O almighty God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and
affections of sinful men: Grant unto thy people, that they may
love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou
dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of
the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys
are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.
THE EPISTLE. St James i. 17.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh
down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,
neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the
word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his
creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift
to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man worketh
not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness
and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the
engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
THE GOSPEL. St John xvi. 5.
Jesus said unto his disciples, Now I go my way to him that sent me,
and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But, because I have
said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that
I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto
you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come,
he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of
judgement: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness,
because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgement,
because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things
to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit, when he, the
Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he
shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that
shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall
glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto
you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I,
that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.