A03549:181
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.
Let us not therefore be slack to do good works, seeing it is the will of God, that we should walk in them, assuring our selves that at the last day, every man shall receive of God for his labour done in true faith, a greater reward then his works have deserved. And because somewhat shall now be spoken of one particular good work, whose commendation is both in the law, and in the Gospel: thus much is said in the beginning generally of all good works. First, to remove ⟨p. 173⟩out of the way of the simple and unlearned, this dangerous stumbling block, that any man should go about to purchase or bye heaven with his works. Secondly, to take away (so nigh as may be) from envious minds, and slanderous tongues, all just occasion of slanderous speaking, as though good works were rejected. This good work which now shall be entreated of, is Fasting, which is found in the scriptures to be of two sorts. The one outward, pertaining to the body, the other inward, in the hart and mind. This outward fast, is an abstinence from meat, drink, and all natural food, yea, from all delicious pleasures & delectations worldly. When this outward fast pertaineth to one particular man, or to a few, and not to the whole number of the people, for causes which hereafter shall be declared, then it is called a private fast: But when the whole multitude of men, women, and children, in a township of City, yea, though a whole country do fast, it is called a public fast. Such was that fast which the whole multitude of the children of Israel were commanded to keep the tenth day of the seventh month, because almighty God appointed that day to be a cleansing day, a day of an atonement, a time of reconciliation, a day wherein the people were cleansed from their sins. The order and manner how it was done, is written in the xvi. and. xxiii. Chapter of Leviticus. That day the people did lament, mourn, weep 1and bewail their former sins. And whosoever upon that day did not humble his soul, bewailing ⟨p. 174⟩his sins, as is said, abstaining from all bodily food, until the evening, that soul, (sayeth almighty God) should be destroyed from among his people. We do not read that Moses ordained by order of law, any days of public fast throughout the whole year, more then that one day.