all afflictions for Christ, who, with a lively faith and certain Thou, then, O Lord, have mercy upon us. Response 7. Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the Angels of God. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne. Him shall the Son of man also confess before the Angels of God. Benediction 8. Lesson 8. Reader. Sir, be pleased to bless us. Minister.-Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. If the applause of men, and the good opinion which they have from others, be esteemed an honour, what shall be the applause of heaven, and the good opinion not only of Saints and Angels, but of God himself, whose judgment cannot err? David took it for a great honour, that the daughter of his king was judged a reward of his valour; God surpasses this, and honours so much the service of His elect, that He pays their merits with no less a reward than Himself. Besides this, he who is most known, and is praised and celebrated for good and virtuous by the greatest multitude, is esteemed the most glorious and honourable person: but all this world is a solitude in respect of the citizens of heaven, where innumerable angels approve and praise the virtuous actions of the just; and they likewise are nothing: and all creatures, men, and angels, are but a solitary wilderness, in respect of the Creator. What man so glorious upon earth, whose worth and valour hath been known to all? Those who were born before him could not know him; but the just in heaven shall be known by all, past and to come, and by all the angels, and by the King of men and angels. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. Thanks be to God. Response 8. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die, and their departure is taken for misery, but they are in peace. Though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. But they are in peace. Glory be to the Father, &c. But they are in peace. Benediction 9. Lesson 9. Te Deum. Reader.-Sir, be pleased to bless us. Minister. The Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means. Amen. The honour of the just in heaven depends not, like that of the earth, upon accidents and reports, nor is exposed to dangers, or measured by the discourse of others; but in itself contains its own glory and dignity. The Romans erected statues unto those whom they intended to honour; because, being mortal, there should something remain after death, to make their persons and services, which they had done to the common weal, known to posterity; but in heaven there is no need of this artifice, because those, which are there honoured, are immortal, and shall have in themselves some character engraved, as an evident and clear token of their noble victories and achievements; what greater honour than to be friends of God, sons, heirs, and kings in the realm of heaven? We praise Thee, O God; we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship Thee: the Father everlasting. To Thee all angels cry aloud: the Heavens, and all the Powers therein, &c. VOL. III.-75. § 7. SERVICE IN COMMEMORATION OF THE DEAD IN CHRIST. [It is perhaps scarcely necessary to observe, that the complaints and supplications contained in the Psalms and Lessons selected, are introduced in memory of those temporal miseries, especially in sickness and dying, from which death opens an escape. On the subject of the state of the Dead, vide No. 5 of Mr. Dodsworth's recent Sermons.] Antiphon. Psalm 116. (1) (Instead of Glory be, &c.) Antiphon. Antiphon. Psalm 120. (2) Antiphon. Antiphon. Psalm 121. (3) Antiphon. Antiphon. Psalm 130. (4) Antiphon. Antiphon. Psalm 138. (5) Antiphon. FIRST VESPERs. Behold, O Lord, how that I am Thy servant. I am well pleased, &c. With thee is the well of life. And in Thy light they shall see light. Behold, O Lord, how that I am Thy servant; Thou hast broken my bonds in sunder. My soul hath long dwelt among. When I was in trouble, &c. With Thee, &c. And in Thy, &c. My soul hath long dwelt among them that are enemies unto peace. The Lord shall preserve Thee from all evil. I will lift up mine eyes, &c. With Thee, &c. The Lord shall preserve Thee from all evil; yea, it is even He that shall keep Thy soul. I look for the Lord. Out of the deep, &c. With Thee, &c. I look for the Lord, my soul doth wait for Him. Though I walk in the midst of trouble. I will give thanks unto Thee, &c. With Thee, &c. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, yet shalt Thou refresh me. (fff) Verse and Ant. The Lord's Prayer (privately.) Psalm 146. I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, My soul doth magnify, &c. Glory be, &c. All that the Father giveth Me, shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out. Our Father, &c. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. And in Thy light shall they see light. They shall fear no evil. Into Thy hands we commend their spirit. For Thou hast redeemed them, O Lord, Thou God of truth. Lord, hear our prayer. And let our cry come unto Thee. The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. O God, the Maker and Redeemer of all believers, grant to all Thy servants a merciful judgment at the last day, that they, in the face of all creatures, may then be acknowledged as Thy true children, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. O Almighty God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of Thy Son Christ our Lord, grant us grace to follow Thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared for them that unfeignedly love Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord, and with whom the souls of the faithful, after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity, we give Thee hearty thanks for that it pleased Thee, as on this day, to deliver our dear brother out of the miseries of this sinful world; beseeching Thee that it may please Thee, of thy gracious goodness, shortly to accomplish the number of thine elect, and to hasten Thy kingdom, that we, with all those that are departed in the true faith of Thy holy name, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in Thy eternal and everlasting glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, merciful and faithful, the aid of all that trust'in Thee, keep safely under the shadow of Thy wings ourselves, our relations, and friends, and all believers, even Thy whole Church, that we may enjoy Thy presence alway, and increase in Thy Holy Spirit more and more, till we come to Thine everlasting kingdom, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. With Thee is the well of life. And in Thy light shall they see light. May their souls rest in peace. Amen. (a) Invitatory. Psalm 95. MATINS. O Lord, open Thou my lips. And my mouth shall show forth Thy praise. O God, make speed to save me. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be, &c. Amen. Hallelujah. Let us worship the Lord of spirits: for all live unto Him. O come, let us sing, &c. With Thee is the well of life. And in Thy light shall they see light. Antiphon. Antiphon. Psalm 6. Antiphon. NOCTURN I. In Thy fear will I worship. Ponder my words, &c. With Thee, &c. In Thy fear will I worship towards Thy Holy Temple. The Lord hath heard my petition. O Lord, rebuke me not, &c. With Thee, &c. The Lord hath heard my petition, the Lord will receive my prayer. |