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…

But let us learn to frame our lives after the noble king Dauyd which when he had many occasions, given of king Saul to work evil, for evil, yea, and having many times opportunity to perform mischief and to slay king Saul, Nevertheless yet fearing,¹ would, not follow his fleshly affections and walk inordinately, without the will of Gods word, which he confessed always to be his direction,² saying. Lucerna pedibus meis verbum tuum et lumen semitis meis.³ Thy word, O Lord is a Lantern unto my feet, ⟨image 14⟩and a light unto my steppes. Thus having in mind, to walk ordinately he did always avoid to do evil. For when king Saul was in a cave with out any man, Dauyd and his men sitting by the sides of the cave, yea and Dauyds men moving him to kill Saul, David made answer and said unto thē: Seruetive dominus,⁴ ne remistani. &c. con tra dominū meū Messiam. &c. That is The Lord keep me from doing this thing unto my master that is the lords anointed. At another time also, moved by Abisay to kill Saul sleeping, Dauyd said:⁵ Ne interficias eum, quis enimimpune manum suam inferret vucto domini. &c. That is: Destroy him not, for who can lay his hands on the Lords anointed and be guiltless ⟨image 14⟩&c. I would God we would follow king Dauyd, and then we should walk ordinately, & yet do but that we are bound of duty to do, for God sayeth: Quodego brecipio, hoc tantum facito.

But let vs learne to frame oure lyues after the noble kyng Dauyd whyche when he had manye occacions, geuen of kyng Saul to worke euyll, for euyl, yea, and hauynge manye tymes oportunity to perfourme mischiefe and to slay kyng Saule, Neuerthelesse yet fearynge,¹