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The Sunday next before Easter.

The Collect. ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender we towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; raercifully grant that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

field of blood, unto this day. (Thes was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value, and gave them for the pot. ter's field, as the Lord appointed me.) And Jesus stood before the governor and the governor asked him, saying. Art thou the king of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest, And when he was accused of the chiet priests and elders, he answered noThe Epistle. Phil. ii. 5. thing. Then saith Pilate into him, ET this mind be in you, which was Hearest thou not how many things also in Christ Jesus: who being [they witness against thee? And he in the form of God, thought it not rob-answered him to never a word, inso. bery to be equal with God; but made much that the governor marvelled himself of no reputation, and took greatly. Now at that feast the goupon him the form of a servant, and vernor was wont to release unto the was made in the likeness of men and people a prisoner, whom they would being found in fashion as a man, he And they had then a notable prisoner, tumbled himself, and became obedient called Barabbas. Therefore, when unto death, even the death of the cross. they were gathered together, Pilate Wherefore God also hath highly exalt- said unto them, Whom will ye that I ed him, and given him a name which release unto you? Barabbas, or is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Clarist is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus, which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment-seat, his wife sent unte him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests

The Gospel. St. Matt. xxvii. 1. WHEN the morning was come, all and elders persuaded the multitude the chief priests and elders of the that they should ask Barabbas, and people took counsel against Jesus to destroy Jesus. The governor answer Dut him to death. And when they hadjed and said unto them, Whether of pound him, they led him away, and the twain will ye that I release un'o delivered him to Pontius Pilate the go-you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate vernor. Then Judas, who had be-saith unto them, What shall I do then trayed him, when he saw that he was with Jesus, which is called Christ? condemned, repented himself, and They all say unto him, Let him be brought again the thirty pieces of sil- crucified. And the governor said ver to the c'ef priests and elders, any- Why, what evil hath he done? Bu ung, I have simed, in that I have they cried out the more, saying, Le betrayed the innocent blood. And him be crucified. When Pilate saw they said, What is that to us? see that he could prevail nothing, but thou to that. And he cast down the that rather a tumult was made, he pieces of silver in the temple, and de- took water, and washed his hands beparted, and went and hanged himself. fore the multitude, saying, I am inno And the chief priests took the s.lver cent of the blood of this just person: pieces, and said, It is not lawful for see ye to it. Then answered all the to put them into the treasury, bec: ise people, and said, His blood be on us, it is the price of blood. And they took aud on our children. Then released counse, and bought with them the he Barabbas unto them and wher potter's field to bury strangers in. he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Wherefore that field was called, The im to be crucified. Then the soi

diers of the governor took Jesus into Some of them that stood there, when the common-hall, and gathered unto they heard that, said, This man callhim the whole band of soldiers. And eth for Elias. And straightway one they stripped him, and put on him a of them ran, and took a sponge, and scarlet robe. And when they had filled it with vinegar, and put it on a platted a crown of thorus, they put it reed, and gave him to drink. The upon his head, and a reed in his right rest said, Let be, let us see whether hand; and they bowed the knee be- Elias will come to save him. Jezus, fore him, and mocked him, saying, when he had cried again with a bud Hail, King of the Jews!, And they voice, yielded up the ghost. And be spit upon him, and took the reed and hold, the vail of the temple was rent in smote him or the head. And after twain, from the top to the bottom; that they had mocked him, they took and the earth did quake, and the rocks the robe off from him, and put his own rent; and the graves were opened; raiment on him, and led him away to and many bodies of saints which crucify him. And as they came out, slept, arose, and came out of the they found a man of Cyrene, Simon graves after his resurrection, and by name; him they compelled to bear went into the holy city, and appear. ais cross. And when they were corneed unto many. Now when the Cen unto a place called Golgotha, that is to turion, and they that were with him say, a place of a skull, they gave him watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, vinegar to drink mingled with gall; and those things that were done, they and when he had tasted thereof, he feared greatly, saying, Truly this would not drink. And they crucified was the Son of God. him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled, Monday before Easter. which was spoken by the prophet, For the Epistle. Isaiah Ixiii. 1. They parted my garments among WHO is this that cometh from them, and upon my vesture did they! Edom, with dyed garments from cast lots. And sitting down, they Bozrah? this that is glorious in his watched him there; and set up over apparel, travelling in the greatness of his head his accusation written, THIS his strength? I that speak in righte IS JESUS THE KING OF THE ousness, mighty to save. Where JEWS. Then were there two thieves fore art thou red in thine apparel, and crucified with him, one on the right thy garments like him that treadeth hand, and another on the left. And in the wine-fat? I have trodden the they that passed by reviled him, wag-wine-press alone, and of the people. ging their heads, and saying, Thou there was none with me: for I will that destroyest the temple, and build-tread them in mine anger, and trample est it in three days, save thyself: If them in my fury, and their blood shall thou be the Son of God, come down be sprinkled upon my garments, and I from the cross. Likewise also the will stain all my raiment. For the day chief priests, mocking him, with the of vengeance is in mine heart, and the scribes and elders, said, He saved year of my redeemed is come. And I others, himself he cannot save: If he looked, and there was none to help; Se the King of Israel, let him now and I wondered that there was none ccme down from the cross, and we to uphold: therefore mine own arm wil believe him. He trusted in God: brought salvation unto me; and my let him deliver him. now, if he will fury it upheld me. And I will tread ave him: for he said, I am the Son down the people in mine anger, and of God. The thieves also which were make them drunk in my fury, and I crucified with him, cast the same in will bring down their strength to the his teeth. Now from the sixth hour earth. I will mention the loving-kind there was darkness over all the land, nesses of the Lord, and the praises of unto the ninth hour. And about the the Lord, according to all that the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud Lord hath bestowed on us, and the voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabach- great goodness towards the house of thani 7 that is to say, My God, my Israel, which he hath bestowed on io, why hast thou forsaken methem, according to bie mercies, and

according to t multitude of his lov-baster box of ointment of spikenard ng-kindnesses. For he said, Surely very precious; and she brake the box, they are my people, children that will and poured it on his head. And there not lie: So he was their Saviour. In were some that had indignation withm all their affliction he was afflicted, themselves, and said, Why was this and the angel of his presence saved waste of the ointment made? for it thein in his love and in his pity he might have been sold for more than redeemed them, and he bare them, three hundred pence, and have been and carried them all the days of old. given to the poor. And they murmurBut they rebelled, and vexed his ed against her. And Jesus said, Let Holy Spirit therefore he was turn- her alone: why trouble ye her? she ed to be their enemy, and he fought hath wrought a good work on me. against them. Then he remembered For ye have the poor with you a.. the days of old, Moses and his people, ways, and whensoever ye will, ye may saying, Where is he that brought them do them good; but me ye have not up out of the sea, with the shepherd of always. She hath done what she his flock? Where is he that put his could; she is come aforehand to anoint Holy Spirit within him? that led them my body to the burying. Verily I by the right hand of Moses, with his say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel glorious arm dividing the water before shall be preached throughout the them, to make himself an everlasting whole world, this also that she hath name? That led them through the done shall be spoken of, for a memorial leep as an horse in the wilderness, of her. And Judas Iscariot, one of the that they should not stumble? As a twelve, went unto the chief priests, beast goeth down into the valley, the to betray him unto them. And when spirit of the Lord caused him to rest: they heard it, they were glad, and proso didst thou lead thy people, to make mised to give him money. And he thyself a glorious name. Look down sought how he might conveniently be from heaven, and behold from the tray him. And the first day of un habitation of thy holiness, and of thy leavened bread, when they killed the glory: Where is thy zeal, and thy passover, his disciples said unto him, atrength, the sounding of thy bowels, Where wilt thou that we go and preand of thy mercies towards me? are pare, that thou mayest eat the passthey restrained? Doubtless thou art over? And he sendeth forth two of our Father, though Abraham be igno- his disciples, and saith unto them, Go rant of us, and Israel acknowledge us ye into the city; and there shall meet not thou, O Lord, art our Father, you a man bearing a pitcher of water: our Redeemer; thy name is from ever-follow him. And wheresoever he shall lasting. O Lord, why hast thou made go in, say ye to the good man of the us to err from thy ways, and hardened house, The Master saith, Where is our heart from thy fear? Return, for the guest-chamber, where I shall eat thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine the passover with my disciples? And inheritance. The people of thy holi- he will show you a large upper room ness have possessed it but a little furnished and prepared: there make while our adversaries have trodden ready for us. And his disciples went down thy sanctuary. We are thine: forth, and came into the city, and thou never barest rule over them; they found as he had said unto them: and were not called by thy name. they made ready the passover. And The Gospel. St. Mark xiv. 1. in the evening he cometh with the AFTER FTER two days was the feast of twelve. And as they sat, and did eat, the Passover, and of unleavened Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, ene bread and the chief priests and the of you which eateth with me shall be scribes sought how they might take tray me. And they began to be sor nim by craft, and put him to death. rowful, and to say unto him one by But they said, Not on the feast day, one, Is it I? And another said, la it lest there be an uproar of the people. I? And he answered and said unto And being in Bethany, in the house of them, It is one of the twelve that dip Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, peth with me in the dish. The Son of there came a woman having an ala-man indeed goeth, as it is written of

n: but wo to that man by whom what to answer him. And he cometh the Son of man is betrayed; good were the third time, and saith unto them, for that man if he had never oeen Sleep on now, and take your rest: it oorn. And as they did eat, Jesus took is enough, the hour is come; beboki, bread, and blessed, and brake it, and the Son of man is betrayed into the gare to them, and said, Take, eat: hands of sinners. Rise up, let us this is my body. And he took the cup, go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at and when he had given thanks, he hand. And immediately, while he gave it to them: and they all drank of yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the it. And he said unto them, This is twelve, and with him a great multimy blood of the new testament, tude, with swords and staves, from which is shed for many. Verily I the chief priests, and the scribes, and say unto you, I will drink no more of the elders. And he that betrayed him the fruit of the vine until that day that had given them a token, saying, I drink it new in the kingdom of God. Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same And when they had sung an hymn, is he; take him and lead him away they went out into the mount of safely. And as soon as he was come, Olives. And Jesus saith unto thein, he goeth straightway to him, and All ye shall be offenxled because of me saith, Master, Master; and kissert this night for it is written, I will him. And they laid their hands on smite the shepherd, and the sheep him, and took him. And one of them shail be scattered. But after that I that stood by drew a sword, and smote am risen, I will go before you into a servant of the high priest, and cut Galilee. But Peter said unto him, off his ear. And Jesus answered and Although all shall be offended, yet will said unto them, Are ye come out as And Jesus saith unto him, against a thief, with swords and with Verily I say unto thee, that this day, staves, co take me? I was daily with even in this night, before the cock crow you in the temple, teaching, and ye wice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But took me not; but the Scriptures must he spake the more vehemently, If I be fulfilled. And they all forsook him, should die with thee, I will not deny and fled. And there followed him a thee in any wise. Likewise also said certain young man, having a linen they all. And they came to a place cloth cast about his naked body; and which was named Gethsemane and the young men laid hold on him. And he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, he left the linen cloth, and fled from while I shall pray. And he taketh them naked. And they led Jesus with him Peter, and James, and John, away to the high priest and with and began to be sore amazed, and to him were assembled all the chief be very heavy; and saith unto them, priests, and the elders, and the scribes. My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto And Peter followed him afar off, even death: tarry ye here and watch. And into the palace of the high priest: and he went forward a little, and fell on he sat with the servants, and warmed the ground, and prayed, that, if it himself at the fire. And the chief were possible, the hour might pass priests, and all the council, sought for from him. And he said, Abba, Fa- witness against Jesus to put him to ther, all things are possible unto thee: death; and found none. (For many take away this cup from me: never-bare false witness against him, but theless, not what I will; but what thou their witness agreed not together.) wilt. And he cometh, and findeth And there arose certain, and bare false them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, witness against him, saying, We heard Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not him say, I will destroy this temple that thou watch one hour? Watch ye, is made with hauds, and within three and pray, lest ye enter into tempta-days I will build another made tion: the spirit truly is ready, but the without hands. But neither so did flesh is weak. And again he went their witness agree together. And the way, and prayed, and spake the high priest stood up in the midst, and same words. And when he returned, asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thea e found them asleep again (for their nothing? what is it which these wit eves were heavy); neither wist they lness against thee? But he hell his

ponce, and answered nothing. Again he that shall condemn me? Lo, they the high priest asked him, and said all wax old as a garment: the moun unto him, Art thou the Christ, the shall eat them up. Who is among Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, you that feareth the Lord, that obey I am and ye shall see the Son of eth the voice of his servant, that man sitting on the right hand of power, walleth in darkness, and hath be and coming in the clouds of heaven. light? iet him_trust in the name o Then the high priest rent his clothes, the Lord, and stay upon his God and saith, What need we any further Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that witnesses? ye have heard the blas-compass yourselves about with sparks; phemy: what think ye? And they all walk in the light of your fire, and in condemned him to be guilty of death. the sparks that ye have kindled. This And some began to spit on him, and to shall ye have of mine hand, ye shak cover his face, and to buffet him, and lie down in sorrow. to say unto him, Prophesy. And the servants didi strike him with the paims

The Gospel. St. Mark xv. 1. AND straightway in the morning,

of their hands. And as Peter was the chief priests held a consultabeneath in the palace, there cometh tion with the elders and scribes, and one of the maids of the high priest; the whole council, and bound Jesus, and when she saw Peter warming and carried him away, and delivered himself, she looked upon him, and him to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, said, And thou also wast with Jesus Art thou the king of the Jews? And he of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, answering said unto him, Theu sayest I know not, neither understand I what it. And the chief priests accused him thou sayest. And he went out into of many things: but he answered nothe porch; and the cock crew. And thing. And Pilate asked bun again, a maid saw him again, and began to saying, Answerest thou nothing? besay to them that stood by, This is one hold how many things they witness of them. And he denied it again. against thee. But Jesus yet answer And a little after, they that stood by ed nothing: so that Pilate marvelled. said again to Peter, Surely thou art Now at that feast he released unto one of them; for thou art a Galilean, them one prisoner, whomsoever they and thy speech agreeth thereto. But desired. And there was coe named he began to curse and to swear, say- Barabbas, which lay bound with them ing, I know not this man of whom ye that had made insurrection with him, speak. And the second time the cock who had committed murder in the in crew. And Peter called to mind the surrection. And the multitude, cryword that Jesus said unto him, Be-ing aloud, began to desire him to do as fore the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon he wept.

he had ever done unto them. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? (For he knew that the chief Tuesday before Easter. priests lind delivered him for envy. For the Epistle. Isaiah 1. 5. But the chief priests moved the people THE Lord God hath opened mine that he should rather release Barabbar ear, and I was not rebellious, unto them. And Pilate answered, either turned away back. I gave my and said again unto them, What will Jack to the smiters, and my cheeks to ye then that I shall do unto him whom them that plucked off the hair: I hid ye call the King of the Jews? And 1ot my face from shame and spitting. they cried out again, Crucify him. For the Lord God will help me, there- Then Pilate said unto them, Why, fore shall I not be confounded; there- what evil hath he done? And they fore have I set my face like a flint, and cried out the more exceedingly, Cru I know that I shall not be ashamed. cify him. And so Pilate, willing to He is near that justifieth me; who content the people, released Barabbaz will contend with me? let us stand unto them; and delivered Jesus, when together; who is mine adversary? he had scourged him, to be crucified let him come near to me. Behold, And the soldiers led him away into the the Lord God will help me; who is hall, called Pretorium; and they call

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