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…

King David being in his childhood,¹ an old man, in his second childhood, for all old men are twice children, as the Proverb is. Senex his puer. An old man, twice a child, it happened with him, as it doth oftentimes, when wicked men, of a Kings childhood take occasion of evil.

Kynge Dauid beynge in hys chyldhode,¹ an olde man, in hys second chyldhode, for al old men are twyse chyldren, as the Prouerbe is. Senex his puer. An olde manne, twyse a chylde, it happened wyth hym, as it doth oftentymes, when wycked men, of a Kynges chyldhode take occasyon of euyl.

1. 1•ij. of kings, the first Chapt.•ij. of kynges, the fyrste Chapt.

This King David being weak of nature and impotent, in so much that when ⟨image 11⟩he was covered with clothes, he could take no heat, was counselled of his servants to take a fair young maid to nourish him, and to keep him warm in his body, I suppose she was his wife. Howe be it he had no bodily company with her, and well she might be his wife. For though the scripture doeth say: Non cognovit •am. He knew her not, he had no carnal copulation with her yet it sayeth not: Non duxit eam uxorem. He married her not. And I can not think that king David would have her to warm his bosom in bed, except she had been his wife, having a dispensation of God to have as many wives as he would.

Thys Kynge Dauid beyng weake of nature and impotente, in so muche that when ⟨image 11⟩