e kingdom
of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute
you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my
sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in
heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

| SAINT KENTIGERN, (_January_ 13.)
|
| SAINT PATRICK,(_March_ 17.)
|
| SAINT COLUMBA, (_June_ 9.) AND
|
| SAINT NINIAN (_September_ 16.)
|
| THE COLLECT.
|
| O God, who by the preaching of thy blessed servant Saint _N_.
| didst cause the light of the Gospel to shine in this our land
| [_or_ in these islands]; Grant, we beseech thee, that having his
| life and labours in remembrance, we may shew forth our thankfulness
| unto thee for the same by following the example of his zeal and
| patience; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.
|
| THE EPISTLE. 1 Thess. ii. 2.
|
| We were bold in, our God to speak unto you the gospel of God
| with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor
| of uncleanness, nor in guile; but as we were allowed of God to
| be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as
| pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither
| at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke
| of covetousness; God is witness: nor of men sought we glory,
| neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been
| burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among
| you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so being
| affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted
| unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls,
| because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our
| labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we
| would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you
| the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily
| and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that
| believe: as ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged
| every one of you, as a father doth his children, that ye would
| walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and
| glory.
|
| THE GOSPEL. St Matth. xxviii. 16.
|
| Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain
| where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they
| worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake
| unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in
| earth. Go ye therefor