Moses Moses is preached What is it to preach though the terme be now by an excellency commonly used for to make a sermon of about an houre long in the Pulpit is it not openly to make knowne the Doctrine of Christian faith and life And is not then the heavenly trueth e In Luke 8.39 the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is many times translated preaching is rendred published published or preached in the reading of the lessons the Epistle and the Gospell Is not Gods truth as concerning godlinesse f So in Luke 12.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which sometimes is rendred shall be treached as in Mat. 24 14. is there rendred shall bee proclaimed published in the reading of the common prayer in the reading of the Homilies in the explaining of the Catechisme in the Divine service and by instructing the ignorant in the same Let such as so sleight contemne or neglect the Divine service-deliveries examine themselves if they be not of like minde to those of whom it is written in Ezechiel g Ezek. 33.30 31 32. that will speake one to another every one to his brother saying Come I pray you and heare what is the word that cōmeth forth from the Lord And they come unto thee as the people commeth and they sit before thee as my people and they heare thy words but they will not doe them for with their mouth they shew much love but their heart goeth after their covetousnesse And loe thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voyce and can play well on an Instrument for they heare thy words but they doe them not Or rather if they be not such as Saint Paul foretold would be in the last dayes h 2 Tim. 4.3.4 who will not endure sound Doctrine but after their owne lusts will heape to themselves teachers having itching eares and they will turne away their eares from the trueth and will be turned unto fables Being also lovers i 2 Tim. 3.2 4 5. of their owne selves boasters proud disobedient to parents unthankfull unholy without naturall affection false accusers fierce despisers of those that are good heady high minded c. having a forme of godlinesse but denying the power thereof Were it the righteousnesse of faith and life which they k Mat. 5.6 hungred and thirsted after and as the sacred Letany saith to have the grace of Gods holy Spirit for to amend their lives according to his holy Word also for to have an heart to love and dread God and diligently to live after his Commandements They by the grace of Christ should perceive in the books of Divine service frō the publike hearing of the same a plentifull helpe to bee towards attaining that l Phil. 3.14 make as also by the reading of the holy Scriptures which the Church hath translated for them into the English tongue Who now a dayes attaineth unto that soundnesse of faith and unto that measure of holinesse and righteousnesse of life as is prescribed and taught plainly in the bookes of the Divine service Is it any godlinesse or true devotion or any property of the Christian profession for people having most wholesome food by the greatest wisedome and care of the Church prepared and so disposed as it may bee profitably received and inwardly digested unto the great increase of holy understanding and upright living in their owne Parish for to goe out thence ordinarily for food abroad with violating the established order of the Church giving offence to the Minister and a great m 1 Cor. 10.32.24.33 Rom. 14.13.19 1 Cor. 8.13 scandall to the people of the congregation CHAP. 48. Of peoples reading the holy Scriptures in private and of meanes helping unto the understanding of them THE very first of all the sacred sermons or * T. 1. p. 1. Homilies of the Church is titled a fruit full exhortation to the reading and knowledge of holy Scripture and it saith Vnto a Christian man there can bee nothing either more necessary or profitable than the knowledge of holy Scripture forasmuch as in it is contained Gods true Word setting forth his glory and also mans n 2 Tim. 3.16 17. duty And there is no truth nor doctrine o Isa 8.20 necessary for our justification and everlasting salvation but that is or may be drawne out of that Fountaine and Well of truth Therefore as many as bee desirous to enter into the right and perfect way unto God must apply their mindes to know holy Scripture without the which they can neither p Mat. 22.29 Ier. 8.9 sufficiently know God and his will neither their office and duty And as drinke is pleasant to them that be dry and meat to them that be hungry So is the reading hearing searching and studying of holy Scripture to them that be desirous to know God or themselves and to q Ps 19.10 and 119.103 Iohn 7.17 Ps 103.18 Mat. 7.21 doe his will And their stomacks onely doe r Mat. 7.6 2 Pet. 2.22 Phil. 3.19 loath and abhorre the heavenly knowledge and food of Gods Word that be so drowned in worldly f Eph. 4.17 Ier. 2.5 vanities that they neither t Rom. 8.5 savour God nor any godlinesse For that is the cause why they desire such vanities rather than the true knowledge of God And so along forward the said Homily delivereth sentences worthy to bee printed in letters of gold yea to be laid up in the secret of our hearts In the first part of the * T. 2. p. 143. Homily an information for them which take offence at certaine places of the holy Scripture it is said The great utility and profit that Christian men and women may take if they will by hearing and reading the holy Scriptures dearely beloved no heart can sufficiently conceive much lesse is my tongue able with words to expresse Wherefore Satan our enemy seeing the Scriptures to bee the very meane and right way to bring people to the true knowledge of God and that Christian religion is greatly furthered by diligent hearing and reading of them hee also perceiving what an hinderance and lett they bee to him and his kingdome doth what he can to drive the reading of them out of Gods Church And so forward it treateth in a wonderfull Divine manner In the third part of the * T. 2. p. 230. Homily for Rogation weeke it is said No where can we more certainly search for the knowledge of the will of God by the which we must direct all our workes and deeds but in the holy Scriptures for they be they that u Iohn 5.39 testifie of him saith our Saviour Christ We see with what vanity the schoole doctrine is mixed for that in this Word they sought not the w Eph. 5.17 Rom. 12.2 will of God but rather the will of reason the trade of custome the path of the fathers the practice of the Church Let
thine heart unto understanding Yea if thou cryest after knowledge and liftest up thy voice for understanding If thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures Then shalt thou understand the feare of the Lord and finde the knowledge of God Also that saying of the Lord by the Prophet Malachy is ever to be remembred q Mal. 2.5.6.7 My covenant was with Levi of life and peace and I gave them to him for the feare wherewith he feared me and was afraid before my name The law of truth was in his mouth and iniquity was not found in his lips hee walked with me in peace and equity and did turne many away from iniquity For the Priests lips should keepe knowledge and they should seeke the law at his mouth for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts People are to read the holy Scriptures which the r 1. Tim. 3.15 Church according to her wisedome and the t Rom. 3.2 Hebrew u Rev. 9.11 Greeke and faithfulnesse hath Å¿ 1 Cor. 12.10.28.30 interpreted into English out of w Dan. 2.4 Chaldean texts wherein they were * See all along the margent of Gen. 1. c. and of Mat. 5.11 c. and of Ezra 4.9 c. Soc also the title page of the old Testament and also of the new Read all the Translators Preface set afore the Bibles in quarto and in solio first written by the Prophets and Apostles And as people are to be thankfull unto God and unto the Royall Majestie and unto the Fathers and Doctors of the Church for that delivery of the holy Scriptures so are they to remember it is the x Acts 8.30 31 32 33 34 35. office of the Philips of the Church for to interpret places of the Scripture hard to be understood And the Philips are the y Mal. 2.7 Deut. 17.8 9. c. Acts 15.6 Eph. 4.11 12. Clergie and therein the z 1 Cor. 12.28 See afore in Chap. 35 36 37. of degrees in the ministery principall are the most reverend Fathers in God the Archbishops and the right reverend Fathers in God the Bishops the next are the Doctors and all Pastors and all authorized Preachers whose conscionable and religious care is both by their life and doctrine to set forth Gods true and lively Word and to keepe the unity of the spirit the most holy faith and the true godly life prescribed in the bookes of the Divine Service and in the other bookes of the established doctrine of the Church of England And hereunto may be considered that memorable and very remarkeable delivery of the most Reverend Father in God Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury out of Saint Gregory Nazianzene in the latter end of his Prologue afore the Church-bible of the former translation I marvell much saith he to recount whereof commeth all this desire of vaine-glory whereof commeth all this tongue-itch that we have so much delight to talke and clatter And wherein is our communication not in the commendation of vertuous and good deeds of hospitality of love between Christian brother and brother of love betweene man and wife of virginity and chastity and of Almes toward the poore Not in Psalmes and godly songs not in lamenting for our sinnes not in repressing the affections of the body not in prayers to God We talke of Scripture but in the meane time we subdue not our flesh by fasting waking and weeping wee make not this life a meditation of death we doe not strive to be lords ouer our appetites and affections We goe not about to pull downe our proud and high minds to abate our fumish and rancorous stomackes to restraine our lusts and bodily delectations our undiscreet sorrowes our lascivious mirth ovr inordinate looking our unsatiable hearing of vanities our speaking without measure our inconvenient thoughts and briefly to reforme our life and manners but all our holinesse consisteth in talking And we pardon each other from all good living so that we may sticke fast together in argumentation as though there were no more wayes to heaven but this alone the way of speculation and knowledge as they take it But in very deed it is rather the way of superfluous contention and sophistication The same Author saith also in another place That the learning of a Christian man ought to begin of the feare of God and to end in matters of high speculation and not contrarily to begin with speculation and to end in feare For speculation saith he either high cunning or knowledge if it be not stayed with the bridle of feare to offend God is dangerous and enough to tumble a man headlong downe the hill Therefore saith he The feare of God must be the first beginning and as it were an A. B. C. or an introduction to all them that shall enter into the very true and most fruitfull knowledge of holy Scriptures Where as is the feare of God there is saith he the keeping of the Commandements and where as is the keeping of the Commandements there is the cleansing of the flesh which flesh is a cloud before the soules eye and suffereth it not purely to see the beame of the heavenly light Where as is the cleansing of the flesh there is the illumination of the holy Ghost the end of all our desires and the very light whereby the verity of Scriptures is seene and perceived CHAP. 49. Of reading the bookes in the Bible which are called writings Apocrypha IN the Table of proper Lessons to be read both at morning and evening prayer on the sundayes throughout the yeere and on the holy dayes there are appointed sundry Lessons to be read of the bookes in the Bible which are called Apocrypha as on Whitsunday there is ordained to be read the first Chapter of the Wisedome of Solomon for the first Lesson at evening prayer And upon the feast day of Saint Peter and of Saint Iames and of Saint Bartholomew and of Saint Matthew and of Saint Luke and of Saint Michael the Archangell the first Lesson is prescribed out of the booke called Ecclesiasticus or the Wisedome of Iesus the sonne of Syrach And for the first Lesson to bee read on many weeke dayes in the yeare it is appointed out of more of those bookes as out of the booke of Iudith of Baruch of Tobias and out of both bookes of Esdras as it may bee seene in the Kalender set in the beginning of the booke of Common Prayer The Church hath not appointed Lessons to be read publikely in Churches forth of any other bookes of how great authority soever excepting the Canonicall Scriptures Among the holy Scriptures which are in the common prayer appointed to be read for to stir up people to remember the poore there are inserted three verses out of the booke of Tobias In both Tomes of Homilies the Church with great respect hath alledged very many sayings out of the bookes called Apocrypha ascribing
the uniformity of Common prayer set in the beginning thereof testifieth Also every one which entreth into the Ministery of the Church of England first subscribeth That the booke of Common prayer containeth in it nothing contrary to the Word of God and that it may lawfully so bee used and that hee himselfe will use the forme in the said booke prescribed in Publike prayer and administration of the Sacraments and none other As it is in Canon 36. That the booke of ordering of Bishops Priests and Deacons is likewise ratified the six and thirtieth Article of the Religion established declareth saying The Book of Consecration of Archbishops and Bishops and ordering of Priests and Deacons lately set forth in the time of Edward the sixt and confirmed at the same time by Authority of Parliament doth containe all things necessarie to such Consecration and ordering neither hath it any thing that of it selfe is superstitious and ungodly And therefore whosoever are consecrated or ordered according to the Rites of that booke since the second yeare of the aforenamed King Edward unto this time or hereafter shall be consecrated or ordered according to the same Rites we decree all such to be rightly orderly and lawfully consecrated and ordered That both the bookes of Homilies now printed in one Volume and distinguished into two Tomes are approved by the whole Clergy it is manifest by every ones subscription unto the third Article to be subscribed unto afore receiving any order or degree in the ministery whereof the words are That he alloweth the book of Articles of Religion agreed upon by the Archbishops In Canon 36. and Bishops of both Provinces and the whole Clergie in the Convocation holden at London in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand five hundred sixtie and two and that he acknowledgeth all and every the Articles therein contained being in number nine and thirty besides the Ratification to be agreeable to the Word of God And in the five and thirtieth Article therof it is said The second booke of Homilies the severall titles whereof we have joyned under this Article doth containe a godly and wholesome Doctrine and necessary for these times as doth the former booke of Homilies which were set forth in the time of Edward the sixt and therefore we judge them to be read in Churches by the Ministers diligently and distinctly that they may bee understanded of the people The Eleventh Article concerning the justification of man referreth unto the Homily of Iustification wherein the most wholesome Doctrine thereof and very full of comfort is more largly expressed In the booke of Common Prayer in the Rubrick after the Nicene Creed the Homilies are mentioned It is required that the booke of Homilies be in every Church Canon 80. And Canon 49 requireth Ministers not allowed Preachers to reade the said Homilies For the confirmation of be true saith and for thâ—â—â—â—d â—â—strâ—â—lâ—â— and 〈◊〉 disication of the people The great authority of the Homilies may also appeare out of the Titles of both Tomes of them The Title of the first Tome is Certaine Sermons or Homilies appointed to bee read in Churches in the time of the late Queene Elizabeth of famous memory And now thought fit to be reprinted by Authority from the Kings most Excellent Majesty The Title of the second is The second Tome of Homilies of such matters as were promised and entituled in the former part of Homilies set out by the Authority of the late Queenes Majesty and to be read in every Parish Church agreeably There are no writings of any Author whatsoever whereunto the Church ascribeth so much authority as to the Bookes of Divine Service having ordained them only together with the holy Scriptures to bee publikely read in every congregation of the Land Now some will say It appeareth by these relatings that great is the respect which we owe unto the said bookes of the Church but yet we are to receive no delivery in them but what we know agreeth with the Word of God In which saying of many of these times there is contained a greater defect than all doe observe therein For first by so saying they attribute not such authority as is due unto the Church their Mother they duely acknowledge not her loyalty unto Christ her Head S. Paul propoundeth the Church her fidelity or faithfull obeience to be a patterne for imitation where he saith As the Church is subject unto Christ Eph. 5.24 so let the wives bee to their owne husbands in every thing Put case that in that her fundamentall Doctrine there were some deliveries not in all respects so perfect as are the Scriptures of God our Father yet it is against her loving nature and prudence to propound unto us any matter for our hurt Yea what we suppose to be imperfect wee may make that use thereof for which it was by her intended and be much benefited thereby Secondly by that their limitation they imply that they have an ability to judge the understanding and wisdome of their mother And if they bee demanded whence they have received so great an extraordinary abilitie as to judge of their mother the Church her knowledge and Doctrine The common answer is by their reading the holy Scriptures They not seriously considering what is written in them also Acts 8.30 31. That how can one reading the holy Scriptures understand them except some man guide him Malachi 2.7 And that the Priests lips is to keepe knowledge and the people is to seeke the Law at his mouth The Clergie of the Church is to teach the common people of the same The lay people in their understanding and applying the Scriptures are to be guided by the Priesthood or Clergy And before it hath beene declared that the universall Clergy with one mouth and consent have borne witnesse That there is not any thing in the Booke of Common Prayer which is contrary to the Word of God And that the booke of Homilies doth containe a godly and wholesome Doctrine and necessary for these times to bee understanded of the people Seeing then all the guides in the Church all the ordained keepers of knowledge all such from whom the people are appointed to seeke the Law or spirituall instruction and teaching doe testifie together the truth and profitablenesse of the bookes of the Divine Service can any one justly accept against any deliverie in them unlesse he doe assume unto himselfe for to outsee the whole Clergy of the Church of England The Lord Iesus Christ hath so greatly confirmed the authority of his Church that he hath said Mat. 18.17 Whoso neglecteth to heare the Church let him or her be unto his people as an Heathen and a Publicane Wherefore it is our bounden duty most diligently to heare read and meditate on every particular delivery in those fundamentall bookes composed by the perfectest wisdome of the Church our mother and to frame our mindes and lives according to every prescription
in the same which doth in any wise concerne us And we thus honouring the Church our spirituall Mother God our heavenly Father will give us his blessing Hee will send us light in our understanding readinesse and obedience in our will discretion in our words and actions true serious and loyall indeavours As wee are taught to pray for in the latter part of the Prayet next after the Letany in the late Fast Booke for the peace and prosperity of Ierusalem the unity and glory of this Church State That so we may love it and prosper in it full of grace in this life and be filled with glorie in the life to come through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen An Advertisement SInce the a 2 Tim. 3.1.2.3.4 time that b Isa 5.21 Wisedome in ones owne eyes and prudence in ones owne sight hath so much abounded it is familiar with very many when they see or heare any thing delivered concerning religion if it be a matter which they affect not presently to passe an hard censure thereon though the deliverie be the very established doctrine or discipline of the Apostolicall Church of England by Law established under the Kings Majesty The c Rom. 3.13.14 Ps 140.3 poyson of aspes is under the lips of many Who say with our d Ps 14.4.3 tongue will we prevaile our lips are our owne who is Lord over us The holy Prophet saith The Lord shall cut off the tongue that speaketh proud things The holy Apostle saith e 1 Tim. 3.16 Without controversie great is the mysterie of godlinesse And though the men of God have signified that the Holy Scriptures divinity is partly f Heb. 5.12 milke for babes or little children in g 1 Cor. 1.3 Christ partly h Heb. 5.14 strong meate for the i 1 Ioh. 2.13.14 young men and partly hidden k Rev. 2.17 Manna for the fathers in God also that naturall ones l 1 Cor. 2.14 cannot know the things of the Spirit of God because they are spiritually discerned yet notwithstanding so outragious is the pride and arrogancie of many who since they came to the yeares of discretion have made no progresse in regeneration or the new birth unto the m Rom. 2.2 renewing of their mind and the amendment of their n Philip. 1.27 1 Pet. 2.12 1 Pet. 1.15 Eph. 4.22 conversation according to Gods Holy word that rashly they o 2 Pet. 2.12 will speake evill of the things which they understand not and as the Apostle saith p 1 Tim. 1.7 desire to be teachers understanding neither what they say nor whereof they affirme Moreover how contrary minded soever each is to other yea how greatly different they are from the minde and life prescribed in the Divine Service of the Church whom some of them sometimes will acknowledge to be their Mother Yet each one taketh for granted that the grounds in his q Prov. 21.2 Prov. 12.15 owne minde are the right and that the grounds in all r Philip. 2.3 others mindes in any manner differing from his are the wrong and withall every one for the most part of the aforesaid unhumbled heart by his owne imagined-right groundes without any feare of the Eternall Almighty God and without any reverence unto the Supreame divine Wisedome of Christs holy Church contained in the bookes of her publike worship will s 2 Pet 2.10 presume to be able to judge of yea will assume confidence and boldnesse or rather most damnable audaciousnesse to condemne deliveries in the aforesaid bookes which the Soveraigne Majesty hath ratified and the most reverend Fathers the Archbishops and all the right reverend fathers the Bishops and the rest of the whole Clergie not any one excepted Quod medicorâ—m est promittunt â—ediâ—â— tractant Faâ—â—ilia fabri Sola Scripturarum ars est quam siâ—i passâ—â— omnes vendicant Hanc garrula anus hanc delirus seneâ— have Sophisia verâ—â—sus haâ— universi praesumant laceraâ—â— docent antequam discant Hierâ—nymus in epissola aâ—â— Pauâ—aum presbyterum de omâ—bus divine hâ—storia libris which hath entred into holy orders according to such manner and sort as by the Ecclesiasticall Law it is appointed have allowed and by subscription have witnessed the same But let the unpartiall reader of this treatise following where doubt about any matter may arise throughly consider the Holy Scriptures which either are expressed or in the margent but quoted for the confirmation of the point mentioned And let none except here against because the deliveries are in no Philosophicall method but in the most vulgar plainnes for all hereof is written for the furtherance of the laity and aswell in termes as in forme and manner accommodated unto the meanest capacity All teachers which study to edifie their auditory doe well know that it is farre easier to expresse their mindes in divine matters so as the learned may comprehend than as the unlearned may but a litle apprehend It is written concerning Christ for our example that t Mark 4.33 hee spake the word unto the people as they were able to heare it There are now extant in English sundry bookes very profitable which few of the common people doe make use of for that their style and words for the most or a great part are for Schollers reading onely Great was the divine Wisedome of the Church in setting forth her Homilies in so familiar a manner And by those most sacred Sermons all Pastours and teachers should take u 2 Tim. 1.13 example how to frame their meditations unto their auditories easiest and speediest edification Furthermore let none expect to finde any common place of divinity here fully handled but let this worke be accounted only an introduction into the bookes of the divine Service where as in an Ocean of divine truth there may bee had a great abundance of information both touching he matters ensuing and also concerning many more This book may be used as a finger of one that pointeth us unto such places as we have not throughly taken notice of afore Also the godly reader shall perceive that every one which w Mat. 5.6 hungreth and thristeth after righteousnesse to have within him more and more the x Phil. 2.5 1 Cor. 2.16 minde of Christ and to have the life of Iesus more and more made y 2 Cor. 4.10 11. manifest in his body may forth of every Chapter following receive some light unto the apprehending of everlasting truth in the matter there treated on Lastly Seeing that in the bookes of divine Service there are such heavenly sentences and speeches even as the learned are delighted in reciting the sayings of the Fathers of the Greeke Latine Churches so should wee unto z Exod. 20.12 1 Cor. 4.15 Ecclus. or Ecclesiasticus 8.8.9 due honouring of the Fathers of our owne English Church enable our selves to say on every point of divinity that which they have with one
euery yeare did seruice in the most Holy The house of the Lord which Solomon built consisted likewise of three parts The k 1. Kings 6.3 Porch answering to the Court of the Tabernacle The l 1. Kings 6.5 Temple answering to the holy Place and the Oracle answering vnto the most holy Place Concerning the signification of the Temple it is deliuered in the first part of the Homily of the right vse of the Church and also in the first part of the * T. 2. p. 127 T. 2. p. 2. P. 209. Homily concerning the place and time of Prayer Indeed the chiefe and speciall Temples of God wherein he hath greatest pleasure and most delighteth to continue and dwell in are the bodies and minds of true Christians and the chosen people of God according to the doctrine of the holy Scripture declared in the first Epistle to the Corinthians m 1. Cor. 3.16 17. Knowe yee not saith Saint Paul that yee bee the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you If any man defile the Temple of God him will God destroy for the Temple of God is Holy which yee are And againe in the same Epistle n 1 Cor. 6.19.20 Know yee not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost dwelling in you whom yee haue giuen you of God In the third part of the * T. 2. p. 68. Homily against the perill of Idolatry there is cited a memorable Sentence of Saint Ierome That it is the Temple of the Lord wherein dwelleth true Faith godly conuersation and the company of all vertues Reade there also his interpretation of the goodly ornaments of the Temple built by Salomon which Exposition is very remarkable To Conclude this point Although God would haue our inward man to bee a Tabernacle or Temple for the o Pro. 23.26 Ephe. 3.17 1 Peter 3.4 2 Cor. 6.16 dwelling of his holy Spirit Yet all this notwithstanding as it is sayd in the first part of the * Tom. 2. p. 2. Homily concerning the right vse of the Church The materiall Church or Temple is a place p 1 Chron. 28.11.12 Psal 74 8. Luke 4.16 appoynted aswel by the vsage and continuall examples expressed in the old Testament as in the New for the people of God to resort together vnto c. CHAP. 20. Of Saint Iohn Baptists Preaching IN the Collect for Saint Iohn Baptists day it is said That by Gods prouidence he was wonderfully borne and sent to prepare the way of Iesus Christ our Sauiour by Preaching of Pennance That the Birth of Iohn the Baptist was wonderfull it may appeare by the Words of Zacharias to the Angell fore-telling of Iohns birth saying q Luke 1.18 Whereby shall I know this for I am an old man and my Wife well stricken in yeares That hee was sent to prepare the way of the Lord may appeare also from the Angels Words saying r Luke 1.15.16.17 Hee shall be filled with the Holy Ghost euen from his mothers Wombe And many of the children of Israel shall hee turne to the Lord their God And hee shall goe before him in the spirit and power of Elias to turne the hearts of the Fathers to the Children and the Disobedient to the wisdome of the iust for to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And that this preparing was by Preaching of Pennance or Repentance it is testified by St. Luke who sayth Å¿ Luke 3.3.4.5.6 Iohn came into all the Countrey about Iordan Preaching the Baptisme of Repentance for the remission of sinnes As it is written in the Booke of Esaias the Prophet saying t Esay 40.3.4.5 According it is read in the Epistle for St. Iohn Baptists day Hoc ita distinguendum esse ostendit Hebraea distincti comparatio sequentis membri Iunâ—us in annot ad Esay 40 30. MysteriuÌ„ in hac Historia à Propheta Esaia olim praedicta et tanto studio à sanctis Euangelistis ad notata latere aliquiâ— majus suspicor quam aut capere ipse satis aâ—t satis queaÌ„ admirari Causa bonus in Annal Bar. A voyce cryed in the Wildernesse Prepare the way of the Lord in the Wildernesse make straight the pathe of our God in the Desart Let all Vallies bee exalted and euery Mountaine and Hill bee layd low VVhat so euer is crooked let it be made straight and let the rough bee made plaine fields For the glory of the Lord shall plainely appeare and all flesh shall at once see and behold it The which Doctrine is called by Saint Marke the u Marke 1.1 beginning of the Gospell of Iesus Christ And the Prophet Malachy thus Preached it w Mal 3.1 Behold I will send my Messenger and hee shall prepare the way before me and the Lord whom yee seeke shall suddainly come to his Temple euen the Messenger of the Couenant whom yee delight in behold hee shall come sayth the Lord of Hosts Great was the Ministery of Iohn the Baptist as it may appeare out of the words of Zacharias his Father who Prophesied of him saying x Luke 1.76.77.78.79 And thou childe shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest for thou shalt goe before the face of the Lord to prepare his wayes to giue knowledge of Saluation vnto his people by the remission of their sinnes To giue Light to them that sit in darknesse and in the shadow of Death and to guide our feet into the way of peace Christ himselfe testified of him that y Mat. 11.11 among them which are borne of Woemen there hath not risen a greater than Iohn the Baptist And that all the Prophets and the Law were z Luke 16.16 Mat. 11.13 vntill Iohn So great a one hee was that hee had a Luke 11.1 Disciples after a speciall manner differing from the Clergy of Iewry in his time Hee was not onely the b Mat 3.1 first Minister of the Sacrament of Baptisme but also hee that c Math. 3.13.14 15.16 Baptized the Lord IESVS CHRIST And therefore hee is in an especiall manner more than any other Minister as it were surnamed the Baptist or the Baptizer CHAP. 21. Of the Holy Incarnation and Natiuity of our Lord Iesus Christ IN the Preface to be Read vpon Christmas day it is sayd That God did giue Iesus Christ his only Son to be borne as this day d Esay 9.6 for vs who by the operation of the e Math. 1.20 Holy Ghost was made very man of the substance of the Virgin Mary his mother and that without spotte of sinne io make vs f Ephe. 5.25.26.27 cleane from all sinne And in the * T. 2. p. 173. Homily of the Nativity it is deliuered That hee made all them which would g Iohn 1.12 receiue him truely and beleeue his Word good h Esay 61.3 trees and i Esay 32.15 16 and 51.3 good ground fruitfull and pleasant k
Iesus concerning you And Isaiah signifieth that thankesgiving acceptable to God consisteth not in words onely where he saith u Isa 5.16 God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousnes In another place he saith w Isa 66.5 Heare ye the word of the Lord yee that tremble at his word your brethren that hated you that cast you out for my names sake said Let the Lord be glorified but he shall appeare to your joy and they shall bee ashamed Memorably saith the Church in the Communion service It is very meet right and our bounden duty that we should at all times and in all places give thankes unto thee O Lord Holy Father Almighty Everlasting God Of confession to God Concerning publike confession of our sinnes unto God the Divine Service beginneth with one that is generall and likewise there is a generall confession to be made afore receiving of the holy Communion The Prophet Daniel made a solemne x Dan. 9.4 confession unto God in the behalfe of the Iewes in generall that were with him in captivity in Babylon And Baruch wrote a long y Bar. 1.14.15 c. confession for the Iewes at Ierusalem to make reading it in the House of the Lord upon the feasts and solemne dayes There is also private confession of our sins to be made unto God whereof it is said in the second part of the * T. 2. Homily of repentance that it is the second part of repentance And the Homily saith If we will with a sorrowfull and contrite heart make an unfeined confession of our sinnes unto God hee will freely and frankly forgive them and so put all our wickednesse out of remembrance before the sight of his Majestie that they shall no more be z Heb. 8.12 thought upon Hereunto doth pertaine the golden saying of David where he saith on this manner a Ps 32.5 Then I acknowledged my sinne unto thee neither did I hide mine iniquitie I said I will confesse against my selfe my wickednesse unto the Lord and thou forgavest the ungodlinesse of my sinne These are also the words of Iohn the Evangelist b 1 Iohn 1.9 10. If wee confesse our sinnes God is faithfull and righteous to forgive us our sinnes and to make us cleane from all our wickednesse Which ought to be understood of the confession made unto God This is then the chiefest and most principall confession that in the Scriptures and Word of God wee are bidden to make and without the which wee shall never obtaine pardon and forgivenesse of our sinnes The Prodigall sonne made such a confession saying c Luke 15.21 Father I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be called thy sonne Salomon saith d Prov. 28.13 Hee that hideth his sinnes shall not prosper but he that confesseth and forsakes them shall finde mercy CHAP. 45. Of singing Psalmes and spirituall songs in publike and in private and also of singing with musicke IN the title of the Psalmes in meeter in the Booke of Common prayer it is thus said The whole booke of Psalmes collected into English meeter by c. Conferred with the Hebrew with apt notes to sing them withall Set forth and allowed to bee sung in all Churches of all people together before and after morning and evening prayer as also before and after sermons and moreover in private houses for their godly solace and comfort laying apart all ungodly songs and Ballads which tend onely to the nourishing of vice and corrupting of youth Iames 5.13 If any be afflicted let him pray and if any be merry let him sing Psalmes And then in the Common prayer booke of that forme which is appointed for Churches there is added a Treatise made by Athanasius the great cōcerning the use and vertue of the Psalmes whose beginning is thus and a delivery most memorable All holy Scripture is certainly the teacher of all vertue and of true faith but the booke of Psalmes doth expresse after a certaine manner the very state and condition of the soule For as he which intendeth to present himselfe to a King first will compound with himselfe to set in good order both his gesture and his speech lest else he might be reputed rude and ignorant even so doth this godly booke informe all such as be desirous to lead their life in vertue and to know the life of our Saviour which hee ledd in his conversation putting them in minde in the reading thereof of all their affections and passions whereto their soule is inclined c. And then doe follow 99. signifyings of what Psalmes may be sung even upon most occasions that come to passe in this present life And both before and also after the Psalmes in meeter there are sundry spirituall songs which may be sung upon sundry occasions unto the great comfort of the minde * Of singing with musicke Concerning singing in publike it is said in the booke of Ezra e Ezra 3.10 11. When the builders laid the foundation of the Temple of the Lord they set the Priests in their apparell with Trumpets and the Levites the sonnes of Asaph with Cymbals to praise the Lord after the Ordinance of Dauid King of Israel And they sang together by course in praising and giving thankes unto the Lord because hee is good for his mercy indureth for ever towards Israel And in the booke of Chronicles it is said f 1 Chron. 16.7 David delivered a Psalme to thanke the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren The which holy Prophet hath said g Ps 148.11 12 13 14. Kings of the earth and all people Princes and all Iudges of the earth both young men and maydens old men and Children let them praise the name of the Lord. h Ps 149.1 3. Sing unto the Lord a new song and his praise in the congregation of Saints let them sing praises unto him with Timbrell and Harpe i Ps 150.1 Praise yee God in his Sanctuary k Ps 95.1 2. O come let us sing unto the Lord let us make a joyfull noyse to the rocke of our salvation Let us come before his presence with thankesgiving and make a ioyfull noyse unto him with Psalmes l Ps 100.1 Serve the Lord with gladnesse come before his presence with singing Saint Paul said to the Church of Ephesus Be m Eph. 5.18 19 filled with the spirit speaking to your selves in Psalmes and hymnes and spirituall songs singing and making melodie in your heart to the Lord. n Ps 150.3 4 5. Praise the Lord saith David with the sound of the Trumpet praise him with the Psaltery and Harpe Praise him with the Timbrell and daunce praise him with stringed instruments and Organs Praise him upon the loud Cymbals praise him upon the high sounding Cymbals It is written that Moses and the Children of Israel o Exod. 15.1 sang a song unto the Lord. And that p
Scriptures into our mother tongue to be faithfull and meet for vs both to heare and read yea and to settle our beliefe therein and ought we not also to ascribe great authoritie unto the spirit of the Church in her x 1 Thes 5.20 prophecying or sermon making her composing of the Homilies for our instruction in the Doctrine of the holy Scriptures Wee pray unto God as her wisedome hath prescribed we heare and read for holy Scripture as her wisedome hath translated and ought we not with like conscionable respect to heare and read the exhortations interpretations applications c. in her Homilies set forth for Doctrine refutation correction and instruction in righteousnesse as her wisdome hath delivered unto us The great authority of the deliveries in the Homilies may appeare unto us out of this consideration When wee heare a Pastour Curate or Lecturer preach wee heare deliveries which are but the wisdome of a private Minister But when wee heare a Homily read wee heare deliveries which are the wisdome of the Church or for approbation whereof the whole Churches Clergie have written their * See the Epistle to the Reader and the Advertisement afterward Of the Curates making a short exhortation to the people when iust occasion is thereunto assent Concerning exhortation in publike it is said in the Rubricke after the Nicene Creed After such sermon homily or exhortation the Curate shall declare unto the people whether there be any holy-dayes or fasting dayes the weeke following and earnestly exhort them to remember the poore saying one or moe of these sentences following as hee thinketh most convenient by his discretion In the * T. 2. p. 138. Homily of Common prayer and Sacraments a saying of Iustinus Martyr is related viz. Vpon the Sunday assemblies are made both of them that dwell in Cities and of them that dwell in the Countrey also Amongst whom as much as may bee the writings of the Apostles and Prophets are read Afterwards when the reader doth cease the chiefe Minister maketh an exhortation exhorting them to follow honest things In the first part of the * T. 2. p. 3. Homily concerning the right use of the Church there is mentioned what the Ruler of the Temple in Antiochia signified unto Paul and Barnabas after the lesson or reading of the Law and Prophets viz. If any of you have any exhortation to make unto the people y Acts 13.15 say it That exercise which now is cōmonly called preaching answereth much to the aforesaid exhortation yea exhortation is part of a preaching as Paul saith z 1 Cor. 14.3 He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification and exhortation and comfort But the exhortation here now meant is a short speech made unto the people which is allowed by authority yea required in sundry cases As when a briefe is read then to exhort the people unto a Rom. 12.13 2 Cor. 9 5. contribution by alleaging some Scriptures and reasons whereby the more to move them to the same When poore parties are to be married and doe desire an Offering then an b Heb. 10.24 Gal. 2.10 1 Tim. 6.17 18. exhortation may be made unto the Congregation for to stirre them unto liberality Sundry occasions doe sometimes come to passe needing some short exhortation for matters better administration CHAP. 47. Of expounding the Scriptures and of preaching also of peoples hearing sermons IN the first part of the * T. 2. p. 4. Homily concerning the right use of the Church it is said That it is convenient that the Scriptures of God and specially the Gospell of our Saviour Christ should be read and expounded to us that be Christians in our Churches c. It is written in Nehemiah that the Priests read in the Law of God distinctly and gave the c Neh. 8.7 8. sense and caused the people to understand the reading Of Preaching Concerning preaching the aforesaid part of that Homily also delivereth In Luke ye reade how Iesus according to his accustomed use came into the Temple and how the booke of Isaias the Prophet was delivered him how hee read a Text therein and made a d Luke 4.16 17 18 19 20 21. sermon upon the same In the first part of the * T. 1. p. 54. Homily concerning falling from God it is said God doth send his Messengers the true preachers of his Word to e Isa 58.1 admonish and warne us of our duty The 45. constitution of the Church is Every beneficed man allowed to bee a preacher and residing on his benefice having no lawfull impediment shall in his owne Cure or in some other Church or Chappell where he may conveniently neare adjoyning where no preacher is preach one sermon every sunday of the yeare wherein he shall soberly and sincerely f 2 Tim. 2.15 divide the word of truth to the glory God and to the g 1 Cor. 14.12 Of the dignity of preaching according to holy Church her prescription best edification of the people Such a preaching of Gods Word is an exercise worthily had in high account It hath the operation of Gods Spirit commonly accompanying it into the hearts of the hearers The h Heb. 4.12 Word of God divided aright is quicke and powerfull and sharper then any two edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soule and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Saint Paul saith An i 1 Cor. 14.24 25. unbeleever comming in where prophesie or faithfull preaching is becommeth to be convinced in conscience The secrets of his heart are made manifest and so falling downe on his face hee will worship God and report that of a truth God is in the Preacher How k Act. 2.41 powerfull was the sermon of Peter which he made to the Iewes by the inspiration of Gods Spirit and the same Spirits operation in the hearts of his hearers The Lord said by Ieremiah concerning some Prophets If they had l Ier. 23.27 28 29. stood in my Counsell and had caused my people to heare my words then they should haue turned them from their evill wayes and from the evill of their doings He that hath my word let him speak my word faithfully Is not my word like as a fire saith the Lord and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces The Apostle saith If our Gospell be m 2 Cor. 4.3 4 hid it is hid to them that are lost in whom the god of this world hath blinded the mindes of them that beleeve not lest the light of the glorious gospell of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them Of Peoples hearing of Sermons Now concerning peoples hearing of sermons it is said in the exhortation at the end of Baptisme-service That Children may know the better what their godfathers and godmothers promised and vowed in their names they shall be called upon to
us therefore read and revolve the holy Scripture both day and night for blessed is he that hath his whole x Ps 1.2 Ios 1.8 ecclus 50.18 meditation therein c. In the last of all the * T. 2.318 Homilies in the sixt part thereof and in the last part of the same the necessitie of knowing the Scriptures is most lively declared where it is said The holy Scriptures doe teach that the people which y Acts 28.27 will not see with their eyes nor heare with their eares to learne and to understand with their hearts cannot be converted and saved And the wicked themselves being damned in Hell shall confesse ignorance in Gods Word to have brought them thereunto saying z Wisd 5.6 7. We have erred from the way of the truth and the light of righteousnesse hath not shined unto us the sun of understāding hath not risen unto us we have wearied our selves in the way of wickednesse and perdition have walked cumberous and crooked wayes but the way of the Lord we have not knowne And as well our Saviour himselfe as his Apostle S. Paul doth teach that the ignorance of Gods Word a Luke 8.12 2 Cor. 4.4 commeth of the Devill and is the cause of all b Ps 95.10 as in the Divine service translation errour and misiudging as falleth out with ignorant subjects who can rather espie a little Mote in the eye of the Prince or a Counsellour than a great Beame in their owne and universally it is the cause of all evill and finally of eternall c Ioh. 3.19 20 21. damnation Gods judgement being severe toward those who when the light of Christs Gospell is come into the world doe delight more in darknesse of ignorance than in the light of knowledge in Gods Word For all are commanded to d Rev. 1.3 read or heare to search and study the holy Scriptures and are promised c Pro. 2.1 2 3 4 5 6. understanding to be given them from God if they so doe all are charged not to beleeve either any f Isa 8.19 20. dead man nor if an g Gal. 1.8 9. Angell should speake from heaven much lesse if the Pope doe speake from Rome against or contrary to the Word of God frō the which we may not h Deut. 5.32 decline neither to the right hand nor to the left In Gods Word Princes must i Deut. 17.18 19 20. learne how to obey God and to governe men In Gods Word subjects must learne obedience both to God and their Princes Old men and young rich and poore all men and women all estates sexes and ages are taught their severall duties in the Word of God For the Word of God is bright k Ps 19.7 8. giving light unto all mens eyes the shining l Ps 119.105 Prov. 6.23 Lampe directing all mens paths and steps In the first part of the * T. 1. p. 91. Homily against contention it is said Let us read Scripture that by reading thereof we may be made the better m Iam. 1.22 23 24 25. livers rather than the more n 1 Tim. 1.5 6 7. and 6.3 4 5 20 21. contentious disputers And saith the first part of the first * T. 1. p. 3. Homily of all In reading of Gods Word he most profiteth not alwayes that is most ready in turning of the booke or in saying of it without the booke but he that is most turned into it that is most inspired with the holy Ghost most in his heart and life altered and o Ier. 48.11 Rom. 12.2 2 Cor. 3.18 changed into that thing which he readeth He that is daily lesse and lesse proud lesse wrathfull lesse covetous and lesse desirous of worldly and vaine pleasures He that daily for saking his old vicious life * increaseth in vertue more and more See Chap. 92. The Bereans as it seemeth by the last translation were accounted more noble then those in Thessalonica p Acts 17.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Syrus vertit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 utireddidit Arabs for that they received the Word with all readinesse of minde and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so David saith q Ps 1.2 The delight of the blessed man and woman is in the Law of the Lord and therein will meditate day and night Iob said Hee r Iob 23.12 esteemed the words of Gods mouth more then his necessary food Now concerning * Of the means whereby people may be holpen in understanding of the holy Scriptures meanes which may helpe peoples understanding of the Scripture it is most Divinely delivered in the second part of the first of all the * T. 1. p. 5 6. Homilies where it is said Read it humbly with a meek lowly heart to the intent you may ſ 1 Cor. 10.31 glorifie God and your selves with the knowledge of it and read it not without daily praying unto God that hee would direct your reading unto good effect and take upon you to expound it no further than you can plainely understand it For as Saint Augustine saith the knowledge of holy Scripture is a great large and a high place but the doore is very low so that the high and t Mat. 11.25 26. Dan. 12.10 Ps 25.9 Mat. 13.10 11. arrogant man cannot runne in but he must stoope low and u 1 Pet. 5.5 6. Ecclus 3.19 humble himselfe that shall enter into it Presumption and arrogancy is the mother of all errour and humilitie needeth to feare no error For humility will only search to know the truth it will search and bring together one place with another and where it cannot finde out the meaning it will pray it will w Acts 8.34 aske of other that know and will not presumptuously and rashly define any thing which it knoweth not If one bee ignorant hee ought the more to read and to search holy Scripture for to x Pro. 1.1 2 3 4 5 6. bring him out of ignorance I say not nay but a man may prosper with onely hearing but he may much more prosper with both hearing and y 2 Cor. 1.13 Rev. 1.3 reading And concerning the hardnesse of the Scripture he that is so weake that he is not able to brooke strong z Heb. 5.12 13 14. 1 Cor. 3.1 2 3. meat yet he may sucke the sweete and tender milke and deferre the rest untill he waxe stronger and come to more knowledge For God receiveth the learned and the unlearned and casteth away none but is a Iam. 1.5 Wisd 6.7 Rom. 2.11 indifferent unto all And the Scripture is full as well of low valleyes plaine wayes and easie for every man to use and to walke in as also of high hits and mountaines which few men can climbe unto And whosoever giveth his minde to holy Scriptures with diligent study and burning desire it cannot bee saith Saint Chrysostome that he should
greater authority to them than unto meere humane writings In the margent of the last translation of the Bible there is often reference made unto Chapter and verse of those bookes as in the margent of Heb. 1.3 Iohn 10.22 Matth. 6.7 Matth. 23.37 Heb. 11.35 and in more places There is no such reference made unto Chapter and verse of any other bookes excepting the canonicall Scriptures In the Concordance which is sometimes bound with bibles of the middle bignesse namely in quarto places out of all those bookes are often quoted and added unto the places cited out of the Canonicall Scriptures It is not so done out of any other bookes Even all the Fathers which have lived in the Church of Iesus Christ since first the Apostles dayes have with great reverence and respect alleaged sayings out of those books The true Apostolicall Church of England hath ordained those bookes onely and none other of what authoritie soever to be translated with the Canonicall Scriptures and to be set betweene the bookes of the old and new Testament Seeing then that the Church our mother so honoureth the said bookes called Apocrypha ought not wee her members to have them bound in our Bibles to reverence and respect them and diligently to read them for * The Church in the sixt Article of religion so delivereth example of life and instruction of manners and to account them for to be in all respects of so much a Phil. 4.8 1 Thes 5.21 1 Pet. 5.5 Mat. 18.17 1 Cor 16.16 authority as the Church of England now ascribeth unto them CHAP. 50. Of peoples learning the most sacred Catechisme of the Church which is in the booke of Common Prayer Every member of the true Apostolicall Church of England hath occasion greatly to praise the name of the Lord for stirring up our most gracious Soveraigne and the holy Fathers of the Church to take great care for this ordinance of the Gospell of Iesus Christ namely Catechizing that it may bee duely used according as it was prescribed by holy Church heretofore and the same ratified by our late Soveraigne Lord King Iames a Prince of ever blessed memory IN the end of the rubricke after the Service of Confirmation it is said None shall be admitted to the holy Communion untill such time as he can say the Catechisme namely that in the booke of Common Prayer the which being printed alone by it selfe is now commonly called the A. B. C. The said most sacred Catechisme consisteth of but about twenty questions whose answers require any labour of learning by heart And yet therein is contained the summe of the whole Christian faith and life in a most Divine delivery This holy b Ps 119.130 Catechisme should all people members of the Church of England have either in memory or else at least be able so to c 1 Pet. 3.13 answere unto each question therein as that they may declare themselves to have in effect such an d Phil. 3.16 1 Cor. 1.10 understanding of the matters therein contained as the Church hath in full words expressed in it Catechisme is an instructing of people in the e Heb. 5.12 principles of the Oracles of God It is a f Heb. 6.1 2. laying of the foundation of repentance from dead workes and of faith towards God of the Doctrine of Baptismes and of laying on of hands and of the resurrection of the dead and of the eternall judgment It is a ministring of the g 1 Pet. 2.2 sincere milke of the Word unto the h Heb. 5.13 unskilfull in the word of righteousnesse Even as a house cannot bee well built up and stand fast unlesse the foundations thereof be firmely laid so people who should bee built up a spirituall i 1 Pet. 2.4 house for an k Eph. 2.21 22. habitation of God through the spirit cannot be fitly framed together and grow unto an holy Temple in the Lord unlesse they bee l Luke 11.52 Mat. 14.11 rightly instructed in the principles of the Doctrine of Christ and withall grow up in all due m Rom. 1.5 and 16.26 obedience unto the same Not onely the Catechisme in the Divine Service doth deliver the Milke of the Gospell but also the whole Divine Service doth minister the same abundantly If one would know what is repentance and faith let him reade the Homilies thereof If hee would know what is the mysterie of baptisme and of laying on of hands let him reade the Services thereof If one would know the mysterie of the Communion let him read the Service and the Homily thereof It is a main part of the use of the Divine Service to lay firmly in peoples mindes the n 1 Cor. 3.10 grounds of Christianity All people therefore that would bee rightly grounded in the true Christian religion and grow more and more towards o Heb. 6.1 Col. 1.28 29. perfection in Iesus Christ ought to be much conversant in every part of the said Service and to enable themselves so to render a reason of every point of Christianity according as they finde it delivered in the said p Prov. 6.20 21 22 23. Luke 10.16 bookes and withall to q 2 Thes 1.3 Prov 4.18 increase in that godly conversation which is throughout the service prescribed And thereunto this present worke will much helpe every one that will make due use of all the same The Church hath ordained that not onely the youth but other ignorant persons also to be r Song 6.6 Ps 1.48 12. Deut. 31.12 Nehem. 8.2 instructed in the Catechisme For thus is her sacred * Canon 59 This holy and necessary Ordinance of Christ and his Church is now by the great goodnesse of Almighty God observed and al true Christians hearts doe pray that so it may bee continued and more and more conscionably used unto Gods glory and the edification of all people constitution Every Parson Vicar or Curate upon every Sunday and holy day before evening prayer shall for halfe an houre or more examine and instruct the youth and ignorant persons of his parish in the ten Commandements the Articles of the beliefe and in the Lords prayer and shall diligently heare instruct and teach them the Catechisme set forth in the booke of Common prayer c. Peoples Å¿ Prov. 19.2 neglect of learning that Catechisme and of obedience thereto and also their not regarding to have their Children and servants taught the same and instructed unto the observing of the duties therein prescribed is a maine cause that now so many are ignorant in minde and t Prov. 29.15 disorderly in conversation The Oracle of God saith u Prov. 22.6 Traine up a Child in the way he should goe and when he is old he will not depart from it CHAP. 51. Of Baptisme THE Catechisme in the Divine service delivereth That the outward visible signe or forme in baptisme is water wherein the person baptized is dipped
The o Zeph. 3.5 iust Lord is in the midst of Ierusalem He will doe none iniquity Euery morning doth he bring his iudgement to light he fayeth not but the vniust know no shame The Lord saith Hosea hath a controuersie with Iudah Hosea 12. â— and will punish l Psal 145.17 Iacob according to his wayes according to his doings will he recompence him God also is often in the Diuine Seruice mentioned to be Mercifull Of Gods Mercifullnesse as in the third Collect to be read on good Friday it is sayd Mercifull God who hast made all men and hatest * Some obiect against this Divine Doctrine of the Church the saying in the Scripture I haue hated Esau The Scripture sayth not that God hated Esau vnto euerlasting damnation afore hee was borne but signifieth that hee loued him lesse than hee loued Iacob in that for a time he was to serue Iacob That the word hâ—te doth in Scripture signifie to Loue lesse See Iunius on Genes 29.31 Deut 21.15 See Math. 6.24 Luk. 14.26 And that Esau was to be vnder Iacob foratime See Genes 27.40 Saint Paules Doctrine hereabout is one of his sayings hard to be vnderstood 2. Peter 3.16 There is in it an Allegory as in Gal. 4.24 See 2. Esaras 6.8.9 Also in Genes 25.23 mentioned By Saint Paul in Rom. 9. Iacob and Esau are called two Nations and two manner of people And that Esau was sayd to be hated was not expressed in those words vntill many ages after Namely in the dayes of the Prophet Malachy 1.3 See Ezech. 33.11 and 2. Peter 3.9 Math. 23.37 Acts 7.51 See Pro. 1. from verse 20. vnto the Chapters end All Ezechiel 18. Eccles 15.11 to the end nothing that thou hast made nor wouldest the death of a Sinner but rather that he should be conuerted liue haue mercy vpon all Iewes Turks Infidels and Hereticks c. So in the last Prayer sauing one of the Commination it is sayd Oh most mighty God and Mercifull Father which hast compassion of all men and hatest nothing that thou hast made which wouldest not the death of a sinner but that he should rather turne from sinne and be saued c. Dauid sayth The q Psal 145.9 Lord is good to all and his tender Mercies are ouer all his workes Likewise Saint Paul witnesseth God hath concluded all men in vnbeleefe that he might haue Mercy vpon r Rom. 11.32 all In the Booke of Wisedome it is sayd Thou Å¿ Wisedome 11.23 24. haste Mercy vpon all for thou canst do all things and winkest at the sinnes of men because they should amende For thou louest all the things that are and abhorrest nothing which thou hast made for neuer wouldest thou haue made any thing if thou hadst hated it Vnto the which Eternall Incomprehensible Almighty Wise Good Iust and Mercifull God be glore through Iesus Christ for euer Amen CHAP. 7. Of the Creation of the World and of the Angels in speciall IN the first part of the * T. 1. p. 67. Homily an Exhortation concerning good order and obedience to Rulers and Magistrates it is sayd Almighty God hath created and appointed all things in Heauen Earth and Waters in a most excellent and perfect order In Heauen hee hath appointed distinct and seuerall orders and states of Archangels and Angells In the beginning sayth the Scripture God t Genesis 1.1 and 2 1. Created heauen and earth and all the Host of them Also that by the u Col. 1.16 Sonne of God were all things Created that are in Heauen and that are in Earth Visible and Inuisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were Created by him and for him That there are Archangels aswell as Angels it appeareth out of Daniel where it is Written that Michael one of w Dan. 10.13 the chiefe Princes came to helpe him Michael is called an Archangell in the x Iude 9. Epistle of Iude. There is mention of another Archangell in y 2. Esdras 4.36 Esdras namely Vriel In Saint Ambrose his Song it is sayde vnto God To thee all Angels crye aloud the Heauens and all the powers therein To thee Cherubin and Seraphin continually do crye Holy holy holy Lord God of * Or Hosts Sabaoth That there are Powers in heauenly places and also Principalities among them not only the text aboue cited out of the Epistle to the Colossians prooueth but also Saint Paules words to the Ephesians saying To z Eph. 3.10 the intent that now vnto the Principalities and Powers in heauenly places might be knowne by the Church the manifold VVisedome of God Of Cherubins Novem Angelorum est cordâ—nes testante sacro eloquio scimus scilicet Angelos Archangelâ—s virtutes potestates principatut dominatiâ—nes thâ—onos Cherubin aeque Seraphim Greg. in Hâ—mil there is often mention in the tenth Chapter of Ezechiel And of Seraphins it is mentioned in the sixt Chapter of Isaiah In the Collect to be read on the day of the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel the Church sayth Euerlasting-God which hast o dayned and constituted the Services of all Angels and Men in wonderfull order Mercifully grant that they which alway do thee seruice in Heauen may by thine appoyntment succour and defend vs in Earth through Iesus Christ our Lord. Heb. 1.14 Are a they not all ministring Spirits as the Apostle sayth sent foorth to minister for them who shall be Heires of Saluation Dauid sayth Because b Psal 91.9.10.11.12 thou hast made the Lord which is my refuge euen the most High thine Habitation there shal no euill befall thee neyther shal any Plague come nigh thy dwelling For he shal giue his Angels charge ouer thee to keepe thee in all thy wayes They shal beare thee vp in their hands least thou dash thy foot agaynst a stone Some of the Angels sinned in not c 2 Pet. 2 4. Iude 6. keeping their first estate but left their owne habitation and are cast downe to Hell reserued in euerlasting Chaines vnder darknesse vnto the iudgement of the great day It is our duty as the Church d In the Communion Service exhorteth with the holy Angels and Archangels and with all the Company of Heauen to laud and magnifie the e Deut. 28.58 glorious name euermore praysing him and saying f Reue. 4.8 Esay 6.3 Holy holy holy Lord God of Hosts Heauen and Earth are full of thy glory Glory be to thee O Lord most high CHAP. 8. Of the Creation of Man and of his estate in his innocency IN the * To 2. p. 167. Homily concerning the Nativity of our Saviour Iesus Christ it is sayd That among all the Creatures which God made in the beginning of the World most excellent and wonderfull in their kinde there was none as the Scripture beareth VVitnesse to be compared almost in any point vnto man who as well in Body and Soule
be b Ps 25.12 13 Isa 50.10 left without helpe For either God Almighty will c Acts 8.29 send him some godly Doctour to teach him as he did to instruct the Eunuch or else if wee lacke a learned man to instruct and teach us yet God himselfe from above will give d 2 Sam. 22.29 See the Collect for the third Sunday after Easter light unto our mindes and teach us those things which are necessary for us and wherein we bee ignorant And in another place Chrysostome saith That mans humane and e 1 Cor. 1.19 20 21. Rom. 1.22 Col. 2.8 1 Cor. 2.14 3.19 20. worldly wisdome or science needeth not to the understanding of Scripture but the f Mat. 11.27 Ioh. 14 26. 16.13 revelation of the holy Ghost who inspireth the true meaning unto them that with humility and diligence doe search therefore c. In the second part of the * T. 2 p. 149 150. Homily an information concerning certaine places of Scripture It is said If ye will be profitable hearers and readers of the holy Scriptures yee must first g Mat. 16.24 1 Cor. 4.18 deny your selves and keepe under your h 1 Cor. 2.14 Isay 55.7.8 Rom. 8.5 6 7. carnall senses taken by the outward words and search the inward meaning i Rom. 4.18 19 20 21 22. reason must give place to Gods holy Spirit you must submit your worldly wisedome and judgement unto his diuine wisedome and judgement Consider that the Scripture in what strange forme soeuer it be pronounced is the word of the living God It cannot therefore bee but k Tit. 1.2 Pro. 8.6 7 8 9. truth which proceedeth from the God of all truth it cannot be but wisely and prudently commanded what Almighty God hath devised how vainly soever through want of grace we miserable wretches doe imagine and judge of his most holy Word In the third part of the * T. 2. p. 231. Homily for Rogation weeke it is said l Wisd 7.14 Wisedome is an infinite treasure unto men which who so use become partakers of the love of God I might with many words move some of this audience to search for this wisedome to sequester their reason to follow Gods Commandement to cast from them the wits of their braines to savour this wisedome to renounce the wisedome and policy of this fond world to taste and savour that whereunto the favour and will of God hath called them and willeth us finally to enjoy by his favour if we m Prov. 1.33 2.1 2 3 4 5. 8.34 35. would give eare The elect as they can search n Iob 28.12.20.23.28 where to finde this wisedome and know of whom to o Iam. 1.5 Ephes 17. aske it So know they againe that in time it is found and can therefore attemper themselves to the occasion of the time to suffer no time to p Eph. 5.15 16 17. Prov. 14.23 passe away wherein they may labour for this q Ecclus. 51.30 See all c. Ecclus. 24. wisedome And to encrease therein they know how God of his infinite mercy and lenitie giveth all men here time and place of r Rom. 2.4 Rev. 2.21 repentance The naturall man saith Saint Paul receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse unto him neither Å¿ 1 Cor. 2.14 can he know them because they are spiritually discerned Wherefore the Lord Christ said verily verily except a man be borne againe he t Iohn 3.3 cannot see the kingdome of God The Prophet David saith u Psal 25.12 13 14.9 What man is hee that feareth the Lord him will hee teach the way that he shall choose His soule shall dwell at ease and his seed shall inherite the earth The secret of the Lord is with them that feare him and he will shew them his covenant The meeke will hee guide in judgement and the meeke will hee teach his way Saint Paul also saith Let no man deceive himselfe If any man among you seemeth to bee wise in this world let him become a w 1 Cor. 3.18 19 20. foole that hee may bee wise For the wisedome of this world is foolishnes with God We are to beleeve that every word syllable and x Mat. 5.18 Gal. 3.16 1 Cor. 15.27 Heb. 2.8 letter of the holy Scriptures is truth though the matter be farre y Rom 4.18.20 21 22. See in Homily in T. 2. p. 149. aboue our comprehension or * Some words are to bee understood not naturally but spiritually as in Rev. 11.8 and some figuratively as John 15.8 Luke 22.20 Psalme 6.6 Matth. 3.5 namely when as the naturall or proper sense of them cannot stand consonant either with the context or with other Scriptures The letter is to be retained alwaies in every understanding for let any jot or title passe and where is the Scripture then understanding The Lord saith Till heaven and earth passe one z Mat. 5.18 jot or one title shall in no wise passe from the Law till all be fulfilled The Scripture cannot be a Iohn 10.35 broken Yee shall not b Deut. 4.2 adde unto the word which I command you neither shall ye diminish ought from it that yee may keepe the commandements of the Lord your God which I command you c Pro. 30.6 Adde not thou unto his words lest he reproue thee and thou be found a lier Saint Peter saith that in Saint Pauls Epistles are some things d 2 Pet. 3.16 hard to bee understood which they that are unlearned and unstable doe wrest as they doe also the other Scriptures unto their owne destruction Againe the Lord Christ saith If ye e Iohn 8.31.32 continue in my word then are ye my disciples indeed And ye shall c know the truth and the truth shall make you free Againe hee said unto the Iewes If any man will doe the f Iohn 7.17 will of God my Father he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speake of my selfe Saint Iames saith If any want wisedome let him g Iames 1.5 aske of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be giuen him Christ saith your heauenly Father will h Luke 11.13 give the holy Spirit to them that aske him and which also i Acts 5.32 obey him which holy Spirit teacheth k 2. Pet. 1.3 all things that pertaine unto life and godlines and l Iohn 16.13 Psal 25.5 leadeth the obedient into all truth unto m Eph. 4.3 Ioh. 17.21 221 unity n Iam. 3.17.18 Gal. 5.22 23. peace and o Act. 1.14 Act. 2.46 and 4.32 Col. 2.2.5 1 Cor. 1.10 Phil. 2.2 concord Solomon most memorably saith p Prov. 2.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. My sonne if thou wilt receive my words and hide my Commandements with thee so that thou encline thine eare unto wisedome and apply
from the priesthood That they shoud not eate of the most holy things till there stood up a priest with d Ezra 2.63 Vrim and * In the service of Consecration of Bishops in the Prayer after the Letanie then road the true signification of the words Vrim and Thummim is delivered namely truth of Doctrine and innocencie of life See 1 Esdras 5.40 Thummim Saint Peter saith e 1 Pet. 2.13.14 Submit your selves unto every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it bee to the King as Supreme or unto governours as unto them that are sent by him c. Samuel told Saul that God had made him the f 1 Sam. 15.17 See the 37. Article of Religion Head of the Tribes of Israel Therefore our King is Head of the Tribe of Levi the supreme governour over all degrees and orders of the Clergie in his Majesties Realmes Dominions aswell as over all other persons Concerning bearing faith and true allegiance to the Kings Highnesse his heirs and successors according as it is prescribed in the oath of allegiance it may first bee considered that in the whole Bible there is no mention of any of Gods people at any time to have done contrary unto such allegiance but ever to have borne faith and true allegiance unto to their Soveraigne the supreme Magistrate over them The Lord Iesus Christ both by g Mat. 12.20.21 precept and also by example taught loyalty to bee performed unto Caesar by all professed Christians all others The Apostle Paul enjoyned Titus to put all professours of Christianity in minde to be h Tit. 3.1.2 subject to Principalities and powers to obey magistrates to bee ready unto every good worke to speake evill of no man to bee no brawlers but gentle shewing all meekenesse unto all men Almost the whole 13. chapter of the Epistle to the Romanes is a declaration how subject and faithfull every soule not excepting any Ecclesiastical person ought to bee unto his Prince which beareth the sword which receiveth tribute and custome The higher powers unto whom Saint Paul commanded Christians to bee subject for Conscience sake and to render all their dues to owe nothing but love and honour and hee for to exclude universall ill attempts against ones Soveraigne saith Loveworketh no ill to ones neighbour were not defenders of the Christian faith neither were they favorers of the Gospell the highest powers over i 1. Pet. 1.1 Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bithynia unto whom Saint Peter required those to whom hee wrote for to bee loyally subject If people were not in Conscience bound to bee universally faithfull unto their Soveraigne the society of mankinde could not consist together but the whole world would in short time bee turned into a wildernesse To release any from their duty to their superiours was the k ◠Marke 7.7.8 9 10 11 12 13. Doctrine of the Scribes and Pharises the mortall enemies to Christianity who taught that one having offered a certaine gift though hee honoured not his father or his mother should bee free making thereby the fifth Commandement of God of non effect by that their damnable traditiō And are not Kings l Isa 49.23 fathers Queenes mothers according to the language of the Holy Scriptures Saint Peter saith Feare God and m 1 Pet. 2.17 honour the King Salomon also saith n Eccles 10.20 Curse not the King no not in thy thought How zealous was David that hee would neither do nor o 1 Sam. 24.6.7 and 26.9 suffer to bee done any manner of annoyance towards the Lords annoynted though he were disobedient unto the Law of the Lord Let any search the whole Scripture and more especially all the new Testament and let him observe what manner of innocent life the life of the Christian Religion is prescribed for to bee or is described there and he shall plainely see that it is contrary to the universall Christian p Mat. 20.16 Rom. 16.19 Rom. 13.10 1 Thes 5.15 1 Cor. 13.4.5.6.7 nature for any people not to beare such faith and such true allegiance unto their Soveraigne as is expressed in the oath of allegiance and expounded or delivered in the Booke intituled God and the King What it is to be defective in duty towards ones Soveraigne the Church hath also most divinely declared in the Homily an Exhortation cōcerning good order obedience to Rulers and Magistrates and amply in the Homily against disobedience and wilfull Rebellion the which deliverie of holy Church all persons should often read or heare read unto them CHAP. 71. Of submission to all Powers inferiour to the Kings Majesty IN the first part of the * T. 1. p. 69.70 Homily of obedience it is said Take away Kings Princes Rulers Magistrates Iudges and such estates of Gods order no man shall ride or goe by the high way unrobbed no man shall sleepe in his owne house or bed unkilled no man shall keepe his wife children and possession in quietnesse all things shall be common and there must needs follow all mischiefe and utter destruction both of soules bodies goods and Common wealths But blessed be God that we in this Realme of England feele not the horrible calamities miseries and wretchednesse which all they undoubtedly feele and suffer that lacke this godly order and praised be God that we know the great excellent benefit of God shewed towards us in this behalfe God hath sent us his high gift our most deare Soveraigne Lord king Charles with a godly wise and honourable Counsell with other superiours and inferiours in a beautifull order and godly Wherefore let us subjects doe our bounden duties giving hearty thankes to God and praying for the preservation of this godly order Let us all obey even from the bottome of our hearts all their godly proceedings Lawes Statutes Proclamations and Injunctions with all other godly orders Let us consider the Scriptures of the Holy Ghost which perswade and command us all obediently to be subject first and chiefly to the King Majestie Supreme Governour over all and the next to his Honourable Counsell and to all other Noblemen Magistrates and Officers which by Gods goodnesse be placed and ordered In the second part of the * T. 2. p. Homily of fasting but it is said Positive lawes made by Princes for conservation of their Policie not repugnant unto Gods Law ought of all Christian subjects with reverence of the Magistrate to bee obeyed not onely for feare of punishment but also as the Apostle saith for q Rom. 13.5 Conscience sake Conscience I say not of the thing which of it owne nature is indifferent but of our obedience which by the Law of God we owe unto the Magistrate as unto Gods minister That saying of the holy Ghost by Saint Peter confirmeth all Submit your selves to ever ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it bee to the King as supreme or unto r 1 Pet.
alwayes in our heart this commandement of God It is written thou shalt not commit Whoredome It shall be good also for us p Prov. 28.14 and 23.17 ever to live in the feare of God and to set before our eyes the grievous q Mat. 25.46.41 Rev. 21.8 Deut. 28.15 c. threatnings of God against all ungodly sinners and to consider in our minde how filthy beastly and short that pleasure is whereunto Satan continually stirreth and mooveth us And againe how the paine appointed for that sinne is r 1 Cor. 6.9 10 Luke 16.23 24. intolerable and everlasting And afterward it is said It is the duty of the maried vertuously to bring up their children and to provide that they fall not into Satans ſ 2 Tim. 2.26 snare nor into any uncleannesse c. In the third part of the * T. 2. p. 50. Homily against perill of Idolatry it is said Satan Gods enemy desiring to rob God of his honour desireth exceedingly that such t Mat. 4.6 honour might be given unto him Wherefore those which give the honour due to the Creator to any u Rom. 1.23 25. creature do service acceptable to no Saints who be the friends of God but unto Satan God and mans mortall and sworne enemy And afterward it is said Clemens hath a notable sentence concerning this matter saying thus That serpent the Devill doth by the mouth of certaine men utter these words We for the honour of the invisible God doe worship visible images which doubtlesse is most false And by and by after he saith Vnderstand ye therefore that this is the suggestion of the serpent Satan lurking w Eph. 6 12.1◠and 2.2 within you which perswadeth you that you are godly when you honour insensible and dead images and that you be not ungodly when you hurt or leave unsuccoured the lively and reasonable creatures In the first part of the * T. 2. p. 143. Homily an information concerning certaine places of Scripture it is said Satan our enemy seeing the Scriptures to be the very meane and right way to bring the people to the true knowledge of God and that Christian religion is greatly x Psal 119.130.9 furthered by diligent hearing and reading of thē he also perceiving what an hinderance and let they be to him and his Kingdome doth what he can to drive the reading of them out of Gods Church In the second part of the * T. 2 p. 225. Homily for Rogation weeke it is said If we stand in necessity of corporall health whither goe the common people but to y Deut. 18.10 11 12. charmes witchcrafts and other delusions of the Devill If we knew that God were the author of this gift we would onely use his meanes appointed and bide his leisure till he thought it good for us to have it given If the Merchant and worldly occupier knew that God is the giver of riches hee would content himselfe with so much as by just meanes approved of God he could get to his living and would be no richer thā truth would suffer him he would never procure his gaine and aske his goods at the Devils hand God forbid yee will say that any man should take his riches of the Devill Verily so many as increase themselves by usurie by extortion by perjurie by stealth by deceits and craft they have their goods of the Devills gift And all they that give themselves to such meanes and have renounced the true meanes that God hath appointed have forsaken him and are become z 1 Cor. 10.20 worshippers of the Devill to have their lucres and advantages They be such as kneele downe to the Devill at his bidding and worship him for he promiseth them for so doing that he will give them the world and the goods therein They cannnot otherwise better serve the Devill than to doe his pleasure and commandement and his motion and will it is to have us forsake the truth and betake us to falshood to lyes and perjuries In the * T. 2. p. 239. Homily of Matrimony it is said The common example of the world declareth how the Devill hath their hearts bound and entangled in divers snares so that they in their wivelesse state runne into open abominations without any a 1 Tim. 4.1 2 Ephes 4.17 18 19. grudge of their conscience And * T. 2. p. 240. afterward it is said unto the maried The b 1 Cor. 7.15 Devill will assay to attempt all things for to interrupt and hinder your hearts and godly purpose if ye will give him any entry In the * T. 2. p. 251. Homily against Idlenesse it is said The enemy came while men were c Mat. 13.25.39 asleepe and sowed naughty tares among the good wheat In very deed the best time that the devill can have to worke his feat is when men be asleepe that is to say d Mat. 21.44 45. idle Then is he most busie in his worke then doth he soonest catch men in the snare of perdition then doth he fil them with all iniquity to bring thē without Gods speciall favour unto utter destruction In the third part of the * T. 2. p. 296 297. Homily against wilfull rebellion it is said As heaven is the place of good obedient subjects and hell the e 1 Pet. 3.19 20. prison and dungeon of rebels against God and their Prince So is that Realme happy where most obedience of subiects doth appeare being the very figure of heaven and contrariwise where most rebellions and rebels be there is the expresse similitude of hell and the rebels themselves are the very figures of fiends and Devils and their captaine the ungracious patterne of f Isa 14.12 Lucifer and Satan the Prince of darkenesse of whose rebellion as they bee followers so shall they of his damnation in hell undoubtedly be partakers The Lord Christ Iesus said unto the wilfull disobedient Iewes Ye are of your father the g Iohn 8.44 Devill and the lusts of your father ye will doe He was a murtherer from the beginning and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him When he speaketh a lye he speaketh of his owne for he is a lyar and the father of it Christ knowing the Devils great power in the world called him the h Iohn 12.31 Prince of the world Saint Paul called him the i 2 Cor. 4.4 God of this world And unto the Ephesians hee saith of him that hee is the k Ephes 2.2 Prince of the power of the ayre the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience And speaking of the Hell-spirits he calleth them principalities powers rulers of the darkenesse of this world the l Eph. 6.12 as in the margent wicked spirits in heavenly places namely in the spirits and soules of men and women where the m Rom. 8.9 10 11 13 14 15 16. Spirit of God the Father and
and 15.20 21. Miriam the Prophetesse the sister of Aaron tooke a Timbrell in her hand and all the women went out after her with Timbrels and with daunces And Miriam answered them Sing yee to the Lord c. Singing the same song as did Moses and the Children of Israel And Saint Iohn in the Revelation foretelling the actions of Christs Church to come to passe saith q Rev. 15.2 3. I saw as it were a Sea of glasse mingled with fire and them that had gotten the victory over the Beast and over his Image and over his marke and over the number of his name stand on the sea of glasse having the Harpes of God And they sung the song of Moses c. see Revel 14 2 3 4 5. and 5.8 and 1 Cor. 14.7.26 and from thence and other Scriptures it is manifest that Christian people have used musicke in praising the name of the Lord and there is not in the whole Bible any manner of mention concerning abolishing of the same CHAP. 46. Of the publike reading of the holy Scriptures as also the Homilies and of making an Exhortation in publike IN the Preface afore the Common prayer it is said The ancient fathers for a great advancement of godlinesse so ordered the matter that all the whole Bible or the greatest part thereof should be read over once every yeare intending thereby that the Clergy and especially such as were Ministers of the Congregation should by often reading and meditation of Gods Word be stirred up to godlinesse themselves and be more able to exhort others by wholesome doctrine and to confute them that were adversaries to the truth And further that the people by dayly hearing of holy Scripture read in the Church should continually profit more and more in the knowledge of God and be the more inflamed with the love of his true religion What care hereto our fathers have had may appeare out of the sacred Kalender and out of the order how the Psalter is appointed to be read and out of the order how the rest of the holy Scripture beside the Psalter is appointed to be read all which are set before the Common prayer It is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles that at Antioch in Pisidia in the Synagogue on the Sabbath day there was the Å¿ Act. 13.15 reading of the Law and the Prophets In another place it is said Moses of old time hath in every City them that preach him being t Act. 15. â—1 read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day Saint Paul saith to the Colossians When this Epistle is read amongst you cause that it be u Col. 4.16 read also in the Church of the Laodiceans and that yee likewise read the Epistle from Laodicea Of reading the Homilies Concerning reading the Homilies the Sermons set forth by the publike authoritie of the Church in the Preface published afore them it is said Considering how necessary it is that the Word of God which is the onely food of the soule and that most excellent light that we must walke by in this our most dangerous pilgrimage at all convenient times be preached unto the people that thereby they may both learne their duty towards God their Prince and their neighbours according to the minde of the Holy Ghost expressed in the Scriptures and also to avoide the manifold enormities which heretofore by false doctrine have crept into the Church of God and how that all they which are appointed Ministers have not the gift of preaching sufficiently to instruct the people which is committed unto them whereof great inconveniences might rise and ignorance still be maintained if some honest remedy be not speedily found and provided The Queenes most excellent Majestie tendering the sole health of her loving subjects the quieting of their coÌ„sciences in the chiefe principall points of Christian religion and willing also by the true setting forth and pure declaring of Gods Word which is the principal guide leader runto all godlines and vertue to expell drive away as well all corrupt vicious and ungodly living as also erroneous and poysoned doctrines tending to superstition and Idolatry hath by the advise of her most honourable Counsellors for her discharge in this behalfe caused a booke of Homilies which heretofore was set forth by her most loving brother a Prince of most worthy memorie Edward the sixt to bee printed anew wherein are contained certaine wholesome and godly exhortations to move the people to honour and worship Almighty God and diligently to serve him every one according to their degree state vocation And in the latter part of the Preface it is said That all her people of what degree or condition soever they be may learne how to invocate and call upon the name of God and know what duty they owe both to God and man so that they may pray beleeve and worke according to knowledge while they shall live here and after this life bee with him that with his blood hath bought us all And at the end of the first Tome of the Homilies it is said concerning the Homilies of the second Tome Hereafter shall follow sermons of fasting praying almesdeeds c. with many other matters as well fruitfull as necèssarie to the edifying of Christian people and the increase of godly living From al which aforesaid delivery it is most manifest that the one only end why the reverend Fathers and the most learned Doctors of the Church composed the sermons commonly called Homilies was for the edification of the congregations in holinesse and righteousnesse and for a helpe unto Ministers that with the said sacred sermons the people committed to their charge might be the more instructed in the faith and life of the true Christian religion As therefore we have received from our fathers the CommoÌ„ prayer as a forme of prayer thanksgiving and confession so ought wee not to receive from our fathers hands their booke of Sermons the Homilies as a forme of wholesome words in faith and love which is in Christ Iesus Saint Paul charged Timothy to hold fast the w 2 Tim. 1.13 Rom. 6.17 forme of sound words which he had heard of him in faith and love which is in Christ Iesus Let any one unpartially weigh every particular sentence in the booke of Homilies and there will appeare nothing but Christian faith and godly love intended and held forth therein Moreover ought wee reverently to heare the Sermons of such as bee but young Students in Divinity and ought we not with great reverence to attend unto the Homilies the Sermons set forth by the chiefest Divines in the whole Church of our Land We ought not to be partiall towards the established Doctrine of our Church We commonly ascribe great authoritie unto the spirit of the Church accounting her Common prayer profitable for us to pray with unto Almighty God We ascribe great authoritie unto the spirit of the Church accounting her translation of the