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The Books of Homilies · Second Book of Homilies (1563/1571) · Homily 1 of 22

Of the Right Use of the Church

AN HOMILY OF THE Right Use of the Church or Temple of GOD, and of the Reverence due unto the same.

The first homily of the Second Book, issued under Elizabeth I. It teaches reverence for the church building as the place of common worship and preaching. The 1687 text heads its first Part "The First Chapter".

An Admonition to all Ministers Ecclesiastical

FOR that the Lord doth require of his Servant, whom he hath set over his Houshold, to shew both Faithfulness and Prudence in his Office: it shall be necessary, that Ye, above all other, do behave your Selves most faithfully and diligently in your so high a Function: That is, aptly, plainly, and distinctly to read the Sacred Scriptures, diligently to instruct the Youth in their Catechism, gravely and reverently to Minister his most Holy Sacraments, prudently also to choose out such Homilies, as be most meet for the time, and for the more agreeable instruction of the People committed to your charge, with such discretion, that where the Homily may appear too long for one Reading, to divide the fame to be read, part in the Forenoon, and part in the Afternoon. And where it may so chance, some one or other Chapter of the Old Testament to fall in order to be read upon the Sundays or Holidays, which were better to be changed with some other of the New Testament of more edification, it shall be well done to spend your time to consider well of such Chapters beforehand, whereby your prudence and diligence in your Office may appear, so that your People may have cause to Glorifie God for you, and be the readier to embrace your Labours, to your better commendation, to the discharge of your Consciences and their own.

Source: EEBO-TCP A32977 (Certain Sermons or Homilies, London 1687; CC0).

The Preface to the First Book of Homilies (1547)

The King's Most Excellent Majesty, by the prudent advice of his most dear beloved uncle Edward Duke of Somerset, Governor of His Majesty's person and Protector of all His Highness' realms, dominions, and subjects, with the rest of his most honourable council, most graciously considering the manifold enormities which heretofore have crept into His Grace's realm through the false usurped power of the Bishop of Rome and the ungodly doctrine of his adherents, not only unto the great decay of Christian religion, but also (if God's mercy were not) unto the utter destruction of innumerable souls, which through hypocrisy and pernicious doctrine were seduced and brought from honouring of the alone true, living, and eternal God unto the worshipping of creatures, yea, of stocks and stones, from doing the commandments of God unto voluntary works and phantasies invented of men, from true religion unto popish superstition; considering also the earnest and fervent desire of his dearly beloved subjects to be delivered from all errors and superstitions, and to be truly and faithfully instructed in the very word of God, that lively food of man's soul, whereby they may learn unfeignedly, and according to the mind of the Holy Ghost expressed in the Scriptures, to honour God and to serve their King with all humility and subjection, and godly and honestly to behave themselves toward all men; again, calling to remembrance that the next and most ready way to expel and avoid as well all corrupt, vicious, and ungodly living, as also erroneous doctrine tending to superstition and idolatry, and clearly to put away all contention which hath heretofore risen through diversity of preaching, is the true setting forth and pure declaring of God's word, which is the principal guide and leader unto all godliness and virtue; finally, that all Curates, of what learning soever they be, may have some godly and fruitful lessons in a readiness to read and declare unto their parishioners for their edifying, instruction, and comfort; hath caused a Book of Homilies to be made and set forth, wherein is contained certain 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, and vocation. The which Homilies His Majesty commandeth and straitly chargeth all Parsons, Vicars, Curates, and all other having spiritual cure, every Sunday in the year, at the Communion, when the people be most gathered together, to read and declare to their parishioners plainly and distinctly in such order as they stand in the Book; except any Sermon be preached, and then for that cause only, and for none other, the reading of the said Homily to be deferred unto the next Sunday following. And, when the foresaid Book of Homilies is read over, the King's Majesty's pleasure is, that the same be repeated and read again, in such like sort as was before prescribed, unto such time as His Grace's pleasure shall further be known in this behalf.

Also His Majesty commandeth that the said ecclesiastical persons, upon the first Holy Day falling in the week time of every quarter of the year, shall read his Injunctions openly and distinctly to the people in manner and form in the same expressed. And upon every other Holy and Festival Day through the year, likewise falling in the week time, they shall recite the Pater Noster, the Articles of our Faith, and the Ten Commandments in English openly before all the people, as in the said Injunctions is specified; that all degrees and all ages may learn to know God and to serve him according to his holy word. Amen.

Source: King Edward VI's Preface of 1547, from J. Griffiths (ed.), The Two Books of Homilies (Oxford, 1859), pp. 3–5 (footnote); public domain; OCR corrected by hand.

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 Queens most Excellent Majesty tendering the Souls Health of Her Loving Subjects, and the Quieting of their Consciences, in the Chief and Principal Points of Christian Religion; and willing also by the true setting forth, and pure declaring of God's Word, which is the principal Guide and Leader unto all Godliness and Virtue, to expel and drive away as well 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 Wholsome 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, and Vocation. All which Homilies, Her Majesty Commandeth, and straitly Chargeth all Parsons, Vicars, Curates, and all others having Spiritual Cure, every Sunday and Holiday in the Year, at the ministring of the Holy Communion; or if there be no Communion ministred that day, yet after the Gospel and Creed, in such order and place, as is appointed in the Book of Common Prayers, 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 is enjoyned in the Book of 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 foresaid Book of Homilies is read over, Her Majesties pleasure is, that the same be repeated and read again, in such like sort as was before prescribed. Furthermore, Her Highness Commandeth, that notwithstanding this Order, the said Ecclesiastical Persons shall read Her Majesties Injunctions at such times, and in such order, as in the Book thereof appointed. And that the Lords 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 invocate 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 for ever. Amen.

Source: EEBO-TCP A32977 (Certain Sermons or Homilies, London 1687; CC0).

The First Chapter

Whereas there appeareth in these days great slackness and negligence of a great sort of People, in resorting to the Church, there to serve God their Heavenly Father, according to their most bounden duty, as also much Uncomely and Unreverent behaviour of many Persons in the same when they be there assembled, and thereby may just fear arise of the Wrath of God, and his dreadful Plagues hanging over Head for our grievous Offences in this behalf, amongst other many and great Sins which we daily and hourly commit before the Lord. Therefore for the discharge of all our Consciences, and for the avoiding of the common Peril and Plague hanging over us, let us consider what may be said out of Gods Holy Book concerning this matter, whereunto I pray you give good Audience, for that it is of great weight, and concerneth you all. Although the Eternal and Incomprehensible Majesty of God, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, whose seat is Heaven, and the Earth his Footstool, cannot be inclosed in Temples or Houses made with Mans Hand, as in dwelling places able to receive or contain his Majesty, according as is evidently declared by the Prophet Isaiah, and by the Doctrine of St. Stephen, and St. Paul in the Acts of the Apostles. And where King Solomon (who builded unto the Lord the most glorious Temple that ever was made,) saith, Who shall be able to build a meet or worthy House for him? If Heaven, and the Heaven above all Heavens cannot contain him, how much less can that which I have builded? And further confesseth; What am I that I should be able to build thee an House, O Lord? But yet for this purpose only it is made, that thou mayest regard the Prayer of thy Servant, and his Humble Supplication. Much less then be our Churches meet dwelling places to receive the Incomprehensible Majesty of God. And indeed, the chief and special Temples of God, wherein he hath greatest pleasure, and most delighteth to dwell and continue 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. Know ye not (saith St. Paul,) that ye be 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 ye are. And again in the same Epistle: Know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost dwelling in you, whom ye have given you of God,and that ye be not your own? For ye are dearly bought. Glorifie ye now therefore God in your Body, and in your Spirit, which are Gods. And therefore as our Saviour Christ teacheth in the Gospel of Saint John, they that worship God the Father in Spirit and Truth, in what place soever they do it, worship him aright: For such Worshippers doth God the Father look for. For God is a Spirit, and those that Worship him, must Worship him in Spirit and Truth, saith our Saviour Christ. Yet all this notwithstanding, the material Church or Temple is a place appointed as well by the usage and continual Examples expressed in the Old Testament, as in the New, for the People of God to resort together unto, there to hear Gods Holy Word, to call upon his Holy Name, to give him thanks for his innumerable and unspeakable benefits bestowed upon us, and duly and truly to celebrate his Holy Sacraments, (in the unfeigned doing and accomplishing of the which, standeth that True and Right Worshipping of God aforementioned,) and the same Church or Temple, is by the Holy Scriptures, both of the Old Testament and New, called the House and Temple of the Lord, for the peculiar service there done to his Majesty by his People, and for the effectuous presence of his Heavenly Grace, wherewith he by his said Holy Word endueth his People so there assembled. And to the said House or Temple of God, at all times, by common order appointed, are all People that be godly indeed, bound with all diligence to resort, unless by sickness, or other most urgent causes they be letted therefore. And all the same so resorting thither, ought with all quietness and reverence there to behave themselves, in doing their bounden duty and service to Almighty God, in the Congregation of his Saints. All which things are evident to be proved by God's Holy Word, as hereafter shall plainly appear.

And first of all, I will declare by the Scriptures, that it is called, (as it is indeed,) the House of God, and Temple of the Lord. He that Sweareth by the Temple, (saith our Saviour Christ,) Sweareth by it, and him that dwelleth therein, meaning God the Father, which he also expresseth plainly in the Gospel of Saint John, saying: Do not make the House of my Father the House of Merchandize. And in the Book of the Psalms, the Prophet David saith, I will enter into thine House, I will Worship in thy Holy Temple, in thy Fear. And it is almost in infinite places of the Scripture, especially in the Prophets and Book of Psalms, called the House of God, or House of the Lord. Somtimes it is named the Tabernacle of the Lord, and somtimes the Sanctuary, that is to say, the Holy Place or House of the Lord. And it is likewise called the House of Prayer, as Solomon, who builded the Temple of the Lord at Jerusalem, doth oft call it the House of the Lord, in the which the Lords Name should be called upon. And Isaiah in the Fifty sixth Chapter, My House shall be called the House of Prayer amongst all Nations. Which Text our Saviour Christ alledgeth in the New Testament, as doth appear in Three of the Evangelists, and in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican which went to pray, in which Parable our Saviour Christ saith, They went up into the Temple to pray. And Anna the Holy Widow and Prophetess, served the Lord in Fasting and Prayer in the Temple, Night and Day. And in the Story of the Acts it is mentioned, how that Peter and John went up into the Temple at the Hour of Prayer. And Saint Paul praying in the Temple at Jerusalem, was wrapt in the Spirit, and did see Jesus speaking unto him. And as in all convenient places, Prayer may be used of the Godly privately: So it is most certain, that the Church or Temple is the due and appointed place for common and publick Prayer. Now that it is likewise the place of Thanksgiving unto the Lord for his innumerable and unspeakable benefits bestowed upon us, appeareth notably at the latter end of the Gospel of Saint Luke, and the beginning of the Story of the Acts, where it is written, that the Apostles and Disciples after the Ascension of the Lord, continued with one accord daily in the Temple, always praising and blessing God. And it is likewise declared in the First Epistle to the Corinthians, that the Church is the due place appointed for the use of the Sacraments. It remaineth now to be declared, that the Church or Temple is the place where the lively Word of God (and not Man's Inventions,) ought to be Read and Taught, and that the People are bound thither with all diligence to resort: And this proof likewise to be made by the Scriptures, as hereafter shall appear.

In the Story of the Acts of the Apostles, we read that Paul and Barnabas Preached the Word of God in the Temples of the Jews at Salamine. And when they came to Antiochia, they entred on the Sabbath-day into the Synagogue or Church, and sate down, and after the Lesson or Reading of the Law and the Prophets, the Ruler of the Temple sent unto them, saying; Ye Men and Brethren, if any of you have any Exhortation to make unto the People, say it. And so Paul standing up, and making silence with his Hand, said, Ye Men that be Israelites, and ye that fear God, give Ear, &c. Preaching to them a Sermon out of the Scriptures, as there at large appeareth. And in the same Story of the Acts, the Seventeenth Chapter, is testified, how Paul preached Christ out of the Scriptures at Thessalonica. And in the Fifteenth Chapter, James the Apostle in that Holy Council and Assembly of his Fellow Apostles saith, Moses of old time hath in every City certain that preach him in the Synagogues or Temples, where he is read every Sabbath-day. By these places ye may see the usage of Reading the Scriptures of the the Old Testament, among the Jews in their Synagogues every Sabbath-day, and Sermons usually made upon the same. How much more then is it convenient that the Scriptures of God, and specially the Gospel of our Saviour Christ should be Read and Expounded unto us that be Christians in our Churches, specially our Saviour Christ and his Apostles allowing this most godly and necessary usage, and by their Examples confirming the same?

It is written in the Stories of the Gospel in divers places, that Jesus went round about all Galilee, teaching in their Synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom: In which places is his great diligence in continual Preaching and Teaching of the People most evidently set forth.

In Luke ye read, how Jesus according to his accustomed use came into the Temple, and how the Book of Isaiah the Prophet was delivered him, how he read a Text therein, and made a Sermon upon the same.

And in the Nineteenth is expressed how he Taught daily in the Temple. And it is thus written in the Eighth of John:Jesus came again early in the Morning into the Temple, and all the People came unto him, and he sate down and Taught them. And in the Eighteenth of John, our Saviour testifieth before Pilate, that he spake openly unto the World, and that he always Taught in the Synagogue and in the Temple, whither all the Jews resorted, and that secretly he spake nothing. And in Saint Luke: Jesus Taught in the Temple, and all the People came early in the Morning unto him, that they might hear him in the Temple.

Here ye see as well the diligence of our Saviour in teaching the Word of God in the Temple daily, and specially on the Sabbath-days, as also the readiness of the People resorting all together, and that early in the Morning, into the Temple to hear him.

The same Example of diligence in preaching the Word of God in the Temple, shall ye find in the Apostles, and the People resorting unto them, Acts the Fifth. Where the Apostles, although they had been whipped and scourged the day before, and by the High Priest commanded that they should preach no more in the Name of Jesus, yet the day following they entred early in the Morning into the Temple, and did not cease to teach and declare Jesus Christ. And in sundry other places of the Story of the Acts, ye shall find like diligence both in the Apostles in Teaching, and in the People in coming to the Temple to hear Gods Word. And it is testified in the First of Luke, that when Zachary the Holy Priest, and Father to John Baptist, did Sacrifice within the Temple, all the People stood without a long time praying, such was their zeal and fervency at that time. And in the Second of Luke appeareth what great Journeys Men, Women, yea, and Children took, to come to the Temple on the Feast-day, there to serve the Lord, and specially the Example of Joseph, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother to our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of our Saviour Christ himself, being yet but a Child, whose Examples are worthy for us to follow. So that if we would compare our negligence in resorting to the House of the Lord, there to serve him, with the diligence of the Jews, in coming daily very early, somtimes by great Journeys to their Temple, and when the multitude could not be received within the Temple, the fervent zeal that they had, was declared in standing long without and Praying: We may justly in this Comparison condemn our slothfulness and negligence, yea, plain contempt, in coming to the Lord's House, standing so near unto us, so seldom, and scarcely at any time.

So far is it from a great many of us to come early in the Morning, or give attendance without, who disdain to come into the Temple: And yet we abhor the very Name of the Jews when we hear it, as of a most wicked and ungodly People.

But it is to be feared, that in this point we be far worse than the Jews, and that they shall rise at the day of Judgment, to our Condemnation, who in Comparison to them, shew such slackness and contempt in resorting to the House of the Lord, there to serve him, according as we are of duty most bound.

And besides this most horrible dread of God's just Judgment in the great day, we shall not in this Life escape his heavy Hand and Vengeance for this contempt of the House of the Lord, and his due service in the same, according as the Lord himself threatneth in the First Chapter of the Prophet Aggeus, after this sort: Because you have left my House desert, and without Company (saith the Lord,) and ye have made haste every Man to his own House, for this cause are the Heavens stayed over you, that they should give no Dew, and the Earth is forbidden that it should bring forth her Fruit, and I have called Drought upon the Earth, and upon the Mountains, and upon corn, and upon wine, and upon oil, and upon all things that the earth bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon beasts, and upon all things that mens hands labour for. Behold, if we be such worldlings that we care not for the Eternal Judgments of God, (which yet of all other are most dreadful, and horrible,) we shall not escape the punishment of God in this World by drought and famine, and the taking away of all worldly commodities, which we as worldlings seem only to regard and care for. Whereas, on the contrary part, if we would amend this fault, or neglignce, slothfulness and contempt of the House of the Lord, and his due service there, and with diligence resort thither together, to serve the Lord with one accord and consent, in all Holiness and Righteousness before him, we have promises of benefits, both Heavenly and Worldly. Wheresoever two or three be gathered in my Name (saith our Saviour Christ,) there am I in the midst of them. And what can be more blessed, than to have our Saviour Christ among us? Or what again can be more unhappy, or mischievous, than to drive our Saviour Christ from amongst us, to leave a place for his, and our most ancient and mortal Enemy the old Dragon and Serpent, Satan the Devil, in the midst of us?

In the Second of Luke it is written, how that the mother of Christ and Joseph, when they had long sought Christ, whom they had lost, and could find him no where, that at the last, they found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the Doctors, So if we lack Jesus Christ, that is to say, the Saviour of our Souls and Bodies, we shall not find him in the Market-place, or in the Guild-Hall, much less in the Ale-house or Tavern, amongst good Fellows, (as they call them,) so soon as we shall find him in the Temple, the Lords House, amongst the Teachers, and Preachers of his Word, where indeed he is to be found. And as concerning Worldly commodities, we have a sure promise of our Saviour Christ: Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof, and all these things shall withal be given unto you. And thus we have in the First Part of this Homily declared by God's Word, that the Temple or Church is the House of the Lord, for that the Service of the Lord (as Teaching and Hearing of his Holy Word, calling upon his Holy Name, giving Thanks to him for his great and innumerable Benefits, and due ministring of his Sacraments,) is there used. And it is likewise declared by the Scriptures, how all Godly and Christian Men and Women ought at times appointed, with diligence to resort unto the House of the Lord, there to serve him, and to glorifie him, as he is most worthy, and we most bound, to whom be all Glory and Honour, World without end, Amen.

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The Second Part of the Homily of the right Use of the Church

IT was declared in the First Part of this Homily, by God's Word, that the Temple, or Church is the House of the Lord, for that the Service of the Lord, (as Teaching and Hearing his Holy Word, calling upon his Holy Name, giving Thanks to him for his great and innumerable Benefits, and due ministring of the Sacraments,) is there used. And it is likewise already declared by the Scriptures, how all Godly and Christian Men and Women, ought at times appointed, with diligence to resort unto the House of the Lord, there to Serve him, and to Glorifie him, as he is most worthy, and we most bounden.

Now it remaineth in this Second Part of the Homily, concerning the right use of the Temple of God, to be likewise declared by God's Word, with what quietness, silence, and reverence, those that resort to the House of the Lord, ought there to use and behave themselves.

It may teach us sufficiently how well it doth become us Christian Men reverently to use the Church and Holy House of our Prayers, by considering in how great reverence and veneration the Jews in the old Law had their Temple, which appeared by sundry places, whereof I will note unto you certain. In the 26th of Matthew, it is laid to our Saviour Christ's charge before a Temporal Judge, as a matter worthy death, by the two false witnesses, that he had said, He could destroy the Temple of God, and in three days build it again, not doubting, but if they might make Men to believe, that he had said any thing against the Honour and Majesty of the Temple, he should seem to all Men most worthy of death. And in the 21st of the Acts, when the Jews found Paul in the Temple, They laid hands upon him, crying, Ye Men Israelites help, this is that Man who teacheth all Men every where against the People and the Law, and against this place: Besides that, he hath brought the Gentiles into the Temple, and hath prophaned this holy place. Behold, how they took it for a like offence to speak against the Temple of God, as to speak against the Law of God, and how they judged it convenient, that none but Godly Persons, and the true worshippers of God, should enter into the Temple of God. And the same fault is laid to Paul's charge by Tertullus, an eloquent Man, and by the Jews in the 24th of the Acts, before a Temporal Judge, as a matter worthy of death, that he went about to p[?]llute the Temple of God. And in the 27th of Matthew, when the chief Priests had received again the pieces of Silver at Judas's Hand, they said, It is not lawful to put them into Corban, (which was the Treasure-House of the Temple,) because it is the price of Blood. So that they could not abide that not only any unclean Person, but also any other dead thing that was judged unclean, should once come into the Temple or any place thereto belonging. And to this end is Saint Paul's saying in the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, the Sixth Chapter to be applyed. What Fellowship is there betwixt Righteousness and Vnrighteousness? Or what Communion between Light and Darkness? Or what Concord between Christ and Belial? Or what part can the Faithful have with the Vnfaithful? Or what agreement can there be between the Temple of God and Images? Which sentence, although it be chiefly referred to the Temple of the Mind of the Godly; yet seeing that the Similitude and Pith of the argument is taken from the material Temple, it enforceth, that no Ungodliness, specially of Images or Idols, may be suffered in the Temple of God, which is the place of worshipping God: And therefore can no more be suffered to stand there, than Light can agree with Darkness, or Christ with Belial: For that the true worshipping of God, and the worshipping of Images, are most contrary. And the setting of them up in the place of Worshipping, may give great occasion to the Worshipping of them. But to turn to the Reverence that the Jews had to their Temple: You will say, that they Honoured it Superstitiously, and a great deal too much, crying out, The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, being notwithstanding most wicked in Life, and be therefore must justly reproved of Jeremiah, the Prophet of the Lord. Truth it is, that they were Superstitiously given to the Honouring of their Temple. But I would we were not as far too short from the due Reverence of the Lord's House, as they overshot themselves therein. And if the Prophet justly reprehended them, hearken also what the Lord requireth at our Hands, that we may know whether we be blame-worthy or no.

It is written in Ecclesiastes the Fourth Chapter, When thou dost enter into the House of God, (saith he,) take heed to thy Feet, draw near that thou must hear: For Obedience is much more worth than the Sacrifice of Fools, which know not what evil they do. Speak nothing r[?]shly there, neither let th[?]ne Heart be swift to utter words before God. For God is in Heaven, and thou art upon the Earth, therefore let thy words be few. Note (welbeloved,) what quietness in gesture and behaviour, what silence in talk and words, is required in the House of God; for so he calleth it. See whether they take heed to their Feet, as they be here warned, which never cease from uncomely walking and jetting up and down and overthwart the Church, shewing an evident signification of notable contempt, both of God, and all good Men there present: And what heed they take to their Tongues and Speech, which do not only speak words swiftly and rashly before the Lord, (which they be here forbidden,) but also oftentimes speak Filthily, Covetously, and Ungodlily, talking of matters scarce honest or fit for the Ale-House or Tavern, in the House of the Lord, little considering that they speak before God, who dwelleth in Heaven, (as is here declared,) when they be but Vermine here creeping upon the Earth, in comparison to his Eternal Majesty; and less regarding, that they must give an account at the great day of every idle word wheresoever it be spoken, much more of filthy, unclean, or wicked words spoken in the Lords House, to the great dishonour of his Majesty, and offence of all that hear them. And indeed concerning the People and Multitude, the Temple is prepared for them to be Hearers, rather than Speakers, considering that as well the Word of God is there Read and Taught, whereunto they are bound to give diligent Ear, with all Reverence and Silence, as also that Common-Prayer and Thanksgiving are Rehearsed and said by the Publick Minister in the Name of the People and the whole multitude present, whereunto they, giving their ready Audience, should assent and say,Amen, as Saint Paul teacheth in the first Epistle to the Corinthians. And in another place, Glorifying God with one Spirit and Mouth: Which cannot be when every Man and Woman in several pretences of Devotion prayeth privately, one Asking, another giving Thanks, another reading Doctrine, and not regarding to hear the Common Prayer of the Minister. And peculiarly, what due Reverence is to be used in the Ministring of the Sacraments in the Temple, the same Saint Paul teacheth to the Corinthians, rebuking such as did Unreverently use themselves in that behalf. Have ye not Houses to eat and drink in, (saith he?) Do ye despise the Church or Congregation of God? What shall I say unto you? Shall I praise you? In this I praise you not. And God requireth not only this outward Reverence of Behaviour and silence in his House, but all inward Reverence in cleansing of the Thoughts of our Hearts, threatning by his Prophet Osee in the Ninth Chapter, that for the Malice of the Inventions and Devices of the People, he will cast them out of his House: Whereby is also signified the Eternal casting of them out of his Heavenly House and Kingdom, which is most horrible. And therefore in the Ninteenth of Leviticus, God saith, Fear you with Reverence my Sanctuary, for I am the Lord. And according to the same the Prophet David saith, I will enter into thine House, I will Worship in thy Holy Temple, in thy Fear: Shewing, what inward Reverence and Humbleness of Mind the godly Man ought to have in the House of the Lord. And to alledge somwhat concerning this matter out of the New Testament, in what Honour God would have his House or Temple kept, and that by the Example of our Saviour Christ, whose Authority ought of good reason with all true Christians to be of most Weight and Estimation. It is written of all the four Evangelists, as a Notable Act, and worthy to be testified by many Holy Witnesses, how that our Saviour Jesus Christ, that Merciful and Mild Lord, compared for his Meekness to a Sheep, suffering with silence his Fleece to be shorn from him, and to a Lamb led without resistance to the Slaughter, which gave his Body to them that did smite him, answered not him that reviled, nor turned away his Face from them that did reproach him and spit upon him, and, according to his own Example, gave Precepts of Mildness and Sufferance to his Disciples: Yet when he seeth the Temple and Holy House of his Heavenly Father misordered, polluted, and prophaned, useth great severity and sharpness, overturneth the Tables of the Exchangers, subverted the Seats of them that sold Doves, maketh a whip of Cords, and scourgeth out those wicked abusers and profaners of the Temple of God, saying, My House shall be called the House of Prayer, but ye have made it a Den of Thieves. And in the Second of John, Do not ye make the House of my Father, the House of Merchandize? For as it is the House of God, when Gods service is duly done in it: So when we wickedly abuse it with wicked talk, or covetous bargaining, we make it a Den of Thieves, or an House of Merchandize. Yea, and such Reverence would Christ should be therein, that he would not suffer any Vessel to be carried through the Temple. And whereas our Saviour Christ (as is before mentioned out of Saint Luke,) could be found no where (when he was sought,) but only in the Temple amongst the Doctors, and now again he exerciseth his Authority and Jurisdiction, not in Castles and Princely Palaces, amongst Souldiers, but in the Temple: Ye may hereby understand, in what place his spiritual Kingdom (which he denieth to be of this World,) is soonest to be found, and best to be known of all places in this World. And according to this Example of our Saviour Christ in the Primitive Church, which was most Holy and Godly, and in the which due discipline with severity was used against the wicked, open Offenders were not suffered once to enter into the House of the Lord, nor admitted to Common Prayer, and the use of the Holy Sacraments with other true Christians, until they had done open Penance before the whole Church. And this was practised, not only upon mean Persons, but also upon the Rich, Noble, and Mighty Persons; yea, upon Theodosius, that Puissant and Mighty Emperor, whom, for committing a grievous and wilful Murder, Saint Ambrose Bishop of Milain reproved sharply, and ‡ did also Excommunicate the said Emperor, and brought him to open Penance. And they, that were so justly exempted and banished (as it were,) from the House of the Lord, were taken (as they be indeed,) for Men divided and separated from Christs Church, and in most dangerous estate, yea, as Saint Paul saith, even given unto Satan,the Devil for a time, and their company was shunned and avoided of all Godly Men and Women, until such time, as they by Repentance and publick Penance were Reconciled. Such was the Honour of the Lords House in Mens Hearts, and outward Reverence also at that time, and so horrible a thing was it to be shut out of the Church and House of the Lord in those days, when Religion was most pure, and nothing so corrupt as it hath been of late days. And yet we willingly, either by absenting ourselves from the House of the Lord, do (as it were,) Excommunicate ourselves from the Church and and Fellowship of the Saints of God, or else coming thither, by uncomely and unreverent behaviour there, by hasty, rash, yea, unclean and wicked Thoughts and Words before the Lord our God, horribly dishonour his Holy House the Church of God, and his Holy Name and Majesty, to the great danger of our Souls, yea, and certain Damnation also, if we do not speedily and earnestly Repent us of this Wickedness.

Thus ye have heard (dearly beloved,) out of Gods Word, what Reverence is due to the Holy House of the Lord, how all Godly Persons ought with diligence at times appointed thither to repair, how they ought to behave themselves there, with Reverence and Dread before the Lord, what Plagues and Punishments, as well Temporal as Eternal, the Lord in his Holy Word threatneth, as well to such as neglect to come to his Holy House, as also to such, who coming thither, do unreverently by gesture or talk there behave themselves. Wherefore if we desire to have seasonable Weather, and thereby to enjoy the good Fruits of the Earth, if we will avoid Drought and Barrenness, Thirst and Hunger, which are Plagues threatned unto such as make haste to go to their own Houses, to Ale-Houses and Taverns, and leave the House of the Lord empty and desolate, if we abhor to be scourged, not with Whips made of Cords, out of the material Temple only (as our Saviour Christ served the Desilers of the House of God in Jerusalem,) but also to be beaten and driven out of the Eternal Temple and House of the Lord (which is his Heavenly Kingdom,) with the Iron Rod of Everlasting Damnation, and cast into utter Darkness, where is Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth, if we Fear, Dread, and abhor this, (I say,) as we have most just cause to do: Then let us amend this our negligence and contempt in coming to the House of the Lord, this our unreverent behaviour in the House of the Lord, and resorting thither diligently together, let us there with Reverent hearing of the Lords Holy Word, calling on the Lords Holy Name, giving of hearty Thanks unto the Lord for his manifold and inestimable benefits daily and hourly bestowed upon us, celebrating also Reverently the Lords Holy Sacraments, serve the Lord in his Holy House, as becometh the Servants of the Lord, in Holiness and Righteousness before him all the days of our Life; and then we shall be assured, after this Life, to rest in his Holy Hill, and to dwell in his Tabernacle, there to Praise and Magnifie his Holy Name in the Congregation of his Saints, in the Holy House of his Eternal Kingdom of Heaven, which he hath purchased for us, by the Death and Shedding of the precious Blood of his Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, one Immortal God, be all Honour, Glory, Praise, and Thanksgiving, world without end. Amen.

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Text: EEBO-TCP A32977 (Certain Sermons or Homilies, London 1687; CC0). Margin notes omitted from the text; their Scripture references are in the Study panel.