The Homilies

The Books of Homilies are authorized sermons issued in two books for use in the Church of England during the reigns of Edward VI and Elizabeth I. They were to provide for the Church a new model of simplified topical preaching as well as a theological understanding of the Reformation that had taken place in England. Thomas Cranmer broached the idea of a Book of Homilies in 1539, but it was not authorized by the Church's Convocation until 1542. Within a year the twelve homilies of the first book were collected and edited by Cranmer, who also wrote at least five of them. They were not published, however, until 1547. The first six homilies present distinctive Protestant theology, namely the authority and sufficiency of Scripture, the radical sinfulness of man, justification by faith alone (entitled "Of the Salvation of All Mankind"), evangelical faith, and sanctification. The Homilies were revoked under Queen Mary but reinstated by Elizabeth.

In 1562-63, the second book was published, though it did not contain the full twenty-one homilies until 1571. Bishop John Jewel wrote all but two of these. They are more practical and devotional than the first book. The two books were issued in one volume in 1632.

The First Book of Homilies

• Introduction to Book I.
• I. A Fruitful exhortation to the reading of Holy Scripture.
• II. Of the misery of all mankind.
• III. Of the salvation of all mankind.
• IV. Of the true and lively faith.
• V. Of good works.
• VI. Of Christian love and charity.
• VII. Against swearing and perjury.
• VIII. Of the declining from GOD.
• IX. An exhortation against the fear of death.
• X. An exhortation to obedience.
• XI. Against whoredome and adultery.
• XII. Against strife and contention.

The Second Book of Homilies

• Introduction to Book II.
• I. OF the right use of the Church.
• II. Against peril of Idolatry.
• III. For repairing and keeping clean the Church.
• IV. Of good works. And first of Fasting.
• V. Against gluttony and drunkenness.
• VI. Against excesse of apparel.
• VII. An Homilie of Prayer.
• VIII. Of the place and time of Prayer.
• IX. Of Common Prayer and Sacraments.
• X. An information of them which take offence at certain places of holy Scripture.
• XI. Of alms deeds.
• XII. Of the Nativity.
• XIII. Of the Passion for Good Friday.
• XIV. Of the Resurrection for Easter day.
• XV. Of the worthy receiving of the Sacrament.
• XVI. An Homilie concerning the coming down of the holy Ghost, for Whitsunday.
• XVII. An Homilie for Rogation week.
• XVIII. Of the state of Matrimony.
• XIX. Against Idleness.
• XX. Of Repentance and true Reconciliation unto God.
• XXI. An Homily against disobedience and willful rebellion.

The Anglican Library, copyright 1999.