A03549:527
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.
What need we then to tell forth our since into the ear of the priest, sith that they be already taken away? Therefore holy Ambrose in his second sermon upon the hundred and nineteenth 1Psalm, doth say full well: Go show thy self unto the priest. Who is the true priest, but he which is the priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek? Whereby this holy father doth understand, that both the priesthood and the law being changed, we ought to acknowledge none other priest for deliverance from our since but our Saviour Jesus Christ, who being our sovereign Bishop, doth with the sacrifice of his body and blood, offered once for ever upon the altar of the cross, most effectually cleanse the spiritual leprosy, and wash away the since of all those that with true confession of the same do flee unto him. It is most evident and plain, that this auricular confession hath not his warrant of Gods word, else it had not ben lawful for Nectarius Bishop of Constantinople, upon a just occasion to have put it down. For when any thing ordained of 2God, is by the lewdness of men abused, the abuse ought to be taken away, and the thing it self suffered to remain. Moreover, these are Saint Augustine's words: What have I to do with men, that they should hear my confession, as though they were able to heal all my diseases? A curious sort of men to know another mans life, and slothful to correct and amend their own. Why do they seek to hear of me what I am, which will not hear of thee what they ⟨p. 531⟩are? And how can they tell when they hear by me of my self, whether I tell the trueth or not, sith that no mortal man knoweth what is in man, but the spirit of man which is in him? Augustine would not have written thus, if auricular confession had ben used in his time. Being therefore not led with the conscience thereof, let us with fear and trembling, and with a true contrite heart, use that kind of confession, that God doth command in his word, and then doubtless, as he is faithful and righteous, he will forgive us our since, and make us clean from all wickedness.
What neede we then to tell foorth our synnes into the eare of the priest, sith that they be alredy taken away? Therefore holy Ambrose in his seconde sermon vpon the hundred and nyneteenth