sent unto us. We therefore at all! two thousand into Galilee, and one times without ceasing, both in our thousand went with him. feasts, and other convenient days, do Ry. They decked. p. cxxii. remember you in the sacrifices which Lesson III. we offer, and in our prayers, as reason is, and as it becometh us to think

upon our brethren.

Ry. Open. p. cxxiii.

WEDNESDAY.

Of the 1st Book of Maccabees.

Lesson I. Chap xii.

No

OW as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates, and took him, and all them that came with him they slew with the sword. Then sent Tryphon an host of footmen and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan's company. But when they knew that Jonathan and they that were with him were taken and slain, they encouraged one another, and went close together, prepared to fight. They therefore that followed upon them, perceiving that they were ready to fight for their lives, turned back again. Whereupon they all came into the land of Judea peaceably, and there they bewailed Jonathan, and them that were with him, and they were sore afraid; wherefore all Israel made great lamentation.

NOW Tryphon went about to get the kingdom of Asia, and to kill Antiochus the king, that he might set the crown upon his own head. Howbeit he was afraid that Jonathan would not suffer him, and that he would fight against him; wherefore he sought a way how to take Jonathan, that he might kill him, So he removed, and came to Bethsan. Then Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for the battle, and came to Bethsan. Now when Tryphon saw that Jonathan came with so great a force, he durst not stretch his hand against him; but received him honourably, and commended him unto all his friends, and gave them gifts, and commanded his men of war to be obedient unto him, NOW when Simon heard that

as to himself.

Ry. The sun shone. p. cxxii.

Lesson II.

UNTO Jonathan also he said, Why hast thou put all this people to so great trouble, seeing there is no war betwixt us? Therefore send them now home again, and choose a few men to wait on thee, and come thou with me to Ptolemais, for I will give it thee, and the rest of the strong holds and forces, and all that have any charge as for me, I will return and depart for this is the cause of my coming. So Jonathan believing him did as he bade him, and sent away his host, who went into the land of Judea. And with himself he retained but three thousand men, of whom he sent

Ry. They praised. p. cxxii.
THURSDAY.

Of the 1st Book of Maccabees.
Lesson I. Chap. xiii.

Tryphon had gathered together a great host to invade the land of Judea, and destroy it, and saw that the people was in great trembling and fear, he went up to Jerusalem, and gathered the people together, and gave them exhortation, saying, Ye yourselves know what great things I, and my brethren, and my father's house, have done for the laws and the sanctuary, the battles also and troubles which we have seen, by reason whereof all my brethren are slain for Israel's sake, and I am left alone. Now therefore be it far from me, that I should spare mine own life in any time of trouble: for I am no better than my brethren; doubtless I will avenge my nation, and the sanctuary, and our wives, and our chil

dren: for all the heathen are gathered | bled, neither would he let Jonathan

gold of a thousand pound weight, to confirm the league with them. Whereof when the people heard, they said, What thanks shall we give to Simon and his sons? for he and his

brethren and the house of his father

have established Israel, and chased away in fight their enemies from them, and confirmed their liberty. So then they wrote it in tables of brass, which they set upon pillars in mount Sion. Ry. Thine, O LORD. p. cxxi.

SATURDAY.

Of the 1st Book of Maccabees.

Lesson I. Chap. xvi.

NOW Simon was visiting the cities that were in the country, and taking care for the good ordering of them; at which time he came down himself to Jericho with his sons, Mattathias and Judas, in the hundred threescore and seventeenth year, in the eleventh month, called Sabat: where the son of Abubus receiving them deceitfully into a little hold, called Docus, which he had built, made them a great banquet: howbeit he had hid men there. So when Simon and his sons had drunk largely, Ptolemee and his men rose up, and took their weapons, and came upon Simon into the banqueting place, and slew him, and his two sons, and certain of his servants. In which doing he committed a great treachery, and recompensed evil for good.

Ry. The sun shone. p. cxxii.

Lesson II.

were slain, and, quoth he, Ptolemee
hath sent to slay thee also.
Ry. They decked. p. cxxii.

Lesson III.

HEREOF when he heard, he was

sore astonished: SO he laid hands on them that were come to destroy him, and slew them; for he knew that they sought to make him away. As concerning the rest of the acts of John, and his wars, and worthy deeds which he did, and the building of the walls, which he made, and his doings, behold, these are written in the chronicles of his priesthood, from

the time he was made high priest after his father.

Ry. They praised. p. cxxii.

FOURTH SUNDAY IN OCTOBER.
FIRST NOCTURN.

Here beginneth the 2nd Book of
Maccabees.
Lesson I. Chap. i.

THE

brethren, the Jews that be

at Jerusalem and in the land of Judea, wish unto the brethren, the Jews that are throughout Egypt, health and peace: GoD be gracious unto you, and remember his covenant that he made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants; and give you all an heart to serve him, and to do his will, with a good courage and a willing mind; and open your hearts in his law and commandments, and send you peace, and hear your prayers, and be at one with you, and never forsake you in time of trouble.

THEN Ptolemes wrote these things And now we be here praying for you.

and sent to the king, that he should send him an host to aid him, and he would deliver him the country and cities. He sent others also to Gazara to kill John: and unto the tribunes he sent letters to come unto him, that he might give them silver, and gold, and rewards. And others he sent to take Jerusalem, and the mountain of the temple. Now one had run afore to Gazara, and told John that his father and brethren

Ry. The LORD open. p. cxx.

Lesson II.

'HEREFORE whereas we are now

purposed to keep the purification of the temple upon the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, we thought it necessary to certify you thereof, that ye also might keep it, as the feast of the tabernacles, and of the fire, which was given us when Neemias offered sacrifice, after that

he had builded the temple and the | fathers, the Maccabees remained altar. For when our fathers were led unhurt by those temptations. into Persia, the priests that were then Ry. Fear ye not. p. cxxi. devout took the fire of the altar privily, and hid it in an hollow place of a pit without water, where they kept it sure, so that the place was unknown to all men.

Ry. The LORD hear. p. cxx.

Lesson III.

Lesson V.

AND when the war pressed heavily

upon them, and they could do nothing advantageous, they hid themselves, as also did the Apostles. They did not always appear rushing into the midst of danger, but they sometimes fled, and withdrew to hide. And

NOW after many years, when it when they had taken breath a little, pleased GOD, Neemias, being sent like whelps of a noble breed coming from the king of Persia, did send of forth from their dens, and emerging the posterity of those priests that had from their hiding places, they resolved, hid it to the fire: but when they told for the future, not to win safety for us they found no fire, but thick water; themselves alone, but for others, whomthen commanded he them to draw it soever they could: and going through up, and to bring it; and when the all that state and country, they Neemias comgathered together all that they found manded the priests to sprinkle the perfect and entire in the service of wood and the things laid thereupon GOD; and many of those who had with the water. When this was done, fallen away and been corrupted, they and the time came that the sun shone, brought back to their former conwhich afore was hid in the cloud, there|dition, persuading them to return to was a great fire kindled, so that every the laws of their fathers. man marvelled.

sacrifices were laid

on,

Ry. Our enemies. p. cxxi.

SECOND NOCTURN.

From the Treatise of S. John Chrysostom on the 44th Psalm.

Lesson IV.

We have heard with our ears,

Ry. The heathen. p. cxxi.

Lesson VI.

FOR they said that God was merci

ful and gracious, and never deprived men of that salvation which cometh of repentance. And, so saying, they raised a levy of the bravest

Omen.

GOD, our fathers have told us, what Thou hast done in their time of old. The Prophet utters this Psalm, yet not in his own person, but in the person of the Maccabees, relating and predicting what should come to pass at that time. For such are the Prophets; they traverse all times, past, present, and future. But who these Maccabees were, what they suffered, and what they did, it is necessary first to say, that what is said in my text may be plainer. For when Antiochus, surnamed Epiphanes, invaded Judæa, and wasted it all, and forced many at that time to fall away from the laws of their fore

For they were not fighting for

their wives, children, and servants, or because of the overthrow and captivity of their country, but for their laws, and for their religion. Now their leader was GOD. When, therefore, they set the battle in array, and put their lives in jeopardy, they overthrew their adversaries, not trusting in their arms, but thinking that their cause of war was enough, instead of any armour. When they went forth to battle, they uttered no bombast, sang no military songs, as some do; they called together no musicians, as is done in other armies, but they invoked the help of GoD on high, to the end that He might be present, and assist: that