by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their
lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that
dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea:
for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because
he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

THE GOSPEL. St Matth. xviii. 1.

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child
unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say
unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children,
ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore
shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest
in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little
child in my name, receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of
these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him
that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were
drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of
offences: for it must needs be that offences come: but woe to
that man by whom the offence cometh. Wherefore if thy hand or
thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it
is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than
having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from
thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye,
rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell-fire. Take heed
that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you,
that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father
which is in heaven.

SAINT LUKE THE EVANGELIST _October_ 18.

THE COLLECT.

Almighty God, who calledst Luke the Physician, whose praise is in
the Gospel, to be an Evangelist, and Physician of the soul: May
it please thee that, by the wholesome medicines of the doctrine
delivered by him, all the diseases of our souls may be healed;
through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

THE EPISTLE. 2 Tim. iv. 5.

Watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of
an Evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now
ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have
kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteou