A03549:119
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.
What should it mean, that they according as did she Gentiles idolaters, light candles at noon time, or at midnight, before them, but therewith to honour them: for other use is there none in so doing. For in the day it needeth not, but was ever a proverb of foolishness, to light a candle at noon time. And in the night, it availeth not to light a candle before the blind: and god hath neither use nor honour thereof. And concerning this candle lighting, it is notable that Lactantius above a thousand years ago hath written, 1after this manner, If they would behold the heavenly light of the Sun, then should they perceive that God hath no need of their candles, who for the use of man hath made so goodly a light. And whereas in so little a circle of the Sun, which for the great distance, ⟨p. 108⟩seemeth to be no greater then a mans head, there is so great brightness, that the sight of mans eye is not able to behold it, but if one steadfastly look upon it a while, his eyes will be dulled and blinded with darkness. Howe great light, how great clearness may we think to be with God, with whom is no night nor darkness? and so forth. And by and by he saith, Seemeth he therefore to be in his right mind, which offereth up to the giver of light, the light of a wax candle for a gift? He requireth another light of us, which is not smoky, but bright and clear, even the light of the mind and understanding. And shortly after he sayeth, But their gods, because they be earthly, have need of light, lest they remain in darkness, whose worshippers, because they understand no heavenly thing, do draw religion which, they use, down to the earth, in the which being dark of nature, is need of light: Wherefore they give to their gods no heavenly, but the earthly understanding of mortal men. And therefore they believe those things to be necessary and pleasant unto them, which are so to us, who have need either of meat when we be hungry, or drink when we be thirsty, or clothing when we be a cold, or when the sun is set, candle light, that we may see. Thus far Lactantius, and much more, to long here to write, of candle lighting in temples before images and idols for religion: whereby appeareth both the foolishness thereof and also, that in opinion and act, we do ⟨p. 109⟩agree altogether in our candle religion, with the Gentiles idolaters.