Imatges de pàgina
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ginning of this day; defend us in the same with thy mighty power, and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance, to do always that is righteous in thy sight through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for all Conditions of Men.

O God, the Creator and Preserver of all Mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men, that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, and thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for the good estate of the Catholic Church; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are any ways afflicted, or distressed in mind, body, or estate; that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ his sake. Amen.

A General Thanksgiving.

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all men. We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for thine inestimable love, in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace and for the hope of glory. And we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we may shew forth thy praise not only with our lips but in our lives; by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom.

Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise, that when two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests; fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world know

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ledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life

everlasting. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all evermore. Amen.

THE COLLECTS OF THE CHURCH.

[The Collects (saith Bishop MANT), are some short, pious, and impressive prayers, collected out of the Holy Scriptures. And as on every day, or season, there is something more particularly commended to our meditation by the Church, so the Collect reflects chiefly upon that, desiring inspiration, strength, and protection from God Almighty, in the practice and pursuance of what is set before us.]

1. First Sunday in Advent. Preparation for death and judgment.

ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us

in great humility; that, in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty, to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen. 2. Second Sunday in Advent.

For a blessing on reading the Scriptures.

BLESSED Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that, by patience and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

3. Third Sunday in Advent.

For a blessing on the labors of the Ministers of the Gospel. O LORD Jesu Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee; Grant that the Ministers and Stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that, at thy second coming to judge the world, we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

4. Fourth Sunday in Advent.

For the grace and help of God.

O LORD, rise up, we pray thee, thy power, and come among us, and with great might succour us; that, whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through the satisfaction of thy Son our Lord; to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

5. CHRISTMAS DAY.

For regeneration, or change of our original evil nature. ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us thy only begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and, as at this time, to be born of a pure Virgin; Grant that we, being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit, through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

6. St. Stephen's Day.

For support under persecutions for religion.

GRANT, O Lord, that, in all our sufferings here

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