worthy of the vocation wherewith ye as CHRIST also hath loved us, and are called, with all lowliness and hath given himself for us an offering meekness, with longsuffering, forbear- and a sacrifice to GOD for a sweeting one another in love; endeavour-smelling savour. But fornication, ing to keep the unity of the SPIRIT in and all uncleanness, or covetousness, the bond of peace. There is one let it not be once named among you, body, and one SPIRIT, even as ye are as becometh saints; neither filthiness, called in one hope of your calling; nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which one LORD, one faith, one baptism, one are not convenient; but rather giving GOD and FATHER of all, who is above of thanks. all, and through all, and in you all. Ry. In Thee, O LORD. p. lxxvii. ΑΝ Lesson III. ND he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of CHRIST: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the SoN of GOD, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of CHRIST that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even CHRIST. Ry. My lips. p. lxxvii. FRIDAY. Of the Epistle to the Ephesians. BE ye therefore followers of GOD, as Ry. I will thank Thee. p. lxxviii. FOR this ye know, that no whore monger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of CHRIST and of GOD. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of GOD upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the LORD: walk as children of light. Ry. Great is Thy mercy. p. lxxviii. Lesson III. OR the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) proving what is acceptable unto the LORD. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and CHRIST shall give thee light. Ry. The LORD is my refuge. p. lxxviii. Of the Epistle to the Ephesians. Lesson I. Chap vi. YHILDREN, obey your parents in the LORD for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with pro mise; that it may be well with thee, | in CHRIST JESUS which are at Philippi, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD. Ry. Destroy me not. p. lxxvi. Lesson II. SERVANTS, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto CHRIST; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of CHRIST, doing the will of GOD from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the LORD, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the LORD, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. Ry. My heart. p. lxxvii. Lesson III. with the bishops and deacons: grace be unto you, and peace, from God our FATHER, and from the LORD JESUS CHRIST. I thank my GoD upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of JESUS CHRIST: even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. Ry. O LORD, rebuke me not. p. lxxiii. FOR GOD is my record, how greatly FINALLY, my brethren, be strong day of CHRIST; being filled with the in the LORD, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of GOD, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ry. Unto Thee. p. lxxvii. FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. FIRST NOCTURN. Here beginneth the Epistle of S. Paul the Apostle to the Philippians. Lesson I. Chap. i. PAUL and Timotheus, the servants of JESUS CHRIST, to all the saints fruits of righteousness, which are by JESUS CHRIST, unto the glory and praise of GOD. But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in CHRIST are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; and many of the brethren in the LORD, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Ry. GOD, Who sittest. p. lxxiii. Lesson III. SOME indeed preach CHRIST even of envy and strife; and some also of of contention, not sincerely, supposing good will: the one preach CHRIST to add affliction to my bonds: but the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, CHRIST is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. Ry. The LORD is on my right hand. p. lxxiii. SECOND NOCTURN. Lesson VI. HERE, then, the elect are bound down with troubles, because they are as yet burdened with the penalty of corruption. But when we put off the corruptible flesh, we shall be, as it were, released from those fetters of trouble wherewith we are bound. From the Book of the Morals of S. For we desire now to be presented WE Gregory the Pope. Well before GOD, but are hindered by the Book 4, Chap. 30. E fill our body with refreshments, lest it perish of inanition; we lower it by abstinence, lest it weigh us down with fulness. We rouse it by moving about, lest it die of inactivity; and then again we give it rest by sitting down, lest it give way through that very rousing. We cover it with the help of clothing, lest cold should Ry. destroy it; and cast off that very help lxxiv. which we sought, lest heat should burn us up. Subject then to so many Lesson diversities, what are we but servants of corruption, so that the manifold service we bestow on the body can but himself in bonds. The earth is the LORD's. p. THIRD NOCTURN. of the Holy Gospel according to S. Matthew. Lesson VII. Chap. viii. just enable it to endure that anxiety AT that time: When He Ry. Thou shalt shew me. p. lxxiv. Lesson V. WHEREFORE Paul saith well: The creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him Who hath subjected the same in hope; because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of GOD. Truly the creature is not subject to vanity willingly; for man, who willingly left His native state of changelessness, is justly burdened with the weight of mortality, and serves unwillingly his corrupt and changeful state. But the creature is delivered from the bondage of corruption, when it is raised at was entered into a ship, His disciples followed Him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves, but He was asleep. And that which follows. A Homily of S. Jerome the Priest. The fifth miracle He performed when, going on board the ship at Capernaum, He commanded the winds and the sea. The sixth, when, in the country of the Gergesenes, He gave the unclean spirits power over the swine. The seventh, when, entering into His own city, He cured the second paralytic in his bed. For the first paralytic was the Centurion's servant. Ry. Unto Thee. p. lxxiv. Lesson VIII. the resurrection, incorruptible, to the BUT He was asleep, and they came glory of the sons of God. Ry. I will love Thee. p. lxxiv. to Him and awoke Him, saying, LORD, save us, we perish. We read a type of this miracle in Jonah, when while the others were in danger, he himself is secure, and is fast asleep, and is awakened; and by his command, and by the mystery of his passion, delivers those who wake him. Then arising, He commanded the winds and sea. From this place we understand that all creatures perceive their CREATOR. For those which He rebuked, and those which He commanded, perceive Him as He commands; not, as heretics falsely suppose, because all things have a soul, but by reason of the majesty of their Maker, things which are insensible to us are sensible to Him. Ry. Two Seraphim. p. lxxv. FURTHER, the men were astonished, saying, What manner of man is this, that the winds and sea obey Him? It was not the disciples, but the sailors, and others who were in the ship, that were astonished. But if any one wishes to contend that it was the disciples who were astonished, we will reply that they are justly called men who did not yet know the SAVIOUR's power. Te Deum. p. 15. MONDAY. Of the Epistle to the Philippians. Lesson I. Chap. iv. THEREFORE, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the LORD, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the LORD. And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Ry. O how plentiful. p. lxxv. REJOICE in the LORD alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. | The LORD is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of GOD, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through CHRIST JESUS. Ry. Thou art my Helper. p. lxxv. FINALLY, brethren, whatsoever are honest, whatsoever things are just, things are true, whatsoever things whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the GOD of peace shall be with you. But I rejoiced in the LORD greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Ry. I will bless. p. lxxv. TUESDAY. Here beginneth the Epistle of S. Paul the Apostle to the Colossians. Lesson I. Chap. i. PAUL, an Apostle of JESUS CHRIST by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in CHRIST which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace from GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST. We give thanks to GoD and the FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, praying always for you, JESUS, and of the love which ye have since we heard of your faith in CHRIST to all the saints, for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of GoD in truth: as ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who | is for you a faithful minister of CHRIST; who also declared unto us your love in the SPIRIT. Ry. Hear my prayer. p. lxxvi. Lesson II. FOR this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the LORD unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of GOD; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the FATHER, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Ry. The LORD hath set. p. lxxvi. Lesson III. you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the LORD. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the LORD JESUS, giving thanks to GoD and the FATHER by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the LORD. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, Ry. My heart is fixed. p. lxxvii. Lesson III. SERVANTS, obey in all things your WHO hath delivered us from the obey your parents in all things: power of darkness, and hath for this is well pleasing unto the translated us into the kingdom of his LORD. Fathers, provoke not your dear Son in whom we have redemp- children to anger, lest they be distion through his blood, even the for-couraged. giveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible GoD, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead. masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing GOD: and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the LORD, and not unto men: knowing that of the LORD ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the LORD CHRIST. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done and there is no respect of persons. Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. Ry. Unto Thee. p. lxxvii. |