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 carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

LET every soul be subject unto the higher powers; for there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shali receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same; for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a rcvenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is

due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.

THE GOSPEL. St. Matt. viii. 23.

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 per-
ish. 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 a great calm. But the men marvelled,
saying, What manner of man is this, that even
the winds and the sea obey him!
And when
he was come to the other side, into the country
of the Gergesenes, there met him two possess
ed with devils, coming out of the tombs, ex
ceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by
that way. And behold, they cried out, saying,
What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou
Son of God? art thou come hither to torment
us before the time? And there was a good
way off from them an herd of many swine,
feeding. So the devils besought him, saying,
If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into
the herd of swine. And he said unto them,
Go. And when they were come out, they
went into the herd of swine and behold, the
whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep
place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
And they that kept them fled, and went their

ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their

coasts.

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The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany.

THE COLLECT.

LORD, we beseech thee to keep thy Church and household continually in thy true religion; that they who do lean only upon the hope of thy heavenly grace may evermore be defended by thy mighty power; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PUT on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness. humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs; singing with grace in your

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hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father, by him.

THE GOSPEL. St. Matt. xiii. 24. THE kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? ? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany.

THE COLLECT.

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GOD, whose blessed Son was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil, and make us the sons of God, and heirs

of eternal life; Grant us, we beseech thee, that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves, even as he is pure; that, when he shall appear again with power and great glory, we may be made like unto him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, he liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

THE EPISTLE. 1 St. John iii. 1.

BEHOLD, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know, that, when He shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the Law: for sin is the transgression of the Law. And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righte ousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.