God, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful
people, by the sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit: Grant
us by the same Spirit to have a right judgement in all things,
and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits
of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end.
_Amen_.
FOR THE EPISTLE. Acts x. 34.
Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God
is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth
him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word
which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by
Jesus Christ; (he is Lord of all;) that word, I say, ye know, which
was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after
the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Ghost, and with power; who went about doing good,
and healing all that were oppressed of the devil: for God was
with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did, both
in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew, and
hanged on a tree: him God raised up the third day, and shewed him
openly: not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before
of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose
from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and
to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge
of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that
through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission
of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on
all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which
believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that
on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For
they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered
Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized,
which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded
them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him
to tarry certain days.
THE GOSPEL. St John iii. 16.
God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on
him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already;
because he hath not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son
of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the
world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their
deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light,
neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may
be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.