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…
The second [seventh] sermon of Master Hugh Latimer which he preached before the Kings Majesty [with?]in his graces palace at Westminster, the xv. day of March [-xix day of April], M.ccccc.xlix.The seconde [seventh] sermon of Maister Hughe Latimer which he preached before the Kynges Maiestie [with?]in his graces palayce at Westminster, ye xv. day of Marche [-xix daye of Apryll], M.ccccc.xlix.
Hugh Latimer 1485?–1555printed by John Day, 1549printed by Jhon Day, 1549
ca. 332 p. · 54k words · STC 15274.7 · ESTC S122869
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Get the into thy house, belike he meant to ward, & there to see his wearing, as if he should say,1 show thy self without gal of ambition, to be a quiet subject, and I will pardon thee for this time. But I will see the wearing of thee.
Get the into thy house, bylyke he meante to warde, & there to se hys wearynge, as yf he should saye,1 shew thy self without gal of ambicion, to be a quyet subiecte, and I wyll pardone the for thys tyme. But I wyll se the wearynge of the.
1Time trieth traitors from the trusty.Tyme tryeth traytours frō the trusty.
Here we may see the wonderful great mercy of Solomon for this notorious treason, that Adonias had committed, it was a plain matter, for he suffered him self to be called king, it hung not of vehement suspicion or conjecture nor sequel or consequent ⟨image 16⟩yet notwithstanding Solomon for that present, forgave him, saying. I will not forget it utterly, but I will keep it in suspense, I will take no advantage of the at this time. This Adonias & Absalom were brethren, and came both of a strange mother, and Absalom like wise was a traitor and made an insurrection against his father. Beware therefore these mothers, and let kings take heed how they marry, in what houses, in what faith. For strange bringing up bringeth strange manners.1 Now giveth David an exhortation to Solomon, and teacheth him the duty of a King, and giveth him a lesson, as it followeth at large in the book, and he ⟨image 16⟩
He must yet climb again, that gal of ambition was not out of his heart. He will now marry Abisaas the young queen that warmed king Davids bosom, as I told you, & cometh me to Bethsabe, desiring her to be a mean to Solomon her son that he might obtain his purpose. And bringeth me out a couple of lies at a clap, and committeth me two unlawful acts. For first he would have been King without his fathers consent, and now he will marry his fathers wife, and the .ii. lies are these. First, said he to Bethsabe, thou knowest that the Kingdom belongeth to
he lied falsely it was none of his. Then said he all the eyes of Israel were caste upon me, that is to say, all Israel consented to it, and there he lied falsely. For Nathan, Sadoc, and other wise men, never agreed to it. Here was a great enterprise of Adonias, he will be climbing still. Well Bethsabe went at his request to her son Solomon, and asked a boon, and he granted her what so ever she did ask. Notwithstanding he brake his promise afterward and that right well, for all promises are not to kept, specially if they be against the word of God.
and therefore, as soon as Solomon heard that Adonias would have married the young queen Abisaak: nay then let him be king to, said he.
Here we maye se the wonderfull greate mercy of Salomon for thys notoryous treason, yt Adonias had cōmytted, it was a plaine matter, for he suffered hym selfe to be called kynge, it hūg not of vehemēt suspitiō or cōiecture nor sequel or cōsequēt ⟨image 16⟩yet notwythstandynge Salomon for that present, forgaue hym, sayinge. I wyll not forget it vtterlye, but I wyll kepe it in suspence, I wyll take no aduauntage of the at thys tyme. Thys Adonias & Absolon were brethren, and came boeth of a straunge mother, and Absolon lyke wyse was a traytoure and made an insurrection agaynste hys father. Beware therefore these mothers, and let kynges take hede howe they marye, in what housses, in what fayeth. For strange bringyng vp bringeth straunge maners.1 Nowe geueth Dauid an exhortacion to Salomō, and teacheth hym the dutye of a Kynge, and geueth hym a lesson, as it foloweth at large in the boke, and he ⟨image 16⟩that lyste to reade it, maye se it ther at full. But what doeth Adonias all thys whyle?2 He must yet clymbe agayne, yt gal of ambition was not out of his hert. He wil now mary Abisaas the yōge quene that warmed kīg Dauids bosome, as I told you, & commeth me to Bethsabe, desyering hyr to be a meane to Salamon hyr sonne that he myght obtayne hys purpose. And bryngeth me out a couple of lyes at a clappe, and cōmytteth me two vnlawfull actes. For fyrste he woulde haue bene Kynge wythoute hys fathers consente, and now he wyll mary hys fathers wyfe, and the .ii. lyes are these. Fyrste, sayed he to Bethsabe, thou knowest that the Kyngdome belongeth to ⟨image 17⟩me, for I am the elder. The kyngedom was myne,3 he lyed falsely it was none of hys. Then sayed he all the eyes of Israel were caste vpō me, that is to saye, all Israel consented to it, and there he lyed falslye. For Nathā, Sadoc, and other wyse men, neuer agreede to it. Here was a greate enterprise of Adonias, he wyl be climbing styll. Well Bethsabe wente at hys requeste to hyr sonne Salomon, and asked a boune, and he graunted hyr what so euer she did aske. Notwythstanding he brake his promis afterward and that rightwell, for all promysses are not to kepte, speciallye if they be agaynste the worde of God.4 Or not standynge with a commune profit, ⟨image 17⟩and therefore, as sone as Salomon heard that Adonias would haue maryed the yonge quene Abisaak: naye then let hym be kynge to, sayed he.
1•ote of what force education is.•ote of what force education ys.
2Adonias schrinkes in the wetting and provethnogth in the wearing.Adonias schrinkes in ye wetyng and prouethnogth in the wearyng.
3ij. loud lies at a clap made by Ambitious a Adonias.ij. lowde lyes at a clap made by Ambitious a Adonias.
4When promises may not be performedWhen promises maye not be performed
I perceive now that he is a naughty man, a proud hearted fellow, the gal of ambition is not yet out of his heart, and so commanded him to be put to death. Thus was Adonias put to execution,1 whereas if he had kept his house & not broken his injunction, he might have lived still.2 Abiathar, what became of him? The king (because he had served his father before him) would not put him to death, but made him as it were a quondam. Because thou hast been with my father said he, & diddest carry the ark before him I will not kill thee.
I perceyue now that he is a naughty man, a proude herted fellowe, the gal of ambition is not yet out of his herte, and so commaunded hym to be put to death. Thus was Adonias put to execution,1 wheras yf he had kepte hys house & not broken hys iniunction, he myght haue lyued styll.2 Abiathar, what became of him? The king (because he had serued hys father before hym) woulde not put him to death, but made him as it were a quondam. Because thou hast bene wyth my father sayed he, & diddest cary the arck before him I wyl not kyll the.
1Adonias put to death iij. King. ij.Adonias put to death iij. Kyng. ij.
2Abiathar deposed & made a quondam .iij. King. ijAbiathar deposed & made a quondam .iij. Kyng. ij
But I will promise thee, thou shalt never minister any more. Vade in agrum tuum. Get the to thy land, and live there. A great matter of pity & compassion, so God grant us all, such mercy. And here was the end of Eli's stock, according to the promise and threatening of God. As for the Phelethites we do not read that they were punished. Mary Semey transgressed his Injunction for he kept not his house, but went out of Jerusalem to seek two servants of his, that had run from him, and when it came to Solomons ear, it cost him his life. I have ripped the matter now to the pill, and have told you of plain walkers, and of bywalkers, & how ⟨image 18⟩a king in his childhood is a king, as well,1 as in any other age. We read in scripture of such as were but .xii. or .viii. years old, and yet the word of the holy Ghost called them kings, saying: Cepitr• guare. He began to reign, or he began to be king. Here is of bywalkers. This history would be remembered, the Proverb is: Felir quē faciunt aliena pericula cautū.
But I wyll promyse the, thou shalte neuer mynyster anye moore. Vade in agrum tuum. Get the to thy lande, and lyue theare. A great matter of pittye & compassyō, so God graunt vs al, suche mercye. And here was the ende of Elis stocke, accordyng to the promyse and threatenyng of God. As for the Phelethites we do not read that thei were punyshed. Mary Semey traunsgressed hys Iniunction for he kepte not hys house, but wente oute of Hyerusalem to seke two seruaūtes of hys, that had runne from hym, and when it came to Salomons eare, it coste hym hys lyfe. I haue rypt the matter nowe to the pyll, and haue tolde you of playne walkers, and of bywalkers, & howe ⟨image 18⟩a kynge in hys chyldehode is a kynge, as well,1 as in any other age. We reade in scrypture of suche as were but .xii. or .viii. yeares olde, and yet the worde of the holye Goost called them kynges, sayinge: Cepitr• guare. He began to raygne, or he began to be kynge. Here is of bywalkers. Thys hystorye woulde be remembred, the Prouerbe is: Felir quē faciunt aliena pericula cautū.
1Joas was but vij years old when he was made King, iiij. King. xij. Josiah was viij.iiij. King. xxijIoas was but vij yeares old when he was made Kynge, iiij. Kyng. xij. Iosias was viij.iiij. Kyng. xxij
Happy is he that can beware by an other mans jeopardy. For if we offend not as other do, it is not our own deserts. If we fall not, it is God's preservation. We are all offenders. For auther we may do, or have done, or shall do (except God preserve us) as evil as the worst of them. I pray God we ⟨image 19⟩may all amend and repent. But we will all amend now I trust. We must needs amend our lives every man. The holy communion is at hand, and we may not receive it unworthily.
Happye is he that can beware by an other mans ieoperdy. For yf we offende not as other do, it is not oure owne desertes. If we fal not, it is Goddes preseruation. We are al offenders. For auther we maye do, or haue done, or shall do (excepte God preserue vs) as euyll as the worste of them. I pray God we ⟨image 19⟩maye all amende and repente. But we wyll all amende nowe I truste. We muste neades amende oure lyues euerye man. The holy communiō is at hād, and we maye not receyue it vnworthelye.
Well, to return to my history. King David (I say) was a king in his second childhood And so,1 young kings though they be children, yet are they kings notwithstanding, and though it be written in scrypture: Ve tibi O terra ubi puer est Rex. Woe to thee, O Land, where the king is a child: it followeth in an other place. Beata terra ubi rex nobilis. Blessed is the Land, where there is a noble King. Where Kings be no banqueters, no players, and they spend not the ⟨image 19⟩time in hawking, and hunting.
Wel, to returne to my hystory. Kynge Dauid (I say) was a kynge in hys second chyldhode And so,1 yonge kynges thoughe they be chyldren, yet are they kynges notwythstandyng, and thoughe it be wrytten in scrypture: Ve tibi O terra vbi puer est Rex. Wo to the, O Land, where the kīg is a chyld: it foloweth in an other place. Beata terra vbi rex nobilis. Blessed is the Lande, where there is a noble Kynge. Where Kynges be no banketers, no players, and they spend not the ⟨image 19⟩tyme in haukynge, and huntynge.
1Kings though they be children yet they are kings.Kynges though they be chyldrē yet they are kynges.
And when had the Kings majesty a Council that toke more pain both night & day for the setting forth of Gods word,1 and profit of the commune wealth? And yet there be some wicked people that will say.
And when had the Kynges mayestye a Councell that toke more payne boeth night & daye for the settynge forthe of Gods word,1 and profyt of the cōmune wealth? And yet there be some wycked people that wyll saye.
Jesus mercy, how like are we English men to the Jews,1 ever stubborn, styfnecked, and walking of bye ways. Yea I think no Jew would at any time say. This gear will not tarry. I never heard nor read at any time that they said.
Iesu mercy, howe lyke are we Englyshe men to the Iewes,1 euer stubburne, styfnecked, and walkynge of bye wayes. Yea I thynke no Iewe woulde at any tyme saye. Thys geare wyl not tary. I neuer hearde nor read at any time that thei saied.
1English men worse then the Jews.Englysh men worsse then the Iewes.
These laws were made in such a kings days, when he was but a child. Let us alter them. O Lord what pity is this, that we should be worse then the Jews?
These lawes were made in such a kynges dayes, when he was but a chylde. Let vs alter them. O Lorde what pittye is thys, that we shoulde be worsse then the Iewes?
Blessed be the land saith the word of God, where the King is noble. What people are they that say, the King is but a child? Have not we a noble King? Was there ever King so noble? So Godly? brought up with so noble counsellors? so excellent, and well learned Schoolmasters? I will tell you this, and I speak it even as I think. His majesty hath more Godly wit and understanding,1 more learning and knowledge at this age, then xx. of his progenitors, that I ⟨image 20⟩could name, had at any time of their life.
Blessed be the lande sayth the worde of God, where the Kynge is noble. What people are they that saye, the Kynge is but a chylde? Haue not we a noble Kynge? Was there euer Kynge so noble? So Godlye? brought vp with so noble counsaylours? so excellent, and well learned Scolemaysters? I wyll tel you thys, and I speake it euen as I thynke. Hys maiestye hath more Godlye wytte and vnderstandynge,1 more learnynge and knowledge at thys age, then xx. of hys progenitors, that I ⟨image 20⟩coulde name, had at anye tyme of theyr lyfe.
1A true and hearty report of M.L. by the kings majesty.A trewe and harty report of M.L. by ye kynges maiestye.
I told you in my last sermon of ministers of the kings people, and had occasion to show you, how few noble men were good preachers, and I left out an history then which I will now tell you.
I tolde you in my laste sermō of minysters of the kinges people, and had occasyon to shewe you, howe few noble men were good preachers, and I left oute an hystory then whyche I wyll nowe tell you.
There was a bishop of Winchester in King Henry the .vi. days,1 which king was but a child, and yet were there many good Acts made in his childhood, and I do not read that they were broken.
There was a byshop of Winchester in Kynge Henry the .vi. dayes,1 whyche kynge was but a chylde, and yet were there manye good Actes made in hys chyldehode, and I do not reade that they were broken.
1The history of a bishop of Winchester in King Henry the .vi. time.The hystorye of a byshop of Winchester in Kyng Henry the .vi. tyme.
This bishop was a great man borne, and did bear such a stroke, that he was able to shoulder the Lord Protector. Well, it chanced that the Lord Protector and he fell out, and ⟨image 21⟩the bishop would bear nothing at all with him, but played me the Satrapa, so that the Regent of France was fain to be sent for from beyond the Seas, to set them at one, and to go between them.
Thys byshoppe was a great man borne, and dyd beare suche a stroke, that he was able to shoulder the Lord Protectour. Wel, it chaunced that the Lord Protectour and he fell out, and ⟨image 21⟩the byshoppe would beare nothynge at all wyth hym, but played me the Satrapa, so that the Regente of Fraunce was faine to be sēt for frō beyōd the Seas, to set theim at one, and to go betwene them.
Was not this a good prelate? he should have been at home a preaching in his Diocese in a waniant. This Protector was so noble and Godly a man, that he was called of every man the good Duke Humphrey.1 He kept such a house, as never was kept since in England, without any enhancing of rents I warrant you, or any such matter. ⟨image 21⟩And the bishop for standing so stiffly by the matter, & bearing up the order of our mother the holy church,2 was made Cardinal at Calais, & thither the bishop of Rome sent him a cardinals hat. He should have had a tyburn tippet, a halfpenny halter, and all such proud prelates. These Romish hats never brought good into England.
Was not this a good prelate? he should haue bene at home a preachynge in hys Dioces in a waniant. Thys Protector was so noble and Godly a mā, that he was called of euery mā the good Duke Humfrey.1 He kept suche a housse, as neuer was kept synce in Englande, wythout any enhaunsyng of rentes I warrāt you, or any such matter. ⟨image 21⟩And the byshop for stāding so styflye by the matter, & bearynge vp the order of our mother ye holie church,2 was made Cardinall at Calice, & thyther the byshop of Rome sent hym a cardinals hatte. He shuld haue had a tiburne tippet, a halpeny halter, and allsuche proude prelates. These Romish hattes neuer broughte good into Englande.
1The good Duke Humphrey.The good Duke Humfrey.
2The bishop had a cardinal hat but a tyburn tippet would a be come him better.The byshop had a cardynall hat but a tyburne typpet would a be come him better.
