Lord, we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual
godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all
adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to
the glory of thy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.
THE EPISTLE. Philip, i. 3.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every
prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your
fellowship in the Gospel from the first day until now; being
confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good
work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ; even
as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you
in my heart, inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and
confirmation of the Gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. For
God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels
of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet
more and more in knowledge and in all judgement: that ye may
approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere, and
without offence, till the day of Christ: being filled with the
fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory
and praise of God.
THE GOSPEL. St Matth. xviii. 21.
Peter said unto Jesus, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against
me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I
say not unto thee, until seven times; but until seventy times
seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain
king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had
begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten
thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord
commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that
he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down
and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I
will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with
compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same
servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, which owed
him an hundred pence; and he laid hands on him, and took him by the
throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow-servant fell
down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me,
and I will pay thee all. And he would not; but went and cast him into
prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow-servants
saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto
their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had
called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee
all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also
have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on
thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors,
till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall
my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts
forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.