The booke of common prayer, and administration of the sacraments and other rites and ceremonies of the Church of England.

Saint Peters day.

The Collect.

ALmightie God, which by thy sonne Iesus Christ, hast giuen to thy Apostle S.Peter many excellent gifts, and comandedst him earnestly to feede thy flocke: make we beseech thee all Bishops and Pastours diligently to preach thy holy word, and the people obediently to follow the same, that they may receiue the crowne of euerlasting glorie, through Iesus Christ our Lord.

The Epistle.

AT the same time, * 1.1 Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vexe certaine of the congregation, and he killed Iames the brother of Iohn with the sword. And because hee sawe it pleased the Iewes, he proceeded further, and tooke Peter also. Then were the dayes of sweete bread. And when hee had caught him, he put him in prison also, and deliuered him to foure quaternions of souldiers to bee kept, intending after Easter to bring him foorth to the people. And Peter was kept in prison, but prayer was made without ceasing of the con∣gregation vnto God for him. And when Herod would haue brought him out vnto the people, the same night slept Peter

tweene two souldiers, bound with two chaines, and the kee∣pers before the doore kept the prison. And behold, the Angel of the Lord was there present, and a light shined in the habi∣tation, and he smote Peter on the side, and stirred him vp, say∣ing, Arise vp quickly. And his chaines fell from his hands. And the Angle said vnto him, Gird thy selfe, and binde on thy sandales. And so hee did. And hee faith vnto him, East thy garment about thee, and follow me. And hee came out, and followed him, and wist not that it was trueth which was done by the Angel, but though thee had seene a vision. When they were past the first and secoud watch, they came vnto the yron gate that leadeth vnto the citie, which opened to them by the owne accord: and they went out, and passed through one streete, and foorthwith the Angle departed from him. And when Peter was come to himselfe, hee said, Now I know of a suretie that the Lord hath sent his Angel, and hath deliuered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the wai∣ting of the people of the Iewes.

The Gospel.

WHen Iesus came into the coastes of the Citie, * 1.2 which is called Cesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, whom do men say that I the sonne of man am: They sayde, Some say that thou art Iohn Baptist, some Elias, some Iere∣mias, or one of the Prophets. Hee saith vnto them, But whom say yee that I am: Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art Christ the sonne of the liuing God. And Iesus an∣swered, and said vnto him, Happie art thou Simon the sonne of Iohas: for flesh and blood hath not opened that vnto thee, but my father which is in heauen. And I say vnto thee, that thou art Peter, and vpon this rocke will I build my congre∣gation, and the gates of hell shall not preuaile against it. And I will giue vnto thee the keyes of the kingdome of heanen: And whatsoeuer thou bindest in earth, shall be bound in hea∣uen: and whatsoeuer thou loosest in earth, shall bee loosed in heauen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Acts 12.1
• * 1.2

  Mat. 16.13