Certain Sermons or Homilies (First Book of Homilies)

Furthermore, in the Acts of the Apostles, we read, that when the Apostles and Elders, with the whole congregation, were gathered together to pacify the hearts of the faithful dwelling at Antioch, (which were disquieted through the false doctrine, of certain Jewish preachers) they sent word to the brethren, that it seemed good to the holy ⟨image 74⟩ghost, and to them, to charge them with no more, then with necessary things: among other, they willed them to abstain from Idolatry, and fornication, from which (said they) if ye keep your selves, ye shall do well

Furthermore, in the Actes of the Apostles, we reade, that when the Apostles and Elders, with the whole congregacion, were gathered together to pacifie the hartes of the faithfull dwellyng at Antioche, (whiche were disquieted through the false doctryne, of certain Iewishe preachers) thei sente worde to the brethren, that it semed good to the holy ⟨image 74⟩ghost, and to them, to charge them with no more, then with necessary thynges: emōg other, thei willed them to abstein from Idolatry, and fornicacion, frō which (said thei) if ye kepe your selfes, ye shal do wel

Note here, how these holy and blessed fathers of Christs Church, would charge the congregation with no more things, then were necessary. Mark also, how among those things, from the which they commanded the brethren of Antioch to abstain, fornication and whoredom is numbered. It is therefore necessary, by the determination and consent of the holy ghost, and the apostles and elders, with the whole congregation, that, as from Idolatry and superstition: so likewise we must abstain from fornication and whoredom. Is it necessary unto salvation to abstain from Idolatry? So is it, to abstain from whoredom. Is there any nigher way, to lead unto damnation, then to be an Idolater? No, even so, neither is there a nearer way to damnation, then to be a fornicator, and an whoremonger.