given me to you-ward: How behold there came wise men that by revelation he made from the east to Jerusalem, known unto me the mystery saying, Where is he that is (as I wrote afore in few words, born King of the Jews? for whereby, when ye read, ye we have seen his star in the may understand my know-east, and are come to worship ledge in the mystery of Christ) him. When Herod the King which in other ages was not had heard these things, he made known unto the sons of was troubled, and all Jerusamen, as it is now revealed unto lem with him. And when he his holy Apostles and Prophets had gathered all the chief by the Spirit; that the Gen-priests and scribes of the peotiles should be fellow-heirs, ple together, he demanded of and of the same body, and them where Christ should be partakers of his promise in born. And they said unto Christ, by the Gospel; where- him, In Bethlehem of Judea: of I was made a minister, ac- For thus it is written by the cording to the gift of the grace prophet, And thou Bethlehem of God, given unto me by the in the land of Juda, art not effectual working of his power. the least among the princes Unto me, who am less than of Juda; for out of thee shall the least of all saints, is this come a Governor that shall grace given, that I should rule my people Israel. Then preach among the Gentiles the Herod, when he had privily unsearchable riches of Christ; called the wise men, inquired and to make all men see what of them diligently what time is the fellowship of the mys- the star appeared. And he tery, which from the begin-sent them to Bethlehem, and ning of the world hath been said, Go, and search diligently hid in God, who created all for the young child, and when things by Jesus Christ: to the ye have found him, bring me intent that now unto the prin-word again, that I may come cipalities and powers in hea- and worship him also. When venly places might be known, they had heard the King, they by the Church, the manifold departed; and lo, the star wisdom of God, according to which they saw in the east the eternal purpose which he went before them, till it came purposed in Christ Jesus our and stood over where the Lord; in whom we have bold-young child was. When they ness and access with confi-saw the star, they rejoiced dence by the faith of him. The Gospel. St. Matt. ii. 1. W with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young HEN Jesus was born in child with Mary his mother, Bethlehem of Judea, in and fell down and worshipped 'the days of Herod the King, him: And when they had opened their treasures, they and all members have not the presented unto him gifts, gold, same office; so we, being and frankincense, and myrrh many, are one body in Christ, And being warned of God in and every one members one a dream, that they should not of another. return to Herod, they depart- The Gospel. St. Luke ii. 41. ed into their own country another way. The First Sunday after the Epiphany. The Collect. LORD, we beseech thee Omercifully to receive the Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they supposing him to have been in the company, went a prayers of thy people who call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil day's journey, and they sought the same, through Jesus Christ him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they our Lord. Amen. found him not, they turned The Epistle. Rom. xii. 1. back again to Jerusalem seekI BESEECH you therefore ing him. And it came to pass, brethren, by the mercies that after three days, they of God, that ye present your found him in the temple, sitbodies a living sacrifice, holy, ting in the midst of the docacceptable unto God which tors, both hearing them, and is your reasonable service. asking them questions. And And be not conformed to this all that heard him were astonworld, but be ye transformed ished at his understanding and by the renewing of your mind, answers. And when they saw that ye may prove what is him, they were amazed: and that good, and acceptable, and his mother said unto him, Son, perfect will of God. For I why hast thou thus dealt with say, through the grace given us? behold, thy father and I unto me, to every man that is have sought thee sorrowing. among you, not to think of And he said unto them, How himself more highly than he is it that ye sought me? wist ought to think, but to think ye not that I must be about soberly, according as God hath my Father's business? And dealt to every man the mea-they understood not the saying sure of faith. For as we have which he spake unto them. many members in one body, And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and prayer; distributing to the was subject unto them: but necessity of saints; given to his mother kept all these say-hospitality. Bless them which ings in her heart. And Jesus persecute you; bless, and increased in wisdom, and sta-curse not. Rejoice with them ture, and in favour with God that do rejoice, and weep with and man. them that weep. Be of the same mind one towards an The Second Sunday after the other. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Epiphany. The Collect. ALMIGHTY and everlast go The Gospel. St. John ii. 1. who dost ND the third day there A vern all things in heaven and was a marriage in Cana earth; mercifully hear the of Galilee, and the mother of supplications of thy people, Jesus was there. And both and grant us thy peace all the Jesus was called, and his disdays of our life, through Jesus ciples, to the marriage. And Christ our Lord. Amen. when they wanted wine, the The Epistle. Rom. xii. 6. mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus H AVING then gifts, differ-saith unto her, Woman, what ing according to the have I to do with thee? mine His grace that is given to us hour is not yet come. whether prophecy, let us pro-mother saith unto the servants, phesy according to the pro- Whatsoever he saith unto you, portion of faith; or ministry, do it. And there were set let us wait on our ministering; there six water-pots of stone, or he that teacheth, on teach-after the manner of the puriing; or he that exhorteth, on fying of the Jews, containing exhortation: he that giveth, two or three firkins a-piece. let him do it with simplicity; Jesus saith unto them, Fill the he that ruleth, with deligence; water-pots with water. And he that showeth mercy, with they filled them up to the cheerfulness. Let love be with-brim. And he saith unto them, out dissimulation. Abhor that Draw out now, and bear unto which is evil, cleave to that the governor of the feast. And which is good. Be kindly af- they bare it. When the ruler fectioned one to another with of the feast had tasted the brotherly love, in honour pre-water that was made wine, ferring one another: not sloth-and knew not whence it was ful in business; fervent in spi- (but the servants which drew rit; serving the Lord; rejoic-the water knew) the governor ing in hope; patient in tribu- of the feast called the bridelation: continuing instant in groom, and saith unto him, |