A sermon of Master Latimer, preached at Stamford the. ix. day of October. Anno.…

To consider what hath been plucked from Abbeys, colleges, & chantries: it is marvel no more too be bestowed upon this holy office of salvation. It may well be said by us that the Lord complaineth by his prophet. domus mea deserta, uos fegtinatis unus quisque in domum suâ, What is Christs house but Christen souls but who maketh any provision for them, every man scrapeth and getteth together for this bodily house, but the soul health is neglected, schools are not maintained, scholars have not exhibition, the preaching office ⟨image 17⟩decayeth, men provide lands and riches for their children, but this most necessary office, they for the most part, neglect. Very few there be that helpeth poor scholars, that setteth their children to school, to learn the word of God, and to make a provision for the age to come. This notwithstā ding is the only way to salvation, God will not devise any new way as far as I perceive, but would have us to use this way ordained all ready. This preaching way we ought to use, and not too look for any new way, this office of salvation we ought to maintain, and not look for any other. My request is that he would bestow as much to the ⟨image 18⟩maintenance of this necessary office of salvation, as ye were wont to bestow in times paste upon Romish trifles and things of mans traditions. Nether do I now speak for my self and my convent, as the begging Friars were wont to do, I have enough, I think God, and I need not to beg. I would every preacher were as well provided as my self through this realm, as in deed I think them as well worthy as my self. I wish (I say) ye would bestow as much upon this necessary office of salvation, as in times paste ye bestowed in pilgrimage, in images, in gilding, painting, in Masses, Diriges, Trentals, chaū tries ⟨image 18⟩and such vain things of the Romish Pharisees and Papists inventing. Ye would do that without calling, and to this will you not be ready when ye be, called. If it be no better in time too come, hitherto looked unto, then England will at the last bewail it. Christ knew what a charge hangeth upon this necessary office of preaching, the office of salvation, & therefore most earnestly applied it him self. And when he chose his twelve Apostles to send them forth unto this office, he first prayed all the night.