A03549:114
The second tome of homilies of such matters as were promised, and entitled in…The second tome of homilees of such matters as were promised, and intituled in…
The second tome of homilies of such matters as were promised, and entitled in the former part of homilies. Set out by the authority of the Queens Majesty: and to be read in every parish church agreeably.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.
Imprinted at London : In Poules Churchyarde, by Richard Jugge, and John Cawood, printers to the Queens Majesty, 1571Imprinted at London : In Poules Churchyarde, by Richarde Iugge, and Iohn Cawood, printers to the Queenes Maiestie, 1571
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
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.
Why doest thou turn from the creator to the creatures? This is the manner of the Gentiles idolaters: but thou art a Christian, and therefore by Christ alone hast access to God the father, and help of him only. These things are not written to any reproach of the saints them selves, who were the true servants of God, ⟨p. 102⟩and did give all honour to him, taking none unto themselves, and are blessed souls with God: but against our foolishness and wickedness, making of the true servants of God, false gods, by attributing to them the power and honour which is Gods, and due to him only. And for that we have such opinions of the power and ready help of saints, all our Legends, Hymns, Sequences, and Masses, did contain stories, lauds, and praises of them, and prayers to them: yea, and sermons also altogether of them and to their praises, Gods word being clean laid aside. And this we do altogether agreeable to the saints, as did the Gentiles idolaters to their false gods. For these opinions which men have had of mortal persons, were they never so holy, the old most godly and learned Christians, have written against the feigned gods of the Gentiles, and Christian princes have destroyed their images, who if they were now living, would doubtless likewise both write against our false opinions of saints, and also destroy their images. For it is evident, that our image maintainers, have the same opinion of saints, which the Gentiles had of their false gods, and thereby are moved to make them images as the Gentiles did. If answer be made, that they make saints but intercessors to God, and means for such things as they would obtain of God: that is even after the Gentiles idolatrious usage, to make them of saints, gods, called Dij Medioximi, to be mean 1intercessors and helpers to God, as though he ⟨p. 103⟩did not hear, or should be weary if he did all alone. So did the Gentiles teach, that there was one chief power working by other, as means, and so they made all gods subject to fate or destiny: as Lucian in his dialogues feigneth, that Neptune made suite to Mercury, that he might speak with Jupiter. And therefore in this also, it is most evident that our image maintainers be all one in opinion with the Gentiles idolaters.
Why doest thou turne from the creatour to the creatures? This is the maner of the Gentiles idolaters: but thou art a Christian, and therefore by Christe alone hast accesse to God the father, and helpe of him only. These thynges are not wrytten to any reproche of the saintes them selues, who were the true seruauntes of God,