Jeremy Taylor
Jeremy Taylor was born in Cambridge in 1613 and educated there at Gonville & Caius College. He was ordained in 1633 and, as the Civil War got under way, he became a chaplain with the Royalist forces. He was captured and imprisoned briefly but after his release went to Wales, where the Earl of Carbery gave him refuge. He wrote prolifically whilst there, notably The Rule and Exercise of Holy Living in 1650 and of Holy Dying the following year. Among his other works, Liberty of Prophesying proved to be a seminal work in encouraging the development of religious toleration in the seventeenth century. In 1658 he went to Ireland to lecture and two years later was made Bishop of Down and Connor. As Bishop, he labored tirelessly to rebuild churches, restore the use of the Prayer Book, and overcome continuing Puritan opposition. As Vice-chancellor of Trinity College, Dublin, he took a leading part in reviving the intellectual life of the Church of Ireland. He remained to the end a man of prayer and a pastor. He died on this day in 1667. EH/HWHM
Antiphon: https://tinyurl.com/4v96u5uv
Like newborn infants, you must long for the pure, spiritual milk,
that in him you may grow to salvation, alleluia. 1 Peter 2
Guide us, Lord,
in all the changes and varieties of the world;
that we may have evenness and tranquility of spirit:
that we may not grumble in adversity
nor grow proud in prosperity,
but in serene faith surrender our souls
to your most divine will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Jeremy Taylor, mod.
Music: https://tinyurl.com/ycn4djk5
O Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth will declare your praise.
Make haste, O God, to deliver me;
make haste to help me, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Praise to you, O Christ, Alleluia!
HYMN: Jeremy Taylor
Tune: Penitentia https://tinyurl.com/5tsr3yvu
1 Draw nigh to thy Jerusalem, O Lord,
thy faithful people cry with one accord:
ride on in triumph; Lord, behold, we lay
our passions, lusts, and proud wills in thy way.
2 Thy road is ready, and thy paths, made straight,
with longing expectations seem to wait
the consecration of thy beauteous feet,
and silently thy promised advent greet.
3 Hosanna! welcome to our hearts, for here
thou hast a temple too, as Zion dear;
yes, dear as Zion, and as full of sin;
how long shall theives and robbers dwell therein?
4 Enter and chase them forth, and cleanse the floor;
o’erthrow them all, that they may nevermore
profane with traffic vile that holy place
where thou hast chosen, Lord, to set thy face.
5 And then, if our stiff tongues shall faithlessly
be mute in praises of thy deity,
the very temple stones shall loud repeat
Hosanna! and thy glorious footsteps greet.
PSALMS
Psalm 69 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ybbl2s4j)
1 Save me, O God *
for the waters are come in, even unto my soul.
2 I stick fast in the deep mire, where no ground is *
I am come into deep waters, so that the floods run over me.
3 I am weary of crying; my throat is dry *
my sight faileth me for waiting so long upon my God.
4 They that hate me without a cause
are more than the hairs of my head *
they that are mine enemies, and would destroy me guiltless, are mighty.
5 I paid them the things that I never took *
God, thou knowest my simpleness, and my faults are not hid from thee.
6 Let not them that trust in thee, O Lord God of hosts,
be ashamed for my cause *
let not those that seek thee be confounded through me,
O Lord God of Israel.
7 And why? for thy sake have I suffered reproof *
shame hath covered my face.
8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren *
even an alien unto my mother’s children.
9 For the zeal of thine house hath even eaten me *
and the rebukes of them that rebuked thee are fallen upon me.
10 I wept, and chastened myself with fasting *
and that was turned to my reproof.
11 I put on sackcloth also *
and they jested upon me.
12 They that sit in the gate speak against me *
and the drunkards make songs upon me.
13 But, Lord, I make my prayer unto thee *
in an acceptable time.
14 Hear me, O God, in the multitude of thy mercy *
even in the truth of thy salvation.
15 Take me out of the mire, that I sink not *
O let me be delivered from them that hate me,
and out of the deep waters.
16 Let not the water-flood drown me,
neither let the deep swallow me up *
and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
17 Hear me, O Lord, for thy loving-kindness is comfortable *
turn thee unto me according to the multitude of thy mercies.
18 And hide not thy face from thy servant, for I am in trouble *
O haste thee, and hear me.
19 Draw nigh unto my soul, and save it *
O deliver me, because of mine enemies.
20 Thou hast known my reproof, my shame, and my dishonour *
mine adversaries are all in thy sight.
21 Thy rebuke hath broken my heart; I am full of heaviness *
I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was no man,
neither found I any to comfort me.
22 They gave me gall to eat *
and when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.
23 Let their table be made a snare to take themselves withal *
and let the things that should have been for their wealth
be unto them an occasion of falling.
24 Let their eyes be blinded, that they see not *
and ever bow thou down their backs.
25 Pour out thine indignation upon them *
and let thy wrathful displeasure take hold of them.
26 Let their habitation be void *
and no man to dwell in their tents.
27 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten *
and they talk how they may vex them whom thou hast wounded.
28 Let them fall from one wickedness to another *
and not come into thy righteousness.
29 Let them be wiped out of the book of the living *
and not be written among the righteous.
30 As for me, when I am poor and in heaviness *
thy help, O God, shall lift me up.
31 I will praise the Name of God with a song *
and magnify it with thanksgiving.
32 This also shall please the Lord *
better than a bullock that hath horns and hoofs.
33 The humble shall consider this, and be glad *
seek ye after God, and your soul shall live.
34 For the Lord heareth the poor *
and despiseth not his prisoners.
35 Let heaven and earth praise him *
the sea, and all that moveth therein.
36 For God will save Sion, and build the cities of Judah *
that men may dwell there, and have it in possession.
37 The posterity also of his servants shall inherit it *
and they that love his Name shall dwell therein.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 70 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ybjtdo2u)
1 Haste thee, O God, to deliver me *
make haste to help me, O Lord.
2 Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul *
let them be turned backward and put to confusion that wish me evil.
3 Let them for their reward be soon brought to shame *
that cry over me, There, there.
4 But let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee *
and let all such as delight in thy salvation say alway, The Lord be praised.
5 As for me, I am poor and in misery *
haste thee unto me, O God.
6 Thou art my helper, and my redeemer *
O Lord, make no long tarrying.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 69 (Plainsong Tone IV.4)
1 Save me, O God, * †
for the waters have come up even to my neck.
2 I sink down in the deep mire, where there is no ground; *
I have come into deep waters, so that the floods run over me.
3 I am weary of crying; my throat is dry; *
my sight fails me from waiting so long for my God.
4 Those who hate me without a cause are more
than the hairs of my head; *
those who are my enemies, and would
destroy me wrongfully, are mighty.
5 They bid me restore things I never took. *
O God, you know my foolishness,
and my faults are not hidden from you.
6 Let not those who trust in you, O Lord God of hosts,
be ashamed because of me; *
let not those who seek you be confounded through me,
O God of Israel.
7 Surely for your sake have I suffered reproach; *
shame has covered my face.
8 I have become a stranger to my brethren, *
unknown to my mother’s children,
9 Because zeal for your house has consumed me, *
and the reproaches of those who reproached you
have fallen upon me.
10 I wept, and humbled myself with fasting, *
but that was turned to my reproach.
11 I put on sackcloth also, *
and I became a byword among them.
12 Those who sit in the gate speak against me, *
and the drunkards make songs about me.
13 But, Lord, I make my prayer to you *
in an acceptable time.
14 Hear me, O God, in the multitude of your mercy, *
even in the truth of your salvation.
15 Take me out of the mire, lest I sink; *
O let me be delivered from those who hate me,
and out of the deep waters.
16 Let not the floodwaters drown me,
neither let the deep swallow me up, *
and let not the pit shut its mouth upon me.
17 Hear me, O Lord, for your loving-kindness is good; *
turn to me according to the multitude of your mercies;
18 And hide not your face from your servant, for I am in trouble; *
O hasten and hear me.
19 Draw near to me and save me; *
O deliver me because of my enemies.
20 You have known my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor; *
my adversaries are all in your sight.
21 Reproach has broken my heart; I am full of heaviness; *
I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was no one,
neither have I found any to comfort me.
22 They gave me gall to eat, *
and when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.
23 Let their table become a snare for them, *
and let their prosperity become a trap for them.
24 Let their eyes be blinded, that they may not see, *
and make their loins tremble continually.
25 Pour out your indignation upon them, *
and let your wrathful displeasure overtake them.
26 Let their habitation be desolate, *
and let no one dwell in their tents.
27 For they persecute him whom you have stricken, *
and they talk of the pain of those you have wounded.
28 Lay to their charge guilt upon guilt, *
and let them not receive your vindication.
29 Let them be wiped out of the book of the living, *
and not be written among the righteous.
30 As for me, when I am poor and in pain, *
your help, O God, shall lift me up.
31 I will praise the Name of God with a song, *
and magnify it with thanksgiving.
32 This also shall please the Lord *
more than an ox or a bullock that has horns and hooves.
33 The humble shall consider this and be glad; *
seek after God and your hearts shall live.
34 For the Lord hears the poor *
and does not despise his prisoners.
35 Let heaven and earth praise him, *
the sea, and all that moves therein.
36 For God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah, *
that they may dwell there and have it in possession.
37 The posterity of his servants shall inherit it, *
and those who love his Name shall dwell therein.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 70 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-70.mp3)
1 Be pleased, O God, to deliver me; *
O LORD, make haste to help me.
2 Let those who seek my life be ashamed
and altogether dismayed; *
let those who take pleasure in my misfortune
draw back and be disgraced.
3 Let those who say to me “Aha!” and gloat over me turn back, *
because they are ashamed.
4 Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; *
let those who love your salvation say for ever,
“Great is the LORD!”
5 But as for me, I am poor and needy; *
come to me speedily, O God.
6 You are my helper and my deliverer; *
O LORD, do not tarry.
PRAYER
Blessed are you, God of hope;
you restore the fallen
and rebuild the broken walls.
Teach us the song of thanksgiving,
for you are the strength of your people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Numbers 12
While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married (for he had indeed married a Cushite woman), and they said, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it. Now the man Moses was very humble, more so than anyone else on the face of the earth. Suddenly the Lord said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” So the three of them came out. Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward. And he said, “Hear my words:
When there are prophets among you,
I the Lord make myself known to them in visions;
I speak to them in dreams.
Not so with my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house.
With him I speak face to face—clearly, not in riddles,
and he beholds the form of the Lord.
“Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed.
When the cloud went away from over the tent, Miriam’s skin had become diseased, as white as snow. And Aaron turned toward Miriam and saw that she was diseased. Then Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord, do not punish us for a sin that we have so foolishly committed. Do not let her be like one stillborn, whose flesh is half consumed when it comes out of its mother’s womb.” And Moses cried to the Lord, saying, “O God, please heal her.” But the Lord said to Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, would she not bear her shame for seven days? Let her be shut out of the camp for seven days, and after that she may be brought in again.” So Miriam was shut out of the camp for seven days, and the people did not set out on the march until Miriam had been brought in again. After that the people set out from Hazeroth and camped in the wilderness of Paran.
HYMN: Ruth C Duck ©
Tune: First Mode Melody https://tinyurl.com/4mkdxp3b
1 When painful mem’ries haunt each day
And dreams disturb the night,
When life is washed with shades of gray
And phantoms fill our sight,
Christ, stay beside us and embrace
The child who dwells within:
Come, Healer, touch our lives with grace;
Restore our lives again.
2 When dreams at last bring peace and rest,
And fear has lost control,
When, tried by struggle, we are blessed
With rightful mind and soul,
Stay close beside us as before,
To guide us all our days.
Christ, take the lives that you restore
And fit them for your praise.
READING: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11
When any of you has a grievance against another, do you dare to take it to court before the unrighteous, instead of taking it before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels, to say nothing of ordinary matters? If you have ordinary cases, then, do you appoint as judges those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one person wise enough to decide between brothers and sisters? Instead, brothers and sisters go to court against one another, and this before the unbelievers.
In fact, to have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud—and brothers and sisters at that.
Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, men who engage in illicit sex, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, swindlers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
HYMN: James Seddon ©
Tune: Befiehl du deine Wege https://tinyurl.com/yc3staeh
1 The Spirit came, as promised,
in God’s appointed hour;
and now to each believer
he comes in love and power.
And by his Holy Spirit,
God seals us as his own,
and through the Son and Spirit
makes access to his throne.
2 The Spirit makes our bodies
the temple of the Lord.
He binds us all together
in faith and true accord.
The Spirit in his greatness
brings power from God above,
and with the Son and Father
dwells in our hearts in love.
3 He bids us live together
in unity and peace;
employ his gifts in blessing,
and let base passions cease.
We should not grieve the Spirit
by open sin or shame,
nor let our words and actions
deny his holy name.
4 The word, the Spirit’s weapon,
will bring all sin to light;
and prayer, by his directing,
will give new joy and might.
Be filled then with his Spirit,
live out God’s will and word;
rejoice with hymns and singing,
make music to the Lord.
READING: Matthew 18:1-9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
“If any of you cause one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of things that cause sin! Such things are bound to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!
“If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire.”
CANTICLE 1 Chronicles 29:10-13
(Sing the Hours)
Blessed may you be, O Lord,
God of Israel our father,
from eternity to eternity.
Yours, O Lord, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.
For all in heaven and on earth is yours;
yours, O Lord, is the sovereignty:
you are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honor are from you,
and you have dominion over all.
In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.
Therefore, our God, we give you thanks
and we praise the majesty of your name.
THE PRAYERS CGP
O God, lover of the world,
you hold all that you have created
within your compassionate embrace.
As you hold our lives
torn by pain, sorrow or hatred within your aching heart,
we cry out for wholeness—
for ourselves, for those we love,
and for our world.
May your healing presence gently transform
the places of our lives where we hold pain.
May your loving presence be a comforting reality
for all those who find themselves
in despair, lost or alone.
May your transforming presence
create generosity in place of greed,
harmony in place of hatred,
and everlasting justice where evil now reigns.
From the silence of our own hearts,
we bring before you
these people and places that need
your healing, loving, transforming presence:
O God, lover of the world,
this is your world,
and we claim your power and your presence
to make it whole. Amen.
(Traditional chant: https://tinyurl.com/ydzx5jdp)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
[For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.]
O God, whose days are without end, and whose mercies cannot be numbered: Make us, like your servant Jeremy Taylor, deeply aware of the shortness and uncertainty of human life; and let your Holy Spirit lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. HWHM
Music: https://tinyurl.com/y9efvwm5
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14
BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
EH Exciting Holiness, Ed. Brother Tristram SSF © European Province of the Society of Saint Francis, 1997
DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.
CGP Celebrate God’s Presence, United Church of Canada
HWHM Holy Women, Holy Men © Church Publishing, Inc.
The main scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). Psalm 69 is from Book of Common Prayer (2019) as recorded for the St Bernard Breviary https://www.bernardbreviary.com/chant-helps. Psalm 70 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is chanted by Ryland Angel. The canticle is from Liturgy of the Hours as recorded for Sing the Hours https://www.youtube.com/c/SingtheHours
Musical links are usually either to artists’ albums posted on Spotify or to recordings made available at smallchurchmusic.com. Audio stripped from YouTube videos is footnoted accordingly above.
Compilation © 2026 Stephen T. Benner. All links worked at the time they were created, but I cannot accept responsibility for their content or any damage resulting from their use. The linked content is under the control of the respective content creators and is subject to change at any time. Any copyright texts included in this compilation are provided for non-commercial purposes related to study or worship. Please contact the respective copyright holders for permission to use the texts in other contexts.
Oremus 