Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub

the age in which we live; only, that they be intended to promote the best interests of Religion, not repugnant to the word of God, nor inconsistent with the gravity and simplicity of Christian worship.

66

This Article was the thirty-third of 1552. The last paragraph, Every particular," &c. was

added in 1562.

ARTICLE XXXV.

OF HOMILIES.

k

"THE second Book of Homilies,' the several titles whereof we have joined under this Article, doth contain a godly and wholesome doctrine, and necessary for these times, as doth the former Book of Homilies, which were set forth in the

k Whitgift's Defens. Tract. 21. Hooker's Eccl. Pol. 1. 5. § 20.

I Homily is so called from 'Oμlog, an assembly, and means a Sermon preached upon some subject of Religion, delivered in a plain manner, and easily understood by the people. The first Book of Homilies was supposed to have been written by Cranmer, and was published in 1547; the second Book was published in 1560, and, it is said, was written by Jewel.

time of Edward the Sixth; and therefore we judge them to be read in Churches by the Ministers, diligently and distinctly, that they may be understood by the People.

"OF THE NAMES OF THE HOMILIES.

1. Of the right Use of the Church.m

2. Against Peril of Idolatry. "

3. Of Repairing and keeping clean of Churches. 4. Of good Works: first of Fasting. P

5. Against Gluttony and Drunkenness." 6. Against Excess of Apparel."

7. Of Prayer."

8. Of the Place and Time of Prayer. t

9. That Common Prayer and Sacraments ought to be ministered in a known tongue. " 10. Of the reverend estimation of God's Word. * 11. Of Alms-doing. ›

[blocks in formation]

12. Of the Nativity of Christ."

13. Of the Passion of Christ. a

14. Of the Resurrection of Christ. b

15. Of the worthy receiving of the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ. ©

16. Of the gifts of the Holy Ghost.d

17. For the Rogation-Days.*

18. Of the state of Matrimony."

19. Of Repentance. g 20. Against Idleness.h

21. Against Rebellion.i

с

The

The Homilies of the Greek and Latin Fathers were composed by Bishops. In the first ages, none but Bishops were allowed to preach. Priests were not ordinarily admitted to this privilege, till towards the fifth century. St. Chrysostom was the first Presbyter, who preached statedly.

The two Books of Homilies were ordered to be

[blocks in formation]

read by the Clergy in their Churches. They were written in the plainest style, and peculiarly adapted to the times in which they were published. But, from the change of circumstances and improved knowledge of the people, they are now never used. The great majority of the Clergy were, in those days, very illiterate; and, until the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, were forbidden to preach. In the succeeding reign, it was directed by different Canons, that every licensed Minister should preach a Sermon, and every unlicensed Minister should read a Homily.

This Article was the thirty-fourth of 1552. It was in the following form: "The Homilies, lately delivered, and commended to the Church of England by the King's Injunctions, do contain a godly and wholesome doctrine, and fit to be embraced by all men; and for that cause they are diligently, plainly, and distinctly, to be read to the People."

ARTICLE XXXVI.

OF CONSECRATION OF BISHOPS AND MINISTERS.

k

"THE Book of Consecration of Archbishops, and Bishops, and ordering of Priests and Deacons, is a solemn and impressive service, and contains excellent instruction for the due discharge of the duties of those Offices. The form of Ordination, drawn up by the Bishops, and approved by royal authority, 3 Edward VI., was afterwards confirmed by Parliament, together with the Book of Common Prayer. In Queen Mary's reign, this Act was repealed. When Elizabeth succeeded to the Throne, the Act of Mary was repealed; and the Prayer Book of King Edward VI. was again authorized, in which this Service was included. This Office was afterwards declared to be a part of the Common Prayer Book; and all Ordinations, which had been performed according to that Office, were confirmed.

Hooker's

k Acts vi. 6.-xiii. 3. 1 Tim. iv. 14. 2 Tim. i. 6. Eccl. Pol. 1. 5. § 77, 78. Prideaux Fasc. Contr. c. 4. § 3. Field, on the Church, 1. 5. c. 56.

« VorigeDoorgaan »