Trollope on Article XXXV: Of the Homilies

The Greek word ofiiXia, from which Homily is taken, signifies ^royerfy seeial intereourte, and alsoyamt^r am- vermtum. Hence the early eodesiastioal writers employed it to signify a plain discourse or temum, verj much m the sense of the I^tin concio. It may be observed, however, that Xenophon also has used the word in the sense of oral or conversational instruction (Mem. 1. 2. 6.)*

2. Of what do the two Books of Homilies con- sist; and what were the respective dates of their puUication I

The two Books of Homilies are a odleetion of diseenrses, written in plain and earnest language, on doctrinal and practical subjects, principally with reference to prevailing errors of the times in which tney were published. The first book was prepared in the reign of Edward VI., and pub-

year 1560, in the reign of Elizabeth.

3. What were the peculiar circumstances of the times, which rendered such a publication necessary ?

At the period of the Reformation, opinions on the con- tested points of doctrine and of discipline were carried to extremes bo^ by the friends and enemies of the Protestant cause ; and not only were many of the Clergy exceedingly illiterate, but suspected also of a secret attachment to the errors of the Church of Rome. So incompetent indeed, as well from their intemperate zeal as their want of learning, were a larger proportion of the priesthood to the ofiice of public teachers, that a prohibition was laid upon preaching, during the four successive reigss of Henry Vlll., Edwara VI., Mary, and Elizabeth. It seemed advisable therefore, to set forth by authority a series of popular sermons, calcu- lated to possess the nation with a sense of the purity of the Gospel, to point out the dangers of those errors from which it had been recently emancipated, and especially to shew the worthlessness or masses and indulgences in procuring the Salvation of souls*

4. Does this Article give the Titles of the Homilies correctly; and, if imperfectly, can you complete the List ?

It is observable that the titles of the second Book of Homilies, as enumerated in this Article, do not exactly cor- respond with those given in the Book itself; and those of the first Book are not enumerated at all. They are as follow : — ^1 . A fruitful exhortation to the reading of Holy Scripture. 2. Of the Misery of all Mankind. 3. Of the Salvation of all Mankind. 4. Of the true and lively Faith. 5. Of Good works. 6. Of Christian love and charity. 7. Against swearing and Perjury. 8. Of the declining from God. 9. An exhortation against tlie fear of Death. 10. An exhortation to obedience. 11. Against Whoredom and Adulteiy. 12. Against Strife and Contention.

5. Is not one of the Articles confirmed hy a reference to the Homilies ; and which is the Homily cited ?

See on Art. XI. qu. 11 .

6. Under whose care were the two Books of Homilies respectively compiled ; and can the several discourses be referred to the different writers ?

The first book was published under the superintendance of Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer ; and the second by Jewel. In the former, the Homilies on Salvatian, Faith, and Good Works were probably written by the primate; and that against Adtdtery, by Thomas Brecon, one of his chaplains : Mrhile the quaint and homely expressions and other peculi- aj’ities in that against Strife ana Co?itentiony seem to fix it to Latimer. Of the rest, as well as of the entire series in the second Book, the authorship is altogether unknown.

7. What is the nature of the assent which those who subscribe the Articles are required to give to the doctrine and utility of the HomUies.

With reference to the motives with which they were drawn up, and the necessity of having some general

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standard of faith and discipline, there can be little hesita- tion in admitting’ that the two Books of Homilies contain ’ a ^odlv and wholesome doctrine, necessary for the times’ in which they were put forUi ; so that they might then be appropriately read in Churches. Indeed, though from the change which has taken place in the English language, they would now be with difficulty * understood of the ’ people/ the Clergy may still study them with advantap^, and obtain from them considerable aid in the composition of their Sermons.

8. To what opinions is the judgment of this Article opposed 7

In asserting that the doctrine of the Homilies is good and wholesome, the Article is directed against the Romanists : and the injunction to n^ them in Cnurches contradicted the notion of the Puritans, that nothing ought to be there read except the Word of God.

9. Shew that the Canonical Scriptures were not exclusively read in the congregations of the primi- tive Christians.

There are still extant Homilies of Chrysostom, Augus- tine, Gregory, and others ; and it appears from the testi- mony of Eusebius (Hist. Eccl. lU. 16.) and Jerome (T. ii. pp. 831. 843.) that the Pastor of Hermas, the Epistle of Polj^carp to the Philippians, and of Clement of Home to the Corinthians, were ptwlicly read m CJiurdkeSm