Homilies Appointed to Be Read in Churches

THE PREFACE

As it was published in the year 1562.

Considering how necessary it is that the word of God, which is the only food of the soul and that most excellent light that we must walk by, in this our most dangerous pilgrimage should at all convenient times be preached unto the people that thereby they may both learn their duty towards God, their prince, and their neighbours according to the mind of the Holy Ghost expressed in the Scriptures; and also to avoid 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 queen’s most excellent Majesty -- tendering the soul health of her loving subjects and the quieting of their consciences in the chief and principle points of Christian religion and willing also by the true setting forth and pure declaring of God’s word, which is the principle guide and leader unto all godliness and virtue to expel and drive away as well all corrupt, vicious, and ungodly living as also erroneous and poisoned doctrines tending to superstition and idolatry -- hath by the advice of her most honourable counsellors for her discharge in this behalf caused a Book of Homilies, which heretofore was set forth by her most loving brother, a prince of most worthy memory, Edward the Sixth, to be printed anew wherein are contained certain wholesome and godly exhortations to move the people to honor and worship almighty God and diligently to serve him, everyone according to his degree, state, and vocation.

All which Homilies, her Majesty commands and straitly charges all parsons, vicars, curates, and all other having spiritual care every Sunday and holiday in the year at the ministering of the holy Communion, or if there be no Communion ministered that day, yet after the Gospel and Creed, in such order and place as is appointed in the Book of Common Prayer to read and declare to their parishioners plainly and distinctly one of the said Homilies, in such order as they stand in the Book, except there be a Sermon, according as it is enjoined in the injunctions Book, or her Highness’ injunctions and then for that cause only and for none other, the reading of the said Homily to be deferred unto the next Sunday, or holiday following. And when the aforesaid Book of Homilies is read over, her Majesty’s pleasure is that the same be repeated and read again, in such like sort as was before prescribed.  Furthermore, her Highness commands that notwithstanding this order, the said ecclesiastical persons shall read her Majesty’s injunctions as such times and in such order as is in the book thereof appointed.  And that the Lord’s Prayer, the Articles of the Faith, and the Ten Commandments be openly read unto the people, as in the said injunctions is specified that all her people of what degree or condition soever they be may learn how to invoke and call upon the name of God, and know what duty they owe both to God and man; so that they may pray, believe, and work according to knowledge while they shall live here and after this life be with him that with his blood hath bought us all; to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory forever.  Amen.