Book of Homilies

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Background
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Thomas Cranmer Henry VIII Richard Hooker Elizabeth I John Wesley
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During the English Reformation, Thomas Cranmer and others saw the need for local congregations to be taught a more Reformed theology and practice. Since many priests and deacons were still uneducated, semi-literate and tending toward Roman Catholicism in their theology and practice, it was decided to create a series of sermons to be read out during the church service by the local minister.

The First book of Homilies contained twelve sermons and was written mainly by Cranmer. They focused strongly upon the character of God and Justification by Faith and were fully published by 1547.

The Second book of Homilies contained twenty-one sermons and was written mainly by Bishop John Jewel, and were fully published by 1571. These were more practical in their application and focused more on living the Christian life.

The reading of the Homilies as part of the church service was supported by Article XXXV of the Thirty-Nine Articles.