stand my knowledge in the mys-born. And they said unto him, tery of Christ) which in other In Bethlehem of Judea: For thus ages was not made known unto it is written by the prophet, And the sons of men, as it is now re-thou Bethlehem, in the land of vealed unto his holy Apostles and Juda, art not the least among the Prophets by the Spirit; that the princes of Juda; for out of thee Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, shall come a Governor that shall and of the same body, and par-rule my people Israel. Then Hetakers of his promise in Christ, rod, when he had privily called by the Gospel whereof I was the wise men, inquired of them made a minister, according to the diligently what time the star apgift of the grace of God, given peared. And he sent them to unto me by the effectual working Bethlehem, and said, Go, and of his power. Unto me, who am search diligently for the young less than the least of all saints, is child, and when ye have found this grace given, that I should him, bring me word again, that I preach among the Gentiles the may come and worship him also. unsearchable riches of Christ; When they had heard the king, and to make all men see what is they departed: and lo, the star the fellowship of the mystery, which they saw in the east went which from the beginning of the before them, tillit came and stood world hath been hid in God, who over where the young child was. created all things by Jesus Christ: When they saw the star, they reto the intent that now unto the joiced with exceeding great joy. principalities and powers in hea-And when they were come into venly places might be known, by the house, they saw the young the Church, the manifold wisdom child with Mary his mother, and of God, according to the eternal fell down and worshipped him : purpose which he purposed in And when they had opened their Christ Jesus our Lord; in whom treasures, they presented unto we have boldness and access with him gifts; gold, and frankincense, confidence by the faith of him. and myrrh. And being warned The Gospel. St. Matt. ii. 1. of God in a dream, that they WHEN Jesus was born in should not return to Herod, they Bethlehem of Judea, in the departed into their own country another way. The first Sunday after the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the Lord, we beseech thee mereast, and are come to worship cifully to receive the prayers him. When Herod the king had of thy people who call upon thee; heard these things, he was trou-and grant that they may both per-. bled, and all Jerusalem with him. ceive and know what things theyAnd when he had gathered all ought to do, and also may have the chief priests and scribes of grace and power faithfully to fulthe people together he demanded fil the same, through Jesus Christ of them where Christ should be jour Lord. Amen. I The second Sunday after the The Epistle Rom. xii. 1. Jat his understanding and answers. Beseech you therefore, breth- And when they saw him they ren, by the mercies of God, were amazed: and his mother that ye present your bodies a liv-said unto him, Son, why hast ing sacrifice, holy, acceptable un-thou thus dealt with us? behold, to God, which is your reasonable thy father and I have sought thee service. And be not conformed sorrowing. And he said unto to this world; but be ye trans-them, How is it that ye sought formed by the renewing of your me? wist ye not that I must be ⚫ mind, that ye may prove what is about my father's business? And that good, and acceptable, and they understood not the saying perfect will of God. For I say, which he spake unto them. And through the grace given unto me, he went down with them, and to every man that is among you, came to Nazareth, and was subnot to think of himself more ject unto them; but his mother highly than he ought to think, kept all these sayings in her heart. but to think soberly, according as And Jesus increased in wisdom, God hath dealt to every man the and stature, and in favour with measure of faith. For as we have God and man. 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. ALMIGHTY and everlasting The Gospel. St. Luke, ii. 41. God, who dost govern all NOW his parents went to Je-things in heaven and earth; merrusalem every year at the cifully hear the supplications of feast of the passover. And when thy people, and grant us thy peace he was twelve years old, they all the days of our life, through went up to Jerusalem, after the Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. custom of the feast. And when The Epistle. Rom. xii. 6. they had fulfilled the days, as they HAVING then gifts, differing returned, the child Jesus tarried according to the grace that is behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph given to us, whether prophecy, and his mother knew not of it. let us prophesy according to the But they, supposing him to have proportion of faith; or ministry, been in the company, went a let us wait on our ministering; or day's journey, and they sought he that teacheth, on teaching; or him among their kinsfolk and ac- he that exhorteth, on exhortation: quaintance. And when they he that giveth, let him do it with found him not, they turned back simplicity; he that ruleth, with again to Jerusalem, seeking him. diligence; he that showeth mercy, And it came to pass, that after with cheerfulness. Let love be three days, they found him in the without dissimulation. Abhor that temple, sitting in the midst of the which is evil, cleave to that which doctors, both hearing them, and is good Be kindly affectioned asking them questions. And all one to another with brotherly that heard him were astonished love, in honour preferring one an other: not slothful in business ; until now. This beginning of mifervent in spirit; serving the Lord; racles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, rejoicing in hope; patient in tribu-and manifested forth his glory, lation; continuing instant in pray-and his disciples believed on him. distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you; bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with A them that weep. Be of the same er; The Third Sunday after the Epiphany. LMIGHTY and everlasting mind one towards another. Mind our infirmities, and in all our dannot high things, but condescend gers and necessities stretch forth to men of low estate. thy right hand to help and defend us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. a The Gospel. St. John, ii. 1. AND the third day there was marriage in Cana of Galilee, The Epistle. Rom. xii. 16. and the mother of Jesus was there. BE not wise in your own conAnd both Jesus was called, and ceits. Recompense to no man his disciples, to the marriage. evil for evil. Provide things hoAnd when they wanted wine, the nest in the sight of all men. If mother of Jesus saith unto him, it be possible, as much as lieth They have no wine. Jesus saith in you, live peaceably with all unto her, Woman, what have I men. Dearly beloved, avenge not to do with thee? mine hour is not yourselves, but rather give place yet come. His mother saith unto unto wrath; for it is written, the servants, Whatsoever he saith Vengeance is mine; I will repay, unto you, do it. And there were saith the Lord. Therefore, if set there six water-pots of stone, thine enemy hunger, feed him; after the manner of the purifying if he thirst, give him drink: for of the Jews, containing two or in so doing thou shalt heap coals three firkins a-piece. Jesus saith of fire on his head. Be not overunto them, Fill the water-pots come of evil, but overcome evil with water. And they filled them with good. up to the brim. And he saith The Gospel. St. Matt. viii. 1. unto them, Draw out now, and WHEN he was come down bear unto the governor of the from the mountain, great feast. And they bare it. When multitudes followed him. And the ruler of the feast had tasted behold, there came a leper and the water that was made wine, worshipped him, saying, Lord, and knew not whence it was (but if thou wilt, thou canst make the servants which drew the wa-me clean. And Jesus put forth ter knew) the governor of the his hand, and touched him, say. feast called the bridegroom, and ing, I will, be thou clean. And saith unto him, Every man at the immediately his leprosy was beginning doth set forth good cleansed. And Jesus saith unto wine, and when men have well him, See thou tell no man, drunk, then that which is worse: go thy way, show thyself to the but thou hast kept the good wine priest, and offer the gift that Mo but ses commanded for a testimony dangers, and carry us through all unto them. And when Jesus was temptations, through Jesus Christ entered into Capernaum, there our Lord. Amen. came unto him a Centurion, be- The Epistle. Rom. xiii. 1. seeching him, and saying, Lord, ET every soul be subject unto my servant lieth at home sick of the higher powers; for there the palsy, grievously tormented. is no power but of God: the powAnd Jesus saith unto him, I will ers that be are ordained of God. come and heal him. The Centu-Whosoever, therefore, resisteth rion answered and said, Lord, Ithe power, resisteth the ordiam not worthy that thou should-nance of God: and they that reest come under my roof; but sist, shall receive to themselves speak the word only, and my ser-damnation. For rulers are not a vant shall be healed. For I am a terror to good works, but to the man under authority, having sol- evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid diers under me: and I say unto of the power? do that which is this man, Go, and he goeth; and good, and thou shalt have praise to another, Come, and he com- of the same: for he is the miniseth; and to my servant, Do this, ter of God to thee for good. But and he doeth it. When Jesus if thou do that which is evil, be heard it, he marvelled, and said afraid; for he beareth not the to them that followed, Verily Isword in vain: for he is the misay unto you, I have not found nister of God, a revenger to exeso great faith, no not in Israel. cute wrath upon him that doeth And I say unto you, that many evil. Wherefore ye must needs shall come from the east and west, be subject, not only for wrath, and shall sit down with Abraham but also for conscience sake. For, and Isaac and Jacob, in the king-for this cause pay ye tribute also; dom of heaven: But the children for they are God's ministers, atof the kingdom shall be cast out tending continually upon this veinto outer darkness; there shall ry thing. Render, therefore, to be weeping and gnashing of teeth.all, their dues; tribute to whom And Jesus said unto the Centu-tribute is due, custom to whom rion, Go thy way, and as thou custom, fear to whom fear, hohast believed, so be it done unto nour to whom honour. thee. And his servant was healed in the self-same hour. The fourth Sunday after the The Collect. The Gospel. St. 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 God, who knowest us to be with the waves; but he was asleep. set in the midst of so many And his disciples came to him, and great dangers, that by reason and awoke him, saying, Lord, of the frailty of our nature we save us, we perish. And he saith cannot always stand upright; unto them, Why are ye fearful, grant to us such strength and pro- O ye of little faith? Then he fection, as may support us in all arose, and rebuked the winds and The Epistle Col. iii. 12. the sea, and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, PUT on therefore (as the elest saying, What manner of man is of God, holy and beloved) bow this, that even the winds and the els of mercies, kindness, humblesea obey him? And when he was ness of mind, meekness, long-sufcome to the other side, into the fering; forbearing one another, country of the Gergesenes, the land forgiving one another, if any met him two possessed with de- man have a quarrel against any ; vils, coming out of the tombs, even as Christ forgave you, so exceeding fierce, so that no man also do ye. And, above all these might pass by that way. And things, put on Charity, which is behold, they cried out, saying, the bond of perfectness. And let What have we to do with thee, the peace of God rule in your Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou hearts, to the which also ye are come hither to torment us before called in one body; and be ye the time? And there was a good thankful. Let the word of Christ way off from them an herd of dwell in you richly in all wisdom; many swine, feeding. So the de-teaching and admonishing one vils besought him, saying, If thou another in psalms, and hymns, cast us out, suffer us to go away and spiritual songs; singing with into the herd of swine. And he grace in your hearts to the Lord. said unto them, Go. And when And whatsoever ye do in word they were come out, they went or deed, do all in the name of the into the herd of swine; and be-Lord Jesus; giving thanks to God hold, the whole herd of swine and the Father by him. ran violently down a steep place The Gospel. St. Matt. xiii. 24. into the sea, and perished in the THE kingdom of heaven is lik waters. And they that kept them ened unto a man which sowed fled, and went their ways into the good seed in his field. But while city. and told every thing, and men slept, his enemy came and what was befallen to the possess-sowed tares among the wheat, ed of the devils. And behold, the and went his way. But when the whole city came out to meet Je-blade was sprung up, and brought sus; and when they saw him, forth fruit, then appeared the they besought him, that he would tares also. So the servants of the depart out of their coasts. The fifth Sunday after 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. Lord, we beseech thee to The servants said unto him, Wilt keep thy Church and House- thou then that we go and gather hold continually in thy true reli-them up? But he said, Nay; gion, that they who do lean only lest, while ye gather up the tares, upon the hope of thy heavenly ye root up also the wheat with grace, may evermore be defend-them. Let both grow together ed by thy mighty power, through until the harvest; and in the time Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. of harvest I will say to the reap |