Book of Homilies
Encyclopedia
The Books of Homilies are two books of thirty-three sermons developing the reformed doctrines of the Church of England
in greater depth and detail than in the Thirty-Nine Articles
of Religion. The title of the collection is Certain Sermons or Homilies Appointed to Be Read in Churches.
During the reign of Edward VI and later during the reign of Elizabeth I, Thomas Cranmer
and other English reformers
saw the need for local congregations to be taught Christian
theology
and practice. Before the English Reformation
, the liturgy was conducted entirely in Latin, to which the common people listened passively except twice a year during Communion, when only the consecrated bread was administered. Since parsons, vicars and curates often lacked the education and experience needed to write sermons and were often unfamiliar with Reformed doctrine, scholars and bishops wrote out a collection of sermons for them, which were appointed to be read each Sunday and holy day. The reading of the homilies in church is still mandated under Article XXXV of the Thirty-Nine Articles
.
Many of the sermons are straightforward exhortations to read scripture daily and lead a life of prayer and faith in Jesus Christ; the other works are lengthy scholarly treatises intended to inform church leaders in theology, church history, the fall of the Byzantine Empire
and the alleged heresies of the Roman Catholic Church
. Each homily is heavily annotated with references to holy scripture
, the Church Fathers
and other primary sources.
The longest homily is the second of the second book, "On Peril of Idolatry". Running about 120 printed pages in several parts, it describes the history of what are deemed to be false religious practices, each of which it claims ultimately led to idolatrous observances. First among these was the Iconoclastic Controversy which caused a schism between the Western Eastern churches and ultimately the hostility of Rome to those parts of Christendom not under papal authority.
The homilies also contain many historical spellings, based on the Vulgate
and Septuagint, of Biblical names such as Noe
for Noah and Esay
for Isaiah. They also contain many amusing instances of historical terms, such as "mummish
massing", meaning comical mime-show to characterise the lengthy all-Latin service which the people watched but could not participate in.
and Justification by Faith and were fully published by 1547. The homilies are:
The 'Second Book' contains twenty-one sermons and was mainly written by Bishop
John Jewel
. It was fully published by 1571. These are more practical in their application and focus more on living the Christian
life. The title was The Second Tome of Homilees: of such matters as were promised, and intituled in the former part of homilees. Set out by the aucthoritie of the Queenes Maiestie: and to be read in euery parishe church agreeably (2nd ed. in which no. 21 was added; Imprinted at London: In Poules Churchyarde, by Richarde Iugge, and Iohn Cawood, printers to the Queenes Maiestie). This volume includes:
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
in greater depth and detail than in the Thirty-Nine Articles
Thirty-Nine Articles
The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion are the historically defining statements of doctrines of the Anglican church with respect to the controversies of the English Reformation. First established in 1563, the articles served to define the doctrine of the nascent Church of England as it related to...
of Religion. The title of the collection is Certain Sermons or Homilies Appointed to Be Read in Churches.
Overview
Thomas Cranmer
Thomas Cranmer was a leader of the English Reformation and Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI and, for a short time, Mary I. He helped build a favourable case for Henry's divorce from Catherine of Aragon which resulted in the separation of the English Church from...
and other English reformers
English Reformation
The English Reformation was the series of events in 16th-century England by which the Church of England broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church....
saw the need for local congregations to be taught Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and practice. Before the English Reformation
English Reformation
The English Reformation was the series of events in 16th-century England by which the Church of England broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church....
, the liturgy was conducted entirely in Latin, to which the common people listened passively except twice a year during Communion, when only the consecrated bread was administered. Since parsons, vicars and curates often lacked the education and experience needed to write sermons and were often unfamiliar with Reformed doctrine, scholars and bishops wrote out a collection of sermons for them, which were appointed to be read each Sunday and holy day. The reading of the homilies in church is still mandated under Article XXXV of the Thirty-Nine Articles
Thirty-Nine Articles
The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion are the historically defining statements of doctrines of the Anglican church with respect to the controversies of the English Reformation. First established in 1563, the articles served to define the doctrine of the nascent Church of England as it related to...
.
Many of the sermons are straightforward exhortations to read scripture daily and lead a life of prayer and faith in Jesus Christ; the other works are lengthy scholarly treatises intended to inform church leaders in theology, church history, the fall of the Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
and the alleged heresies of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. Each homily is heavily annotated with references to holy scripture
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
, the Church Fathers
Church Fathers
The Church Fathers, Early Church Fathers, Christian Fathers, or Fathers of the Church were early and influential theologians, eminent Christian teachers and great bishops. Their scholarly works were used as a precedent for centuries to come...
and other primary sources.
The longest homily is the second of the second book, "On Peril of Idolatry". Running about 120 printed pages in several parts, it describes the history of what are deemed to be false religious practices, each of which it claims ultimately led to idolatrous observances. First among these was the Iconoclastic Controversy which caused a schism between the Western Eastern churches and ultimately the hostility of Rome to those parts of Christendom not under papal authority.
The homilies also contain many historical spellings, based on the Vulgate
Vulgate
The Vulgate is a late 4th-century Latin translation of the Bible. It was largely the work of St. Jerome, who was commissioned by Pope Damasus I in 382 to make a revision of the old Latin translations...
and Septuagint, of Biblical names such as Noe
Noah
Noah was, according to the Hebrew Bible, the tenth and last of the antediluvian Patriarchs. The biblical story of Noah is contained in chapters 6–9 of the book of Genesis, where he saves his family and representatives of all animals from the flood by constructing an ark...
for Noah and Esay
Isaiah
Isaiah ; Greek: ', Ēsaïās ; "Yahu is salvation") was a prophet in the 8th-century BC Kingdom of Judah.Jews and Christians consider the Book of Isaiah a part of their Biblical canon; he is the first listed of the neviim akharonim, the later prophets. Many of the New Testament teachings of Jesus...
for Isaiah. They also contain many amusing instances of historical terms, such as "mummish
Mummers Play
Mummers Plays are seasonal folk plays performed by troupes of actors known as mummers or guisers , originally from England , but later in other parts of the world...
massing", meaning comical mime-show to characterise the lengthy all-Latin service which the people watched but could not participate in.
First Book of Homilies
The 'Former Book' of homilies contains twelve sermons and was mainly written by Cranmer. They focus strongly upon the character of GodGod
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
and Justification by Faith and were fully published by 1547. The homilies are:
- I. A Fruitful exhortation to the reading of holy Scripture.
- II. Of the misery of all mankind.
- III. Of the salvation of all mankind.
- IV. Of the true and lively faith.
- V. Of good works.
- VI. Of Christian love and charity.
- VII. Against swearing and perjury.
- VIII. Of the declining from GOD.
- IX. An exhortation against the fear of death.
- X. An exhortation to obedience.
- XI. Against whoredom and adultery.
- XII. Against strife and contention.
Second Book of Homilies
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
John Jewel
John Jewel
John Jewel was an English bishop of Salisbury.-Life:He was the son of John Jewel of Buden, Devon, was educated under his uncle John Bellamy, rector of Hampton, and other private tutors until his matriculation at Merton College, Oxford, in July 1535.There he was taught by John Parkhurst,...
. It was fully published by 1571. These are more practical in their application and focus more on living the Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
life. The title was The Second Tome of Homilees: of such matters as were promised, and intituled in the former part of homilees. Set out by the aucthoritie of the Queenes Maiestie: and to be read in euery parishe church agreeably (2nd ed. in which no. 21 was added; Imprinted at London: In Poules Churchyarde, by Richarde Iugge, and Iohn Cawood, printers to the Queenes Maiestie). This volume includes:
- I. Of the right use of the Church.
- II. Against peril of Idolatry.
- III. For repairing and keeping clean the Church.
- IIII. Of good works. And first of Fasting.
- V. Against gluttony and drunkenness.
- VI. Against excess of apparel.
- VII. An homily of Prayer.
- VIII. Of the place and time of Prayer.
- IX. Of Common Prayer and Sacraments
- X. An information of them which take offence at certain places of holy Scripture.
- XI. Of alms deeds.
- XII. Of the Nativity.
- XIII. Of the Passion for good Friday.
- XIIII. Of the Resurrection for Easter day.
- XV. Of the worthy receiving of the Sacrament.
- XVI. An Homily concerning the coming down of the holy Ghost, for Whitsunday.
- XVII. An Homily for Rogation week.
- XVIII. Of the state of Matrimony.
- XIX. Against Idleness.
- XX. Of Repentance and true Reconciliation unto God.
- XXI. An Homily against disobedience and wilful rebellion.
External links
- Anglican Homilies – The complete text of both books in modern spelling, punctuation, and formatting; reader-friendly, with outlines and summaries. (Html and PDF)
- Anglican Library – The homilies in Elizabethan spelling, punctuation, and formatting. (PDF only)