27 sermons preached by the right Reverend father in God and constant martyr [sic] of Jesus Christ, Master Hugh Latimer, as well such as in times past have been printed, as certain other coming to our hands of late, which were yet never set forth in print. Faithfully perused [and] allowed according to the order appointed in the Queens Majesties injunctions. 1. Hys sermon Ad clerum. 2. Hys fourth sermon upon the plough. 3. His. 7. sermons before king Edward. 4 His sermon at Stamford. 5. His last sermon before king Edward. 6. His. 7. sermons upon the Lords prayer. 7. His other. 9. sermons upon certain Gospels and Epistles27 sermons preached by the ryght Reuerende father in God and constant matir [sic] of Iesus Christe, Maister Hugh Latimer, as well such as in tymes past haue bene printed, as certayne other commyng to our handes of late, whych were yet neuer set forth in print. Faithfully perused [and] allowed accordying to the order appoynted in the Quenes Maiesties iniunctions. 1. Hys sermon Ad clerum. 2. Hys fourth sermon vpon the plough. 3. Hys. 7. sermons before kyng Edward. 4 Hys sermon at Stamforde. 5. Hys last sermon before kyng Edward. 6. Hys. 7. sermons vpon the Lordes prayer. 7. Hys other. 9. sermons vpon certayne Gospels and Epistles
Hugh Latimer 1485?–1555London: printed by John Day, 1562London: printed by Iohn Day, 1562
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.
You must mark here, that our […] when he saith, Blessed […]: he […] not the friars poverty, that ⟨p. 72⟩same wilful poverty: but if you be come to poverty for confessing of Christ, than thou art blessed. Again, I am a rich man, the fire cometh & taketh away my riches. As Job was a rich man, but what happened? his enemy came & toke away altogether: so we may this day be rich, and to morrow we may be beggars: for the riches be chanccable unto us, but not unto god: for God knoweth wham & to whom he will give them or take them away again. Now when I come to […] by chance, so that god sendeth poverty unto me: than I am blessed wham I take poverty well without grudging. And therefore he added Spirita, in spirit, that is, to take it in good part with a faithful […], knowing that god sendeth yt same unto […]: so that wham we come to […] by such chances, or by persecutions, so that I […] not away my goods wilfully as the […]) which was a leaving of riches devised by their own minds: but else he that doth his business according unto his […], and than god […] him with poverty, let him take it with joy and gladness: for these blessings which Christ promised1 unto us here in this gospel, shall light upon him, therefore take it so, that poverty is a blessing when she is taken with a faithful heart, […] in deed it is to no purpose, except it proceed out of faith. Be not eager therefore to have riches, and when ye have them, that god sendeth them, set not to much by them. For Christ saith: it is hard for a rich man to come to heaven, speaking of those which set their hearts upon riches:2 which men in deed be very idolaters: for they put their hope trust and […] in them, so that what so ever shall happen, they think they will escape having money, & so they make money their god, which is a most wicked and abominable thing in the sight of yt Lord. For god would have us to hang upon him, to trust in him, be we poor or rich: If we be rich, we should not set our hearts upon riches: if we be poor we should comfort our selves with this Scripture, Non est inopia timentibus cum They that fear him shall not lack.
You must mark here, that our 〈…〉 whan he saith, Blessed 〈…〉: he not the friers pouertie, that
same wilfull pouertie: but if you be come to pouertie for confessing of Christ, than thou art blessed. Againe, I am a ryche man, the fire cometh & taketh away my riches. As Job was a rich man, but what hapned? his enemy came & toke away altogither: so we may this day be rich, and to morow we may be beggers: for the riches be chāccable vnto vs, but not vnto god: for God knoweth whā & to whō he wil geue thē or take them away again. Now whan I come to 〈…〉 by chāce, so that god sendeth pouertie vnto me: thā I am blessed whā I take pouertie wel without grndging. And therfore he added Spirita, in spirite, yt is, to take it in good part with a faithful 〈…〉, knowing that god sendeth yt same vnto 〈…〉: so that whā we come to 〈…〉 by suche chaunces, or by persecutions, so that I 〈…〉 not awaye my goodes wilfully as the 〈…〉) which was a leauing of riches deuised by their own min des: but els he that dothe his busines accordyng vnto his 〈…〉, and than god 〈…〉 him with pouertie, let him take it with ioy and gladnes: for these blessings which Christ promised
vnto vs here in this gospel, shall light vpon him, therfore take it so, that pouertie is a blessyng whan she is taken with a faithfull hert, 〈…〉 in dede it is to no purpose, except it procede out of faith. Be not egre therfore to haue riches, and when ye haue them, that god sendeth them, set not to muche by them. For Christ saith: it is hard for a rich man to come to heauen, speaking of those which set their herts vpon riches:
which men in dede be very idolaters: for they put their hope trust and 〈…〉 in them, so that what so euer shal happē, they thynke they wil escape hauyng money, & so they make money their god, which is a most wicked and abhominable thing in the sight of yt Lord. For god wold haue vs to hang vpon hym, to trust in hym, be we poore or riche: If we be riche, we shuld not set our hearts vpon riches: if we be poore we should comfort our selues with this Scripture, Non est inopia timentibus cum They that feare hym shal not lacke.
1How poverty is a blelsing and how not.How pouerty is a blelsing and how not.
Now the second mile or days journey in this pilgrimage1 is this: Beati qui logent, quoniam ipsi consolabuntur, Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall have comfort. we after our reason esteem them happy that can make merry in this world; ⟨image 79⟩but our saviour contrariwise pronounceth them blessed that mourn and weep in this world. We seek all to be in that case that we might laugh and be merry, for we think that to be a great blessedness: but our saviour pronounceth them blessed that […]. And therefore scripture saith, Melius est ire ad domum […], quam ad […], It is better to go to the mourning house, than to the house of banqueting: for be that goeth to sick folks, it shall be a good […], it shall make him to consider the fragility and weakness of mankind, and so stir him up to make ready, and not to set much by this world. S. Paul speaketh of two manner of sorrowfulness, the one is worldly, yt other is ghostly, the world lye sorrowfulness is without faith: as the wicked […] they weep they are sorrowful: yet this comfort of which Christ2 here speaketh is not promised unto them. […] wept when Jacob beguiled him, but his weeping was without faith. Truly happy are those that have much occasion to weep and […]: for Vexatio dat intellectum, vexation and trouble maketh us to know ourselves, and techeth us to leave sin and wickedness. There be many which be in great […], shut out of their houses, or in sickness, or other trouble: they shall comfort themselves with this blessing, which Christ our saviour promised unto them, namely they shall be sure that they shall have comfort, and […] of their miseries, for he will not suffer them to be further tempted then they shall be able to bear: and then in the end they shall have everlasting con fort. It is a notable answer that Abraham maketh to the rich man, when he lay in hellish fire, My son (saith he) […] bona in vita, […] hast received thy good days in thy lives time, now thou shalt be punished: But Lazarus hath had miseries, and calamities: and therefore he shall be comforted3 now. So we must learn to be content to go from weeping to laughing, from sorrow […] felicity: but we […] first suffer here, we may not go from the one felicity to the other: therefore s. Hierome sayeth, that he is a delicate […] that will not suffer sometimes miseries and calamities.
Now the seconde myle or days iorney in this pilgremage1 is this: Beati qui logent, quoniam ipsi consolabuntur, Blessed are thei that mourne, for they shal haue comfort. we after our reason esteme thē happy yt can make mery in this world; ⟨image 79⟩but our sauiour contrarywise pronounceth them blessed that mourne and wepe in this worlde. We seeke all to be in that case that we might laughe and be mery, for we thinke that to be a great blessednes: but our sauiour pronounceth them blessed that 〈…〉. And therfore scripture saith, Melius est ire ad domum 〈…〉, quam ad 〈…〉, It is better to goe to the mournyng house, than to the house of banquetting: for be that goeth to sicke folkes, it shalbee a good 〈…〉, it shall make hym to consider the fragilitie and weakenes of mankynde, and so styrre hym vppe to make redye, and not to set much by this world. S. Paule speaketh of two manner of sorowfulnes, the one is worldly, yt other is ghostly, the world lye sorowfulnes is withoute faithe: as the wicked 〈…〉 they weepe they are sorowfull: yet this comfort of which Christe2 here speaketh is not promised vnto them. 〈…〉 wepte whau Iacob begiled him, but his weping was without faith. Trulye happye are those that haue muche occasion to weepe and 〈…〉: for Vexatio dat intellectum, vexation and trouble maketh vs to know ourselfes, and techeth vs to leaue sinne and wickednes. There be many which be in great 〈…〉, shut out of their houses, or in syckenes, or other trouble: they shall comfort themselues with this blessyng, which Christ our sauiour promised vnto them, namely they shalbe sure that they shall haue comfort, and 〈…〉 of their miseries, for he will not suffer them to be further tempted then they shalbee able to beare: and then in the ende they shall haue euerlasting cō fort. It is a notable answer that Abraham maketh to the richman, when he lay in hellish fyre, My sonne (saith he) 〈…〉 bona in vita, 〈…〉 hast receiued thy good dayes in thy lyfes tyme, now thou shalt be punished: But Lazarus hathe had miseries, and calamities: and therefore he shall bee comforted
1The […] dais […] or mile.The 〈…〉 dais 〈…〉 or mile.
2Whit mourning it is that maketh blessed.VVhit mourning it is that maketh blessed.
3We must go from sorrow to joy, and not from one […] to an other.VVe must go frome sorovve to ioy, and not from one 〈…〉 to an other.
Therefore let us be content with it, let us bear them with a faithful heart, else we shall not attain to this comfort, for ⟨p. 73⟩the miseries that the godless have, operantur […], they work their own destruction, and cuerlastyng perdition: for they can not bear them as they ought to do: they murmur1 and cry out against god: but the godly when he is in miseries he taketh great profit by it, for miseries drive him to leave sin and wickedness: and to repent for that which he hath […] against god. Here you may perceive now that they that will have comfort must go to that pilgrimage, they must taste miseries, and so at the end they shall have everlasting comfort.
Therfore let vs be content with it, let vs beare them with a saithfull heart, elswe shall not attaine to this comforte, for ⟨p. 73⟩the miseries that the godlesse haue, operantur 〈…〉, they worke their owne destruction, and cuerlastyng perdition: sor they can not beare them as they ought to doe: they murmure1 and crye out agaynste god: but the godly whan he is in miseries he taketh greate profite by it, for miseries dryue hym to leaue synne and wickednes: and to repent for that which he hathe 〈…〉 agaynste god. Here you maye perceiue nowe that they that wyll haue comforte muste goe to that pylgrimage, they must taste miseries, and so at the ende they shall haue euerlastyng comforte.
The third mile or days journey is this. Beati mites […] 1niam inheritabunt terram, Blessed be the […] for they shall inherit the land. This meekness is such a thing that whosoever hath her, can be quiet in all things: […] that hath her will not avenge himself. But ye must know there be two manner2 of […]. There is a private vengeance, & there is a public vengeance, the public vengeance is allowed of God: the private is forbidden, for god sayeth to every […] man, Mihi vindictam ego […], Let me have the vengeance, and I will reward it. When any man doth me wrong, I shall or may not avenge me, nor yet desire in my heart to be avenged upon him, I being a private man and not a […]. But there is a public vengeance, that is the magistrates, they must see that wrong doers be punished, and rewarded according to their misbehaviours. But I may not avenge my self. For I am blessed when my good is taken from me wrongfully, and I take it well. For Christ sayeth in […], they shall inherit the land, he that for God's sake leaveth his land, or his goods: he shall inherit the land: so he shall with leaving the land inherit the land: but what shall I do when my good is taken from me? Answer, go to God's promises, which are […] accipiet, he shall receive it again hundred3 fold. The public vengeance is committed unto the magistrates, God […] unto […] to punish the transgressors: and again the […] or […] ought so obey, and to suffer the punishment which the magistrates shall lay upon him: for so it is written, […] malum […] ⟨image 80⟩pull. Thou shalt take away the ill from amongest the people. So ye hear how that we may not avenge our selves when any man doeth us wrong: yet for all that, this taketh not away the liberty of the use of the law. for a christian man may go to the law, and seek remedy, yet we must take heed that we go not to avenge our selves upon our neighbour, with a vengeable heart: nor yet should we not go with a […] heart, to get ought […] our neighbour: else it is lawful to use the law wham it is done with a charitable heart.4 As it is lawful for me being sick to go to the physician without breach of my faith to godward: but if I should go to the physician in […] of God, then this going were a wicked going. So I say, when we will go to the law, we must beware that it be done charitably, not with a vengeable mind:
The thirde mile or dayes iourney is this. Beati mites 〈…〉1niam inheritabunt terram, Blessed be the 〈…〉 for they shal inherite the land. This meekenes is such a thing yt whosoeuer hath her, can be quiet in al thinges: 〈…〉 that hath her wyl not auenge hymselfe. But ye must know there bee two maner2 of 〈…〉. There is a priuate vengeance, & there is a publique vengeance, the publique vengeaunce is allowed of God: the priuate is forbidden, for god sayeth to euery 〈…〉 man, Mihi vindictam ego 〈…〉, Let me haue the vengeaunce, and I wyll rewarde it. Whan anye man dothe me wronge, I shall or may not auenge me, nor yet desyre in my hearte to be auenged vpon hym, I beyng a priuate man and not a 〈…〉. But there is a publike vengeaunce, that is the magistrates, they must see that wrong doers be punished, and rewarded accordyng to their misbehaueouis. But I maye not auenge my selfe. For I am blessed when my good is taken from me wrongfully, and I take it well. For Christ sayeth in 〈…〉, they shall inherite the lande, he that for goddes sake leaueth hys lande, or his gooddes: he shall inherite the lande: so he shall with leuyng the lande inherite the lande: but what shall I doe when my good is taken from me? Aunswere, goe to goddes promises, whyche are 〈…〉 accipiet, he shall receiue it agayn hundreth3 folde. The publike vengeauuce is committed vnto the magistrates, God 〈…〉 vnto 〈…〉 to punishe the transgressoures: and again the 〈…〉 or 〈…〉 ought so obey, and to suffer the punishment which the magistrates shal lay vpon him: for so it is written, 〈…〉 malum 〈…〉⟨image 80⟩pull. Thou shalt take awaye the yll from amongest the people. So ye heare how that we maye not auenge oure selues when anye man doeth vs wrong: yet for al that, this taketh not away the liberty of the vse of the law. for a christian man maye go to the law, and seke remedy, yet we must take hede that we go not to auenge oure selues vppon our neighbour, with a vengeable hearte: nor yet should we not go with a hearte, to gette ought our neighbour: elles it is lauful to vse the law whā it is done with a charitable heart.
1The third mile or dais journey.The third mile or dais iourney.
2[…] manner of […], the one lawful and the other […].〈…〉 maner of 〈…〉, the one lauful and the other 〈…〉.
3We must goo to god […].VVe must goo to god 〈…〉.
4A […] man may go to the law but how?A 〈…〉 man may go to the law but how?
for whosoever […] to be avenged he shall not be blessed of god. Again whosoever suffereth wrong at his neighbours hand, and taketh it willingly, he shall be blessed of god.
for whosoeuer 〈…〉 to be auenged he shall not be blessed of god. Agayne whosoeuer suffreth wronge at hys neighbours hande, and taketh it willyngly, he shalbe blessed of god.
An ensample we have in Joseph: his brethren sold him1 and handled him most cruelly and tyrannously, what did he? he toke it willingly without any revengement: what did god? Mary he fulfilled his promise, inheritabunt terram, they shall inherit the land. Therefore he made him lord over all Egypt, this did god, and so he will do unto us: but our heart is so poisoned with the poison of malice, that we think we should be undone, when we should not avenge our selves, but they that have the spirit of god, and to whom these blessings pertain, they […] charitable, and yet use the law when necessity shall […] so, but they will do it with a godly mind.
An ensample we haue in Ioseph: his brethren solde hym1 and handled him most cruelly and tyrannously, what did he? he toke it wyllyngly without any reuengement: what dyd god? Mary he fulfilled his promise, inheritabunt terram, they shall inherite the lande. Therfore he made him lorde ouer al Egipt, this did god, and so he wyll do vnto vs: but our heart is so poysoned with the poison of malice, that we thynke we shoulde be vndone, when we should not auenge our selues, but they that haue the spirite of god, and to whom these blessynges pertayne, they 〈…〉 charitable, and yet vse the law when necessitie shall 〈…〉 so, but they wyll doe it wyth a godlye mynde.
1The […] ple of […] seph to be followed of us.The 〈…〉 ple of 〈…〉 seph to be folowed of vs.
[…], they shall inherit the land: some […] the land for eternal life, but it may be understanded of this […] to: for they that be patient and bear and suffer, God will reward them here in this world and yonder to. Now ye have heard what we shall have when we be meek spirited: let us therefore set aside all stubbornness, all vengeance hatred and malice, one against another: so that we may obtain1 that land which Christ promised us. Beati qui […] & […] unt […] quoniam […], Blessed be they that ⟨p. 74⟩hunger & thirst after righteousness, for they shall be […]. These words be […] diversity: it may be […] so,Blessed be they that hunger and thirst that is to say, that have so great desire to righteousness, as a hungry man hath to his meat and drink. Some […] it of the justice of the soul: for the faithful be ever hungry, they ever think they be not well, they be […] behind the hand: and so do not yt hypocrites, for they have opera supererogationis […] have2 so much that they are able to sell unto other men to: & bring them to heaven: But I will […] these words so. They that hunger, […] they that […] wrong: for when a man suffereth wrong and […], he hungereth and thirsteth to have justice, to come to his right: for it is a common saying, amongest3 the people The law is ended as the […] is friended. Now he that is so injured and wronged and hath a godly hunger and thirst to righteousness, he shall be satisfied in this world, and in the world to come he shall have […] life. Ensamples we have in scripture. Joseph when he was sold to […] that great man, he was a fair young […]: now his […] Potiphars wife, seeing his beauty, […] her love upon him, in so much that he could be no where but she came after him: but Joseph […] God […] her, and would not commit with her the filthy act of […]. What followeth, she went by and by and made an out cry & accused him, as though he would have […] her. So at the length Joseph was cast into prison, where he hungered & thirst after righteousness, after […],that is he was desirous4 to have his right: yet for all that he toke the matter well & godly, he sought not for vengeance: we in our own foolishness & mother wits esteem them blessed, that can […] the matter so, that the law may go with them, that they may have the over […]: they are called blessed which […] the swing, which are not exercised with trouble.
〈…〉, they shall inherite the lande: some 〈…〉 the lande for eternall lyfe, but it maye bee vnderstanded of thys 〈…〉 to: for they that be pacient and beare and suffer, God wyll rewarde them here in this world and yonder to. Now ye haue hearde what we shall haue when we be meeke spirited: let vs therfore set aside all stubburnes, al vengeance hatred and malice, one against another: so that we may obtain1 that land which Christ promised vs. Beati qui 〈…〉 & 〈…〉 unt 〈…〉 quoniam 〈…〉, Blessed bee they that ⟨p. 74⟩hungre & thurst after rightuousnes, for they shalbe 〈…〉. These wordes be 〈…〉 diuersty: it may be 〈…〉 so,Blessed be they that hunger and thurst that is to say, that haue so great desyre to rightuousnes, as a hungry man hath to his meate and drynke. Some 〈…〉 it of the iustice of the soule: for the faithfull be euer hungry, they euer thynke they be not well, they be 〈…〉 behind the hande: and so do not yt hypocrites, for they haue opera supererogationis 〈…〉 haue2 so much that they are able to sell vnto other men to: & brynge them to heauen: But I will 〈…〉 these wordes so. They that hunger, 〈…〉 they that 〈…〉 wrong: for when a man suffereth wrong and 〈…〉, he hungreth and thirsteth to haue iustice, to come to his right: for it is a common saying, amongest3 the people The law is ended as the 〈…〉 is frended. Now he that is so iniured and wronged and hath a godlye hunger and thurst to rightuousnes, he shalbe satisfied in this world, and in the worlde to come he shal haue 〈…〉 life. Ensamples we haue in scripture. Ioseph whan he was solde to that great man, he was a fayre young : now his Potiphars wife, seyng his beauty, her loue vpon hym, in so much that he could be no where but she came after him: but Iosephe God her, and would not committe with her the filthye acte of . What foloweth, she wente by and by and made an oute crye & accused hym, as thoughe he would haue her. So at the length Ioseph was cast into prison, where he hungerd & thurst after rightuousnes, after ,yt is he was desiroꝰ
1The […]. mile or […].The 〈…〉. mile or 〈…〉.
2[…] have […] sell.〈…〉 haue 〈…〉 sell.
3This sense […] to […], and i there fore […].This sense 〈…〉 to 〈…〉, and i ther fore 〈…〉.
I remember I red once a […] of a1 bishop which came to a rich mans house, where he had good […], and the goodman in the house she wed him all his riches and prosperities, his goodly wife & his fair children: in […]: they lacked nothing at all, he himself had […] been sick: the […] hearing that, thought in his mind ⟨image 81⟩no doubt god is not here: and so commanded his servant to make ready the horses, and by and by went […] way. when he came a little far of from the house, he sendeth his man back again to fetch a book, which was forgotten behind. when the servant came the house was sunk. So we see that worldly prosperity maketh us to forget god, and in the end to be […]. […] that holy man when he served Laban his uncle and father in law, what wrongs had he? how unjustly dealt Laban with him? No doubt he had great hunger and thirst after righteousness: therefore God satisfied his appetite, for he blessed him, and enriched him wonderfully, against2 […] mind. There be few of such servants now a days as […] was: and though he had a wicked master, yet he served him […]: I would wish all servants would follow the ensample of […]. This I speak to make you patient in tribulation, and to […] up in you a hunger and thirst after righteousness: you hear how […] was blessed in bearing godly the […] which that foolish woman did unto him.
I remember I red once a 〈…〉 of a1 bishop which came to a rich mans house, where he had good 〈…〉, and the goodman in the house she wed hym all his ryches and prosperities, his goodly wife & his faire children: in 〈…〉: they lacked nothing at all, he himselfe hadde 〈…〉 bene sicke: the 〈…〉 hearyng that, thought in hys mynde ⟨image 81⟩no doute god is not here: and so commaunded his seruaunte to make redy the horses, and by and by wente 〈…〉 way. when he came a little far of from the house, he sendeth his mā back again to fetch a booke, which was forgotten behynde. when the seruant came the house was sunke. So we see that worldly prosperity maketh vs to forget god, and in the ende to bee 〈…〉. 〈…〉 that holy man when he serued Laban his vn cle and father in lawe, what wronges had he? how vniustelye delte Laban with him? No dout he had great hunger and thurste after rightuousnes: therfore God satisfied hys appetite, for he blessed hym, and enriched hym wonderfullye, againste2〈…〉 mynde. There be few of suche seruauntes now a dayes as 〈…〉 was: and though he had a wicked maister, yet he serued hym 〈…〉: I woulde wishe all seruauntes would follow the ensample of 〈…〉. This I speake to make you patient in tribulation, and to 〈…〉 vp in you a hunger and thurst after rightuousnes: you heare howe 〈…〉 was blessed in bearyng godly the 〈…〉 which that foolish woman did vnto him.
David also […] what good […] did he unto king1 Saul? yet Saul went about to destroy him, think ye not David […] and thirsted after righteousness? […] he did, yet he might have […] himself, but he would not: for he had this […] of which Christ our […] speaketh here, And so consequently […] the land according unto his promise.
Dauid also 〈…〉 what good 〈…〉 dydde he vnto kynge1 Saule? yet Saule wente aboute to destroye hym, thynke ye not Dauid 〈…〉 and thirsted after rightuousenes? 〈…〉 he dydde, yet he might haue 〈…〉 himselfe, but he wold not: for he had this 〈…〉 of which Christ our 〈…〉 speaketh here, And so consequently 〈…〉 the land accordyng vnto his promise.
Beati […] quoniam ipsi […],1 Blessed be the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. I will not tarry long herein, you know which be the works of mercy. I was hungry sayeth Christ, I was naked. Matthew 25. There is a ghostly mercy: which is, to admonish them that be in errors: to bring them to the right way. Item to forgive them that do me wrong, this is a mercy, and a needful mercy: and therefore they that will be cruel here, so that they will not forgive unto their neighbours their faults, let them not look2 for […] at God's […]. For we must be merciful, loving, and comfortable towards our neighbour ⟨p. 75⟩when we will obtain mercy at gods hands. But this seemeth now as though malefactors ought not to be put to death, because god requireth mercy. Sir you must understand that god requireth private mercy, so that private men one shall forgive unto the other: but it is an other matter with the magistrates, the king and all other magistrates are God's officers, they must do according as god requireth them to do. he saith: Auferes […] medio populi, nec mise reberis ei, thou shalt take away, thou shalt root out the ill, (them that be malefactors) from amongest the people: and show not mercy3 unto them. Here were a place to entreat of ministering of justice, if the audience were thereafter: how justices of peace and other magistrates ought not to be bolsterers and […] with wickedness, but punish the malefactors according to their deserts: Vae qui justificatis impium, woe be unto you that justify the wicked: to justify the wicked, is not to punish the […]: Et qui justificat impium & que […] justum am4 […] abominabiles coram domino, he that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, they are both wicked and abominable before the lord. So that magistrates ought to punish sin and wickedness, but private men, one ought to show mercy unto another: that is, he ought to forgive […] any man hath done him harm: and so he shall have mercy at gods hand.
Beati 〈…〉 quoniam ipsi 〈…〉,1 Blessed be the mercifull for they shall obtayne mercye. I wyll not tarye longe herein, you knowe whyche bee the workes of mercye. I was hungry sayeth Christe, I was naked. Mathew 25. There is a ghostely mercy: whiche is, to admonish them that bee in erroures: to brynge theym to the righte waye. Item to forgeue them that doe me wronge, this is a mercye, and a needefull mercye: and therefore they that wylbee cruell here, so that they wyll not forgeue vnto theyr neyghboures theyr faultes, lette theym not looke2 for 〈…〉 at Goddes 〈…〉. For we muste bee mercyfull, louynge, and comfortable towardes our neighbour ⟨p. 75⟩whan we will obtain mercy at gods hands. But this semeth now as though malefactors ought not to be put to death, because god requireth mercye. Syr you muste vnderstand that god requireth priuate mercye, so that priuate men one shall forgeue vnto the other: but it is an other matter with the magistrates, the kyng and all other magistrates are goddes officers, they must do accordyng as god requireth them to do. he saith: Auferes 〈…〉 medio populi, nec mise reberis ei, thou shalt take away, thou shalte roote out the yll, (them that bee malefactours) from amongest the people: and shewe not mercy3 vnto them. Here were a place to intreat of ministring of iustice, if the audience were thereafter: how iustices of peace and other magistrates ought not to be bolsterers and 〈…〉 with wickednes, but punish the malefactours accordyng to their deserts: Vae qui iustificatis impium, wo be vnto you that iustifye the wicked: to iustifye the wicked, is not to punishe the 〈…〉: Et qui iustificat impium & que 〈…〉 iustum am4〈…〉 abominabiles coram domino, he that iustifieth the wycked, and he that condemneth the iuste, they are bothe wicked and abhominable before the lord. So that magistrates ought to punish sinne and wyckednes, but priuate men, one ought to shew mercy vnto another: that is, he ought to forgeue 〈…〉 any man hathe done him harme: and so he shall haue mercy at gods hande.
1The […] mile or dais jour neigh.The 〈…〉 mile or dais iour ney.
2[…] must be merciful〈…〉 must be merciful
3Magistrates may not […] mercy in judge meant.Magistrats may not 〈…〉 mercy in iudge ment.
[…] mundi corde quoniam ipse videbunt deum, Blessed be the clean of heart: for they shall see god. By these words we may perceive that we shall not look to see god, to see our1 felicity, when we be impure of heart. We can not come to that inspeakable joy and felicity which god hath prepared for his, except we be clean in our hearts: therefore David know ing that lesson, saith unto god: Cor mundum crea in me deus. O god make clean my heart within me. But ye will ask how shall our hearts be purified and cleansed. Answer, Fide purificantur corda, thorough faith the hearts of2 men must be cleansed. They that hear God des word and believe that same to be true, and live after it, their hearts shall be purified, and so they shall see GOD.
〈…〉 mundi corde quoniam ipse videbunt deum, Blessed be the cleane of heart: for they shall see god. By these words we may perceiue that we shall not looke to see god, to see our1 felicity, whan we be impure of hearte. We can not come to that inspeakable ioy and felicity which god hath prepared for his, except we be cleane in our hearts: therfore Dauid know yng that lesson, saith vnto god: Cor mundum crea in me deus. O god make cleane my hearte within me. But ye wyll aske howe shall our heartes be purified and cleansed. Aunswer, Fide purificantur corda, thorough faithe the heartes of2 menne muste be cleansed. They that heare God des woorde and beleue that same to be true, and lyue after it, theyr heartes shalbee purified, and so they shall see GOD.
There be two manner of seeing of GOD: as long as ⟨image 82⟩we be here, we must see him by saith, in believing in1 him: […] we shall see him face to face how […] is, therefore […] here, and see there. And so it appeareth, that he that will not hear God's word, and believe the same, that his heart […] be […], he shall not see god.
There be two manner of seeyng of GOD: as longe as ⟨image 82⟩we bee here, we muste see hym by saythe, in beleuynge in1 hym: 〈…〉 we shall see hym face to face howe 〈…〉 is, therfore 〈…〉 here, and see there. And so it appeareth, that he that wyll not heare goddes word, and beleue the same, that hys hearte 〈…〉 be 〈…〉, he shal not see god.
1God is seen here by […] this […] face to faceGod is sene here by 〈…〉 this 〈…〉 face to face
Beati […] quoniam ipse […] Dei vocabuntur, Blessed be the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of1 God. Here is an other journey. There is a law in […]. where god sayeth: Non erit susurro nec […] in popu […]. There shall not be a slanderer or whisperer amongest you which are my people. But I tell you this law is not kept: for there be a great number of those which […] with their tongues, as though they would […] into a mans bosom, but behind his back or before other2 men they betray him, they lye upon him and doc all they can to bring him out of estimation: these whisperers be peacebreakers, and not peacemakers: for the […] his […] to pass thorough such fellows, there be many such in England which tell false tales of others, to promote […] withal: these be the […] of the devil, and no doubt the […] many children in the world. I will show you an […]: There was one […] 3[…], a servant of Saul the king, he was […] pastorum, the master over his […]. When David flying from Saul, came to the […] very hungry4 and weary, and therefore desired some […], the […] having none other […]: but […] propositionis the holy bread: of that he gave David, and after that he gave him the sword of Goliath, whom David had killed before. Now this Doeg being there at that time, what doeth he? like a […] or […] goeth to Saul the king and told him, […] the […] had refreshed David in his journey, and […] given unto him the […] of […]: Saul hearing that, being in a great fury, sent for all the priests and their wives and their children and […] them all. This Doeg now that […] was not a peace maker,5 but a peace breaker: and therefore not a […] of GOD, but of the devil. I could […] you of […] other […], of ⟨p. 76⟩other whisperers, for I have known some in my time: but all such are the children of the […], they are not God's […]: for Christ our […] called those God's children, that are peacemakers, not them that cut […] throat. Seeing now that it is so good a thing to be a peacemaker: […] all them that be […] themselves to be peacemakers: let the […] show6 […] to be peacemakers, when they […] of contentions and […] between their tenants: send for them & here their […], and make him that is faulty to be […], and so let them be peacemakers:
Beati 〈…〉 quoniam ipse 〈…〉 Dei vocabuntur, Blessed be the peacemakers, for they shalbe called the chyldren of1 God. Here is an other iourney. There is a law in 〈…〉. where god sayeth: Non erit susurro nec 〈…〉 in popu 〈…〉. There shall not bee a slaunderer or whisperer amongest you whiche are my people. But I tell you thys lawe is not kepte: for there bee a greate number of those whyche 〈…〉 wyth theyr tongues, as thoughe they woulde 〈…〉 into a mans bosome, but behynde hys backe or before other2 men they betraye hym, they lye vppon hym and doc all they canne to bryng hym out of estimation: these whisperess bee peacebreakers, and not peacemakers: for the 〈…〉 his 〈…〉 to passe thorough suche fellowes, there be many suche in Englande whiche tell false tales of others, to promote 〈…〉 withall: these be the 〈…〉 of the diuell, and no doute the 〈…〉 many children in the worlde. I wyll shewe you an 〈…〉: There was one 〈…〉3〈…〉, a seruaunte of Saule the kynge, he was 〈…〉 pastorum, the maister ouer his 〈…〉. Whan Dauid flyeng from Saule, came to the 〈…〉 very hungrye4 and werye, and therfore desyred some 〈…〉, the 〈…〉 hauyng none other 〈…〉: but 〈…〉 propositionis the holye bread: of that he gaue Dauid, and after that he gaue him the sworde of Gohath, whome Dauid hadde kylled before. Now thys Doeg beynge there at that tyme, what doeth he? lyke a or goeth to Saule the kynge and tolde hym, the had refreshed Dauid in hys iourney, and geuen vnto hym the of : Saule hearyng that, beynge in a greate fury, sente for all the priestes and theyr wyfes and theyr chyldren and them all. Thys Doeg nowe that was not a peace maker,
1The […].The 〈…〉.
2[…] be […].〈…〉 be 〈…〉.
3The history of […] the […].The history of 〈…〉 the 〈…〉.
but there be some gentlemen in England, which think themselves borne to nothing […] but to have good cheer in this world: […] go a hawking and hunting: I would wish they would […] them selves rather to be peacemakers, to counsel and help1 poor men, and when they hear of any discord to be between neighbours and neighbours to set them together at […]: this should be rather their exercise than banqueting and spending the time in vain: But they will […], it is a great pain and labour to meddle in matters, to be a peacemaker. Sir you must consider that it is a great matter to be a child of God: And therefore we ought to be content to take pains to be peacemakers, that we may be the children of god. But in matters of religion we must take heed that we have such a peace which may stand with god and his word: for it is better to have no peace at all, then to have it with the loss of gods word. In the time of the six articles there2 was a Bishop which ever cried unity, unity: but he would have a […] unity. Saint Paul to the […] sayeth: […] unanimes, […] of one mind: but he addeth Secundum […] Christum, accordyng to […] Christ, that is, according to gods holy word, else it were better war than peace: we ought never regard unity so much that we would or should forsake gods word for her sake: when we were in […] we agreed well, because we were in the kingdom of the devil, we were in blindness. In Turkey we hear not of any dissension amongest […], for religions sake. The […] now […] have no […], because they be in ⟨image 83⟩blindness. When the rebels were up in Norfolk and Devonshire, they agreed all, there was no dissension: but their peace was not Secundum […] Christum, accordynge to Jesus Christ. Therefore S. […] hath a […] saying:3 Speciosum quidem nomen est pacis & pulchra opinio unitatis. sed […] eam solam […] Ecclesiae pacem esse quae Christi est, It is a goodly word peace, and a fair thing Unity: but who doubts but this to be the only right peace of the church, which peace is after Christ, according to his words? Therefore let us set by unity, let us be given to love and charity: but so that it may stand with godliness. For peace ought not to be redeemed jactura veritatis, with4 loss of the truth: that we would seek peace so much, that we should lose the truth of Gods word.
but there be some gentlemen in England, which thinke themselues borne to nothyng 〈…〉 but to haue good cheere in thys worlde: 〈…〉 go a haukynge and huntyng: I would wishe they woulde 〈…〉 them selues rather to bee peacemakers, to counsayle and healpe1 poore men, and when they heare of any discord to be betwene neighbours and neighbours to set them together at 〈…〉: this shoulde bee rather theyr exercise than banquettyng and spending the tyme in vayne: But they wyll 〈…〉, it is a great payne and labour to meddle in matters, to be a peacemaker. Syr you muste consider that it is a greate matter to bee a chylde of God: And therfore we ought to be contente to take paynes to be peacemakers, that we may be the chyldren of god. But in matters of religion we must take heede that we haue such a peace which may stande with god and his word: for it is better to haue no peace at all, then to haue it wyth the losse of gods worde. In the tyme of the sixe articles there2 was a Bishop whiche euer cryed vnity, vnity: but he would haue a 〈…〉 vnitie. Saint Paule to the 〈…〉 sayeth: 〈…〉 vnanimes, 〈…〉 of one mynde: but he addeth Secundum 〈…〉 Christum, accordyng to 〈…〉 Christe, that is, accordyng to gods holy word, els it were better warre than peace: we oughte neuer regard vnity so much that we wold or should forsake gods worde for her sake: when we were in 〈…〉 we agreed wel, because we were in the kingdom of the diuell, we were in blyndnes. In Turky we heare not of any discention amongest 〈…〉, for religions sake. The 〈…〉 now 〈…〉 haue no 〈…〉, because they be in ⟨image 83⟩blyndenesse. Whan the rebelles were vp in Norffolke and Deuonshire, they agreed all, there was no dissencion: but their peace was not Secundum 〈…〉 Christum, accordynge to Iesus Christ. Therfore S. hath a saying:
1A […] for all […].A 〈…〉 for al 〈…〉.
2Peace in po […] not the right peace.Peace in po 〈…〉 not the right peace.
3Be not de […] by the fair […] of peace,Be not de 〈…〉 by the faire 〈…〉 of peace,
4We may not lose truth for peace.VVe may not lose truth for peace.
Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter […], Blessed be they that suffer1 persecution for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. This is the last journey, when we be demanded of our faith, and examined, and afterward be forced to believe as they will, when we come to that point: Blessed are we when we suffer rather all extremities than forsake the truth, yea we shall esteem it to be a great blessedness wham we […] in such trouble. And not only this, but who […] suffereth any thing for any manner of righteousness sake: blessed2 is he, the questmonger doing uprightly his duty in discharging of his conscience: now he shall have displeasure, happy is he: and he shall have his reward of God.
Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter 〈…〉, Blessed be they that suffer1 persecution for rightuousnes sake: for theirs is the kyngdom of heauen. This is the last iourney, whan we be demanded of our faith, and examined, and afterwarde be forced to beleue as they wyl, whan we come to that poynte: Blessed are we whan we suffre rather all extremities than forsake the truth, yea we shall esteme it to be a great blessednes whā we 〈…〉 in suche trouble. And not onely this, but who 〈…〉 suffreth any thing for any maner of rightuousnes sake: blessed2 is he, the questmonger doyng vprightly his duetie in dischargyng of his conscience: now he shal haue displeasure, happy is he: and he shall haue his rewarde of God.
1The eight […] journey.The eight 〈…〉 iourney.
2A questmō ger may be happy.A questmō ger may be happy.
Beati cum maledixerint vobis homines & dice. Blessed are ye when men speak ill of you. […] merces vestra multa est. &c. Be merry, because your reward is great in heaven. Now ye have heard which is the way to heaven, what manner a pilgrimage we must go: Namely first by spiritual poverty, by hunger and thirst after righteousness,1 by meekness and lenity, by weeping and wailing, by pity and mercifulness. Item we must have a clean heart: Item we must be peace makers: Item we must suffer tribulation and affliction. Than shall the end be, Merces vestra […] multa in coelis, your reward shall be great in heaven. Merces, this word soundeth as though we should ⟨p. 77⟩merit somewhat by our own works: for reward and merit are correspondent, one followeth the other: when I have merited, than I ought to have my reward. But we shall not think so: for ye must understand, that all our works are imperfect: we can not do them so perfectly as the law requireth, because of our flesh which ever letteth us. Wherefore is the kingdom of god called than a reward? because it is merited by Christ: for as touching our salvation and eternal2 life, it must be merited, but not by our own works, but only by the merits of our […] Christ. Therefore believe in him, trust in him: it is he that merited heaven for us: yet for all that every man shall be rewarded for his good works in everlasting life: but not with everlasting life. For it is written, Vita aeterna donum Dei, The everlasting life is a gift of god. Therefore we should not esteem our works so perfect as though we should or could merit heaven by them: yet god hath such pleasures in such works which we do with a faithful heart: that he promiseth to reward them in everlasting life. Now to make an end, I desire you in gods behalf, remember this pilgrimage which I have taught you, set not light by it: for it is our saviours own doctrine, he with his own mouth taught us this pilgrimage: when we will now follow him, and do according as he teacheth us, than all these blessings, of which mention is made, shall light upon us: and in the end we shall obtain everlasting life. which grant both you and me, God the father through his only Son our saviour Jesus Christ.
Beati cum maledixerint vobis homines & dice. Blessed are ye whan men speake yll of you. 〈…〉 merces vestra multa est. &c. Be merie, because your reward is great in heauen. Nowe ye haue heard whiche is the way to heauen, what maner a pylgremage we must goe: Namely first by spirituall pouertie, by hunger and thirst after rightuousnes,1 by mekenes and lenitie, by wepyng and waylyng, by pitie and mercyfulnes. Item we muste haue a cleane hert: Item we must be peace makers: Item we muste suffre tribulation and affliction. Than shall the ende bee, Merces vestra 〈…〉 multa in coelis, your rewarde shal be great in heauen. Merces, this woorde soundeth as though we shoulde ⟨p. 77⟩merite somwhat by our owne woorkes: for reward and merite are correspondent, one foloweth the other: whan I haue merited, than I ought to haue my reward. But we shall not thynke so: for ye must vnderstande, that all our workes are imperfect: we can not doo them so perfectely as the lawe requireth, because of our fleshe which euer letteth vs. Wherfore is the kyngdome of god called than a rewarde? because it is merited by Christ: for as touchyng our saluation and eternall2 lyfe, it must be merited, but not by our owne workes, but onely by the merites of our 〈…〉 Christ. Therfore beleue in hym, trust in him: it is he that merited heauen for vs: yet for all that euery man shall be rewarded for his good workes in euerlastyng lyfe: but not with euerlastyng lyfe. For it is written, Vita aeterna donum Dei, The euerlasting lyfe is a gift of god. Therfore we shuld not esteme our workes so perfect as though we should or coulde merite heauen by them: yet god hath such pleasures in suche workes which we doo with a faithfull heart: that he promiseth to rewarde thē in euerlasting lyfe. Now to make an end, I desire you in gods behalfe, remēbre this pilgremage which I haue taught you, set not lyght by it: for it is our sauiors owne doctrine, he with his owne mouth taught vs this pilgremage: whan we will now folowe hym, and doo accordyng as he teacheth vs, than all these blessyngs, of which mencion is made, shal lyght vpon vs: and in the ende we shall obteyne euerlasting life. which graunt both you and me, God the father through his onely sonne our sauior Iesus Christe.
1An itineral wherein the way to heaven is set forth plain […].An itineral vvherin the way to hea uen is set forth plain 〈…〉.
2Christ hath merited for us.Christ hath merited for vs.
now. So we must learne to be contente to goe from weping to laughyng, from sorowe 〈…〉 felicity: but we 〈…〉 first suffer here, we may not go from the one felicity to the other: therfore s. Hierome saieth, that he is a delicate 〈…〉 that wyll not suffer sometymes miseries and calamities.
As it is laufull for me beyng sick to go to the phisicion without breach of my fayth to godward: but yf I should go to the phisition in 〈…〉 of God, then this goyng were a wicked goyng. So I say, when we wil go to the law, we muste beware that it be done charitably, not with a vengeable mynd:
to haue his right: yet for al yt he toke ye mater wel & godly, he sought not for vengeance: we in our own folishnes & mother wittes esteeme them blessed, that can 〈…〉 the matter so, that the law may go with them, that they may haue theouer 〈…〉: they are called blessed which 〈…〉 the swinge, which are not exercised with trouble.
but a peace breaker: and therefore not a 〈…〉 of GOD, but of the diuell. I coulde 〈…〉 you of 〈…〉 other 〈…〉, of
⟨p. 76⟩
other whisperers, for I haue knowen some in my tyme: but all suche are the chyldren of the 〈…〉, they are not Goddes 〈…〉: for Christe our 〈…〉 called those Goddes chyldren, that are peacemakers, not them that cutte 〈…〉 throate. Seeyng nowe that it is so good a thynge to be a peacemaker: 〈…〉 all them that be 〈…〉 themselues to be peacemakers: let the 〈…〉 shew
〈…〉 to be peacemakers, when they 〈…〉 of contentions and 〈…〉 betwene their tenants: send for them & here theyr 〈…〉, and make hym that is faultye to bee 〈…〉, and so let them be peacemakers:
Speciosum quidem nomen est pacis & pulchra opinio vnitatis. sed 〈…〉 eam solam 〈…〉 Ecclesiae pacem esse quae Christi est, It is a goodly word peace, and a faire thing Unitie: but who doutes but this to be the onely ryght peace of the churche, which peace is after Christ, accordyng to his wordes? Therfore let vs set by vnitie, lette vs be geuen to loue and charitie: but so that it maye stande with godlines. For peace oughte not to be redeemed iactura veritatis, with
