The First Book of Homilies
Originally published in 1547 (Book 1) and 1563 (Book 2), this edition is The Two Books of Homilies appointed to be Read in Churches. Editor John Griffiths. Oxford: University Press, 1859.
An edition in modern English may be found at The Two Books of Homilies in Modern English.
HEREAFTER shall follow Sermons of Fasting, Praying, Almsdeeds; of the Nativity, Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of our Saviour Christ; of the due receiving of his blessed body and blood under the form of bread and wine; against Idleness, against Gluttony and Drunkenness, against Covetousness, against Envy, Ire, and Malice; with many other matters as well fruitful as necessary to the edifying of Christian people and the increase of godly living. Amen.
WHERE there appeareth at 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 our heads for our grievous offence 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 the avoiding of the common peril and plague hanging over us, let us consider what may be said out of God's holy book concerning this matter; whereanto I pray you give good audience, for that it is of great weight, and concerneth you all.
In what points the true ornaments of the church or temple of God do consist and stand, hath been declared in the two last Homilies, intreating of the right use of the temple or house of God, and of the due reverence that all true Christian people are bound to give unto the same.
IT is a common custom used of all men, when they intend to have their friends or neighbours to come to their houses to eat or drink with them, or to have any solemn assembly to treat and talk of any matter, they will have their houses, which they keep in continual reparations, to be clean and fine, lest they should be counted sluttish, or little to regard their friends and neighbours. How much more then ought the house of God, which we commonly call the church, to be sufficiently repaired in all places, and to be honourably adorned and garnished, and to be kept clean and sweet, to the comfort of the people that shall resort thereto!
