A03549:130
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.
Item if the prince will suffer it, there will be by and by many, yea, infinite images: But sincere preachers were and ever shall be but a few, in respect of the multitude to be taught. For our saviour Christ saith, the harvest is plentiful, but the workmen be but a few: which hath ben hitherto continually true, and will be to the worlds end. And in our time, and here in our country so true, that every shire should scarcely have one good preacher, if they were divided.
Item if the prince wil suffer it, there wil be by and by many, yea, infinite images: But sincere preachers were and euer shalbe but a fewe, in respect of the multitude to be taught. For our sauiour Christe sayth, the haruest is plentifull, but the workemen be but a fewe: whiche hath ben hitherto continually true, and wyl be to the worldes ende. And in our tyme, and here in our countrey so true, that euery shyre shoulde scarsly haue one good preacher, if they were diuided.
Now images will continually to the beholders preach their doctrine, that is, the worshipping of images and idolatry, to the which preaching mankind is exceeding prone, and inclined to give ear and credit: as experience of all nations and ages doth to much prove. But a true preacher to stay this mischief, is in very many places scarcely heard once in a whole year, and some wheres not once in seven years, as is evident to be proved. And that evil opinion which hath ben long rooted in mens hearts, can not suddenly by one sermon be rooted out clear. And as few are inclined to credit sound doctrine: as many, and almost all, be prone to superstition and idolatry. So that herein appeareth not only a difficulty, but also an impossibility of the remedy.
Nowe images wyl continually to the beholders preache their doctrine, that is, the worshipping of images and idolatrie, to the whiche preaching mankynde is exceedyng prone, and enclined to geue eare and credite: as experience of all nations and ages doth to muche proue. But a true preacher to stay this mischeefe, is in very manye places scarsly heard once in a whole yere, and some wheres not once in seuen yeres, as is euident to be proued. And that euyll opinion whiche hath ben long rooted in mens heartes, can not sodenly by one sermon be rooted out cleare. And as fewe are inclined to credite sounde doctrine: as many, and almost all, be prone to superstition and idolatrie. So that herein appeareth not only a difficultie, but also an impossibilitie of the remedie.