Book of Homilies

The Book of Homilies is a collection of sermons used by the Church of England during the sixteenth century. It was created as a way to provide consistent and doctrinally sound preaching to the people of England. In this article, we will explore the history, purpose, and content of the Book of Homilies.

History of the Book of Homilies

The Book of Homilies was first published in 1547 during the reign of King Edward VI of England. It was created in response to the widespread lack of doctrinal knowledge among the clergy and laity of the Church of England. The book contained a series of sermons that were intended to be read aloud in churches throughout the country.

The original book contained twelve homilies, covering topics such as the importance of scripture, the sacraments, and the nature of God. The book was later revised and expanded under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, with the addition of ten new homilies.

Purpose of the Book of Homilies

The purpose of the Book of Homilies was to provide consistent and doctrinally sound preaching to the people of England. During the sixteenth century, many of the clergy were uneducated and lacked the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver effective sermons. The Book of Homilies provided a solution to this problem by providing pre-written sermons that could be read aloud in churches throughout the country.

In addition to providing doctrinally sound preaching, the Book of Homilies was also used as a tool for promoting the English Reformation. The homilies emphasized the importance of scripture and the need to reject the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church.

Content of the Book of Homilies

The Book of Homilies contains a series of sermons that cover a wide range of topics related to Christian doctrine and practice. Some of the homilies included in the book are:

A Fruitful Exhortation to the Reading of Holy Scripture: This homily emphasizes the importance of reading and studying the Bible.
An Homily Against Peril of Idolatry: This homily condemns the use of images and relics in worship.
An Homily of the True and Lively Faith: This homily emphasizes the importance of faith in salvation.
An Homily of Good Works: This homily encourages Christians to live a life of good works as a response to God’s grace.

Conclusion

The Book of Homilies played an important role in shaping the doctrine and practice of the Church of England during the sixteenth century. It provided consistent and doctrinally sound preaching to the people of England and helped to promote the English Reformation. While the Book of Homilies is no longer used in the same way as it was during the sixteenth century, it remains an important historical document that sheds light on the religious and cultural history of England.