Lesson V.

WHAT was the chiefest thing done
upon this day, He knoweth
who wrought it; but whatever it was,
we must believe, nor must we doubt,
that it was done for us. For in that
the Chaldæans, stirred up by the rays
of a bright shining star, worshipped
Him, hope was given to the Gentiles
of worshipping Very GOD. In that
water, by a new order of things, was
changed into wine, a foretaste of the
Sacrament of the New Cup was given.
In that the Lamb of GOD was baptized,
the saving gift of regenerating baptism
was consecrated for us.
Ry. All they. p. liv.

IT

Lesson VI.

behoveth us, therefore, brethren, for the honour of our SAVIOUR, whose Nativity we have so lately, with due rejoicing, observed, to celebrate also with all devotion this birthday of His miracles. And how meetly are these three mysteries declared by us as wrought upon one day, since we acknowledge the unutterable mystery of the TRINITY under the single Name of GOD. By these miracles, therefore, CHRIST the LORD, our Redeemer, willed to reveal Himself to the eyes of mortal men, in so far that His invisible Godhead, which was hid in His Manhood, should not be hid in His actions. Ry. The wise men. p. liv.

THIRD NOCTURN.

founded by learning the birth of CHRIST

from the Gentiles, the star arises in
the East. For the wise men knew by
the prophecy of Balaam, whose suc-
cessors these men were, that it would
appear. Read the book of Numbers.
Moreover the wise men are led by the.
guidance of the star into Judæa, in
order that the priests, being asked by
the wise men where CHRIST should be
born, might be left without excuse
touching His coming.

Ry. The star which. p. lv.
Lesson VIII.

A

ND they said unto them: In Bethlehem of Judæa. Here then is an error of the copyists, for we are of opinion that it was written at first by the Evangelist, not Judæa, but Juda, as we read it in the Hebrew. For what Bethlehem is there in any other country that it should here be called Bethlehem of Judæa by way of distinction? But it is said to be Bethlehem of Juda because there is also another Bethlehem in Galilee. Read the Book of Joshua, the son of Nun. And lastly, we find it so in the very passage of Micah from which the prophecy is taken: And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda.

Ry. And when the wise men. p. lvi.
Lesson IX.

AND when they had opened their

treasures, they presented unto Him gifts, gold and frankincense and

Lesson of the Holy Gospel according myrrh. Juvencus, the priest, has very

to S. Matthew.

Lesson VII. Chap. ii.

beautifully put the mystical meaning of the gifts into one verse: "Gold, incense, myrrh, for King, for God, for

WHEN JESUS was born in Beth- man, they bring as gifts."

lehem of Judæa, in the days of Herod the king, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews?

And that which follows.

A Homily of S. Jerome the Priest. Book 1., Comm. on S. Matt. c. 2. For we have seen His star in the east. That the Jews might be con

And

being warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. Having offered their gifts to the LORD they receive in consequence the answer, not from an angel, but from the LORD Himself, in proof that Joseph's privilege was the reward of merit. Moreover they depart by another way that they may not

come in contact with the unbelieving joy and peace in believing, that ye Jews.

Te Deum. p. 15.
SIXTH DAY.

FIRST NOCTURN.

Of the Epistle to the Romans.

Lesson I. Chap. xv.

may abound in hope, through the power of the HOLY GHOST. And I myself am also persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as

putting you in mind, because of the

grace that is given to me of God, that I should be the minister of JESUS CHRIST to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of GoD, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the HOLY GHOST. Ry. The kings of Tarshish. p. liii.

WE then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour, for his good to edification. For even CHRIST pleased not Himself: but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort A Sermon of S. Fulgentius the Bishop. of the scriptures might have hope. Ry. Three are. p. liii.

Lesson II.

NOW the GOD of patience and con-
solation grant you to be like-
minded one toward another according
to CHRIST JESUS: that ye may with
one mind and one mouth glorify GoD,
even the FATHER of our LORD JESUS
CHRIST. Wherefore receive ye one
another, as CHRIST also received us to
the glory of GoD. Now I say that
JESUS CHRIST was a minister of the
circumcision for the truth of God, to
confirm the promises made unto the
fathers: And that the Gentiles might
glorify GOD for his mercy; as it is
written, For this cause I will confess
to thee among the Gentiles, and sing
unto thy name. And again he saith,
Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
And again, Praise the LORD, all ye
Gentiles; and laud Him, all ye
people.

Ry. In the form. p. liii.
Lesson III.

AND again Esaias saith, There shall

be a root of Jesse, and He that

shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in Him shall the Gentiles trust. Now the GOD of hope fill you with all

SECOND NOCTURN.

Lesson IV.

From Serm. 5. on the Epiphany.

TH
HAT same GOD Who under the
Old Testament commanded the
first-fruits to be offered unto Himself,
dedicated to His own service, when
born as Man, the first-fruits of the
Gentiles. The shepherds were the
first-fruits of the Jews: the wise men
became the first-fruits of the Gentiles.
The one were brought from close at
hand, the others were led from afar.
Where, say they, is He that is born
King of the Jews? Of Herod king of
the Jews were children already born;
Archelaus was born in a palace, CHRIST
in the stable of an inn; Archelaus
when born was laid in a silver cradle,
but CHRIST when born is laid in a
narrow manger: nevertheless he born
in the palace is set at nought, He born
in the inn is sought for: that one is
not so much as named by the Magi,
this Other when found is by them
humbly worshipped.

Ry. Arise, shine. p, liv.

Lesson V.

WHO is this King of the Jews? He

is poor and rich, lowly and most High. Who is this King of the Jews, Who is carried as a babe, worshipped

as GOD? He is little in the manger, | mark of royalty, another is the symbol boundless in heaven: mean in the of Divine power, and the third is the swaddling clothes, precious amid the honour of a burial, which corrupts stars. Wherefore art thou thus not, but preserves, the body of the troubled, Herod? This King Who is dead. Let us also, brethren, who born cometh not to conquer kings by hear and read these things, offer gifts doing battle, but by dying to bring from our treasure. For we have this them marvellously into subjection. treasure in earthen vessels. If thereNeither is He born that He may fore thou art to value in thyself not succeed thee, but that the world may that which is of thyself, but that faithfully believe in Him. He cometh which is of CHRIST, how much more therefore not that living He may war, oughtest thou to regard, in CHRIST, but that He may be slain and triumph. not that which He has vouchsafed to Ry. All they. p. liv. take of thee, but that which is His own?

Lesson VI.

THIS Child Who is now by the

Magi called the King of the Jews, the same is the Creator and the LORD of Angels. Whereas thou fearest the infancy of Him Who is new born, thou oughtest the rather to fear the omnipotence of Him That judgeth. Fear Him not as a successor to thy kingdom, but rather fear the most righteous condemner of thine unbelief. Go, saith he, and bring me word again, that I may come and worship Him also. O feigned cunning, O godless unbelief, O deceitful baseness! The blood of the Innocents, which thou didst cruelly shed, beareth witness as to what thou didst design concerning this Child.

Ry. The wise men. p. liv.

THIRD NOCTURN.

Lesson of the Holy Gospel according
to S. Matthew.
Lesson VII. Chap. ii.

WHEN JESUS was born in Bethle

hem of Judæa, in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? And that which follows.

A Homily of S. Ambrose the Bishop.

Book 2 on S. Luke II.

What are these gifts of true faith? Gold for a king, frankincense for GOD, myrrh for the dead. For one is the

Ry. The star. p. lv.

Lesson VIII.

THEREFORE the wise men offer

gifts from their treasures. Would you know how great was their reward? The star is seen by them, but where Herod is, it is not seen. Again, where CHRIST is it is seen, and points out the way to Him. Therefore the star is the way, and the way is CHRIST. For, according to the mystery of the Incarnation, CHRIST is a star. there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel. And lastly, where CHRIST is, there also is the Star. For He Himself is the bright and morning Star. Therefore He guides to Himself by His own light.

For

Ry. And when the wise men. p. lvi.
Lesson IX.

FIND here another lesson.

The

wise men came by one way, they return by another. For they who

had seen CHRIST, had known CHRIST;

and truly they return better than they came. For there are two ways: one which leads to death, the other to a kingdom. The one is the way of sinners, which leads to Herod. The other is CHRIST, the Way back to our own country. For here our dwelling is but for a time, as it is written, My soul hath long dwelt among them that are enemies unto peace.

Te Deum. p. 15.

f

SUNDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF THE

EPIPHANY.

The whole office of the Epiphany, except the Lessons. In the 1st Nocturn on this and the following days is read the 1st Ep. to the Corinthians, as

p.lxix., &c. And the remaining Lessons from the Ep. to the Romans are omitted for this year.

When the Epiphany falls on Sunday, the Sunday office is said on the following Saturday. In the 1st Nocturn the Lessons are read, as follow, from the Ep. to the Romans. But the Ep. to

the Corinthians is then read on the Sunday in the Office of the Octave.

FIRST NOCTURN.

Of the Epistle to the Romans.

Lesson I. Chap. xvi.

ICOMMEND unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the

ye

which is good, and simple concerning
evil.

Ry. In the form of a dove. p. liii.
Lesson III.

TIMOTHEUS my workfellow, and

Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, I Tertius, my kinsmen, salute you. who wrote this epistle, salute you in the LORD. Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you all. Amen.

Ry. The kings of Tarshish. p. liii.

SECOND NOCTURN.

A Sermon of S. Leo the Pope.
Lesson IV.

Serm. 5 on the Epiphany.

IT is just and reasonable, beloved, and the work of true piety, to re

church which is at Cenchrea: that receive her in the LORD, as becomethjoice with all our heart in these days saints, and that ye assist her in what- which set forth to us the work of soever business she hath need of you: divine love; and to celebrate with for she hath been a succourer of many, honour the event which took place for and of myself also. Greet Priscilla our salvation; when the very law of and Aquila my helpers in CHRIST the returning seasons calls us to these JESUS: who have for my life laid devotions, by bringing to us after a down their own necks: unto whom short space from the day whereon the not only I give thanks, but also all the co-eternal Son of GOD vouchsafed to churches of the Gentiles. Likewise be born of a Virgin, the festival of the greet the church that is in their house. Epiphany, hallowed by the manifestaSalute my well-beloved Epænetus, who tion of the LORD. is the firstfruits of Achaia unto CHRIST.

Ry. Arise, shine. p. liv.

Lesson V.

IN which Divine Providence has set up a great bulwark of our faith: that, while we keep in solemn devotion the memory of the SAVIOUR'S infancy worshipped in the cradle, the fact that the nature of very man was born in CHRIST may be established by the original proofs. For this is that which justifies the wicked: this is that which makes saints out of sinners, if in One and the Same our LORD JESUS CHRIST'S true Godhead and true Manhood are believed to be Godhead, whereby before all ages in the form of GOD, He

is equal with the FATHER, whereby in | Himself to our faith, in Heaven, enthe last days He was in the form of a throned with Divine honours. servant united to man.. Ry. The star. p. lv.

Ry. All they. p. liv.

Lesson VI.

Lesson VIII.

OW is it that ye sought Me?

HOW

In CHRIST there are two generaTHEREFORE, to stablish this faith, which was proclaimed in oppo- tions; one, of His FATHER; the other sition to all errors, it was brought to of His Mother. That derived from pass by the great loving-kindness of the His FATHER is Divine; that of His Divine Counsel that a nation dwelling Mother is it which came down to our in a distant part of the Eastern region, condition and its labours. Those which was skilled in the art of ob- things therefore which are done by serving the stars, should receive a sign Him beyond His natural faculties and that the Child was born, Who was to age and condition, are not to be reign over all Israel. For that new attributed to His human strength but splendour of a brighter star appeared to to His Divine powers. At a later the wise men, and so filled with won-time His Mother urges Him to His der the minds of beholders, that they ministerial work; here she is blamed believed it impossible for them to disregard an event which was announced by so great a token.

Ry. The wise men. p. liv.

THIRD NOCTURN.

Lesson of the Holy Gospel according to S. Luke.

Lesson VII. Chap. ii.

WHEN JESUS was twelve years old,

they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when

they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the Child JESUS tarried behind in Jerusalem. And that which follows.

A Homily of St. Ambrose the Bishop.

Book 2. upon S. Luke ii. AT the age of twelve, we read, our LORD began this work of teaching, for twelve was the appointed number of the first Gospel preachers of the faith. Nor was He, Who was filled bodily with the wisdom and grace of GoD, carelessly forgetful of His parents according to the flesh, for He was found of them after three days in the temple. And this was a sign, that, after the three days of His victorious passion, having raised Himself from the tomb, He, Who was thought to be dead, would present

because she still asks of him the performance of that which is human. But whereas at this time He is described as only twelve years of age, at that He is said to have disciples. You perceive that His Mother, who was astonished at His miraculous power in His youth, learned of her Son not to exact service from Him in His Manhood.

Ry. And when. p. lvi.

Lesson IX.

AND He went down and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them. For how could He be the Instructor in all virtues, if He did not fulfil the duties of a son? And shall we wonder if He, Who was thus subject to His Mother, obeyed His FATHER? His subjection truly is not that of weakness, but of piety; although the serpent, proceeding from its deadly ambush, lifts up its lying head and vomits out poison from its venomous breast. For when the SON says that He is sent, the heretic calls the FATHER greater than the Son; in order that he may allege the Son to be imperfect, since there is One greater than He; that he may assert that He needs the help of another because He is sent. Was He then in want of human help because He was