Lesson VI.

THEREFORE the Apostle Peter, incited by the revelation of the mystery, spurning the world, and wearying of earth, was rapt into excessive desire of eternity; and full of the joy of so great a vision, he desired to dwell with Jesus there, where His manifested glory gave joy. Therefore, saith he, Lord, it is good for us to be here if Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for Thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias. But to this suggestion the Lord made no answer, signifying, not that it was wrong, but inordinate to desire this, because the world could not be saved, except Christ died; and faith is called on to trust the example of the Lord; for while it is not fitting to doubt of the promises of beatitude, we must yet understand that we are to ask first for support among the temptations of this life, before we ask for glory.

Ry. The disciples of Christ, overshadowed by the bright splendour of the cloud, and sore afraid at the Father's voice: * fell on their faces. y. Unskilled to bear the newness of so great and reverend a sight. They fell. Glory. They fell.

THIRD NOCTURN.

Ant. 1. The heaven was opened upon Him, and the voice of the Father was heard: This is my beloved Son: hear Him. Dominus regnavit, exultet. Ps. 97 xcvii. p. 57.

Ant. 2. A sound came from heaven, and the voice of the Father was heard: This is my Son, in Whom I am well pleased: hear Him. Cantate. Ps. 98 xcviii. p. 58.

Ant. 3. Tell the vision to no man:

A Homily of S. John Chrysostom.

Sermon 57 on S. Matthew.

Because the Lord had spoken many things of dangers, many of His Passion, and many of the slaughter and death of His disciples; and had enjoined upon them many hard and difficult things, and these in this present life, and already at hand, while the good things were in hope and expectation: as, for instance, that they should save their souls by losing them; for He would come in the glory of the Father, and would give rewards: therefore, that He might certify them by sight, and might shew them, as far as they could comprehend it in this present life, what is that glory with which He will come, He shewed and made it manifest to them, lest they, and especially Peter, should grieve for the Lord's death, or for their own.

Ry. To-day the Father bore witness from heaven to the Son: which, when they heard, the disciples were sore afraid, and fell down before the Voice which spake, saying,* This is My Son, in Whom I am well pleased. . The heavens were opened upon Him, and the voice of the Father was heard. This. 8 Lesson VIII.

. Lord, have mercy upon us.

discoursed of the Kingdom and of hell. For in that which He said: He that findeth his life shall lose it, and

sake shall find it; and in that which

He said: He will render to every one according to his works: He signified both the Kingdom and hell. While therefore He discoursed of both, He| granted that the Kingdom should be seen by their eyes; but not hell, because that might have been necessary to more foolish and ignorant men; but while they continued honest and wise, it was enough that they should be encouraged with better things. This also befitted Him much more; yet He did not altogether omit that; but sometimes placed the dreadfulness of hell, as it were, before their eyes, as when He related the parable of Lazarus, and mentioned him who demanded again the hundred pence.

Ry. And as they came down from the mountain, * Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. y. Lest His death should in any wise be hindered, if this vision were straightway made known to the people. Jesus.

Lesson IX.

CONSIDER the philosophy of Matthew, who hath not concealed the names of those who were preferred, which John more often does, while he most truly and most diligently writes the glorious praises of Peter. For no envy, or vainglory, had any place in this company of Apostles. Wherefore did He take them only? Because they were more excellent than the others. But why did he not do it immediately, but after six days? Lest others, that is to say, the disciples or other men, should be moved; on account of which neither did He name those whom He was about to take.

[Ry. When Peter saw Moses and Elias in glory, and Jesus in the midst of them, shining as the sun in his strength, he said,* Lord, it is good for us to be here. * If Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles: one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. y.

Jesu! Thou sweetness pure and blest,
Truth's Fountain, Light of souls distrest;
Surpassing all that heart requires,
Exceeding all that soul desires.

No tongue of mortal can express,
No letters write its blessedness:
Alone who hath thee in his heart

Knows, love of Jesus! what thou art.
O Jesu! King of wondrous might !
O Victor, glorious from the fight!
Sweetness that may not be express'd,
And altogether loveliest!

Remain with us, O Lord, to-day!
In every heart Thy grace display;
That, now the shades of night are fled,
On Thee our spirits may be fed.

All honour, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee!
All glory, as is ever meet,

To Father and to Paraclete. Amen.

FIRST NOCTURN.

Ant. 1. Some put their trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we

will remember the name of the Lord our God. Exaudiat te Dominus. Ps. 20xx. p. 15.

Ant. 2. I will remember Thy Name, O Lord: from one generation to another. Eructavit. Ps. xlv. 29.

Ant. 3 According to Thy Name, O Lord Jesus: so is Thy praise unto the world's end. Magnus Dominus. Ps. xlviii. p. 30.

y. I will praise the Name of the Lord with a song.

Ry. And magnify it with thanksgiving.

Of the Acts of the Apostles.

3

Lesson I. Chap. iii.`
OW Peter and John went up to-

Ngether into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

Ry. Thou, O Christ, art my King and my God, Who sendest help unto Jacob: through Thee will we overthrow our enemies; and in Thy Name will we tread them under that rise up against us. Y. Arise, O Lord, help us, and deliver us for Thy Name's sake. Through.

AND all the people saw him walking

and praising God: and they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter

and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye su earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His Son Jesus; Whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, Whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And His Name through faith in His Name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

all our hope is built up, our faith is increased, charity is poured around, and the benign Majesty of the Holy and Undivided Trinity is magnificently celebrated. And while the orders of the heavenly court rejoice, the citizens above do their service in gladness. The roseate Martyrs give praise because, while Jesus is the strength of their soul, they know themselves to be glorious conquerors. And the whiterobed Confessors laud with joyful song, because the Name of Jesus, like honey, grows sweet in the mouth. And while the melody of sweet Jesus strikes on virgin ears, the daughters of Jerusalem weave their dances, singing hymns of joy. They exult in companies, declaring all together the origin of salvation, Jesus our redemption, our Lord, and our desire.

Ry. Now I beseech you, brethren, by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you. y. Let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity. That.

6

Lesson VI.

THIS is that most glorious Festival, which the Fathers long sighed for, which the Prophets long before foretold in a mystical figure. But at last Gabriel, the Heavenly Groomsman, announced to Mary, That holy Thing which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God. And thou shalt call His Name Jesus. Jesus is

set forth as the Fountain of Life,

because He pours Himself forth abroad in four streams. Jesus is made unto us of God Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption. In preaching, Wisdom; in absolution of sinners, Righteousness; in conversation, Sanctification; in suffering, Redemption. Moreover it is written, Three streams flowed from Jesus: the word of sorrow, wherein is confession; the blood of sprinkling,

wherein is affliction; the water of purification, by which is signified compunction.

R. Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, Son of the Living God, have mercy upon me,* that I may behold the fair beauty of the Lord :* and that I may visit His temple. . O look Thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as Thou usest to do to those that love Thy Name, O Lord. That. Glory. And.

THIRD NOCTURN.

Ant. 1. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Thy Name: O deliver us, and be merciful unto our sins, for Thy Name's sake. Deus venerunt. Ps. lxxix. p. 49.

Ant. 2. I will thank Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart and will praise Thy Name for evermore. Inclina Domine. Ps. lxxxvi. p. 52.

Ant. 3. Ascribe unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people; ascribe unto the Lord worship and power: ascribe unto the Lord the honour due unto His Name. Cantate Domino. Ps.cvi. 56. p.

us.

Ry. praise.

Not unto us, O Lord, not unto

But unto Thy Name give the