Book of Homilies

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Book of Homilies. Published soon after the accession of Edward VI, though written five years before, the Book of Homilies contained twelve sermons composed by some of the leading reformers of the English church, including Cranmer and Latimer. The homilies were to be read to the people by the clergy in place of a sermon. By supporting justification by faith, ignoring teaching on the eucharist, and attacking some popular religious customs, they revealed the reforming sympathies of their composers. Contributions of more conservative scholars such as Bishop Bonner were confined to less contentious subjects, e.g. love and charity.

Revd Dr John R. Guy