THE ORIGINAL PREFACE TO THE BOOK OF HOMÍLIE S. C ONSIDERING how neceffary it is that the word of God, which is the only food of the foul, and that most excellent light which we muft walk by in this our dangerous pilgrimage, fhould, at all convenient times, be preached to the people, that thereby they may both learn their duty to God, their prince, and their neighbor, according to the will of the Holy Spirit expreffed in fcripture: and alfo to avoid the manifold errors which have before crept into the church of God; and bed 2 caufe lxviii The original Preface cause many have not the gift of preaching, sufficient to instruct the people committed to their charge, whence great mischief might arise, and ignorance continue, if fome good remedy be not fpeedily applied: therefore the Queen's excellent Majefty, from the most tender regard for the eternal welfare of her loving fubjects, and the quieting their confciences in the chief points of religion; and willing, by the pure declaration of God's word, which is the principal guide to all godliness and virtue, to remove all corrupt, vicious, and ungodly living, as well as all falfe and hurtful doctrine, hath, by advice of her moft honorable counsellors, caufed a Book of Homilies, which was before fet forth by her moft loving brother Edward VI. to be printed anew, wherein are contained moft wholfome and godly exhortations, to lead the people to the honor and worship of Almighty God, and to ferve him diligently, according to their degree, ftate, and calling. One of which Homilies her Majefty commandeth, and strictly chargeth all Parfons, Vicars, and Curates, every Sunday and holiday in the year, after the gofpel and creed, in fuch order and place as is appointed by the book of common prayer, to read and declare to their parishioners, plainly and diftinctly, in fuch order as they ftand in the book, (except there be a fermon) and in that cafe, cafe, and no other, than the reading of the Homily for that day, to be deferred unto the next Sunday, or holy day following. And when the aforefaid book of Homilies is read over, her Majesty's pleasure is, that the fame be repeated again in the fame manner as before defcribed. And her Highness farther commandeth, that the faid ecclefiaftical perfon fhall not fail to read her Majefty's injunctions to this purpose, at fuch times and in fuch order, as in the book thereof appointed. And that the Lord's Prayer, the Articles of Faith, and Ten Commandments, be openly read unto the people as fpecified in the faid injunctions; that perfons of all conditions may learn how to call upon the name of God, and know what duty they owe to God and man: so that they may pray, believe, and live ac cording to knowledge, whilst they are in this world, and when they die, may be found with Him, who by his blood hath redeemed us all. To whom, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, for ever and ever. Amen. CON DISC. CONTENTS F VOLUME THE FIRST. PAGE I. AN Exkortation to the Reading and II. Of the Mifery of Mankind, and of Eter- The Second Part of the above Difcourfe III. Of the Salvation of Mankind, from Sin and Death eternal, by Chrift our Sa viour only The Second Part of the above Difcourfe IV. The Third Part on the fame Subject 31 38 47 53 59 68 A fhort Declaration of the true Chriflian V. The Second Part of the Sermon upon Faith The Third Part |