JAN 15 1976
BV 26 .S37 1858
A Service-book for public
worship
S E RVI C E-B O O K
PUBLIC WORSHIP
PREPARED ESPECIALLY FOR USE IN THE CHAPEL OF IIAllVAKD
UNIVERSITY.
CAMBRIDGE:
JOHN B A R T L E T T
18 5 8.
CAMBRIDGE:
METCALF AND COMPANY, PRINTERS TO THE DNIVEESITV.
PREFACE.
The object of this Service-Book is to make our
public worship more interesting, more reverential,
more various, more congregational, and more effect-
ual in promoting the sacred purposes for which the
worship is offered.
It is believed that the designed manner of using
it will be understood, on a little attention to the
contents, without explanation. Though the circum-
stances have required a considerable deviation from
the " Book of Common Prayer," that is recognized
as the most comi)lete body of liturgical exercises in
our language. No entire service, for a day or season
of devotion, is found arranged in order. That ar-
rangement is left to the liberty and choice of the
minister or the congregation. By way of suggestion,
an " Order" is given on the page next after the table
of Contents.
The passages intended to be given as responses to
the minister, by the congregation, or by the choir,
or by both together, as may be found expedient in
IV TREFACE.
clifFereiit cases, — including always the Amen, — are
printed in italics.
In the lessons from the Holy Scriptures, the pas-
sages and sentences arc not always presented entire,
as they occur in the Bible. It has only been en-
deavored to offer services in Scriptural language, with
no such alterations or omissions as would materially
affect the original meaning.
For convenience, the term " Prophecies " is used
in an extended but not unauthorized sense, and is
applied to any parts of Scripture which convey
"praise or religious instruction in an elevated form
of expression."
Cambridge, October, 1858.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
SEXTEXCES OF INTRODUCTION 1
EXHORTATION AND CONFESSION 6
GENERAL CONFESSION 7
THE COM3IAND3IENTS 8
BEATITUDES 10
SERVICES FOR THE CHRISTIAN YEAR 11
FEASTS OF THE CHURCH • 244
MOVABLE FEASTS 245
FASTS OF THE CHURCH 245
COLLECTS FOR SPECIAL DATS 246
SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS 253
SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS EVE 255
SERVICE FOR A DAY OP THANKSGIVING 257
SERVICE FOR A DAY OP FASTING 260
SERVICE FOR A NATIONAL ANNIVERSARY 265
SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER . 266
SERVICE FOR BAPTISM 274
COVENANT OF THE CHURCH IN HARVARD UNIVERSITY . 277
THE apostles' CREED 278
TE DEUM 279
LITANY 281
SCRIPTURAL LITANIES ........ 285
SPECIAL PRATERS 296
SENTENCES OF BENEDICTION . 304
A REGULAR ORDER.
1. Introductory Sentences.
Congregation sit.
2. The " Exhortation and Confession," or the
" General Confession."
Congregation sit, bowing the head, or kneel.
3. The Lord's Prayer.
Congregation sit, bowing tlie liead, or kneel.
4. A Chant or Anthem.
Congregation stand.
5. The Beatitudes, or Commandments. (At discretion.)
Congregation sit.
G. Collect and Prophecies for the Day.
Congregation sit.
7. Hymn.
In singing. Congregation stand.
8. Prayer, by the Minister, or Selected.
Congregation sit, bowing the liead, or kneel.
!l. Reading from the New Testament, or from
ONE of the Historical Books of the Old Tes-
tament.
Congregation sit.
Vlll A REGULAR ORDER.
10. Hymn.
lu singing, Congregation stand.
11. Litany, or Special Prayers, or both.
Congregation sit, bowing the liead, or kneel.
12. Psalms for the Day.
Congregation sit.
13. "Te Deum," or Anthem, or Chant.
Congregation stand.
14. Benediction.
Congregation stand.
*^* If a Sermon is included in this service, it may be inserted after 13,
when 5, 9, and 10 should be omitted, and a Chant or Hymn be sung after
the Sermon.
*^* Services for Special Days and Ordinances may be substituted, or in-
troduced, at discretion.
*^* It is recommended that the hymns be sung by the Congregation.
Also, that the minister generally name the Day, and the page where each
part of the service occurs.
*^* Could a general rule for postures be followed, a proper correspond-
ence between the attitude and the act would seem to require the worshippers
to stand in ijraise or singing, to sit in instruction or reading, and to hneel or
bow in confession and prayer.
SENTENCES OF INTRODUCTION.
The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall
worship the Father in spirit and in truth ; for the Father seeketh
such to worship him. God is a spirit, and they that worship him
must worship him in spirit and in truth.
The Lord is in his holy temple : let all the earth keep silence
before him.
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.
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and
I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me,
for I am meek and lowly of heart ; and ye shall find rest unto your
souls.
Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth, as
touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of
my Father which is in heaven.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there
am I in the midst of them.
Seek ye the Lord while he may be found ; call ye upon him
while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his
thoughts : and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mer-
cy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Not every one that saith unto me. Lord, Lord, shall enter into
the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness :
fur they shall be filled.
1
2 SENTENCES OF INTRODUCTION.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Likewise I say unto you, There is joy in the presence of the an-
gels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
The Lord is good unto them that wait for him; to the soul that
seeketh him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the
salvation of the Lord.
This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true
God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.
Jesus said, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall
never hunger ; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which
endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto
you : for him hath God the Father sealed.
As the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so
the Son quickeneth whom he will.
Hear what Christ the Lord said : He that heareth my word and
believeth on Him that sent me hath everlasting life, and shall not
come into condemnation ; but is passed from death unto life.
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto
your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel; and there
come in also a poor man in vile raiment ; and ye have respect to him
that weareth the gay clothing, and say tinto him. Sit thou here in a
good place ; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under
my footstool : are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become
judges of evil thoughts?
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound
thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh or whither it goeth : so
is every one which is born of the Spirit.
Thus sailh the Lord, Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if
any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come to him.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all
men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. But
let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like
a wave of the sea driven of the wind and tossed.
Verily I say unto you, that in this place is one greater than the
temple. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the
Spirit of God dvvelleth in you?
SENTENCES OF INTRODUCTION. 6
Stand in the gate of the Lord's house, and proclaim there this
word, and say. Hear ye the word of the Lord, all ye that enter in
at these gates to worship the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts,
Amend your ways and your doings, and 1 will cause you to dwell
in this place. Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall
be my people.
The Lord reigneth ; let the earth rejoice ! Righteousness and
judgment are the habitation of his throne. Enter into his gates
with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Be thankful
unto him and bless his name.
For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and
that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
but ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living
God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of
angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born, which
are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits
of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new
covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things
than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh.
The Lord is risen indeed. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek
those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand
of God.
Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of
them that slept. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all
be made alive. Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
For we have not an high-priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities : but was in all points tempted like as we
are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne
of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time
of need.
To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, 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.
Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the
Lord's name is to be praised.
Let our prayers be set forth in his sight as incense; and the lift-
ing up of our hands as an evening sacrifice.
4 SENTENCES OF INTRODUCTION.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock,
and it shall be opened unto you.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men
shall utterly all ; but they that wait on the Lord shall renew their
strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run
and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.
Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord
your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of
great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before
the High God ? He haih showed thee, O man, what is good ; and
what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, and love mercy,
and walk humbly with thy God?
If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remember that thy
brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy gift upon the altar,
and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come
and oflfer thy gift.
The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness,
and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of
unbelief in departing from the living God.
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble
knees; following peace with all men, and holiness, without which
no man shall see the Lord.
And be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only deceiving
your own selves.
O, come, let us worship and bow down, and kneel before the
Lord our Maker. For he is our God, and we are the people of his
pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
Min. The Lord be with you !
Cong. And with thy spirit .'
Min. Lift up your hearts.
Cong. Wc lift them up unto the Lord.
EXHORTATION AND CONFESSION.
EXHORTATION AND CONFESSION.*
Deakly beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry
places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness,
and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them 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 goodness and mercy.
And although we ought, at all times, humbly to acknowledge our
sins before God ; yet ought we chiefly so to do, when we assemble
and meet together to render thanks for the great benefits we have
received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear
his most holy word, and to ask those things which are requisite and
necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I pray and
beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me, with a
pure heart and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace,
saying with me, —
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. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us miserable
offenders. Spare thou those, O God, who confess their faults.
Restore thou those who are penitent, according to thy promises de-
clared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most
merciful Father, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous,
and sober life; To the glory of thy holy name. Amen.
* The Confession to be said by the minister and congregation together.
GENERAL CONFESSION.
GENERAL CONFESSION.
With a true heart and sincere repentance, let us make humble
confession of our unworthiness: —
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is
not in us ;
If toe confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I will arise and go to my Father, and say unto him, Father, I
have sinned against Heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more
worthy to be called thy son.
For the good that I would, I do not; but the evil ichich I icould
not, that I do.
God be merciful to me a sinner.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, arid reneio a right spirit ivith-
in me.
Lord, if thou \*ilt, thou canst make me clean.
Speak the word only, and thy servant shall be healed.
Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord !
For in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
Hide thy face from my sins ! and blot out all mine iniquities ! The
sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.
A broken and a contrite spirit, O God, thou ivilt not despise.
THE LORD'S PRAYER.
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 day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses.
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.
THE COMMANDMENTS.
THE COMMANDMENTS.
Thou shall have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any like-
ness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth
beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not
bow down thyself to them, nor serve them : for I the Lord thy God
am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the chil-
dren, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me ; and
showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep
my commandments.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain : for
the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou
labor, and do all thy work ; but the seventh is the Sabbath of the
Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son,
nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy
cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates : for in six days the
Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and
rested the seventh day : wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath
day, and hallowed it.
Honor thy father and thy mother ; that thy days may be lung upon
the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet
thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor
his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's.
THE COMMANDMENTS. 9
Hear also what our Saviour Christ saith : —
The first of all the commandments is, Hear, 0 Israel ! The Lord
our God is one Lord : and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with
all thy strength.
This is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely,
this:
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
There is none other commandment greater than these.
0 Lord, Open thou our eyes!
And we shall behold wondrous things out of thy law !
0 Lord, have mercy upon us !
And lorite all these thy commandments, we beseech thee, in our
hearts .
10 BEATITUDES.
BEATITUDES.
Jesus opened his mouth and taught them, saying : —
Blessed are the poor in spirit ;
For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn ;
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek ;
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness ;
For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful ;
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart ;
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers ;
For they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake ;
For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and
shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake ;
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad : for great is your reward in
Heaven : for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
0 Lord, touch our hearts.
That toe may know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven !
SERVICES FOR THE CPIRISTIAN YEAR.
FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY God, give us grace tliat 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
evermore. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
ISAIAH.
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain
of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the
mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills ; and all
nations shall flow unto it.
And many peojple shall go and say, Gome ye, and let us go
up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of God ; and he
tvill teach us of his ivays, and ive ivill loalk in his paths : for
out of Zion shall go forth the laiv, and the word of the Lord
from Jerusalem.
And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke
many people, and they shall beat their swords into plough-
shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks : nation shall not
12 FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
lift up sword against nation, neither sliall they learn war any
more.
Gome ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.
The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughti-
ness of men shall be bowed down ; and the Lord alone shall
be exalted in that day.
For the day of the Lord of hosts shall he upon every one that
is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted tip ; and
he shall he hrought low ;
And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the
haughtiness of men shall be made low : and the Lord alone
shall be exalted in that day.
In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his
idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship,
to the moles, and to the hats ;
For fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty,
when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
Arise, shine ; for thy light is come, and the glory of the
Lord is risen upon thee.
For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross dark-
ness the people : but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his
glory shall be seen upon thee.
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the
brightness of thy rising.
Lift up thine eyes round about, and see : all they gather
themselves together, they come to thee : thy sons shall come
from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.
Then thou shcdt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall
fear, and he enlarged ; hecause the ahundance of the sea shall
he converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come
unto thee.
They shall bring gold and incense ; and they shall show
forth the praises of the Lord.
The flocks shcdl come up with acceptance on mine cdtar,
and IuhU glorify the house of my glory.
FIRST SUNDAY IX ADVENT. 13
Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their
windows ?
Surely the isles shall xoait for me, and the ships, to bring thy
sons from far, their silver and their gold loith them, unto the
name of the Lord thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, he-
cause he hath glorified thee.
And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and
their kings shall minister unto thee : for in my wrath I smote
thee, but in my favor have I had mercy on thee.
Therefore thy gates shall he open continually : they shall not
he shut day nor flight.
The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir-tree,
the pine-tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of
my sanctuary ; and I will make the place of my feet glo-
rious.
The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come hending
unto thee ; and all they that despised thee shall hoio themselves
down at the soles of thy feet ; and they shall call thee, The City
of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Lsrael.
"Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man
went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a
joy of many generations.
Thou shaU also hioiv that I the Lord am thy Saviour and
thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver,
and for wood brass, and for stones iron : I will also make thy
officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.
Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor
destruction icithin thy borders : but thou shalt call thy ivalls
Salvation, and thy gates Praise.
The sun shall be no more thy light by day ; neither for
brightness shall the moon give light unto thee : but the Lord
shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy
glory ;
Tliy sun shall no more go doicn ; neither shall thy moon
2
14 FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
loithdraw itself: for the Lord shall he thine everlasting light,
and the days of thy mourning shall he ended.
Thy people also shall be all righteous : they shall inherit
the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my
hands, that I may be glorified.
A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a
strong nation : I the Lord will hasten it in his time.
O Lord, open thou our ears !
That we may hear meekly thy word, and receive it toitli pure
affection.
PSALMS.
To the king, O God, give thy justice,
And to the son of a king thy righteousness !
Yea ! and he shall judge thy people with equity.
And thine oppressed ones with justice.
For the mountains shall bring forth peace to the people,
And the hills, through righteousness.
He shall defend the opjjressed of the j^eople ;
He shall save the needy.
And hreah in pieces the oppressor.
They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon shall endure,
From generation to generation.
He shall he like rain descending on the motvn field ;
Like showei'S ivhich water the earth.
In his days sliall the righteous flourish,
And great shall be their prosperity, as long as the moon shall
endure.
He shall have dominion from sea to sea,
Arid from the river to the ends of the earth.
They that dwell in the desert shall bow before him,
And his enemies shall lick the dust.
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall hring presents ;
The kings of Sheha and Seha shall offer gifts ;
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him ;
All nations shall serve him.
FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 15
For he shall deliver the poor who crieth for aid,
And the oppressed icho hath no helper.
Pie shall spare the weak and the needy,
And save the lives of the j^oor.
He shall redeem them from deceit and violence,
And their blood shall he precious in his sight.
He shall prosper, and to him shall be given of the gold of
Sheba ;
Prayer also shall be made for him continually,
And daily shall he be praised.
There shall he an ahundance of corn in the land ;
Even on the tops of the mountains its fruit shall shake like
Lehanon,
And they of the cities shall flourish as the grass of the earth.
His name shall endure for ever ;
His name shall be continued as long as the sun.
-^ him shall men bless themselves ;
All nations shall call him blessed.
Blessed be God, Jehovah, the God of Israel,
Who alone doeth wonderful things !
Blessed be his glorious name for ever !
Let the whole earth he filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.
Jehovah said to my lord,
" Sit thou at my right hand.
Until I make thy foes thy footstool."
Jehovah will extend the sceptre of thy power from Zion ;
Thou shalt ride in the midst of thine enemies!
Thy people shall be ready, when thou musterest thy forces,
in holy splendor ;
Thy youth shall come forth like dew from the womb of the
morning.
Jehovah hath sworn, and he will not repent :
" Thou art a priest for ever,
After the order of MelchisedecJc ! "
16 SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
The Lord is at thy right hand,
He shall crush kings in the day of his wrath.
He shall execute justice among the nations ;
He shall crush the heads of his enemies over many lands.
He shall drink of the brook in the way ;
Therefore shall he lift up his head.
BENEDICTION VII.
SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
COLLECT.
BLESSED Lord, who hast caused all holy scriptures 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.
PEOPHECIES.
ISAIAH AND JEREMIAH.
Now will I sing to our well-beloved a song of my beloved
touching his vineyard. My well-beloved hath a vineyard in
a very fruitful hill :
And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and
planted it with the choicest vine, and huilt a toicer in the midst
of it, and also made a wine-pi-ess therein : and he looked that
it shoidd bring forth grapes, and it brought forth ivild grapes.
And now, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.
What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have
SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 17
not done in W? wherefore, vjlien I looked that it should bring
forth grapes, brought it forth ivild grapes ?
And now, go to ; I will tell you what I will do to my vine-
yard : I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be
eaten up : and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be
trodden down.
Afid I loill lay it ivaste : it shall not be pruned nor digged ;
but there shall come %ip briers and thorns : I will also command
the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Is-
rael, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant : and he looked
for judgment, but behold oppression ; for righteousness, but
behold a cry.
Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field,
till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst
of the earth!
In mine eai-s said the Lord of hosts, Of a truth, many
houses shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhab-
itants.
Woe unto them that shall rise up early in the morning, that
they may foUoxo strong drink ; that continue until night, till
ivine inflame them !
And the harp and the viol, the tabret and pipe, and wine,
are in their feasts : but they regard not the work of the Lord,
neither consider the operation of his hands.
Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they
have no knowledge ; and their honorable men are famished,
and their multitude dried up with thirst.
Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth
without measure : and their glory, and their multitude, and
their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.
And the mean man shall be brought doion, and the mighty
man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be hum-
bled :
2*
18 SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and
God, that is holy, shall be sanctified in righteousness.
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil ; that put
darhiess for light, and light for darkness ; that put hitter for
sioeet, and sweet for hitter!
"Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and pru-
dent in their own sight !
Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of
strength to mingle strong drinlc:
Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the
righteousness of the righteous from him !
Therefore, as the fire devoureth the stuhhle, and the flame
consumeth the chaff, so their root shall he as rottenness, and
their hlossom shall go up as dust. Because they have cast away
the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy
One of Israel.
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great
light : they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them hath the light shined.
For thou hast hrohen the yoke of his burden, and the staff of
his slimdder, the rod of his oppressor.
For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and
garments rolled in blood ; but this shall be with burning and
fuel of fire.
For unto us a child is ho7-n, unto us a son is given, and the
government shall he upon his shoulder ; and his name shall he
called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlast-
ing Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be
no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to
order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice,
from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts
will perform this.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a
new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of
Judah ;
SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 19
Not according^ to the covenant that I made with their fa-
thers, in the day I took them by the hand, to bring them out
of the land of Egypt ;
But this shall be the covenant tliat Iioill make tvitk the house
of Israel ; after those days, saith the Lord, Iioill put my law
in their inward farts, and write it in their hearts ; and tvill
be their God, and they shall be my people.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and
every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord : for they shall
all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them,
saith the Lord : for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will re-
member their sin no more.
Thus saith the Lord, tvkich giveth the sun for a light by
day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a
light by night, tohich divideth the sea tvhen the waves thereof
roar ; the Lord of hosts is his natne.
0 Lord, open thou our lips !
And our mouth shall shoiv forth thy praise J
PSALMS.
Open to me the gates of righteousness : I will go unto
them, and I will praise the Lord ;
This gate of the Lord, into tvkich the righteous shall enter.
1 will praise thee ; for thou hast heard me, and art become
my salvation.
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone
of the corner.
This is the Lord's doing ; it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day ivhich the Lord hath made ; lue will rejoice
and be glad in it.
Save now, I beseech thee, 0 Lord ! 0 Lord, I beseech
thee, send now prosperity.
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: tve have
blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
God is the Lord, which hath showed us light ;
20 THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
Tilou art my God, and I ivill praise thee : thou art my God,
I will exalt thee.
O give thanks unto the Lord ; for he is good ; for his mercy
endureth for ever.
Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary : praise
him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts : praise him according to his
excellent greatness.
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet : praise him with
the psaltery and harp.
Praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Let everything thai hath breath jyraise the Lord. Praise ye
the Lord.
BENEDICTION 11.
THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
COLLECT.
OGOD, the Father of Jesus Christ our Lord, who at his
first coming didst send a messenger to prepare his way
before him ; grant that the ministers of thy word may like-
wise so prepare and make ready his way, by turning the
hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that, at his
second coming to judge the world, we may be found an ac-
ceptable people in thy sight. And this we beg in the name
of Jesus Christ, through whom we ascribe unto thee all honor
and glory, now and ever. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
ISAIAH AND JEREMIAH.
In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah :
We have a strong city ; salvation will God appoint for walls
and bulwarks.
THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 21
Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation lohich heepeth
the truth may enter in.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed
on thee : because he trusteth in thee.
Trust ye in the Lord for ever : for in the Lord Jehovah is
everlasting strength.
For he bringeth down them that dwell on high ; the lofty
city, he layeth it low ; he layeth it low even to the ground ;
he bringeth it even to the dust.
The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and
the steps of the needy.
The way of the just is uprightness : thou, most upright,
dost weigh the path of the just.
Yea, in the zvay of thy judgments, 0 Lord, have loe ivaited
for thee ; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the re-
membrance of thee.
With my soul have I desired thee in the night ; yea, with
my spirit within me will I seek thee early : for when thy
judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will
learn righteousness.
Let favor be shown to the wicTced, yet will he not learn
righteousness : in the land of uprightness ivill he deal unjustly,
and ivill not behold the majesty of the Lord.
Lord, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see : but
they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people ;
yea, the fii'e of thine enemies shall devour them.
Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us : for thou also hast
tcrought all our works in us.
For precept must be upon precept, line upon line, here a
little, and there a little.
Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men.
Because ye have said. We have made a covenant with
death, and with hell are we at agreement ; when the overflow-
ing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us : for
we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we
hid ourselves.
22 THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion
for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone,
a sure foundation.
Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to
the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of
lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place.
And your covenant with death shall he disanmdled, and your
agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing
scourge shall pass through, then ye shall he trodden down hy it.
This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is
wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.
Woe he unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of
my pasture ! saith the Lord.
Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the
pastors that feed ray people, Ye have scattered my flock, and
driven them away, and have not visited them : behold, I will
visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord.
And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all coun-
tries whither L have driven them, and will hring them again to
their folds ; and they shall he fruitfid and increase.
And I will set up shepherds over them, which shall feed
them ; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither
shall they be lacking, saith the Lord.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto
Daind a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and pros-
per, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Li 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.
TJierefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that they
shall no more say. The Lord liveth, which brought up the chil-
dren of Lsrael ouf 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.
THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 23
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only loise
God ;
Be honor and gloiy through Jesus Christ, for ever and ever.
PSALMS.
Preserve me, O God : for in thee do I put my trust.
0 my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord:
my goodness extendeth not to thee ;
But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent,
in whom is all my delight.
Tlieir sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another
god : their drink-offerings of blood tvill I not offer, nor take
up their names into my lips.
The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my
cup : thou maintainest my lot.
Tlie lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places ; yea, Lhave
a goodly heritage.
I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel ; my reins
also instruct me in the night seasons.
lhave set the Lord always before me : because he is at my
right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth ; my
flesh also shall rest in hope :
For thou ivilt not leave my soul in hell; neither loilt thou
siffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Thou wilt show me the path of life : in thy presence is ful-
ness of joy ; at thy right hand there are pleasures for ever-
more.
/ loill declare thy name unto my brethren : in the midst of
the congregation tdll I praise thee.
Ye that fear the Lord, praise him : all ye the seed of Ja-
cob, glorify him ; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the
afflicted, neither hath he hid his face from him ; but when he
cried unto him, he heard.
24 FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
My praise sliall be of thee in the gi'eat congregation : I will
pay my vows before them that fear him.
The meek shall eat and he satisfied ; they shall praise the
Lord that seek him : your heart shall live for ever.
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto
the Lord ; and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship
before thee.
For the kingdom is the Lord's ; and he is the governor
among the nations.
All they that go down to the dust shall bow before him :
and none can keep alive his own soul.
A seed shall serve him ; it shall he accounted to the Lord for
a generation.
They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a
people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
BENEDICTION XX.
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
COLLECT.
OLORD, 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 hindered in running
the race which is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy
may speedily help and deliver us, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done ; and ye that
are near, acknowledge my might.
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 25
The sinners are afraid ; fearfulness hath surprised the hypo-
crites : tvho among us shall dwell tcith the devouring Jive ? who
among us shall dwell with everlasting hurnings 2-
lie that walketli righteously, and speaketh upi'ightly ; he
that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands
from holding bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of
blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil ;
He shall dwell on high : his place of defence shall he the mu-
nitions of rocks ; bread shall he given him, his tvaters shall he
sure.
Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty : they shall be-
hold the land that is very far off.
Behold, a Icing shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall
rule in judgment.
And a man shall be as an hiding-place from the wind, and
a covert from the tempest ; as rivers of water in a dry place ;
as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
A7id the eyes of them that see shall not he dim: and the ears
of them that hear shall heavTcen.
The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and
the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.
TJie vile person shall no more he called liberal, nor the churl
said to be bountiful.
For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will
work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against
the Lord, to make empty the soul of the hungry ; and he will
cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.
The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth
wiched devices to destroy the poor ivith lying ivords, even lohen
the needy speaketh right.
But the liberal deviseth liberal things ; and by liberal
things shall he stand.
Upon the land of my people shcdl come up thorns and briers,
yea, upon cdl the houses of Joy in the Joyous city :
Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the
3
26 FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT.
wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted
for a forest.
Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteous-
ness remain in the fruitful field.
And the work of righteousness shall be peace ; and the ef-
fect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever.
And my peojple shall dwell in a jJeaceahle habitation, and in
sure dwellings, and in quiet resting-places.
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse,
and a Branch shall grow out of his roots :
And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of
wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the
spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord ;
And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of
the Lord ; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes,
neither reprove after the hearing of his ears :
But with righteousness shall he judge the yoor, and reprove
xoith equity for the meeh of the earth: and he shall smite the
earth loith the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his
lips shall he slay the loicked.
And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faith-
fulness the girdle of his reins.
The ivolf also shall divell with the lamb, and the leojjard
shall lie doion with the kid ; and the calf, and the young lion,
and thefatling together ; and a little child shall lead them.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain ;
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as
the waters cover the sea.
Praise ye the T^ord.
The Lord's name be praised.
PSALMS.
"Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain
thing ?
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 27
The Jdngs of the earth set themselves, and the riders talce
counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed,
saying,
Let us break tlieii- bands asunder, and cast away their cords
from us.
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh ; the Lord shall
have them in derision.
Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them
in his sore displeasure.
Itvill declare the decree : the Lord hath said unto me, Tliou
art nnj Son, this day have Ibegotten thee.
Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine in-
heritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy pos-
session.
Thou shalt break them tvith a rod of iron ; thou shalt dash
them in pieces like a potter s vessel.
Be wise now, therefore, O ye kings ; be instructed, ye
judges of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice tvith tremMing.
Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way,
when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they
that put their trust in him.
Praise ye the Lord. licill jjraise him ivith my whole heart
in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them
that have pleasure therein.
His ivork is honorable and glorious : and his righteousness
endureth for ever.
He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered : the
Lord is gracious, and full of compassion.
He hath given meat unto them tlmt fear him : he icill ever be
mindful of his covenant.
He hath showed his people the power of his works, that he
may give them the heritage of the heathen.
The icorks of his hands are verity and judgment : cdl his
C07nmandments are sure.
28 SUNDAY ON OR NEXT AFTER CHRISTMAS.
They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and
uprightness.
He sent redemption unto his people : he hath commanded his
covenant for ever ; holy and reverend is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom : a good
understanding have all they that do his commandments : his
praise endureth for ever.
BENEDICTION X.
SUNDAY ON OR NEXT AFTER CHRISTMAS.
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, that the light of his doctrine and life may shine
into our hearts, and dispel our darkness, and direct our steps,
and lead us at last to the unspeakable glories and felicities of
thy heavenly kingdom ; which we beg in the name of our
Saviour, ascribing to thee everlasting praises. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
— ISAIAH.
The wilderness, and the solitary place, shall be glad;
and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and
singing ; they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellen-
cy of our God.
SUNDAY ON OR NEXT AFTER CHRISTMAS. 29
Strengthen ye the Aveak hands, and confirm the feeble
knees.
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not;
behold, your God tvill come with venyeance, even God with a
recompense ; he ivill come and save you.
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of
the deaf shall be unstopped :
Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of
the dumb sing : for in the ivilderness shall ivafers break out,
and streams in the desert.
And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirs-
ty land springs of water : in the habitations of dragons, where
each lay, shall be grass, with reeds and rushes.
And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be
called, The tcay of holiness ; the unclean shall not pass over
it ; but it shall be for those: the xoay faring men, though fools,
shall not err therein.
No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up
thereon ; it shall not be found there : but the redeemed shall
walk there.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to
Zion with songs, and everlasting joy iqjon their heads : they
shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall
flee aivay.
Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God.
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that
her ivarfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned:
for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye
the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway
for our God.
Mvery valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill
shall be made loio : and the crooked shall be made straight, and
the rough jjlaces plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh
3*
30 SUNDAY ON OR NEXT AFTER CHRISTMAS.
shall see it together: for the mouth of tlie Lord hath spo-
ken it.
The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry^ All
flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the floiver of
the field :
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth : because the spirit
of the Lord bloweth upon it : surely the people is grass.
The grass toithereth, the floiver fadeth : hut the tvord of our
God shall stand for ever.
Behold, the Lord God will come with a strong hand, and his
arms shall rule for him ; Sehold, his reward is with him, and
his work before him.
He shall feed his floch like a shepherd ; he shall gather the
lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom.
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the
dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in
scales, and the hills in a balance ?
Who hath directed the spirit of the Lord, or being his
counsellor hath taught him ?
With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and
taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowl-
edge, and showed to him the way of understanding ?
Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are
counted as the small dust of the balance : behold, he talzeth up
the isles as a very little thing.
And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts there-
of sufficient for a burnt-offering.
All nations before him are as nothing ; and they are count-
ed to him less than nothing, and vanity.
To whom then will ye liken God ? or what likeness will ye
compare unto him ?
The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith
spreadeth it over tvith gold, and castcth silver chains.
He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation,
SUNDAY ON OR NEXT AFTER CHRISTMAS. 31
chooseth a tree that will not rot ; he seeketh unto him a
cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not
be moved.
Have ye not known'} Jiave ye not heard'} hath it not been
told you from the beginning'} have ye not understood from the
foundations of the earth ?
It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the in-
habitants thereof are as grasshoppers ; that stretchcth out the
heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to
dwell in ;
That bringeth the jjrinces to nothing: he makcth the judges
of the earth as vanity.
To whom then will je liken me, or shall I be equal ? saith
the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these
things, that bringeth out their hosts by number : he calleth them
all by names, by the greatness of his might, for that he is
strong in power ; not one faileth.
"Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way
is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from
my God?
Hast thou not known, hast thou not heard, that the everlast-
ing God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faint-
eth not, neither is weary} there is no searching of his xmder-
standing.
He giveth power to the faint ; and to them that have no
might he increaseth strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young
men shall utterly fall :
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles ; they shall run and
not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.
0 Lord, open thou our ears !
That we may hear meekly thy word, and receive it with
pure affection.
32 SUNDAY ON OR NEXT AFTER CHRISTMAS.
PSALMS.
I SAID, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with
my tongue : I will keep my mouth while the wicked is before
me.
I was dumb toith silence : I held my peace, even from good ;
and my sorrow teas stirred.
My heart was hot within me ; while I was musing, the fire
burned : then spake I with my tongue.
Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my
days, what it is ; that I may hiow how frail I am.
Behold, thou hast made my days as an hand-breadth, and
mine age is as nothing before thee : verily, every man at his
best state is altogether vanity.
Surely every man loalJceth in a vain shoio ; surely they are
disquieted in vain : he heapeth up riches, ayid hnoweth not xvho
shall gather them.
And now, Loi'd, what wait I for ? my hope is in thee.
Deliver me from all my transgressions ; make me not the
reproach of the foolish.
I was dumb, I opened not my mouth ; because thou didst it.
Remove thy stroke away from me. I am consumed hy the
hloiv of thine hand.
When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity,
thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth ; surely
every man is vanity.
Hear my prayer, 0 Lord, and give ear unto my cry ; hold
not thy peace at my tears : for I am a stranger with thee, and
a sojourner, as all my fathers xoere.
O spare mc, that I may recover strength, before I go
hence, and be no more.
Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou
hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting
to everlasting, thou art God.
SUNDAY ON OR NEXT AFTER CHRISTMAS. 66
Thou turnest man to destruction ; and sayesf, Return, ye
children of men.
For a thousand years in my sight are but as yestei'day
when it is passed, and as a watch in the night.
Thou carriest than aioay as with a flood ; they are as a
sleep : in the morning they are like grass ivhich groweth tip.
In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up ; in the even-
ing it is cut down, and withereth.
For toe are consumed by thine anger, and hy thy tvrath are
we troiihled.
Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in
the light of thy countenance.
For all our days are passed away in thy wrath; ive spend
our years as a tale that is told.
The days of our years are threescore years and ten ; and
if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their
strength labor and sorrow : for it is scon cut off, and we fly
away.
So teach its to number our days, that ice may apply our
hearts unto wisdom.
O satisfy us early with thy mercy ; that we may rejoice
and be glad all our days.
3fake us glad according to the days wherein tJwu hast afflict-
ed us, and the years u'herein loe have seen evil.
Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto
their children.
Ayid let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and
establish thou the work of our hands vpoti its; yea, the loork
of our hands establish thou it.
BENEDICTION VII.
34 FIRST SUNDAY IN THE YEAR.
FIRST SUNDAY IN THE YEAR.
COLLECT.
OGOD, the unfailing source of light and mercy, who hast
brought us to the beginning of this year, and art sparing
us to love thee, and to keep thy commandments ; give us, we
beseech thee, a solemn sense of the importance of time, and
of diligence in improving the talents thou hast placed in our
hands; and enable us so faithfully to discharge our duty in
this life, that, Avhen we shall appear before thee at thy great
tribunal, we may be found worthy of that eternal kingdom
which thou hast promised by Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
HABAKKUK.
0 Jehovah, I have heard thy words, and tremble. O
Jehovah, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the
midst of the years make it known, in wrath remember mercy!
God Cometh from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount
Paran ; his glory covereth the heavens, and the earth is full of
his praise.
His brightness is as the light ; rays stream forth from his
hand, and there is the hiding-place of his power.
Before him goeth the pestilence, and tlie plague followeth his
steps.
He standeth, and measureth the earth ; he beholdeth, and
maketh the nations tremble ; the everlasting mountains are
broken asunder ; the eternal hills sink down ; the eternal paths
are trodden by him.
/ see the tents of Cushan in affliction, and the canopies of
the land of Midian tremble.
Is the anger of Jehovah kindled against the rivers, is thy
wrath against the rivers, is thy indignation against the floods,
FIRST SUNDAY IN THE TEAR. 35
that thou ridest on with thy horses, upon thy chariots of
victory ?
Thy how is made hare; thine arroivs are satiated; the song
of victory is sung. Thou causest rivers to hreah forth from
the earth.
The mountains see thee and tremble ; the flood of waters
overflows ; the deep uttereth his voice, and hfteth up his
hands on high.
The sun and the moon stand still in their habitation ; like
their light thine arrows fy ; like their brightness the lightning
of thy spear.
Thou marchest through the land in indignation ; thou
thrashest the nations in anger.
Thou goest forth for the deliverance of thy people ; for the
deliverance of thine anointed ; thou smitest the head of the
wicked ; thou destroyest the foundation even to the neck.
Thou piercest with thine arrows the heads of their leaders,
who rushed like a whirlwind to scatter us ; who exulted, as if
they should devour the distressed in a hiding-place.
Thou ridest through the sea tvith thy horses, through the
raging of mighty waters.
I have heard, and my heart trembleth ; my lips quiver at
the voice ; that I shall remain to the day of trouble, when the
invader shall come up against my people !
Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, and there shall be no
fruit in the vine, the lcd>or of the olive shall fail, and the f elds
shall yield no meat. The flock shcdl be cut off from the fold,
and there shall be no herd in the stalls.
Yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my
salvation.
0 Lord, open thou our lips !
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
36 FIRST SUNDAY IN THE YEAR.
PSALMS.
Bless the Lord, O my soul ; and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all Ms henefits ;
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities ; who healetli all thy
diseases ;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction ; loho croivneth thee
with loving kindness and tender mercies ;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things ; so that thy
youth is renewed like the eagles.
The Lord executetlt righteoicsness and judgment for cdl that
are ojypressed.
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the
children of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, sloiv to anger, and
plenteous in rnercy.
He will not always chide ; neither will he keep his anger
for ever.
He hath not dealt xoith us after our sins, nor reivarded us
according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his
mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the icest, so far hath he removed,
our transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth
them that fear him.
For he knoioeth our frame ; he rememhereth that ive are
dust.
As for man his days are as grass ; as a flower of the field,
so he flourisheth.
For t/ie wind passeth over it, and it is gone ; and the place
thereof shcdl know it no more.
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlast-
ing upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto
children's children ;
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 37
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his
commandments to do them.
The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens ; and
his kingdom ruleth over all.
J^less the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that
do his (tommandments, hearkening unto the voice of his
ivord.
Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts ; ye ministers of his that
do his pleasure.
Bless the Lord, all his ivorks, in all places of his dominion :
bless the Lord, 0 my soid.
BENEDICTION IV.
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.
COLLECT.
OLORD, 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 may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the
same, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PEOPHECIES.
Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, whose right hand I
have holden, to subdue nations before him ; and I will loose
the loins of kings, to open before him the two-leaved gates,
and the gates shall not be shut :
I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight :
Twill break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the
bars of iron :
4
38 FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.
And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden
riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the
Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
For Jacob my servanfs sake, and Israel mine elect, I have
even called thee hy thy name : I have surnamed thee, though
thou hast not hioivn me.
I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God be-
sides me : I girded thee, though thou hast not known me :
That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from
the west, that there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and
there is none else.
I form the light and create darkness : I make peace, and
create evil : I the Lord do all these things.
Drop doum, ye heavens, from cd>ove, and let the shies pour
doion righteousness ; let the earth open, and let them bring forth
salvation, and let righteousness spring up together. I the
Lord have created it.
Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker ! Shall the
clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou ? or thy
work, He hath no hands ?
TJius saifh the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker,
Ask me of things to come concerning my sons ; and concerning
the work of mine hands command ye me.
I have made the earth, and created man upon it : I, even
my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host
have I commanded.
I have raised him up in righteousness, and Itvill direct all
his ways : he shcdl build my city, and he shall let go my cap-
tives, not for 'price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts.
Verily, thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel,
the Saviour.
They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them :
they shall go to confusion together, that are makers of idols.
But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting
salvation : ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded, w^orld
without end.
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY, 39
For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens, God him-
self, that formed the earth and made it, he hath established it,
he created it not in vain, he formed it to he inhabited ; I am
the Lord, and there is none else.
I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth : I
said not, Seek ye me, in vain. I the Lord speak righteous-
ness, I declare things that are right.
Assemble yourselves and come ; draw near together, ye that
are escaped of the nations : they have no hioidedge that set up
the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that can-
not save.
Tell ye, and bring them near ; yea, let them take counsel
together : who hath declared this from ancient time ? who hath
told it from that time ? have not I the Lord ? and there is no
God else besides me ; a just God and a Saviour there is none
beside me.
Looh unto me, and he ye saved, all the ends of the earth ; for
lam God, and there is none else.
I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth
in righteousness, and shall not return. That unto me every
knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Surely, shcdl one say. In the Lord have I righteousness and
strength : even to him shall men come ; and all that are in-
censed against him shall he ashamed.
Li the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and
shall glory.
Noio unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only icise
God ;
Be honor and glory through Jesus Christ, for ever and ever.
PSALMS.
As for God, his way is perfect : the word of the Lord is
tried ; he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
For who is God save the Lord ? or who is a roch save our
God^
40 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.
The Lord liveth ; and blessed be my Rock ; and let the
God of my salvation be exalted.
Therefore loill I give thanhs unto thee^ 0 Lord, and sing
praises unto thy name.
Unto thee will I cry, 0 Lord, my rock ; be not silent to
me : lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go
down into the pit.
Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee,
when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers
of iniquity ; which speak peace to their neighbors, but mischief
is in their hearts.
Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the op-
eration of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not huild them
up.
Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of
my supplications.
The Lord is my strength and my shield: my heart trusted
in him, and I am helped ; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth,
and with my song ivill L praise him.
The Lord is the saving strength of his anointed.
Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance : feed them also,
and lift them up for ever.
BENEDICTION III.
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.
COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, we beseech thee to
grant us thy grace, that in all the relations of life we may
do justly, and love mercy, and walk humbly before thee ; so
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 41
that at last we may be received to the society of the just made
perfect in thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
Heakken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that
seek the Lord.
For the Lord shall comfort Zion : he ivill comfort all her
waste places, and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and
her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall
he found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
Hearken unto me, my people, and give ear unto me, O my
nation : for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my
judgment to rest for a light of the people.
3fy righteousness is near ; my salvation is gone forth and
mine arms shall judge the people ; the isles shall tvait iqjon me,
and on mine arm shall they trust.
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth
beneath ; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and
the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell
therein shall die in like manner : but my salvation shall be
for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
Hearken unto me, ye that knoio righteousness, the people in
ichose heart is my law ; fear ye not the reproach of men,
neither he ye of redd of their revilings.
For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the
worm shall eat them like wool ; but my righteousness shall
be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
Awake, awake, put on strength, 0 ann of the Lord; awake,
as in the ancient days, in the generations of old.
Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the
great deep ; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for
the ransomed to pass over ?
Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come
4 *
42 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.
loith singing ; and everlasting joy shall he ujjon their head :
they shall obtain gladness and joy ; and sorrow and mourning
shall flee aivay.
I, even I, am he that comforteth you : who art thou, that
thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son
of man which shall be made as grass ;
And forgettest the Lord thy Maker, that hath stretched forth
the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth ; and hast
feared continually every day, because of the fury of the op-
pressor, as if he were ready to destroy ? and where is the fury
of the oppressor ?
The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that
he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail.
But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose
waves roared: The Lord of hosts is his name.
And I have put my words in thy mouth, and have covered
thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens,
and lay the foundations of the earth, and say, Thou art my
people.
Awake, awake ; put on thy strength, 0 Zion ; put on thy
beautiful garments, 0 Jerusalem, the holy city : for henceforth
there shall no more come unto thee the unclean.
Shake thyself from the dust ; arise, and sit down : loose
thyself from the bands of thy neck.
For thus saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for naught ;
and ye shall be redeeined without money.
For thus saith the Lord God, My people went down afore-
time into Egypt to sojourn there ; and the Assyrians oppressed
them without cause.
Nolo, therefore, what have There, saith the Lord, that my
people is taken away for naught'^ they that ride over them make
them to hotvl, saith the Lord; and my name continually every
day is blasphemed.
Therefore my people shall know my name : therefore they
shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak ; behold,
it is I.
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 43
Holo heautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that
hringeth good tidings, that puhlisheth peace ; that Iringeth good
tidings of good, that puhlisheth salvation ; that saithunto Zion,
Thy God reigneth I
Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice ; with the voice to-
gethei* shall they sing ; for they shall see eye to eye, when the
Lord shall bring again Zion.
Break forth into joy, sing together, ye ivaste places of Jeru-
salem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath re-
deemed Jerusalem.
The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all
the nations ; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salva-
tion of our God.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord's name be praised.
PSALMS.
Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the
Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
His seed shall he mighty iipon earth : the generation of the
upright shall he Messed.
"Wealth and riches shall be in his house ; and his righteous-
ness endureth for ever.
Unto the upright there ariseth light i)i the darhness : he is
gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
A good man showeth favor, and lendeth ; he will guide his
affairs with discretion.
Surely he shall not he moved for ever : the righteous shall
he in everlasting rememhrance.
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings : his heart is fixed,
trusting in the Lord.
His heart is estahlished, he shall not he afraid.
He hath dispersed : he hath given to the poor ; his right-
eousness endureth for ever :
44 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.
The wicked shall see it, and he grieved ; the desire of the
wicked shall perish.
Praise ye the Lord. Praise, 0 ye servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord.
Blessed he the name of the Lord, from this time forth and for
evermore.
From the rising of the sun, unto the going down of the
same, the Lord's name is to be praised.
The Lord is high ahove all nations, and his glory ahove the
heavens.
Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high ;
Who humhleth himself to hehold the things that are in heav-
en, and in the earth ?
BENEDICTION VII.
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.
COLLECT.
OTHOU most holy and perfect God, teach us to love one
another with pure hearts fervently ; to exercise forbear-
ance and forgiveness toward our enemies ; to recompense to
no man evil for evil ; and to be merciful, as thou. Father in
heaven, art merciful. Grant this, we humbly beseech thee,
in the name of Jesus Chi-ist our Lord. Amen.
PEOPHECIES.
PKOVEKBS.
A WISE man will hear, and will increase learning ; and a
man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels ;
The fear of the Lord is the heginning of knoioledge : hut
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 45
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not
the law of thy mother :
For they shall he an ornament of grace unto thy head, and
chains about thy necJc.
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
If they say, Come ivith us, let us lurk privily for the inno-
cent without cause : ive shall find all precious substance, we
shall f II our houses loith spoil: cast in thy lot among us; let
us all have one purse, —
My son, walk not thou in the way with them ; refrain thy
foot from their path :
For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain ; which
taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
Wisdom crieth tvithout ; she uttereth her voice in the streets ;
She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings
of the gates : in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity, and the
scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate hnoivledge ?
Turn you at my reproof; behold, I will pour out my spirit
unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out
my hand, and no man regarded;
But ye have set at naught all my counsel, and would none
of my reproof;
/ also will laugh at your calamity ; I will mock when
your fear cometh.
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction
cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh
upon you ;
Then shall they call upon me, but I loill not answer ; they
shcdl seek me early, but they shall not find me :
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear
of the Lord:
They woidd none of my counsel; they despised all my
reproof:
46 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.
Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own Avaj,
and be filled with their own devices.
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the
prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
But whoso heai'keneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall
be quiet from fear of evil.
0 Lord, open thou our ears!
That we may hear meekly thy word, and receive it with
pure affection.
PSALMS.
■ Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will
deliver him in time of trouble.
The Lord ivill preserve him, and keep him alive; and he
shall he blessed tipon the earth : and thou loilt not deliver him
unto the ivill of his enemies.
The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing :
thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
L said, 0 Lord, he merciful unto me ; heal my soid; for I
have sinned against thee.
Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and
his name perish ?
And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity : his heart
gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
All that hate me whisper together against me : against me
do they devise my hurt.
Tea, mine own familiar friend, in whom L trusted, ivhich
did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
But thou, 0 Lord, be merciful unto me, and raise me up,
that I may requite them.
By this I know that thou favor est me, because mine enemy
doth not triumph over me.
And as for me, thou upholdest me, and settest me before
thy face for ever.
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 47
Blessed he the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to
everlasting. Amen, and Amen.
As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my
soul after thee, 0 God.
3Iy sold tJiirsteth for God, for the living God: ivhen shall I
come and appear before God ?
My tears have been my meat day and night, Avhile they
continually say unto me. Where is thy God ?
When I remember these things, I pour oict my soid in me :
for I had gone with the midtitude ; I went rvith them to the
house of God, \vith the voice of joy and praise, with a multi-
tude that kept holy day.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul ? and why art thou dis-
quieted in me ? Hope thou in God ; for I shall yet praise
him for the help of his countenance.
0 my God, my soul is east doion loithin me : therefore tvill
I remember thee.
Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy water-spouts :
all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
Yet the Lord will command his loving-kindness in the day-
time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer
tinto the God of my life.
1 will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me ?
why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy ?
As with a sivord in my bones, mine enemies reproach me ;
while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God ?
Why art thou cast down, O my soul ? and why art thou
disquieted within me ? Hope thou in God ; for I sliall yet
praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
BENEDICTION II.
48 FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.
COLLECT.
OGOD, 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 protection as may support us in all dangers, and
carry us through all temptations, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot
save ; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear :
But your iniquities have separated between you and your
God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he ivill
not hear.
For your hands are defiled with iniquity : your lips have
spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth : they
trust in vanity, and speak lies: they conceive mischief, and
bring forth iniquity.
Their feet run to evil : their thoughts are thoughts of in-
iquity ; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
TJie way of peace they know not ; and there is no judgment
in their goings : they have made them crooked paths : whoso-
ever goeth therein shall not know peace.
Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice
overtake us : we wait for light, but behold obscurity ; for
brightness, but we walk in darkness.
We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as
if we had no eyes: toe stumble at noonday as in the night;
we are in desolate places as dead men.
FOURTH SUXDAY AFTER EPIPIIAXY. 49
We look for judgment, but there is none ; for salvation, but
it is far off* from us.
For our transgressions are multiplied hefore thee, and our
sins testify against us : for our transgressions are with us ;
and as for our iniquities, tee hioiv them :
In transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing
away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiv-
insT and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
A7id judgment is turned aicay hachvard, and justice stand
eth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity can-
not enter.
Yea, truth faileth ; and he that departeth from evil maketh
himself a prey : and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him
that there was no judgment.
And he saw that thei-e teas no man, and ivondered that there
was no intercessor ; therefore his arin hrought salvation unto
him ; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet
of salvation upon his head ; and he put on the garments of
vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to
his adversaries, recompense to his enemies.
So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and
his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall
come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a
standard against him.
And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that
turn from transgression, saith the Lord.
As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord :
My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put
in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of
the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's
seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.
0 Lord, open thou our lips !
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
5
50 FOUKTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.
PSALMS.
Hear this, all ye people ; give ear, all ye inhabitant^ of the
world :
Both loiv and Jii<j]t, rich and j)oor, together.
My mouth shall speak of wisdom ; and the meditation of
my heart shall be of understanding.
I u'ill incline mine ear to a jjarahle ; I will open my dark
saying.
Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the in-
iquity of my heels shall compass me about ?
They that trust in their icealth, and boast themselves in the
midtitude of their riches ;
None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor
give to God a ransom for hira ;
That he shoidd still live for ever, and not see corruption.
For we see that wise men die, likewise the fool and the
brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Their inward thought is, that their houses shcdl continue for
ever, and their dwelling-places to cdl generations : they call
their lands after their own names.
Nevertheless, man a being in honor abideth not : he is like
the beasts that perish.
This their way is their folly : yet their posterity approve
their sayings.
Like sheep they are laid in the grave ; death shall feed on
them ; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the
morning ; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from
their dwelling.
But God will redeem my soul from the jioiver of the grave ;
for he shall receive me.
Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory
of his house is increased :
For when he dieth, he shall carry nothing away ; his glory
shall not descend after him ;
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 51
Though, while he lived, he blessed his soul : (and men will
praise thee when thou dost well to thyself:)
He shall go to the generation of his fathers ; they shall never
see light.
Man that is in honor, and understandeth not, is like the
beasts that perish.
Why hoastest tJwu thyself in mischief 0 mighty man ? the
goodness of God endureth continually.
Thy tongue deviseth mischief, like a sharp razor, working
deceitfully.
Thou lovesf evil more than good, and lying rather than to
speak righteousness.
Thou lovest all-devouring words, thou deceitful tongue.
God shall likewise destroy thee for ever: he shall take thee
cnvay, and pluck thee out of thy divelliiig-place, and root thee
out of the land of the living.
The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at
him:
Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength ; hut
trusted in the ahundance of his riches, and strengthened him-
self in his tvickedness.
But I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
I ivill praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it : and I
will wait on thy name ; for it is good.
BENEDICTION I.
0
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.
COLLECT,
LORD, we beseech thee to keep thy Church and house-
hold continually in thy true religion ; that they, who do
52 FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.
lean only upon the hope of thy heavenly grace, may evermore
be defended by thy mighty power, thi-ough Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
PKOPHECIES.
ISAIAH.
For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusa-
lem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go
forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that
burneth.
And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all Icings
thy glory: and thou shalt he called hy a new name, which the
mouth of the Lord shall naniQ.
Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the
Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
Thou shalt no more he termed Forsalcen : neither shall thy
land any more he termed Desolate ; hut thou shalt he called
Hephzi-hah,* and thy land Beulah.^
I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which
shall never hold their peace day nor night : ye that make men-
tion of the Lord, keep not silence ;
And give him no rest, till he estahlish, and till he malce Jeru-
salem a praise in the earth.
Go through, go through the gates ; prepare ye the way
of the people ; cast up, cast up the highway ; gather out the
stones ; lift up a standard for the people.
Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the ivorld,
Say ye, Behold, thy salvation cometh ; hehold, his reivard is
with him, and his work hefore him.
And they shall call them. The holy people. The redeemed
of the Lord : and thou shalt be called. Sought out, A city not
forsaken.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me ; hecause the Lord
hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek : he hath
* j\ly-deljght-is-in-thee. t The Wedded.
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 53
sent me to hind up the hrohen-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the
captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are hound ;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day
of vengeance of our God ; to comfort all that mourn ;
To appoint unto them that mourn, to give unto them heautyfor
ashes, the oilofjoyfor mourning, the garment of praise for the
spirit of heaviness : that they might he called Trees of Right-
eousness, The Planting of the Lord, that he might he glorified.
And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the
former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the
desolations of many generations.
And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons
of the alien shall he your ploughmen, and your vine-dressers.
But ye shall be named the priests of the Lord ; men shall
call you the ministers of our God :
For your shame you shcdl have douhle, and for confusion they
shall rejoice in their portion : everlasting joy shcdl he unto you.
For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt-
offering ; and I will direct their work in truth ; and I will
make an everlasting covenant with them.
All that see them shcdl achioicledge them, thcd they are the
seed xohich the Lord hath Messed.
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in
my God : for he hath clothed me with the garments of salva-
tion, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a
bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride
adorneth herself with her jewels.
For as the earth hringeth foHh her hud, and as the garden
causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth ; so the
Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth
hefore cdl the nations.
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only
wise God,
Be honor and glory, through Jesus Christ, for ever and ever.
5*
54 FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.
PSALMS.
In thee, 0 Lord, do I put my trust ; let me never be put
to confusion.
Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape : in-
cline thine ear unto me, and save me.
Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually
resort : thou hast given commandment to save me ; for thou
art ray rock and my fortress.
Deliver me, 0 my God, out of the hand of the wiclced, out
of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
For thou art my hope, O Lord God : thou art my trust
from my youth.
Let my mouth he filled with thy praise and tvith thy honor
all the day.
Cast me not off in the time of old age ; forsake me not
when my strength faileth.
For mine enemies speak against me ; and they that lay loait
for my soid take counsel together,
Saying, God hath forsaken him : persecute and take him ;
for there is none to deliver him.
0 God, be not far from me: 0 my God, make haste for my
help.
1 will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and
more.
My mouth shall shoio forth thy righteousness and thy salva-
tion all the day ; for I know not the numbers thereof.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God : I will make
mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
0 God, thou hast taught me from my youth : and hitherto
have I declared thy wondrous works.
When I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not,
until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and
thy power to every one that is to come.
Thy righteousness also, 0 God, is very high, who hast done
great things : 0 God, who is like unto thee ?
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 55
Thou, whicli hast showed me great and sore troubles, shalt
quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the
depths of the earth.
I icill also praise thee, even thy truth, 0 my God: unto thee
ivill I sing, 0 thou Holy One of Israel.
My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee ; and my
soul, which thou hast redeemed.
My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day
long.
O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth
thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture ?
Rememher thy congregation, %chich thou hast purchased
of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast re-
deemed.
Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations ; even all
that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
Why tcithdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand ? pluck
it out of thy hosom.
For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst
of the earth.
Thou didst divide the sea hy thy strength : thou hrahest the
heads of the dragons in the ivaters.
Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood : thou driedst
up mighty rivers.
Tlie day is thine, the night also is thine : thou hast prepared
the light and the sun.
Thou hast set all the borders of the earth : thou hast made
summer and winter.
Rememher this, that the enemy hath reproached, 0 Lord, and
that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.
O deliver not the soul of thy turtle-dove unto the multitude
of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for
ever.
Have respect unto the covenant : for the dark places of the
earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
56 SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPirHANY.
O let not tlie oppressed return ashamed : let the poor and
needy praise thy name.
Arise, 0 God, plead thine oivn cause.
BENEDICTION VI.
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.
COLLECT.
OGOD, whose blessed Son was manifested, that he might
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 glorious kingdom ; where we may ascribe blessing, and
honor, and glory, and power, to Him who sitteth upon the
throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever.
PROPHECIES.
ISAIAH.
I am sought of them that asked not for me ; I am found of
them that sought me not ; I said. Behold me, behold me, unto
a nation that was not called by my name.
/ have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious
people, xvMch walketh in a xoay that was not good, after their
own thoughts ;
A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my
face ; that sacrificeth in gardens and burncth incense upon
altars ;
Which say, Stand hy thyself, come not near to me ; for lam
holier than thou.
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 57
Behold, it is written before me, I will not keep silence, but
will recompense, even recompense into tlieir bosom,
Toicr iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together,
saith the Lord, ivhich have burnt incense upon the mountains,
and blasphemed me upon the hills : therefore will I measure
their former loorJc into their bosom.
Because, when I called, ye did not answer ; when I spake,
ye did not hear ; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose
that wherein I delighted not.
Therefore, thus saith the Loi'd God, Behold, my servants
shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall
drinJc, but ye shall be thirsty ; behold, my servants shall rejoice,
but ye shall be ashamed.
Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall
cry for sorrow of heart, and for vexation of spirit.
And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen :
for the Lord God shall slay thee, and call his servants by
another naine.
That he who blesseth himself in the earth, shall bless him-
self in the God of truth ; and he that sweareth in the earth,
shall swear by the God of truth ; because the former troubles
are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
For behold, L create new heavens and a neiv earth; and the
former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create :
for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people
ajoy.
And I tvill rejoice in my people : and the voice of weeping
shall be no more heard in thee, nor the voice of crying.
There shall be no more thence the infant of days, nor an
old man that hath not filled his days : for the child shall die
an hundred years old ; but the sinner being an hundred years
old shall be accursed.
And they shall build houses, and inhcd>it them ; and they
shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
58 SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.
They sliall not build and another inhabit ; and they shall
not plant and another eat : for as the days of a tree are the
days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work
of their hands.
They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble:
for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their off-
spring with them.
And it shall come to pass, that, before they call, I will an-
swer : and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
The ivolf and the lamb shall feed together. They shall not
hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord's name be fvaised.
PSALMS.
Make haste, 0 God, to deliver me : make haste to help
me, O Lord.
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee : and
let such as love thy salvation say continucdly. Let God be mag-
nified.
But I am poor and needy ; make haste unto m«, 0 God :
thou art my help and my deliverer ; 0 Lord, make no
tarrying.
Consider mine affliction, and deliver me ; for L do not for-
get thy law.
Plead my cause, and deliver me : quicken me according to
thy word.
Salvation is far from the wiched : for they seek not thy
statutes.
Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord ; quicken me accord-
ing to thy judgments.
Many are mine enemies ; yet do I not decline from thy tes-
timonies.
I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved ; because they
kejit not thy word.
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 59
Thy loord is true from the le g inning : and every one of thy
righteous judgments endureth for ever.
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
I hate and abhor lying ; hut thy latv do Hove.
Seven times a day do I praise thee : because of thy right-
eous judgments.
Great peace have they ivhich love thy law : and nothing shall
offend them.
Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy com-
mandments.
My sold hath hept thy testimonies ; and I love them exceed-
ingly.
Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord : give me under-
standing according to thy word.
Let my supplication come hefore thee : deliver me according
to thy word.
My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy
statutes.
My tongue shall speah of thy loord : for all thy command-
ments are righteousness.
Let thine hand help me : for I have chosen thy precepts.
I have longed for thy salvation, 0 Lord ; and thy km is my
delight.
Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee ; and let thy judg-
ments help me.
/ have gone astray like a lost sheep : seek thy servant ; for
I do not forget thy commandments.
In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.
Deliver my soul, 0 Lord, from lying lips, and from a
deceitful tongue.
BENEDICTION V.
60 SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY.
SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY.
COLLECT.
a RANT unto us, 0 merciful Father, resolution and con-
stancy to persevere in the path of our duty to the end
of our lives. Let no prospect of danger deter us from doing
that which is right, nor any enticement of evil example tempt
us to forfeit our hope of immortality. Preserve us, we hum-
bly beseech thee, from every evil way, and conduct us in the
paths of innocence and virtue to eternal life ; which we ask
in the name and as disciples of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ainen.
PKOPHECIES.
JEREMIAH.
Why is this people slidden back by a perpetual backslid-
ing ? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.
I hearkened and heard, hut they sjmke not aright : no man
repented him of his wicl-edness, saying, What have I done?
every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the
battle.
Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times ;
and the turtle, and the crane, and the swallow, observe the
time of their coming: but my people know not the judgment
of the Lord.
Hoio do ye say, We are wise, and the laiv of the Lord is with
us ? I/O, certainly in vain made he it ; the pen of the scribes is
in vain.
The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken :
lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord ; and what wis-
dom is in them ?
For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people
slightly, saying, Peace, peace ; when there is no peace.
SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY. 61
Were they ashamed when they had committed abomina-
tion ? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they
blush : therefore shall they fall among them that fall ; in the
time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the
Lord.
The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and tee are not
saved.
For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt ;
astonishment hath taken hold on me.
Is there no halm in Gilead ? is there no phi/sician there ? wJiy
then is not the health of the daughter of 7ni/ people recovered'^
Hear the word of the Lord, O people that enter in by
these gates ;
Tims saith the Lord, Execute ye judgment and righteousness,
and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor : and do
no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the
widow, neither shed innocent blood in this pHace.
But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself,
saith the Lord, that this house shall become a desolation.
And many nations shall pass hy, and they shall say every
man to his neighbor, Wherefore hath the Lord done thus ?
Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the
covenant of the Lord their God, and worshipped other gods,
and served them.
Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him ; but weep
sore for him that goeth away.
Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness,
and his chambers by wrong ; that useth his neighbor's service
without wages, and giveth him not for his work ;
That saith, I will build me a wide house, and large chambers,
and cutteth him out windows ; and it is ceiled with cedar, and
painted with vermilion !
Shalt thou reign because thou closest thyself in cedar?
Did not thy fother eat and drink, and do judgment and justice,
and then it was well with him ?
6
62 SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY.
He judged the cause of the poor and needy ; then, it loas loell
with him : ivas not this to know me ? saith the Lord.
But thine eyes and thy heart are not but for thy covetous-
ness, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.
/ S2)alce unto thee in thy prosperity ; hut thou saidst, I will
not hear : this hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou
oheyest not my voice.
Surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all
thy wickedness.
0 earth, hear the word of the Lord.
O Lord, open thou our ears !
That we may hear meekly thy word, and receive it with pure
affection.
PSALMS.
0 God, my heart is fixed : I will sing and give praise.
/ will praise thee, 0 Lord, among the pieople : and L loill
sing praises unto thee among the nations.
For thy ftiercy is great above the heavens, and thy truth
reacheth unto the clouds.
i?e thou exalted, 0 God, above the heavens ; and thy glory
above all the earth :
That thy beloved may be delivered, save with thy right
hand, and answer me.
God hath spoken in his holiness ; I will rejoice ;
Give us help from trouble : for vain is the help of man.
Through God we shall do valiantly ; for he it is that shall
tread down our enemies.
Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise ;
For the mouth of the ivicked and the mouth of the deceitful
are opened : they hare spoken ivith a lying tongue.
They compassed me about also with words of hatred ; and
fought against me without a cause.
For my love they are my adversaries : but I give myself unto
prayer.
SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY. 63
Help me, O Lord my God : 0 save me according to thy
mercy ;
That they may hioiv that this is thy hand ; that thou, Lord,
hast done it.
I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth ; yea, I will
praise him among the multitude.
L^or he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him
from those that condemn his soid.
BENEDICTION VII.
SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY.
COLLECT.
OLORD God, who seest that we put not our trust in any-
thing which we do ; mercifully grant that by thy power
we may be defended against all adversity, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
JEREMIAH AND LAMENTATIONS.
The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with
the point of a diamond : it is graven upon the table of their
heart.
Thus saith the Lord: Cursed he the man that trusteth in
man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from
the Lord.
For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not
see when good cometh ; but shall inhabit the parched places
in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and ichose hope
the Lord is :
64 SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY.
For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that
spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when
heat corneth, but her leaf shall be green ; and shall not be
careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding
fruit.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and despei-atelt/
tvicked : who can know it ?
I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give
every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit
of his doings.
As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not ; so
he that getteth riches, and not hy right, shall leave them in the
midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.
A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of
our sanctuary.
0 Lord, the Hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be
ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the
earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of liv-
ing waters.
Heal me, 0 Lord, and I shall be healed ; save me, and I
shall be saved : for thou art my praise.
Be not a terror unto me : thou art my hope in the day of
evil.
Thus said the Lord unto me, Go and stand in the gate of
the children of the people, and in all the gates of Jerusalem ;
Hear ye the word of the Lord, all that enter in by these gates.
Thus saith the Loi'd : Take heed to yourselves, and bear no
burden on the Sabbath-day ;
Neither carry fort] t a burden out of your houses on the Sab-
bath-day, neither do ye any loork ; but halloio ye the Sabbath-
day, as I commanded your fathers.
And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me,
saith the Lord, to bring in no burden through the gates of this
city on the Sabbath-day, but hallow the Sabbath-day, to do no
work therein ;
SEXAGESI3IA SUNDAY. 65
Then shall there enter into the gates of this city Icings and
princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots
and on horses ; and this city shall remain for ever.
And they shall come from the plain, and from the moun-
tains, and from the south, bringing sacrifices of praise unto
the house of the Lord.
But if ye ivill not hearken unto me to halloio the Sahbath-day
and not to hear a burden, then will I kindle afire, and it shall
not be quenched.
How is the gold become dim ; how is the most fine gold
changed ! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the
top of every street.
The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, hoio
are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the xoorh of the hands of
the potter !
The crown is fjillen from our head : woe unto us that we
have sinned !
For this our heart is faint ; for these things our eyes are dim.
Thou, O Lord, remainest for ever ; thy throne from gener-
ation to generation.
Tarn thou us unto thee, 0 Lord, and ice shall be turned ;
renew our days as of old.
0 Lord, open thou our lips ;
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
PSALMS.
O GIVE thanks unto the Lord ; call upon his name ; make
known his deeds among the people.
Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him : talk ye of all his icon-
drous woi'ks.
Glory ye in his holy name : let the heart of them rejoice
that seek the Lord.
Seek the Lord, and his strength; seek his face evermore.
Remember his marvellous works that he hath done ; his
wonders, and the judgments of his mouth ;
6*
66
SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY.
He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in cdlthe earth.
He hath remembei'ed his covenant for ever, the word which
he commanded to a thousand generations :
Which covenant he made with Ahrcdiam, and his oath unto
Isaac ;
And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel
for an everlasting covenant ;
When they ivere hut a few men in number ; yea, very few,
and strangers.
When they went from one nation to another, from one
kingdom to another people.
He suffered no man to do them wrong ; yea, he reproved
kings for their sakes ;
Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no
harm.
Moreover, he called for a famine upon the land; he hrahe
the tvhole staff of bread.
He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for
a servant ;
Whose feet they hurt ivith fetters : he tvas laid in iron ;
Until the time that his word came ; the word of the Lord
tried him.
The king sent and loosed him ; even the ruler of the people,
and let him go free.
He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his sub-
stance ;
To bind his princes at his pleasure, and teach his senator's
wisdom.
And he increased his people greatly, and made them strong-
er than their enemies.
He sent Moses his servant, and Aaron whom he had chosen.
They showed his signs among them, and wonders in the
land o Ham.
He sent darkness, and made it dark ; and they rebelled not
against his ivork.
SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY. 67
He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.
The land hrought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers
of their kings.
He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in
all their coasts.
He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fre in their land.
He smote their vines also, and their fig-trees ; and brake
the trees of their coasts.
He spalce, and the locusts came, and caterpillars, and that
without number.
And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured
the fruit of their ground.
He smote cdso all the first-born in their land, the chief of all
their strength.
He brought them forth also with silver and gold ; and there
was not one feeble person among their tribes.
Egypt was glad when they departed ; for the fear of them
fell upon them.
He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light in
the night.
The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them
with the bread of heaven.
He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out ; they ran
in the dry places like a river.
For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his ser-
vant.
And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen
with gladness ;
And gave them the lands of the heathen : and they inherited
the labor of the people ;
That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws.
Praise ye the Lord.
BENEDICTION VI.
68 QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY.
QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY.
COLLECT.
OLORD, who hast taught us that all our doings without
charity are nothing worth ; send thy Holy Spirit and pour
into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very
bond of peace, and of all virtues ; without which whosoever
liveth is counted dead before thee. Grant this, O Lord, for
thy mercy's sake in Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
LAMENTATIONS.
The Lord hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but
not into light.
Jle hath set me in darJc places, as they that he dead of old.
He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out ; he hath
made my chain heavy.
He hath enclosed my ways toith heion stone, he hath made my
paths croohed.
And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace ; I for-
got prosperity.
And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the
Lord ;
Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the worm-
wood and the gall.
My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled
in me.
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
It is of the Lord's inercies that tve are not consumed, because
his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning : great is thy faithfulness.
The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore loill I
hope in him.
quinquagesi:ma sundat. G9
The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul
that seeketh him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly ivait for
the salvation of the Lord.
It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.
He sitteth alone and heepeth silence, because he hath borne it
upon him.
Pie putteth his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be
hope.
He giveth his cheeh to him that smiteth him ; he is filled full
with reproach.
For the Lord will not cast off for ever ;
But though he cause grief yet will he have compassion ac-
cording to the midtitude of his mercies.
For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children
of men.
To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,
To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the
Most High,
To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not.
Who is be that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the
Lord commandeth it not ?
Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the pun-
ishment of his sins?
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the
Lord.
Let US lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the
heavens.
Thou hast heard my voice ; hide not thine ear at my
breathing, at my cry.
Thou drewest near in the day that I ccdled upon thee ; thou
saidst, Fear not.
O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul ; thou
hast redeemed my life.
0 Lord, thou hast seen my wrong ; judge thou my cause.
70 QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY.
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only
wise God,
Be honor and glory, through Jesus Christ, for ever and
ever.
PSALMS.
Give ear to my prayer, 0 God ; and hide not thyself from
my supplication.
Attend unto me, and hear me,
Because of the oppression of the wicked : for they cast
iniquity upon me.
3Iy heart is sore pained xcithin me ; and the terrors of death
are fallen upon me.
And I said, O that I had wings like a dove ! for then
would I fly away, and be at rest.
Lo, then ivoidd I wander far off, and remain in the toilder-
ness.
I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and
tempest.
For it icas not an enemy that reproached 7ne ; then I coidd
have borne it ; neither was it he that hated me, that did mag-
nify himself against me ; then I woxdd have hid myself from
him ;
But it was thou, mine equal, my guide, and mine ac-
quaintance.
We took sweet counsel together, and loalhed unto the house of
God in comjKmy.
As for me, I will call upon God ; and the Lord shall save
me.
Evening, and morning, and cd 7ioon, ivill I pray, and cry
aloud ; and he shcdl hear my voice.
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee :
he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
What time I am afraid I will trust in thee. In God I
have put my trust ; I will not fear ivhat flesh can do unto me.
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT. 71
Thy vows are upon me, O God. I will render praises
unto thee.
For thou hast delivered my soid from death ; ivilt not thou
deliver my feet from falling, that I may tvalh before God in
the light of the living ?
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me : for my
soul trusteth in thee : yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I
make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
/ will cry unto God most high ; unto God that performeth
all things for me.
He shall send from heaven and save me. God shall send
forth his mercy and his truth.
Be thou exalted, 0 God, above the heavens ; let thy glory he
above all the earth.
My heart is fixed, 0 God, my heart is fixed ; I will sing
and give praise.
For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto
the clouds.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens : let thy glory
be above all the earth.
BENEDICTION IV.
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT.
COLLECT.
OGOD, whose Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, for our sake
did 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. Almighty and everlasting
72 FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT.
God, who liatest nothing Avhich thou hast made, and dost for-
give the sins of all those who are penitent ; create and make
in us new and contrite hearts ; that we, worthily lamenting
our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of
thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness ;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
JOEL AND JEKEMIAH.
Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the
elders, and all the inhabitants of the land, into the house of
the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord,
Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and
as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
Stand in the gate of the Lord's house, and proclaim there
this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all ye that
enter in at these gates to worship the Lord.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Amend your ivays and your
doings, and I ivill cause you to dwell in this place.
Trust ye not in lying words, saying. The temple of the
Lord, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, are
these.
For if ye thoroughly amend your tcays and your doings ;
if you thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his
neighbor ;
If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the wid-
ow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk
after other gods to your hurt :
Then loill L cause you to dwell in this place, in the land
that L gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.
Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.
Will ye steed, murder, and commit adultery, and swear
falsely, and walk after other gods whom ye hioiv not ;
And come and stand before me in this house, which is
called by my name, and say. We are delivered to do all these
abominations ?
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT. 73
Is this house icliich is called by my name become a den of
robbers in your eyes'^ behold, I, even I, have seen it, saith the
Lord.
But go ye now unto my place, which was in Shiloh, where
I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the
wickedness of my people.
And now, because ye have done all these ivories, saith the
Lord, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, hut
ye heard not ; and I called you, hit ye ansivered not ;
Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my
name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to
you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh.
Do they 2)rovol:e me to anger ? saith the Lord : do they not
provoke themselves, to the confusion of their oivn faces ?
But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice,
and I Avill be your God, and ye shall be my people; and walk
ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be
well unto you.
But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but ivalked
in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and
went backward, and not forivard.
Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them ; but
they will not hearken unto thee : thou shalt also call unto
them ; but they will not answer thee.
But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth
not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction :
truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.
Then will I cause to cease the voice of mirth, and the voice
of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the
bride ; for the land shall be desolate.
Thus saith the Lord, I^et not the tvise man glory in his wis-
dom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the
rich man glory in his riches.
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understand-
eth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lov-
74 FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT.
ing-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth ; for
in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord's name be praised !
PSALMS.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-
kindness : according ixnto the multitude of thy tender mei'cies
blot out my transgression.
Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me
from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions : and my sin is ever
before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in
thy sight : that thou mightest he justified when thou speakest,
a7id be clear ivhen thou judgest.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity ; and in sin did my
mother conceive me.
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts : and in the
hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean : wash me, and
I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness ; that the hones \vhich
thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, 0 God; and reneio a right
spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence ; and take not thy
Holy Spirit from me.
Restore tmto me the joy of thy salvation ; and uphold me
with thy free spirit :
Then will I teach transgressors thy Avays ; and sinnei'S
shall be converted unto thee.
Deliver me from hlood-guiltiness, 0 God, thou God of my
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT. 75
salvatioti ; and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteous-
ness.
O Lord, open thou my lips ; and my mouth shall show forth
thy praise.
For thou desirest not sacrifice, else xooidd I give it ; thou
delightest not in hurnt-offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit : a broken and a
contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion : build thou the
walls of Jerusalem.
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteous-
ness. •
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt
are they, and have done cdfominable iniquity: there is none that
doeth good.
God looked down from heaven upon the children of men,
to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek
God.
Every one of them is gone back ; they are cdtogether become
filthy : there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge ? who eat
up my people as they eat bread : they have not called upon
God.
There loere they in greed fear, where no fear xoas : for God
hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee.
Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy
strength.
Hear my prayer, 0 God ; give ear to the icords of my
mouth.
Behold, God is mine helper : the Lord is with them that
uphold my soul.
I IV ill praise thy name, 0 Lord, for it is good.
BENEDICTION I.
76 SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT.
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT.
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 de-
fended 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.
PROPHECIES.
EZEKIEL.
And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying.
Son of man, these men have set tip their idols in their hearty
and put the stumhling-hlock of their iniquity before their face :
should I he inquired of at all by them ?
Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith
the Lord God : Every man of the house of Israel that setteth
up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling-block of
his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet, I the
Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude
of his idols ;
Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord
God, Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols ; and turn
aioay your faces from" all your abominations.
For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger
that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me,
and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stum-
bling-block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a
prophet to inquire of him concerning me ; I the Lord will
answer him by myself
And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT. 77
punishment of the prophet shall he even as the punishment of
him that seeheth unto him ;
That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me,
neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions ;
but that they may be my people, and I may be their God,
saith the Lord God.
The word of the Lord came again to me, saying,
Son of man, -when the land sinneth against me by trespass-
ing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and
will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine
upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it :
Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Joh, ioere in it,
tliey should deliver hut their oivn soids hy their righteousness,
saith the Lord God.
If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and
they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass
through because of the beasts :
Though these three men were in it, as L live, saith the Lord
God, they shall deliver jieither sons nor daughters; they only
shall he delivered, hut the land shall he desolate.
Or if I bring a swoi'd upon that land, and say, Sword, go
through the land ; so that I cut off man and beast from it :
Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord
God, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, hut they only
shall he delivered themselves.
Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my
fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast :
Though Noah, Daniel, and Joh were in it, as L live, saith
the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter ; they
shall hut deliver their oivn soids hy their righteousness.
For thus saith the Lord God, How much more when I
send my four sore judgments, the sword, and the famine, and
the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man
and beast !
Yet, hehold, therein shall he left a remnant that shall he
7*
7B SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT.
brought forth, both sons and daughters ; behold, they shall
come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their
doings : and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that
I have brought upon you.
And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and
then' doings : and ye shall know that I have not done without
cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord God.
Moreover, he said iinto me, Son of man, all my coords that I
shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear ivith
thine ears.
And go, get thee unto thy people, and speak unto them,
and tell them, Thus saith the Lord God, whether they will
hear, or whether they will forbear.
Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice
of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the Lord
from his place.
I heard also the noise of the wings of living creatures that
touched one another, and the noise of wheels over against
them, and a noise of a great rushing.
So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in
bitterness, in the heat of my spirit : but the hand of the Lord
loas strong upon me.
And it came to pass, at the end of seven days, that the
word of the Lord came unto me, saying.
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman tmto the house
of Israel : therefore hear the ivord at my mouth, and give them
warning from me.
When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die ; and
thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked
from his wicked way, to save his life ; the same wicked man
shall die in his iniquity : but his blood will I require at thine
hand.
Tet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wick-
edness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity :
but thou hast delivered thy sold.
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT. 79
Again, when a righteous man doth turn from his righteous-
ness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before
him, he shall die : because thou hast not given him warning,
he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath
done shall not be remembered ; but his blood will I require
at thine hand.
Nevertheless, if thou loarn the righteous man, that the right-
eous sin not, and.he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he
is learned: also thou hast delivered thy soid.
O Lord, open thou our ears !
That ice may hear jneekly thy word and receive it with pure
affection.
PSALMS.
0 God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou
hast been displeased ; 0 turn thyself to us again.
Thou hast made the earth to tremble ; thou hast broken it :
heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.
Thou hast showed thy people hard things ; thou hast made
us to drink the wine of astonishment.
Thou hast given a banner to them that feared thee, that it
may be displayed because of the truth.
That thy beloved may be delivered, save with thy right
hand, and hear me.
God hath spoken in his holiness: I will rejoice.
Who will bring me into the strong city ?
Wilt not thou, 0 God, which hadst cast us off? and thou,
0 God, which didst not go out with our armies ?
Give us help from trouble : for vain is the help of man.
Through God ive shall do valiantly, for he it is that shall
tread down our enemies.
Hear my cry, O God ; attend unto my prayer.
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart
is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.
80 SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT.
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower
from the enemy.
I will abide in tliy tahernacle for ever; I xoill trust in the
covert of thy wings.
For thou, 0 God, hast heard my vows : thou hast given me
the heritage of those that fear thy name.
I shall abide before God for ever : 0 prepare mercy and
truth, which may preserve me.
So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may
daily perform my vows.
0 Lord, rebuke me not in thy lorath, nor chasten me in thy
hot displeasure !
For thine arrows have deeply pierced me, and thy hand
hath been heavy upon me.
There is no soundness in my flesh, because of thine anger ;
nor rest in my bones, because of my sin.
For my iniquities have gone over my head ; like a heavy
burden, they are more than I can bear.
O Lord, thou hiowest all my desire, and my groaning is not
hidden from thee !
My heart panteth ; my strength faileth me ; the very light
of my eyes is gone from me.
L am like one who heareth nothing, and in whose mouth is
no reply.
But in thee, O Lord, do I trust ; thou wilt hear, 0 Lord,
my God!
For I have prayed. Let them not rejoice over me ; let them
not exult at the slipping of my feet!
For I confess my iniquity, and am troubled on account of
my sin.
Forsake me not, 0 Lord! 0 my God, be not far from me !
Make haste to mine aid, O Lord, my salvation !
Truly my soid loaiteth upon God : from him cometh my sal-
vation.
He only is my rock and my salvation ; he is my defence :
I shall not be greatly moved.
THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT. 81
How long ivill ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall
he slain all of you : as a hoioing wall shall ye he, and as a
tottering fence.
They only consult to cast him down from his excellency ;
they delight in lies : they bless with their mouth, but they
curse inwardly.
3Iy soul, tvait thou only upon God : for my expectation is
from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation : he is my defence :
I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my
strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Trust in him at all times, ye people ; pour out your heart
before him : God is a refuge for us.
Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high de-
gree are a lie : to he laid in the halance, they are altogether
lighter than vanity.
Trust not in oppression, become not vain in robbery: if
riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
God hath spolen once ; twice have I heard this, that power
helongeth unto God.
Also unto thee, 0 Lord, belongeth mercy : for thou ren-
derest to every man according to his work.
BENEDICTION IT.
THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT.
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 defence against all our
enemies, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Aynen.
82 THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT.
PKOPHECIES.
EZEKIEL.
For in mine holy mountain, saith the Lord God, there
shall all of them in the land serve me : there will I accept
them, and there will I require your offerings, with all your
holy things.
I will accept you when I bring you out from the people, and
gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered ;
and I will he sanctified in you.
And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall bring
you into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to
give it to your fathers.
And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings,
wherein ye have been defied ; and ye shall loathe yourselves in
your own sight, for all your evils that ye have committed.
And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have
wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your
wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, 0 ye house
of Israel, saith the Lord God.
Moreover, the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, ■
Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy
word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the
south field ;
And say to the forest of the south. Hear the ivord of the
Lord, l^hus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will kindle a fire in
thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every
dry tree : the fiaming fiame shall not be quenched.
And all flesh shall see that I the Lord have kindled it : it
shall not be quenched.
The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear
the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the in-
iquity of the son ; the righteousness of the righteous shall be
upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath
THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT. 83
committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is
lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
All /lis transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not
be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that lie hath done,
he shall live.
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die ?
saith the Lord God ; and not that he should return from his
ways, and live ?
But tohen the righteous turneth aivay from his 7-ighfeousness,
and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the ahom-
inations that the loiched man doeth, shall he live ? All his
righteousness that he hath done shall not he mentioned : in his
trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath
sinned, in them shall he die.
Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now,
O house of Israel. Is not my way equal ? are not your ways
unequal ?
When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness,
and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them ; for his iniquity
that he hath done, shall he die.
Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wick-
edness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful
and right, he shall save his soul alive.
Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his trans-
gressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall
not die.
Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not
equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal ? are not
your ways unequal ?
Therefore I will judge you, every one according to his ways,
saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from cdl
your transgressions ; so iniquity shall not he your ruin.
Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye
have transgressed, and make you a new heart and a new
spirit : for why will ye die ?
84 THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT.
For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith
the Lord God ; wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
O Lord, open thou our lips !
And our mouth shall shoiv forth thy praise.
PSALMS.
O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten
me in thy hot displeasure.
Have mercy upon me, 0 Lord ; for I am weak: 0 Lord,
heal me ; for my hones are vexed.
My soul is also sore vexed : but thou, 0 Lord, how long ?
Return, 0 Lord, deliver my soid : 0 save me for thy mer-
cies^ sake.
For in death there is no remembrance of thee : in the
grave who shall give thee thanks ?
Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity : for the Lord
hath heard the voice of my iceeping.
The Lord hath heard my supplication ; the Lord will
receive my prayer.
0 Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust ; save me from
all them that persecute me, and deliver me ;
Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while
there is none to deliver.
0 Lord my God, if I have done this ; if there he iniquity
171 my hands ;
If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with
me;
Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it ; yea, let him
tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honor in the
dust.
Arise, O Lord; lift up thyself, and awake for me to the
judgment that thou hast commanded.
So shall the congregation of the people compass thee ahout :
for their sakes, therefore, return thou on high.
THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT. 85
The Lord shall judge the people : judge me, 0 Lord, ac-
cording to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity
that is in me.
0, let the wiclcedness of the ivicJced come to an end ; hut
establish the just : for the righteous God trieth the hearts and
reins.
My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wiched
every day.
I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness ; and
will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.
0 Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in cdl the earth !
who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou or-
dained strength, because of thine enemies ; that thou mightest
still the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers ; the
moon and the stars, ivhich thou hast ordained :
What is man, that thou art mindful of him ? and the son of
man, that thou visitest him ?
For thou hast made him a little loivcr than the angels, and
hast crotoned him tvith glory and honor.
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy
hands : thou hast put all things under his feet.
All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field.
The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and Avhatsoever
passeth through the paths of the sea.
0 Lord, our Lord, hoio excellent is thy name in all the earth !
1 will praise thee, 0 Lord, with my whole heart ; I will
show forth all thy marvellous works.
Livill be glad and rejoice in thee : IidHI sing pirtise to thy
7ia7ne, 0 thou Most High.
For thou hast maintained my right and my cause ; thou
satest in the throne judging right.
BENEDICTION XII.
8
86 FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT.
FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT.
COLLECT.
/^ RANT, we beseech thee, Ahuighty God, that we, who
vJ 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.
PROPHECIES.
Hear, all ye people ; hearken, O earth, and all that therein
is : and let the Lord God be witness against you, the Lord
from his holy temple.
For, hehold, the Lord cometh forth out of his place, and ivill
come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.
And the mountains shall be molten, and the valleys shall
be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are
poured down a steep place.
Hear ye now what the Lord saith: Arise, contend thou he-
fore the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.
Hear ye, O mountains, the Lord's controversy, and ye
strong foundations of the earth : for the Lord hath a contro-
versy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.
0 my people, what have I done unto thee ? and xoherein
have I wearied thee'} testify against me.
For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and re-
deemed thee out of the house of servants ; and I sent before
thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
Wherewith shall L come hefore the Lord, and hoio myself
before the high God"? shall I come hefore him ivith hurnt-
offerings, tvith calves of a year old ?
Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of
my body for the sin of my soul ?
FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT. 87
He hath showed thee, 0 man, what is good ; and what doth
the Lord require of thee, hut to do justly, and to love merctj,and
to walk humbly with thy God'?
The Lord's voice crieth unto the city, and the man of
Avisdom shall see thy name : hear ye the rod, and who hath
appointed it.
Are there yet the treasures of ivickedness in the house of the
toicTied, and the scant measure that is ahominahle ?
Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with
the bag of deceitfid weights .''
For the rich men thereof are fuU of violence, and the inJiab-
itants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in
their mouth.
Therefore also will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in
making thee desolate because of thy sins.
Thou shah eat, hut not he satisfied; and thy casting doivn
shall he in the midst of thee ; and that which thou deliverest
will I give up to the sword.
Woe to them that devise iniquity and work evil upon their
beds ! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is
in the power of their hand.
And they covet fields, and take them hy violence : and houses,
and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even
a man and his heritage.
In that day shall one take up a parable against you, and
lament with a doleful lamentation, and say, We be utterly
spoiled ; he hath changed the portion of my people : how hath he
removed it from me ! turning away, he hath divided our fields.
Is the spirit of the Lord straitened .? are these his doings f
do not my ivords do good to him that ivalketh uprightly ?
Arise ye, and depart ; for this is not your rest.
Noio unto the lung eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise
God,
Be honor and glory, through Jesus Christ, for ever and ever.
FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT.
PSALMS.
Why standest thou afar off, 0 Lord ? why hidest thou thy-
self in times of trouble ?
The wicked in his pride doth ■persecute the poor : let them he
take7i in the devices thcd they have imagined.
Tor the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth
the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.
The ivicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not
seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
His ways are always grievous ; thy judgments are far
above, out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth
at them.
He hath said in his heart, I shall not he moved ; for I shcdl
never he in adversity.
His mouth is full of cui'sing and deceit and fraud ; under
his tongue is mischief and vanity.
He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages ; his eyes are
privily set against the poor.
He lieth in wait secretly, as a lion in his den : he lietli in
wait to catch the poor : he doth catch the poor, when he
draweth him into his net.
He croucheth, and humhleth himself that the poor may fall
hy his strong ones.
He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten : he hideth
his face ; he will never see it.
Arise, 0 Lord ; 0 God, lift up thine hand: forget not the
humhle.
Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God ? he hath said in
his heart, Thou wilt not require it.
Thou hast seen it ; for thou heholdest mischief and spite, to
requite it ivith thy hand : the poor committeth himself unto
thee ; thou art the helper of the fatherless.
The Lord is King for ever and ever.
Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humhle : thou wilt
prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear ;
FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT. 89
To judge tlie fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of
the earth may no more oppress.
HeJp, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth ; for the faithful
fail from among the children of men.
They speak vanity every one with his neighbor : with flat-
tering Hps, and with a double heart, do they speak.
The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that
speaheth proud things ;
"Who have said. With our tongue will we prevail ; our lips
are our own : who is lord over us ?
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy,
now toill L arise, saith the Lord ; Iivill set him in safety from
Mm that puffeth at him.
The words of the Lord are pure words ; as silver tried in a
furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Thou shalt keep them, 0 Lord, thou shalt preserve them
from this generation for ever.
The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are
exalted.
Ln the Lord put I my trust: hoio say ye to my soid, Flee as
a bird to your mountain ?
For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their
arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the up-
right in heart.
Lf the foundations he destroyed, what can the righteous do ?
The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in
heaven : his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
Tlie Lord trieth the righteous : hut the loicJced, and him that
loveth violence, his soid hateth.
Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone,
and an horrible tempest : this shall be the portion of their
cup.
For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness ; his countenance
doth behold the upright.
BENEDICTION XIII.
8*
90 FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT.
FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT.
COLLECT.
WE beseech thee, 0 Father, who delightest in mercy, and
art not willing that any should perish, to grant unto us
the pardon of all our sins, and a joyful hope of thine appro-
bation ; and to assist us in forsaking all our evil ways, and
returning to the path of thy commandments ; that, when our
days on earth shall be finished, we may obtain everlasting
life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ainen.
PROPHECIES.
HAGGAI AND ZECHARIAH.
Yet now be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the
Lord, and work : for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts.
According to the word that I covenanted tvith you, so my
spirit remaineth among you : fear ye not.
For thus saith the Lord of hosts, Yet once, it is a little
while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the
sea, and the dry land ;
And I loill shake all nations, and the desire of all nations
shall come : and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord
of hosts.
The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of
hosts.
The glory of this latter house shall he greater than of the
former, saith the Lord of hosts : and in this place will I give
peace, saith the Lord of hosts.
Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of
hosts. Turn ye unto me, and I will turn unto you.
Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets
have cried, saying. Thus saith the Lord of hosts. Turn ye noto
FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT. 91
from your evil icays, and from your evil doings : hut they did
not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord.
Your fathers, where are they ? and the prophets, do they
live for ever ?
But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my
servants the prophets, did they not tahe hold of your fathers'^
and they returned and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought
to do unto us, according to our tvays, and according to our
doings, so hath he dealt ivith us.
Then I tiu-ned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and
behold a flying roll.
And he said unto me, What seest thou ? and L anstvered, L
see a flying roll.
Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth
over the face of the whole earth : for every one that stealeth
shall be cut off as on this side according to it ; and every
one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according
to it.
/ tvill bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall
enter into the house of the thief and into the house of him that
sweareth falsely hy my name : and it shall remain in the midst
of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and
the stones thereof.
And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of
hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The Branch :
and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the
temple of the Lord :
Even he shall build the temple of the L^ord ; and he shall
bear the glory, and shall sit and ride upon his throne ; and he
shall be a priest upon his throne : and the counsel of peace
shall be between them both.
And they that are far off shall come and build the temple
of the Lord ; and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath
sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will
diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.
92 FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT.
In that day there shall he a fountain opened for sin and for
uncleanness.
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of
hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land,
and they shall no more be remembered ; and also I will cause
the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.
AioaJce, 0 sword, against my shepherd, and against the man
that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts ; smite the shepherd,
and the sheep shall he scattered; and I will turn mine hand
%ipon the little ones.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall
not be clear nor dark.
But it shall he one day, xohich shall he hnotvn to the Lord,
not day, nor night ; hut it shall come to pass, that at evening
time it shall he light.
And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out
from Jerusalem ; half of them toward the former sea, and
half of them toward the hinder sea ; in summer and in winter
shall it be.
And the Lord shall he Mng over all the earth : in that day
shall there he one Lord, and his name one.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord's name he praised.
PSALMS.
Hear the right, 0 Lord, attend unto my cry; give ear unto
my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
Let my sentence come forth from thy presence ; let thine eyes
hehold the things that are equal.
Thou hast proved mine heart ; thou hast visited me in the
night ; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
Sy the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of
the destroyer.
Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT. 93
IJiave called upon thee; for thou tvilt hear me, 0 God; in-
cline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
Show thy marvellous loving-kindness, O thou that savest
by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from
those that rise up against them.
Keep me as the apple of the eye ; hide me under the shadow
of thy loings.
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness : I shall
be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Consider and hear me, 0 Lord my God; lighten mine eyes,
lest I sleep the sleep of death ;
Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him : and
those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
But I have trusted in thy mercy ; my heart shall rejoice in
thy salvation.
I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully
with me.
Lord, ivho shall abide in thy tabernacle ? ivho shall dwell in
thy holy hill ?
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and
speaketh the truth in his heart.
Be that backbiteth not icith his tongue, nor doeth evil to his
neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.
In whose eyes a vile person is contemned ; but he honoreth
them that fear the Lord, He that sweareth to his own hurt,
and change th not.
He that putteth not out his money to usury, 7ior taketh reward
against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be
moved.
Preserve me, O God : for in thee do I put my trust.
0 my sold, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my
Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee ;
But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent,
in whom is all my delight.
Their sorroivs shall be multiplied that hasten after another
94 SUNDAY BEFORE EASTER.
god: their drinh-offerings of Mood xoill I not offer, nor take
up their names into my lips.
The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my
cup : thou maintainest my lot.
The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places ; yea, I have
a goodly heritage.
I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel ; my reins
also instruct me in the night-seasons.
/ have set the Lord always before me : because he is at my
right hand, I shall not he moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth ; ray
flesh also shall rest in hope :
For thou loilt not leave my soid in heU; neither wilt thou
siffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Thou wilt show me the path of life : in thy presence is full-
ness of joy ; at thy right hand there are pleasures for ever-
more.
BENEDICTION XL
SUNDAY BEFORE EASTER.
COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love
toward 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 follow the
example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his
resurrection, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SUNDAY BEFORE EASTER. 95
PKOPHECIES.
Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, lie shall be ex-
alted and extolled, and be very high.
As many were astonished at thee; {Ids visage was so marred
more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men ;)
So shall he sprinkle many nations ; the kings shall shut
their mouths at him : for that which had not been told them
shall they see, and that which they had not heard shall they
consider.
Who hath believed our report ? and to tohom is tJte arm of
the Lord revealed ?
For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as
a root out of a dry ground ; he hath no form nor comeliness ;
and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should
desire him.
He is despised and rejected of men ; a man of sorroivs, and
acquainted ivith grief: and toe hid as it loere our faces from
him ; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows :
yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God,' and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised
for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon
him ; and with his stripes ive are healed.
All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned
every one to his own way ; and the Lord hath laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
He ivas oppressed, and he teas afflicted; yet he opened not
his mouth : he tvas brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a
sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who
shall declare his generation ? for he was cut off out of the
land of the living : for the transgression of my people was he
stricken.
96 SUNDAY BEFORE EASTER.
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich
in his death ; because he had done no violence, neither was any
deceit in his mouth.
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him ; he hath put him to
grief: when thou shalt make his soul an oj[Fering for sin, he
shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure
of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
He shall see of the travail of his soid, and shall he satisfied:
hy his hiowledge shall my righteous servant justify many ;
for he shall hear their iniquities.
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and
he shall divide the spoil with the strong ; because he hath
poured out his soul unto death : and he was numbered with
the transgressors : and he bare the sin of many, and made
intercession for the transgressors.
0 Lord, open thou our ears,
That we may hear meekly thy word, and receive it with
pure affection.
PSALMS.
God be merciful unto us, and bless us ; and cause his face
to shine upon us.
That thy way may he known upon earth, thy saving health
among all nations.
Let the people praise thee, O God ; let all the people praise
thee.
0 let the nations he glad, and sing for joy ; for thou shalt
judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.
Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people
praise thee.
Then shall the earth yield her increase ; and God, even our
own God, shall hless us.
God shall bless us ; and all the ends of the earth shall fear
him.
'SUNDAY BEFORE EASTER. 97
Let God arise, let Ms enemies he scattered ; let them also
that hate him jlee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away : as wax
meltetli before the fire, so let the wicked perish in the pres-
ence of God.
But let the righteous he glad: let them rejoice before God;
yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
Sing unto God, sing praises unto his name : extol him that
rideth upon the heavens by his name, and rejoice before him.
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widoivs, is God
in his holy habitation.
God setteth the solitary in families : he bringeth out those
which are bound with chains ; but the rebellious dwell in a
dry land.
0 God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou
didst march through the tvilderness ;
The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence
of God : even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God,
the God of Israel.
Thou, 0 God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst
confirm thine inheritance, xohen it teas iveary.
Thy congregation hath dwelt therein : thou, O God, hast
prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
The Lord gave the word; great urns the company of those
that published it.
Kings of armies did flee apace ; and she that tarried at
home divided the spoil.
Why leap ye, ye high hills ? this is the hill which God de-
sireth to dwell in ; yea, the Lord loill dwell in it for ever.
The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands, of
angels : the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy
place.
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive :
thou hast received gifts for men ; yea, for the rebellious also,
that the Lord God might dwell among them.
9
98 EASTER DAY.
Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits,
even the God of our salvation.
He that is our God is the God of salvation ; and unto
God the Lord belong the issues from death.
But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and such an
one as goeth on still in his trespasses.
The Lord said, I will bring again ; I ivill bring my people
again from the depths of the sea.
They have seen thy goings, O God ; even the goings of my
God, my King, in the sanctuary.
Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the
fountain of Israel.
Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O
God, that which thou hast wrought for us.
Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth ; 0 sing praises
unto the Lord ;
To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were
of old ; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.
Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel,
and his strength is in the clouds.
O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places : the God
of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people.
Blessed be God.
BENEDICTION VII.
EASTER DAY.
COLLECT.
0 MERCIFUL God, by whose power thy Son Jesus Christ
hath overcome death, and opened unto us the gates of
everlasting life ; grant that we thy servants, having this hope,
EASTER DAY. 99
may purify ourselves even as he is pure ; and, by continually
mortifying our corrupt affections, may pass the grave and gate
of death, to our joyful resurrection ; which we ask as disciples
of him, Avho died, and was buried, and rose again for us, thy
Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
ISAIAH AND MALACHI.
But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, 0 Jacob, and
he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not ; for I have redeemed
thee, I have called thee by thy name ; thou art mine.
When tJiou passe St through the xoaters, I willhe with thee;
and through the rivers, they shall not overfoiv thee : when thou
walkest through the fire, thou shall not he burnt ; neither shall
the fiame kindle upon thee.
For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy
Saviour.
Since thou wast precious in my sight, thoxi hast been honor-
able, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee,
and people for thy life.
Fear not ; for I am with thee : I will bring thy seed from
the east, and gather thee from the west ;
I will say to the north. Give up ; and to the south. Keep not
bach : bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the
ends of the earth ;
Even every one that is called by my name: for I have
created him for my glory, I have formed him ; yea, I have
made him.
Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that
have ears.
Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people
be assembled : who among them can declare this, and show
us former things ? let them bring forth their witnesses, that
they may be justified : or let them hear, and say, It is truth.
Ye are my tvitnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant ivhom
100 EASTER DAY.
I have chosen ; that ye may hnoto and believe me, and under-
stand that I am he : before me there was no God formed,
neither shall there he after me.
I, even I, am the Lord ; and beside me there is no Saviour.
Behold, Iivill send my messenger, and he shall prepare the
way before me : and the Lord, ivhom ye seek, shall suddenly
come to his temijle, even the messenger of the covenant, whom
ye delight in : behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.
But who may abide the day of his coming ? and who shall
stand when he appeareth ? for he is like a refiner's fire, and
like fuller's soap.
And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver ; and he
shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver,
that they may offer unto the Lord cm offering in righteousness.
And I will come near to you to judgment ; and I will be a
swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers,
and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the
hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that
turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith
the Lord of hosts.
For I am the Lord, I change not ; therefore ye sons of Jacob
are not consumed.
Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from
mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me,
and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye
said, Wherein shall we return ?
Will a man rob God ? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say,
Wherein have we robbed thee ? In tithes and offerings.
Bring ye all the tithes into the store-house, that there may
be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the
Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven,
and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room
enough to receive it.
And Itvill rebuke the devourer for your scd-es, and he shall
not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shcdl your vine
EASTEK DAY. 101
cast her fruit before the time in the feld, saith the Lord of
hosts.
And all nations shall call you blessed : for ye shall be a
delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.
Your words have heen stout against me, saith the Lord: yet
ye say, What have tee spoken so much against thee ?
Ye have said, It is vain to serve God ; and what profit is
it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked
mournfully before the Lord of hosts ?
And now we ccdl the proud happy ; yea, they that ivorh ivicked-
ness are set up ; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another ;
and the Lord hearkened, and heard it : and a book of remem-
brance was written before him for them that feared the Lord,
and that thought upon his name.
And they shcdl he mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day
when I make up my jewels ; and I will spare them, as a man
spareth his own son that serveth him.
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous
and the wicked : between him that serveth God, and him that
serveth him not.
For, behold, the day cometh, that shall hum as an oven; and
cdl the proud, yea, and cdl that do ivickedly, shcdl he stuhhle :
and the day that cometh shcdl hum them up, saith the Lord of
hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteous-
ness arise with healing in his wings ;
0 Lord, open thou our lips!
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
PSALMS.
Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and
his praise in the congregation of saints.
9*
102 EASTER DAT.
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him : let the children of
Zion he joyful in their King.
For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people : he will beau-
tify the meek with salvation.
Let the saints be joy fid in glory : let them sing cdoud.
This honor have all his saints.^ Praise ye the Lord.
0 give tha^ihs nnto the Lord ; for he is good; because his
mercy endurethfor ever.
Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy
endureth for ever.
1 called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord cmsivered me,
and set me in a large place.
The Lord is on my side ; I will not fear : what can man
do unto me ?
The Lord taheth my part ivith them that help me:
It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in
man :
It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in
princes.
The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my
salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of
the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
The right hand of the Lord is exalted ; the right hand of
the Lord doeth valiantly.
I shall not die, but live, and declare the ivorhs of the Lord.
The Lord hath chastened me sore : but he hath not given
me over unto death.
BENEDICTION XIII.
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 103
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
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 and mediation of the same, thy Son Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
ISAIAH.
Hearken unto me, my called ; I am the first, I also am
the last.
Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and
my right hand hath spanned the heavens : when I call unto
them, they stand up together.
All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear ; which among them
hath declared these things ?
Come ye near unto me, hear ye this ; I have not spohen in
secret from the beginning : and note the Lord God, and his
spirit, hath sent me.
Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Is-
rael ; I am the Lord thy God, which teacheth thee to profit,
which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.
0 that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments 1 then
had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the
leaves of the sea.
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me ; because the Lord
hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek : he
hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim lib-
erty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them
that are bound ;
104 FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
To 'proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of
vengeance of our God ; to comfort all that mourn ;
To appoint unto them that mourn, to give unto them beauty
for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise
for the spirit of heaviness ; that they might be called Trees of
Righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that he might be
glorified.
And they shall huild the old ivastes, they shall raise up the
former desolations, and they shall repair the ivaste cities, the
desolations of many generations.
And sti'angers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the
sons of the alien shall be your ploughmen, and your vine-
dressers.
But ye shall he named the priests of the Lord; men shall
call you the ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of
the Gentiles, and in their glory shall you boast yourselves.
For your shame you shall have double, and for confusion
they shall rejoice in their portion : therefore in their land
they shall possess the double ; everlasting joy shall be unto
them.
For L the Lord love judgment, L hate robbery for burnt-
offering ; and I will direct their worTc in truth, and I will
make an everlasting covenant tcith them.
And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and
their offspring among the people : all that see them shall ac-
knowledge them, that they are the seed w^hich the Lord hath
blessed.
Iioill greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyftd in
my God : for he hath clothed me ivith the garments of salva-
tion, he hath covered me with the robe of righteotisness, as a
bridegroom decheth himself with ornaments, and as a bride
adorneth herself tvith her jeivels.
For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden
causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth ; so the
Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth
before all the nations.
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 105
Nolo unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only
wise God,
Be honor and gloiy, througli Jesus Christ, for ever and
ever.
PSALMS.
Praise ye the Lord : for it is good to sing praises unto our
God ; for it is pleasant ; and praise is comely.
The Lord doth huild uj) Jerusalem ; he gathereth together
the outcasts of Israel.
He healeth the .broken in heart, and bindeth up their
wounds.
He telleth the number of the stars ; he calleth them all by
their names.
Great is our Lord, and of great power : his understanding
is infinite.
The Lord lifteth \vp the meek : he casteth the wicked down to
the ground.
Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon
the harp unto our God ;
Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who "prepareth rain for
the earth, who maheth grass to groio upon the mountains.
Pie giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens
which cry.
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse ; he taheth not
pleasure in the swiftness of a man.
The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those
that hope in his mercy.
Praise the Lord, 0 Jerusalem : praise thy God, 0 Zion.
For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates ; he hath
blessed thy children within thee.
He maheth peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the
finest of the wheat.
He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth : his word
runneth very swiftly.
106 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoar-frost like
ashes.
He casteth forth his ice like morsels : who can stand before
his cold ?
Ife sendeth out Ms word, and melteth them: he causeth his
loind to hlotv, and the waters jlow.
He showeth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judg-
ments unto Israel.
He hath not dealt so with any nation ; and as for his Judg-
ments, they have not knotvn them. Praise ye the Lord.
BENEDICTION VI. •
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given thine only Son to be
unto us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of
godly life, give us grace, that we may always most thank-
fully receive this inestimable benefit, and daily endeavor our-
selves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life, through
the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
HOSEA AND DANIEL.
CoiiE, and let us return unto the Lord ; for he hath torn,
and he will heal us ; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
After two days will he revive us ; in the third day he will
raise us up, and ive shall live in his sight.
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord :
his going forth is prepared as the morning ; and he shall
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 107
come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto
the earth.
For your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early
dew it goeth away.
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice ; and the knowledge
of God more than burnt-offei-ings.
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek hy prayer and
supplications.
And I prayed unto the Lord ray God, and made my con-
fession, and said, 0 Lord, the great and dreadful God, keep-
ing the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to
them that keep his commandments ;
We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have
done xoichedly, and have rebelled, even hy departing from thy
precepts, and from thy judgments :
Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets,
which spake in thy name to our fathers, and to all the people
of the land.
0 Lord, righteousness helongeth unto thee ; hut unto us con-
fusion of face, as at this day : unto all that are near, and that
are far off, through all the countries lohither thou hast driven
them, hecause of their trespass that they have trespassed against
thee.
O Lord, to us helongeth confusion of face, because we have
sinned against thee.
To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses,
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 by his servants the
prophets.
And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against ris,
and against our judges that judged us, by bringing iipon us a
great evil.
As it is written in the law of Closes, all this evil is come
upon us : yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our
108 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand
thy truth.
Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought
it upon us : for the Lord our God is righteous in all his tvorhs
which he doeth : for we obeyed not his voice.
And now, 0 Lord our God, that hast brought thy people
forth with a mighty hand ; we have sinned, we have done
wickedly.
Now, therefore, 0 our God, hear the prayer of thy servant,
and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon our
sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sccke,
O my God, incline thine ear, and hear ; open thine eyes,
and behold our desolations, not for our righteousness, but for
thy great mercies.
0 Lord, hear ; 0 Lord, forgive ; 0 Lord, hearken, and do ;
defer not, for thine own sake, 0 my God.
And at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one
that shall be found written in the book.
And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall
awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and ever-
lasting contempt.
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the
firmament ; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the
stars for ever and ever.
But shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of
the end : many shall run to and fro, and knoioledge shall be
increased.
And one said, How long shall it be to the end of these
wonders ?
And I heard the man when he held up his right hand and
his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for
ever, that it shall be for a time, times, and an half ; and when
he shcdl have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy
people, all these tilings shall be fnished.
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried ; but
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTEE. 109
the wicked shall do wickedly : and none of the wicked shall
understand ; but the wise shall understand.
And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall he talen
away, and the abomination that malcetli desolate set iq), there
shall he a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
But go thou thy way till the end be, for thou shalt rest,
and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
Praise ye the Lord !
The Lord's name be praised.
PSALMS.
Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy
strength.
Hear my prayer, 0 God ; give ear to the words of my
mouth.
Behold, God is my helper : the Lord is with them that up-
hold my soul.
I will praise thy name, 0 Lord, for it is good. Give ear to
my prayer, 0 God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
Attend unto me, and hear me :
Because of the voice of the enemy, hecause of the oppression
of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in rorath
they hate me.
My heart is sore pained within me; and the terrors of
death are fallen upon me.
And I said, 0 that I had wings like a dove/ for then would
I fly axoay, and he at rest.
Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wil-
derness.
I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
For it was not an enemy that reproached me ; then could I
have borne it : neither was it he that hated me that did mag-
nify himself against me ; then I would have hid myself from
him ;
10
110 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine ac-
quaintance.
We took sweet counsel together, and Avalkecl unlo the house
of God in company.
As for me, I will call upon God: and the Lord shall save
me.
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry
aloud ; and he shall hear my voice.
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee :
he shall never suffer the righteous to he moved.
BENEDICTION I.
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY God, who showest to those who are in error
the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return
into the way of righteousness ; grant unto all those who are
admitted into the fellowship of Christ's religion, that they may
avoid those things that are contrary to their profession, and
follow all such things as are agreeable to the same, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
JOEL, MICAH, ZEPHANIAH, AND AMOS.
I "WILL also gather all nations, and will bring them, and
will plead with them for my people and for my heritage.
Assemble yourselves, and come, and gather yourselves together
round about : thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, 0
Lord.
Put ye in the sickle ; for the harvest is ripe : come, get
you down ; for the press is full.
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. Ill
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision : for the day
of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
The sun and tlie moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall
withdraw their shining.
The Lord also shall utter his voice ; and the heavens and
the earth shall shake: hut the Lord ivill he the hope of his peo-
ple, and the strength of the children of Israel.
So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God, dwelling
in my holy mountain.
But in the last days it shall -come to pass, that the mountain
of the house of the Lord shall he established in the top of the
mountains, and it shall he excdted cd)ove the hills ; and people
shall flow unto it.
And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us
o-o up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of God,
and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his
paths ; for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the
Lord from Jerusalem.
And he shall judge among many people, and rehuke strong
nations afar off; and they shall heat their sivords into plough-
shares, and their spears into pruning-hooh : nation shall not
lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn xvar
any more.
But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his
fig-tree ; and none shall make them afraid : for the mouth of
the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.
For all people ivill wcdh every one in the name of his god,
and we xoill walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever
and ever.
Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God ; for the
day of the Lord is at hand : for the Lord hath prepared a
sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.
In the same day also unll I punish all those that fill their
masters' houses with violence and deceit.
And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search
112 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER^EASTER.
Jerusalem with cfinclles, and punisli the men that say in their
heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil.
Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses
a desolation : they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them ;
and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the ivine thereof.
The great day of the Lord is near, it is near and hasteth
greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord.
For thus saith the Lord, Seek ye me, and ye shall live.
Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off right-
eousness in the earth.
Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth
the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day
dark with night : that calleth for the waters of the sea, and
poureth them out upon the face of the earth : The Lord is his
name :
For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty
sins : they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn
aside the poor in the gate from their right.
TJierefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time ; for it
is an evil time.
Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live ; and so the
Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.
Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in
the gate : it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious
unto the remnant of Joseph.
Let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a
mighty stream.
Hear this, 0 ye that sivcdlo2v up the needy, even to make the
poor of the land to fail.
Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may
sell corn ? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat,
making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying
the balances by deceit ?
The Lord hath sworn hy the excellency of Jacob, Surely I
ivill never forget any of their works.
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 113
Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take
them ; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring
them down.
And the Lord God of hosts is he that toucheth the land, and
it shall melt, and all they that dwell therein shall mourn.
It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath
founded his troop in the earth ; he that calleth for the waters
of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth ;
The Lord is his name.
In that day toill I raise tq) the tahernacle that is fallen, and
close up the breaches thereof; and I loill raise up his ruins,
and Iivill build it as in the days of old.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the ploughman
shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of gi-apes him that
soweth seed.
Aiid Iivill bring again the captivity of my people, and they
shall build the ivaste cities, and inhabit them ; they shall also
make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no
more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them,
saith the Lord thy God.
0 Lord, open thou our ears !
That we may hear meekly thy word, and receive it with
pure affection.
PSALMS.
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the
ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the
seat of the scornful :
But his delight is in the law of the Lord ; and in his laiv
doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
that bringeth forth his fruit in his season : his leaf also shall
not wither ; and whatsoever he doeth shall prospex".
10*
114 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
The ungodly are not so : but are like the chaff ivhich the
wind driveth away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor
sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the Lord hnoweth the way of the righteous : hut the tvay
of the ungodly shall perish.
Lord, how are they increased that trouble me ? many are
they that rise up against me.
But thou, 0 Lord, art a shield for me ; my glory, and the
lifter lip of mine head.
I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out
of his holy hill.
I laid me down and slept ; L awaked: for the Lord sustained
me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have
set themselves against me round about.
Arise, 0 Lord ; save me, 0 my God.
Salvation belongeth unto the Lord : thy blessing is upon
thy people.
Hear me when I call, 0 God of my righteousness : thou hast
enlarged me when I xoas in distress ; have mercy upon me, and
hear my prayer.
0 ye sons of men, how long will ye turn glory into shame ?
liow long will ye love vanity ?
Hat hnow that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for
himself.
Stand in awe, and sin not : commune with your own heart
upon your bed, and be still.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and ptut your trust in
the Lord.
There be many that say, Who will show us any good ?
Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
Tliou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time
that corn and wine increased.
1 will both lay me down in peace, and sleep : for thou,
Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 115
G-ive ear to my icorcls, 0 Lord ; consider my meditation.
Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God :
for unto thee will I pray.
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, 0 Lord ; in the
morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and loill look up.
For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness ;
neither shall evil dwell with thee.
The foolish shall not stand in thy sight : thou hatest all
ivorkers of iniquity.
Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing : the Lord will
abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
But as for me, Iioill come into thy house in the midtitude
of thy mercy : and in thy fear icill I to or ship toioard thy holy
temple.
Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness : make thy Avay
straight before my face.
Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice : let them ever
shout for joy, because thou defendest them : let them also that
love thy name be joyful in thee.
For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous : with favor wilt
thou compass him as with a shield.
BENEDICTION XV.
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
COLLECT.
0 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 sun-
IIG FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
dry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may sui'ely
there be fixed, where true joys are to be found, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
NAHDM AND MICAH.
The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will
not at all acquit the wicked : the Lord hath his way in the
whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of
his feet.
Me rehuJceth the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all
the rivers.
The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the
earth is burnt at his presence, yea, the world, and all that
dwell thex'ein.
Who can stand before his indignation ? and loho can abide
in the fierceness of his anger "^ his fury is poured: out like fire,
and the rocks are thrown cloion hy him.
The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble ; and
he knoweth them that trust in him.
There is one come out of thee that imagineth evil against
the Lord, a wicked counsellor.
Thus saith the Lord, Though they be quiet, and likewise
many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass
through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no
more.
For noio ivill I break his yoke from off thee, and ivill burst
thy bonds in sunder.
Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth
good tidings, that publisheth peace ! Keep thy solemn feasts,
perform thy vows : for the wicked shall no more pass through
thee.
Thou, Bethlehem, though thou be little among the thousands
of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 117
he the ruler in Israel; ivJiose (joings forth have been from of
old, from everlasting.
And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in
the majesty of the name of the Lord his God ; and they shall
abide : for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
0 Lord, ojjen thou our lips !
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
PSALMS.
1 "WILL love thee, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer ;
my God, my strength, in whom I will trust ; my buckler, and
my salvation, and my high tower.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised.
In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my
God: he heard my voice out of his temple , and my cry came
before him, even into his ears.
Then the earth shook and trembled ; the foundations also
of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
He bowed the heavens cdso, and came down : and darkness
teas under his feet.
And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly ; yea, he did fly
upon the Avings of the wind.
lie made darkness his secret place ; his pavilion round about
him was dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds
passed ; hail-stones and coals of fire.
The Lord cdso tliunder'ed in the heavens, and the Highest
gave his voice ; hail-stones and coals of fire.
Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them ; and he
shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
Then the channels of tvaters tvere seen, and the foundations
of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, 0 Lord, at the blast
of the breath of thy nostinls.
118 FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
He sent from above, he took me, lie drew rae out of many
waters.
Wifh the merciful thou irilt show thyself merciful ; ivith cui
upright man thou ivilt shoiv thyself upright ;
With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure ; and with the
froward thou wilt show thyself froward.
For thou \oilt sca-e the afflicted people ; hut wilt bring doivn
high looks.
For thou wilt light my candle : the Lord my God will
enlighten my darkness.
BENEDICTION II.
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
COLLECT.
OLORD, 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 perform the same, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
PROPHECIES.
ZECHARIAH.
Thus saith the Lord, I am returned unto Zion ; and Jeru-
salem shall be called, A city of truth ; and the mountain of
the Lord of hosts. The holy mountain.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, There shall yet old men and
old luomen dwell in the streets of Jeruscdem, and every man
icith his staff in his hand for very age.
And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls
playing in the streets thereof.
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 119
If it he marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people
in these days, should it also he marvellous in mine eyes ? saith
the Lord of hosts.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, I will save my people
from the east country, and from the west country ;
And Iioill hring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of
Jerusalem ; and they shall he my people, and I ivill he their
God, in truth and in righteousness.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Let your hands be strong, ye
that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the
prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the
house of the Lord of hosts was laid, that the temple might be
built.
For hefore these days there was no hire for man, nor any
hire for heast ; neither was there any peace to him that went
out or came in, hecause of the affliction : for I set all men
every one against his neighhor.
But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in
the former days, saith the Lord of hosts.
For the seed shall he prosperous ; the vine shall give her
fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens
shall give their dew ; and I loill cause the remnant of this
people to possess all these things.
And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among
the heathen, so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing :
fear not, but let your hands be strong.
For thus saith the Lord of hosts, As I thought to punish you,
ivhen your fathers provohed me to wrath, saith the Lord of
hosts, and I rep)ented not ;
So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Je-
rusalem, and to the house of Judah : fear ye not.
These are the things that ye shall do, Speah ye every man
the truth to his neighhor ; execute the judgment of truth and
peace in your gates :
And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his
120 FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER.
neighbor ; and love no false oatli ; for all these are things that
I hate, saith the Lord.
And (he ioord of the Lord of hosts came vnto me, saying,
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, It shall yet come to pass, that
there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities.
And the inhahitants of one city shall go to another, saying,
Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seeh the Lord
of hosts ; I ivill go also.
Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the
Lord of hosts, and to pray before the Lord.
Noiv unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only tcise
God ;
Be honor and glory, through Jesus Christ, for ever and ever.
PSALMS.
O God, thou art my God ; early will I seek thee : ray
soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and
thirsty land, where no water is ;
To see thy power and thy glory, so as L have seen thee in the
sanctuary.
Because thy loving-kindness is better than life, my lips
shall praise thee.
Thus 10 ill L bless thee iohile I live ; Iivill lift up my hands
in thy name.
My soul shall be satisfied ; and my mouth shall praise thee
with joyful lips ;
When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee
in the night-ivatches.
Because thou hast been my help : therefore in the shadow
of thy wings will I rejoice.
My sold followeth hard after thee : thy right hand upholdeth
me.
The king shall rejoice in God ; every one that sweareth by
him shall glory : but the mouth of them that speak lies shall
be stopped.
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER, 121
Hear my voice, 0 God, in my prayer : preserve my life from.
fear of the enemy.
Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked ; from the
insurrection of the workers of iniquity ;
They encourage themselves in an evil matter : they conumine
of laying snares privily ; they say. Who shall see them ?
So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon them-
selves : all that see them shall flee away.
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the tvork of God ;
for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in
him, and all the upright in heart shall glory.
Praise xcaiteth for thee, 0 God, in Zion : and unto thee shall
the voio he performed.
O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
Iniquities prevail against me : as for our transgressions,
thou shalt purge them away.
Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to ap-
proach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts : we shall
be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy
temple.
By terrible things in righteousness luilt thou answer \is, 0
God of our salvation ; ivho art the confidence of all the ends
of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:
Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being
girded with power:
Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their leaves,
and the tumult of the people.
They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at
thy tokens : thou makest the outgoings of the morning and
evening to rejoice. •
Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it : thou greatly enrich-
est it icith the river of God, which is full of wcder : thou pre-
parest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly ; thou settlest
11
122 SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION.
the furrows thereof; thou makest it soft with showers ; thou
blessest'the springing thereof:
Thou croumest the year xoitli thy goodness ; and thy paths
drop fatness.
They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness ; and the
little hills rejoice on every side.
The pastures are clothed loith Jloclcs ; the valleys also are
covered over with corn ; they shout for joy, they also sing.
BENEDICTION III.
SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION.
COLLECT.
OGOD, the King of glory, who hast exalted thine only
Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom
in heaven ; we beseech thee leave us not comfortless ; but
send to us thine Holy Spirit to comfort us, and exalt us unto
the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before,
who liveth to make intercession for us at the right hand of
God for ever and ever. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
ZECHARIAH AND JOEL.
The just Lord will not do iniquity : every morning doth
he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust
knoweth no shame.
I said, Surely thou ivilt fear me, thou loilt receive instruc-
tion : so their dwelling shoidd not he cut off: hut they rose
early, and corrupted all their doings.
The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies ;
SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION. 123
neitlier shall a deceitful tongue be found in tbeir moutli : for
they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them
afraid.
Sing, 0 daughter of Zion : sJiout, 0 Israel, he glad and
rejoice with all the heart, 0 daughter of Jerusalem.
The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast
out thine enemy : the King of Israel, even the Lord, is in the
midst of thee : thou shalt not see evil any more.
In that day it shall he said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not ;
and to Zion, Let not thine hands he slack.
The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty ; he will
save, he will rejoice over thee with joy ; he will rest in his
love ; he will joy over thee with singing.
I will, gather them that are sorrowfid for the solemn assem-
hly who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it loas a burden.
Behold, at that time I will undo- all that afflict them ; and I
will get them praise and fame in every land where they have
been put to shame.
At that time will Ihring you again, even in the time that I
gather you : for I will make you a name and a praise among
all people of the earth, when I turn hack your captivity hefore
your eyes, saith the Lord.
Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me
with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and
with mourning ;
And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto
the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, sloio to
anger, and of great kindness, and repentetli him of the evil.
Who knoweth if he Avill return and repent, and leave a
blessing behind him ?
Bloio the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, ccdl a solemn
assembly :
Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the
elders, gather the children.
Let the priests, the 7ninisters of the Lord, weep between the
124 SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION.
porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, 0
Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen
shoidd ride over them : wherefore should they say among the
people, Where is their God?
Then will the Lord pity his people.
i^ear not, 0 land; he glad and rejoice: for the Lord will
do great things.
Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field : for the pastures of the
wilderness do spring, for the tree bearetli her fruit, the fig-tree
and the vine do yield their strength.
Be glad then, and rejoice in the Lord your God : for he
hath given you the former rain moderately, and he tvill cause
to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter
rain in the first month.
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath
eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpiller, and the palmer-
worm, my great army which I sent among you.
And ye shall eat in plenty, and he satisfied, and praise the
name of the Lord your God, that hcdh dealt wondrously with
you : and my people shall never he ashamed.
And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and
that I am the Lord your God, and none else : and my people
shall never be ashamed.
And it shall come to pass afterward, that Iioillpour out my
spirit upon all flesh ; and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men
shall see visions.
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in
those days will I pour out my Spirit.
A7id I will shoiv wonders in the heavens and in the earth,
hlood, and fire, and pillars of smohe.
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into
blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.
Praise ye the Lord !
The Lord's name be praised.
SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION. 125
pSiy:.MS.
I WILL sing of tlie mercies of the Lord for ever : with my
mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
For I have said, Mercy shall he built up for ever : thy faith-
fulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord ; thy
faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
For tvho in the heaven can he compared unto the Lord'^ icho
among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto 'the Lord"}
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints,
and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
0 Lord God of hosts, tvho is a strong Lord like unto thee ?
or to thy faithfidness round about thee .^
Thou rulest the raging of the sea : when the waves thereof
arise, thou stillest them.
Thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.
The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine : as for the
world, and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.
Tlie north and the south, thou hast created them.
Thou hast a mighty arm : strong is thy hand, and high is
thy right hand.
Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne : mercy
and truth shcdl go before thy face.
Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound; they
shall walk, 0 Lord, in the light of thy countenance.
In thy name shcdl they rejoice cdl the day : and in thy right-
eousness shall they he exalted.
For thou art the glory of their strength ; and in thy favor
we shall be exalted.
For the Lord is our defence ; and the Holy One of Israel
is our King.
Then thou spakest in vision to thy Holy One, and saidst,
I have laid help upon one that is mighty ; I have exalted one
chosen out of the people :
11*
126 SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION.
With lohom my hand shall he established; mine arm also
shall strengthen him.
The enemy shall not exact upon him ; nor the son of wick-
edness afflict him.
And I will heat doivn his foes hefore his face, and plague
them that hate him.
But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him ; and
in my name shall he be exalted.
I loill set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the
rivers. *
He shall cry unto me, Thou art my Father, my God, and
the Eock of my salvation.
Also I will make him my first-born, higher than the kings of
the earth.
My mercy will I keep for him"for evermore, and my cove-
nant shall stand fast with him.
His seed also will I make to eiidure for ever, and his throne
as the days of heaven.
If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judg-
ments ;
If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments ;
Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their
iniquity with stripes.
Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from
him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is
gone out of my lips.
What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death ? shall
he deliver his soid from the hand of the grave ?
Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants ; how I do
bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people ;
Wheretoith thine enemies have reproached, 0 Lord ; where-
with they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.
Blessed be the Lord for evermore. Amen, and amen.
BENEDICTION V.
WHITSUNDAY. 127
WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy
foithful people, by sending to them the h'ght 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 Christ Jesus our Saviour; in whose name
we ascribe unto thee all honor and glory now and for ever.
Amen.
PKOPHECIES.
PEOVEKBS.
Doth not wisdom cry ? and understanding put forth her
voice ?
She standeth in the top of high places^ ly the way in the
places of the paths;
She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the com-
ing in at the doors ;
Unto you, 0 men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of
man.
O ye simple, understand wisdom, and ye fools, be ye of an
understanding heart.
Hear ; for Iivill speak of excellent things; and the opening
of my lips shcdl he right things.
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an
abomination to my lips.
All the loords of my mouth are in righteousness; there is
nothing froioard or perverse in them.
They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to
them that find knowledge.
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and hioicledge
rather than choice gold.
128 WHITSUNDAY.
For wisdom is better than rubies ; and all the things that
may be desired are not to be compared to it.
I, wisdom, dwell ivith prudence, and find out hnoidedge of
xcitty inventions.
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil : pride, and arrogancj,
and the evil vk^ay, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom : I am understanding ;
I have strength.
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
By me princes rxde, and nobles, even all the jiidges of the
earth.
I love them that love me ; and those that seek me early
shall find me.
Riches and honor are ivith me; yea, durable riches and
righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold ; and my
revenue than choice silver.
Head in the way of righteousness in the midst of the paths
of judgment:
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance ;
and I will fill their treasures.
The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before
his works of old.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever
the earth was.
Wheii there ivere no depths, Iukis brought forth ; when there
toere no fountains abounding with water.
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, was I
brought forth.
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor
the highest part of the dust of the world.
When he prepared the heavens, I was there : when he set
a compass upon the face of the depth ;
When he established the clouds above ; when he strengthened
the fountains of the deep ;
WHITSUNDAY. 129
When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should
not pass his commandment; when he appointed the founda-
tions of the earth :
Then I was hj him, as one brought up with him; and I was
daihj his delight, rejoicing always before him ;
Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth ; and my de-
lights were with the sons of men.
Now therefore hearken unto me, 0 ye children ; for blessed
are they that heep my ways.
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my
gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
For whoso findeth me tindeth life, and shall obtain favor of
the Lord.
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soid : all
they that hate me love death.
O Lord, open thou our ears !
That we may hear meeUy thy ivord, and receive it ivith pure
affection.
PSALMS.
The Lord is my light and my salvation ; whom shall I fear ?
the Lord is the strength of my life ; of whom shall I be
afraid ?
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shcdl
not fear : though war shoidd rise against me, in this ivill I be
confident.
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after ;
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my
life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his
temple.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his jiavilion :
in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me ; he shall set me
up upon a rock.
Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy ; I
will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
130 WHITSUNDAY.
Hear, 0 Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also
upon me, and answer me.
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face ; my heart said unto
thee, Thy face. Lord, will I seek.
Hide not thy face far from me ; put not thy servant away
in anger : thoii hast been my help ; leave me not, neither forsake
me, 0 God of my salvation.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord
will take me up.
Teach me thy way, 0 Lord, and lead me in a plain jiath.
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of
the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord; he of good courage, and he shall
strengthen thine heart: ivait, I say, on the Lord.
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous ; for praise is comely
for the upi'ight.
Sing unto him a neto song ; play shilfidly ivith a loud
noise.
For the word of the Lord is right ; and all his works are
done in truth.
He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of
the goodness of the Lord.
By the word of the Lord were the heavens made : and all
the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap : he
layeth up the depth in storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord ; let all the inhabitants of
the world stand in awe of him :
For he spake, and it loas done ; he commanded, and it stood
fast.
The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to naught ;
he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of
his heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord ; and the
people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER -WHITSUNDAY. 131
The Lord looheth from heaven; he heholdeth all the sons of
men.
From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the
inhabitants of the earth.
Jle fashioneth their hearts aliJce ; he considereth all their
works.
There is no king saved by the multitude of an host : a
mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver
any hy Ms great strength.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him,
upon them that hope in his mercy ;
To deliver their soul from death, and to Iceep them alive in
famine.
Our soul waiteth for the Lord ; he is our help and our
shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in him ; because tve have trusted
in his holy name.
Let thy mercy, 0 Lord, be upon us, according as we hope
in thee.
BENEDICTION VI.
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hast given us thy
servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to
acknowledge the glory of thy eternal Godhead ; we beseech
thee that thou wouldest keep us steadfast in this faith, and
evermore defend us from all adversities, who livest and rei^n-
est one God, world without end. Amen.
132 FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TVHITSUNDAT.
PROPHECIES.
PROVERBS.
A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches,
and loving favor rather than silver and gold.
The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maher of
them cdl.
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but
the simple pass on and are punished.
By humility, and the fear of the Lord, are riches, and
honor, ami life.
Thoi-ns and snares are in the way of the fro ward : he that
doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
Train up a child in the way he should go ; and when he is
old, he will not depart from it.
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant
to the lender.
He that soweth iniquity shcdl reap vanity ; and the rod of
his anger shall fail.
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed ; for he giveth
of his bread to the poor.
Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out ; yea, strife
and reproach shall cease.
He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips
the king shall be his friend.
The eyes of the Lord preserve hiowledge ; and he over-
throweth the words of the transgressor.
The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be
slain in the streets.
Foolishness is hound in the heart of a child ; hut the rod of
correction shall drive it far from him.
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he
that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
Boio down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and
apply thine heart unto my knowledge :
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 133
For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee ;
they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
Have not I written to thee excellent tilings in counsels and
knotvledge,
That I might make thee know the certainty of the words
of truth, that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them
that send unto thee ?
Roh not the jjoor, because he is jjoo?- ; neither oj)2>7'ess the
aviated in the gate ;
For the Lord will plead their cause ; and spoil the soul of
those that spoiled them.
Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that
are sureties for debts.
If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy
bed from under thee ?
Remove not the ancient landmarh which thy fathers have set.
Seest thou a man diligent in his business ? he shall stand
before kings ; he shall not stand before mean men.
0 Lord, open thou our lips I
And our mouth shall show forth thy. praise.
PSALMS.
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give
glory, for thy mercy and for thy truth's sake.
Wherefore shoidd the heathen say, Where is now thy God'^
But our God is in the heavens : he hath done whatsoever
he pleased.
Their idols are silver and gold, the work ofmerCs hands.
They have mouths, but they speak not ; eyes have they,
but they see not ;
They have ears, but they hear not ; noses have they, hut they
smell not ;
They have hands, but they handle not ; feet have they, but
they walk not ; neither speak they through their thi'oat.
12
134 FIRST SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAT.
They that make them are like unto them ; so is every one
that trusteth in them.
O, trust thou in the Lord ; he is your help and your shield.
Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: lie is your help
and your shield.
The Lord hath been mindful of us : he will bless us.
He ivill bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.
The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your
children.
Ye are blessed of the Lord, which made hearen and earth.
The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's : but the
earth hath he given to the children of men.
The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go dotvn into
silence.
But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for ever-
more. Praise the Lord.
Hove the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my
supplications.
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I
call upon him as long as I live.
The sorroios of death compassed me, and the pains of hell
gat hold upon me : L found trouble and sorrotv.
Then called I upon the name of the Lord : O Lord, I be-
seech thee, deliver my soul.
Gracious is the Lord, and righteous : yea, our God is mer-
ciful.
The Lord px-eserveth the simple : I was brought low, and
he helped me.
Return unto thy rest, 0 my soid ; for the Lord hath dealt
bountifxdly with thee.
For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes
from tears, and my feet from falling,
I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
I believed, therefore have I spoken : I was greatly afflicted.
L said in my haste. All men are liars.
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 135
What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits
towards me ?
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of
the Lord.
I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of
all his people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call
upon the name of the Lord.
1 10 ill pay my voios unto the Lord noiv in the presence of
all his people^
In the courts of the Lord's house. Praise ye the Lord.
0 praise the Lord, all ye nations : praise him, all ye people.
For his merciful kindness is great towards us : and the
truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.
BENEDICTION XII.
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
OGOD, the strength of those who put their trust in thee,
mercifully accept our prayers ; and because, through the
weakness of our mortal nature, we can do no good thing with-
out thee, grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping thy
commandments we may please thee both in will and deed,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
PROVERBS.
Labor not to be rich ; cease from thine own wisdom.
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that xohich is not ? for riches
136 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAT.
certainly mahe themselves wings ; they fly away, as an eagle
toioard heaven.
Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, nei-
ther desire thou his dainty meats :
For as he thinketh in Ms heart, so is he : Eat and drinh,
saith he to thee ; hut his heart is not with thee.
Remove not the old landmark : and enter not into the
fields of the fatherless.
For their Redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause
ivith thee.
Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the
words of knowledge.
Let not thine heart envy sinners : but he thou in the fear of
the Lord all the day long.
For surely there is an end ; and thine expectation shall not
be cut oiF.
Hear thou, my son, and he ivise, and guide thine heart in the
icay.
Be not amongst wine-bibbers ; amongst riotous eaters of
flesh ;
For the drunhard and the glutton shall come to poverty ; and
drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not
thy mother when she is old.
Buy the truth, and sell it not ; cdso tvisdom, and instriiction,
and understanding.
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice ; and he
that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
Wlio hath woe ? tvho hath sorroiv ? lolio hath contentions ?
who hath hahhling .^ tcho hath wounds without cause ? ivho hath
redness of eyes ?
They that tarry long at the wine, they that go to seek
mixed wine.
Look not thou upon the loine when it is red, when it giveth
his color in the cup, whe7i it moveth itself aright :
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 137
At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an
atlder.
Tea, thou shall he as he that lieth doicn in the midst of the
sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended ? who
hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the
waters in a garment ? who haih established all the ends of
the earth ? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if
thou canst tell ?
Every xoord of God is pure : he is a shield unto them that
put their trust in him.
Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and
thou be found a liar.
Two things have I required of thee ; deny me them not
before I die:
Remove far from me vanity and lies ; give me neither
poverty nor riches ; feed me with food convenient for me :
Lest I he full, and deny thee, and say^ Who is the Lord ?
or lest I he poor, and steal, and take the name of my God
in vain.
There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth
not bless their mother.
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and
yet is not xoashed from their filthiness.
There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and
their eyelids are lifted up.
There is a generation whose teeth are as sioords, to devour
the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only
wise God ;
Be honor and glory, through Jesus Christ, for ever and
ever.
12*
138 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
PSALMS.
Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, 0 my soul.
While I live will I praise the Lord : I will sing j^raises
unto my God tvhile I have any being.
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in
whom there is no help.
His breath goeth forth, he returneth to the earth ; in that
very day his thoughts perish.
Happy is he that hath God for his help, Avhose hope is in
the Lord his God ;
Which made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein
is ; which Jceepeth truth for ever ;
Which executeth judgment for the oppressed ; which giv-
eth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners :
The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth
them that are boived doivn : the Lord loveth the righteous :
The Lord preserveth the strangers ; he relieveth the fa-
therless and widow ; but the way of the wicked he turneth
upside down.
The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, 0 Zion, unto
all generations. Praise ye the Lord,
BENEDICTION XL
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
OLORD, who never failest to help and govern those whom
thou dost bring up in thy steadfast fear and love ; keep
us, we beseech thee, under the protection of thy good prov-
idence, and make us to have a perpetual fear and love of thy
holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 139
PROPHECIES.
JOB.
Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear
received a little thereof.
In thoughts from the visions of the night, tvhen deep sleep
faUeth on men,
Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my
bones to shake.
Then a spirit passed before my face ;
It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an
image was before mine eyes ; there was silence, and I heard
a voice, saying,
Shall mortal man he more just than God ? shall a man he
more pure than his Maker ?
Behold, he put no trust in his servants ; and his angels he
charged with folly :
How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, ivhose
foundation is in the dust, which are crushed hefore the
moth ?
They are destroyed from morning to evening : they perish
for ever, without any regarding it.
Both not their excellency which is in them go aivay ? they
die, even loithout wisdom.
Call now, if there be any that will answer thee ; and to
which of the saints wilt thou turn ?
For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly
one.
I have seen the foolish taking root : but suddenly I cursed
his habitation.
His children are far from mfety, and they are crushed in
the gate, neither is there any to deliver them.
Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither
doth trouble spring out of the ground ;
Yet man is horn unto trotdjle, as the sparks fly upward.
140 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my
cause ;
Which doeth great things and iinsearchahle ; marvellous
things without numher :
Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon
the fields :
To set uj} on high those that be loiv ; that those ivhich mourn
may he exalted to safety.
He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their
hands cannot perform their enterprise.
He taheth the wise in their own craftiness ; and the counsel
of the froivard is carried headlong.
They meet with darkness in the day-time, and grope in the
noonday as in the night.
But he saveth the jjoor from the sivord, from their mouth,
and from the hand of the mighty.
So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.
Behold, hajypy is the man whom God correcteth ; therefore
despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty :
For he maketh sore, and bindeth up ; he woundeth, and his
hands make whole.
He shall deliver thee in six troubles ; yea, in seven there shall
no evil touch thee.
In famine he shall redeem thee from death ; and in war
from the power of the sword.
Thou shalt he hid from the scourge of the tongue ; neither
shalt thou he afraid of destruction when it cometh.
At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh : neither shalt
thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.
For thou shalt be in league ivith the stones of the field ; and
the beasts of the feld shall he at peace with thee.
And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace ;
and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.
Thou shalt come to thy grave in a fidl age, like as a shock
of corn cometh in his season.
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 141
Lo this, we have searched it, so it is ; hear it, and know
thou it for thy good.
Praise ye the Lord !
The Lord's name be praised.
PSALMS.
Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord
glory and strength.
Give unto the Lord the glory due nnto his name ; loorship
the Lord in the heanty of holiness.
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters : the God of
glory thundereth : the Lord is upon many waters.
The voice of the Lord is poicerful ; the voice of the Lord is
full of majesty.
The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars ; yea, the Lord
breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
He mahcth them also to sJcij) lihe a calf ; Lebanon and
Sirion like a young unicorii.
The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord shaheth the tvilderness ; the Lord
shaketh the xoilderness of Kadesli.
The voice of the Lord discovereth the forests : and in his
temple doth every one speak of his glory.
27*6 Lord sitteth upon the flood ; yea, the Lord sitteth King
for ever.
The Lord Avill give strength unto his people ; the Lord will
bless his people with peace.
L IV ill extol thee, 0 Lord ; for thou hast lifted me up.
O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed
me.
0 Lord, thou hast brought up my said from the grave : thou,
hast kept me alive, that I shoidd not go down to the pit.
Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at
the remembrance of his holiness.
142 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
For his anger endureth hut a moment : in Ju's favor is life ;
toeeping may endure for a night, hut joy cometh in the morn-
ing.
And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
Lord, hy thy favor thou hast made my mountain to stand
strong : thou didst hide thy face, and I was trouhled.
I cried to thee, O Lord ; and unto the Lord I made suppli-
cation.
What 2iroft is there in my hlood, tvhen I go down to the pit 1
Shall the dust pyxiise thee ? shall it declare thy truth ?
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me : Lord, be thou
my helper.
To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not
he silent. 0 Lord my God, I will give thanlis unto thee for
ever.
In thee, 0 Lord, do I put my trust ; let me never be
ashamed : deliver me in thy righteousness.
Bow down thine ear to me: deliver me speedily: he thou
my strong roch,for an house of defence to save me.
For thou art my rock and my fortress : therefore, for thy
name's sake, lead me and guide me.
Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me,
0 Lord God of truth.
I have hated them that regard lying vanities : but I trust
in the Lord.
I will he glad and rejoice in thy mercy : for thou hast con-
sidered my troidjle ; thou hast known my said in adversities,
And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy : thou
hast set my feet in a large room.
My times are in thy hand: deliver 7ne from the hand of
mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant : save me for thy
mercies' sake.
Let me not he ashamed, 0 Lord : for I have ccdled upon
thee : let the wicked he ashamed.
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 143
Let the lying lips be put to silence, which speak grievous
things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
0 hoio great is thy goodness, ivhich thou hast laid up for
them that fear thee ; ivhich thou hast xorought for them that
trust in thee before the sons of men !
Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from
the pride of man ; thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion
from the strife of tongues.
Blessed he the Lord ; for he hath shoived me his marvellous
Mildness.
For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine
eyes : nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplica-
tions, when I cried unto thee.
0 love the Lord, all ye his saints ; for the Lord preserveth
the faithfid, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all
ye that hope in the Lord.
BENEDICTION X.
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
OLORD, we beseech thee mercifully to hear us, and grant
that we, truly seeking thine aid, may by thy mighty pow-
er be defended, and by thy gracious mercy be comforted in
all dangers and adversities, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
PKOPHECIES.
JOB.
Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is
mighty in strength and wisdom.
144 FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
He preservcth not the life of the wiclced: hut giveth right to
the poor.
He withdrawetli not his eyes from the righteous : yea, he
doth estabhsh them for ever, and they are exalted.
And if they he hound in fetters, and he holden in cords of
affliction ;
Then he showeth them their work, and their transgressions.
He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that
they return from iniquity.
If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in
prosperity, and their years in pleasures :
But if they ohey not, they shall die without hiowledge.
But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath.
He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their
ears in oppression.
Will he esteem thy riches : no, not gold, nor all the forces
of strength.
Behold, God excdteth hy his power : tvho teacheth like him ?
Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.
Every man may see it ; man may hehold it afar off.
Behold, God is great, and we know him not ; neither can
the number of his years be searched out.
For he maheth small the drops of tvater : they p)Our doivn
rain according to the vapor thereof.
Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.
Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the
noise of his tabernacle ?
Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the
bottom of the sea.
For hy them judgeth he the people ; he giveth meat in ahun-
dance.
With clouds he covereth the light ; and commandeth it not
to shine, by the cloud that coraeth betwixt.
The noise thereof showeth concerning it, the cattle cdso con-
cerning the vapor.
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 145
At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his
place.
Hear attentively the noise of Ms voice, and the sound that
goeth out of his mouth.
He dii'ecteth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning
unto the ends of the earth.
After it a voice roareth : he thundereth with the voice of his
excellency.
God thundereth marvellously with his voice ; great things
doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth ; likewise to
the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
He sealeth up the hand of every man, that all men may
know his work.
Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.
Out of the south cometh the whirlwind; and cold out of
the north.
By the breath of God frost is given ; and the breadth of the
watei'S is straitened.
Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud ; he scatter-
eth his bright cloud.
And it is turned round about by his counsels ; thcd they may
do xvliatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world
in the earth.
He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his
land, or for mercy.
Hearlcen unto this: stand still, and consider the wondrous
works of God.
Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the
light of his cloud to shine ?
Dost thou hioio the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous
works of him which is perfect in hioivledge?
How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth
by the south wind?
13
146 FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
Hast thou ivith him spread out the sl'i/, tvhich is strong, and
as a molten looking-glass ?
Teach us what we shall say unto hira ; for we cannot order
our speech by reason of darkness.
And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds :
hut the loind passeth, and cleanseth them.
Fair weather cometh out of the north : with God is terrible
majesty.
Touching the Almighty, ive cannot Jind him out: he is excel-
lent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice.
O Lord, open thou our ears !
That tve mag hear meekly thy toord, and receive it with pure
affection.
PSALMS.
Why standest thou afar off, O Lord ? why hidest thou thy-
self in times of trouble ?
The wiclced in his pride doth persecute the poor : let them
be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth
the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.
The xvicked, through the pride of his countenance, ivill not
seek after God : God is not in all Ms thoughts.
His ways are always grievous : thy judgments are far above
out of his sight : as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
He hath said in his heart, Ishcdl not be moved ; for I shall
never be in adversity.
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud ; under
his tongue is mischief and vanity.
He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages : in the secret
jjlaces doth he murder the innocent : his eyes are privily set
against the poor.
He lieth in wait secretly, as a lion in his den : he lieth in
wait to catch the poor : he doth catch the poor when he draw-
eth him into his net.
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 147
He croucheth, and humhleth himself, that the poor may fall
by his strong ones.
He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten : he hideth
his face ; he will never see it.
Arise, 0 Lord; 0 God, lift up thine hand; forget not the
humble.
Wherefore doth the Avicked contemn God ? he hath said in
his heart, tliou wilt not require it.
Thou hast seen it : for thou heholdest mischief and spite to
requite it with thy hand : the poor committeth hiynself unto
thee : thou art the helper of the fatherless.
Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man : seek
out his wickedness till thou find none.
The Lord is King for ever and ever: the heathen are per-
ished oiit of his land.
Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble : thou wilt
prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear :
To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of
the earth may no more oppress.
Help, Lord : for the godly man ceaseth ; for the faithful
fail from among the children of men.
They speak vanity everyone with his neighbor : with flatter-
ing lips and loith a double heart do they speak.
The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue
that speaketh proud things :
Who have said. With our tongue \oill ice prevail ; our lips
are our own : who is lord over us ?
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy,
now will I arise, saith the Lord ; I will set him in safety from
him that puffeth at him.
T/ie tvords of the Lord are pure words : as silver tried in a
furnace of earth, purifed seven times.
Thou Shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them
from this generation for ever.
The tvicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are
exalted.
148 FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER "WHITSUNDAY.
In the Lord put I my trust : how say ye to my soul, Flee,
as a bird to your mountain ?
For lo, the wicked bend their how, they make ready their
arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the ^ip-
right in heart.
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do ?
The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in
heaven : his eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men.
The Loi'd trieth the righteous : but the wicked and him
that loveth violence his soul hateth.
Upon the ivicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone,
and an horrible tempest : this shall be the portion of their
cup.
For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness ; his counte-
nance doth behold the upright.
BENEDICTION VII.
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
OGOD, the protector of all who 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 i^ass through things temporal, that we finally lose not
the things eternal. Grant this, 0 Heavenly Father, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
PROVERBS.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he
that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 149
Also, that the soul be unthout hiorvledge, it is not good ; and
he that hasteth xoith his feet sinneth.
The foolishness of man pervertetli his way : and his heart
fretteth against the Lord.
A false tvitness shall not he unpunished ; and he that spealc-
eth lies shall not escape.
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul : he that keep-
etli understanding shall find good.
A false tvitness shall not he unpunished ; and he that speah-
eth lies shall perish.
Delight is not seemly for a fool ; much less for a servant
to have rule over princes.
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger ; and it is his
glory to pass over a transgression.
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep ; and an idle soul
shall suffer hunger.
He that Iceepeth the commandment heepeth his oum soul ; but
he that despiseth his ways shall die.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord ;
and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
A man of great tvirith shall suffer jmnishment ; for if thou
deliver him, get thou must do it again.
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be
wise in thy latter end.
There are many devices in a man^s heart ; nevertheless, the
counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.
The fear of the Lord tendeth to life ; and he that hath it
shall abide satisfied ; he shall not be visited with evil.
A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and tvill not
so much as bring it to his mouth again.
He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother,
is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
Cease, my son, to hear the instructioii that causeth to err
from the words of knowledge.
13*
loO FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER \YHITSUNDAY.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is
deceived thereby is not wise.
It is an honor for a man to cease from strife ; hut every
fool ^vill he meddling.
The sluggard will not plough by reason of the cold ; there-
fore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water : hut a man
of understanding will draw it out.
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness : but
a faithful man who can find ?
The just man walketli in his integrity ; his children are
hlessed after him.
Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from
my sin ?
Divers weights, and divers measures, hoth of them are alike
ahomination to the Lord.
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be
pure, and whether it be right.
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made
even hoth of them.
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty ; open thine eyes,
and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
It is naught, it is naught, saith the huyer : hut tvhen he is
gone his ivay, then he hoasteth.
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies : but the lips of
knowledge are a precious jewel.
Bread of deceit is sweet to a man ; hut afterwards his mouth
shall he filled with gravel.
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets ;
therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall he put
out in ohscure darkness.
An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning ;
but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 151
Say not thou, I will recompense evil : hut ivait on the Lord,
and he shall save tliee.
O Lord, open thou our lips !
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
PSALMS.
We have heard with our ears, 0 God, our fathers have told
us, what woi'k thou didst iu their days, in the times of old ;
How thou didst drive out the heathen ivith thy hand, and
plantedst them ; how thou didst affiict the people, and cast them
out.
For they got not the land in possession by their own sword,
neither did their own arm save them ; but thy right hand, and
thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou
hadst a favor unto them.
In God ive boast all the day long, and praise thy name for
ever.
But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame ; and goest not
forth with our armies.
Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and
hast scattered us among the heathen.
Thou sellest thy people for naught, and dost not increase
thy wealth by their price.
Thou tnahest us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and
derision to them that are round about us.
Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking
of the head among the people.
3Iy confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my
face hath covered me,
For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth ;
by reason of the enemy and avenger.
Ifive have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out
our hands to a strange god ;
Shall not God search this out ? for he knoweth the secrets
of the heart.
152 FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
Yea, for thy salce are we hilled all the day long ; we are
counted as sheep for the slaughter.
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord ? arise, cast us not oflf
for ever.
Wlierefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction
and our oppression ?
Arise for our help, and redeem us, for thy mercies' sake.
God IS our refuge and strength, a very present help in
trouble :
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and
though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea ;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the
mountains shake xvith the sxoelling thereof.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the
city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most
High.
God is in the midst of her : she shall not be moved: God
shall help her, and that right early.
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved : he uttered
his voice, the earth melted.
The Lord of hosts is ivith us ; the God of Jacob is our
refuge.
Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he
hath made in the earth.
He maheth tears to cease unto the end of the earth; he
hreaJceth the bote, and cutteth the spear in sunder ; he burneth
the chariot in the f re.
Be still, and know that I am God ; I will be exalted among
the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
BENEDICTION II.
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 153
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
a RANT, O 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 quiet-
ness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
JOB.
0 THAT I knew where I might find God ! that I might come
even to his seat !
Ixcould order my cause before Mm, and Jill my mouth with
argtiments.
1 would know the words which he would answer me, and
understand what he would say unto me.
Will he plead against me loith his great 'power .^ No ; hut
he tvoidd put strength in me.
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there ; and backward,
but I cannot perceive him :
On the left hand, lohere he doth lOorJc, hut I cannot hehold
him : he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see
him :
But he knoweth the way that I take : when he hath tried
me, I shall come forth as gold.
My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not
declined.
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his
lips ; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my
necessary food.
But he is in one mind, and who can turn him ? and tvhat
his sold desireth, even that he doeth.
154 SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
Therefore am I troubled at his presence : when I consider,
I am afraid of him.
Fo7' God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troiibleth
me:
Dominion and fear are with him, he maketh peace in his
high places.
is there any number of his armies ? and upon whom doth
not his light arise ?
How then can man be justified with God ? or how can he
be clean that is born of a woman ?
Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not ; yea, the stars
are not pure in his sight.
Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no cov-
ering.
He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth
the earth upon nothing.
He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds ; and the
cloud is not rent under them.
He holdeth hack the face of his throne, and spreadeth his
cloud upon it.
He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day
and night come to an end.
The pillars of heaven tremble, and are astonished at his
reproof.
He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understand-
ing he smiteth through the proud.
By his Spirit he hath garnished the heavens ; his hand hath
formed the croohed serpent.
Lo, these are parts of his ways ; but how little a portion is
heard of him ? but the thunder of his power who can under-
stand ?
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only
loise God;
Be honor and glory, through Jesus Christ, for ever and
ever.
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 155
PSALMS.
He that clwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall
abide under the shadow of the Almightj.
/ will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress :
my God ; in Mm will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,
and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings
shall thou trust : his truth shall he thy shield and hucMer.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night ; nor for
the arrow that flieth by day ;
Nor for the pestilence that waTketh in darkness ; nor for the
destruction that ivasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy
right hand ; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only tvith thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of
the loicked.
Because thou hast made the Lord which is my refuge, even
the Most High, thy habitation,
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come
nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee
in all thy ways.
They shall hear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy
foot against a stone.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I de-
liver him : I will set him on high, because he hath known my
name.
He shall call upon me, and I tvill ansiver him : I ivill he
with him in trouble ; Iioill deliver him, and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salva-
tion.
The Lord reigneth ; he is clothed with majesty ; the Lord is
clothed toith strength, xoherewith he hath girded himself : the
world also is established, that it cannot be moved.
156 SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
Thy tlirone is established of old : thou art from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, 0 Lord, the floods have lifted up
their voice ; the floods lift up their loaves.
The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many
waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
Thy testimonies are very sure : holiness hecometh thine house,
0 Jyord, for ever.
O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth ; O God, show
thyself.
Lift t(p thyself, thou Judge of the earth.
Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked
triumph ?
How long shall they utter and speah hard things ? and all
the workers of iniquity boast themselves f
They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the
fatherless.
Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall God
regard it.
Understand, ye brutish among the people : and ye fools,
when will ye be wise ?
ITe that planted the ear, shall he not hear ? he that formed
the eye, shall he not see ?
He that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know ?
The Lord hioiveth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, 0 Lord, and
teachest him out of thy law ;
That thou may est give him rest from the days of adversity.
For the Lord will not cast off his peoj)le, neither will he
forsake his inheritance.
Hut judgment shall return unto righteousness : and all the
upright in heart shall follow it.
Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul had almost
dwelt in silence.
In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts de-
light my sold.
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 157
Shall the tlirone of iniquity have fellowship with thee,
which frameth mischief by a law ?
But the Lord is my defence ; and my God is f/ie rock of my
refuge.
BENEDICTION IV.
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
OGOD, who hast prepared for those who love thee such
good things as pass man's understanding, pour into our
hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all
things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can
desire, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
PROPHECIES.
PROVERBS.
Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be
with them :
For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of
mischief
Through Avisdom is an house builded : and by understand-
ing it is established :
And hy hioxcledge shall the chambers he filled with all
precious and pleasant riches.
A wise man is strong ; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth
strength.
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the
righteous ; spoil not his resting-place.
Rejoice not when thine enemy fcdleth ; and let not thine heart
he glad when he stumbleth ;
14
158 SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him.
Fret not thyself hec an se of evil men, neithei' he tJiou envious
at the wicked:
For there shall be no reward to the evil man ; the candle
of the wicked shall be put out.
He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous ; him shall
the people curse, nations shall ahhor him:
But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good
blessing shall come upon them.
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the
field ; and afterwards build thine house.
Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause ; and
deceive not with thy lips.
Say not, Iivill do so to him as he hath done to tne : I will
render to the man according to his tvork.
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of
the man void of understanding ;
And lo, it teas all grown over with thorns, and nettles had
covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken
down.
Then I saw, and considered it well : I looked upon it, and
received instruction.
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands
to sleep :
So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth ; and thy
want as an armed man.
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not ivhat to do in
the end thereof, lohen thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.
Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover
not a secret to another ;
Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy
turn not away.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of
silver.
A man that heareth false witness against his neighbor is a
maul, and a sivord, and a sharp arrow.
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 159
Confidence in an unfaltliful man in time of trouble is like a
broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
If thine enemy he hungry^ give him hread to eat; and if he
he thirsty, give him water to drinh :
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the
Lord shall reward thee.
He that hath no ride over his own spirit is like a city that is
hroken down, and without walls.
Praise ye the Lord !
The Lord's name he praised.
PSALMS.
I WILL lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence
Cometh my help.
My help Cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and
earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved : he that keepeth
thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumher nor
sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper ; the Lord is thy shade upon thy
right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee hy day, 7ior the moon hy
night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil : he shall pre-
serve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in,
from this time forth, and even for evermore.
I was glad when they said unto me. Let us go into the
house of the Lord.
Our feet shall stand within thy gates, 0 Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together :
Whither the trihes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the
testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
160 SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the
house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem : they shall prosper that
love thee.
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy
palaces.
For my brethren and companions^ sake, I ivill now say,
Peace he within thee.
Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy
good.
Unto thee lift I iqy mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the
heavens.
Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their
masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her
mistress ; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that
he have mercy upon us.
Have mercy upon us, 0 Lord, have mercy upon ics.
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side ;
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men
rose up against us ;
Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath
was kindled against us :
Then the toaters had overiohelmed tis, the stream had gone
over our sold:
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven
and earth.
They that trust in the Lord shcdl be as 3Tount Zion, which
cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord
is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
For the rod of the wiched shcdl not rest upon the lot of the
righteous ; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto in-
iquity.
Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good, and to them
that are upright in their hearts.
EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 161
As for such as turn aside U7ito their crooked ways, the Lord
shall lead them forth xoith the workers of iniquity : hut peace
shall be upon Israel.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and iceepeth, hearing precious seed, shall
doubtless come again loith rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with
him.
BENEDICTION I.
EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
T ORD of all power and might, who art the author and giver
-Li of all good things, graft in our hearts the love of thy
name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all good-
ness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same, through Je-
sus Christ our Lord. Atnen.
PROPHECIES.
ECCLESIASTES.
Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be
more ready to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools : for they
consider not that they do evil.
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart he hasty
to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou
upon earth; therefore let thy loords be few.
When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it :
pay that which thou hast vowed.
Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin : ivherefore
should God he angry at thy voice, and destroy the ivork of thine
hands ?
14*
162 EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are
also divers vanities : but fear thou God.
If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent pervert-
ing of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the
matter : for he that is higher than the highest regardeth ; and
there be higher than they.
Moreover, the profit of the earth is for all : the king himself
is served by the field.
He that lovetJi silver shall not be satisfied toith silver ; nor
he that loveth abundance tvith increase. This is also vanity.
"When goods increase, they are increased that eat them:
and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the be-
holding of them with their eyes ?
The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little
or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to
sleep.
There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun,
namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
But those riches perish by evil travail ; and he begetteth a
son, and there is nothing in his hand.
So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are
done under the sun : and, behold, the tears of such as were
oppressed, and they had no conforter ; and on the side of their
oppressors there was power ; but they had no comforter.
To everything there is a season, and a time to every piirpose
under the heaven:
I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever :
nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it : and God
doeth it that men should fear before him.
That which hath been is noiv ; and that ivhich is to be hath
already been : and God requireth that which is past.
And, moreover, I saw under the sun the place of judgment,
that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness,
that iniquity was there.
I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the
EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 163
iciched: for there is a time there for every purpose, and for
every toork.
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light ex-
celleth darkness.
For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight, unsdom,
and hnowledge, and joy : hut to the sinner he giveth travail, to
gather, and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good
before God.
O Lord, open thou our ears !
Tiiat ive may hear meekly thy ivord, and receive it with pure
affection.
PSALMS.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of
our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
Beautiful for situation, the joy of the lohole earth, is Mount
Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
We have thought of thy loving-kindness, O God, in the
midst of thy temple.
According to thy name, 0 God, so is thy praise unto the
ends of the earth : thy right hand is full of righteousness.
For this God is our God for ever and ever ; he will be our
guide even unto death.
Lord, thou hast heen favorable unto thy land:
Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people ; hast covered
all their sin.
Wilt thou not revive us again, that thy people may rejoice in
thee f
Show us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.
I IV ill hear \ohat God the Lord will speak : for he loill speak
peace unto his people, and to his saints ; but let them not turn
again to folly.
Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him ; that glory
may dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth are met together ; righteousness and peace
have kissed each other.
164 EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
Truth shall sprhig out of the earth ; and righteousness shall
look down from heaven.
Tea, the Lord shall give that tohich is good; and our land
shall yield her increase.
Righteousness shall go before him, and shall set us in the
way of his steps.
Be merciful unto me, 0 Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
Rejoice the soul of thy servant : for unto thee, 0 Lord, do
I lift up my soul.
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive ; and plente-
ous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
Give ear, 0 Lord, unto my prayer ; and attend to the voice
of my supplications.
In the day of my trouUe I will call upon thee : for thou wilt
ansioer me.
All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship
before thee, 0 Lord ; and shall glorify thy name.
For thou art great, and doest tvondrous things : thou art God
alone.
Teach me thy way, O Lord ; I will walk in thy truth :
unite my heart to fear thy name.
/ loill praise thee, 0 Lord my God, with all my heart ; and
I will glorify thy name for evermore.
Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious,
long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
0 turn unto me, and have mercy upon me.
Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.
And of Zion it shall he said, This and that man was horn
in her ; and the Highest himself shall estahlish her.
The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that
this man was born there.
All my springs are in thee.
BENEDICTION II.
NINTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 165
NINTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
OGOD, whose never-failing providence orderetli 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 be profitable for us, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
JOB.
Canst thou by searching find out God ? canst thou find
out the Almighty unto perfection ?
It is as high as heaven ; ivhat canst thou do ? tfeeper than
hell ; xohat canst thou Icnoio'?
The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader
than the sea.
If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then icho can
hinder him ?
For he knoweth vain men : he seeth wickedness also : will
he not then consider it ?
If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands
toward him ;
If iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away, and let not
wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
For then shalt thou lift up thy face tvithout spot; yea, thou
shalt he steadfast, and shalt not fear :
And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou
shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
And thou shalt he secure, hecause there is hojye ; yea, thou
shalt take thy rest in safety.
Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid ;
But the eyes of the wielded shall fail, and they shcdl not es-
cape, and their hope shall he as the giving up of the ghost.
166 NINTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
Who knoweth not in all these, that the hand of the Lord
hath wrought this ?
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the
breath of all mankind.
With the ancient is wisdom ; and in length of days under-
standing.
With him is ivisdom and strength, he hath counsel and U7i-
derstanding.
Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again ;
he shutteth up, and there can be no opening.
Behold, he tvithholdeth the loaters, and they dry up ; also he
sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
With him is strength and wisdom.
Though he slay me, yet loill Itritst in him.
He also shall be my salvation.
0 Lord, open thou our lips !
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
PSALMS.
0 God, thou knowest my foolishness ; and my sins are not
hid from thee.
Let not them that wait on thee., 0 Lord God of hosts, be
ashamed, for my sake; let not those that seek thee be confounded.
But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, 0 Lord, in an accept-
able time : O God, in the multitude of thy mercy, hear me,
in the truth of thy salvation.
Hear me, 0 Lord ; for thy loving-kindness is good: turn
unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
And hide not thy face from thy servant ; hear me speedily.
Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem if.
1 will praise the name of God with a song, and will mag-
nify him with thanksgiving.
The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall
live that seek God.
NINTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 167
For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his pris-
oners.
Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything
that moveth therein.
Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean
heart.
But as for me, my feet were almost gone ; my steps had well-
nigh slipped.
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity
of the wicked.
For there are no hands in their death : hut their strength is
firm.
They are not in trouble as other men ; neither are they
plagued like other men.
Therefore pride compiasseth them ahout as a chain ; violence
covereth them as a garment.
They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppres-
sion : they speak loftily.
They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue
walketh through the earth.
Nevertheless, I am continually with thee ; thou hast holden
me by my right hand.
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive
me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon
earth that I desire besides thee.
3Iy flesh and my heart faileth : hut God is the strength of
my heart, and my portion for ever.
For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish ;
But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my
trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy tvorhs.
BENEDICTION VI.
168 TENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
TENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
/^ EANT to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think
vX and do always such things as be rightful ; that we, who
cannot do anything that is good without thee, may by thee be
enabled to live according to thy will, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
PROVERBS.
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be un-
punished : but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
There is that scattereth, and yet inct'easeth ; and there is that
withholdeth more than is meet, hut it tendeth to poverty.
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him : but
blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
He that diligently seeketh good p7'0cui-eth favor : hut he that
seeheth mischief, it shall come unto him.
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall : but the righteous
shall flgurish as a branch.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life ; and he that
winneth soids is loise.
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth :
much more the wicked and the sinner.
Whoso loveth instruction loveth hnoivledge ; hut he that hateth
reproof is hrutish. ,
A good man obtaineth favor of the Lord: but a man of
wicked devices will he condemn.
A man shall not he estahlished hy wickedness : hut the root of
the righteous shall not he moved.
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast : but the
tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
TENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 169
He that tilleth Ms. land shall he satisfied xoith hread ; hut he
that follow eth vain persons is void of understanding.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes : but he that
hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: hut the
tongue of the wise is health.
The lip of truth shall be established for ever : but a lying
tongue is but for a moment.
Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil : hut to the
counsellors of peace is joy.
There shall no evil happen to the just : but the wicked
shall be filled with mischief.
Lying lips are ahomination to the Lord : hut they that deal
tridy are his delight.
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule : but the slothful
shall be under tribute.
, Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop) : hut a good
word maketh it glad.
In the way of righteousness is life ; and in the pathway
thereof there is no death.
A icise son heareth his father'' s instruction : hut a scorner
heareth not rehuke.
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life : but he that
openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
The sold of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing : hut
the soul of the diligent shall he made fat.
Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way : but
wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing : there
is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
The light of the righteous rejoiceth : but the lamp of the
wicked shall be put out.
Only hy pride cometh contention : hut with the well-advised
is tvisdoni.
15
170 TENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished : but he that
gathereth by labor shall inci'ease.
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick : but when the desire
Cometh, it is a tree of life.
Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed : but he that
feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
Good understandiny giveth favor : but the way of trans-
gressors is hard.
Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruc-
tion : but he that regardeth reproof shall be honored.
He that tccdketh ivith ivise men shcdl be icise : but a com-
panion of fools shall be destroyed.
Evil pursueth sinners : but to the righteous good shall be
repaid,
Wow vnto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only
wise God;
Be honor and glory, through Jesus Christ, for ever and
ever.
PSALMS.
The day is thine, the night also is thine : thou hast pre-
pared the light and the sun.
Thou hast set all the borders of the earth : thou hast made
summer and winter.
Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of
the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
0 let not the opjjressed return ashamed : let the poor and
needy praise thy name.
Unto thee, 0 God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we
give thanks : for that thy name is near thy wondrous works
declare.
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the
toest, nor from the south :
But God is the judge ; he putteth down one, and setteth
up another.
TENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 171
Thou didst cause judgment to he heard from heaven ; the
earth feared, and ivas still,
When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the
earth.
Surely the ivrath of man shall praise thee : the remainder
of wrath shalt thou restrain.
Vow and pay unto the Lord your God : let all that be
round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be
feared.
/ have considered the days of old, the years of ancient
times.
I call to remembrance my song in the night : I com-
mune with mine own heart, and my spirit made diligent
search.
Will the Lord cast off for ever ? and will he he favorable no
more ?
Is his mercy clean gone for ever ? doth his promise fail for
evermore ?
Hath God forgotten to he gracious ? hath he in anger shut
up his tender mercies ?
And I said. This is my infirmity : but I will remember the
years of the right hand of the Most High.
/ will remember the works of the Lord ; surely L ivill re-
member thy loonders of old.
I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy
doings.
Thy way, 0 God, is in the sancttiary : ivho is so great a
God as our God!
Thou art the God that doest wonders : thou hast declared
thy strength among the people.
Thou hast loith thine arm redeemed thy people.
The waters saw thee, 0 God, the waters saw thee : they
were afraid ; the depths also were ti'oubled.
The clouds poured out water ; the shies sent out a sound:
thine arroivs also ivent abroad.
172 ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER "WHITSUNDAY.
The voice of tliy thunder was in the heaven : the lightnings
lightened the world : the earth trembled and shook.
Thy loay is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters,
and thy footsteps are not hiotvn.
BENEDICTION VII.
ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
LET thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of
thy humble servants ; and that they may obtain their pe-
titions, make them to ask such things as shall please thee,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
PKOVEKBS.
He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord : but
he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride : hut the lips of
the u'ise shall j^reserve them.
A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not : but knowl-
edge is easy unto him that understandeth.
Fools malce a mock at sin : hut among the righteous there is
favor.
The heart knoweth his own bitterness ; and a stranger doth
not intermeddle with his joy.
The house of the wicked shall he overthrown : hut the tah-
ernacle of the upright shall flourish.
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man ; but the
end thereof are the ways of death.
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowfxd ; and the end of that
mirth is heaviness.
ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 173
The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways ;
and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
The simple lelieveth every word : but the prudent man look-
eth well to Ms going.
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil : but the fool
I'ageth, and is confident.
He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly ; and a man of
wicked devices is hated.
The evil bow before the good ; and the wicked at the gates
of the righteous.
He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth : but he that hath
mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Do they not err that devise evil ? but mercy and truth shall
be to them that devise good.
In all labor there is profit : bid the talk of the lips tendeth
only to penury.
The crown of the wise is their riches : but the foolishness
of fools is folly.
A true loitness delivereth soitls : but a deceitful ivitness speak-
eth lies.
In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence ; and his chil-
dren shall have a place of refuge.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from
the snares of death.
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding : but he
that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker : but he
that honoreth him hath mercy on the poor.
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness : but the
righteous hath hope in his death.
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding:
but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
Righteousness exalteth a nation : but sin is a reproach to
any people.
15*
174 ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TTHITSUNDAY,
A soft answer turneth away wrath : hut grievous icords stir
up anger.
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright : but the
mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Praise ye the Lord!
The Lord's name be praised.
PSALMS*
Give ear, O my people, to my law : incline your ears to
the words of my mouth.
We ivill not hide them from our children, showing to the gen-
eration to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and
his wonderfid works that he hath done.
For he established a testimony, and appointed a law, which
he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known
to their children :
That the generation to come might hiow them, even the chil-
dren which shoidd he horn, who shoidd arise and declare them
to their children ;
That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the
works of God, but keep his commandments :
He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through : and
he made the waters to stand as an heap.
In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the
night with a light of fire.
He clave the roclcs in the wilderness, and gave therh drinh as
out of the great depths.
He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters
to run down like rivers.
And they sinned yet more against him, hy provoking the
Host High in the wilderness.
And they tempted God in their heart, by asking meat for
their lust.
Tea, they spake against God: they said, Can God furnish
a table in the wilderness ?
ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 175
Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and
the streams overflowed ; can he give bread also ? can he pro-
vide flesh for his people ?
Therefore the Lord heard this, mid teas loroth : so a fire
was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came np against
Israel.
Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his
salvation ;
Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and
opened the doors of heaven.
And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had
given them of the corn of heaven.
Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.
He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven ; and by his
power he brought in the south wind.
He rained fiesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls
like as the sand of the sea;
And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about
their habitations.
So they did eat, and were to ell filled : for he gave them their
oivn desire ;
For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his won-
drous works.
Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their
years in trouble.
When he slew them, then they sought him ; and they re-
turned and inquired early after God :
And they retjiembered that God ivas their Rod, and the high
God their Redeemer.
Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and
they lied unto him with their tongues :
For their heart ivas not right with him, neither were they
steadfast in his covenant.
But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and
destroyed them not : yea, many a time turned he his anger
away, and did not stir up all his wrath :
176 ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
For lie remcmhered that they icere hut fesh ; a tvhid that
passeth aivciT/, and cometh not again.
How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve
him in the desert !
Yea, they turned had', and tempted God, and limited the
Holy One of Israel.
They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he de-
livered them from the enemy :
And he hrought them to the harder of his sanctuary, even to
this mountain, xohich his right hand had purchased.
He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them
an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell
in their tents.
Yet they temjJted and provoked the most high God, and kept
not his testimonies ;
But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers :
For they jyrovoked him to anger with their high places, and
moved him to jealousy with their graven images.
"When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred
Israel :
So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent ichich he
placed among men ;
And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into
the enemy's hand.
He chose David also his servant, and took him from the
sheepfolds :
He brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his
inheritance.
So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and
guided them hy the skilfidness of his hands.
Consider and hear me, O Lord my God : lighten mine
eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death ;
But I have trusted in thy mercy ; my heart shall rejoice in
thy salvation.
I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully
with me.
BENEDICTION XII.
TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 177
TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
OGOD, who declarest thy almighty power chiefly in show-
ing mercy and pity, mercifully grant unto us such a
measure of thy grace, that we, running the way of thy com-
mandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made
partakers of thy heavenly treasure, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Atnen.
PROPHECIES.
PROVERBS.
The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord ;
but he loveth him that foUoweth after righteousness.
Correction is grievous tmto him that forsaketh the way : and
he that hateth reproof shall die.
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowl-
edge : but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
Better is a little ivith the fear of the Lord, than great treas-
ure and trouble therewith.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox
and hatred therewith.
A wise son maheth a glad father : hid a foolish man de-
spiseth his mother.
Without counsel purposes are disappointed : but in the
multitude of counsellors they are established.
A man hath joy hy the ansiver of his mouth : and a word
spoken in due season, how good is it !
The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart
from hell beneath.
The Lord will destroy the house of the j^^'oud: hut he will
estahlish the border of the widow.
178 TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the
Lord ; but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
He that is greedy of gain irouhleth his own house ; hut he
that hateth gifts shall live.
The ear that heareth the reproof of hfe abideth among the
wise.
He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul : but he
that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom ; and be-
fore honor is humihty.
All the ways of a man are clean in his otvn eyes: but the
Lord weigheth the spirits.
Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall
be established.
Every one that is proud in heart is an ahomination to
the Lord : though hand join in hand, he shall not he unpun-
ished.
When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his
enemies to be at peace with him.
Better is a little tvith righteousness, than great revenues
without right.
A man's heart deviseth his way : but the Lord directeth
his steps.
Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spint before
a fall.
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than
to divide the spoil with the proud.
He that handleth a matter tvisely shall find good : and whoso
trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
O Lord, open thou our ears !
That ice may hear meelcly thy word, and receive it with pure
affection.
TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 179
PSALMS.
0 remember not against us former iniquities : let thy tender
mercies speedily prevent us ; for we are brought very low.
Help tis, 0 God of our salvation, for the glory of tltij name ;
and deliver tcs, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.
Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee ; accord-
ing to the greatness of tliy power preserve thou those that are
appointed to die.
So ice, thy people, and sheep of thy pasture, will give thee
thanks for ever ; we loill shoio forth thy praise to all generations.
God standeth in the congregation of the mighty : he judg-
eth among the gods.
Hoio long ivill ye judge unjustly, and accept the jjersons of
the ivicked ?
Defend the poor and fatherless : do justice to the afflicted
and needy.
Deliver the poor and needy : rid them out of the hand of the
wicked.
They know not, neither will they understand : they walk
on in darkness : all the foundations of the earth are out of
course.
1 have said, Te are gods ; and all of you are children of
the Most High :
But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
Arise, 0 God, judge the earth : for thou shalt inherit all
nations.
BENEDICTION II.
180 THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WIHTSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who art always more
ready to hear than we are to pray, and art wont to give
more than either we desire or deserve ; pour down upon us
the abundance of thy mercy, forgiving us those things where-
of our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things
which we are not worthy to ask, but through the mediation of
thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
TEOVERBS.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an
house full of sacrifices with strife.
Whoso mocleth the poor reproacheth his Maker; and he that
is glad at calamities shall not he unpunished.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love ; but he that
repeateth a matter separatcth very friends.
A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred
stripes into a fool.
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than
a fool in his folly.
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from
his house.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the
just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wis-
dom, seeing he hath no heaH to it ?
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for ad-
versity.
THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 181
He tJiat hath a froicard heart Jincleth no good ; and he that
hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding : but the
eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
He that hath knowledge spareth his loords ; and a man of
understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh
and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower ; the righteous run-
neth into it, and is safe.
O Lord, open thou our lips !
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
PSALMS.
O SING unto the Lord a new song ; for he hath done mar-
vellous things : his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten
him the victory.
The Lord hath made hnoivn his salvation : his righteousness
hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen.
He hath remembered his mercy and his truth : 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.
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and
they that dwell therein.
Let the floods clap their hands : let the hills he joyful together,
Before the Lord : for he cometh to judge the earth : with
righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with
equity.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness ; come before his presence
with sinofinsr.
Knoiv ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made
us, and not we ourselves : we are his people, and the sheep of
his pasture.
16
182 THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
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.
Hear my prayer, O Loi'd, and let my cry come unto thee.
Hide not thy face from me in the day \olien I am in tfoiihle ;
incline thine ear unto me : in the day when I call, answer me
speedily.
My days are like a shadow that declineth ; and I am with-
ered like grass.
But thou, 0 Lord, shcdt endure for eve?; and thy remem-
brance unto all generations.
Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion ; for the time
to favor her, yea, the set time, is come.
For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favor the
dust thereof
So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the
kings of the earth thy glory.
This shall he ivritten for the generation to come; and the
people which shall he created shall praise the Lord.
For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary ;
from heaven did the Lord behold the earth ;
To hear the groaning of the prisoner, to loose those that are
appointed to death ;
When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms,
to serve the Lord.
I said, 0 my God, take me not cnvay in the midst of my
days : thy years are throughout all generations.
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth ; and the
heavens are the work of thy hands.
They shall perish, hut thou shalt endure ; yea, all of them
shall wax old like a garment ; as a vesture shalt thou change
them, and they shall he changed:
But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
BENEDICTION XIII.
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 183
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
\ LMIGHTY and merciful God, of whose only gift it com-
-il- eth that thy faithful people do unto thee true and lauda-
ble 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 Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
PEOPHECIES.
rROVERES.
Go to the ant, thou sluggard ; consider her ways, and be
wise:
Which, having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food
in the harvest.
How long wilt thou sleep, 0 sluggard? when loilt thou arise
out of thy sleep ?
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the
hands to sleep :
So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want
as an armed man.
A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward
mouth ;
Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually :
he soweth discord.
Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly ; suddenly shall
he be broken without remedy.
These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an
alomination unto him :
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent
blood,
184 FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER "WHITSUNDAY.
Ail heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that he
swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth dis-
cord among brethren.
My son, keep thy father's commandment, andforsahe not the
laio of thy mother:
Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about
thy neck.
When thou goest, it shall lead thee ; when thou sleepest, it
shall keep thee ; and when thou awalcest, it shall talk with
thee.
For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light ; and
reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the
tongue of a strange woman.
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments
with thee.
Keep my commandments, and live ; and my lato as the ap-
ple of thine eye.
Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of
thine heart.
Now unto the king eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise
God;
Be honor and glory, through Jesus Christ, for ever and
ever.
PSALMS.
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the
law of the Lord.
blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him
with the ivhole heart.
They also do no iniquity : they walk in his ways.
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes !
Then shall I not he ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy
commandments.
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 185
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall
have learned thy righteous judgments.
I will keep thy statutes : 0 forsake me not utterly.
Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way ? By taking
heed thereto according to thy word.
0 let me not wander from thy commandments.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin
against thee.
Blessed art thou, 0 Lord : teach )7ie thy statutes.
1 have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as
in all riches.
/ tc'ill meditate in thy precepts^ and have respect unto thy
ways.
I will delight myself in thy statutes : I will not forget thy
word.
Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep
thy word.
I am a stranger in the earth : hide not thy commandments
from me.
My sold cleavetlt, unto the dust : quicken thou me according
to thy loord.
Teach me thy statutes.
Make me to understand the ivay of thy precepts : so shall I
talk of thy wondrous ivorks.
Remove from me the Avay of lying, and grant me thy law
graciously.
Iicill run the tcay of thy cominandments, ivhen thou shall
enlarge my heart.
Let thy mercies come also unto me, 0 Lord; even thy
salvation.
So shall I have whereioith to ansiver him that reproacheth
me : for I trust in thy word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of 'my mouth ;
for I have hoped in thy judgments.
So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
16*
18G FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
And I will walk at liberty, for I seek thy precepts.
/ icill sjpeak of tliy testimonies also, and will not he
ashayned.
And I will delight myself in thy commandments, w^hich I
have loved.
My hands also tvill I lift tip unto thy commandments, which
I have loved ; and Iicill meditate in thy statutes.
BENEDICTION XII.
FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WIHTSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, give unto us the in-
crease of faith, hope, and charity; 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.
PROPHECIES.
PKOVERBS.
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend
to know understanding.
For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
Let thine heart retain my words : keep my commandments,
and live.
Get tvisdom, get understanding : forget it not ; neither de-
cline from the ivords of my mouth.
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee : love her,
and she shall keep thee.
Wisdom is the principal thing ; therefore get wisdom : and
with all thy getting, get understanding.
FIFTEENTH SUNDA.Y AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 187
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee : she shall bring
thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.
She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace : a croivn
of glory shall she deliver to thee.
Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings ; and the years of
thy life shall be many.
I have taught thee in the icay of tvisdom ; I have led thee in
right paths.
When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened ; and
when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
Tahe fast hold of instruction ; let her not go : keep her ; for
she is thy life.
My son, forget not my law ; but let thine heart keep my
commandments ;
For length of days, and long life, and peace shall they add
to thee. *
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee : bind them about
thy neck ; write them upon the table of thine heart :
So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the
sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart ; and lean not unto
thine own understanding.
In all thy loays achnoivledge him, and he shall direct thy
paths.
Be not wise in thin« own eyes : fear the Lord, and depart
from evil.
Honor the Lord xoitli thy substance, and tvith the first-fruits
ofcdl thine increase :
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses
shall burst out with new wine.
3fy son, desjnse not the chastening of the Lord ; neither be
weary of his correction :
For whom the Lord loveth, he correcteth ; even as a father
the son in whom he delighteth.
Happy is the man that findeth tvisdom, and the man that
getteth understanding.
188 FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of
silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies : and all the things thou
canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Length of days is in her right hand ; and in her left hand
riches and honor.
Her tvat/s are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are
peace.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her : and
happy is every one that retaineth her.
The Lord by ivisdom hath founded the earth ; by under-
standing hath he established the heavens.
By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds
drop down the dew.
3fy so)i, let not them depart from thine eyes : keep sound
2visdo?n and discretion :
So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
Tlien shalt thou icalk in thy loay safely, and thy foot shall
not stumble.
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid : yea, thou
shalt lie down, and thy sleep sliall be sweet.
Praise ye the Lord !
The Lord's name be praised.
PSALMS.
0 LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou Jcnoicest my doicn-sitting and mine up-rising, thou un-
derstandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art ac-
quainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but lo, 0 Lord, thou
hioivest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand
upon me.
FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 189
Such knotdedge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I can-
not attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit ? or whither shall I flee
from thy presence ?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my
bed in hell, hehold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the utter-
most parts of the sea ;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall
hold me.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me ; even the
night shall be light about me.
Tea, the darkness hideth not from thee'; hut the night shineth
as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
I will praise thee ; for I am fearfully and wonderfully
made : marvellous are thy works ; and that my soul knoweth
right well.
3Iy substance ivas not hid from thee, when I was made in
secret, and curiously wrought.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect ; and
in thy book all my members were written, which in contin-
uance were fashioned.
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, 0 God! how
great is the sum of them !
If I should count them, they are more in number than the
sand : when I awake, I am still with thee.
Search me, 0 God, and knoiv my heart : try me, and know
my thoughts.
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in
the way everlasting.
BENEDICTION XIV.
190 SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
KEEP, we beseech thee, O LorJ, thy Church with thy per-
petual mercy; and because the frailty of man without
thee cannot but foil, 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. Atnen.
PROPHECIES.
Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may
be profitable unto himself?
Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art righteous ?
or is it gain to him that thou makest thy ivays perfect ?
Will he reprove thee for fear of thee ? will he enter with
thee into judgment ?
Is not God in the height of heaven ? and behold the height
of the stars, how high they are !
And thou say est, How doth God know ? can he judge
through the dark cloud?
Thick clouds are a covering to him ; and he ivalketh in the
circuit of heaven.
Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have
trodden ?
Which were cut doivn out of time, whose- foundation was
overflown tcith a flood:
Which said unto God, Depart from us : and Avhat can the
Almighty do for them ?
Acquaint noio tJiyself with him, and be at peace ; thereby
good shall come unto thee.
SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 191
Eeceive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up
his words in thine heart.
If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt he huilt up, thou
shalt put away iniquity far from thy tahernades.
Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence.
For then shalt thou have thy delight inthe Almighty, and
shalt lift up thy face wito God.
Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear
thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.
Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall he estahlished wi-
fe thee : and the light shcdl shine upon thy ivays.
When men are cast down, then thou shalt say. There is
lifting up ; and he shall save the humble person.
Man that is horn of a ivoman is of few days, and full of
trouble.
He Cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down : he fleeth
also as a shadow, and continueth not.
Seeing his days are determined, the numher of his months
are with thee, thou hast appointed his hounds that he cannot
pass ;
Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomphsh,
as an hireling, his day.
If a man die, shall he live again ? all the days of my ap-
pointed time xoill I wait, till my change come.
For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall
stand at the latter day upon the earth :
And though after my skin taorms destroy this hody, yet in
my flesh shall I see God :
Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold,
and not another ; though my reins be consumed within me.
0 Lord, open thou our ears !
That we may hear meekly thy word, and receive it with
pure affection.
192 SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
PSALMS.
Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he
is good : for his mercy endureth for ever.
Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord'? who can show
forth all his praise ?
Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth
righteousness at all times.
Rememher me, 0 Lord, with the favor that thou hearest unto
thy people : 0 visit me ivith thy salvation ;
That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice
in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine in-
heritance.
We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniqui-
ty, we have done ivichedly.
Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they
remembered not the multitude of thy mercies ; but provoked
thee at the sea, even at the Red Sea.
Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might
make his mighty power to he known.
He rebuked the Ked Sea also, and it was dried up : so he
led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.
And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them,
and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
And the waters covered their enemies : there was not one
of them left.
Then believed they his icords ; they sang his ptriise.
They soon forgat his works, they waited not for his counsel :
Bat lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and temp)ted God
in the desert.
And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into
their soul.
Many times did he deliver them : but they provoked him with
their counsel: and were brought low for their iniquity.
Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard
their cry :
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 193
A7id he remembered/or them his covenant, according to the
midtitude of his mercies.
He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried
them captives.
Save us, 0 Lord our God, and gather us from among the
heathen, to give thanhs unto thy holy name, and to triumph in
thy praise.
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to ev-
erlasting : and let all the people saj, Amen, Praise ye the
Lord.
BENEDICTION VIII.
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHIT-
SUNDAY.
COLLECT.
A LORD, we beseech thee, let thy continual pity cleanse and
Vy 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.
PEOPHECIES.
PROVERBS.
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord
than sacrifice.
An high look, and a proud heart, and the ploughing of the
icicTced, is sin.
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness ;
but of every one that is hasty, only to want.
The getting of treasures hy a lying tongue is a vanity tossed
to and fro of them that seek death.
17
194 SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
The way of man is frovvard and strange : but as for the
pure, his work is right.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his 7ieighhor jlndeth
no favor in his eyes.
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise :
and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
The righteous man tciseli/ considereth the house of the wicked:
hut God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also
shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
It is joy to the just to do judgment : hut destruction shcdl he
to the ivorkers of iniquity.
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding
shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
He that follow eth after righteousness and mercy, findeth life,
righteousness, and honor.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul
from troubles.
Proud and haughty scorner is his name, 2vho dealeth in
proud tvrath.
The desire of the slothful killeth him ; for his hands refuse
to labor.
He coveteth greedily all the day long: hut the righteous
giveth and spareth not.
A wicked man hardeneth his face : but as for the upright,
he directeth his way.
There is no loisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, against
the Lord.
O Lord, open thou our lips !
And our mouth shall shoio forth thy praise.
PSALMS.
The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called
the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down
thereof.
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 195
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence : a fire
shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous
round about him.
He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth,
that he may judge his people.
Gather my saints together unto me ; those that have made
a covenant with me.
And the heavens shall declare his righteousness : for God is
Judge himself.
Hear, O my people, and I will speak ; O Israel, and I will
testify against thee : I am God, even thy God.
For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a
thousand hills.
I know all the fowls of the mountains : and the wild beasts
of the field are mine,
If I loere hungry I woidd not tell thee : for the loorld is
mine, and the fulness thereof
Offer unto God thanksgiving ; and pay thy vows unto the
Most High.
And ccdl upon me in the day of trouble : and I will deliver
thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
But unto the wicked God saith. What hast thou to do to
declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant
in thy mouth ?
Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my loords behind
thee.
When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him,
and hast been partaker with adulterers.
Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth
deceit.
Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother : thou slan-
derest thine own mother's son.
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence ; thou
thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I
will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
196 EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
Now consider this, ye that forget Good, lest I tear you in
pieces, and there be none to deliver.
Whoso offereth praise glorijieth me : and to him that order-
eth his conversation aright will I shotv the salvation of God.
BENEDICTION IV.
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
LORD, we pray thee that thy grace may be always with
us, to enlighten and purify, to defend and preserve us ;
and make us continually to be given to all good works, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PEOPHECIES.
PROVERBS.
A FALSE balance is abomination to the Lord : but a just
weight is his delight.
When pride cometh, then cometh shame : hut with the lowly
is wisdom.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them : but the per-
verseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
Riches profit not in the day of^vrath: hut righteousness de-
livereth from death.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them : but
transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall pterish ; and
the hope of unjust 7nen perisheth.
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor : but
throuo'h knowledge shall the just be delivered.
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 197
By the hlessing of the up'ight the city is exalted : hut it is
overthrown hy the mouth of the tuiched.
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbor : but a
man of understanding holdeth his peace.
A talebearer revealeth secrets : hut he that is of a faithful
spirit concealeth the matter.
"Where no counsel is, the people fall ; but in the multitude
of counsellors there is safety.
Noio unto the King eternal, immortcd, invisible, the only ivise
God ;
Be honor and glory, through Jesus Christ, for ever and ever.
PSALMS.
Plead my cause, 0 Lord, with them that strive with me.
Take hold of shield and bucUer, and staiid up for mine
help.
Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
And my sold shall he joyful in the Lord : it shcdl rejoice in
his salvation.
Lord, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from
him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy
from him that spoileth him !
I ivill give thee thanls in the great congregation : I ivill
praise thee among much people.
And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness, and of thy
praise, all the day long.
Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judg-
ments are a great deep. 0 Lord, thou preservest man and
beast.
How excellent is thy loving-kindness, O God ! therefore the
children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy
wings.
They shall be satisfied with the abundance of thy house ; and
thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
17*
198 EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
For with thee i.s the fountain of life : in thy light shall we
see hght.
0 continue thy loving-hindness unto them that hnoiv thee ;
and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the
hand of the wicked remove me.
Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious
against the ivorhers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither
as the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good ; so shalt thou dwell in the
land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Delight thyself also in the Lord ; and he shall give thee the
desires of thine heart.
Commit thy toay unto the Lord ; trust also in him ; and he
shall bring it to pass.
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and
thy judgment as the noonday.
Hest in the Lord, and tc ait patiently for him: fret not thy-
self because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the
man loho bringeth wicJced devices to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath : fret not thyself in
any wise to do evil.
For evil doers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the
Lord, they shall inher-it the earth.
For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be : yea,
thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
But the meek shall inherit the earth ; and shall delight them-
selves in the abundance of peace.
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches
of many wicked.
The Lord hnoweth the days of the upright ; and their in-
heritance shall be for ever.
They shall not be ashamed in the evil time ; and in the days
of famine they shall be satisfied :
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 199
The Steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and he
delighteth in his tvay.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast clown : for the
Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
I have been young, and noio am old ; yet have I not seen the
righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
He is ever merciful, and lendeth ; and his seed is blessed.
Depart from evil, and do good ; and dwell for evermore.
For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his
saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the
wicked shall be cut off.
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue
talheth of judgment.
The law of his God is in his heart ; none of his steps shall
slide.
Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee
to inherit the land.
I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading him-
self like a green bay-tree.
Yet he passed away, and lo, he was not : yea, /sought him,
but he could not be found.
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright : for the end
of that man is peace.
The transgressors shall be destroyed together.
But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord : he is
their strength in time of trouble.
And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall
deliver them from the xviched, and save them, because they trust
in him.
BENEDICTION II.
200 NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY-
COLLECT.
LORD, we beseech tliee, grant thy people grace to with-
stand the temptations of the world without, and of evil
passions within ; to make daily advances in wisdom and
goodness ; and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee, the
only God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
PROVERBS.
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her
seven pillars.
She crieth iqyon the highest places of the city,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither : as for him that
wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Forsake the foolish, and live ; and go in the way of under-
standing.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser :
teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
Tlie fear of the Lord is the heginning of wisdom : and the
knowledge of the holy is understanding.
For by me thy days shall 'be multiplied, and the years of
thy life shall be increased.
If thou he loise, thou shalt he wise for thyself: hut if thou
scornest, thou alone shalt hear it.
A wise son maketh a glad father : but a foolish son is the
heaviness of his mother.
Treasures of tcickedness profit nothing: hut righteousness
delivereth from death.
The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish :
but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER "SYHITSUNDAT. 201
Blessings are upon the head of the Just, hut violence covereth
the mouth of the loiched.
The memory of the just is blessed : but the name of the
wicked shall rot.
The ttn'se in heart loill receive commandments : hut a 2)rating
fool shall fall.
He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that
perverte^th his ways shall be known.
Hatred stirreth up strifes : hut love covereth all sins.
The labor of the righteous tendeth to life : the fruit of the
wicked to sin.
He is in the way of life that heepeth instruction : hut he that
refuseth reproof erreth.
He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth
a slander, is a fool.
In the multitude of ivords there wa7iteth not sin : hut he that
refraineth his lips is wise.
The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no
sorrow with it.
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: hut a man of under-
standing hath wisdom.
The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him : but the
desire of the righteous shall be granted.
As the whirlwind passeth, so is the iviched no more : hut the
righteous is an everlasting foundation.
As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the
sluggard to them that send him.
The hope of the righteous shall he gladness : hut the expec'
tation of the ivicJced shall perish.
Praise ye the Lord !
The Lord's name he pixn'sed.
202 NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
PSALMS.
Blessed is lie whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin
is covered.
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniqui-
ty, and 171 whose spirit there is no guile.
I will bless the Lord at all times : his praise shall con-
tinually be in my mouth.
M^ soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humhle shall
hear thereof, and he glad.
0 magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name
together.
1 sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from
all my fears.
They looked unto him, and were lightened ; and their faces
were not ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved
him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that
fear him, and delivereth them.
0 taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man
that trusteth in him.
O fear the Lord, ye his saints : for there is no want to
them that fear him.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger; but they that
seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
Come, ye children, hearken unto me : I Avill teach you the
fear of the Lord.
What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days,
that he may see good'^
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking
guile.
Depart from evil, and do good ; seek peace, and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears
are open unto their cry.
TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 203
The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off
the reme^nhrance of them from the earth.
The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth
them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is nigh unto them that ar'e of a hroTcen heart ; and
saveth such as he of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous : but the Lord
delivereth him out of them all.
Evil shall slay the wicked ; and they that hate the righteous
shall he desolate.
The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants ; and none of
them that trust in him shall be desolate.
BENEDICTION III.
TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
OGOD, 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 ; that they may be cleansed
from everything which defileth, and always inclined to keep
thy law, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
JOB.
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and
said.
Who is this that darheneth counsel hy xoords without hnowl-
edge ?
Gird up now thy loins like a man ; for I will demand of
thee, and answer thou me.
204 TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER ^VHITSUNDAT.
Where ivast tJiou ivhen I laid the foundations of the eaHh ?
declare, if thou hast understanding.
Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest ? or
who hath stretched the line upon it ?
Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened ? or who
laid the corner-stone thereof
When the morning-stars sang together, and all the sons of
God shouted for joy ?
Or tvho shut up the sea tcith doors when it hrahe forth ?
When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick
darkness a swaddling band for it,
And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and
doors.
And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further ; and
here shall thy proud waves be stayed ?
Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days ; and
caused the day-spring to know his place ;
That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the
wicked might be shaken out of it ?
Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea ? or hast thou
ivalked in the search of the depth ?
Have the gates of death been opened unto thee ? or hast
thou seen the doors of the shadow of death ?
Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth 7 declare, if thou
hnowest it all.
Where is the way where light dwelleth ? and as for dark-
ness, where is the place thereof.
That thou shoiddest take it to the bound thereof and that
thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?
Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born ? or because
the number of thy days is great ?
Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snoio, or hast thou
seen the treasures of the hail,
Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against
the day of battle and war ?
TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 205
By lohat %cay is the, light imrted, xohich scattereth the east
wind upon the earth ?
Who hath divided a water-course for the overflowing of
waters ; or a way for the lightning of thunder ;
To cause it to rain on the earth, lohere no rain is ; on the
wilderness, wherein there is no man ;
To satisfy the desolate and waste ground ; and to cause the
bud of the tender herb to spring forth ?
Hath the rain a father ? or xoho hath begotten the drops of
dexo ?
The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep
is frozen.
Canst thoit bind the sioeet influences of Pleiades, or loose the
bands of Orion ?
Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season ? or canst
thou guide Arcturus with his sons ?
Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven ? canst thou set the
dominion thereof in the earth'}
Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance
of waters may cover thee "i
Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto
thee, Here we are ?
Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts ? or who hath
given understanding to the heart ?
Who can numher the clouds in loisdom ? or who can stay
the bottles of heaven.
When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave
fast together ?
Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion ? orfll the appetite of
the young lions,
When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to
lie in wait ?
Who provideth for the raven his food? tvhen his young ones
cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.
Then Job answered the Lord, and said,
18
206 TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
Ihiow that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can
he loithholden from thee.
O Lord, open tliou our ears !
That we may hear meeMy thy word, and receive it with 'pure
affection.
PSALMS.
Unto thee, 0 Lord, do I lift up my soul.
0 my God, I trust in thee : let me not he ashamed, let not
mine enemies triumph over me.
Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed : let them be
ashamed which transgress without cause.
Shoio me thy tvays, 0 Lord ; teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me : for thou art the God
of my salvation ; on thee do I wait all the day.
Rememher, 0 Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving-kind-
nesses ; for they have heen ever of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions :
according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness'
sake, 0 Lord.
Good and upright is the Lord : therefore will he teach sin-
ners in the way.
The meek will he guide in judgment : and the meek will
he teach his way.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth imto such as
keep his covenant and his testimonies.
For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity ; for
it is great.
What man is he that feareth the Lord ? him shall lie teach
in the way that he shcdl choose.
His soul shall dwell at ease ; and his seed shall inherit the
earth.
The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him ; and he
will shotv them his covenant.
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 207
Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord ; for he shall pluck
ray feet out of the net. ^^
Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me ; for I am des-
olate and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged : O bring thou me
out of my distresses.
Look ujwn mine affliction and my ])ain ; and forgive all
my sins.
O keep my soul, and deliver me : let me not be ashamed ;
for I put ray trust in thee.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me ; for I wait on
thee.
Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
BENEDICTION XIII.
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY and most raerciful 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 which thou coramand-
est ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
ISAIAH.
Thus saith the Loi'd, The heaven is my throne, and the
earth is ray footstool : where is the house that ye build unto
rae ? and where is the place of ray rest ?
For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those
things have been, saith the Lord: hut to this man vjill I looh.
208 TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
even to him that is 2^001- and of a contrite spirit, and tremhleih
at my word.
Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word.
Let the Lord be glorified. He shall appear to your joy.
A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a
voice of the Lord that rendereth recompense to his enemies.
Rejoice ye with the city of God, and be glad with her, all
ye that love her :
That ye may he satisfied loith her consolations ; that ye may
he delighted with the ahundance of her glory.
For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her
like a river, and glory like a flowing stream.
As one lohoni his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you;
and ye shall he comforted.
And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and the
hand of the Lord shall be known toward his servants, and his
indignation toward his enemies.
For, hehold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his
chariots Hie a whirlwind, to render his rehuke with fames of
fire.
For I know their works and their thoughts : it shall come,
that I will gather all nations and tongues ; and they shall
come, and see my glory.
And Twill set a sign cmiong them, and Tivill send those
that escape of them unto the nations.
And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto
the Lord, out of all nations, to my holy mountain, saith the
Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean
vessel into the house of the Lord.
For as the neio heavens and the 7iew earth, which T will
mahe, shall remain hefore me, saith the Lord, so shall your
seed and your name remain.
And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to an-
other, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come
to worship before me, saith the Lord.
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER WniTSUNDAY. 209
0 Lord, open thou our lips !
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
PSALMS.
I AViLL extol thee, my God, 0 King ; and I will bless thy
name for ever and ever.
Every day will I Mess thee, and I ivill praise thy name for
ever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised ; and his great-
ness is unsearchable.
One generation shall praise thy ivories to another, and shall
declare thy mighty acts.
I will speak of the glorious honor of thy majesty, and of
thy wondrous works.
And vien shcdl sp)eah of the might of thy terrible acts : and I
will declare thy greatness.
They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great good-
ness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.
The Lord is gi'acious, and full of compassion ; sloio to an-
ger, and of great mercy.
The Lord is good to all ; and his tender mercies are over
all his works.
All thy ivories shall praise thee, 0 Lord; and thy saints
shall bless thee.
They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of
thy power ;
To make hioivn to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the
glorious majesty of his kingdom.
Thy kingdom is an evei'lasting kingdom, and thy dominion
endureth throughout all generations.
The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those
that be bowed doivti.
The eyes of all wait upon thee ; and thou givest them their
meat in due season.
18*
210 TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER "WHITSUNDAY.
Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every
living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his
works.
The Lord is nigh unto all them that ccdl upon him, to all
that call upon him in truth.
He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him : he also will
hear their cry, and will save them.
The Lord preserveth all them that love him : hut all the
ivicked ivill he destroy.
Praise ye the Lord from the heavens : praise him in the
heights.
Praise ye him, all his angels : praise ye him, all his hosts.
Praise ye him, sun and moon : praise him, all ye stars of
light.
Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that he
ahove the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the Lord : for he commanded,
and they were created.
He hath also established them for ever and ever: he hath
made a decree which shall not pass.
Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps :
Fire and hail; snow and vapors ; stormy wind fulfilling his
ivord :
Mountains, and all hills ; fruitful trees, and all cedars :
Beasts, and all cattle ; creeping things, and flying fowl :
Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges
of the earth :
Both young men and maidens ; old men and children :
Let them praise the name of the Lord : for his name alone
is excellent, his glory is above the earth and heaven.
He also exalteth his people, the praise of all his saints, a
people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.
BENEDICTION XIV.
TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 211
TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER WHIT-
SUNDAY.
COLLECT.
GRANT, v/e 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 pure heart and a
quiet mind, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
PROVERBS.
If thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments
with thee ;
So that thou incline thine ear unto ivisdom, and apply thine
heart to understandiny ;
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice
for understanding ;
If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid
treasures ;
Then shalt thou undex'stand the fear of the Lord, and find
the knowledge of God.
For the Lord giveth wisdoin : out of his mouth cometh
knotvledge and understanding.
He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous ; he is a
buckler to them that walk uprightly.
He heepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the loay of
his saints.
Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment,
and equity : yea, every good path.
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and hnoivledge is
pleasant unto thy soid ;
Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep
thee:
212 TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
To deliver thee from the ivay of the evil man, from the
man that speahest froivard things ;
Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of
darkness ;
Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the
wicied ;
Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths ;
To deliver thee from the strange icoman, even from the stran-
ger ivhich flatter eth with her ivords ;
Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the
covenant of her God.
For the upright shall dtvell in the land, and the perfect shcdl
remain in it.
But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the
transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
My son, forget not my laiv ; hut let thine heart keep my cojn-
mandments :
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add
to thee.
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee ; hind them ahout thy
neck ; write them upon the table of thine heart :
So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the
sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord xoith all thine heart ; and lean not unto
thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy
paths.
Be not tvise in thine oivn eyes : fear the Lord, and depart
from evil.
Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits
of all thine increase.
3Iy son, despise not the chastening of the Lord ; neither he
iceary of his correction :
For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, even as a father
the son in whom he delighteth.
TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 213
Happy is the man that Jindeth ivisdo^n, and the man that
getteth understanding :
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise
of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies : and all the things thou
canst desire are not to he compared unto her.
Length of days is in her right hand ; and in her left hand
riches and honor.
Her ivays are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are
peace.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her ; and
happy is every one that retaineth her.
Xoio unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only
ioise God;
Be honor and glory, through Jesus Christ, for ever and ever.
PSALMS.
O GIVE thanks unto the Lord, for he is good : for his mercy
endureth for ever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed
from the hand of the enemy ;
And gathered them out of the lands, from the east and from
the west, from the north and from the south.
They icandered in the tvilderness in a solitary tvay ; they
found no city to dwell in.
Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he de-
livered them out of their distresses.
And he led them forth by the right way, that they might
go to a city of habitation.
0 that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for
his wonderful ivorls to the children of men !
For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry
soul with goodness.
214 TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being
hound in affliction and iron ;
Because they rebelled against the words of God, and con-
temned the counsel of the Most High :
Therefore he brought down their heart xoith labor ; they fell
down, and there was none to help.
Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he
saved them out of their distresses.
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
and hxihe their hands in sunder.
O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and
for his wonderful works to the children of men !
They that go doivn to the sea in ships, that do business in
great waters ;
These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the
deep.
For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which
lifteth up the waves thereof.
They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the
depths : their soul is melted because of trouble.
Then they cry imto the Lord in their troid)le, and he hring-
eth them out of their distresses.
He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are
still.
Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth
them unto their desired haven.
0 that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for
his wonderful works to the children of men !
Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the water-springs
into dry ground ;
A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wichedness of them
that divell therein.
He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry
ground into water-springs.
TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 215
And there he malceth the hungry tp divell, that they may pre-
pare a city for habitation ;
And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield
fruits of increase.
He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to
xoander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh
him families like a flock.
The righteotis shall see it, and rejoice : and cdl iniquity shall
stop her mouth.
Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they
shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.
BENEDICTION XII.
TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER WHIT-
SUNDAY.
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 v.orks, to the glory of thy name, through the merits
and mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
ISAIAH.
Who is this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in
the greatness of his strength ?
I that sjjeak in righteousness, ^nighty to save.
Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments
like him that treadeth in the wine-vat ?
216 TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
I have trodden the tvine-jJress alone; and of the people there
was none with me.
I will mention the loving-kindnesses of the Lord, and the
praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath be-
stowed on us, according to his mercies, and according to the
multitude of his loving-kindnesses.
For he said, Surely they are my peo^jle, children that ivill
not lie : so he was their Saviour.
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his
presence saved them : in his love and in his pity he redeemed
them ; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of
old.
Look doion from heaven, and hehold from tlie habitation
of thy holiness and of thy glory : where is thy zeal and thy
strenfffh, and thy inercies toward me ? are they 7'estrained ?
Doubtless thou art our Father, though Abraham be igno-
rant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not : thou, O Lord, art
our Father, our Redeemer ; thy name is from everlasting.
0 that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou ivoiddest
come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy pres-
ence.
When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for,
thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy pres-
ence.
For since the beginning of the world men have not heard,
nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, 0 God, be-
sides thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteous-
ness, those that remember thee in thy ways.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteous-
nesses are as filthy rags ; and we cdl do fade as a leaf; and
our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us aivay.
And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth
up himself to take hold of thee : for thou hast hid thy face
from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.
TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 217
But note, 0 Lord, thou art our Father ; we are the day,
and thou our potter ; and we all are the ivorh of thy hand.
Be not wroth very sore, 0 Lord, neither remember iniqui-
ty for ever : behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy
people.
Praise ye the Lord!
The Lord's name be praised.
PSALMS.
Bless the Lord, 0 my soul. O Lord my God, thou art
very great ; thou art clothed with honor and majesty :
Who coverest thyself with light as ivith a garment : who
stretchest out the heavens like a curtain :
Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters : who
maketh the clouds his chariot : who walketh upon the wings
of the wind :
Who maketh his angels spirits ; his ministers a flaming
fire:
"Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be
removed for ever.
Thou coveredst it with the deep as loith a garment : the
waters stood above the moxmtains.
At thy rebuke they fled ; at the voice of thy thunder they
hasted away.
They go up hy the mountains ; they go down hy the valleys
unto the place which thou hast founded for them.
Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over ; that
they turn not again to cover the earth.
He sendeth the springs into the valleys, xohich run among the
hills.
They give drink to every beast of the field : the wild asses
quench their thii'st.
By them, shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation,
which sing among the branches.
19
218 TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER -WHITSUNDAY.
He watereth the hills from his chambers : the earth is satis-
fied with the fruit of thy works.
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herh for the
service of man : that he may hring forth food out of the earth.
He appointeth the moon for seasons : the sun knoweth his
going down.
Thou makest darkness, and it is night : wherein cdl the leasts
of the forest do creep forth.
The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat
from God.
The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay
them down in their dens.
Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labor until the
evening.
0 Lord, how manifold are thy tvorls f in wisdom hast thou
made them all : the earth is full of thy riches.
So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping
innumerable, both small and great beasts.
There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast
made to play therein.
These wait all upon thee : that thou mayest give them their
meat in due season.
That thou givest them, they gather: thou openest thine hand,
they are filled ivith good.
Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled : thou takest away
their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou re-
newest the face of the earth.
The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever : the Lord
shall rejoice in his works.
He looheth on the earth, and it tremhleth: he toucheth the
hills, and they smoke.
1 will sing unto the Lord as long as I live : I will sing
praise to my God while I have my being.
Jify meditation of him shall he siveet: I will he glad in the
Lord.
TWEXTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 219
Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the
wicked be no more. Bless thou the Lord, 0 my soul.
Praise ye the Lord !
BENEDICTION XI.
TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER WHIT-
SUNDAY.
COLLECT.
OGOD, 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 faithfully, we may obtain effectually, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
PKOPHECIES.
ECCLESIASTES.
Cast thy bread upon the waters : for thou shalt find it
after many days.
Give a portion to seven, and also to eight ; for thou hnoivest
not what evil shall he upon the earth.
He that observeth the wind shall not sow ; and he that re-
gardeth the clouds shall not reap.
As thou hiotoest not tvhat is the xvay of the spirit, even so
thou hiotvest not the works of God who maketh all.
In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold
not thine hand ;
For thou hiowest not whether shall prosper, either this or
that, or whether they hoth shall be alike good.
Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the
eyes to behold the sun :
220 TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER "WHITSUNDAY.
But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all, yet
let him remember the days of darkness ; for they shall he many.
Rejoice, 0 young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart
cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of
thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes : but know thou,
that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put aicay evil
from thy flesh.
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while
the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou
shalt say, I have no pleasure in them :
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not
darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain :
In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble,
and the strong men shall boAV themselves, and the grinders
cease, because they ai-e few, and those that look out of the
windows be darkened ;
And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of
the grinding is low ; and they shall 7-ise up at the voice of the
bird: and all the daughters of music shall be brought loiv :
Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and
fears shall be in the way, and the almond-tree shall flourish,
and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail ;
because man goeth to his long home, and the moui'ners go
about the streets :
Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be
broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel
broken at the cistern :
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was ; and the
spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words ; and that
which toas tvritten ivas upright, even ivords of truth.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter : Fear God,
and keep his commandments : for this is the Avhole duty of
man.
TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 221
For God shall hring every ivorh into judgment, xcith every
secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it he evil.
O Lord, open thou our ears !
That we may hear thy word, and receive it with 'pure affec-
tion.
PSALMS.
O COME, let us sing unto the Lord : let us make a joyful
noise to the Rock of our salvation.
Let lis come before his presence xcith thcaiksgiving,
And make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all
gods.
In his hand are the deep places of the earth :
The strength of the hills is his cdso.
The sea is his, and he made it :
And his hands formed the dry land.
O come, let us worship and bow down : let us kneel before
the Lord our maker.
For he is our God ; and xve are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.
To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart, as
in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the
wilderness.
0 sing unto the Lord a neio song : sing unto the Lord, all
the earth.
Sing unto the Lord, bless his name ; show forth his salva-
tion from day to day.
Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all
people.
For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised : he is to
be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols : but the Lord made
the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before him ;
19*
222 TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
Str'ength and heauty are in his sanctuary.
Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto
the Lord glory and strength.
Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name.
Bring an offering, and come into his courts.
0 worship the Lord in the heauty of holiness :
Fear before him, all the earth.
Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth : the loorld
also shall he established that it shall not he moved: he shall
judge the people righteously.
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad ;
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein ;
Then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice hefore the Lord ;
For he Cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth :
He shall judge the ivorld with righteousness, and the people
with his truth.
The Lord reigneth ; let the earth rejoice ; let the multitude
of isles be glad thereof.
Clouds and darkness are round ahout him : 7-ighteousness
and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round
about.
His lightnings enlightened the world; the earth saw, and
trembled.
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at
the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see
his glory.
Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that
boast themselves of idols ;
For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth : thou art excdted
far above all gods.
Ye that love the Lord, hate evil : he preserveth the souls
of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 223
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright
in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous ; and give thanks at the
remembrance of his holiness.
BENEDICTION X.
TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER WHIT-
SUNDAY.
COLLECT.
OLORD, we beseech thee, absolve thy people from their
offences ; that through thy bountiful goodness we may all
be delivered from the bands of those sins which by our frailty
we have committed, and be brought into the glorious liberty
of the children of God. Grant this, O Heavenly Father, for
thine infinite mercy's sake in Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.
PROPHECIES.
JOB.
Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth ? are not
his days also like the days of an hireling ?
The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more :
thine eyes are iqwn me, and I am not.
W^hat is man, that thou shouldest magnify him ? and that
thou shouldest set thine heart upon him ?
And that thou shoiddest visit him every morning, and try
him every moment ?
If thou wert pure and upright, surely now he would awake
for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness pros-
perous.
224 TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
Though thy heginning ivas small, yet thy latter end should
greatly increase.
For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare
thyself to the search of their fathers.
Behold, God ivill not cast aioay a perfect man, neither icill
he help the evil doers.
I know it is so of a truth : but how should man be just
with God ?
Jfhe ivill contend with him, he camiot answer him one of a
thousand.
He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength : who hath
hardened himself against him, and hath prospered ?
Which removeth the mountains, and they hioiv not : which
overturneth them in his anger ;
Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars
thereof tremble ;
Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, and sealeth up
the stars ;
Which alone spi'eadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon
the waves of the sea ;
Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the
chambers of the south ;
Which doeth great things past finding out ; yea, and won-
ders without number.
Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not : he passeth on also,
hut I perceive him not.
Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him ? who will
say unto him. What doest thou ?
If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do
stoop under him.
How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my
words to reason with him ?
Whom, though I were righteous, yet woidd not I answer, hid
Iivould make supplication to my judge.
If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong : and if of judgment,
who shall set me a time to plead ?
T^yENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 225
If I justify myself, mine oivn mouth shall condemn me : if I
say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him,
and we should come together in judgment.
Neither is there any daysman betwixt vs, that inight lay his
ha?id upon us both.
Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear
terrify me.
0 Lord, open thou our lips !
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
PSALMS.
The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,
and they that dwell therein :
For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon
the floods.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord ? or who shall
stand in his holy place ?
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart ; loho hath not
lifted up his soid unto vanity, nor sicorn deceitfdly.
He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteous-
ness from the God of his salvation.
This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy
face.
Lift up your heads, 0 ye gates ; and be ye lifted up, ye
everlasting doors ; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory ?
The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
Lift 7ip your heads, 0 ye gates ; even lift them up, ye ever-
lasting doors; and the King of glory shcdl come in.
Who is this King of glory ?
The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.
The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble ; the name of
the God of Jacob defend thee.
226 TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER AYHITSUNDAT.
SeJid thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out
of Z ion.
Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy
counsel.
TF(? luill rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God
we will set up our banners : the Lord fulfil all thy petitions.
Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed : he will
hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of
his right hand.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses : hut ive will
remember the name of the Lord our God.
They are brought down and fallen ; but we are risen, and
stand upright.
Save, Lord : let the king hear us when we call.
The heavens declare the glory of God : and the firmament
showeth his handiwork.
L>ay unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth
Tcnoivledge.
There is no speech nor language where their voice is not
heard.
Their line is gone out tlirough cdl the earth, and their words
to the end of the world. Ln them hath he set a tabernacle for
the sun ;
"Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and
rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his cir-
cuit unto the ends of it : and there is nothing hid from the heat
thereof.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul : the
testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple :
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the
commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes:
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judg-
ments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to he desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine
gold ; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER WniTSUNDAY. 227
Moreover, by them is thy servant warned : and in keeping
of them there is great reward.
Who can understand his errors ? cleanse thou me from secret
faults.
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins ; let
them not have dominion over me : then shall I be upright,
and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart,
he acceptahle in thy sight, 0 Lord, my strength and my re-
deemer.
BENEDICTION IX.
TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER AVHIT-
SUNDAY.
COLLECT.
OLORD, we beseech thee to encourage the hearts of thy
faithful people, that they, always relying on thy power,
and trusting in thy grace, may bring forth plenteously the
fruit of good works, and of thee be plenteously rewarded, both
in the world which now is, and that which is to come, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PKOPHECIES.
JOB.
My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go : my
heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath
gained, when God taketh away his soul'?
"Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him ?
228 TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
I will teach you hy the hand of God ; that lohich is with the
Almighty ivill 1 7iot conceal.
Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold
where they fine it.
Iro7i is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the
stone.
He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all per-
fection : the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.
As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is
turned up as it were fire.
The stones of it are the place of sapphires : and it hath
dust of gold.
Thei^e is a j)ath which no fowl Jcnoiceth, and ivhich the
vulture's eye hath not seen :
The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion
passed by it.
He putteth forth his hand upon the rocks ; he overturneth
the mountains by the roots.
He cutteth out rivers among the rocks ; and his eye seeth
every precious thing.
He bindeth the floods from overflowing ; and the thing that
is hid bringeth he forth to light.
But where shall wisdom be found ? and where is the place
of understanding?
Man knoiveth not the price thereof ; neither is it found in
the land of the living.
The depth saith, It is not in me : and the sea saith. It is
not with me.
It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed
for the price thereof.
It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the pre-
cious onyx, or the sapphire.
The gold and the crystal cannot equal it : and the exchange
of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.
No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls : for the
price of wisdom is above rubies.
TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 229
The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it he
valued with pure gold.
Whence then cometh wisdom ? and where is the place of
understanding ?
Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and hept close
from the fowls of the air. ^
Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame there-
of with our ears.
God understandeth the way thereof, and he hioiveth the place
thereof
For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under
the whole heaven ;
To make the \oeight for the icinds ; and he weigheth the
waters hy measure.
When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the
lightning of the thunder ;
Then did he see it, and declare it ; he prepared it, yea, and
searched it out.
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that
is wisdom ; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Noio unto the King eternal, immortal, lyivisihle, the only
wise God.
Be honor and glory, through Jesus Christ, for ever and
ever.
PSALMS.
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing
praises unto thy name, O Most High ;
To show forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy
faithfulness every night.
For thou, Lord!l*hast made me glad, through thy work ; I
will triumph in the works of thy hand.
0 Lord, how great are thy works ! and thy thoughts are very
deep.
20
230 TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the
workers of iniquity do flourish ; it is that they shall be de-
stroyed for ever :
But thou, Lord, art most high for evermore.
For, lo, thine enemies, O Lord, for, lo, thine enemies shall
perish : all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish
in the courts of our God.
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age ; they shall be
fat and flourishing ;
To shoiv that the Lord is upright: he is my rod; and there
is no unrighteousness in him.
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts !
My soul longeih, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord ;
my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a
nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine
altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house : they ivill he still
praising thee.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee ; in whose
heart are thy ways,
WJio passing through the valley of Baca male it a ivell ; the
rain also filleth the pools.
They go from strength to strength, every one of them in
Zion appeareth before God.
Behold, 0 God our shield, and look upon the face of thine
anointed.
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had
rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell
in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield : the Lord tvill give
grace and glory ; no good thing will he witlihold from them that
toalk uprightly.
O Loi'd of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 231
77^6 Lord is my shepherd ; I shall not ivant.
He maketh me to lie down iu green pastures : he leadeth
me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soid: he leadeth me in the i^aths of righteous-
ness for his natne's sal-e.
Yea, tliough I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me ; thy rod and
thy staff they comfort me.
Thoit preparest a table before me in the presence of mine
enemies: thou anointest my head loith oil; my cup runneth
over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of
my life ; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
BENEDICTION VIII.
TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHIT-
SUNDAY.
COLLECT.
0 ALMIGHTY God, who alone canst order the wills and
affections of 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 this world our hearts may surely there be fixed,
where alone true joys are to be found, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
ECCLESIASTES.
A GOOD name is better than precious ointment; and the
day of death than the day of one's birth.
232 TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
It is hetter to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the
house of feasting : for that is the end of all men; and the
living will lay it to his heart.
Sorrow is better than laughter : for by the sadness of the
countenance the heart is made better.
The heart of the ivise is in the house of mourning ; hut the
heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man
to hear the song of fools :
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and
the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry : for anger resteth in
the bosom of fools.
Saij not thou, What is the cause that the former days were
better than these ? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning
this.
For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence : but the
excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them
that have it.
In the day of prosperity he joyful, but in the day of ad-
versity consider : God also hath set the one over against the
other.
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men
which are in the city.
For there is not a Just man iqjon earth, that doeth good, and
sinneth not.
All this have I proved by wisdom : I said, I will be wise ;
but it was far from me.
That tvhich is far off, and exceeding deep, ivho can find it
out?
I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek
out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wick-
edness of folly, even of foolishness and madness.
Who is as the xoise man ? and ivho knoiveth the interpreta-
tion of a thing?
TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 233
Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing :
and a wise man's heai't discei-neth both time and judgment.
Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, there-
fore the misery of man is great upon him.
For he knoweth not that which shall be : for who can tell
him when it shall be ?
There is no man that hath power over the s'pirit to retain
the spirit : neither hath he power in the day of death : and
there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wic/jedness
deliver those that are given to it.
All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work
that is done under the sun : there is a time Avherein one man
ruleth over another to his own hurt.
And so I saiv the wiched buried, ivho had come and gone
from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city
where they had so done : this is also vanity.
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed
speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set
in them to do evil.
Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be
prolonged, yet surely Ihiow that it shall be well with them that
fear God, which fear before him:
But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he
prolong his days, which are as a shadow ; because he feareth
not before God.
When I applied mine heart to hioio ivisdom, and to see the
business that is done upon the earth :
Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find
out the work that is done under the sun : because though a
man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it ; yea, further ;
though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able
to find it.
Whatsoever thy hand fndeth to do, do it with thy might;
for there is no work, nor device, nor hiowledge, nor wisdom,
in the grave, xvhither thou goest.
20*
234 TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to
the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the
wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to
men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
This loisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed
great unto me :
There was a little city, and few men within it ; and there
came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great
bulwarks against it.
iVbzy there ivas found in it a poor wise man, and he hy his
tvisdom delivered the city ; yet no man remembered that same
poor man.
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength : nevertheless
the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not
heard.
The words of wise men are heard in quiet, more than the
cry of him that rxdeth among fools.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war.
Praise ye the Lord!
The Lord's name be praised.
PSALMS.
Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that
build it : except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh
but in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the
hread of sorrows : he giveth his beloved sleep.
Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice : let thine ears he attentive to the voice
of my supplications.
If thou, Lord, shouldest mai'k iniquities, 0 Lord, who shall
stand ?
But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest he feared.
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word
do I hope.
TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 235
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that icatch for
the morninr) ; I say, more than they that loatch for the morning.
Let Israel hope in the Lord : for with the Lord there is
mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Arise, O Lord, into thy rest ; thou, and the ark of thy
strength.
Let thy priests he clothed icith righteousness ; and let thy
saints shout for joy.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to
dwell together in unity !
As the deio of Hermon, and as the dew that descended \ipon
the mountains of Zion : for there the Lord commanded the
Messing, even life for evermore.
Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord,
which by night stand in the house of the Lord.
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.
The Lord, that made heaven and earth, bless thee out of
Zion.
Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord:
praise him, 0 ye servants of the I^ord.
Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the
house of our God,
Praise the Lord; for the Lord is good: sing praises unto
his name ; for it is pleasant.
Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and
in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
He causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth :
he maketh lightnings for the rain ; he hringeth the ivind out of
his treasuries.
Thy name, 0 Lord, endureth for ever ; and thy memorial,
O Lord, throughout all generations.
0 give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy
endureth for ever.
Who remembered us in our low estate : for his mercy en-
dureth for ever :
236 TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER AVHITSUNDAY.
And hath redeemed vs from our enemies : for his mercy en-
dureth for ever.
Who giveth food to all flesh: for liis mercy endureth for
^'^Ogice thanks unto the God of heaven : for his mercy endur-
ethfor ever.
BENEDICTION VII.
TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER WHIT-
SUNDAY.
COLLECT.
■DLESSED Lord, .lio hast caused all holy Scriptures to
JD be written for our instruction, grant that we may ^^ such
wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest that
Tpatlence and comfort of thy holy word we may embrace
and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlastmg hfe whxch
thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
rRoriiECiES.
TROVERBS.
He that, being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall
suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice . hU
,ohen the wicked beareth rule, the people mou^r-
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his fother but he that
keepeth company with harlots spendeth f f^^ ^.^_
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that ie
reiveth oifts overthrowcth it.
A mfn that fluttcretU his neighbor spreadeth a net for h,.
feet.
TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 237
In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare : bid the
righteous doth sing and rejoice.
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor : but the
wicked regardeth not to know it.
Scornful men bring a city into a snare : bid wise men turn
away wrath.
If a wise man conteudeth with a foohsh man, whether he
rage or laugh, there is no rest.
The bloodtldrsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul,
A fool uttereth all his mind : but a Avise man keepeth it in
till afterwards.
The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the Lord
lighteneth both their eyes.
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall
be established for ever.
The rod and reproof give wisdom : but a child left to him-
self bringeth his mother to shame.
"When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth :
but the righteous shall see their fall.
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest ; yea, he shall give
delight unto thy soul.
Where there is no vision, the people perish : but he that
keepeth the law, happy is he.
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his tcords ? there is more
hope of a fool than of him.
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man abound-
eth in transgression.
A 7nan's pride shall bring him loio : but honor shall uphold
the humble in spirit.
"Whoso is partner with a thief, hateth his own soul : he
heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his
trust in the Lord shall be safe.
Many seek the ruler's favor ; but every man's judgment
Cometh from the Lord,
238 TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
0 Lord, open thou our ears !
That we may hear meekly thy Avord, and receive it with
pure affection.
PSALMS.
Remejiber the word unto thy servant, upon which thou
hast caused me to hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction : for thy %oord hath
quickened me.
1 remembered thy judgments of old, 0 Lord ; and have
comforted myself.
Thy statutes have been my song in the house of my pil-
grimage.
I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, and
have kept thy law.
This I had, because Ihept thy precepts.
Thou art my portion, O Lord : I have said that I would
keep thy words.
I entreated thy favor ivith my whole heart : he merciful unto
me according to thy word.
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testi-
monies.
I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them
that keep thy precepts.
The earth, 0 Lord, is full of thy mercy.
Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, 0 Lord, according
unto thy word.
Teach me good judgment and hioivledge : for I have believed
thy comma7idments.
Thou art good, and doest good : teach me thy statutes.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted ; that I might
learn thy statutes.
The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of
gold and silver.
TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 239
Tluj hands have made me and fashioned me ; give me im-
derstanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that
thou in faithfuhiess hast afllicted me.
Let, I p-ay thee, thy merciful kindness he for my comfort,
according to thy loord unto thy servant.
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live : for
thy law is my delight.
Let my heart he sound in thy statutes ; that lie not ashamed.
For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.
Thy faithfulness is unto cdl generations : thou hast established
the earth, and it ahideth.
They continue this day according to thine ordinances : for
all are thy servants.
/ ivill never forget thy precepts : for ivith them thou hast
quichened me.
I have seen an end of all perfection : but thy command-
ment is exceeding broad.
0 how love I thy laiv ! it is my meditation cdl the day.
How sweet are thy words unto my taste ! yea, sweeter than
honey to my mouth.
Through thy jirecepts I get understanding : therefore I hate
every false %oay.
BENEDICTION VI.
24:0 TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY.
TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY AFTER WHIT-
SUNDAY.
COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY God, the Fountain of all wisdom, who know-
est our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in
asking, we beseech thee to have compassion on our infirmities,
and grant that those things which we faithfully ask may be
effectually obtained, and those things which for our unworthi-
ness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask, vouch-
safe to give us for the sake of thine infinite mercy in Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
PROPHECIES.
rROVERBS.
Boast not thyself of to-morrow ; for thou knowest not what
a day may bring forth.
Let another man praise thee, and not thine oivn mouth ; a
stranger, and not thine own lips.
A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty ; but a fool's wrath
is heavier than them both.
Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous ; hut who is able to
stand before envy ?
Faithful are the wounds of a friend ; but the kisses of an
enemy are deceitful.
Thine oxon friend, and thy father' s friend, forsake not.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth : but the righteous
are bold as a lion.
For the transgression of a land many are the j)rinces there-
of: but by a man of understanding and hioivledge the state
thereof shall be prolonged.
A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping
rain, which leaveth no food.
TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 241
They that forsake the laiu praise the luiched: hut such as keep
the law contend toith them.
Evil men understand not judgment : but tliey that seek the
Lord, understand all things.
Better is the poor that ivalketh in his uprightness, than he
that is perverse in his ways, though he he rich.
He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance,
he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
He that turneth aioay his ear from hearing the laiv, even his
prayer shall he ahomination.
"Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil v^^ay,.
he shall fall himself into his own pit : but the upright shall
have good things in possession.
The rich man is wise in his oivn conceit ; hut the poor that
hath understanding searcheth him out.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper ; but whoso
confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Happy is the man that feareth alway : hut he that hardeneth
his heart shall fall into mischief.
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved : but he that is
perverse in his ways shall fell at once.
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of hread ; hut he
that folloioeth. after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
A faithful' man shall abound with blessings : but he that
maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
To have respect of persons is not good; for, for a j^i^ce of
hread that man ivill transgress.
He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth
not that poverty shall come upon him.
He that rehuheth a man, afterivards shall find more favor
than he tliat flatter etli with the tongue.
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no
transgression ; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
He that trusteth in his otvn heart is a fool: hut tvhoso walk-
eth tvisely, he shall he delivered.
21
242 TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY'.
He that givetli unto the poor shall not lack : but he that
hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
When the toiched rise, men hide themselves: hid when they
perish, the righteous increase.
O Lord, open thou our ears !
Hud tve may hear meekly thy word, and receive it xoith pure
affection.
PSALMS.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my
path.
/ have sworn, and I loill perform it, that I xcill keep thy
righteous judgments.
Accept, I beseech thee, the free-will offerings of my mouth,
O Lord, and teach me thy judgments.
My sold is continually in my hand : yet do I not forget thy
law.
- Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever : for
they are the rejoicing of my heart.
/ have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway,
even unto the end.
Thou art my hiding-place and my shield : I hope in thy
word.
Depart from me, ye evil-doers: for I will keep the command-
ments of my God.
Uphold me according unto thy Avord, that I may live : and
let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Hold thou me up, and I shall he safe : and I will have re-
spect imto thy statutes continually.
Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross :
therefore I love thy testimonies.
Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud op-
press me.
Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach
me thy statutes.
TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY AFTER WHITSUNDAY. 243
I am thy servant ; give me understanding, that I may Tcnow
thy testimonies.
Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things
to be right ; and I hate every false way.
Thy testimonies are toonderfal : therefore doth my sold keep
them.
The entrance of thy words giveth light ; it giveth under-
standing unto the simple.
Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest
to do unto those that love thy name.
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity
have dominion over me.
Deliver me from the oppression of man.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant ; and teach me
thy statutes.
Righteous art thou, 0 Lord, and upright are thy judgments.
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy
law is the truth.
The inghteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting : give me
understanding, and I shall live.
Hear my voice according unto thy loving-kindness: O
Lord, quicken me according to thy judgment.
Thou art near, 0 Lord ; and all thy commandments are
truth.
Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou
hast founded them for ever.
BENEDICTION VIII.
FEASTS OF THE CHURCH.
All Sundaj's iu the Year.
The Circumcision of our Lord Jan. 1.
Epiphany Jan. 6.
Conversion of St. Paul Jan. 25.
Purification of the Virgin Feb. 2.
Saint Matthias Feb. 24.
Annunciation of the Virgin Mar. 25.
Saint Mark Apr. 25.
St. Philip and St. James May 1.
St. Barnabas June 11.
Nativity of St. John Baptist June 24.
St. Peter June 29.
St. James July 25.
St. Bartholomew Aug. 24.
St. Matthew Sept. 21.
St. Michael and All Angels Sept. 29.
St. Luke Oct. 18.
St. Simon and St. Jude Oct. 28.
All Saints' Day Nov. 1.
St. Andrew Nov. 30.
St. Thomas Dec. 21.
Christmas Dec 25.
St. Stephen Dec. 26.
St. John Dec. 27.
The Holy Innocents Dec. 28.
Monday and Tuesday in Easter Week.
Monday and Tuesday in Whitsun-Week.
MOVABLE FEASTS.
Easter Day is always the first Sunday after the full moon which happens
upon or nest after the twenty-first day of March ; and if the full moon
happen upon a Sunday, Easter Day is the Sunday aftei*.
Advent Sunday is always the nearest Sunday to the Feast of St. Andrew,
whether before or after.
Septuagesima Sunday is nine weeks before Easter.
Sexagesima " " eight " " "
Quinquagesima " " seven '■ " "
Quadragesima " " six " " "
Rogation " " five weeks after Easter.
Ascension Day is forty days after Easter.
Whitsunday is seven weeks " "
FASTS OF THE CHURCH.
Ash Wednesday, the fortieth day before Easter.
Good Friday, two days before Easter.
The forty days of Lent.
The Ember days the four seasons, being the Wednesday, Friday, and
Satiirday after the first Sunday in Lent, after the Feast of Pentecost, after
September 14th, and after December 13th.
Eogation Days, being Monday, Tuesdaj', and Wednesday before Holy
Thursday or Ascension.
All the Fridays in the year, except Christmas day.
21 *
COLLECTS FOR SPECIAL DAYS.
ST. ANDREW'S DAY.
ALMIGHTY God, wlio didst give siicli grace unto thy laoly
Apostle Saint Andrew, that he readily obeyed the calling of
thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him without delay ; grant unto
us all, that we, being called by thy holy Word, may forthwith give
up ourselves obediently to fulfil thy holy commandments, through
the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. '
ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE.
ALMIGHTY and ever-living God, who, for the greater confii'-
mation of the faith, didst suffer thy holy Apostle Thomas to
be doubtful in thy Son's resurrection ; grant us so perfectly, and
without all doubt, to believe in thy Son Jesus Chi'ist, that our faith
in thy sight may never be reproved. Hear vis, O Lord, through
the same Jesus Christ, to whom, with thee, be all honor and glory?
now and for evermore. Amen.
CHRISTMAS DAY.
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD.
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us thine only begotten Son
to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of
a virgin ; grant that we, being regenerate, and made thy children
by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit-
And this we beg in the name of Jesus Christ, through whom we
ascribe unto thee all honor and glory, now and ever. Amoi.
COLLECTS FOR SPECIAL DAYS. 247
ST. STEPHEN'S DAY.
/n RANT, O Lord, that, in all our sufferings here upon earth for
vJ the testimony of thy truth, we may steadfastly look up to
heaven, and by faith behold the glory that shall be revealed ; and,
being filled with the Holy Ghost, may learn to love and bless our
persecutors by the example of thy first martyr, Saint Stephen, who
prayed for his murderers, which we ask' through the blessed Jesus
Christ our Lord, who standeth at the right hand of God to succor
all those who suffer for him, the everlasting Mediator and Advo-
cate. Amen.
ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST'S DAY.
"lyrERCIFUL Lord, we beseech thee to cast thy bright beams of
-i-VJL light upon thy Church, that it, being instructed by the doctrine
of thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist Saint John, may so walk in
the light of thy truth, that it may at length attain to everlasting life,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
0
THE INNOCENTS' DAY.
ALMIGHTY God, who out of the mouths of babes and suck-
lings hast ordained strength, and madest infants to glorify thee
by their deaths ; mortify and kill all vices in us, and so strengthen
us by thy grace, that by the innocency of our lives, and constancy
of our fiiith even unto death, we may glorify thy holy name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST.
A LMIGHTY God, who madest thy blessed Son to be circum-
-^ cised, and obedient to the Law for man, grant us the true
Circumcision of the Spirit : that, our hearts, and all our members,
being mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all
things obey thy blessed will, through the same thy Son Jesus Christ
our Lord. A)nen.
248 COLLECTS FOR SPECIAL DAYS.
THE EPIPHANY,
OR THE MANIFESTATION OF CHPaST TO THE GENTILES.
OGOD, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only
begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that -we, who
know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy
glorious Godhead, throu2;h Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL.
OGOD, who, through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Saint
Paul, hast caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout
the world ; grant, we beseech thee, that we, having his wonderful
conversion in remembrance, may show forth our thankfulness unto
thee for the same, by following the holy doctrine which he taught,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE,
COMMONLY CALLED, THE PURIFICATION OF SAINT MARY
THE VIRGIN.
ALMIGHTY and ever-living God, we humbly beseech thy Ma-
jesty, that as thy only-begotten Son was this day presented in
the temple in substance of our flesh, so we may be presented unto
thee with pure and clean hearts, by the same thy Son Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
ST. MATTHIAS'S DAY.
OAL^HGHTY God, who into the place of the traitor Judas didst
choose thy faithful servant Matthias to be of the number of the
twelve Apostles ; grant that thy Church, being always preserved
from false apostles, may be ordered and guided by faithful and true
pastors, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
COLLECTS FOR SPECL4.L DAYS. 249
THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
TTTE beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts ; that
• » as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by
the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be
brought unto the glory of his resurrection, through the same Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
ST. MARK'S DAY.
0 ALMIGHTY God, who hast instructed thy holy Church with
the heavenly doctrine of the Evangelist Saint Mark, give us f^race
that, being not like children carried away with every blast of vain
doctrines, we may be established in the truth of thy holy Gospel,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ST. PHILIP AND ST. JAMES'S DAY.
0 ALMIGHTY God, whom truly to know is everlasting life,
grant us perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way,
the truth, and the life ; that, following the steps of thy holy Apos-
tles Saint Philip and Saint James, we may steadfastly walk in the
way that leadeth to eternal life, through the same thy Son Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE ASCENSION DAY.
r\ RANT, we beseech thee. Almighty God, that Hke as we do be-
^ lieve thy only begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have as-
cended into the heavens, so we may also in heart and mind thither
ascend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth
with thee, world without end. Amen.
250 COLLECTS FOR SPECIAL DATS.
ST. BARNABAS THE APOSI'LE.
OLORD God Almighty, -who didst endue thy holy Apostle Bar-
nabas with singular gifts of the Holy Ghost, leave us not, we
beseech thee, destitute of thy manifold gifts, nor yet of grace to use
them alway to thy honor and glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
ST. JOHN BAPTIST'S DAY.
ALMIGHTY God, by whose providence thy servant John Bap-
tist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of thy
Son our Saviour, by preaching repentance ; make us so to follow
his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to
his preaching ; and after his example constantly speak the truth,
boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake ; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ST. PETER'S DAY.
0 ALMIGHTY God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to
thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst
him earnestly to feed thy flock ; make, we beseech thee, all pastors
diligently to preach thy holy word, and the people obediently to fol-
low the same, that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ST. JAIklES THE APOSTLE.
GRANT, O merciful God, that as thine holy Apostle Saint James,
leaving his father and all that he had, without delay was obedi-
ent unto the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him ; so
we, forsaking all worldly and carnal affections, may be evermore
ready to follow thy holy commandments, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
COLLECTS FOR SPECIAL DAYS. 251
ST. BARTHOLOMEW THE APOSTLE.
0 ALMIGHTY aud everlasting God, who didst give to thine
Apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach thy
Word ; grant, we beseech thee, unto thy Church, to love that
Word which he believed, and both to preach and receive the same,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ST. MATTHEW THE APOSTLE.
0 ALMIGHTY God, who by thy blessed Son didst call Matthew
from the receipt of custom to be an Apostle and Evangelist ;
grant us grace to forsake all covetous desires, and inordinate love
of riches, and to follow the same thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth
and reigneth with thee, world without end. Amen.
ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS.
0 EVERLASTING God, who hast ordained and constituted the
services of angels and men in a wonderful order, mercifully
grant, that as thy holy angels always do thee service in heaven,
so, by thy appointment, they may succor and defend us on earth,
throu2;h Jesus Christ our Lord. Ainen.
ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST.
ALMIGHTY God, who calledst Luke the physician, whose praise
is in the Gospel, to be an Evangelist, and physician of the
soul ; may it please thee, that, by the wholesome medicines of the
doctrine delivered by him, all the diseases of our souls may be healed,
through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
252 COLLECTS FOR SPECIAL DATS.
ST. SIMON AND ST. JUDE.
0 ALMIGHTY God, -who hast built thy Church upon the foun-
dation of the Apostles and Projihets, Jesus Christ himself being
the head corner-stone ; grant us so to be joined together in unity of
spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple ac-
ceptable unto thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ameii.
ALL SAINTS' DAY.
0 ALMIGHTY God, who hast knit together thine elect in one
communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son
Christ our Lord ; grant us grace so to follow thy blessed Saints in
all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeak-
able joys which thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love
thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ASH-WEDNESDAY.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou
hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are peni-
tent ; create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we wor-
thily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may
obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgive-
ness, throuo;h Jesus Chi-ist our Lord. Amen.
GOOD FRIDAY.
ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee graciously to behold this thy
family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be
betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer
death upon the cross, who now liveth and reigneth with thee, world
without end. Amen.
SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS.
COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us thine only begotten
Son to take our natui'c upon him, and, as at this time, to
be born of a virgin, grant that we, being regenerate, and made
thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by
thy Holy Spirit. And this we beg in the name of Jesus
Christ, through whom we ascribe unto Thee all honor and
glory, now and ever. Amen.
ANTHEM.
Glory be to God in the highest, on earth peace, good-will
toward men.
Blessed are the ^^^ople icho hioic the joyful sound ; they shall
walk, 0 Lord, in the light of thy countenance ;
Through the tender mercies of our God, whereby the day-
spring from on high hath visited us ;
To give light to those xoho sit in darhness and in the shadow
of death, and to guide our feet in the way of peace.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who
bringeth good tidings ; who publisheth peace ; who bringeth
good tidings of good ; who publisheth salvation ; who saith
unto Zion, Thy God reigneth.
There is sprung up a light for the righteous, and joyful
gladness for such as are true of heart.
22
254 SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS.
Eejoice in the Lord, ye righteous, and give thanks at the
remembrance of his holiness.
Sing unto the Lord, and praise his name ; he telling of his
salvation from day to day.
Let all those who seek him be joyful and glad in him, and
let all such as love his salvation say always. The Lord be
praised.
PROPER PSALMS.
My heart is inditing joyful words ; I speak of the things
concerning the King.
Thou art the fairest of the children of men; full of grace
are thy lips ; for God hath blessed thee for ever.
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, 0 thou Mighty One, with
thy glory and thy majesty.
And in thy majesty ride prosperously, for the cause of truth
and meekness and righteousness ; and thy right hand shall teach
thee terrible things.
Thy throne, 0 God, endureth for ever ; the sceptre of thy
kingdom is a right sceptre.
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity ; where-
fore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of glad-
ness above thy fellows.
I will make thy name to be remembered to all generations ;
so that the people shall praise thee for ever and ever.
Lord, thou art become gracious unto thy land ;
Thou hast forgiven the offence of thy people, and covered
all their sins.
Turn us then, 0 God our Saviour, and let thine anger cease
from tis.
Wilt thou not turn again and quicken us, that thy people
may rejoice in thee ?
Show us thy mercy, 0 Lord, and grant us thy salvcction.
I will hear what God the Lord will speak ; for he will
speak peace to his people and his saints ; only let them not
return to their folly again.
SERVICE FOE CHRISTMAS EVE. 255
For Ids salvation is nigh those ivhofear him, that (jlory may
dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace
have kissed each other.
Truth shall flourish out of the earth; and righteousness shall
look doivn from heaven.
Yea, the Lord shall show his loving-kindness ; and our
land shall yield her increase.
Righteousness shall go before him ; and shall Jceep his path
continually.
"We will go into his tabernacle, we will worship before his
footstool.
Arise, 0 Lord, into thy resting-place ; thou, and the ark of
thy strength.
Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness ; and let thy
saihts sing for joy.
BENEDICTION VII.
SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS EVE.
It is very meet, right, and our boundcn duty, that we
should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O
Lord, holy Father Almighty, everlasting God, because thou
didst give Jesus Christ, thine only Son, to be born as at this
time for us, who by the operation of thy Holy Spirit was made
very man of the Virgin Mary his mother, and without spot of
sin to make us clean from all sin. Therefore with angels and
archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we worship
and magnify thy great and glorious name ; evermore praising
thee, and saying, Holy, holy, holy. Lord God of hosts, heaven
and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory. Glory be to
thee, O Lord most high, most mighty, most merciful, through
our Saviour and Redeemer.
256 SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS EVE.
Glory he to God in the Idghest, and on earth ^Jeace, good-xvill
toward men ; for unto us is horn a Saviour, who is Christ the
Lord. We praise thee, we hless thee, ive glorify thee, ive
give thanks unto thee, for this greatest of thy mercies, 0
Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Eternal God, Father Almighty, who in compassion to
lost man didst send thy Son to become his Redeemer, have
mercy upon us. Thou, who at sundry times and in divers
manners didst speak in times past unto the fathers by the
prophets, hast in these last days spoken unto us, by thy well
beloved and only begotten, whom thou hast appointed heir of
all things, by whom also thou didst make and wilt finally
judge the world. In thine infinite wisdom, and perfect love
towards us, thou hast wondrously appointed that the Word
should be made flesh and dwell among us, that we might be-
hold his glory full of grace and truth. We thank thee that
the same blessed Jesus was born a helpless infant, subject to
all our infirmities, was born in a manger, Avas born in poverty
and want ; that he did lay aside the glory which he had with
thee before the world was, and, in the example of a great
humility, did condescend to take the foi*m of a servant, that
we might from him learn to renounce all our pride, and be-
come lowly and meek after him. Look down, we beseech
thee, and vouchsafe to give us thy grace, that we may make
him our pattern in all things, and become his obedient disci-
ples. Have compassion on us, and perfect in us the work
of our redemption. May he, who had his birth at Bethlehem,
his baptism at the Jordan, his agony at Gethsemane, and his
crucifixion at Calvary, be preached unto all nations, and be
received into all hearts. May violence, oppression, cruelty, and
all wrong, disappear at the bidding of this Prince of Peace.
May those that are afar off be brought nigh by his precious
blood, and the world be converted unto him ; that at the name
of Jesus every knee may bow, and every tongue confess that
he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
BENEDICTION VI.
SERVICE POR A DAY OF THANKSGIVING.
COLLECT.
LORD of all power and might, who art the Author and
Giver of all good things, incline us all this day, we beseech
thee, to a sincere and fervent thanksgiving for thine innumer-
able mercies, 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.
. [The Psalms of the Sunday after Easter may be read, with any other
appropriate passages of Scripture, and Prayers.]
O GIVE thanks unto the Lord ; for he is gracious, and his
mercy endureth for ever.
0 give thanks unto the God of all gods ; for his mercy en-
dureth for ever.
0 thank the Lord of all lords ; for his mercy endureth for
ever.
Who hy his excellent ivisdom made the heavens ; for his mercy
endureth for ever.
Who laid out the earth above the Avaters ; for his mercy
endureth for ever.
Who hath made great lights ; for his mercy endureth for
ever.
The sun to rule by day ; for his mercy endureth for ever.
22*
258 SERVICE FOR A DAY OF THANKSGIVING.
The moon and the stars to govern the night ; for his mercy
endureth for ever.
Who rememberetli us when we are in trouble ; for his mercy
endureth for ever.
And hath delivered us from our enemies ; for his mercy en-
dureth for ever.
Who givetli food to all flesh ; for his mercy endureth for
ever.
0 give thanks tmto the God of heaven ; for his mercy en-
dureth for ever.
The Lord be with you,
Ayid with thy Spirit.
Glory be to God in the highest ;
And on earth peace, good-tvill totcard men.
Let us pray.
O Lord, show thy mercy upon us ;
And grant us thy salvation.
O God, make clean our hearts within us ;
And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
A THANKSGIVING.
O THOU who art good unto all, who exercisest loving-kind-
ness in all the earth, and who hast come nigh to us by Jesus
Christ thy Son, it is thou who givest our daily bread, health
in our habitations, and peace in our borders, and who crown-
est the year with thy goodness. We desire this day gratefully
to recount thy mercies, and to ascribe blessing and honor and
glory and praise to thee, our rock and fortress, our strength
and redeemer.
How precious have been thy thoughts unto us, 0 God,
how great has been the sum of them ! We bless thee for
preserving our houses from the ravages of fire, for all the
health and pleasure which we have enjoyed in them, for the
bread which has given strength to our bodies, for the medi-
SERVICE FOR A DAT OF THANKSGIVING. 259
cine which has arrested the progress of disease, for the sym-
pathy which has comforted us under trouble, for divine
preservation in our journeys by land, for favorable winds on
the ocean, for refreshing showers upon the fields. "We thank
thee for every cheerful sensation when alone, for the pleas-
ures of friendly intercourse, for the benefits of good neigh-
borhood, for the privileges of public worship, for the main-
tenance of civil order, the continuance of peace, the adminis-
tration of justice, for every encouragement to well-doing,
every manifestation of useful truth, and for all the advantages
of our condition.
Graciously direct us, O God, to a right improvement of all
thy mercies. Preserve us from the wicked indulgence of
all fleshly lusts, and from wasting our substance in riotous
living. May we enjoy our temporal possessions with tem-
perance, cheerfulness, and contentment. Protect us from the
snares of prosperity. May we honor thee with our substance,
be rich in good works, and duly esteem and praise thee, the
rock of our salvation.
Continue to us the enjoyment of our civil rights ; rule in
the hearts of our rulers, and direct them in all their designs
and measures by thy wisdom and grace ; make our land a quiet
habitation ; grant peace, order, and plenty in our families, our
villages and towns, and throughout our country ; bless all foun-
tains of useful science ; heal and cleanse their waters ; dispel
the mists of ignorance ; arrest the progress of profaneness and
vice ; make the people of our land humble before thee, peace-
able in their civil and social relations, and zealous for the
establishment of liberty, order, and truth. May we never by
our ingratitude incur that censure, I have nourished and
brought up children, but they have rebelled against me.
Grant this, O Father, for thine infinite mercy's sake in Jesus
Christ our Lord, Amen.
BENEDICTION IV.
SERVICE FOR A DAY OF FASTING.
[The Collects for Asli-Wednesday, and for the First Sunday in Lent,
and the Psalms and Prophecies for the latter, may be read, together with
other appropriate Scriptures and Prayers, at the discretion of the minis-
ter.]
PKOPHECIES.
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eter-
nity, whose name is Ploly: I dwell in the high and holy
place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to
revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the
contrite ones.
For I tcill not contend for ever, neither iviU I he always
ivroth : for the sinrit should fail before me, and the souls which
I have made.
I create the fruit of the lips : Peace, peace to him that is
far oif, and to him that is near, saith the Lord ; and I will
heal him.
But the ivicked are like the troidjled sea, when it cannot
rest, 'whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and
show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their
sins.
Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as
a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance
SERVICE FOR A DAY OF FASTING. 261
of their God: tliey ask of me the ordinances of justice : they
take dehght in approaching to God.
Wherefore have toe fasted, say they, and thou seest not ?
wherefore have ice aflicted our soid, and thou takest no knowl-
edge ? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and
exact all your labors.
Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the
fist of wickedness : ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make
your voice to be heard on high.
Is it such a fast that I have chosen ? a day for a man to
afHict his soid ? is it to hoiv down his head as a bulrush, and to
spread sachcloth and ashes under him ? ivilt thou call this a
fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord f
Is not this the fast that I have chosen ? to loose the bands
of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the op-
pressed go free, and that ye break every yoke ?
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring
the poor that are cast out to thy house ? ichen thou seest the
naked, that thou cover him ; and that thou hide not thyself from
thine own flesh ?
Then shall thy light break forth as the moi'ning, and thine
health shall spring forth speedily : and thy righteousness shall
go before thee ; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.
Then shall thou call, and the Lord shall answer ; thou shalt
cry, and he shall say. Here I am. If thou take away from the
midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and
speaking vanity ;
And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy
the afflicted soul ; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and
thy darkness be as the noonday :
And the Lord shall guide thee continucdly, and satisfy thy
soul in drought : and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and
like a spring of water, whose waters fail ?iot.
And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste
places : thou shalt raise up the foundations of many genera-
262 SERVICE FOR A DAY OF FASTING.
tions ; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach,
The restorer of paths to dwell in.
If thou turn away thy foot from doing thy pleasure on my
holy day ; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord,
honorable ; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways,
nor finding thine oivn pleasure, nor speaking thine oivn loords :
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord ; and I will
cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth : for the
mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
PRAYER.
O THOU, our Heavenly Father and Almighty King, who
rulest justly over all, and whose nature it is to have mercy,
graciously hearken to our cry, and pardon us all our iniquities.
Incline our hearts to confess and mourn the sins we have
committed, and to forsake all that we confess ; and those that
we do thus acknowledge and put away from us, wilt thou, we
beseech thee, forgive. Turn thou us, O holy Lord, and we
shall be turned. Cleanse thou us, and we shall be clean.
Be favorable to thy people, who look to thee in fasting
and praying, and help them so to watch and fast and pray,
as not to enter into temptation. Thou art a merciful God,
full of compassion, long-suffering, and of great pity. Spare
thy people, and visit them not in judgment according to their
offences. Pardon us all our injustices and infirmities, our
irreverence and uncharitableness, our pride and selfishness,
and every kind of transgression. Help us, O Lord, who
hast created us fearfully and wonderfully, help us to keep
under our bodies and bring them into subjection, that all
their vile lusts and inordinate appetites may be mortified and
subdued to the spirit.
O thou who art the Lord of lords and King of kings,
we humbly beseech thee for our country, that it may be still
blessed and prospered by the good God of our fathers ; that
SERVICE FOR A DAY OF FASTING. 263
tliou wonldst be pleased to preserve and extend its liberties,
to purify and maintain its laws, to cause order, industry,
contentment, and peace to prevail among all its inhabitants.
Be pleased to direct all the consultations of our law-makers,
in the nation and in the commonwealth. Rule thou in
righteousness among the rulers, and judge among the judges.
Deliver us from the mischiefs of sedition, party spirit, ma-
liciousness, and rebellion. And let all things be so ordered,
under thy wise and perfect government, that truth and equity,
concord and happiness, virtue and religion, may be established
upon sure foundations, and stand fiist in our heritage for ages
to come.
Almighty and Everlasting God, we thine unworthy crea-
tures are strangers and pilgrims on the earth, as all our
fathers were. Regard very tenderly, we entreat thee, our
low and feeble estate. Send us strength Avhile we live ; sup-
port us in sickness, and prepare us to die. We ask thee, if
it may be thy holy will, to make the earth continue to yield
her fruits in their season ; to send the early and latter rain,
to bless the springing thereof, and to be to the husbandman
the joy of harvest. Bless every kind of honest and right-
ful labor, and stretch out thy wide protection over the
ocean and the land. Save us from pestilence and from
famine. And dispose all thy children to use thy bounties
with moderation, temperance, and thankfulness.
Father of all the fomilies of the earth, send now the bless-
ing of thy Holy Spirit into all our homes. Fill them Avith
the fruits of Christian love. May Christ Jesus thy Son
be received and revered and trusted everywhere, as that
gracious and blessed Saviour, whom to know aright is life
eternal, whose blood cleanseth from all sin, and who hath
brought life and immortality to light. And through him
unto thee, O Father, be rendered all honor and power and
praise, now and for evermore !
Most merciful and righteous Father, who hast taught us
264 SERVICE FOR A DAY OF FASTING.
that, if we, tlirough the spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body,
we shall live, and xoho hast commanded us not to he tveary nor
faint in our minds striving against sin, bring us this day to a
true humiliation, and deliver us from evil. Stand at our right
hand, ive beseech thee, and ivorh with our heaiis, that loe may
overcome in the time of our temptation; and being graciously
absolved from all our iniquity, made clean from its corruption,
loosed from its burden, may toe pass our time in quietness and
holy trust here on earth, and finally obtain everlasting lif&s
through our Lord and Saviour, the only Mediator and Advo-
cate. Amen.
BENEDICTION I.
SERVICE FOR A NATIONAL ANNIVERSARY.
["When such anniversary falls on a Sunday, and not on the fifth Sun-
day after Whitsunday, the Psalms for that fifth Sunday may be read,
by exchange with those appointed for the day when it so falls.]
A COLLECT.
OTHOU whose throne is in the heavens, God of all
nations, who puttest down one and settest up another,
who art the Ruler of all the armies of earth and skies, and
whose kingdom is from everlasting to everlasting, as thou
hast dealt with this people beyond all their deserving, and
multiplied thy mercies to us notwithstanding our offences, so
we humbly entreat thee still to show thy loving-kindness, by
turning us from every false and evil and unjust way ; to lighten
our darkness, to deliver us from perplexity and peril, to unite
all our hearts in a wise and faithful respect both for our liber-
ties and our laws, to keep ever open among us the fountains
of knowledge, charity, and grace, to give us peace and pros-
perity, and to exalt us by righteousness : and this we ask
through him who, of thine infinite goodness, is made unto us
righteousness, sanctification, and redenjption, Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
23
SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNION OE THE
LORD'S SUPPER.*
YE who do truly repent you of your sins, who are in love
and charity with your neighbors, who desire to express
your gratitude and reverence to your Saviour, Jesus Christ,
by commemorating his death in the way which he hath ap-
pointed, and who intend, by the aid of God's grace, to live a
Christian life, draw near with faith, and take this holy ordi-
nance to your comfort.
Hear the words of invitation and comfort which our Sav-
iour speaks to all who truly turn to him :
Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I
will give you rest.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after right-
eousness : for they shall be filled.
Peace I leave with jou, my peace I give unto you ; not as
the world giveth give I unto you.
Hear also what his holy Apostles say :
Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us : therefore let us
keep the Feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven
of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of
sincerity and truth.
* Principally after the old Greek Liturgies, with especial use of that
of Antioch, called the Liturgy of St. James, — compiled and translated
for a Service-Book by Rev. F. H. Hedge, D.D.
SERVICE FOR THE LORD's SUPPER. 2G7
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved
us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Forasmuch then as ye were not redeemed with corruptible
things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of
Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, see
that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.
For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow
his steps : who his own self bare our sins in his own body on
the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should hve unto right-
eousness ; by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as
sheep going astray ; but are now returned unto tlie Shepherd
and Bishop of your souls.
Min. Lift up your hearts.
Ans. We lift them up nnfo the Lord.
Min. Let us praise the Lord.
Ans. It is meet and just.
Min. Yea, it is meet and just and seemly and profitable,
day and night, with lips never silent, and heart never dumb'
to praise and to bless and to give thanks unto thee, O Lord,'
who madest heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is \
who madest man in thine own image, and when he had trans-
gressed didst not overlook him nor forsake him, but didst
recall him by thy Law and school him by thy Prophets, and
didst fashion and renew him by the awful and heavenly mys-
teries of religion ; who madest all things by thy Wisdom, the
true Light, thine only begotten Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ,
through whom we render unto thee the reasonable service
which is rendered, O Lord, by all thy people from north to
south, from the rising of the sun to the going down of the
same; through whom every rational creature worshippeth
and sendeth up unto thee the eternal song of praise. Angels,
Archangels, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Authorities,'
and Powers, Cherubim and Seraphim, call to one another
268 SERVICE FOR THE LORd's SUPPER.
with ceaseless voice, and repeat the triumphal hymn, sing-
ing and shouting and saying:
Ans. Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth
are full of thy glory.
Min. Wherefore, together with the heavenly host, we also
cry aloud and say, Holy indeed art thou, all-holy, and without
measure is the majesty of thy holiness. Holy also is thine
only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and holy the Spirit
that searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Thou didst send thy Son into the world, that he might re-
new and reanimate thine image. Who, born of woman, and
having his conversation with men, did order all things per-
taining to the salvation of our race. And being about to
undergo the voluntary and life-giving death upon the cross, —
the sinless for us sinners, — on the night in which he was
betrayed, — let us rather say, in which he delivered up him-
self for the life and salvation of the world, — taking bread in
his holy and innocent and immortal hands, he blessed it and
brake, and gave to his disciples, saying : Take, eat ; this is
my body, which is broken and given for you for the remission
of sins.
Ans. Amen.
Min. Also taking the cup after he had supped, and bless-
ing it and giving thanks, filled with the Holy Ghost, he gave
it to his disciples, saying : Drink ye all of it ; this is the blood
of the New Covenant, which is shed for you and for many,
and given for the remission of sins.
Ans. Amen.
Min. This do in remembrance of me. For as oft as ye
eat of this bread and drink of this cup, ye show forth the
death of the Son of Man, and declare his resurrection, until
he come.
Ans. Thy death, 0 Lord, we shoiv forth, and declare thy
resurrection.
Min. We, therefore, mindful of his life-giving doctrines,
SERVICE FOR THE LORD's SUPPER. 269
his saving cross and death, his burial and resurrection, his
ascension and seat at the right hand of God, — we set apart
and devote to the memory of Christ this bread and this cup.
And we beseech thee, 0 Lord, to sanctify these elements, and
to sanctify us with thy holy presence. And may this bread
be unto us as the sacred body of thy Christ.
Ans. Amen.
Min. Aiid may this cup be unto us as the honored blood of
thy Christ.
Ans. Ame7i.
Min. That so this rite may be profitable to all who partake
of it, for the i-emission of sins, for eternal life, for the sancti-
fication of body and soul, for fruitfulness in good works, for
the stablishing of thy holy Church, which thou Last founded
on the rock of faith, that the gates of hell may not prevail
against it. May we who thus eat of one bread and drink of
one cup be made one with each other in the fellowship of the
same Holy Spirit, and one with thee in Christ.
And in this our communion we remember, and beseech thee
to remember and to bless, the multitudes of every name who
are joined with us in one household of faith, — our brethren
and sisters in Chinst throughout the world.
We remember those Avho have fallen asleep in Christ, and
in the joyful hope of resurrection unto life eternal. 0 Lord,
refresh their spirits with the light of thy countenance.
We remember the fathers from the beginning of the world ;
the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, and all who have
wrought righteousness, from righteous Abel even to the pres-
ent day. Refresh thou their spirits, and give them abundant
entrance into the joy of our Lord. And grant unto us, 0
God, that we may have our part and lot with all thy saints.
We remember all such as journey or are about to journey,
and them that sojourn in strange lands. May they have thee
for their fellow-voyager and fellow-traveller. May it please
thee to abide with them wheresoever they abide, and, whether
23*
270 SERVICE FOR THE LORD's SUPPER.
they travel by land or by water, to bring them in safety to
their destined goal. Abide with those whom they leave be-
hind, and grant that, in health remaining, they may welcome
their own in health returning, and rejoice with them in safety
and in peace.
We remember all who are sick and in distress, all who
suffer in body or in mind, all who are in prison and in bonds.
As bound with them, and as sufferers with them, we bear
them in our hearts, and pray for their relief.
We remember our enemies, if there be any who have in-
jured us, or any who look upon us with evil eye, and cherish
hatred against us. We beseech thee to turn their hearts, and
that we may live peaceably with all men. May we freely
forgive all Avho have wronged us ; and if there be any whom
we have wa-onged, may we make amends and seek forgiveness.
We remember the whole family of man, beseeching thee
that the spirits of all flesh may taste of thy grace, and that the
ends of the earth may see the salvation of God.
And unto us, O Lord, vouchsafe such guidance, that, as
Christians, and blameless, we may spend the remainder of our
life. Gather us, O Lord, when thou wilt, and as thou wilt,
but be it without shame and without reproach, through Jesus
Christ our Lord, who alone was found sinless on earth.
Ans. Put away fi-om tcs, 0 Lord, our shis, tchcther wilful
or against our loills, in deed and in word, in knowledge and
in ignorance, in mind and disposition, and forgive them all
according to thy mercy:
Min. In Jesus Christ thy Son, in whom and through whom
we bless thee now and ever.
Ans. Amen.
Min. O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, may it
please thee to accept us in these our supplications. May our
offerings find favor in thy sight, and be as the odor of spiritual
incense. Accept them, O Lord, as thou didst accept the of-
ferings of holy men of old, and bless them, as thou didst bless
SERVICE FOR THE LORD's SLTPER. 271
tbe centurion's alms and the widow's mite. Sanctify us Avith
the grace of thy Christ, and with the frequency of thy Holy
Spirit. Sanctify soul and body and spirit, and make us wor-
thy to call upon thee, the Father in heaven, and to say :
Ans. Our Father icho art in heaven, hallowed he thy name.
Tliy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give lis this day our daily bread. Lead us not into tempta-
tion, but deliver us from evil.
Min. Yea, Lord, lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from evil. For thy mercy knoweth that we, through much
weakness, are not able of oui'selves to overcome. But do thou,
together with the trial, provide also a way of escape. For
thou givest thy servants power to tread upon serpents and
scorpions, and on all the power of the enemy. For thine is
the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever
Ans. Amen.
3Iin. Peace be with you.
Ans. And with thy spirit.
SCRIPTURES.
It is written by St. Matthew : —
And as tliev were eating, Josiis took bread, and blessed it, and
brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat ; this is my
body.
And lie took tbe cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, say-
ing. Drink ye all of it ; for this is my blood of the new testament,
which is shed for many tor the remission of sins. But I say unto
you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that
day when I drink it now witli you in my Father's kingdom.
It is written by St. !Mark : —
And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it
and gave to them, and said, Take, oat; this is my body.
And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it
272 SERVICE FOR THE LORD's SUPPER.
them; and tliey all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is
my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. Verily, I
say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that
day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount
of Olives.
It is written by St. Luke : —
And when the hour was come, he sat down, aud the twelve Apos-
tles with him. And he said unto them. With desire I have desired
to eat this passover with you before I suffer. For I say unto you,
I will not any more eat thei'eof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom
of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said. Take
this, and divide it among yourselves. For I say unto you, I will not
drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto
them, saying. This is my body which is given for you : this do in
remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying,
This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
It is Avritten by Paul, in 1 Cor. xi. : —
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto
you. That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was be-
trayed, took bread : and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and
said, Take, eat ; this is my body, which is broken for you ; this
do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took
the cup, when he had supped, saying. This cup is the new testament
in my blood ; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of
me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do
show the Lord's death till he come.
It is also written in the Gospel of St. John, that Jesus said : —
My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the
bread of God is he whi(;h cometh down from heaven, and giveth
life imto the world. I am the Bread of life : he that cometh to mc
shall never hunger ; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever ; and the bread
that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the
world. Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his
blood, ye have no life in you. lie that cateth my flesh, and drink-
eth my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father
SERVICE FOR THE LORD'S SUITER. 273
hath sent me, and I live by the Father, so he that catcth nie, even
he shall live by me.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that -whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have ever-
lasting life.
I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life : no man cometh unto
the Father but by me.
I am the Door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and
go in and out and find pasture.
I am the Good Shepherd : the Good Shepherd giveth his life for
the sheej).
I am the True Vine ; yc are the branches. As the branch can-
not bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye,,
except ye abide in me. For without me ye can do nothing.
[After the Bread, Prayer, Cup, and Hymn.]
BENEDICTION XIV.*
* By the established usa^c in the University Cluirch, a baptized per-
son may be admitted a member, by the subscription of his or her name
to the Covenant printed on page 277, with tlie announcement to the
Church of the fact of such subscription.
Where there is a distinct ceremony of confirmation, or coming to the
Lord's Supper, the following form may be used, with prayers or other
additions : —
Do you here, in the presence of God and of this congregation, believ-
ing in the lioly religion of Jesus Christ as tauglit in the Scriptures of
the New Testament, and talcing it as the divine guide of your life, and
the way of salvation, declare it to be your desire and your present pur-
pose to be henceforth a true disciple of that blessed Saviour, and to re-
member him in the way which he has appointed ?
Ans. I do.
Then the minister may lay his hand on tlie head of the person an-
swering, who kneels or stands before him, and say: —
Now, therefore, live ; yet not thou, but Christ live in thee ; and the
life that thou livest in the flesh, let it be by faith in the Son of God !
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who has made heaven and earth.
The Lord Almighty defend and bless you with his heavenly grace, and
bring you into his heavenly kingdom ! Amen.
SERVICE FOR BAPTISM,
IN the name of Christ, the Founder and Head of the
Church, we, who are here assembled, are to observe the
holy ordinance of baptism. Hear, then, these words of our
Saviour : —
All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go
ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit;
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have com-
manded you : and lo, I am with you alvvay, even unto the
end of the world.
Hear also what is written by his holy Apostles : —
Repent and be baptized, every one of you, for the remis-
sion of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all
that are afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call.
For ye are all the children of God through faith in Christ
Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into
Christ, have put on Christ.
Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into
Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death ? Therefore wc 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.
Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of
SERVICE FOR BArTis:\r. 275
faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and
our bodies washed with pure water.
The baptism that saveth us is not the putting away the
filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward
God.
FOR INFANTS.
And Jesus took a child and set him in the midst ; and
when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name,
receiveth me ; and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not
me, but Him that sent me.
And they brought young children to him, that he should
touch them ; and his disciples rebuked those that brought
them ; but when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and
said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me,
and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the king-
dom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as a little child,
the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones ; for
I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold
the face of my Father which is in heaven.
Dearly beloved, ye have brought this child here to be bap-
tized ; I demand therefore.
Will ye ftiithfully and earnestly exhort this child to re-
nounce the hurtful vanities of this world, with all covetous
desires of the same, and carnal desires of the flesh, so that he
may not follow nor be led by them ?
Iioill
276 SERVICE FOR BAPTISM.
Will ye instruct him in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ ?
Iivill
Will ye exhort him to keep God's holy will and com-
mandments, and to walk in the same all the days of his
life?
IwiU.
[With the administration of water.]
I BAPTIZE thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
BENEDICTION X.
FOR ADULTS.
Our Lord Jesus commanded, that all persons baptized
should be instructed in his holy Gospel. You, in the profes-
sion of the Christian faith, present yourself to be baptized
according to his institution. Do you now promise, that you
will receive the instructions of the Christian religion, and
strive to govern your faith and practice by its doctrines and
laws?
[With the administration of water.]
I BAPTIZE thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
BENEDICTION X.
COVENANT OF THE CnURCII IN HARVARD
UNIVERSITY.*
WE, whose names are underwritten, present ourselves for
admission to this Church, in testimony of our faith in
Jesus Christ, our acceptance of his religion, and subjection to
his laws. TVe regard this transaction as an expression of our
earnest desire to obtain the salvation proposed in the Gospel,
and our serious purpose to endeavor to comply with the terms
on which it is offered. We design to commemorate the Au-
thor and Finisher of our faith, in the manner established in
his Church. In a humble and gi'ateful reliance on God for
the pardon of sin, and assistance in duty, we solemnly take
upon ourselves the engagements of the Christian profession.
"We will, as we shall have opportunity, acknowledge our rela-
tion to this Christian community, by attendance on the servi-
ces of religion, by the oilices of Christian affection, and by
submission to the laws of Christian order, beseeching the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, being faithful to
each other and to our common Master, we may enjoy the
consolations of our holy religion here, and be accepted to its
rewards hereafter, through the riches of divine favor in Jesus
Christ.
* Adopted by vote, November 6, 1814.
24
T^rci.
THE APOSTLES' CREED.
I BELIEVE in God the Father Ahnighty, Maker of heaven
and earth :
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord ; Who was con-
ceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary ; Suffered
under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried ; He
descended into hell ; The third day he rose 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 Forgiveness of sins; The
Resurrection of the body ; And the Life everlasting. Amen.
TE DETM.
WE praise tlice, 0 God ; we acknowledge thee to be the
Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.
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 praise thee.
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 adorable, true, and only Son ;
Also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.
Thou art the King of glory, O Lord ;
And Jesus Christ is thy well-beloved Son.
When thou gavest him to deliver man, it pleased thee that
he should be born of a virgin.
When he had overcome the sliarpness of death, he did open
the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
He sitteth at the right hand of God, in the glory of the
Father.
We believe that he shall come to be our judge.
280 TE DEUM.
We therefore pray tliee, help thy servants, whom tliou hast
redeemed through his most precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy saints, in glory ever-
lasting,
O Lord, save thy people, and bless thine heritage.
Govern them, and lift them up for ever.
Day by day we magnify thee ;
And we worship thy name, ever, world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us ; have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us, as our trust is in
thee.
O Lord, in thee have we trusted ; let us never be con-
founded.
LITANY.
OGOD, our Heavenly Father, who by thy Son hast re-
deemed the world, and by thy Holy Spirit dost govern,
direct, and sanctify the hearts of thy faithful servants, have
mercy upon us miserable sinners.
0 God, through thy blessed Son, the Redeemer of the xoorld,
have mercy upon us, thy sinful children, and by thy Holy
Spirit sanctify our hearts.
Eemember not, Lord, our offences, neither take thou ven-
geance of our sins; spare us, good Lord, spare thy people
whom thou hast redeemed by the most precious blood of thy
Son, and be not angry with us for ever.
Spare us, good Lord.
From all evil and mischief; from sin; from the assaults
of temptation, from thy wrath, and from everlasting destruc-
tion,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all blindness of heart ; from pride, vainglory, and
hypocrisy ; from envy, hatred, and malice, and all un-
charitableness ; from all inordinate and sinful affections,
and from all the deceitful allurements of this transitory
world.
Good Lord, deliver us.
From lightning, and tempest ; from plague, pestilence, and
famine ; from battle, and murder, and from death unprepared
for,
24 *
282 LITANT.
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all sedition, privy conspiracy, and rebellion ; from all
false doctrine, heresy, and schism ; from hardness of heart,
and contempt of thy word and commandment.
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.
We sinners do beseech thee to hear us, O Lord God, and
that it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church
Universal in the right way ; and to illuminate all ministers of
the Gospel with true knowledge, and understanding of thy
word ; and 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 endue the President of these
United States, the Governor of this Commonwealth, the
Judges and Magisti-ates, and all others in authority, with wis-
dom and understanding ; 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 all colleges and seminaries
of learning ; all instructors of youth, and all means of true
knowledge, virtue, and piety ;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people ;
to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord ; and 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 people in-
crease 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.
LITANY. 283
That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth all
such as have erred, and are deceived; to strengthen such as
do stand ; to comfort and help the weak-hearted ; to raise up
those who fall ; and finally to give us victory over all temp-
tations ;
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 ; to preserve all
who travel by land or by watei*, all sick persons and young
children ; to show thy pity upon all pi"isoners and captives ;
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, persecu-
tors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts ;
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 that in due time we may enjoy
them ;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give us true repentance, to foi*-
give us all our sins, negligences, and ignorances, and to endue
us with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, to amend our lives ac-
cording to thy holy word ;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
0 Lord, grant us thy peace.
Lord, have mei'cy upon tis.
O Lord, deal not with us after our sins ;
Neither reward us after our iniquities.
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 which we most justly have de-
284 LITANY.
served ; and grant that in all our troubles we may put our
whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore
serve thee in holiness and pureness of livmg, to thy honor
and glory, through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus
Christ our Lord. Ameti.
SCRIPTURAL LITANIES.^
I.
[From the Epistle to the Romans.]
OTHOU, of whom, and through whom, and to whom ar^
all things, help us with one mind and one mouth to glorify
thee, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
0 TJiou, xoho art the God of patience and consolation,
grant us to he like-minded one toward another according to
Christ Jesus.
O Thou, who art the God of hope, fill us with all joy and
peace in believing, that we may abound in hope, through the
power of the Holy Ghost.
May toe he full of goodness, filed with all knowledge, able
also to admonish one another.
May those that are strong bear the infirmities of the weak.
3Iay loe folloiv after the things which onalce for peace, and
things toherewith one may edify another.
Save us, we beseech thee, O Heavenly Father, from being
conformed to this world, from thinking of ourselves more
highly than we ought to think, from being wise in our own
conceits, from being overcome of evil, and enable us to over-
come evil with good.
Hear us, good Lord.
If we have, at any time, held the truth in unrighteousness,
if when we have known God we have not glorified him as
* Taken from the Service-Book of " The Church of the Disciples."
286 SCRIPTURAL LITANIES.
God nor been thankful, if we have changed thy truth into a
lie, and worshipped the creature more than the Creator ;
Forgive us, we beseech thee, 0 our Father.
If we have not liked to retain thee in our thoughts, if we
have despised thy goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering ;
if our heart has been impenitent and hard ; if we have dis-
honored thee by breaking thy law ;
Forgive us, we beseech thee, 0 our Father.
If the good which we would, we do not, and the evil which
we would not, that we do ; if to will is present with us, but
how to perform that which we will, we find not ; if, when we
would do good, evil is present with us ; if we find a law in
our members warring against the law of our mind, and bring-
ing us into captivity to the law of sin in our members ;
Help us, tve beseech thee, 0 our Father.
Being justified by faith, may we have peace with thee,
through our Lord Jesus Christ, and rejoice in the hope of the
glory of God.
Shed thy love in our hearts hj the Holy Ghost.
May the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus make us
free from the law of sin and death, and make us walk, not
after the flesh, but after the spirit ; may we not receive the
spirit of bondage again to fear, but the spirit of adoption,
whereby we call thee Father ;
Being led by thy Spirit, may we become thy children.
May nothing separate us from the love of Christ ; neither
tribulation, nor distress, nor persecution, nor famine, nor
nakedness, nor peril, nor the sword ;
In all these, may ive be more than conquerors through him
who has loved us.
May neither death nor life, nor angels nor powers, nor
things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor
any creature, separate us from the love of God which is in
Christ Jesus.
3fay nothing separate us from thy love.
SCKIPTURAL LITANIES. 287
May we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus, and
believe in our heart that God has raised him from the dead ;
May loe helieve with our heart unto righteousness, and con-
fess with our mouth unto salvation.
We beseech thee, Heavenly Father, that we may be ena-
bled to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and accepta-
ble to thee, being transformed by the renewing of our mind.
Whether we live, may tve live unto the Lord ; and whether
we die, may ive die unto the Lord.
May our love be without dissimulation ; may we abhor
that which is evil, cleave to that which is good ; be kindly
affectioned one toward another ; not slothful in business ;
fervent in spirit ; rejoicing in hope ; patient in tribulation ;
continuing instant in prayer ; distributing to the necessities
of our brethren ; given to hospitality.
May ice rejoice with those thcd rejoice, and weep with those
that iceep ;
May we render unto all their dues.
May ive love our neighbor as ourselves.
May we cast olF the works of darkness, and put on the
armor of light.
Awaken us, 0 Lord, from our sleep.
Now unto Him that has power to establish us according to
the Gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ ;
To God only wise, he glory through Jesus Christ, for ever.
Amen.
II.
[From the Epistles to the Corinthians and Galatians.]
O Tnou, who didst command the light to shine out of dark-
ness, and hast shined in our hearts, to give the light of the
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,
establish us in Christ and anoint us.
288 SCRIPTURAL LITANIES.
Seal us thine, 0 Lord, and give us the earnest of thy Spirit
in our hearts.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father
of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in
all our tribulation, give us grace and peace.
Confirm us unto the end, that toe may he blameless in the
day of the Lord Jesus.
0 Thou, who wilt bring to light the things of darkness, and
make manifest the counsels of the heart, and whose Spirit
searcheth all things, help us to renounce the hidden things of
dishonesty, and to speak as of sincerity, as of God, and as in
the sight of God.
Tahe away, Lord, the veil from our hearts, and let the
light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, the image of God, shine
upon us.
May we not walk in craftiness, nor handle the word of God
deceitfully ; may we judge ourselves, and not be judged ; may
we keep under our body and bring it into subjection ; may
Ave watch, quit us like men, and be strong ; and having the
spirit of faith, may we believe and therefore speak.
Grant, 0 Lord, that toe faint not ; hut though our outward
man perish, may our inward man he renewed day hy day.
May our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work
out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ;
while we look, not at the things seen and temporal, but at the
things not seen, but eternal.
Reveal to us, 0 Lord, hy thy Spirit, what eye hath not seen,
nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived.
May we be enriched by thee with all utterance, and with
all knowledge ; may we be perfectly joined together in the
same mind and in the same judgment ; may we be perfect,
may we be of good comfort, may we live in peace ;
May the God of love and peace he with us.
Help us to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has
made us free, and not be entangled again with any yoke of
SCRIPTURAL LITANIES. 289
bondage ; knowing that the kingdom of God is not meat nor
drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
May 10 e he zealously affected ahvays for that ivhich is
good.
Help us to show the fruits of the spirit : love, joy, peace,
long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and tem-
perance.
If tve live in the spirit, may we also loalk in the spirit.
As we have opportunity, help us to do good to all men, and
especially to those who are of the household of faith ; to bear
one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ ; to cru-
cify the flesh, with its affections and lusts ; to sow to the spirit,
and of the spirit to reap life everlasting ; and not to be weary
in well-doing, believing ttat %ve shall in due season reap, if
w^e faint not.
III.
[From the Epistle to the Ephesians.]
O Thou, who art the one God and Father of all ; who art
above all, and through all, and in us all ; who hast adopted us
as children in Jesus Christ, thy Son, in whom we have re-
demption, even the forgiveness of our sins ; quicken us, we
beseech thee, who have been dead in trespasses and sins.
0 Thou, xoho art rich in mercy, for the sake of thy great
love wherewith thou hast loved us, make us alive in Christ.
O God, our Father, the Father of glory, we pray thee to
give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge
of thyself, that we may know the hope of thy calling, and the
riches of thine inheritance, and the greatness of thy power,
which thou hast wrought in Christ, when thou didst raise him
from the dead, and make him sit at thine own right hand in
heavenly places.
25
290 SCRIPTURAL LITANIES.
We pray thee to raise us up also, and make us sit in heaven-
ly places with him.
O Thou, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, grant us to
be strengthened with might by thy Spirit inwardly ; that
Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith ; that, being rooted
and grounded in love, we may be able to understand the
breadth and length, and depth and height, of the love of
Christ, and be filled with all the fulness of God.
Help us, Heavenly Father, to come, in the unity of the faith,
arid the knowledge of the Son of God, to the stature of a per-
fect man, to the measure of the fulness of Christ.
Help us to walk, with all lowliness and meekness, with
long-suffering, forbearing one another in love ; endeavoring to
keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace ; to put away
all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and evil-speaking, with
all malice.
3fay we be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one
another, even as God, in Christ, hath forgiven tis.
May we be followers of thee, as dear children, and walk in
love, as Christ has loved us ; redeeming the time ; having the
fruit of the spii'it in all goodness and righteousness and truth ;
speaking to ourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing and making melody in our hearts unto the
Lord.
May ive give thanks, always, for all things, unto God our
Father, in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Help us to be strong in thee and in the power of thy might ;
to put on thy whole armor, that we may be able to stand in
the evil day ; girt about with truth, having on the breastplate
of righteousness, our feet shod with the Gospel of peace, tak-
ing the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword
of the spirit.
Help) us to pray always, with all prayer and supplication, in
the spirit, and watch thereunto loith all supplication and perse-
verance.
SCRIPTURAL LITANIES, 291
May peace be to all the brethi'en, and love, with faith, from
God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace he with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in
sincerity. Amen.
IV.
[From several of the Epistles or Paul.]
O God, our Heavenly Father, who hast loved us, and hast
given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
we beseech thee to comfort our hearts and to estabhsh us in
every good word and work.
Hear us, 0 God, and direct our hearts into thy love and into
the iKitient waiting of Christ.
O God, our Saviour, who wilt have all men to be saved,
and to come to the knowledge of the truth ; and hast mani-
fested thyself to us, by the appearing of Jesus Christ, who
hath abolished death and brought life and immortality to light
through the Gospel, we beseech thee to hear us.
Give to us, 0 God, the sjnrit, not of fear, hut of "power, and
of love, and of a sound mind.
O Thou, who art the blessed and only potentate ; the King
of kings and Lord of lords ; Avho only hast immortality ; dwell-
ing in the light which no man can approach unto ; whom no
man hath seen nor can see ; to thee be honor and power ever-
lasting.
We give thee thanhs, 0 our Father, who hast made us meet
to he partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.
Thou hast delivered us from the power of darkness, and
hast translated us into the kingdom of thy dear Son, in whom
we have redemption, even the forgiveness of our sins.
May we therefore fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold
on eternal life, following after righteousness, godliness, faith,
love, patience, and meekness.
292 SCKIPTURAL LITANIES.
"We pray thee to forgive us, 0 God, if we have set our af-
fections upon tilings below, instead of things above ; if, pro-
fessing to know thee, we have denied thee by our works ; if
through the love of money we have fallen into temptation and
a snare ; if we have indulged those passions which war against
the soul ; or if we have done anything through strife or vain-
glory.
Forgive us, tee beseech thee, these and all our sins.
May we work out our salvation with fear and trembling,
not counting ourselves to have attained ; may we forget the
things which are behind, and reach forth unto those which
are before ; approving the things which are excellent, being
sincere and without offence, filled with the fruits of righteous-
ness, and doing all things without murmuring or disputing.
Grant that our conversation he as hecometh the Gospel of
Christ, and may the peace of God ride in our hearts.
May we watch and be sober ; may we put on charity, which
is the perfect bond ; may we comfort one another, and edify
one another ; not returning evil for evil, but following ever that
which is good ; may we rejoice evermore, pray without ceas-
ing, and in everything give thanks ; may we prove all things,
hold fast that which is good, and abstain from all appearance
of evil.
0 God of peace, tve pray thee to sanctify us wholly.
O God, if thou hast not appointed us unto wrath, but to ob-
tain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, preserve our spirit,
soul, and body blameless unto his coming ; and the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, for ever and ever.
Amen.
SCRIPTURAL LITANIES. 293
V.
[From the Epistles of Jajies and John.]
O God, the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness
nor shadow of turning ; from whom cometh down every good
and perfect gift ; we ask of thee wisdom, who givest to all men
liberally.
We would ash, 0 God, in faith, nothing umvering ; believing
that, {five draw nigh to thee, thou xvilt draio nigh to us.
O Almighty God, who canst not be tempted with evil, nei-
ther canst tempt any man ; we confess that we are drawn
away by our own lusts and enticed ; but we beseech thee, O
our Father, who art very pitiful and of tender mercy, who
dost resist the proud, but givest grace to the humble, to hear
the prayer of faith and raise us up.
If we have committed sins, may they he forgiven us; if we
have known to do good and done it not ; if ive have been hear-
ers of the word, and not doers also, deceiving our oivn selves ;
forgive us, 0 God, and save us.
May we not have the faith of Jesus Christ with respect of
persons ; may we not despise the poor ; may we not have
faith without works, but show our faith by our works ; and,
laying aside all that is impure, receive with meekness the in-
grafted word, which is able to save our souls.
Help us to look into the perfect lata of liberty, and contimie
therein, and so to receive the crown of life ivhich the Lord has
promised to them that love him.
Give us. Lord, the wisdom from above, which is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy
and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
0 Thou, who art light, and in xohom is no darhiess cd all,
may we walk in the light, and have fellowship with thee.
O Thou, who art love ; may we dwell in love, and so dwell
in thee ; may our love be made perfect, and be free from all
25*
294 SCRIPTURAL LITANIES.
fear ; may we be born of God, and overcome the world ; may
we keep thy commandments, and love thy children.
0 God, grant that we love thee, not in word and tongue, hut
in deed and truth, and herehy Tcnoiv that we are of the truth,
and assure our hearts before thee.
May we not love the world, nor the things which are in the
world ; may we remember that the world passes away, with
all that is in it ; and that, if we love the world, the love of the
Father is not in us.
Grant these our prayers. Heavenly Father, we beseech thee,
for thine infinite mercy's sake, in Jesus Christ. Amen.
VI.
[From the Epistles of Peter.]
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again
unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ ;
To an inheritance incorruj>tible, undefiled, and that fadeth
not away, reserved in heaven for us.
O God, our Father, who hast redeemed us by the precious
blood of Christ, and taught us to be holy as thou art holy ;
and who, without respect of persons, judgest every man's work ;
Help tis, we pray thee, to pass the time of our sojourning
here in fear,
O God, the Father of Jesus Christ, whom, though not hav-
ing seen, we love ; in whom, though now we see him not, be-
lieving, we rejoice ; who was foreordained before the founda-
tion of the world, but was manifest in these last times ; make
us, like him, holy in all manner of conversation.
Purify our soids in obeying the truth, through the spirit, unto
SCRIPTURAL LITANIES. 295
unfeigned love of the brethren; and may loe love one another
with pure hearts fervently.
O Thou, whose eyes are over the righteous, and whose ears
are open to their prayers, but whose face is against them that
do evil, make us all of one mind, having compassion one of
another, loving as brethren, not rendering evil for evil, nor
railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing.
Adorn us ivith the hidden man of the heart, with that lohich
is not corruptible, xoith the ornament ofameeJc and quiet spirit.
Add to our faith, virtue ; and to virtue, knowledge ; and to
knowledge, temperance ; and to temperance, patience ; and to
patience, godliness ; and to godliness, brotherly kindness ; and
to brotherly kindness, charity.
3Iay ive all become a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual
sacrifices, acceptable to God, and to show forth the praises of
him ivho hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous
light.
May we follow him who has suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that we should follow in his steps, and, being dead
to sin, should live to righteousness ; when regaled, may we not
revile again, but by well-doing put to silence the ignorance of
foolish men ; may we refrain our tongue from evil, and our
lips that they speak no guile ; may we sanctify the Lord God
in our hearts, so that all may be ashamed who falsely accuse
our good conversation in Christ.
Grcnit, 0 Lord, that, if it be thy icill, we may suffer for
xoell-doing, rather than for evil-doing.
May the time past of our lives suffice us to have disobeyed
thee ; for the time to come may we be sober and watch unto
prayer ; may we have fervent charity among ourselves ; that
God may in all things be glorified through Jesus Christ, to
whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever.
May the God of cdl grace, loho hath called us to his eternal
glory by Christ Jesus, after that we have suffered for a while,
make us perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle us, and to him
he glory and dominion for ever. Amen.
SPECIAL PRAYERS.
COLLECT FOR PEACE.
OGOD, who art tlie 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 defence, may not fear
the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
MORNING COLLECT FOR GRACE.
OLORD our Heavenly Father, almighty and evei-lasting 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.
A PRAYER FOR RULERS.
OLORD, our Heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings,
Lord of lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers
upon the earth ; most heartily we beseech thee with thy favor to
behold the President, Vice-President, and Congress of the United
States, 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, that in all their de-
liberations they may be enabled to promote the national prosperity,
and to secure the peace, liberty, and safety of the United States
throughout all generations. This we humbly ask in the name of
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SPECIAL PRATERS. 297
A PRAYER FOR THE CLERGY AND PEOPLE.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, wlio art the autlior of every
good and perfect gift, send down upon all ministers of the
Gospel, and upon all congregations committed to their charge, the
needful spirit of thy grace ; and, that they may truly please thee,
pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this,
O Heavenly Father, for thine infinite mercy's sake in Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
A PRAYER FOR ALL CONDITIONS OF MEN.
OGOD, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, 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. ]\Iore especially we pray for the good estate
of thy holy Church ; 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. Finall}', we com-
mend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are any ways afflicted
or distressed in mind, body, or estate ; that it may please thee to
comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities;
giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out
of all their afflictions ; and this we humbly ask as disciples of Jesus
Christ our Lord. Ameii.
A GENERAL THANKSGIVING.
ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, we thine unworthy ser-
vants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy
goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all men. "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
298 SPECIAL PRAYERS.
of glory. And wo 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 righteousness all our days, through Jesus Christ our
Lord; in whose name we ascribe unto thee all honor and glory,
world without end. Amen.
A CONCLUDING PRAYER.*
A LIMIGHTY 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 ; fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and
petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them, grant-
ing us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to
come life everlastinn;. Ainen.
PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS.
ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
desirest not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should
turn from his wickedness and live ; pardon and absolve all those
who truly repent, and unfeignedly beheve the holy Gospel. We
beseech thee to grant us true repentance, and thy Holy Spirit ; that
those things may please thee which we do at this present, and that
the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy ; so that at the
last we may come to tliine eternal joy, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
* Known as the Prayer of St. Chrysostom.
SPECIAL PKAYEKS. 299
ANOTHER.
Q ALMIGHTY God, and most merciful Father, unto whom aU
^ hearts are open, and from whom no secrets are hid, with
simplicity and godly sincerity would we seek thee, confessinc^ our
unthankfulness, and our manifold offences. We deplore the sins
which we have at any time committed, in thought or affection, in
word or deed, against each other and against thee. And we hum-
bly beseech thee, through thy mercy declared unto us by thy Son
Jesus Christ, to look graciously upon us, and forgive us, and assist
us to lay aside every weight, and the sins which so easily beset us •
to mortify our evU and corrupt affections, and to subdue our
thoughts and desires to the obedience of the Gospel. May we be
convinced, O God, that till we know thee, we know nothincx ari<vht;
that without thee, we have nothing of any worth; and in°wander-
mg from thee, we leave aU that is truly good. Let us cast ourselves
mto the arms of thy mercy, and offer thee our whole bein-, our
bodies and our souls, that they may be thy temple for ever. ° And
wilt thou take us, O Lord, entirely into thy hands, with aU that we
have, and let nothing henceforward, either in life or death, ever
separate us from thee any more. Amen.
INTERCESSION FOR FRIENDS.
A LMGHTY God, fountain of all goodness and all excellency,
-^^ extend thine abundant favor and Lving-kindness to our friends'
Reward them for all the good which from thy merciful providence
they have conveyed unto us. Let the light of thy countenance shine
upon them, and never let them come into any affliction or sadness,
but such as may be an instrument of thy glory, and their eternal
comfort. Forgive them all their sins. Preserve them from spiritual
dangers. Give supply to all their needs, guarding their persons
sanctifying theii< hearts, and leading them in the way of rlghteous-
uess, by the waters of comfort, to the land of eternal rest and ^lory.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. °
300 SPECIAL PRATERS.
JN BEREAVEMENT.
SANCTIFY to tliy servants, O God, the loss of one of our number
by death. Look with pity upon our sorrows ; and grant that the
affliction which it has pleased thee to bring upon us may awaken
our consciences, and soften our hearts, and impress upon us such
convictions of thy holiness and power, that we may place in thee
our only felicity, and strive to please thee in all our ways. And
give us grace constantly to look forward to that life which is beyond
death, and over which death has no power, revealed to us by thy
dear Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
FOR THE CHRISTIAN I^HNISTRY.
ALMIGHTY God, and Heavenly Father, who, of thine infinite
love and goodness towards us, hast given to us thy only and
most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer, and the
author of everlasting life ; who, after he had made perfect our re-
demption by his death, and was ascended into heaven, sent abroad
into the world his Apostles, Prophets, Evangehsts, Teachers, and
Pastors ; by whose labor and ministry he gathered together a great
flock in all the parts of the world, to set forth the eternal praise of
thy holy name : for these so great benefits of thy eternal goodness,
and for that thou hast vouchsafed to call many of thy servants to the
same office and ministry appointed for the salvation of mankind,
we render unto thee most hearty thanks, we praise and worship
thee ; and we humbly beseech thee, by the same thy blessed Son,
to grant unto all, which either here or elsewhere call upon thy holy
name, that we may continue to show ourselves thankful luito thee
for these and all other thy benefits ; and that we may daily increase
and go forward in the knowledge and faith of thee and thy Son, by
the Holy Spirit. So that as well by those thy ministers, as by them
over whom they are ajipointed, thy holy name may be for ever
glorified, and thy blessed kingdom enlarged ; through the same
thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who livcth and reigneth with thee
in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.
SPECIAL PRATERS. 301
FOR THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR.
OTHOU in whose sight a thousand years are but as a clay, all
things on earth arc passing away, but thou rcmainest one and
the same, and to thy years there is no end. Thy providence has
brought us to the close of another mortal }'ear, and we would raise
our thoughts above the flight of time, to the eternity in which thou
dwellest, and to those things which know no change, but from glory
to glory.
Merciful God ! open our hearts to hear the awful voice of the
departing year. Bring home to us a sense of our mortahty. And
teach us so to number our days that we may apply our hearts, with
all diligence, to the search after wisdom. Make the point of time
at which we now stand a gate of heaven. Bless to our sanctification
the solemn lessons of the past. Inspire our hearts, O God, with the
life of faith, that we may obtain a lasting dominion over the evil
that is in the world and in ourselves. Daily, hourly, may we watch
and pray lest we fall into temjitation.
O that it may be given us, in thy grace, to walk henceforth as
bccomcth our great vocation, as the children of God and the friends
of Jesus. Through whom unto thee, O Father everlasting, be all
praise and glory, now and for ever. A7nen.
FOR A NEW YEAR.
BLESSED be God, who has brought us safe to the beginning of
another year. Make us sensible, O thou eternal and holy One,
how short and uncertain is our mortal life. Pardon our misspent
time, and make us henceforth careful to redeem it. Grant that we
may begin this new year with new resolutions of serving thee more
faithfully. INIake us wise imto salvation ; that we may consider in
this our day the things that belong to our peace ; and that we may
pass the time of our sojourning hei'e in thy fear and love ; and be
ready to depart hence, whenever thou shalt say unto us. Return, ye
children of men. And this we ask in the holy name of Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
26
302 SPECIAL PRATERS.
FOR SUNDAY EVENING.
GLORY be to thy name for tlie especial blessings •vvliicli this
sacred day has brought to us. Pardon us, if in any manner
Ave have abused its privileges. Cause the truths which we have
heard to sink deep into our hearts, and bring forth in us the fruits
of a holy and religous life, a peaceful and blessed death, and a glo-
rious resurrection. These, and all our prayers, would we humbly
offer unto thee, O Father of Infinite Mercy, through the most gra-
cious and glorious mediation and intercession of our Redeemer, who
liveth and reigneth for ever at thy right hand. Amen.
ANOTHER.
B
LESSED be God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
' Christ, who hath vouchsafed to us the rest and the instruction of
this Christian Sabbath. Blessed be God for the means of hapjiiness
and improvement which have been offered this day to us and our
fellow-Chiistians. Make us mindful, we pray thee, of our duty ;
that as we often hear how we ought to walk and to please God, we
may continue to do so unto our lives' end. And wilt thou ever
keep, defend, and bless us, and all thy children throughout the
world, bringing us safely, by thy mighty power and grace, into the
Sabbath which hath no end, and into the temple from which thy
people go no more out, that we may there worship and glorify thee
for ever, through him who is the Resurrection and the Life, the Son
of thy perfect love, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
AN EVENING PRAYER.
0
MERCIFUL God ! Eternal Light, shining in darkness ! Thou
who dispellest the night of sin, and all blindness of heart!
since thou hast appointed the night for rest, and the day for labor,
we beseech thee, grant that our bodies may rest in peace and quiet-
SPECIAL PRAYERS. 303
ness, that afterward they may be able to endure the labor they must
bear. Temper our sleep, that it be not disorderly, that we may
remain spotless both in body and soul ; yea, that our sleep itself may
be to thy glory. Enlighten the eyes of our understanding, that we
may not sleep in death ; but always look for deliverance from this
misery. Defend us against all assaults of the devil, and take us into
thine holy protection. And, although we have not passed this day
without greatly sinning against thee, we beseech thee to hide our
sins with thy mercy, as thou hidest all things on earth -with the dark-
ness of the night, that we may not be cast out from thy presence.
Eelieve and comfort all those who are afflicted or distressed in mind,
body, or estate. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Consider and hear us, O Lord ; lighten our eyes, lest we sleep the
sleep of death.
We loill hotli kvj us down in peace and sleep ; for thou, Lord, only
malcest us to dwell in safety. Amen.
SENTENCES OF BENEDICTION.
I.
0 Lord, have mercy upon us ! have mercy upon us !
0 Lord, save tliy people and bless thine heritage/
The Lord will bless his people with peace ! Amen.
IL
Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound ! They
shall walk, 0 Lord, in the light of thy countenance !
0 Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us, as our trust is in
thee !
The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you,
and give you peace ! Amen.
III.
Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think, according to the power that
worketh in us ;
Unto Him he glory in the Church, hy Christ Jesus, through-
out all ages, world toithoid end.
Blessing, and glory, and honor be unto our God for ever
and ever. Amen.
SENTENCES OF BENEDICTION. 305
IV.
Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty,
just and true are all thy ways, thou King of saints.
Who shall not fear thee, 0 Lord, and glorify thy name ? for
thou only art holy : for all nations shall come and worship
before thee.
Salvation to our God, who sitteth upon the throne, and unto
the Lamb. Amen.
V.
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be
like-minded one towards anothei", according to Christ Jesus.
By this shall all men knoio that ice are his discijyles, ifive
have love one to another.
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one
towards another, and towards all men. To the end he may
stablish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even
our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all
his saints. Amen.
VI.
Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and
which was, and which is to come ; and from the seven spirits
which are before his throne ;
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithfid witness, and the
frst-hegotten of the dead, and the Prince of the lings of the
earth, and icho hath made us kings and pi'iests unto God and
his Father ;
To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
306 SEXTEXCES OF BENEDICTIOX.
VII.
Glory be to God, who hath saved us, and called us with a
holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his
own purpose and grace, which was given us m Christ Jesus
before the world began ;
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Sav-
iour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought
life and immoiiality to light through the Gospel.
Grace be with you ! Amen.
vm.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again
unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
dead.
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then may ice
also appear with him in glory !
Which he shall show who is the blessed and only Potentate ;
the King of kings, and Lord of lords ; who only hath immor-
tality, dweUing in the light which no man can approach unto:
whom no man hath seen nor can see : to whom be honor and
power everlasting. Amen.
IX.
Grace be whh all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in
sincerity.
In whom we have redemption, through his blood, even the
forgiveness of sins.
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our
Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting
consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts
and stablish you in every good word and work. Amen.
SENTEXCES OF BENEDICTION. 307
X.
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in be-
lieving, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of
the Holy Spirit.
Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will
divell loith them, and they shall he his people, and God himself
shall he with them and he their God.
And iu him shall all the families of the eai'th be blessed.
Amen.
XL
Open, O Lord, the gates of righteousness, that the right-
eous may enter in !
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may
have right to the tree of life, and may enter in throiiyh the gates
into the city.
Glory be to him that is the Resurrection and the Life, to
him that is holy, to him that is true, to him that openeth and
no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth, that liveth,
and was dead, and is alive for evermore ! Amen.
XIL
The Lord bless you, and keep you : the Lord make his
face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, sloio to anger and plen-
teous in mercy.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
XIIL
Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace by all
means.
TJie Lord deliver us from every evil xvorh, and preserve us
unto his heavenly kingdom, to ichom he glory for ever and ever.
The Lord be with you all ! Amen.
308 SENTENCES OF BENEDICTION.
XIV.
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead
our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through
the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in
every good work to do his will.
And there shall be one Fold and one Shepherd.
Glory be to God in the highest ! on earth peace, good-
will to men ! Amen.
XV.
The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal
glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile,
make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
To Mm he glory and dominion for ever and ever.
Now unto him that is able to keep you from foiling, and to
present you faultless before the presence of his glory with ex-
ceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and
majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
THE END.
h'i.'--^
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