Almighty Father, who hast given thine only Son to die for our sins,
and to rise again for our justification: Grant us so to put away
the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may alway serve thee
in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of the same
thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.
THE EPISTLE. 1 St John v. 4.
Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the
victory that over cometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that
overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son
of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ;
not by water only, but by water and blood: and it is the Spirit
that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are
three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy
Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear
witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and
these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the
witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God, which
he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God
hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made
him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of
his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal
life; and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life;
and he that hath not the Son hath not life.
THE GOSPEL. St John xx. 19.
The same day at evening, being the first day I of the week, when
the doors were shut, where the disciples were assembled for fear
of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto
them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto
them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad when
they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto
you: As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he
had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive
ye the Holy Ghost. Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted
unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained.