of the Homilies is now purged of a great number of unauthorized and erroneous readings, which had gradually crept into it between the publication of the edition of 1623 and the present time. To adhere strictly to the edition of 1623, without frequent reference to former editions, would have been impracticable, on account of the numerous errors of every sort, by which that edition is defiled. Many of those errors are undoubtedly derived from the copy which the printer usedi; but it is also certain, that many of them are to be attributed to his own negligencek. The alterations intentionally introduced into the text of this edition, are for the most part injudicious and unnecessary, and sometimes injurious to the sense. Upon the whole, the early editions of queen Elizabeth's recension exhibit a much better text of the Homilies, than the edition of 1623. In the present edition, the Homily against Rebellion has been printed with very few deviations from its original form. In a future edition, it may perhaps be thought advisable to restore the text of queen Elizabeth throughout the whole volume, with the exception of some particular expressions. That text is not only better in itself than that of king James the first, but it also seems to be sanctioned by the thirty-fifth Article of Religion, as far at least as regards the second book. Fortunately, however, the variations in the different edi i It would not be difficult to ascertain the edition, from which that of 1623 was copied. The latest preceding edition which the present editor has seen, was printed in quarto by Edward Allde, in the year 1595. If no edition appeared between 1595 and 1623, it is somewhat remarkable that a period of twenty-eight years should elapse without an edition of the Homilies, which were so frequently reprinted both before 1595 and after 1623. k P. 58, 8. [49, 35.] "by the negligence of them that chiefly ought to have [preferred God's commandments, and to have] preserved the pure and heavenly doctrine left by Christ." P. 69, 32. [61, 22.] "That by true Christian charity, God ought to be loved [above all things, and all men ought to be loved], good and evil, friend and foe." P. 424, 6. [409, 42.] "That which is born [of the flesh, saith Christ, is flesh, and that which is born] of the spirit is spirit." In these three passages, the words inclosed in brackets are omitted in the edition of 1623. The first and second omissions are made in some of the preceding editions. In the following passage those copies only of the edition of 1623 in which the first pages have been reprinted, omit the words inclosed in brackets: P. 11, 12. [3, 12.] "it is called the best part, which Mary did choose, for it hath in it everlasting [comfort. The words of holy scripture be called words of everlasting] life : for they be God's instrument, ordained for the same purpose." tions of the Homilies, numerous as they are, are almost universally verbal or grammatical. It is very remarkable, that one of the symbolical books of the church of England, which has passed through the hands of so many editors, and has been altered in almost every edition, should have received so few alterations of any importance as to doctrine'. One of the principal uses of a collation of the various editions, is the conviction which it produces, that the Homilies have not been tampered with by any sect or party among us, for the purpose of making them express sentiments different from those of the original compilers. The necessity of supplying the public demand for a new edition with as little delay as possible, has prevented the present editor from paying proper attention to the marginal references, which have long been observed to stand in need of a thorough revision m. A future editor will also do well in either regulating on some fixed principle the use of the Italic character in the body of the work, or in abolishing it altogether. It only remains to offer the respectful thanks of the Delegates of the Clarendon Press to the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, as well as to several societies in this university, for the material assistance derived from the liberal communication of rare editions preserved in their respective libraries. 1 The addition of the words wrought in faith in the following passage can hardly be considered as an alteration of that nature. P. 62, 29. [54, 18.] "And travailing continually during your life thus in the keeping the commandments of God, (wherein standeth the pure, principal and right honour of God, and which, wrought in faith, God hath ordained to be the right trade and path-way unto heaven,) you shall not fail, &c." The words wrought in faith do not appear in the first edition, but were added three months afterwards in an edition by Whitchurch, which is dated on the fifth of November in the year 1547. The addition can only be considered as proceeding from abundant caution, as it is conformable to the common language of the Homilies on the subject of good works. m Gentleman's Magazine, October 1806, p. 921. "In fact, the references want a thorough revision; but there are circumstances which render this no easy work." These words are extracted from a letter understood to have been written by the late Bishop of London, Dr. John Randolph, then Bishop of Oxford, and Regius Professor of Divinity. In the scripture-references of this Edition, 1840, the errors have been corrected, and further particulars added in brackets. CERTAIN SERMONS OR HOMILIES APPOINTED BY THE KING'S MAJESTY TO BE DECLARED AND READ BY ALL PARSONS, VICARS AND CURATES, EVERY SUNDAY IN THEIR CHURCHES WHERE THEY HAVE CURE*. * In Grufton's edition of 1549 the following words are added to the original title: Newly imprinted, and by the king's highness authority divided. In Whitchurch's edition of the same year, the addition is as follows: Newly imprinted in parts, according as is mentioned in the book of common prayer. In the edition of 1562 the whole title is thus changed: Certain Sermons appointed by the queen's majesty, to be declared and read by all parsons, vicars, and curates, every sunday and holiday in their churches: and by her grace's advice perused and overseen, for the better understanding of the simple people. Newly imprinted in parts, according as is mentioned in the book of common prayers. THE PREFACE, AS IT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE YEAR 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 counsel, 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 fantasies 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 superstition a, 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 a superstition] superstitions B. |