A03549:477
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.
❧ An Homily of the state of Matrimony.❧ An Homilee of the state of Matrimonie.
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 the state of Matrimony.
❧ An Homilee of the state of Matrimonie.
The word of almighty god doth testify & declare, whence the original beginning of matrimony cometh, and why it is ordained. It is instituted of God, to the intent that man & woman should live lawfully in a perpetual friendly fellowship, to bring forth fruit, and to avoid fornication. By which means a good conscience might be preserved on both parties, in bridling the corrupt inclinations of the flesh, within the limits of honesty. For God hath straitly forbidden all whoredom and uncleanness, & hath from time to time taken grievous punishments of this inordinate lust, as all stories & ages hath declared. Furthermore it is also ordained, that the church of God & his kingdom might by this kind of life be conserved and enlarged, not only in that God giveth children by his blessing, but also in that they be brought up by the parents godly, in the knowledge of Gods word, that thus the knowledge of God and true religion might be delivered by succession from one to another, that finally many might enjoy that everlasting immortality. Wherefore, forasmuch as Matrimony serveth as well to avoid sin & offence, as to increase the kingdom of God: you, as all other which enter that state, must acknowledge this ⟨p. 477⟩benefit of God, with pure & thankful minds, for that he hath so ruled our hearts, that ye follow not the example of the wicked world, who set their delight in filthiness of sin, where both of you stand in the fear of God, and abhor all filthiness. For that is surely the singular gift of God, where the common example of the world declareth how the devil hath their hearts bound and entangled in divers snares, so that they in their wifeless state run into open abominations, without any grudge of their conscience. Which sort of men that liveth so desperately and filthily, what damnation tarrieth for them, saint Paul describeth it to them, saying: Neither whoremongers, neither adulterers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.