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OW seeing that all they be
accursed (as the Prophet David beareth witness) which do err and go astray from
the commandments of God, let us (remembering the dreadful judgment hanging over our heads,
and being always at hand) return unto our Lord God, with all contrition and meekness of
heart, bewailing and lamenting our sinful life, knowledging and confessing our offenses,
and seeking to bring forth worthy fruits of penance. For now is the axe put unto the root
of the trees, so that every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down and
cast into the fire. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living
God; he shall pour down rain upon the sinners, snares, fire, and brimstone,
storm and tempest; this shall be their portion to drink. For lo, the Lord is
come out of his place, to visit the wickedness of such as dwell upon the earth. But
who may abide the day of his coming? Who shall be able to endure when he appeareth? His
fan is in his hand, and he will purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the barn, but
he will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. The day of the Lord cometh as a thief upon
the night, and when men shall say peace, and all things are safe, then shall suddenly
destruction come upon them, as sorrow cometh upon a woman travailing with child, and they
shall not escape. Then shall appear the wrath of God in the day of vengeance,
which obstinate sinners, through the stubbornness of their heart, have heaped unto
themself, which despised the goodness, patience, and long sufferance of God, when he
called them continually to repentance. Then shall they call upon me, saith the Lord, but I
will not hear. They shall seek me early, but they shall not find me. And that because they
hated knowledge and received not the fear of the Lord, but abhorred my counsel, and
despised my correction, then shall it be too late to knock, when the door shall
be shut, and too late to cry for mercy, when It is the time of justice. O terrible voice
of most just judgment, which shall be pronounced upon them, when it shall be said unto
them: Go ye cursed into the fire everlasting, which is prepared for the devil and his
angels. Therefore brethren, take we heed betime, while the day of salvation
lasteth, for the night cometh when none can work. But let us while we have the light
believe in the light, and walk as the children of the light, that we be not cast into the
utter darkness where is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let us not abuse the
goodness of God, which calleth us mercifully to amendment, and of his endless pity
promiseth us forgiveness of that which is past, if (with a whole mind and true heart) we
return unto him. For though our sins be red as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow,
and though they be like purple, yet shall they be as white as wool. Turn you
clean (saith the Lord) from all your wickedness, and your sin shall not be your
destruction. Cast away from you all your ungodliness that ye have done, make
you new hearts and a new spirit: wherefore will you die, O ye house of Israel? Seeing that
I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth (saith the Lord God). Turn you then and
you shall live. Although we have sinned, yet have we an advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous, and he it is that obtaineth grace for our sins, for he was wounded
for our offenses, and smitten for our wickedness. Let us therefore re turn unto
him, who is the merciful receiver of all true penitent sinners, assuring ourself that he
is ready to receive us, and most willing to pardon us, if we come to him with faithful
repentance, if we will submit ourselves unto him, and from henceforth walk in his ways; if
we will take his easy yoke and light burden upon us, to follow in lowliness, patience, and
charity, and be or dered by the governance of his Holy Spirit, seeking always his
glory, and serving him duly in our vocation, with thanksgiving. This if we do, Christ will
deliver us from the curse of the law, and from the extreme malediction, which shall light
upon them that shall be set on the left hand. And he will set us on his right hand and
give us the blessed benediction of his Father, commanding us to take possession of his
glorious kingdom, unto the which he vouchsafe to bring us all, for his infinite
mercy. Amen.
Then shall they all kneel upon their knees; and the priests and
clerks kneeling (where they are accustomed to say the Litany) shall say this Psalm.
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Ps. 118
(actually Ps. 119:21)
Matt. 3
Heb. 10
Ps. 10
(actually Ps. 11:6)
Esa. 26
Mal. 3
Matt. 3
1 Thess. 5
Rom. 2
Prov. 1
Matt. 25
2 Cor. 6
John 9
Matt. 25
Esa. 1
Ezek. 18
1 John 2
Esa. 53
Matt. 11
Matt. 25 |
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AVE mercy upon me (O God) after
thy great goodness: according to the multitude of thy mercies, do away mine offenses.
Wash me throughly from my wickedness: and cleanse me from my
sin.
For I knowledge my faults: and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that
thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged.
Behold, I was shapen in wickedness: and in sin hath my mother conceived
me.
But lo, thou requirest truth in inward parts: and shalt make
me to understand wisdom secretly.
Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: thou shalt wash
me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness: that the bones which thou
hast broken may rejoice.
Turn thy face from my sins: and put out all my misdeeds.
Make me a clean heart (O God): and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence: and take not thy Holy Spirit from
me.
O give me the comfort of thy help again: and stablish me
with thy free spirit.
Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked: and sinners shall be
converted unto thee.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness (O God) thou that art the God of my
health: and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness.
Thou shalt open my lips (O Lord): my mouth shall show thy praise.
For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee: but thou
delightest not in burnt offering.
The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and a contrite
heart (O God) shalt thou not despise.
O be favorable and gracious unto Sion: build thou the walls of
Hierusalem.
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with
the burnt offerings and oblations: then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, etc.
As it was in the beginning, and is now, etc. Amen.
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Miserere mei deus. Ps. 51 |