and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. The same Collect, Epistle, and Gospel shall serve for every day after unto the Epiphany. The Epiphany, OR THE MANIFESTATION OF CHRIST TO THE GENTILES. The Collect. God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy onlybegotten Son to the Gentiles; Mer cifully grant, that we, which know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Epistle. Ephes. iii. 1. FOR this cause, I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles; if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to youward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ, by the Gospel: whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent, that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose hich he purposed in Christ Je sus our Lord: In whom we have When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not The First Sunday The Collect. Lord, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people which call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also inay have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Epistle. Rom. xii. 1. I Beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office; so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. The Gospel. St. Luke ii. 41. NOW his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the The Second Sunday The Collect. ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth; Mercifully hear the supplications of thy people, and grant us thy peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Epistle. Rom. xii. 6. HA AVING then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. after the Epiphany. feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, after the custom fulfilled the days, as they returnof the feast. And when they had ed, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, and stature, and in favour with God and man. after the Epiphany. let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affec tioned one to another with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another: not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you; bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one towards another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. The Gospel. St. John ii. 1. ND the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto The Third Sunday The Collect. ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. the servants, Whatsoever he saith after the Epiphany. multitudes followed him. And behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, See The Epistle. Rom. xii. 16. thou tell no man, but go thy way, BE E not wise in your own con- shew thyself to the priest, and ofceits. Recompense to no fer the gift that Moses commandman evil for evil. Provide things ed, for a testimony unto them. honest in the sight of all men. If And when Jesus was entered into it be possible, as much as lieth in Capernaum, there came unto him you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not your-saying, Lord, my servant lieth at a centurion beseeching him, and selves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. The Gospel. St. Matth. viii. 1. WE HEN he was come down from the mountain, great home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof; but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say unto this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto thecenturion, Go thyway, and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the self-same hour. The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany. The Collect. God, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright; Grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Epistle. Rom. xiii. 1. him. And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us, we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the thou come hither to torment us LET every soul be subject unto winds and the sea obey him! the higher powers; for there And when he was come to the is no power but of God: the powers other side into the country of the that be are ordained of God. Who- Gergesenes, there met him two soever therefore resisteth the pow-possessed with devils, coming out er resisteth the ordinance of God: of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so and they that resist shall receive to that no man might pass by that themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but way. And behold, they cried out, to the evil. Wilt thou then not saying, What have we to do with be afraid of the power? do that thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art which is good, and thou shalt have before the time? And there was a praise of the same: for he is the good way off from them an herd minister of God to thee for good. of many swine, feeding. So the But if thou do that which is evil, devils besought him, saying, If be afraid; for he beareth not the thou cast us out, suffer us to go sword in vain: for he is the miniaway into the herd of swine. And ster of God, a revenger to execute he said unto them, Go. And when wrath upon him that doeth evil. they were come out, they went inWherefore ye must needs be subto the herd of swine: and behold, ject, not only for wrath, but also the whole herd of swine ran viofor conscience sake. For for this lently down a steep place into the cause pay ye tribute also; for they sea, and perished in the waters. are God's ministers, attending And they that kept them fled, and continually upon this very thing. went their ways into the city, and Render therefore to all their dues; told every thing, and what was betribute to whom tribute is due, cusfallen to the possessed of the devils. tom to whom custom,fear to whom And behold, the whole city came fear, honour to whom honour. out to meet Jesus: and when they The Gospel. St. Matth. viii. 23. saw him, they besought him, that AND when he was entered into he would depart out of their a ship, his disciples followed coasts. The Collect. Lord, we beseech thee to keep thy Church and houshold continually in thy true religion; that they who do lean only upon the hope of thy heavenly grace may evermore be defended by thy mighty power; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Epistle. Col. iii. 12. PUT on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And The Sirth Sunday The Collect. God, whose blessed Son was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil, and make us the sons of God, and heirs of eternal life; Grant us, we beseech thee, that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves, even as he is pure; that, when he shall appear again with power and great glory, we may be made like unto him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, he liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen. The Epistle.. 1 St. John iii. 1. BEHOLD, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, The Gospel. St. Matth. xiii. 24. likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the housholder came, and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, 'Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. after the Epiphany. the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know, that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that commit teth sin is of the devil: for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. |