As concerning thy testimonies, I have known long since : that thou hast grounded them for ever

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, &c.

As it was in the beginning,

is now, &c.

The Collect.

O GOD, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Grant that the working of thy mercy may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Epistle. Ephes. iv.

THIS I say, and testify through the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in vanity of their mind; while they are blinded in their understanding, being far from a godly life, by the means of the ignorance that is in them, and because of the blindness of their hearts: which, being past repentance, have given themselves over unto wantonness, to work all manner of uncleanness even with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard of him, and have been taught in him, as the truth is in Jesu: (as concerning the conversation sin time past :) to lay from you that old man, which is corrupt according to the deceivable lusts; to be renewed also in the spirit of your mind; and to put on that new man, which after God is shapen in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore put away lying, and speak every man truth unto his neighbour: forasmuch as we are members one of another. Be angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the backbiter. Let him that stole steal no more; but let him rather labour with his hands the thing which is good, that he may give unto him that needeth. Let no filthy communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to edify withal, as oft as need is, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And ugrieve not ye the Holy Spirit of God, by whom ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and fierceness, and wrath, and roaring, and cursed speaking, be put away from you, with all maliciousness. ye courteous one to another,

Be

merciful, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

The Gospel. Matt. ix.

JESUS entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. And behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying in a bed. And when Jesus saw the faith of them, a he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee. And behold, certain of the Scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And when Jesus saw their thoughts, he said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee? or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power to forgive sins in earth, then bsaith he unto the sick of the palsy, Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. But the people that saw it marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto

men.

Vide humilitatem meam.

The twentieth Sunday.

Ps. cxix.

O CONSIDER mine adversity, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

Avenge thou my cause, and deliver me quicken me, according unto thy word.

Health is far from the ungodly for they regard not thy statutes.

Great is thy mercy, O Lord: quicken me, as thou art wont.

Many there are that trouble

me, and persecute me yet do not I swerve from thy testimonies.

It grieveth me when I see the transgressors: because they keep not thy law.

a he said to the sick 1552.

b saith he to the sick 1552.

P

ALMIGHTY and merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness keep us from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may with free hearts accomplish those things that thou wouldest have done; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Epistle. Ephes. v.

TAKE heed, therefore, how ye walk circumspectly, not as unwise, but as wise men, winning occasion, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunken with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking unto yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs; singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts; giving thanks always for all things unto God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

The Gospel. Matt. xxii.

JESUS said to his disciples, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that was a king, which made a marriage for his son; and sent forth his servants to call them that were bid to the wedding; and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; mine oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm place, another to his merchandise and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them

:

c wise men, redeeming the time, because 1552.

d that were bidden 1552.

shamefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth; and sent forth his men of war, and destroyed those murderers, and burnt up their city. Then said he to his servants, The marriage indeed is prepared, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore out into the highways, and as many as ye find bid them to the marriage. And the servants went forth into the highways, and gathered together all, as many as they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding was furnished with guests. Then the king came in to see the guests; and when he spied there a man which had not on a wedding garment, he said unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having a wedding garment? And he was even speechless. Then said the king to the ministers, Take and bind him hand and foot, and cast him into utter darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many be called, but few are chosen.

GRANT, we 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 quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Epistle. Ephes. vi.

My brethren, be strong through the Lord, and through the power of his might. Put on all the armour of God, that ye may stand against the assaults of the devil. For we wrestle not against blood and flesh, but against rule, against power, against worldly rulers, even governors of the darkness of this world, against spiritual craftiness in heavenly things. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to resist in the evil day, and stand perfect in all things. Stand, therefore, and your loins gird with the truth; having on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shoes on your feet, that ye may be prepared for the gospel of peace; above all, take to you the shield of faith, wherewith ye may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: and pray always with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit; and watch thereunto with all instance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth freely, to utter the secrets of my gospel, (whereof I am a messenger in bonds,) that therein I may speak freely, as I ought to speak.

The Gospel. John iv.

THERE was a certain ruler, whose son was sick at Capernaum. As soon as the same heard that Jesus was come out of Jewry into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down and heal his son; for he was even at the point of

e against all the assaults 1552.