THE COLLECT. We beseech thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty
desires of thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand
of thy Majesty, to be our defence against all our enemies; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.
THE EPISTLE. Ephes. v. 1.
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in
love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for
us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling
savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness,
let it not be once named amongst you, as becometh saints; neither
filthiness, nor foolish-talking, nor jesting, which are not
convenient; but rather giving of thanks: for this ye know, that
no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an
idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, and of
God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these
things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Be not ye therefore partakers with them: for ye were sometimes
darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of
light; (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and
righteousness, and truth;) proving what is acceptable unto the
Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,
but rather reprove them: for it is a shame even to speak of those
things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are
reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make
manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest,
and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
THE GOSPEL. St Luke xi. 14.
Jesus was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to
pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people
wondered. But some of them said, He casteth out devils through
Beelzebub, the chief of the devils. And others, tempting him,
sought of him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts,
said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought
to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. If
Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom
stand? because ye say, that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast
them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the
finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come
upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods
are in peace; but when a stronger than he shall come upon him,
and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he
trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is
against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When
the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry
places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return
unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth
it swept and garnished. Then goeth he and taketh to him seven
other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in, and
dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the
first. And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain
woman of the company lift up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed
is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of
God, and keep it.