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 art of shutting hath been in times past much esteemed in this realm,¹ it is a gift of God that he hath given us to excel all other nations with all, It hath been God's instrument whereby he hath given us many victories against our enemies.² But now we have taken up whoring in towns, in stead of shutting in the fields. A wondrous thing, that so excellent a gift of God should be so little esteemed. I desire you my Lords, even as ye love the honour, and glory of GOD, and intend to remove his indignation, let there be sent fourth some proclamation, some sharp proclamation to the justices of peace, for they do not their duty. Justices ⟨image 151⟩now be no justices, there be many good acts made for this matter already. Charge them upon their allegiance that this singular benefit of god may be practised, and that it be not turned into bowling, glossing and whoring within the towns, for they be negligent in executing these laws of shooting. In my time, my poor father,³ was as diligent to teach me to shoot, as to learn me any other thing, and so I think other men did their children. He taught me how to draw, how to lay my body in my bow, and not to draw with strength of arms as other nations do, but with strength of the body I had my bows bought me according to my age & strength ⟨image 152⟩as I increased in them, so my bows were made bigger, and bigger, for men shall never sho•e well, except they be brought up in it. It is a goodly art, a hol some kind of exercise, & much commended in physic.⁴ Marcilius Phicinus in his book de triplici vita (it is a great while since I red him now) but I remember he commendeth this kind of exercise, and saith, that it wrestleth a gaynste many kinds of diseases. In the reverence of God, let it be continued. Let a Proclamation go fourth, charging the Justices of Peace, that they see such Acts & statutes kept, as were made for this purpose. I will to my matter. I intend this day to entreat of a piece of scripture, written in the