Note 674 — PART IV. From the Reformation to the present time.

Many of them could hardly read; and as to preaching, it was what few of them were capable of. To supply that deficiency the Book of Homilies was provided, and the reading of those homilies, for a while, appears to have supplied the place of preaching. But the plan was ill calculated to instruct and enlighten the common people, though it might be of use to their superiors.