A03519:8
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.
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.
THE PREFACE.
THE Kings most excellent Majesty, by the prudent advise of his most deer beloved Uncle, Edward duke of Somerset, Governor of his Majesties person, and Protector of all his highness Realms, Dominions and Subjects, with the rest of his most honourable Counsel, most graciously considering the manifold enormities, which heretofore have crept into his graces Realm, through the false usurped power of the Bishop of Rome, and the ungodly doctrine of his adherents, not only unto the great decay of Christian religion, but also (if Gods mercy were not) unto the utter destruction of innumerable souls, which, through hypocrisy and pernicious doctrine were seduced, and brought from honouring of the alone, true, living, and eternal God, unto the worshipping of creatures, yea, of stocks and stones, from doing the commandments of God, unto voluntary works and fantasies invented of men, from true religion, unto Popish Superstition: considering also, the earnest and fervent desire, of his dearly beloved Subjects, to be delivered from all errors and superstitions, and to be truly and faithfully instructed in the very word of God, that lively food of mans soul, whereby they may learn unfeignedly, and according to the mind of the holy Ghost, expressed in the scriptures, to honour God, and to serve ⟨image 3⟩their King, with all humility and subjection, and Godly and honestly, to behave them selves toward all men: Again calling to remembrance, that the next and most ready way, to expel and avoid, aswell all corrupt, vicious and ungodly living, as also erroneous doctrine, tending to Superstition, and Idolatry, & clearly to put away all contention, which hath heretofore risen, through diversity of preaching, is the true setting forth, and pure declaring of Gods word, which is the principal guide and leader unto all Godliness and virtue: Finally, that all Curates, of what learning soever they be, may have some Godly and fruitful lessons in a readiness, to read and declare unto their parishioners, for their edifying, instruction, and comfort: hath caused a book of Homilies, to be made and set forth, wherein is contained certain wholesome and Godly exhortations, to move the people to honour and worship almighty God, and diligently to serve him, every one according to their degree, state, and vocation: