The Vespers, or Even-Song, and Complin

Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, ‘Se.

Incline unto my aid, O God. ℟. O Lord, make haste to help me. Ý. Glory be to the Father, &’c. ℟. As it was in the beginning, &c. Alleluia.

Anthem, The Lord said.

Psalm cix. Dixit Dominus HE Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right-hand, Untill I make thy enemies the foot-stool of chy feet. The Lord will send forth the rod of thy power out of Son: be thou the ruler in the midst of thy enemies. With thee is the beginning, [or the princiality] in the day of thy strength, in the rightness of holy things: From the womb, efore the day-star I begot thee. he Lord has sworn, and it shall not repent im: Thou art a priest for ever, according the order of Melchisedech. he Lord at thy right-hand hath broken ings in the day of his wrath. e shall judge among nations, he shall fill up ruins; he shall crush the heads in the land of many. He shall drink of the torrent in the way: therefore shall he lift up his head. Glory, esc.:

Anthem. The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right-hand. Anth. The works of the Lord are great.

Psalm cx. Confitebor tibi I WILL confess to thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: in the counsel of the just, and in the congregation. The works of the Lord are great: sought out according to all his wills. His work is worthy of praise and magnificence: and his justice remaineth for ever and ever. He hath made a memory of his wonderful works, a merciful and compassionate Lord he hath given food to them that fear him. He will be mindful for ever of his covenant: he will show forth to his people the power of his works. That he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles; the works of his hands are verity and judgment. Faithful are all his commandments, confirmed for ever and ever: made in truth and equity. He has sent redemption to his people: he has commanded his covenant for ever.

Holy and terrible is his name: the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

A good understanding to all that do it: his raise remaineth for ever. Glory, e. Anthem. The works of the Lord are great: sought out according to all his wills 4mth. He that feareth the Lord.

Psalm cxi. Beatus vir LESSED is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in is commandments. Jis seed shall be mighty upon earth: the eneration of the righteous shall be blessed. Glory and riches in his house: and his justice abideth for ever and ever. A light is risen up in darkness to the righteous; he is merciful and compassionate and just. [hat man is acceptable that sheweth mercy, and lendeth: He shall dispose his words in judgment, because he shall not be moved for ver.: The just shall be in eternal memory: he shall not fear from the evil hearing. His heart is ready to hope in the Lord, his heart is strengthened: he shall not be moved, till he overlook his enemies. He has distributed, he has given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever: his horn shall be exalted in glory. The sinner shall see and shall be angry he shall gnash with his teeth, and pine away: the desire of sinners shall perish. Glory, &e. Anthem. He that feareth the Lord, delighteth exceedingly in his commandments. Anth. Let the name of the Lord.

Psalm cxii. Laudati, pueri Pos ye the Lord, O children: Praise ye the name of the Lord.

Let the name of the Lord be blessed, from henceforth now and for ever.

From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.

The Lord is high above all nations:: and his glory above the heavens.

Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, and beholdeth the low things in heaven and earth??

Raising up the needy from the earth, and lifting up the poor from the dung.

To place him with princes, with the princes of his people.

Who maketh the barren woman to dwell in a house a joyful mother of children. Glory, Se. Anthem. Let the name of the Lord be blessed for ever. Anti. But our God.

Psalm cxiii. In exitu Israel HEN Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from amongst a barbarous people.

Judza was made his sanctification, Israel his dominion, The sea saw, and fled away, Jordan was turned backward.

The mountains skipped like rams, and the hills like the lambs of the flock.

What aileth thee, O sea, that thou didst flee? And thou, O Jordan, that thou wast turned backward?

Ye mountains that you skipped like rams, and ye little hills like the lambs of the flock? ‘The earth was moved at the presence of the Lord; at the presence of the God of Jacob. Who turned the rock into pools of waters, and the stony hills into fountains of waters. Not to us, O Lord, not to us: but to thy name give glory.

For thy mercy and for thy truth: lest at any time the Gentiles say, Where is their God? But our God is in heaven, he hath done all things whatsoever he would.

The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold; the works of the hands of men.

They have mouths and speak not: they have eyes and see not.

They have ears and hear not; they have noses and smell not.

They have hands and feel not; they have feet and shall not walk; neither shall they cry out through their throats.

Let them that make them become like to them, and all such as put their trust in them.

The house of Israel hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector.

The house of Maron hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector.

They that fear the Lord have hoped in the Lord, he is their helper and their protector. The Lord hath been mindful of us; and hath blessed us.

He hath blessed the house of Israel; he hath blessed the house of Aaron.

He hath blessed all that fear the Lord, both little and great.

May the Lord add upon you: upon you, and upon your children.

You are blessed of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

The heaven of heaven to the Lord: but the earth he hath given to the children of men. The dead shall not praise thee, O Lord, nor all they that go down to hell.

But we that live do bless the Lord, from this time now and for ever. Glory, &¢ Anthem. But our God is in heaven, he hath done all things whatsoever he would.

The Little Chapter, 2 Cor. i.

LESSED be God, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations. Answer, Thanks be to God.

The Hymn

Lucis Creator Optime O GREAT Creator of the light, Who from the darksome womb of night Brought’st forth new light at nature’s birth To shine upon the face of th’ earth.

Who by the morn and ev’ning ray Hast measur’d time, and call’d it day; Vouchsafe to hear our pray’rs and tears, Whilst sable night involves the spheres.

Lest our frail mind with sin defil’d, From gift of life should be exil’d, Whilst on no heav’nly thing she thinks, But twines herself in Satan’s links,

O may she soar to heav’n above, The happy seat of life and love: Mean time all sinful actions shun, And purge the foul ones she hath done.

This pray’r, most gracious Father, hear, Thy equal Son incline his ear, Doth live and reign eternally. Amen.

VY. May my prayer, O Lord, be directed. ℟. As incense in thy sight.

The Anthem for the Magnificat is different every Sunday. $ The Magnificat, or the Canticle of the Blessed Virgin, St. Luke 1.

M* soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Because he hath regarded the humility of his hand-maid:: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because he that is mighty hath done great things to me. And holy is his name. And his mercy is from generation to generations, to them that fear him. He hath shewed power in his arm;; he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath deposed the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. The hungry he hath filled with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath receiv’d Israel his child; being mindful of his mercy. As he spoke unto our fathers; to Abraham and his seed for ever. Glory, &¥c. The prayer is the Collect of the day; which is different every Sunday. You may say this that follows: Let us pray OOK down, we beseech thee, O Lord, upon this thy family; for which our Lord Jesus Christ did not stick to be delivered into the hands of sinners, and to undergo the torment of the cross. Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, A Commemoration of the B. Virgin Mary Anthem. O HOLY Mary, succour the miserable, help the faint-hearted, comfort the afflicted; pray for the people, intercede for the clergy, make supplication for the devout female sex: let all be sensible of thy help, who celebrate thy holy commemoration. ℣. Pray for us, O holy mother of God. ℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray RANT, we beseech thee, O Lord God, that we thy servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body; and by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sorrows, and come to eternal joys, through our Lord A Commemoration of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul Anthem. HE Apostle Peter, and Paul the doctor of the Gentiles, were they that taught us thy law, O Lord.

VY. Thou shalt establish them rulers over the whole earth. ℟. They shall be mindful of thy name, O Lord.

Let us pray GOD, whose right-hand raised up St.

Peter walking on the waters, that he might not be drown’d; and delivered his fellow-apostle Pau/ from the depth of the sea, when he was thrice shipwreck’d; mercifully hear us, and grant that by the merits of them both we may obtain the glory of eternity.

Here comes in a commemoration also of the patron of the place, or titular saint of the church with a proper anthem and prayer out of the office of that saint.

For Peace Anthem. IVE peace, O Lord, in our days: for there is no other to fight for us but thou our God. y. Let peace be made in thy strength.

℟. And plenty in thy towers.

Let us pray right counsels, and just works: give to thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be addicted to thy commandments; and the fear of enemies being taken away, the times may Complin 141 be quiet under thy protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Sc. Amen. VY. The Lord be with you. R7. And with thy spirit. YW. Let us bless the Lord. ℟. Thanks be to God. ℣. May the souls of the faithful through the mercy of God rest in peace. Ky. Amen. Our Father, &e.

The Complin

The Lector begins by asking the Officiant’s benediction: which is given in these words, The Blessing. May the Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night, and a perfect end. Amen.

The Short Lesson. 1 Peter v. R HREN, be ye sober, and watch: for your adversary the devil, like a roaring lion, goes round about, seeking whom he may devour whom resist, ye strong in faith. But thou, O Lord, have mercy on us. Thanks be to God.

Our help is in the name of the Lord.

Who made heaven and earth. Our Father, fc. I confess, Se. Ý. Convert us, O Lord our Saviour, Jy. And turn away thy wrath from us. ℣. Incline unto my aid, O God. ℟. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, e. Anthem. Have mercy.

142 142 Complin Psalm iv. Cum invocarem HEN I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: in tribulation thou hast enlarged to me. Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. O ye sons of men, how long are you of heavy heart? Why do you love vanity, and seek after a lye? And know ye that the Lord hath made his holy one marvellous: the Lord will hear me when I shall cry to him. ° Be ye angry, and sin not; the things that you say in your hearts, have compunction for them in your chambers. Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and hope in the Lord: many say, Who sheweth us good things? The light of thy countenance, O Lord, is signed upon us: thou hast given gladness in my heart. By the fruit of their corn, and wine and oil, they are multiplied. In peace, in the self same, I will sleep, and I will rest. For thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope. Glory, &c.

Psalm xc. Qui habitat E that dwelleth in the help of the most high, shall abide in the protection of the God of heaven.

Complin 143 He shall say to the Lord, Thou art my protector, and my refuge; my God, in him will I put my trust. For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters, and from the sharp word. With his shoulders he shall overshadow thee, and under his wings thou shalt hope. His truth shall encompass thee with a shield: thou shalt not fear for any trouble by night. Nor for the arrow that flieth in the day, the business that walketh about in darkness;; the incursion, gr the noon-day devil. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousands on thy right-hand, but the evi/ shall not approach to thee. But thou shalt consider with thine eyes, and shalt see the reward of sinners. Because thou, O Lord, art my hope: thou hast made the most high thy refuge. No evil shall come at thee; and the scourge shall not approach to thy tabernacle. For he has given his angels charge over thee; that they may keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands; lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk; and thou shalt tread under thy feet the lion and the dragon. Because he hath trusted in me I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he hath known my name. He shall cry to me, and I will hear him; I 144 Complin am with him in tribulation; I will deliver him, and I will glorify him.

I will replenish him with length of days:: and I will shew him my salvation. Glory, €c.

Psalm cxxxiii. Ecce nunc benedicite 1 5 Daiei now bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord. Who stand in the house of the Lord; in the courts of the house of our God. In the nights lift up your hands towards the holy places; and bless ye the Lord. Our Lord bless thee from Sion, who made heaven and earth. Glory, c. Anthem, Have mercy on me, O Lord, and hear my prayer.

Before the closing of the day, Creator we thee humbly pray That for thy accustom’d mercies sake, Vain dreams and phantoms of the night.

In this, most gracious Father, hear, With Christ, thy equal Son, our pray’r, Doth live and reign eternally. Amen,

Complin 145 The Little Chapter. Jeremiah xiv. UT thou, O Lord, art among us; thy holy name is invoked upon us; forsake us not, O Lord our God. R7. Thanks be to God. Resp. Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Into thy hands, O Lord, &&%, VY, Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord God of truth. I commend my spirit. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. W. Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of thine eye. ℟. Protect us under the shadow of thy wings. Anth. Save us.

Nunc dimittis. St. Lukei. The Song of Simeon TOW thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace. Because mine eyes have seen thy salvation. Which thou hast prepared before the face of ull peoples. A light unto the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Zsrael. Glory be, &*c, Anthem, Save us, O Lord, waking, and keep us sleeping, that we may watch with Christ, and sleep in peace.: Lord have mercy on us. Christ have mercy: K 146 Complin on us. Lord have mercy on us. Our Father, fs’. W. And lead us not into temptation. ℟. But deliver us from evil. I believe in God, &c. W. The resurrection of the body. ky. And life everlasting. Amen. ℣. Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers. ℟. And worthy of praise, and glorious for ever. ℣. Let us bless the Father and the Son with the Holy Ghost. IY. Let us praise and magnify him for ever. VY. Thou art blessed, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven. ky. And worthy of praise, and glorious, and magnified for ever. ¥. May the almighty and merciful Lord bless us and keep us. Amen. YW. Vouchsafe, O Lord, this night. ky. To keep us without sin, ý. Have mercy on us, O Lord. ℟. Have mercy on us, YW. Let thy mercy be upon us, O Lord. ky. As we have put our trust in thee. YW..O Lord, hear my prayer. ℟. And let my cry come unto thee. VY. The Lord be with you. ky. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray Ae we beseech thee, O Lord, this habitation, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy: let thy holy angels dwell therein, to keep us in peace: and thy blessing be upon us for ever, thro’ our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. VY. The, Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit. W. Let us bless the Lord. ky. Thanks be to God,

May the almighty and merciful Lord, Father, and Holy Ghost, bless us and keep us. men.

Then follows an anthem and prayer by way ` of a commemoration of the B. Virgin, which is different according to the different seasons of the year.

Our Father. Hail Mary. I believe in God. -