Sermons Very Fruitful, Godly and Learned: Preaching in the Reformation, C. 1535-C. 1553

This edition, first published in 1557, is a collection of Catholic Reformation sermons consisting mainly of two series: six sermons on the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost preached at Redcliffe Cross, Bristol from 1535 and 20 sermons on St Peter's first epistle preached in Bristol Cathedral between 1542 and 1559. There is also a sermon on the Creed and another on ceremonies. Edgeworth opposed Latimer and his confederacy in the 1530s and suffered persecution and imprisonment at Wells under Bishop Barlow in Edward's reign. He was Chancellor of Wells Cathedral under Mary I, a post he resigned from for reasons of conscience shortly before his death in 1560. These sermons display a rich blend of preaching styles. In his hieratic, elevated mode Edgeworth anticipated the Elizabethan Euphuists, while his popular voice is notable for its native speech rhythms, proverbs and colloquialisms.