Who wrote the Book(s) of Homilies?

Discussion in 'Theology and Doctrine' started by Scottish Monk, Aug 2, 2012.

  1. Scottish Monk

    Scottish Monk Well-Known Member

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    Who wrote the 33 sermons in the two Books of Homilies? My guess is Thomas Cranmer certainly had his hand in the two books. The Wikipedia article suggests the authors were "scholars and bishops."

    Since parsons, vicars and curates often lacked the education and experience needed to write sermons and were often unfamiliar with Reformed doctrine, scholars and bishops wrote out a collection of sermons for them, which were appointed to be read each Sunday and holy day. The reading of the homilies in church is still mandated under Article XXXV of the Thirty-Nine Articles.

    Any thoughts on the names of the scholars and bishops--who wrote which specific sermons.

    ...Scottish Monk
     
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  2. Scottish Monk

    Scottish Monk Well-Known Member

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  3. Scottish Knight

    Scottish Knight Well-Known Member

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    I've done a google search and looked up a few different websites and there seems to be some disagreement - some claim Cranmer wrote 5 homilies and others three - but all seem to agree the sermons on Faith, Good Works and Salvation were almost definately written by him

    This website http://www.edgewaysbooks.com/Homilies.html also mentions that the sermon on charity was known to have been witten by Bishop Bonner, and the homily against adultery to be written by one of Cranmer's chaplains - Thomas Becon.
     
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  4. Symphorian

    Symphorian Well-Known Member

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    It's interesting that a sermon by the Catholic +Bonner was included, although it's not on a controversial subject. His sermon on charity also occurs in the Tregear Homilies, a set of counter-reformation homilies produced by +Bonner and translated into Cornish by John Tregear during the reign of Mary Tudor. There is speculation that Tregear, a Cornish cleric remained attached to the Old Religion although he was not deprived of his living under Elizabeth I.
     
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  5. Scottish Monk

    Scottish Monk Well-Known Member

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    Scottish Knight...

    Thank you for your research and comments.

    ...Scottish Monk
     
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  6. Scottish Monk

    Scottish Monk Well-Known Member

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    Symphorian...

    Thank you for your comments. It would be interesting sometime to compare the development of Cornish Anglicanism with Brittish, Welsh, and, Scottish Anglicanism. Particularly in the early years.

    ...Scottish Monk