it is meet for
me to think this of you all, because I have you
in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and
in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye
all are partakers of my grace. For God is my
record, how greatly I long after you all in the
bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that
your love may abound yet more and more in
knowledge, and in all judgment; that ye may
approve things that are excellent; that ye may
be sincere and without offense till the day of
Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteous¬
ness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory
and praise of God.
The Gospel. Matt, xviii. 21.
Peter said unto Jesus, Lord, how oft shall my
brother sin against me, and I forgive him ? till
seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not
unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy
times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven
likened unto a certain king, which, would take
account of his servants. And when he had
begun to reckon, one was brought unto him,
which owed him ten thousand talents. But for¬
asmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded
him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and
all that he had, and payment to be made. The
servant therefore fell down, and worshiped him,
saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will
pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was
moved with compassion, and loosed him, and
forgave him the debt. But the same servant
went out, and found one of his fellow-servants,
which owed him a hundred pence; and he laid
hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying,
Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow-servant
fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying,
THE TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 121
Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
And he would not; hut went and cast him into
prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his
fellow-servants saw what was done, they "were
very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all
that was done. Then his lord, after that he had
called him, said unto him, 0 thou wicked servant,
I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst
me: shouldest not thou also have had compas¬
sion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on
thee ? And his lord was wroth, and delivered
him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that
was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly
Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts
forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
THE TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
0 God, our refuge and strength, who art the
author of all godliness, be ready, we beseech
thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy church;
and grant that those things which we ask faith¬
fully, we may obtain effectually, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle. Phil. iii. 17.
Brethren, be followers together of me, and
mark them which walk so as ye have us for an
ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told
you often, and now tell you even weeping, that
they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly,
and whose glory is in their shame, who mind
earthly things.) For our conversation is in hea¬
ven ; from whence also we look for the Saviour,
the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile
122 THE TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
body, that it may be fashioned like unto his
glorious body, according to the working whereby
he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
The Gospel. Matt. xxii. 15.
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel
how they might entangle him in his talk. And
they sent out unto him their disciples with the
Herodians, saying, Master we know that thou art
true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither
carest thou for any man ; for thou regardest not
the person of men. Tell us therefore, "What
thinkest thou ? Is it lawful to give tribute unto
Cesar, or not ? But Jesus perceived their wicked-
edness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypo¬
crites ? Show me the tribute-money. And they
brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto
them, Whose is this image and superscription ?
They say unto him, Cesar's. And he saith unto
them, Bender therefore unto Cesar the things
which are Cesar's; and unto God the things that
are God's. When they had heard these words,
they marveled, and left him, and went their way.
THE TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
0 Lord, we beseech thee, absolve thy people
from their offenses ; that, through thy bountiful
goodness, we may all be delivered from the bands
of those sins, which by our frailty we have com¬
mitted. Grant this, 0 Heavenly Father, for Jesus
Christ's sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour.
Amen.
The Epistle. Col. i. 3.
We give thanks to God and the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since
THE TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 123
we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the
love which ye have to all the saints, for the hope
which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye
heard before in the word of the truth of the
Gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the
world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also
in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew
the grace of God in truth: as ye also learned of
Epaphras, our dear fellow-servant, who is for you
a faithful minister of Christ; who also declared
unto us your love in the Spirit. For this cause
we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease
to pray for you, and to desire that ye might
be filled with the knowledge of his will in all
wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye
might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,
being fruitful in every good work, and increasing
in the knowledge of God ; strengthened with all
might according to his glorious power, unto all
patience and long-suffering with joyfulness ; giv¬
ing thanks unto the Father, which hath made us
meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the
saints in light.
The Gospel. Matt. ix. 18.
"While Jesus spake these things unto John's
disciples, behold, there came a certain ruler, and
worshiped him, saying, My daughter is even
now dead; but come and lay thy hand upon her,
and she shall live. And Jesus arose, and followed
him, and so did his disciples, And behold, a
woman, which was diseased with an issue of
blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched
the hem of his garment; for she said within
herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall
be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and
when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good
comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And
the woman was made whole from that hour.
And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and
saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
124 THE TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
he said unto them, Give place; for the maid is
not dead, hut sleepeth. And they laughed him
to scorn. But when the people were put forth,
he went in, and took her by the hand, and the
maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad
into all that land.
THE TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
The Collect.
Stir up, we beseech thee, 0 Lord, the wills of
thy faithful people, that they, plenteously bring¬
ing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be
plenteously rewarded, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
For the Epistle. Jer. xxiii. 5.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I
will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a
King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute
judgment and justice in the earth. In his days
Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell
safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be
called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord,
that they shall no more say, The Lord liveth,
which brought up the children of Israel out of
the land of Egypt; but, The Lord liveth, which
brought up and which led the seed of the house
of Israel out of the north country, and from all
countries whither I had driven them; and they
shall dwell in their own land.
The Gospel. John vi. 5.
"When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw
a great company come unto him, he saith unto
Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these
THE TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 125
may eat ? And this he said to prove him ; for
he himself knew what he would do. Philip
answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread
is not sufficient for them, that every one of them
may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew,
Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is
a lad here, which hath five barley-loaves, and
two small fishes; hut what are they among so
many ? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down.
How there was much grass in the place. So the
men sat down, in number about five thousand.
And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had
given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and
the disciples to them that were set down; and
likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
"When they were filled, he said unto his disciples,
Gather up the fragments that remain that noth¬
ing be lost. Therefore they gathered them toge¬
ther, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments
of the five barley-loaves, which remained over
and above unto them that had eaten. Then
those men, when they had seen the miracle that
Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that Prophet
that should come into the world.
END OF THE SUNDAY SERVICE.
126
FORM OF RECEIVING
FORM OF
RECEIVING MEMBERS INTO THE CHURCH.
[The General Conference ordered the following Form to he
printed with the Sunday Service, to be used by such ministers
as may see proper to do so.]
The Minister shall say to the Congregation:
Dearly beloved, I beseecli you to call upon
God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ,
to grant unto these persons his most mighty pro¬
tection in this world, and in the world to come
life everlasting.
Then shall he and the Congregation, all kneeling, say:
Almighty and everlasting God, we give thee
hearty thanks, that thou hast been pleased to
incline these thy servants to seek forgiveness
of sins and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Strengthen them continually, O Lord, by thy
merciful help, and with the comforts of thy Holy
Spirit. Plentifully endue them with the spirit of
wisdom and understanding—of knowledge and
true godliness; and may they abound more and
more in all usefulness and holy living, until called
to reign with thee in thy everlasting kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then shall he say to the Candidates:
Well-beloved, you have heard how the Con¬
gregation hath prayed that God the Father would
vouchsafe to give you his heavenly grace and
MEMBERS INTO THE CHURCH. 127
benediction. Wherefore, it behooveth yon to
declare your purpose, in view of the solemn cove¬
nant you are now entering upon, and to answer,
as in the presence of God, the questions that
follow:
Question. Do you earnestly desire to flee from
the wrath to come, and to be saved from your
sins ?
Answer. I do, the Lord being my helper.
Amen.
Question. Do you renounce the world, with all
its vanities, together with all sinful practices, so
that you will not follow or be led by them ?
Answer. I solemnly renounce them all, the
Lord being my helper. Amen.
Question. Do you promise to conform to the
usages of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South ?
Answer. I do, the Lord being my helper. Amen.
Question. And will you diligently and prayer¬
fully strive to keep God's holy will and command¬
ments, and to walk in the same all the days of
your life ?
Answer. I will endeavor to do so, the Lord being
my helper. Amen.
Question. Have you been baptized ?
Answer. I have.
[If any of the Candidates shall answer in the negative,
then the Minister shall proceed to administer the ordinance of
Baptism, according to the Ritual of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South.]
Then shall the Minister say, extending to each one the right
hand of Christian fellowship:
Forasmuch as you have taken upon yourselves
these solemn vows, I now pronounce you mem¬
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South;
and I do hereby commend you to her confidence
and Christian fellowship, and to the gracious
protection and guidance of God.
128
FORM OF RECEIVING MEMBERS.
Then shall he say:
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we make
our humble supplication for these thy servants,
who have given themselves in holy consecration to
thee and thy Church. Guide them, O Lord, by
thy Holy Spirit, defend them by thy grace, and
lead them into all knowledge and obedience of
thy will. Sanctify and govern both their minds
and hearts, and bring them finally to reign with
thee in thy everlasting kingdom, through him
who hath loved us and washed us in his own
blood; who, together with the Father and the
Holy Spirit, is worthy to receive all honor and
glory, both now and for ever. Amen.
Then the Minister may conclude with extemporary prayer.