Imatges de pàgina
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ON THE EVES OF SAINTS' DAYS.

In the Thanksgivings.

(Bp. Patrick and others.)

BLESSED be thy name, O Lord God, as for that glorious manifestation of thyself in the flesh, and the eternal redemption that the Lord Jesus Christ hath obtained for us by His blood, so also for those who have overcome the kingdom of darkness by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, not loving their lives, even unto the death. Glory be to thee who didst commit thy heavenly treasure to earthly vessels, who approved themselves the ministers of God in much patience, in affliction, in necessities, in stripes, in labours, in watchings, in fastings. May we be followers of them even as they were of Christ, in pureness, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in love unfeigned, not with fleshly wisdom, but by thy grace, in simplicity and godly sincerity having our conversation in the world.

May we be willing to pass through evil report and through good report, shewing the same diligence that these thy saints have done, to the full assurance of hope unto the end, that we be not slothful, but followers of them, who through faith and patience inherit the promises; that so, by the assistance of thy Divine Spirit, being already come to the innumerable company of angels, and to the general assembly of thy saints, we may rest with them, and with them be glorified, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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ROGATION DAYS.

The Sentences and Prayers for these days are in their proper place among the Seasons of the Year immediately preceding Ascension day.

The following Prayer of Dean Hickes, for Friday, may be occasionally used on that day or during any of the foregoing Seasons.

GOD, who by our great Master's example hast

taught us what labour and suffering heaven deserves, and hast bid us take it by force; confound in us we humbly beseech thee, that nice tenderness of our nature which is averse to that discipline and hardship we ought to endure as soldiers of Jesus Christ, and since flesh and blood cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven, enable us by thy grace, to deny them even in their just cravings and contentments, in order to the highest degrees of perfection here; and to help us in our way thither, by self-denial and mortification; for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth, with thee, and thy Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

EMBER WEEKS.

AT THE FOUR SEASONS.

When any member of the family or near friend is to be ordained, the prayers at page 208 should be used daily, with special mention of him.

JESUS said unto his disciples: The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. S. Matt. ix.

As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed. Acts xiii.

When they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. Acts xiv.

THE INVOCATION.

O Thou who sentest down the Holy Ghost upon thine Apostles and gavest him to thy Church,

Glory be to thee, O Lord.

APPROPRIATE PSALMS.

90, 122, 132.

One of the two following Prayers is to be said every day during the Ember weeks for those that are to be admitted into Holy Orders. (The first may be said during the earlier, the second during the latter days of the week.)

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who hast purchased to thyself an universal Church by the precious blood of thy dear Son; Mercifully look upon the same, and at this time so guide and govern the minds of thy servants the Bishops and Pastors of thy flock, that they may lay hands suddenly on no man, but faithfully and wisely make choice of fit persons to serve in the sacred Ministry of thy Church. And to those which shall be ordained to any holy function give thy grace and heavenly benediction; that both by their life and doctrine they may set forth thy glory, and set forward the salvation of all men : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

OR THIS. (2).

LMIGHTY God, the giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine providence hast appointed divers Orders in thy Church; Give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to all those who are to be called to any office and administration in the same; and so replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine, and endue them with innocency of life, that they may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great Name, and the benefit of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The following Prayers, compiled from those of Bp. Cosin, may be used on Ember Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, together with the Thanksgiving and Prayer which follows them.

PRAYER FOR EMBER DAYS.

ALMIGHTY God, from whom we have the beginning and continuance of life; Grant, we beseech thee, that we thy humble servants may so consecrate unto thy Divine Majesty the first-fruits of this time and season, beginning it as unto thee, with prayer and fasting, and find thereby such ghostly comfort and strength, that by thy grace we may spend all the remainder of our days on earth, as becometh those who are pilgrims and strangers here, and who look for an abiding city in the heavens, purchased for them by the alone merits of Christ our Lord.

Send thy blessing upon the fruits of the land, and to us withal hearts full of gratitude, and mouths filled with praise.

Send us such health of body, and strength of mind, as thou knowest to be needful for us.

Send us, we beseech thee, pardon for the past, and give us all those spiritual supplies which we so much need, for the riches of thy mercy in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Add also the following Prayers at their proper seasons.

FOR THE EMBER WEEK IN ADVENT.

GRANT, we most humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, that with holy Simeon and Anna, and all thy devout servants, who waited for the consolation of Israel, we may at this time so

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