The second [seventh] sermon of Master Hugh Latimer which he preached before the Kings…The seconde [seventh] sermon of Maister Hughe Latimer which he preached before the Kynges…

These peevish people in this Realm have nothing but the king,¹ the king in their mouths, when it maketh for their purpose. As there was a doctor that preached, the kings majesty hath his holy water, he crepeth to the cross, & then they have nothing but the King the king in their mouths. These be my good people that must have their mouths stopped, but if a man tell them of the kings proceedings, now they have their shifts,² and their puto•• saying, we may not go before a law, we may break no order. ⟨image 44⟩These be the wicked preachers, there mouths must be stopped, these be the gainsayers. Another thing there is that I told you of Ne elevetur cor regis. etc. The king must not be proud over his brethren.³ He must order his people with brotherly love and charity. Here I brought in examples of proud Kings. It is a great pride in kings and magistrates when they will not hear,⁴ nor be comfortable to the •ound doctrine of God. It is an other kind of pride in kings when they think them selves so high, so lofty, that they disdain & think it not for their honour to hear poor mens causes them selves.⁵ They have clawbacks that say unto them. What sir? What need you to trouble your self? ⟨image 45⟩take you your pleasure, hunt, Hawk,⁶ dance, and dally, let us a lone: we will govern and order the commune weal matters well enough. We worth them, they have been the rote of all mischief and destruction in this Realm.⁷ A king ought not only for to read and study, but also to pray. Let him borrow example at Solomon, who pleased God highly with his petition,