house of his servant David; even as he promised by the mouth of his holy prophets, which were since the world began; that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; that he would deal mercifully with our fathers, and remember his holy covenant; and that he would perform the oath which he sware to our father Abraham for hto give us, that iwe, delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear all the days of our life, in such holiness and righteousness as are acceptable before him. And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto his people, for the remission of sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring from an high hath visited us; to give light to them that sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit; and was in wilderness till the day came when he should shew himself unto the Israelites.

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above deliver me, and take me out of the great waters, from the hand of strange children;

Whose mouth talketh of vanity and their right hand is a right hand of wickedness.

I will sing a new song unto thee, O God and sing praises unto thee upon a ten-stringed lute.

Thou that givest victory unto kings and hast delivered David thy servant from the peril of the sword.

Save me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children: whose mouth talketh of vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of iniquity.

That our sons may grow up as the young plants and that our daughters may be as the polished corners of the temple.

That our garners may be full and plenteous with all manner of store that our sheep may

ALMIGHTY God, which by thy Son Jesus Christ hast given to thy apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock; Make, we beseech thee, all bishops and pastors diligently to preach thy holy word, and the people obediently to follow the same, that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Epistle. Acts xii.

Ar the same time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the congregation. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And, because he m saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further, and took Peter also. Then were the days of sweet bread. And when he had caught him, he put him in prison also, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers, to be kept; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. And Peter was kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing of the congregation unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him out unto the people, the same night slept Peter between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And behold, the angel of the Lord was there present, and a light shined in the habitation; and he smote Peter on the side, and stirred him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And

1 and commandest 1552.

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his chains mfell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals: "and so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he came out, and followed him; and wist not that it was truth which was done by the angel; but thought he had seen a vision. When they were past the first and the second watch, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city, which opened to them by the own accord; and they went out, and passed through one street, and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the P waiting for of the people of the Jews.

The Gospel. Matt. xvi.

WHEN Jesus came into the coasts of the city which is called Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? They said, Some say that thou art John Baptist, some Elias, some Jeremias, or one of the number of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Happy art thou, Simon, the son of Jonas: for flesh and blood hath not opened that unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my congregation; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou bindest in earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou loosest in earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Blessed is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help : and whose hope is in the Lord his God;

Which made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein is which keepeth his promise for ever;

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Which helpeth them to right that suffer wrong: which feedeth the hungry.

The Lord looseth men out of prison the Lord giveth sight to the blind.

The Lord helpeth them up that are fallen: the Lord careth for the righteous.

The Lord careth for the strangers; he defendeth the fatherless and widow: as for the way of the ungodly, he turneth it upside down.

The Lord thy God, O Sion, shall be king for evermore : and throughout all generations.