HOMILIES: A collection of sermons issued by the Church of England with the title: The Two Books of Homilies Appointed to be Rend in Churches. The collection has had a noteworthy history. It relates to the labors of the English Reformers to establish their fellow-countrymen in the distinctive theology of Protestantism. The first of the two books was prepared by Archbishop Franmer during the lifetime of Henry VIII. but prudently held back until after his death, and was published on July 31, 1547. The reading of at least a portion of one of these homilies was in the preface made obligatory, in King Edward's name, upon all pariah ministers every Sunday as part of divine service, unless the said minister had preached a sermon. It was also enjoined that the homilies were to be read over and over again. As sermons were rarities in many parishes the homilies were divided into sections which would not require more than fifteen minutes to read. The first book has twelve

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homilies, five from Cranmer. The second book has twenty-one, similarly divided, only the homilies are much longer and the sections take nearly thirty minutes to read reverently. The collector of the second book was Bishop Jewel, who is the author of nine of the sermons. The topics treated in both collections are fundamental to training in sober living in the Protestant faith. Whether the style was sufficiently simple to accomplish this purpose may well be questioned, in view of the general illiteracy of priest and people.

In March, 1552-53 Convocation in the thirty-fourth of the original XLII. Articles of Religion then passed, used this language: "The Homilies of late given and set out by the King's authority be godly and wholesome, containing doctrine to be received by all men, and therefore are to be read diligently, distinctly and plainly." Thus the Church endorsed the work. In July of that year Mary came to the throne and ordered the destruction of these homilies, but showed her appreciation of that kind of instruction by causing similar homilies setting forth Roman Catholic doctrine to be prepared and enjoined. In 1558 Elizabeth succeded Mary and the homilies of Cranmer were revived and enjoined. It was not till 1652-63 that the second book appeared. The two books were published separately, and the editions were not uniform till 1582. In 1632 for the first time they were united in one volume. In Art. XXXV. of the present XXXIX. Articles of Religion both in the Latin text of 1563 and in the English text of 1571 the homilies are commended and the contents of the second book given. Appended to this article as adopted by the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America in 1801 is a bracketed note which states that the reading of these homilies in churches is suspended "until a revision of them may be conveniently made for the clearing of them, as well from obsolete words and phrases, as from the local references."

It is probably now true that few persons living have read these homilies, although none can read the XXXIX. Articles of Religion without encountering in the eleventh article this language: "That we are justified by Faith only, is a most wholesome Doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification." Curiously enough there is no homily which has this title.

Bibliography: The edition issued by the Oxford University Press in 1859 is a preface which gives very full histonoa~and aritioal notes. Consult also: J. T. Tomlinson, The Prayer Book Articles and Homilies, chaps. lx.-X.: London, 1897.