es, use them. If God send thee abundance, use it according to the rule of God's word, and study to be rich in our Saviour Jesus Christ; to whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be all honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. Amen. THE FIRST SERMON * PREACHED BEFORE KING EDWARD, ' MARCH 8th, 1549. ROMANS xv. 4. Quæcunque scripta sunt, ad nostram doctrinam scripta sunt. Whatsoever things are written aforetime, are written for our learning; that we through patience and comfort of Scripture might have hope. In taking this part of Scripture, most noble audience, I play as a truant, which when he is at school will choose a lesson wherein he is * The original title of these sermons was as follows:"The Seven Sermons of the Reverend Father M. Hugh Latimer, which he preached before our late Sovereign Lord of famous memory, King Edward the Sixth, within the preaching-place in the palace at Westminister, in the year of our Lord 1549." They were" first gathered, writ, and brought to light" by Thomas Some, who calls them "The famous Friday Sermons of M. Hugh Latimer, which he preached in Lent last past." perfect, because he is loth to take pain in studying a new lesson, or else feareth stripes for his slothfulness. In like manner I might seem now in my old age to some men, to take this part of Scripture, because I would wade easily away therewith, and drive my matter at my pleasure, and not to be bound unto a certain theme. But ye shall consider, that the foresaid words of Paul are not to be understood of all scriptures, but only of those which are written in God's book; and that all things which are therein, "are written for our learning." The excellency of this Word is so great, and of so high dignity, that there is no earthly thing to be compared unto it. The author thereof is great, that is, God himself, eternal, almighty, everlasting. The Scripture, because of him, is also great, eternal, most mighty and holy. There is no king, emperor, magistrate, and ruler, of what state soever they be, but are bound to obey this God, and to give credence unto his holy word, in directing their steps ordinately according unto the same word. In teaching evil doctrine all preachers are to be eschewed, and nowise to be hearkened unto. In speaking truth, they are to be heard. All things written in God's book, are most certain, true and profitable for all men: for in it is contained meet matter for kings, princes, |