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…

Dabo tibi regē in furore meo. That is I will give the a King in my wrath. Now we have a lawful king, a godly king, nevertheless yet many evils do reign. Long time the ministers appointed, ⟨image 17⟩hath studied to amend, and redress all evils, long time before this, great labour hath been about this matter, great cracks hath been made that all should be well. But when all came to all for all their boasts, little or nothing was done, in whom these words of Horace may well be verified,¹ saying. Parturiunt montes, nas•etur ridiculus mus. The mountains swelleth up, the pore mouse is brought out: long before this time, many hath taken in hand to bring many things unto pass, but finally their works came unto small effect and profit. Now I hear say all things are ended after a Godly manner, or else shortly shall be. Make haste, make haste, and let us learn to convert, to ⟨image 17⟩repent, and amend our lives. If we do not, I fear, I fear, lest for our since and unthankfulness, an Hypocrite shall reign over us. Long we have been servants and in bondage,² serving the pope in Egypt. God hath given us a deliverer, a natural king.³ Let us seek no stranger of another nation, no Hypocrite which shall bring in again all papistry, hypocrisy, and Idolatry. No diabolical minister which shall maintain all devilish works and evil exercises.⁴ But let us pray that god maintain and continue our most excellent king here present, true inheritor of this our realm,⁵ both by nativity, and also by the special gift and ordinance of GOD. He doth us ⟨image 18⟩rectify in the liberty of the gospel, in that therefore let us stand. State ergo in libertate,