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dear Son, that Thou hast kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray Thee that Thou wouldst keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please Thee. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

EVENING PRAYER.

In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. I thank Thee, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast graciously kept me this day; and I pray Thee that Thou wouldst forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

HOW THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY

Should teach his Household to ask a Blessing and
return Thanks,

A. BEFORE EATING.

The eyes of all wait upon Thee, O Lord, and Thou givest them their meat in due season; Thou openest Thy hands and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless us and these Thy gifts which we receive from Thy bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

B. AFTER EATING.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. He giveth food to all flesh: He giveth to the beast his food; and to the young ravens which cry. He delighteth not in the strength of a horse. He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy,

We thank Thee, Lord God, Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for all Thy benefits, who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.

TABLE OF DUTIES;

Or, Certain Passages of Scripture for Various Holy Orders and Estates, whereby these are severally to be admonished of their Office and Duty.

To Bishops, Pastors, and Preachers.

A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not

given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; not a novice. Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and convince the gainsayers. 1 Tim. 3, 2. 3. 4. 6. Tit. 1, 9.

What the Hearers owe to their Pastors.

Eat and drink such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Luke 10, 7.

Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 1 Cor. 9, 14.

Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Gal. 6, 6. 7.

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth ont the corn; and the laborer is worthy of his reward. 1 Tim. 5, 17. 18.

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 1 Thess. 5, 12. 13.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you. Heb. 13, 17.

Of Civil Government.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Rom. 13, 1-4.

Of Subjects.

Render unto Cesar the things which are Cesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. Matth. 22, 21.

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For, for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute, to whom tribute is due; custom, to whom custom; fear, to whom fear; honor, to whom honor. Rom. 13, 5-7.

I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for al: that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet

and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. 1 Tim. 2, 1-3.

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work. Tit. 3, 1.

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 1 Pet. 2, 13. 14.

To Husbands.

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. And be not bitter against them. 1 Pet. 3, 7. Col 3, 19.

To Wires.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. Eph. 5, 22.

Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well. and are not afraid with any amazement. 1 Pet. 3, 5. 6.

To Parents.

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6, 4

To Children.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Eph. 6, 1-3.

To Servants, Hired Men, and Laborers.

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Eph. 6, 5-8.

To Masters and Mistresses.

And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your master also is in heaven: neither is there respect of persons with him. Eph. 6, 9.

To the Young in general.

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humil ity: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. 1 Pet. 5, 5. 6.

To Widows.

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasures, is dead while she liveth. 1 Tim. 5, 5. 6.

To All in Common.

Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Herein are comprehended all the commandments. Rom. 13, 9. And persevere in prayer for all men. 1 Tim. 2, 1.

Let each his lesson learn with care,
And all the household well shall fare.

THE AUGSBURG CONFESSION;

OR

THE CONFESSION OF FAITH,

Presented to his Imperial Majesty, Charles V., at the Diet of Augs burg, A. D. MDXXX.

"I will speak of Thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed." PSALM 119: 46.

PREFACE TO THE EMPEROR CHARLES V.

Most Invincible Emperor, Cæsar Augustus, most clement Master: Inasmuch as Your Imperial Majesty has summoned a Convention of the Empire at Augsburg, to deliberate in regard to aid against the Turk, the most atrocious, the hereditary, and ancient enemy of the Christian name and religion, in what way, to wit, resistance might be made to his rage and assaults by a protracted and permanent preparation for war; because, moreover, of dissensions in the matter of our holy religion and Christian faith, and in order that in this matter of religion the opinions and judgments of divers parties might be heard in cach other's presence, might be understood and weighed among one another, in mutual charity, meekness, and gentleness, that those things which in the writings on either side have been handled or understood amiss, being laid aside and corrected, these things might be harmonized and brought back to the one simple truth and Christian concord; so that hereafter the one unfeigned and true religion might be embraced and preserved by us, so that as we are subjects and soldiers of the One Christ, we might also live in unity and concord in the one Christian Church:

And inasmuch as We, the Electors and Princes whose names are subscribed, together with others who are conjoined with us, in common with other Electors and Princes and States, have been called to the aforenamed Diet, we have, in order to render most humble obedience to the Imperial Mandate, come early to Augs burg, and with no desire to boast would state that we were among the very first to be present.

When, therefore, Your Imperial Majesty, among other things, has also at Augsburg, at the very beginning of these sessions, caused the proposition to be made to the Princes and States of the Empire, that each of the States of the Empire, in virtue of the Imperial Edict, should propose and offer in the German and in the Latin language its opinion and decision; after discussion on Wednesday we replied to Your Imperial Majesty, that on the following Friday we would offer on our part the Articles of our Confession:-wherefore, in order that we may do homage to the will of Your Imperial Majesty, we now offer in the matter of religion the confession of our preachers and of ourselves, the doctrine of which, derived from the Holy Scriptures and pure Word of God, they have to this time set forth in our lands, dukedoms, domains, and cities, and have taught in the churches. If the other Electors, Princes, and States of the Empire, should in the writings, to wit, in Latin and German, according to the aforementioned Imperial Proposition, produce their opinions in this matter of relig ion, we here in the presence of Your Imperial Majesty, our most clement Lord, offer ourselves, prepared, in conjunction with the Princes and our friends already designated, to compare views in a kindly manner in regard to mode and ways which may be available, so that, as far as may honorably be done, we may agree, and the matter between us of both parties being peacefully discussed, with no hateful contention, by God's help the dissension might be removed, and be brought back to one true, accordant religion (as we are all subjects and soldiers under one Christ, so also we ought to confess one Christ, in accordance with the tenor of the decree of Your Imperial Majesty), and all things could be brought back to the truth of God, which with most fervent prayers we beseech God to grant.

But if, as regards the rest of the Electors, Princes, and States, those of the other party, this treatment of the matter of religion-in the manner in which Your Imperial Majesty has wisely thought fit it should be conducted and treated, to wit, with such a mutual presentation of writings and calm conference between us-should not go on, nor be attended by any result: yet shall we leave a clear testimony, that in no manner do we evade anything which can tend to promote Christian concord (anything which God and a good conscience allow); and this Your Imperial Majesty and the other Electors and States of the Empire, and all who are moved by a sincere love of religion and concern for it, all who are willing to give an equitable hearing in this matter, will kindly gather and understand from the Confession of ourselves and of

ours.

Since, moreover, Your Imperial Majesty has not once only, but repeatedly signified to the Electors, Princes, and other States of the Empire; and at the Diet of Spires, which was held in the year of our Lord 1526, caused to be recited and publicly proclaimed, in accordance with the form of Your Imperial instruc tions and commission given and prescribed, that Your Imperial Majesty in this matter of religion for certain reasons, stated in the name of Your Majesty, was not willing to determine, nor was able to conclude touching anything, but that Your Imperial Majesty would diligently endeavor to have the Roman pontiff, in accordance with his office, to assemble a general council: as also

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