A03519:163
Certain Sermons or Homilies (First Book of Homilies)
Certain sermons, or homilies appointed by the kings Majesty, to be declared and read, by all persons, vicars, or curates, every Sunday in their churches, where they have cure. Anno 1547.Certayne sermons, or homelies appoynted by the kynges Maiestie, to be declared and redde, by all persones, vicars, or curates, euery Sondaye in their churches, where they haue cure. Anno 1547.
London: printed by Richard Grafton printer to his most royal Majesty, 1547London: printed by Rychard Grafton printer to his moste royall Maiestie, 1547
Title page typeset from the transcription.
¶An Homily of whoredom and uncleanness.¶An Homelie of whoredome and vnclennesse.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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.
Note here, how these holy and blessed fathers of Christes Churche, would charge the congregacion with no mo thynges, then wer necessary. Marke also, how emong those thynges, from the whiche thei commaunded the brethren of Antioche to abstein, fornicacion and whoredom is numbred. It is therfore necessary, by the determinacion and consent of the holy ghost, and the apostles and elders, with the whole congregacion, that, as from Idolatry and supersticion: so likewise we must abstein from fornicaciō and whoredom. Is it necessary vnto saluaciō to abstein from Idolatry? So is it, to abstein from whoredom. Is there any nigher waie, to leade vnto dampnacion, then to bee an Idolater? No, euen so, neither is there a nerer waie to dampnacion, then to be a fornicator, and an whoremonger.
Now, where are those people, which so lightly esteem breaking of wedlock, whoredom, fornication and adultery? It is necessary, sayeth the holy ghost, the blessed Apostles, the elders, with the whole congregation of Christ: it is necessary to salvation (sayeth) to abstain from whoredom. If it be necessary unto salvation, then woe be to them, which neglecting their salvation, give their minds to so filthy, and stinking sin, to so wicked vice, to such detestable abomination. But let us hear, what the blessed Apostle saint Paul saith to this matter. Writing to the Romans, he hath these words:1