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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 WESTMINSTER,

In the Year of our Lord 1549.

Whereunto are added other Two SERMONS, as well that he preached at Stamford, as also the last that he made before the late King Edward,

which he called his ULTIMUM VALE.

DEDICATION.

TO THE

RIGHT VIRTUOUS AND GRACIOUS

LADY KATHERINE, DUCHESS OF SUFFOLK,

THOMAS SOME,

HER HUMBLE AND FAITHFUL ORATOR, WISHETH GODLY FAVOUR AND
EVERLASTING SALVATION FROM GOD THE Father, throUGH
JESUS CHRIST OUR MERCIFUL LORD.

WHEN man is born for man, that one to another should be a God, and not a devil; an helper, no hinderer; unto whom also the use of the tongue is only given, whereby they do both express and shew the affections of their minds, there is no man which can say, I have no need of any man. But amongst infinite mischiefs and evils of man's poverty and anguish, by which he hath need of other men's help, is the instruction of prudence or virtue, and of science. For mankind in this do precel chiefly brute beasts, because they help one another by mutual communication. In learning good and virtuous manners, the use of communing is required chiefly, that men erring, and ignorant, should be taught, for there is none which shall ever learn of himself, although he be never so happily born. Therefore it shall become every man, which do intend to be godly, to hear and learn godly books, to print heavenly documents in their hearts. For as evil doctrine, devilish books, and filthy talk, do corrupt good manners, so faithful precepts, godly books, chaste communing and honest, shall edify and confirm. Wherefore, intending to do good unto all men, and namely unto such as err and be ignorant, I have gathered, writ, and brought to light, the famous Friday Sermons of M. Hugh Latimer, which he preached in Lent last past, before our most noble King Edward the Sixth, at the New Palace of Westminster, the third year of his reign; which Sermons, (most virtuous lady), I dedicate unto your honourable grace, nothing doubting, but that you will gladly embrace them, not only because of their excellence, but chiefly for the profit which shall ensue through them unto the ignorant. For in them are fruitful and godly documents, directing ordinately not only the steps, conversation, and living of kings; but also of other ministers and

subjects under him. And let no man be grieved though it be not so exactly done, as he did speak it, for in very deed I am not able so to do, to write word for word as he did speak: that passeth my capacity, though I had twenty men's wits, and no fewer hands to write withal. As it is unpossible that a little river should receive the recourse of the main sea within his brims, so that no water should overwhelm the sides thereof; in like manner is it more unlike my simple wit to comprehend absolutely the abundant eloquence and learning which floweth most abundantly out of godly Latimer's mouth. Notwithstanding, yet had I rather with shamefastness declare charitably, this part of his godly documents and counsel, than with slothfulness forget or keep close foolishly that thing which may profit many.

Who is that will not be glad to hear and believe the doctrine of godly Latimer; when God hath appointed a prophet, unto our most noble king, and unto our realm of England, to declare the message of the living God, to supplant and root out all sins and vice, to plant and graft in men's hearts, the plenteousness of all spiritual blessings in Jesus Christ our Lord?

Moses, Jeremias, Elias, did never declare the true message of God unto their rulers and people, with a more sincere spirit, faithful mind and godly zeal, than godly Latimer doth now in our days unto our most noble king, and unto the whole realm. Furthermore, also, Josiah received never the book of God's will, at the hands of Helkiah the high priest, or the admonition of Huldu, that prophetess, with a more perfect and godly feare, than our most noble king doth most faithfully give credit unto the words of good father Latimer. And I have no doubt but all godly men will likewise receive gladly his godly sermons and give credit unto the same. Therefore this my rude labour of another man's sweat, (most virtuous lady), I offer most humbly unto your grace, moved thereunto of godly zeal, through the godly fame, that is disperst universally of your most godly disposition and unfeigned love towards the living, almighty, eternal God and his holy word, practised daily both in your grace's most virtuous behaviour, and also godly charity towards the edification of every member grafted in Christ Jesu, most humbly desiring your grace to accept favourably this my timorous enterprise. And I your most humble and faithful orator shall pray unto Jehovah, the which is of himself, by whom, and in whom, all things live, move, and be, that that good work which he hath begun in you, he may perform it unto your last ending, through our Lord Jesu Christ, who preserve and keep your grace, now and ever. So be it.

THE

FIRST SERMON

PREACHED BEFORE KING EDWARD,

MARCH 8th, 1549.

ROMANS xv. 4.

Quæcunque scripta sunt; al 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 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 of God written in God's book; and 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: Yea truly, they are not only bound to obey God's book, but also the minister of the same, " for the word's sake," so far as he speaketh "sitting in Moses' chair;" that is, if his doctrine be taken out of Moses' law. For in this world God hath two swords, the one is a temporal sword, the other a spiritual. The temporal sword resteth in the hands of

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