PREFACE
To a New Edition of the
HOMILIES,
As intended to have been published by
Mr. Whitefield.
THE word Homily signifies a sermon. Consequently the book of homilies, implies a book of sermons. Particularly that book, which was composed by those great reformers, Cranmer, Ridley, Latimer, Hooper, and others, in the beginning of the reign of that Josiah of his age, Edward the sixth. It was again republished, after the short interval of bloody Mary’s government, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and continued interwoven with our ecclesiastical constitution, under her immediate successor King James the first. Even to this very day, the thirty-ninth article of our church runs thus: “The second book of Homilies, the several titles whereof we have joined under this article, doth contain a godly and wholesome doctrine, and necessary for these times; as doth the former book of Homilies, which were set forth in the time of Edward the sixth; and therefore we judge them to be read in churches by the ministers, diligently and distinctly, that they may be understanded of by the people.”
Such are the express words of our 39th article; and yet, though we subscribe this article, which enjoins these Homilies to be read in our churches by the ministers diligently and distinctly, this is so far from being our practice, that almost for time immemorial, at least in our days, they are seldom if ever read at all. What reason can be assigned for such neglect, I will not take upon me to determine: surely it cannot be, that our clergy look upon this book, as containing ungodly or unwholsome doctrine; for why then do they subscribe to the diligent and frequent reading of it? Neither can it be supposed that they so much as imagine, that this godly and wholesome doctrine is less necessary for the present age, than for that in which it was first published. But however it is, if we act consistently, the subscribers to our articles seem not to be left at their liberty to use or disuse them; they being judged to be read, as much now as formerly, in churches by the ministers diligently and distinctly. For if I may be suffered to give my opinion, the dreadful ignorance, as to the fundamentals of our holy religion, that almost every where abounds amongst the members of our established church, is chiefly owing to our neglect of preaching and putting into their hands the grand doctrines of the Reformation, contained in these Homilies and our other doctrinal articles. And hence undoubtedly it is, that they become such an easy prey to popish emissaries, who lie in wait to deceive. For these reasons, in order to contribute my poor mite towards putting a stop to the growth of this common and almost epidemical evil, I have selected a few of the most essential Homilies, with a suitable collect and a hymn to each, at a very small price, on purpose for the instruction and edification of the poorer sort, who are generally chiefly attacked by the partizans of the Romish communion.
The church of Scotland, called our sister church, hath herein set us an example; and I could wish, that in this particular we would endeavour to copy after it. Her confessions of faith, and directory, are printed so frequently and so cheap, that they are almost in every hand; and so constantly explained and insisted upon in the ministers stated parochial visitations, that perhaps (tho’ no doubt even there, there is an awful degeneracy) their commonalty, in respect to doctrinal points, are some of the most knowing in the world. Would to God the same could be said of the Church of England professors, either at home or abroad! The darkness, the gross and thick darkness of those at home, is so notorious, that it is every where seen, felt, and complained of, by those that have eyes to see and ears to ♦hear. What a pity is it therefore, that this book of Homilies is not judged proper, and insisted on to be read in churches, by ministers diligently and distinctly, that they may be understood by the people now, as well as at the first dawnings of the Reformation. And what a further pity is it, that among the various books recommended and given away by the worthy societies for promoting christian knowledge, and propagating the gospel in foreign parts, the book of Homilies, containing such godly and wholesome doctrine diligently and distinctly to be read, should never find a place in their catalogue; though both these societies have been established so long as soon after the glorious and happy revolution.
If our societies at home, or missionaries abroad, should urge in excuse for their not reading or dispersing this book of Homilies, that its language and diction is too antique and obsolete; I humbly apprehend, they might with equal propriety make the same objection against the use of, and dispersing the book of Common Prayer. For both were compiled by the same great luminaries of our Church, and that too at the very self same important æra of the Reformation. Both contain the same godly and wholesome doctrine, and both are equally adapted to instruct the ignorant, and at the same time to raise and elevate the devout and simple heart. And therefore since the one is constantly to be read in the desk, why should not the other be diligently and distinctly read and enforced from the pulpit? Would to God that this was our universal practice: for then our daily or weekly worshippers and hearers, would not only be taught the first principles and doctrines of Christ, in a language suitable to their capacities; but, which alas! alas! hath been too too long the case of the desk and pulpit, these would not so frequently and so wretchedly oppose and contradict each other. Heterodoxy and mere heathen morality would then be no longer our famous declamatory topics, or those be deemed and cast out as enthusiasts, madmen, troublers of Israel, setters forth of strange doctrines, and turners of the world and church upside down, who after the strictest and most impartial examination, must be confessed to adhere most steadily to the Homilies, Articles, and Liturgy of the Church of England; and who at the same time endeavour to adorn her godly and wholesome doctrines therein contained, (as being in their judgments the doctrines of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ) with a suitable life and conversation.
If this is to be vile, God grant they may be more vile! If this be enthusiasm, God grant it an universal flow! For the consequence I know will be, that not only our own, but every protestant reformed church, would then not only be a common barrier against popery and prophaneness, but would shine as bright as the sun, be as fair as the moon, and terrible like an army with banners. That this may be our happy case, is the hearty prayer of,
Christian reader, Thy, &c.
George Whitefield.
I.
BLESSED Lord, who hast caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning; grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen!
The Homily on the Holy Scriptures.¹
Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire,
Let us thy influence prove;
Source of the old prophetic fire,
Fountain of life and love.
Come, Holy Ghost (for mov’d by Thee,
Thy holy prophets spoke)
Unlock the truth, thyself the key,
Unseal the sacred book.
Expand thy wings, prolific dove,
Brood o’er our nature’s night;
On our disorder’d spirits move,
And let there now be light.
God through Himself we then shall know,
If thou within us shine;
And sound with all thy saints below,
The depths of love divine.
II.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent; create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
TURN thou us, O good Lord, and so shall we be turned. Be favourable, O Lord, be favourable to thy people, who turn to thee in weeping, fasting and praying; for thou art a merciful God, full of compassion, long-suffering, and of great pity. Thou sparest, when we deserve punishment, and in thy wrath thinkest upon mercy. Spare thy people, good Lord, spare them, and let not thine heritage be brought to confusion. Hear us, O Lord, for thy mercy is great, and after the multitude of thy mercies look upon us, through the merits and mediation of thy blessed Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
The Homily on the Misery of Mankind.
Lord, we are vile, conceiv’d in sin,
And born unholy and unclean;
Sprung from the man, whose guilty fall
Corrupts the race, and taints us all.
Soon as we draw our infant breath,
The seeds of sin grow up for death;
Thy law demands a perfect heart,
But we’re defil’d in ev’ry part.
Behold, we fall before thy face,
Our only refuge is thy grace;
No outward forms can make us clean,
The leprosy lies deep within.
Jesus, our God, thy blood alone
Hath power sufficient to atone;
Lord, let us hear thy pard’ning voice,
And make our downcast hearts rejoice.
III.
ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all men; we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word and deed, against thy divine Majesty, provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us; the burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us all that is past, and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life, to the honour and glory of thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
The Homily on the Salvation of Mankind.
Bury’d in shadows of the night,
We lie, ’till Christ restores the light;
Wisdom descends to heal the blind,
And chace the darkness of the mind.
Lost guilty souls are drown’d in tears,
’Till the atoning blood appears;
Then they awake from deep distress,
And sing the Lord our righteousness.
Jesus beholds where Satan reigns,
Binding his slaves in heavy chains;
He sets the pris’ner free, and breaks
The iron bondage from our necks.
Poor helpless worms in Thee possess
Grace, wisdom, power and righteousness:
Thou art our mighty All; may we
Give our whole selves, O Lord, to Thee!
IV.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants, grace, by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the divine Majesty to worship the Unity; we beseech thee, that thou wouldst keep us stedfast in this faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities, who livest and reignest one God, world without end. Amen!
The Homily on Faith.
Not all the blood of beasts,
On Jewish altars slain,
Could give the guilty conscience peace,
Or wash away the stain.
But Christ, the heav’nly Lamb,
Takes all our sins away;
A sacrifice of nobler name,
And richer blood than they.
My faith would lay her hand
On that dear head of thine,
While like a penitent I stand,
And there confess my sin.
My soul looks back to see
The burdens thou didst bear,
When hanging on the cursed tree,
And hopes her guilt was there.
Believing, we rejoice
To see the curse remove;
We bless the Lamb with cheerful voice,
And sing his bleeding love.
V.
LORD, we pray thee, that thy grace may always prevent and follow us; and make us continually to be given to all good works, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the words which we have heard this day with our outward ears, may through thy grace be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living, to the honour and praise of thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
The Homily on Good Works.
Zion’s a garden wall’d around,
Chosen, and made peculiar ground;
A little spot enclos’d by grace,
Out of the world’s wide wilderness.
Like spicy trees, believers stand
Planted by an Almighty hand;
And all the springs in Zion flow,
To make the rich plantation grow.
Awake, O heav’nly wind, and come,
Blow on thy garden of perfume;
Spirit divine, descend, and breathe
A gracious gale on plants beneath.
Make thou our spices flow abroad,
A grateful incense to our God;
Let faith and love and joy appear;
And every grace be active here.
VI.
ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name, through Christ our Lord. Amen!
O Lord, who hast taught us, that all our doings without charity are nothing worth; send thy Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which, whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee. Grant this, for thy only Son Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen!
The Homily on Charity.
Come, dearest Lord, descend and dwell
By faith and love, in ev’ry breast;
Then shall we know, and taste, and feel,
The joys that cannot be express’d.
Come, fill our hearts with inward strength,
Make our enlarged souls possess
And learn the height, and breadth and length
Of thine unmeasurable grace.
Now to the God whose power can do
More than our thoughts or wishes know,
Be everlasting honours done,
By all the church, through Christ his Son!
VII.
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us thy only begotten Son to take our nature upon Him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin; grant that we being regenerate and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen!
The Homily for the Nativity, &c.
Father, our hearts we lift
Up to thy gracious throne,
And bless thee for the precious gift
Of thine incarnate Son.
The gift unspeakable
We thankfully receive,
And to the world thy goodness tell:
Oh may we to thee live!
Jesus, the Holy Child,
Doth by his birth declare,
That God and man are reconcil’d,
And one in Him we are.
Salvation, through his name,
To lost mankind is giv’n,
And loud his infant cries proclaim,
A peace ’twixt earth and heav’n.
A peace on earth he brings,
Which never more shall end;
The Lord of hosts, the King of kings,
Declares himself our friend;
Assumes our flesh and blood,
Angels the wonder scan,
The everlasting Son of God,
The mortal Son of man.
O may we all receive
The new-born Prince of Peace,
And meekly in his Spirit live,
And in his love increase!
Till He convey us home,
Cry ev’ry soul aloud,
Come, thou desire of nations, come,
And take us all to God.
VIII.
WE are chiefly bound to praise thee for thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord: for he is the very Paschal Lamb, which was offered for us, and hath taken away the sin of the world; who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his rising to life again, hath restored to us everlasting life. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee and saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most high. Amen!
The Homily for Good Friday.
Ye that pass by, behold the Man,
The man of griefs condemn’d for you;
The Lamb of God for sinners slain,
Weeping to Calvary pursue.
His sacred Limbs they stretch, they tear;
With nails they fasten to the wood
His sacred Limbs, expos’d and bare,
Or only cover’d with his blood.
See there! his temples crown’d with thorns,
His bleeding hands extended wide,
His streaming feet transfixt and torn,
The fountain gushing from his side.
Oh thou dear suffering Son of God,
How doth thy heart to sinners move!
Help us to catch thy precious blood,
Help us to taste thy dying love.
The earth could to her centre quake,
Convuls’d whilst her creator dy’d;
O may our inmost nature shake,
And bow, with Jesus crucify’d!
At thy last gasp, the graves display’d
Their horrors to the upper skies;
O that our souls might burst the shade,
And, quicken’d by thy death, arise!
The rocks could feel thy pow’rful death,
And tremble, and asunder part;
O rend with thy expiring breath
The harder marble of our heart!
IX.
ALMIGHTY God, who through thine only begotten Son Jesus Christ, hath overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; we humbly beseech thee, that as by thy special grace preventing us, thou dost put into our minds good desires; so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen!
The Homily for the Resurrection.
Bless’d morning, whose first dawning rays
Beheld our rising God;
That saw him triumph o’er the dust,
And leave his last abode!
In the cold prison of a tomb,
The dead Redeemer lay;
’Till the revolving skies had brought
The third, th’ appointed day.
Hell and the grave unite their force
To hold our God in vain;
The sleeping conqueror arose,
And burst their feeble chain.
To thy great name, Almighty Lord,
These sacred hours we pay;
And loud Hosannas shall proclaim,
The triumph of the day.
Salvation and immortal praise
To our victorious King;
Let heav’n, and earth, and rocks, and seas,
With glad Hosannas ring.
X.
GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort, through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen!
Homily on Whitsunday.
IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, according to whose most true promise, the Holy Ghost came down as at this time from heaven with a sudden great sound, as it had been a mighty wind, in the likeness of fiery tongues, lighting upon the Apostles, to teach them, and to lead them into all truth, giving them both the gift of divers languages, and also boldness with fervent zeal, constantly to preach the gospel to all nations, whereby we have been brought out of darkness and error into the clear light and true knowledge of thee, and of thy Son Jesus Christ. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee and saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most high. Amen!
Creator Spirit, by whose aid,
The world’s foundations first were laid;
Come, visit ev’ry waiting mind,
Come pour thy joys on human-kind;
From sin and sorrow set us free,
And make us temples worthy thee.
O source of uncreated heat,
The Father’s promis’d paraclete!
Thrice holy fount, immortal fire,
Our hearts with heavenly love inspire;
Come and thy sacred unction bring,
To sanctify us, while we sing.
Create all new, our wills controul,
Subdue the rebel in our soul;
Chase from our minds th’ infernal foe,
And peace, the fruit of faith, bestow;
And lest again we go astray,
Protect and guide us in thy way.
Immortal honours, endless fame,
Attend th’ Almighty Father’s name;
The Saviour Son be glorified,
Who for lost Man’s redemption dy’d;
And equal adoration be,
Eternal Comforter, to thee!