A03549:449
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.
If we should ask again, from whence came their glorious works and deeds, which they wrought in their lives, wherewith God was so highly pleased and worshipped by them? Let some other witness be brought in, to testify this matter, that in the mouth of two or three may the truth be known. Verily that holy prophet Isaiah beareth record, 1and sayeth: O Lord, it is thou of thy goodness that hast wrought all our works in us, not we our selves. And to uphold the truth of this matter, against all justiciaries and hypocrites, which rob almighty God of his honour, and ascribe it to them selves, saint Paul bringeth in his 2belief: We be not (sayeth he) sufficient of our selves, as of our selves once to think any thing: but all our ablenes is of Gods goodness. For he it is in whom we have all our being, our living, 3and moving. If ye will know furthermore, where they had their gifts and sacrifices, which they offered continually in their lives to almighty god, they cannot but agree with David, where he saith: Of thy liberal hand, O Lord, we have received that we gave unto thee. If this holy company therefore confesseth so constantly, that all the goods and graces wherewith they were endued ⟨p. 442⟩in soul, came of the goodness of God only: what more can be said to prove that all that is good, cometh from almighty God? Is it meet to think that all spiritual goodness cometh from God above only: and that other good things, either of nature or of fortune (as we call them) cometh of any other cause? Doeth God of his goodness adorn the soul, with all the powers thereof, as it is: and cometh the gifts of the body, wherewith it is endued, from any other? If he doth the more, can not he do the less? To justify a sinner, to new create him from a wicked person to a righteous man, is a greater act (sayeth S. Augustine) then to make such a new heaven and earth as is already made. We must needs agree, that whatsoever good thing is in us, of grace, of nature, or of fortune, is of God only, as the only author & worker. And yet it is not to be thought, that God hath created all this whole universal world as it is, and thus once made, hath given it up to be ruled and used after our own wits & device, & so taketh no more charge therefore.