THE ASCENSION-DAY. The Collect. GRANT, we beseech thee, ALMIGHTY GOD, that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord JESUS CHRIST to have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the HOLY GHOST, one GOD, world without end. Amen. The Gospel. St. Mark xvi. 14. as they sat at meat, and upbraided JESUS appeared unto the eleven, them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, For the Epistle. Acts i. 1. Go ye into all the world, and preach THE former treatise have I made, the Gospel to every creature. He O Theophilus, of all that JESUS be- that believeth, and is baptized, shall gan both to do and teach, until the be saved; but he that believeth not, day in which he was taken up, after shall be damned. And these signs that he, through the HOLY GHOST, shall follow them that believe: in my had given commandments unto the name shall they cast out devils; they apostles whom he had chosen: to shall speak with new tongues; they whom also he showed himself alive shall take up serpents; and if they after his passion, by many infallible drink any deadly thing, it shall not proofs, being seen of them forty days, hurt them; they shall lay hands on and speaking of the things pertaining the sick, and they shall recover. to the kingdom of GOD; and being then, after the LORD had spoken unassembled together with them, com- to them, he was received up into manded them that they should not heaven, and sat on the right hand of depart from Jerusalem, but wait for GOD. And they went forth, and the promise of the Father, which, preached every where, the LORD saith he, ye have heard of me. For working with them, and confirming John truly baptized with water; but the word with signs following. ye shall be baptized with the HOLY The Collect. So hast exalted thine only Son JESUS O GOD, the King of glory, who CHRIST with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven; we beseech thee leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine HOLY GHOST to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour CHRIST is gone before; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the HOLY GHOST, one GOD, world without end. Amen. GHOST, not many days hence. When SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION-DAY. they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the HOLY GHOST is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven, as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of The Epistle. 1 St. Peter iv. 7. THE end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to an other without grudging. As every a rushing mighty wind, and it filled man hath received the gift, even so all the house where they were sitting. minister the same one to another, as And there appeared unto them cloven good stewards of the manifold grace of GOD. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of GOD; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which GOD giveth: that GOD in all things inay be glorified through JESUS CHRIST: to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. The Gospel. St. John xv. 26, and tongues, like as of fire, and it sat upon part of the 16th Chapter. WHEN the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the SPIRIT of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. And ye also shall bear witness; because ye have tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamnites, and been with me from the beginning. the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in These things have I spoken unto should not be offended. Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, you, that ye and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, They shall put you out of the syna-in Egypt, and in the parts of Lybia gogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth will think that about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of GOD. you, he doeth GOD service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me: but these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. WHITSUNDAY. O GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy HOLY SPIRIT; grant us by the same SPIRIT to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort, through the merits of CHRIST JESUS our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same SPIRIT, one GOD, world without end. Amen. The Gospel. St. John xiv. 15. JESUS said unto his disciples, If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the SPIRIT of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandFor the Epistle. Acts ii. 1. ments, and keepeth then, he it is that WHEN the day of Pentecost was loveth me; and he that loveth me, fully come, they were all with one shall be loved of my Father; and I accord in one place: and suddenly will love him, and will manifest my. there came a sound from heaven, as of self to him. Judas saith unto him At (not Iscariot,) Lord, how is it that thou GOD is no respecter of persons; but wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not in every nation, he that feareth him, unto the world? JESUS answered and worketh righteousness, is acceptand said unto him, If a man love me, ed with him. The word which GOD he will keep my words; and my Fa- sent unto the children of Israel, ther will love him, and we will come preaching peace by JESUS CHRIST, unto him, and make our abode with (he is LORD of all;) that word, him. He that loveth me not, keepeth say, ye know, which was published not my sayings: and the word which throughout all Judea, and began from ye hear is not mine, but the Father's Galilee, after the baptism which John which sent me. These things have preached: How GoD anointed JEI spoken unto you, being yet present sus of Nazareth with the HOLY with you. But the Comforter, which GHOST, and with power; who went is the HOLY GHOST, whom the Fa- about doing good, and healing all that ther will send in my name, he shall were oppressed of the devil; for GOD teach you all things, and bring all was with him. And we are witnesses things to your remembrance, what of all things which he did, both in the soever I have said unto you. Peace land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; I leave with you, my peace I give whom they slew, and hanged on unto you: not as the world giveth, a tree. Him GOD raised up the give I unto you. Let not your third day, and showed him openly; heart be troubled, neither let it be not to all the people, but unto wit afraid. Ye have heard how I said nesses chosen before of GOD; even unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than 1. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hatli nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of GOD to be the judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever believ eth in him, shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the HOLY GHOST fell on all them who heard the word. And they of the circumcision who believed, were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of O GOD, who as at this time didst them speak with tongues, and magthe HOLY GHOST. For they heard teach the hearts of thy faithful people, nify GOD. Then answered Peter, by sending to them the light of thy Can any man forbid water, that these HOLY SPIRIT; grant us by the same should not be baptized, who have reSPIRIT to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in ceived the HOLY GHOST as well as his holy comfort, through the merits we? And he commanded them to be of CHRIST JESUS Our Saviour, who baptized in the name of the LORD. liveth and reigneth with thee, in the Then prayed they him to tarry cer. unity of the same SPIRIT, one GOD, tain days. world without end. Amen. MONDAY IN WHITSUN-WEEK. The Collect. For the Epistle. Acts x. 34. THEN Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that The Gospel. St. John iii. 16. GOD so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. To him the porter openeth; and the For GOD sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only-begotten SON OF GOD. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in GOD. TUESDAY IN WHITSUN-WEEK. O GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy HOLY SPIRIT; grant us by the same SPIRIT to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort, through the merits of CHRIST JESUS our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same SPIRIT, one GOD, world without end. Amen. For the Epistle. Acts viii. 14. WHEN the apostles, who were at Jerusalem, heard that Samaria had received the word of GOD, they sent unto them Peter and John; who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the HOLY GHOST; (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them; only they were baptized in the name of the Lord JESUS :) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the HOLY GHOST. sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice: and a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake JESUS unto them; but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said JESUS unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep: all that ever came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to de stroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have i more abundantly. TRINITY-SUNDAY. The Collect. For the Epistle. Rev. iv. 1. AFTER this I looked, and behold. a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard, was as it were of a trumpet, talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I The Gospel. St. John x. 1. will show thee things which must be VERILY, verily, I say unto you, hereafter. And immediately I was He that entereth not by the door into in the Spirit; and behold, a throne the sheep-fold, but climbeth up some was set in heaven, and one sat on the other way, the same is a thief and a throne: and he that sat was to look robber. But he that entereth in by upon like a jasper and a sardine. the door, is the shepherd of the sheep. stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an old? can he enter the second time emerald. And round about the throne into his mother's womb, and be born? were four and twenty seats; and up- JESUS answered, Verily, verily, I on the seats I saw four and twenty say unto thee, except a man be born elders sitting, clothed in white rai- of water, and of the spirit, he cannot ment; and they had on their heads enter into the kingdom of GOD. That crowns of gold and out of the throne which is born of the flesh, is flesh; proceeded lightnings, and thunder- and that which is born of the SPIRIT, ings, and voices. And there were is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto seven lamps of fire burning before thee, ye must be born again. The the throne, which are the seven spi-wind bloweth where it listeth, and rits of GOD. And before the throne, thou hearest the sound thereof, but there was a sea of glass, like unto canst not tell whence it cometh, and crystal. And in the midst of the whither it goeth; so is every one throne, and round about the throne, that is born of the SPIRIT. Nicodewere four beasts full of eyes before mus answered and said unto him, and behind: and the first beast was How can these things be? JESUS anlike a lion, and the second beast like swered and said unto him, Art thou a calf, and the third beast had a face a master of Israel, and knowest not as a man, and the fourth beast was these things? Verily, verily, I say like a flying eagle. And the four unto thee, we speak that we do know, beasts had each of them six wings and testify that we have seen; and ye about him; and they were full of eyes receive not our witness. If I have within: and they rest not day and told you earthly things, and ye benight, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD lieve not; how shall ye believe, if I GOD ALMIGHTY, who was, and is, tell you of heavenly things? And no and is to come. And when those man hath ascended up to heaven, beasts give glory, and honor, and but he that came down from heaven, thanks to him that sat on the throne, even the Son of man, who is in heawho liveth for ever and ever, the four ven. And as Moses lifted up the and twenty elders fall down before serpent in the wilderness, even so him that sat on the throne, and wor- must the Son of man be lifted up; ship him that liveth for ever and ever, that whosoever believeth in him and cast their crowns before the should not perish, but have eternal throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O life. LORD, to receive glory, and honor, and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are, and were created. THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER The Gospel. St. John iii. 1. O GOD, the strength of all those THERE was a man of the Phari- fully accept our prayers; and bewho put their trust in thee, merci sees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to JESUS cause, through the weakness of our by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, thing without thee, grant us the help mortal nature, we can do no good we know that thou art a teacher come of thy grace, that in keeping thy from GOD: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except GOD commandments we may please thee, be with him. JESUS answered and both in will and deed, through JESUS CHRIST our Lord. Amen. said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of BELOVED, let us love one anGOD. Nicodemus saith unto him, other for love is of GOD, and eve How can a man be born when he is ry one that loveth is born of GOD, The Epistle. 1 John iv. 7. |