four beafts,and the elders;and no man could learn that Tong, but the hundred and fourty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women, for they are virgins: thefe are they which follow the Lamb whitherfoever he goeth: these were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto God, and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God. TH The Gofpel. St. Matth. 2. 13. He angel of the Lord appeared to Jofeph in a dream, faying, Arife, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word, for Herod will feek the young child to destroy him. When he arofe,he took the young child and his mother by night,and departed into Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod : that it might be fulfilled which was fpoken oftheLord by the prophet, faying, Out of Egypt have I called my Son. Then Herod when he faw that he was mocked of the wife-men, was exceeding wroth, and fent forth, and flew all the children that were in Bethlehem,and in all the coafts thereof, from two years old and under,according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wife-men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, faying, In Rama was there a voice heard,lamentation,and weeping,and great mourning,Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. A The Sunday after Christmas-day. The Collect. Lmighty God who haft given us thy only begotter Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pureVirgin;Grant that we being regenerate,and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy holy Spirit, through the fame our Lord Jefus Chrift, who liveth and reignet with thee and the fame Spirit, ever one God, work without end. Amen. The Epiftle. Gal. 4. 1. [Ow I fay,that the heir as long as he is a child, dif fereth nothing from a fervant,though he be lord d all; but is under tutors and governours until the tim appointed of the father. Even fo we, when we wer children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: but when the fulness of the time was come,God fent forth his Son made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of fons. And because ye are fons, God hath fent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. "Wherefore thou art no more a fervant, but a fon, and if a fon, then an heir of God through Christ. The Goffel. S.Matth. 1. 18. "He Birth of Jefus Christ was on this wife: When as his mother Mary was efpoufed to Jofeph (before they came together) he was found with child of the hol Ghoft. Then Jofeph her husband, being a just man,and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on thefe things,behold,the angel of theLord appeared unto him in a dream,faying, Jofeph thou fon of David,fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife;for that which is conceiv ed in her,is of the holy Ghoft. And fhe fhall bring forth a Son,and thou fhalt call his name Jefus; for he fhall fave his people from their fins. (Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was fpoken oftheLord by the prophet,faying,Behold,a Virgin shall be with child, and Thall bring forth a Son,and they shall call his name Emmanuel,which being interpreted,is,God with us.) Then Jofeph being raised from fleep, did as the angel of the ord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: |