A03549:176
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.
❧ An Homily of good works. And first of Fasting.
❧ An Homilee of good workes. And first of Fasting.
THE life which we live in this world (good Christian people) is of the free benefit of God lent us, yet not to use it at our pleasure, after our own fleshly will: but to trade over the same in those works which are beseeming them that are become new creatures in Christ. These works the Apostle calleth good works, saying: 1We are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God hath ordained that we should walk in them. And yet his meaning is not by these words, to induce us to have any affiance, or to put any confidence in our works, as by the merit and deserving of them to purchase to our selves and others remission of sin, & so consequently everlasting life, for that were mere blasphemy against Gods mercy, and great derogation to the bloodshedding of our saviour Jesus Christ. For it is of the free grace & mercy of God, by the mediation of the blood of his Son Jesus Christ, without merit or deserving on our part, that our sinews are forgiven us, that we are reconciled and brought again into his favour, and are made heirs of his heavenly kingdom. Grace (saith S. Augustine) ⟨p. 172⟩belongeth to God, who doth call us, and then hath he good works, whosoever received grace. 2Good works then bring not forth grace: but are brought forth by grace. The wheel (sayeth he) turneth round, not to the end that it may be made round: but because it is first made round, therefore it turneth round. So, no man doth good works, to receive grace by his good works: but because he hath first received grace, therefore consequently he doth good works. And in another place he saith: Good works go not before in him which shall afterward be justified, but good works do follow after when