A05143:593
Twenty-seven Sermons
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
London: printed by John Day, 1562London: printed by Iohn Day, 1562
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.
The Serpent was set up in memory of Christ to come, but the Devil found means to steal away the memory of Christs coming, and brought the people to worship the Serpent self, and to sense him, to honour him, and to offer to him, to worship him, and to make an Idol of him. And this was done by the market men that I told you of. And the Clarke of the market did it for the lucre and advantage1 of his Master, that thereby his honour might increase, for by Christs death, he could have but final worldly advantage. And even now so hath he certain blanchers longing to the market, to let and stop the light of the Gospel, and to hinder the Kings proceedings in setting forth the word and glory of God. And when the Kings Majesty with the advise of his honourable Counsel goeth about to promote Gods word, and to set an order in matters of religion, there shall not lack blanchers that will say: As for2 Images, where as they have been used to be fenced, and to have candles offered unto them, none be so foolish to do it to the stock or stone, or to the Image self, but it is done to God and his honour before the Image. And though they […] abuse it, these blanchers will be ready to whisper the King in the ear, and to tell him, that this abuse is but a small matter. And that the same, with all other like abuses in the church may be reformed easily. It is but a […] abuse (say they) and it may be easily amended. But it should not be taken in […] at the first for fear of trouble, or further inconveniences. The people will not bear sudden alterations: an insurrection may be made after […] mutation, which may be to the great harm and loss of the Realm. Therefore all things shall be well, but not out of hand, for fear of further busyness. These be the blanchers that hitherto have stopped the word of God, and hindered the true setting forth of the same. There be so many put offs, so many put byes, so many ⟨image 176⟩[…], and considerations of worldly wisdom. And I doubt not but there were blanchers in the old time, to whisper in the ear of good King Ezechyas, for the maintenance3 of Idolatry done to the brazen Serpent, aswell as there hath been now of late, and be now that can blanch the abuse of Images and other like things. But good King Hezekiah would not be so blinded, he was like to Apollos, fervent in spirit.