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hundred forty and four thousand, THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice

The Collect.

we beseech thee, that we, having his wonderful conversion in rememfulness unto thee for the same, by brance, may show forth our thankfollowing the holy doctrine_ which he taught, through JESUS CHRIST

O GOD, who, through the preachfrom heaven, as the voice of many ing of the blessed apostle Saint Paul, waters, and as the voice of a great hast caused the light of the Gospel to thunder and I heard the voice of shine throughout the world; grant, harpers harping with their harps: and they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song, but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women, for they are virFor the Epistle. Acts ix. 1. gins: these are they which follow AND Saul, yet breathing out the Lamb whithersoever he goeth: threatenings and slaughter against these were redeemed from among the disciples of the LORD, went unto men, being the first-fruits unto GOD, the high priest, and desired of him and to the Lamb. And in their mouth letters to Damascus to the synawas found no guile; for they are without fault before the irone of God.

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our Lord. Amen.

gogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he jourThe Gospel. St. Matt. ii. 13. neyed, he came near Damascus: and THE angel of the LORD appeareth suddenly there shined round about to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, him a light from heaven. And he and take the young child and his mo- fell to the earth, and heard a voice ther, and flee into Egypt, and be thou saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why there until I bring thee word; for persecutest thou me ? And he said, Herod will seek the young child to Who art thou, Lord? And the LORD destroy him. When he arose, he said, I am JESUS whom thou perse. took the young child and his mother cutest: it is hard for thee to kick by night, and departed into Egypt; against the pricks. And he, trem and was there until the death of He- bling and astonished, said, Lord, rod that it might be fulfilled which what wilt thou have me to do? And was spoken of the LORD by the pro- the LORD said unto him, Arise, and phet, saying, Out of Egypt have I go into the city, and it shall be told called my Son. Then Herod, when thee what thou must do. And the he saw that he was mocked of the men which journeyed with him stood wise men, was exceeding wroth, and speechless, hearing a voice, but see. sent forth, and slew all the children ing no man. And Saul arose from that were in Bethlehem, and in all the earth; and when his eyes were the coasts thereof, from two years old opened, he saw no man: but they and under, according to the time led him by the hand, and brought which he had diligently inquired of him into Damascus. And he was the wise men. Then was fulfilled three days without sight, and neither that which was spoken by Jeremy did eat nor drink. And there was a the prophet, saying, In Rama was certain disciple at Damascus, nained there a voice heard, lamentation, and Ananias, and to him said the LORD weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they

are not.

in a vision, Ananias: And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the LORD said unto him, Arise. and go into the street which is called Straight,

shall receive a hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.

THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST

COMMONLY

IN THE TEMPLE,
CALLED THE PURIFICATION OF
SAINT MARY THE VIRGIN.

The Collect.

and inquire in the house of Judas for man shall sit in the throne of his one called Saul, of Tarsus: for be- glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve hold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a thrones, judging the twelve tribes of vision a man named Ananias, coming Israel. And every one that hath forin, and putting his hand on him, that saken houses, or brethren, or sisters, he might receive his sight. Then or father, or mother, or wife, or childAnanias answered, Lord, I have ren, or lands, for my name's sake, heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the LORD said unto him, go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel : for I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. ALMIGHTY and everliving And Ananias went his way, and en- GOD, we humbly beseech thy majes tered into the house; and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, this day presented in the temple in ty, that as thy only-begotten Son was the LORD (even JESUS, that appear-substance of our flesh; so we may ed unto thee in the way as thou cam- be presented unto thee with pure and est) hath sent me, that thou mightest clean hearts, by the same thy Son receive thy sight, and be filled with JESUS CHRIST our Lord. Amen the HOLY GHOST. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been For the Epistle. Mal. iii. 1. \ scales; and he received sight forth- BEHOLD, I will send my mes. with, and arose, and was baptized. senger, and he shall prepare the way And when he had received meat, he before me: and the LORD whom ye was strengthened. Then was Saul seek, shall suddenly come to his tem. certain days with the disciples which ple; even the messenger of the covewere at Damascus. And straight- nant, whom ye delight in behold, way he preached CHRIST in the he shall come, saith the LORD of synagogues, that he is the SON OF hosts. But who may abide the day GOD. But all that heard him were of his coming? and who shall stand amazed, and said, Is not this he that when he appeareth? for he is like a destroyed them which called on this refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap. name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very CHRIST.

And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge then as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righte ousness. Then shall the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, The Gospel. St. Matt. xix. 27. and as in former years. And I will PETER answered, and said unto come near to you to judgment: and JESUS, Behold, we have forsaken all, I will be a swift witness against the and followed thee; what shall we sorcerers, and against the adulterers, have therefore? And JESUS said and against false swearers, unto them, Verily I say unto you, against those that oppress the hire. that ye which have followed me, in ling in his wages, the widow, and the regeneration, when the Son of the fatherless, and that turn aside the

and

stranger from his right, and fear not and prayers night and day. And me, saith the LORD of hosts.

The Gospel. St. Luke ii. 22.

she, coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the LORD, and spake of him to all them that looked AND when the days of her puri- for redemption in Jerusalem. And fication, according to the law of Mo- when they had performed all things ses, were accomplished, they brought according to the law of the LORD, him to Jerusalem to present him to they returned into Galilee, to their the LORD, (as it is written in the law own city Nazareth. And the child of the LORD, Every male that open- grew, and waxed strong in spirit, eth the womb shall be called holy to filled with wisdom; and the grace the LORD,) and to offer a sacrifice, of GOD was upon him.

according to that which is said in the law of the LORD, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And behold, there was a man in Jerusa

SAINT MATTHIAS'S DAY.

The Collect.

O ALMIGHTY GOD, who into

SUS CHRIST our Lord. Amen.

lem, whose name was Simeon; and the place of the traitor Judas, didst the same man was just and devout, choose thy faithful servant Matthias, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the HOLY GHOST was upon him. to be of the number of the twelve And it was revealed unto him by the apostles; grant that thy Church, beHOLY GHOST, that he should not seeing always preserved from false aposdeath, before he had seen the LORD's ties, may be ordered and guided by CHRIST. And he came by the SPI. faithful and true pastors, through JERIT into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child JESUS, For the Epistle. Acts i. 15. to do for him after the custom of the IN those days Peter stood up in law, then took he him up in his arms, the midst of the disciples, and said, and blessed GOD, and said, LORD, (the number of the names together now lettest thou thy servant depart in were about a hundred and twenty ;) peace, according to thy word: for Men and brethren, this Scripture mine eyes have seen thy salvation; must needs have been fulfilled, which which thou hast prepared before the the HOLY GHOST by the mouth of face of all people; a light to lighten David spake before concerning Judas, the Gentiles, and the glory of thy who was guide to them that took JE people Israel. And Joseph and his mo- SUS, For he was numbered with thor marvelled at those things which us, and had obtained part of this were spoken of him. And Simeon ministry, Now this man purchased blessed them, and said unto Mary a field with the reward of iniquity; his mother, Behold, this child is set and falling headlong, he burst asun for the fall and rising again of many der in the midst, and all his bowels in Israel; and for a sign which shall gushed out. And it was known to all be spoken against, (yea, a sword the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch shall pierce through thy own soul as that field is called in their proper also,) that the thoughts of many tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The hearts may be revealed. And there field of blood. For it is written in the was one Anna, a prophetess, the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of desolate, and let no man dwell there. Aser; she was of a great age, and in: and his bishopric let another take. had lived with a husband seven years Wherefore of these men, which have from her virginity; and she was a companied with us all the time that widow of about fourscore and four the Lord JESUS went in and out years, which departed not from the among us, beginning from the baptism temple, but served GOD with fastings of John, unto that same day that he

was taken up from us, must one be sign of the LORD thy GOD; ask it ordained to be a witness with us of either in the depth, or in the height his resurrection. And they appoint- above. But Ahaz said, I will not ed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And he said, Hear ye now, O house And they prayed, and said, Thou, of David; Is it a small thing for you LORD, which knowest the hearts of to weary men, but will ye weary my all men, show whether of these two GOD also? Therefore the LORD him. thou hast chosen; that he may take self shall give you a sign: Behold, a part of this ministry and apostleship, virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, from which Judas by transgression and shall call his name Immanuel. fell, that he might go to his own place. Butter and honey shall he eat, that And they gave forth their lots; and he may know to refuse the evil, and the lot fell upon Matthias. And he was choose the good. numbered with the eleven apostles.

The Gospel. St. Luke i. 26. The Gospel. St. Matt. xi. 25. AND in the sixth month, the angel AT that time JESUS answered, and Gabriel was sent from GOD unto a said, I thank thee, O Father, LORD city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to of heaven and earth, because thou a virgin espoused to a man whose hast hid these things from the wise name was Joseph, of the house of and prudent, and hast revealed them David; and the virgin's name was unto babes. Even so, Father, for so Mary. And the angel came in unto it seemed good in thy sight. All her, and said, Hail, thou that art things are delivered unto me of my highly favored, the LORD is with Father; and no man knoweth the thee; blessed art thou among women. SON, but the FATHER, neither know. And when she saw him, she was eth any man the FATHER, save the troubled at his saying, and cast in SON, and he to whomsoever the SON her mind what manner of salutation will reveal him., Come unto me all this should be. And the angel said ye that labor and are heavy laden, and unto her, Fear not, Mary; for thou I will give you rest. Take my yoke hast found favor with GOD. And upon you, and learn of me; for I am behold thou shalt conceive in thy meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burthen is light.

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womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the LORD GOD shall give unto him the throne of his father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. shall this be, seeing I know not a Then said Mary unto the angel, How said unto her, The HOLY GHOST man? And the angel answered and shall come upon thee, and the power therefore also that holy thing which of the Highest shall overshadow thee: shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of GOD. And behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with GOD no

thing shall be impossible. And Mary increase of the body, unto the edifysaid, Behold the handmaid of the ing of itself in love. LORD; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

SAINT MARK'S DAY.

The Collect.

O ALMIGHTY GOD, who hast instructed thy holy Church with the heavenly doctrine of thy evangelist Saint Mark; give us grace, that being not like children carried away with every blast of vain doctrine, we may be established in the truth of thy holy Gospel, through JESUS CHRIST our Lord. Amen.

Ephes. iv. 7.

The Gospel. St. John xv. 1.

shall

I AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I'in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth The Epistle. much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in UNTO every one of us is given me, he is cast forth as a branch, grace, according to the measure of and is withered; and men gather the gift of CHRIST. Wherefore he them, and cast them into the fire, and saith, When he ascended up on high, they are burned. If ye abide in me, he led captivity captive, and gave and my words abide in you, ye gifts unto men. (Now that he as- ask what ye will, and it shall be done cended, what is it but that he also unto you. Herein is my Father glo. descended first into the lower parts of rified, that ye bear much fruit; so the earth? He that descended is the shall ye be my disciples. As the same also that ascended up far above Father hath loved me, so have I loved all heavens, that he might fill all you: continue ye in my love. If ye things.) And he gave some apostles, keep my commandments, ye shall and some prophets, and some evan- abide in my love; even as I have gelists, and some pastors and teach-kept my Father's commandments, ers; for the perfecting of the saints, and abide in his love. These things for the work of the ministry, for the have I spoken unto you, that my joy edifying of the body of CHRIST; till might remain in you, and that your we all come in the unity of the faith, joy might be full. 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 O ALMIGHTY GOD, whom truly cunning craftiness, whereby they lie to know is everlasting life; grant in wait to deceive; but speaking the us perfectly to know thy Son JESUS truth in love, may grow up into him CHRIST to be the way, the truth, in all things, which is the head, even and the life; that following the steps CHRIST: from whom the whole body of thy holy apostles, Saint Philip and fitly joined together, and compacted Saint James, we may steadfastly by that which every joint supplieth, walk in the way that leadeth to eteraccording to the effectual working in nal life, through the same thy Son the measure of every part, maketh JESUS CHRIST our Lord. Amen.

SAINT PHILIP AND SAINT
JAMES' DAY.

The Collect.

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