Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithful people
pardon and peace; that they may be cleansed from all their sins,
and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
_Amen_.
THE EPISTLE. Ephes. vi. 10.
My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh
and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness
in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done
all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with
truth; and having on the breast-plate of righteousness; and your
feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; above all,
taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench
all the fiery darts of the wicked: and take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all saints;
and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my
mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I
am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I
ought to speak.
THE GOSPEL. St John iv. 46.
There was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When
he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went
unto him, and besought him that he would come down and heal his
son; for he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him,
Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. The nobleman
saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto
him, Go thy way, thy son liveth. And the man believed the word
that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he
was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying,
Thy son liveth. Then inquired he of them the hour when he began
to amend: and they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour
the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at the same
hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth; and himself
believed, and his whole house. This is again the second miracle
that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.