and obedience, that we may receive our Blessed Saviour into our souls, nourish him with ardent affections, bring him forth in a life of piety and obedience, and confess him to be our light and glory, that he may dwell in us and we in him for ever, through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. IN THE THANKSGIVINGS. Neither do we forget to bless and praise thy name for that holy, immaculate, and blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of JESUS CHRIST, and for all thy saints, after whose example we commend ourselves, and one another, and our whole life unto Christ our God. For to thee, O Lord, belong glory, and honour, and worship, now and for ever. Amen. St. John Baptist. THE voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make straight in the desert an highway for our God. S. Matth. iii.; Is. xl. THE INVOCATION. O Thou, who didst fulfil all righteousness. APPROPRIATE PSALMS. On this day the " Benedictus" (p. 75.) should be said or sung. THE PRAYER. O Almighty God, &c. (p. 188.), or that at p. 201. is especially suitable. Apostles, Evangelists, &c. NOW therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. Eph. ii. FOR AN EVANGELIST Or one of the Inspired Writers. All Scripture is given by inspiration of Godand is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Tim. iii. No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 S. Pet. i. Take heed thereto as unto a light that shineth in a dark place. ib. THE INVOCATION. O Thou who art the Joy of Angels, the King of Patriarchs, the Inspirer of Prophets, the Master of the Apostles, the Teacher of Evangelists, the Strength of Martyrs, the Light of Confessors, the Spouse of Virgins, the Crown of Saints. Glory be to thee, O Lord. APPROPRIATE PSALMS. (Or if an Evangelist) Ps. 45. instead of 47. On these days the "Te Deum" (pp. 28, 43), and one of the following Prayers for Festivals, should be always said. THANKSGIVING FOR APOSTLES' DAYS. (Bp. Cosin, Dean Hickes.) O ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, we beseech thee of thy goodness to accept of the high praise, and hearty thanks which we offer to thee for all thy graces and virtues, which thou hast declared in all thy saints, and by them bestowed upon thy holy Church from the beginning of the world, who have shined forth as lights in the several generations of the world; such as were the Holy Patriarchs, and Prophets, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Baptist, the Apostles, Evangelists, Martyrs, Confessors, and Virgins, whom we remember with honour, # Especially thy and commemorate with joy, servant, for whose and for whom, as also for all Apostleship, Inspiother thy happy servants, our fa- ration, [or preaching of repentance, witthers and brethren, who have de- ness, confession, sufparted this life with the seal of fering, for thy sake, &c.] we yield thee faith, [and do now rest in the sleep of peace,] we praise and magnify To thy glorious Name, most humbly desirous that we may still continue in their holy communion, and enjoy the comforts thereof while we are on earth, and have grace to follow their blessed examples of godliness of life, and stedfastness of faith; and that at the last day, we with them, and they with us, may attain to the resurrection of the just, and have our perfect consummation of bliss, both in body and soul, in thine eternal kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. thanks this day. be used as the case may be. ON EVANGELISTS' DAYS. Or on those of S. Paul, S. James, S. Peter, S. John, S. Jude. (From N. Spinckes.) ALMIGHTY God, who in the Holy Scriptures hast graciously revealed whatever is necessary for us to believe and practise in order to our salvation, [and by thy Holy Spirit didst inspire thy servant (S.) to write, and thy church to receive, the truths of thy Gospel, through him delivered to the saints.] Do thou open our eyes that we may see the wondrous things of thy law; give us grace entirely to submit our understanding to thy divine authority, and govern our lives by the rules of thy Gospel; obeying and submitting to thy blessed will in all things. Teach us to obey all thy commandments, to believe all thy revelations, and make us partakers of all thy gracious promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Martyrs, &c. BI LESSED is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James i. Though he was punished in the sight of men, yet was his hope full of immortality. How is he numbered with the children of God, and his lot is among the saints! Wisd. iii. and v. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be. John xii. Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Matt. x. THE INVOCATION. O Thou who art &c. (p. 187.) Glory be, &c. APPROPRIATE PSALMS. 4, 11, 21, 33, 34, 46. A PRAYER TO BE SAID UPON THE DAYS OF THE O ETERNAL God, to whom do live the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord, and in whom the souls of them that be elected after they be delivered from the burden of the flesh, be in peace, and rest from their labours, and their works follow them, and their memory is blessed; We bless and magnify thy holy and ever-glorious Name, for the great grace and blessing manifested to thy Apostles and Martyrs, and other holy persons, who have glorified thy Name in the days of their flesh, and this day we have thy servant [name the Apostle, &c.] in remembrance; whom thou didst lead through the troubles and temptations of this world; and hast lodged in the bosom of a certain hope and great beatitude until the day of restitution of all things. Blessed be thy mercy and eternal goodness, O God; and the memory of all thy saints is blessed. Teach us to practise their doctrine, to imitate their lives, following their example, and being united as |