The first sermon of Master Hugh Latimer, which he preached before the Kings Majesty…The fyrste sermon of Mayster Hughe Latimer, whiche he preached before the Kinges Maiestie…

Wherefore▪ intending to do good unto all men & namely unto such, as err & be ignorant, I have gathered, write, and brought into light the famous friday sermons of Master Hugh Latimer, which be 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 excellency, but chiefly for the profit which shall ensue thorough them unto the ignorant.

Wherfore▪ intendinge to do good vnto al mē & namely vnto suche, as erre & be ignorant, I haue gathered, write, and brought into lyght the famous fryday sermōs of Mayster Hugh Latimer, whiche be preached in Lent last past, before oure moste, noble Kinge Edward the sixte, at the new Palaice of Westminster, the thirde yeare of hys reigne. Whiche Sermons (moste vertuous Lady) I dedicate vnto your honorable grace, nothing doubting but that you wyll gladly imbrace them, not onlye because of their excellēcie, but chiefly for the profyte whyche shal ensue thoroughe them vnto the ignorante.

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 .xx. mens wits, and no fewer hands to write withal. As it is unpossible that a little river should receive the recourse of the main sea with in his brims, so that no water should over whelm the sides thereof: In like manner is it more unlike my sym•le wit to comprehend absolutely the abundant eloquence and learning which floweth most abundantly out of godly Latimers mouth.

For in them are frutefull and godlye documentes, directing ordinatly not only the stepps, conuersatyon, and liuing of kinges: but also of other mynisters and subiectes vnder hym. And let no man be greued though it be not so exactlye done as he did speake it, for in very dede I am not able so to do, to write word for word as he did speake, that passeth my capacitie though I hadde .xx. mens wittes, and no fewer handes to wryte withal. As it is vnpossyble that a litell ryuer should receyue the recourse of the main sea wt in his brymmes, so that no water should ouer whelm the sides therof: In lyke maner is it more vnlyke my symle witte to comprehende absolutely the abundaunt eloquence and learnyng which floweth most abundantli out of godly Latymers mouth.