A03549:331
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.
Surely, as they were faithful to ⟨p. 320⟩Godward, and therefore discharged their duty truly, in telling us what was Gods will: so of a singular love to us ward, they laboured not only to inform us, but also to persuade with us, that to give alms, and to succour the poor and needy, was a very acceptable thing, and an high sacrifice to god, wherein he greatly delighted, and had a singular pleasure. For so doeth the wise man the son of Sirach teach us, saying: Who 1so is merciful and giveth alms, he offereth the right thank offering. And he addeth thereunto: The right thank offering, maketh the altar fat, and a sweet smell it is before the highest, it is acceptable before God, and shall never be forgotten. And the trueth of this doctrine is verified by the examples of those holy and charitable fathers, of whom we read in the scriptures, that they were given to merciful compassion towards the poor, & charitable relieving of their necessities. Such a one was Abraham, in whom God had so great pleasure, that he vouchsafed to come unto him in form of an Angel, and to be entertained of him at his house. Such was his kinsman Lot, whom God so favoured for receiving his messengers into his house, which otherwise should have lain in the street, that he saved him with his whole family, from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorra. Such were the holy fathers Job and Toby, with many others, who felt most sensible proofs of Gods especial love towards them. And as all these by their mercifulness and tender compassion which they showed to the miserable afflicted members ⟨p. 321⟩of Christ, in the relieving, helping, and succouring them with their temporal goods in this life, obtained gods favour, & were dear, acceptable, and pleasant in his sight: so now they them selves take pleasure in the fruition of God, in the pleasant joys of heaven, and are also in Gods eternal word set before us, as perfect examples ever before our eyes, both how we shall please God in this mortal life, and also how we may come to live in joy with them in everlasting pleasure & felicity. For most true is that saying which. S. Augustine hath, that the giving of alms and relieving of the poor, is the right way to heaven, Via coeli pauper est: The poor man (saith he) is the way to heaven.