Immagini della pagina
PDF
ePub

when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Symeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser (she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity: and she was a widow of about four-score and four years;) which departed not from the temple, but served God, with fastings and prayers, night and day. And she, coming in that instant, gave thanks, likewise, unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him.

SAINT MATTHIAS'S DAY.

The Collect.

Almighty God, who, into the place of the traitor Judas, didst choose thy faithful servant Matthias to be of the number of the twelve Apostles; grant that thy Church, being always preserved from

false Apostles, may be ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

IN

For the Epistle. Acts i. 15.

N those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of the names together were about a hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of David, spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus: for he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and, falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out; and it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem, insomuch as that field is called, in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The Field of Blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein; and, His bishopric let another take. Wherefore, of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas, by transgression, fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots ; and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

And, His bishopric let another take.]—It will be observed, that all these particulars concerning Judas Iscariot, differ greatly from those given by Saint Matthew.

[graphic][merged small]
[ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

er

[ocr errors]
[graphic]
[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors]

so, by his croit passión,

sy be brought to the day Jus resurrection; tp the e Lord. Amen.

Code. Isaiah vii. 10.

he Lord spake gain unto Ahaz, 4 sign of the Lord thy God; the depth. or in the height above. I will not ask, neither will I tempt At he said, Hear ye now, O house. all thing for you to weare Nuu www.yu nay my God also? therefore the L

« IndietroContinua »