We beseech thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon thy people;
that by thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved
evermore, both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
_Amen_.
THE EPISTLE. Hebr. ix. 11.
Christ being come an High Priest of good things to come, by a
greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands; that is
to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and
calves; but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy
place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood
of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the
unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; how much more
shall the blood of Christ, who, through the eternal Spirit, offered
himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works
to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the Mediator of
the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of
the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which
are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
THE GOSPEL. St John viii. 46.
Jesus said, Which of you convinceth me of sin? and if I say the
truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's
words; ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Then
answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well, that thou
art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a
devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek
not mine own glory; there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Verily,
verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never
see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast
a devil: Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a
man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater
than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead:
whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my
honour is nothing; it is my Father that honoureth me, of whom ye
say, that he is your God: yet ye have not known him; but I know
him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like
unto you; but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham
rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the
Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou
seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto
you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast
at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.