FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.

S. MATT. VIII. 23-27 Part Gos.)

Power of the sleeping Christ.

O LORD JESU CHRIST, Who in these last times wast manifest for us, who by Thee do believe in God, that raised Thee up from the dead: Shew forth Thy power to us, that so, although we see Thee not, believing we with joy unspeakable may yet rejoice. Make us to walk by faith and not by sight, while we look not at those things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, while the things which are not seen are eternal. Though we struggle through the stormy waves and trackless deeps of this tempestuous life, and all the troubles, toils, anxieties, and cares thereof surge up around us, and our onward progress is opposed and hindered by the secret sins, the errors, failings and short-comings of our mortal nature; let us not be overwhelmed with perils of the body, or dangers of the soul. Permit no doubts or difficulties to make shipwreck of our slender faith, or make us to forget Thy Presence. Thou art here, though, it may seem unto our trembling souls, asleep. Amidst the trials and temptations that surround us, make us to remember that we have Thee with us. Teach our troubled hearts to rest in Thee. Be Thou the ever present object of our faith, that in Thy calm we may find peace. To Thee we make our humble cry, "O let not the waterfloods overflow us; neither let the deep swallow us up!" Hear us, O Lord, for Thy lovingkindness is good; and turn to us according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies. Hide not Thy face in time of trouble. Hear us, for Thy mercies' sake, and by Thy grace deliver us whenever trials or temptations rise, and say unto the winds and waves, "Be still!" that we may find in Thee our sure salvation, for the sake of Thy most Blessed Name. Amen.

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.

S. MATT. XIII. 37-43 (Part Gos).

The Judgment of the Tares.

ALMIGHTY GOD, we do confess that any good that is in us comes of the grace of Jesus Christ; and of ourselves there is nothing that in Thy sight can find favour. To Thy free Love and Mercy do we owe all good we now enjoy, and all our hopes of future blessedness: We therefore praise and magnify Thy glorious Name. Thanks be to Thee for Thy unspeakable gift, for all things are for our sakes, that Thy abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. Renew in us Thy Heavenly Grace, the Spirit of Thy Power. that as children of Thy Kingdom we may live according to our holy calling, and shew forth to men the character of those whom Thou hast chosen to be heirs of glory. Guard us, lest we lose the end of our election, and become the children of the wicked one, and so inherit with him wrath and condemnation. Keep us from the devilish work of sowing evil by our words or conduct, lest in other hearts it should strike root and grow up to a woeful harvest. Make us sober, vigilant, against that roaring lion who doth walk about endeavouring to sow the baneful seed of evil dispositions in our hearts. Increase in us the grace of watchfulness and prayer, lest while we sleep the enemy should gain possession of our souls, and bring us into danger of Thy judgment. Multiply in us the fruits of holiness, that when Thy Angel-reapers shall come down to gather from Thy Kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity, we may escape the furnace of remorse, and gnashing of despair, and may be gathered to Thy everlasting garner, there to live and ripen in the brightness of Thy glory, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.

S. MATT. XXIV. 27-31 (Part Gos.)

Preparation for His Coming.

O LORD, Thou Son of Man, and Judge of all men, so prepare us by Thy grace, that when Thou comest in Thy Majesty, as lightning from the East, with sudden glory from Thy Throne in Heaven to judge the world, we may be found not buried in our sins, but watching, and awake to welcome Thee in humble faith and hope. Reveal Thyself to us, that we may know Thee now, and see Thee in the Mysteries that veil Thy Presence from our mortal sight, acknowledging Thee ever midst the prayers and praises of Thy Holy Church; that when Thou comest at the latter day, we may know Thee Who Thou art, and hasten with great joy to meet Thee. Enlightened by Thy Word of Truth, and armed against the fallacies and errors of false teachers, strengthen us in grace that, trained in purity and holiness, and working humbly in Thy Church, we may with faith and hope await Thy Coming. Teach us to set our hopes on Heaven, that, while we live here, we may have our conversation there, and look to that " continuing city," whose foundations never shall be moved. Help us now to bear the Cross, and follow Thee, in meekness and in doing good, unshaken by the contradictions of the world around us, finding in Thy shame our glory; knowing that Thy Second Coming shall not be, as once, in lowliness and scorn, but "in the clouds of Heaven, with power and great glory." Make us love Thy Cross, and crucify within ourselves all lusts and passions of the carnal mind, that when we see Thy sign in Heaven we may know it for our own, the sign of our salvation, and rejoice with all Thy Holy Angels and the numberless elect, whom Thou, Lord, hast redeemed with Thy precious Blood. Amen.

SEPTUAGESIMA.

S. MATT. XX. 1-7 (Gos.)

Prompt Service in the Vineyard.

O GOD, the Householder and Master over this Thy Church and Vineyard, Who hast called us, and set us in this life to do a work for Thee: We pray Thee give us grace and strength to labour with all earnestness and zeal, and do our duty in that state of life to which it pleaseth Thee to call us, working earnestly within. Thy Church whatever Thou dost set before us. Suffer not our days to pass in wanton, idle dreams, as if we counted all the years our own, to spend in ease and indolent self-seeking, with no future set before us, when we must give up to Thee a due account. Remind us ever of the wages Thou hast promised, everlasting life, and an inheritance that fadeth not away, eternal in the Heavens. Set our hearts unto the words of Thy most holy Law, which Thou hast laid before us, lest we deem it but a vain thing. for it is our life, to keep all Thy commandments, and to walk in all Thy ways. So shalt Thou open out to us Thy promised treasure, and bless all the work that falleth to our hand to do. Help us to hold on our way, that we may grow in strength and grace, for "they that love Thee shall be as the sun, when He goeth forth in His might." In Thy great mercy speak unto the hearts of all who have so long withstood Thy Voice, still pleading with them, that they may, ere it be too late, hear Thy loving call, and turn to Thee. And though, it may be, many years are lost, and they have failed most grievously in prompt obedience to Thy Will, Thy Mercy, and the Passion of the Saviour yet may fill up all defects, and full salvation may reward them through the merits of Thy Christ. Amen.

SEXAGESIMA.

S. LUKE VIII. 11-15 (Part Gos.)
Preparation for the Seed.

ALMIGHTY GOD, we pray Thee, prosper so our hearts with Thy preventing grace, that when the holy seed is sown we may receive it in a genial soil, where it may spring up to eternal life. Remove all hard obstructions that may rise from carelessness or heedless traffic in habitual sin. Close them to the constant passage of suggestions from the evil one, the hardening round of business or of pleasure, and the vain excitements which are apt to fill our days, and leave no time for thoughts of Thee, or exercises of religion. Keep them from the evil influence of worldly maxims, base inducements, and the vile pursuit of earthly interests. Break them

Permit

up and soften them with Thine all-powerful Hand, that each sweet promise of Thy Gospel, every pure and loving message, every lofty precept and deep mystery, may sink therein, and grow up unto holiness. us not to trust in sudden transports of imagined safety, or false spiritual joys, but give us grace to persevere in stedfast godliness. Teach us to serve Thee for Thyself, not for the seeming pleasure of well-doing, constant in the time of dryness and depression, as when all seemed bright and glorious to us. Root out from us all selfseeking thoughts and covetousness of this world's goods or pleasures, lest they grow and hide or choke the holy seed. Nor let us trust in any righteousness of ours, in mere respectability of conduct, or the pleasing praise and flattery of others. Give us room for earnest prayers, good resolutions, fervent charity, to rise unchecked and flourish. Grant us patience to preserve Thy holy Word, patience to live according to it, patience to suffer for it, with entire trust in Thy great goodness, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.