Cranmer's Book Of Homilies

After Henry’s death in 1547 and under the leadership of Edward VI, Cranmer began to put into motion the religious reformation he had been working towards for years. The first step in his reforms was an issuance of the Great Bible made available to all Englishmen in their own language. On July 31, 1547, Cranmer issued a set of injunctions which required every parish church use the Great Bible, in addition to the use of Erasmus’ Paraphrases on the Gospels and Acts and the twelve collects in his own Book of Homilies. These three pieces of literature were to be used as the basis for reading, Bible study, and preaching.
The Book of Homilies is of interest among the three injunctions of 1547. The book begins with a preface from Edward VI. There is speculation as to whether Edward wrote the preface, nevertheless, this is crucial in that this preface gave Royal authority to the works in the book. In this act between King and Archbishop, the hierarchies of church and state supported each other as one in a way that Henry did not openly endorse and join with Cranmer on such issues. Moreover, In Cranmer’s introduction, Cranmer states that each sermon is meant to be read in a specific order. The lessons are not an unrelated assortment of
Since the fall of mankind and the introduction of sin into the world, humanity has attempted to find their salvation through their own laws and customs which they equate with the commandments of God. This is the same defense used against the papists in his sermons under Henry. Cranmer instructs in this homily that God calls people to put His commandments above all other laws, viewing human laws in the context of bringing people under God’s laws. “Of Good Works” concludes with an exhortation to have faith in God and obey the