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 the prayers,  tears,  sighs,  and groans of  the  holy  patriarchs and prophets,  that  as  they, when in  the  flesh,  with  so many  sighs  and  most  fervent prayers, longed  for  the  advent of  thy  Son,  and  the kingdom of  the  Messias,  the new and  eternal  King; that he might  certainly  come  fit last, the  meek  and  peaceful King, the  King  of  glory, mighty in  battle,  whom  all nations desired  for  so  long that he  would  come  and sit upon  the  throne  of  his father David,  and  redeem Israel, since  they  could  not enter into  the  kingdom  of  God till the  King  of  glory  first came and  opened  the  way; even so  may  we,  now  that the entrance  is  opened  to  thy heavenly kingdom,  long  to be  quickly  conveyed  from  this world's abode  to  the  kingdom of  thy  majesty,  where one day  is  better  than  thousands in  the  dwellings  of sinners. Happy are  they  who dwell in  thy  house,  O Lord! Oh, for  thy  kingdom,  the kingdom of  all  ages! Oh, when shall  the  kingdom  of God  come  to  us!

We adore  thee,  most  tender Father,  because  thou wilt, and  art  able  to  will, only what  is  just,  holy,  and good. We therefore  humbly pray thee,  by  the  merits  and intercession of  thy  holy apostles and  disciples,  that as they  so  promptly  obeyed thy will  when  called  by  thee, that, at  one  bidding,  they  left all and  followed  thee;  and when at  length  commanded to go  and  preach  the  gospel over the  whole  world,  undertook the  work  that  was  set them, undeterred  by  any  difficulties or  drawbacks;  and were thenceforward  occupied in  the  one  employment of teaching  men  to  do  the will of  God,  and  to  keep  his commandments, the  observance of  which  is  the  only  way to man’s  salvation;  even  so make  us  eager  to  learn  what is the  good,  acceptable,  and perfect will  of  God,  and, when learnt,  earnestly  to  endeavour to  perform  it;  that we may  not  be  of  the  number of  those  who,  knowing the will  of  God,  and  doing  it not,  are  liable  to  be  beaten with many  stripes. Give, O Lord,  what  thou  commandest, and command  what  thou  wilt.

We adore  thee,  most  bountiful Father,  because  thou feedest us  from  our  infancy, and, with  fatherly  affection, providest for  us  what  is  needful both  for  body  and  soul. We pray  thee,  therefore,  by the  merits  and  patronage  of thy  holy  martyrs,  that,  as thou  feddest  them  in  this