A05142:3
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.
printed by John Day, 1549printed by Jhon Day, 1549
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
To the Reader.
Even as in times past, all men, which were honestly bent to the promoting of virtue and learning, found means, that the works of worthy orators, of famous and renowned Philosophers, should be by the, benefit of publishing, redeemed from the tyranny of oblivion, to the great and high profit of countries, of common wealths, of empires, and of assemblies of men: likewise ought we to fetch our president from those men, and suffer no worthy monument to perish, whereby any good may grow, either to the more godly administration of politik• and civil affairs, or else to the better establishing of christian judgment. Numa Pompilius (who was inagured & created king of the Romans next after Romulus) was far more careful & busier in grounding of Idolatrous religion (as upon rites, ceremonies, sacrifices and superstitions) then we are in promoting of christian religion to the advancement of the glory due to the omnipotent majesty of God him self, who hath revealed and uttered his word unto us by his Prophets, and last of all by his only begotten Son Jesus Christ ⟨image 2⟩whereby he hath confirmed our conscience in a more perfect certainty of the truth, than ever they were before. This Numa instituted an Archbishop for the preserving of the Commentaries, containing the solemnities of their religion with many other appendixes, united to the office of the high bishop. What do we? We have suppressed. We have wrestled with fire, and sword not only to deface the writings of such learned men as have painfully travailed to publish Gods word: but also we have stirred every stone, & sought all devilish devises, to detain yt same word of god itself from his people. May not we (& not unworthily) be accounted far under the Ethnics who wrought only by natural motion & anticipations, without breathing and inspiring of the holy ghost, if we would not (I mean not be equal with them) but be far more zealous in promoting good learning and religion than ever they were. They, when they had such noble and worthy clerks (as Socrates. Plato, and Aristotle) with all diligence; caused the fruits of those most rare and profound wits, to be preserved for their posterity, that the eyes of all generations might enjoy the fruition and use