The way of God is an undefiled way: the word of the Lord also is tried in the fire; he is the defender of all them that put their trust in him. For who is God, but the Lord: or who hath any strength, except our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength of war; and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like harts' feet: and setteth me up on high. He teacheth mine hands to fight: and mine arms shall break even a bow of steel. Thou hast given me the defence of thy salvation: thy right hand also shall hold me up, and thy loving correction shall make me great. Thou shalt make room enough under me for to go: that my footsteps shall not slide. I will follow upon mine enemies, and overtake them: neither will I turn again till I have destroyed them. I will smite them, that they shall not be able to stand: but fall under my feet. Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou shalt throw down mine enemies under me. Thou hast made mine enemies also to turn their backs upon me and I shall destroy them that hate me. They shall cry, but there shall be none to help them: yea, even unto the Lord shall they cry, but he shall not hear them. I will beat them as small as the dust before the wind: I will cast them out as the clay in the streets. Thou shalt deliver me from the strivings of the people: and thou shalt make me the head of the heathen. A people whom I have not known: shall serve me. As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: but the strange children shall dissemble with me. The strange children shall fail: and be afraid out of their prisons. The Lord liveth, and blessed be my strong helper: and praised be the God of my salvation. Even the God that seeth that I be avenged: and subdueth the people unto me. It is he that delivereth me from my cruel enemies, and setteth me up above mine adversaries: thou shalt rid me from the wicked man. For this cause will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles: and sing praises unto thy Name. Great prosperity giveth he unto his king: and sheweth (i) Antiphon. loving-kindness unto David his Anointed, and unto his seed (j) Verse and Absolution 2. Thou also, O Lord, shalt light my candle. The Lord my God shall make my darkness to be light. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. His pity and mercy succour us, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth world without end. Amen. Benediction 4. Lesson 4. (Sermon of St. Augustin, Bishop.) Response 4. Reader. Sir, pray for a blessing. Minister.-God the Father Almighty, be favourable and gracious to us. Amen. The children of Israel presented themselves against their adversaries forty days. Which signifieth the present world having four seasons and four parts of the earth, and in which the Christian people ceaseth not to war against Goliath and his host, that is, with the devil and his angels. Yet they could not conquer, except that Christ, the true David, had descended with his staff, even the mystery of His Cross. For before the coming of Christ, dearly beloved brethren, the devil was at liberty; but when Christ came, He did towards him what the Gospel speaketh of, "No man can enter into a strong man's house and spoil his goods, unless first he bind the strong man." Christ therefore came, and bound the devil. Thou then, O Lord, have mercy upon us. Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands; for the hand of the Lord was with him, and he slew the Philistines, and took away the reproach from Israel. Is not this he of whom they sang in the dance, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. For the hand of the Lord was with him, and he slew the Philistines, and took away the reproach from Israel. Benediction 5. Reader.-Sir, pray for a blessing, Minister.-Christ grant to us the joys of endless life. Amen. Lesson 5. But some one will say, If the devil be bound, how hath he (Sermon continued.) still such dominion? It is true, dearly beloved, that he hath much dominion, but it is over the lukewarm and careless' and those who fear not the Lord in truth. For he is bound, as a dog that is chained, able to bite none but such as are led by a fatal recklessness to close with him. Ye know, my brethren, the foolishness of him whom a chained dog biteth. Only beware thou of closing with him in the likings and lusts of this world, and he will not dare to come to thee. He can bark, he can vex; he can in no wise bite except those that be willing. Not his violence, but his blandishments hurt us; he doth not extort, he winneth our consent. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. Thanks be to God. Response 5. Benediction 6. Lesson 6. Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain upon you; for there the mighty men of Israel are fallen. All ye mountains which are in his border, the Lord shall visit you, and ye shall pass from Gilboa. For there the mighty men of Israel are fallen. Reader.-Sir, pray for a blessing. Minister.-God kindle the fire of his love in our hearts. Amen. Therefore David came, and found the Jewish people fight(Sermon continued.) ing against the devil; and when there was no one to undertake the single combat, he, bearing the figure of Christ, proceeded to the battle, with a staff in his hand, and went out against Goliath. And then was shadowed out in him, what was fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ. For Christ, the true David, came, who, being to fight against the spiritual Goliath, that is, the devil, bore his own Cross. Ye see, my brethren, where David struck the Philistine, in the forehead, which had not been signed by the sign of the Cross. For as the staff was a type of the Cross, so also the stone wherewith he was struck, was a type of the Lord Christ. Response 6. Thou therefore, O Lord, have mercy upon us. I took thee from the sheepcote, saith the Lord, to be Shepherd over my people, and I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight. And I have made thee a great name, like unto the name (k) Antiphon. Psalm 19. (16) of the great men that are in the earth, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of Thy sight. Glory be to the Father, &c. And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of Thy sight. NOCTURN III. There is no speech. The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament sheweth his handy work. One day telleth another: and one night certifieth another. There is neither speech nor language: but their voices are heard among them. Their sound is gone out into all lands: and their words into the ends of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun: which cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course. It goeth from the uttermost part of the heaven, and runneth about unto the end of it again and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. The law of the Lord is an undefiled law, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, and giveth light unto the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, and endureth for ever: the judgements of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold sweeter also than honey, and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant taught: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can tell how oft he offendeth: O cleanse thou me from my secret faults! Keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins, lest they get the dominion over me: so shall I be undefiled, and innocent from the great offence. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be alway acceptable in thy sight. O Lord: my strength, and my redeemer. Glory be, &c. (k) Antiphon. (1) Antiphon. Psalm 20. (17) (1) Antiphon. (m) Antiphon. Psalm 21. (18) There is neither speech nor language, but their voices are heard among them. The Lord hear thee. in the day of trouble: the Name of the God of Jacob defend thee. Send thee help from the sanctuary: and strengthen thee out of Sion. Remember all thy offerings: and accept thy burnt sacrifice. Grant thee thy heart's desire: and fulfil all thy mind. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and triumph in the Name of the Lord our God: the Lord perform all thy petitions. Now know I that the Lord helpeth his Anointed, and will hear him from his holy heaven: even with the wholesome strength of his right hand. Some put their trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God. They are brought down, and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Save, Lord, and hear us, O King of heaven: when we call upon thee. Glory be, &c. The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble. The King shall rejoice in thy strength, O Lord: exceeding glad shall he be of thy salvation. Thou hast given him his heart's desire: and hast not denied him the request of his lips. For thou shalt prevent him with the blessings of goodness: and shalt set a crown of pure gold upon his head. He asked life of thee, and thou gavest him a long life: even for ever and ever. His honour is great in thy salvation: glory and great worship shalt thou lay upon him. For thou shalt give him everlasting felicity: and make him glad with the joy of thy countenance. And why? because the king putteth his trust in the Lord : and in the mercy of the Most Highest he shall not miscarry. All thine enemies shall feel thy hand: thy right hand shall find out them that hate thee. Thou shalt make them like a fiery oven in time of thy wrath the Lord shall destroy them in his displeasure, and the fire shall consume them. Their fruit shalt thou root out of the earth: and their seed from among the children of men. |