The Books of Homilies

The two Books of Homilies are the Church of England's authorised sermons, appointed to be read in parish churches. Article XXXV of the Thirty-Nine Articles says that they contain "a godly and wholesome Doctrine, and necessary for these times", and lists the titles of the Second Book. Article XI refers readers to "the Homily of Justification" (the homily of Salvation) for a fuller account of justification.

The text here is that of the 1687 London edition, Certain Sermons or Homilies Appointed to be Read in Churches, from EEBO-TCP A32977 (CC0). Spelling is modernised in the 1687 edition, margin notes are omitted, and each homily is divided into its original Parts.

First Book of Homilies (1547)

Twelve homilies, issued under Edward VI in 1547 and reissued under Elizabeth I in 1559.

A Fruitful Exhortation to the Reading and Knowledge of Holy Scripture · 2 Parts
Of the Misery of All Mankind · 2 Parts
Of the Salvation of All Mankind · 3 Parts
Of the True and Lively Faith · 3 Parts
Of Good Works annexed unto Faith · 3 Parts
Of Christian Love and Charity · 2 Parts
Against Swearing and Perjury · 2 Parts
Of the Declining from God · 2 Parts
Against the Fear of Death · 3 Parts
An Exhortation concerning Good Order and Obedience · 3 Parts
Against Whoredom and Adultery · 3 Parts
Against Strife and Contention · 3 Parts

Second Book of Homilies (1563/1571)

Twenty-one homilies, issued in 1563. The Homily against Disobedience and Wilful Rebellion was added in 1571. The homily for Good Friday is printed as two homilies, so 22 texts appear below.

Of the Right Use of the Church · 2 Parts
Against Peril of Idolatry · 3 Parts
For Repairing and Keeping Clean of Churches
Of Good Works: and first of Fasting · 2 Parts
Against Gluttony and Drunkenness
Against Excess of Apparel
An Homily of Prayer · 3 Parts
Of the Place and Time of Prayer · 2 Parts
Of Common Prayer and Sacraments (in a known tongue)
An Information for them which take Offence at certain Places of Holy Scripture · 2 Parts
Of Alms-deeds · 3 Parts
Of the Nativity
Of the Passion, for Good Friday (first homily)
Of the Passion, for Good Friday (second homily)
Of the Resurrection, for Easter Day
Of the Worthy Receiving of the Sacrament · 2 Parts
Of the Coming Down of the Holy Ghost, for Whitsunday · 2 Parts
For Rogation Week · 3 Parts
Of the State of Matrimony
Against Idleness
Of Repentance and True Reconciliation unto God · 3 Parts
Against Disobedience and Wilful Rebellion · 6 Parts

History

Convocation considered a book of homilies in 1542–3 so that sound doctrine could be read where clergy were not licensed or able to preach. The First Book, Certain Sermons or Homilies, was published in July 1547 under Edward VI, with Archbishop Cranmer as its chief architect. It was suspended under Mary I and reissued under Elizabeth I in 1559. The Second Book followed in 1563, and the Homily against Disobedience and Wilful Rebellion was added in 1571 after the Northern Rising.

Article XXXV (1563, confirmed 1571) commends both Books and orders them to be read in churches "diligently and distinctly". The Homilies are counted with the Articles and the Prayer Book among the Church of England's historic formularies.

Article XXXV: Of the Homilies