Certain Sermons or Homilies (First Book of Homilies)

whose hart is so stony, but that the sword of these words (which be more sharp then any two edged sword) may not ⟨image 84⟩cut and break a sunder? Wherefore, let us endeavour our selves to fulfil s. Pauls joy, here in this place, which shall be at length to our great joy in another place. Let us so read the scripture, that by reading thereof, we may be made the better livers,¹ rather then the more contentious disputers. If any thing is necessary to be taught, reasoned, or disputed, let us do it with all meekness, softness, & lenity. If any thing shall chance to be spoken uncomely, let one bear another's frailty. He that is faulty, let him rather amend, then defend that, which he hath spoken amiss, lest he fall by contention, from a foolish error, into an obstinate heresy: for it is better, to give place meekly, then to win the victory, with the breach of charity: which chanceth, where every man will defend his opinion obstinately If we be christen men, why do we not follow Christ, which sayeth: learn of me,² for I am meek and lowly in hart. A disciple must learn the lesson of his schoolmaster, and a servant must obey the commandment of his master. He that is wise & learned (sayeth s. James) let him show his goodness by his good conversation, and soberness of his wisdom.³ For where there is envy and contention, that wisdom cometh not from God, but is worldly wisdom, mans wisdom, and devilish wisdom. For the wisdom that cometh from above, from the spirit of God, is chaste and pure, corrupted with no evil affections, it is quiet, meek and peaceable, abhorring all desire of contention: it is tractable, obedient, not grudging to learn, and to give place to them, that teach better for their reformation. For there ⟨image 85⟩shall never be an end of striving and contention, if we contend, who in contention shall be master, & have the overhand: if we shall heap error upon error, if we continue to defend it obstinately, which was spoken unadvisedly. For truth it is, that stiffness in maintaining an opinion, breedeth contention, brawling and chiding, which is a vice among all other, most pernicious and pestilent to common peace and quietness. And as it standeth betwixt two persons & parties, (for no man commonly doth chide with him self) so it comprehendeth two most detestable vices: