O LORD, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people; that we, which are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name; through Jesu Christ our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth, &c.

The Epistle. 1 Cor. ix.

PERCEIVE ye not, how that they which run in a course run all, but one receiveth the reward? So run that ye may obtain. Every man that proveth masteries abstaineth from all things: and they do it to obtain a crown that shall perish, but we to obtain an everlasting crown. I therefore so run, not as at an uncertain thing; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I tame my body, and bring it into subjection, lest by any means it come to pass, that when I have preached to other, I myself should be a cast-away.

c reigneth, world without end. 1552.

The Gospel. Matt. xx.

THE kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when the agreement was made with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw other standing idle in the marketplace, and said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found other standing idle, and said unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They said unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard said unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning at the last until the first. And when they did come that came about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came also, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the good-man of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal with us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered unto one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong; didst thou not agree with me for a penny Take that thine is, and go thy way; I will give unto this last even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do as me lusteth with mine own goods? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first shall be last: for many be called, but few be chosen.

¶ The Sunday called Sexagesima.

At the Communion.

Domini est terra. Psalm xxiv.

THE earth is the Lord's, and

all that therein is : the compass of the world, and they that dwell therein.

upon

For he hath founded it the seas and prepared it upon

?

the floods.

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord: or who shall rise up in his holy place?

Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart and that hath not lift up his mind unto vanity, nor sworn to deceive his neighbour.

He shall receive the blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

This is the generation of them that seek him even of them that seek thy face, O Jacob.

Lift up your heads (0 ye gates), and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors and the King of glory shall come in.

:

LORD GOD, which seest that we put not our trust in any thing that we do; Mercifully grant that by thy power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Epistle. 2 Cor. xi.

d

YE suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. For ye suffer if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour, if a man take, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. I speak as concerning rebuke, as though we had been weak in this behalf: howbeit, whereinsoever any man dare be bold, (I speak foolishly,) I dare be bold also. They are Hebrews; even so am I. They are Israelites; even so am I. They are the seed of Abraham; even so am I. They are the ministers of Christ; (I speak as a fool;) I am more: in labours more abundant; in stripes above measure; in prison more plenteously; in death oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one; thrice was I beaten with rods; I was once stoned; I suffered thrice shipwreck; night and day have I been in the deep sea; in journeying often; in perils of waters; in perils of robbers; in jeopardies of mine own nation; in jeopardies among the heathen; in perils in the city; in perils in wilderness; in perils in the sea; in perils among false brethren; in labour and travail; in watchings often; in hunger and thirst; in fastings often; in cold and nakedness; beside the things which outwardly happen unto me, I am cumbered daily, and do care for all congregations. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs boast, I will boast of the things that concern mine infirmities. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

The Gospel. Luke viii.

WHEN much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of all cities, he spake by a similitude: The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell by the way-side, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it up. And some fell on stones, and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moistness. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. And some fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundred-fold. And as he said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And his disciples asked him, saying, What manner of similitude is this? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God: but to other by parables; that when they see they should not see, and when they hear they should not understand. The parable is d seeing yourselves 1552.

e like a fool 1552.

this: The seed is the word of God.

Those that are beside the

way are they that hear; then cometh the Devil and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe, and be saved. They on the stones are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no roots, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation go away. And that which fell among thorns, are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares, and riches, and voluptuous living, and bring forth no fruit. That which fell in the good ground, are they, which with a pure and good heart, hear the word, and keep it, and bring forth fruit through patience.

¶ The Sunday called Quinquagesima.

Be thou my judge, O Lord, for I have walked innocently: my trust hath been also in the Lord, therefore shall I not fall.

Examine me, O Lord, and prove me try out my reins and my heart.

For thy loving-kindness is before mine eyes and I will walk in thy truth.

I have not dwelt with vain persons neither will I have fellowship with the deceitful.

I have hated the congregation of the wicked: and will not sit among the ungodly.

I will wash my hands in innocency, O Lord and so will I go to thine altar;

: