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GOD, who by the leading

of a Star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. Ephes. iii. 1.

AND it came to pass, as the OR this cause, I Paul, the

prisoner of Jesus Christ angels were gone away for you Gentiles; if ye have from them into heaven, the heard of the dispensation of the shepherds said one to another, grace of God, which is given Let us now go even unto Beth-Ime to you-ward: How that by

revelation he made known un- scribes of the people together, to me the mystery (as I wrote he demanded of them where afore in few words, whereby, Christ should be born. And when ye read, ye may under- they said unto him, In Bethle stand my knowledge in the hem of Judea: For thus it is mystery of Christ) which in written by the Prophet, And other ages was not made thou Bethlehem in the land of known unto the sons of men, as Juda, art not the least among it is now revealed unto his holy the princes of Juda; for out of Apostles and Prophets by thee shall come a Governor the Spirit; that the Gentiles that shall rule my people Isshould be fellow-heirs, and of rael. Then Herod, when he the same body, and partakers had privily called the wise men, of his promise in Christ, by the inquired of them diligently Gospel whereof I was made what time the star appeared. a minister, according to the gift And he sent them to Bethleof the grace of God, given unto hem, and said, Go, and search me by the effectual working of diligently for the young child, his power. Unto me, who am and when ye have found him, less than the least of all saints, bring me word again, that I is this grace given, that I should may come and worship him preach among the Gentiles the also. When they had heard unsearchable riches of Christ; the king, they departed; and and to make all men see what lo, the star which they saw in is the fellowship of the mystery, the east went before them, till which from the beginning of it came and stood over where the world hath been hid in God, the young child was. When who created all things by Jesus they saw the star, they rejoiced Christ: to the intent that now with exceeding great joy. And unto the principalities and pow-when they were come into the ers in heavenly places might be known, by the Church, the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord; in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. The Gospel. St Matt. ii. 1. WHEN Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came_wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

W

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and

house, they saw the young
child with Mary his mother,
and fell down and worshipped
him: And when they had
opened their treasures, they
presented unto him gifts; gold,
and frankincense, and myrrh.
And being warned of God in a
dream, that they should not re-
turn to Herod, they departed
into their own country another
way.

THE FIRST SUNDAY AF-
TER THE EPIPHANY.

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The Collect.

mercifully to receive the LORD, we beseech thee prayers of thy people who call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to d

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The Epistle. Rom. xii. 1. BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office; so we, being many, are one body in

Christ, and every one members

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good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory, and his disciples believed on him.

A was a marriage in Cala BE not, wise in your own

of Galilee, and the mother of conceits. Recompense to Jesus was there. And both Je- things honest in the sight of all no man evil for evil. Provide sus was called, and his disciples, men. If it be possible, as much to the marriage. And when as lieth in you, live peaceably they wanted wine, the mother with all men. Dearly beloved, of Jesus saith unto him, They avenge not yourselves, but rahave no wine. Jesus saith un- ther give place unto wrath; for to her, Woman, what have I it is written, Vengeance is to do with thee? mine hour is mine; I will repay, saith the not yet come. His mother Lord. Therefore, if thine enesaith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. thirst, give him drink: for in so my hunger, feed him; if he And there were set there six doing thou shalt heap coals of water-pots of stone, after the fire on his head. Be not overmanner of the purifying of the come of evil, but overcome Jews, containing two or three evil with good. firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was(but the servants which drew the water knew) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth

the priest, and offer the gift carry us through all temptathat Moses commanded for a tions, through Jesus Christ our testimony unto them. And Lord. Amen.

when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto

him a Centurion, beseeching

The Epistle. Rom. xiii. 1.

IET every soul be subject him, and saying, Lord, my for there is no power but of unto the higher powers: servant lieth at home sick of the God: the powers that be are palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I ordained of God. Whosoever, will come and heal him. The therefore, resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: Centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou and they that resist, shall reshouldest come under my roof; For rulers are not a terror to ceive to themselves damnation. but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. good works, but to the evil. For I am a man under authori-Wilt thou then not be afraid of ty, having soldiers under me': the power? do that which is and I say unto this man, Go, of the same: for he is the good,and thou shalt have praise and he goeth; and to another, minister of God to thee for Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he good. But if thou do that which doeth it. When Jesus heard 18 evil, be afraid; for he bearit, he marvelled, and said to he is the minister of God, a reeth not the sword in vain: for them that followed, Verily I Bay unto you, I have not found venger to execute wrath upon so great faith, no, not in Israel. fore ye must needs be subject, him that doeth evil. Where And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and not only for wrath, but also for west, and shall sit down with conscience' sake. For, for this Abraham,and Isaac, and Jacob, cause pay ye tribute also; for in the kingdom of heaven: But they are God's ministers, atthe children of the kingdom tending continually upon this shall be cast out into outer to all their dues; tribute to very thing. Render, therefore, darkness; there shall be weep-whom tribute is due, custom to ing and gnashing of teeth. And whom custom, fear to whom Jesus said unto the Centurion, Go thy way, and as thou hast fear, honour to whom honour. believed, so be it done unto The Gospel. St. Matt. viii. 23. thee. And his servant was healed in the self-same hour.

THE FOURTH SUNDAY
AFTER THE EPIPHANY.
The Collect.

GOD, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright; grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and

AND when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves; but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us, we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was

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