A49701:167
The preaching bishop reproving unpreaching prelates Being a brief, but faithful collection of observable passages, in several sermons preached by the reverend father in God, Mr Hugh Latimer, Bish. of Worcester, (one of our first reformers, and a glorious martyr of Jesus Christ) before K. Edw. the sixth; before the convocation of the clergy, and before the citizens of London, at Pauls. Wherein, many things, relating to the honour and happiness of the king (our most gracious sovereign) the honourable lords, the reverend judges, the citizens of London, and commons of all sorts, but especially, the bishops and clergy are most plainly, piously and pithily represented.The preaching bishop reproving unpreaching prelates Being a brief, but faithful collection of observeable passages, in several sermons preached by the reverend father in God, Mr Hugh Latimer, Bish. of Worcester, (one of our first reformers, and a glorious martyr of Jesus Christ) before K. Edw. the sixth; before the convocation of the clergy, and before the citizens of London, at Pauls. Wherein, many things, relating to the honour and happiness of the king (our most gracious soveraign) the honourable lords, the reverend judges, the citizens of London, and commons of all sorts, but especially, the bishops and clergy are most plainly, piously and pithily represented.
London : printed, and are to be sold by booksellers, 1661
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.
I have thought it good to entreat upon these words following, which are written in the seventeenth Chapter of Deuteronomy, from Verse 14. downwards.—
I have thought it good to intreat upon these words following, which are written in the seventeenth Chapter of Deuteronomy, from Verse 14. downwards.—
As the Text doth rise, I will touch and go a little in every place.—
To have a King, the Israelites did with much importunity call unto God, and God long before promised them a King, and they were fully certified thereof, that God had promised that thing: For unto Abraham he said, Gen. 17. 6. Kings shall come out of thee. These words were spoken long before the Children of Israel had any King; notwithstanding here yet God prescribed unto them an Order, how they should choose their King, and what manner of man he should be, where he saith, When thou shalt come, &c.
To have a King, the Israelites did with much importunity call unto God, and God long before promised them a King, and they were fully certified thereof, that God had promised that thing: For unto Abraham he said, Gen. 17. 6. Kings shall come out of thee. These words were spoken long before the Children of Israel had any King; notwithstanding here yet God prescribed unto them an Order, how they should chuse their King, and what manner of man he should be, where he saith, When thou shalt come, &c.
As who should say, O ye Children of Israel, I know your nature right ⟨p. 51⟩well,—I know that thou wilt choose a King to reign over thee, and to appear glorious in the face of the world, after the manner of the Gentiles: But because thou art stiff-necked, wild, and art given to walk without a Bridle or Line, therefore now I will prevent thy evil and beastly Manners, I will hedge strongly thy way, I will make a durable Law which shall compel thee to walk ordinately, and in a plain way, that is, thou shalt not choose thee a King after thy Will and fantasy, but after me, thy Lord and God.
As who should say, O ye Children of Israel, I know your nature right ⟨p. 51⟩well,—I know that thou wilt chuse a King to reign over thee, and to appear glorious in the face of the world, after the manner of the Gentiles: But because thou art stiffe-necked, wild, and art given to walk without a Bridle or Line, therefore now I will prevent thy evil and beastly Manners, I will hedge strongly thy way, I will make a durable Law which shall compell thee to walk ordinately, and in a plain way, that is, thou shalt not chuse thee a King after thy Will and phantasie, but after me, thy Lord and God.
Thus God conditioned with the Jews, that their King should be such a one as He himself would choose them.
This was not much unlike a bargain that I heard of late, should be betwixt two friends for a Horse, the Owner promised the other should have the Horse if he would, the other asked the price, he said 20. Nobles; The other would give him but four pounds; the Owner said he should not have it then, the other claimed the Horse, because he said he should have him if he would.
Thus this bargain became a Westminster matter, the Lawyers got twice the value of the Horse, and when all came to all, two fools made an end of the matter.
Howbeit the Israelites could not go to Law with God for choosing their King, for, will they, nill they, their King should be of his choosing, lest they should walk inordinately— for as they say commonly, Qui vadit planè, vadit sanè; that is, He that walketh plainly, walketh safely. And the Jews were stiff-necked, and were ever ready to walk inordinately. No less are we Englishmen given to untowardness and inordinate walking.—
Howbeit the Israelites could not go to Law with God for choosing their King, for, will they, nill they, their King should be of his choosing, lest they should walk inordinately— for as they say commonly, Qui vadit planè, vadit sanè; that is, He that walketh plainly, walketh safely. And the Jews were stiff-necked, and were ever ready to walk inordinately. No less are vve Englishmen given to untovvardness and inordinate vvalking.—
There is a great error risen now: days among many of us,1 which are vain and new fangled men climbing beyond the limits of our capacity and wit, in wrenching this Text of Scripture hereafter following after their own Fancy and Brain, their error is upon this Text, 1 Sam. 8. 7. They wrench these words after their own fantasies, and make much doubt as touching a King and his Godly name.
There is a great error risen novv: dayes among many of us,1 vvhich are vain and nevv fangled men climbing beyond the limits of our capacity and vvit, in vvrenching this Text of Scripture hereafter follovving after their ovvn Phansie and Brain, their errour is upon this Text, 1 Sam. 8. 7. They wrench these words after their own fantasies, and make much doubt as touching a King and his Godly name.
They that so do, walk inordinately, they walk not directly and plainly, but delight in balks and stubble way. It maketh no matter by what name the Rulers be named, if so be they shall walk ordinately with God, and direct their steps with God, for both Patriarchs Judges and Kings had, and have their authority from God, and therefore Godly.
They that so do, walk inordinately, they walk not directly and plainly, but delight in balks and stubble way. It maketh no matter by what name the Rulers be named, if so be they shall walk ordinately with God, and direct their steps with God, for both Patriarches Judges and Kings had, and have their authority from God, and therefore Godly.
It hath pleased God to grant us a natural liege King and Lord,1 of our own Nation, an Englishman one of our own Religion, God hath given him to us, and he is a most precious Treasure, and yet many of us do desire a stranger to be King over us,2—Let us follow Daniel, let us not seek the death of our most Noble and rightful King, our own Brother, both by nativity and Godly Religion. Let us pray for his good estate that he live long among us: Oh what a plague were it, that a strange King of a strange Land, and of a strange Religion should reign over us: where ⟨p. 54⟩now we be governed in the true Religion, he should extirp and pluck away all together, and then plant again all Abomination and Popery, God keep such a King from us.
It hath pleased God to grant us a natural liege King and Lord,1 of our own Nation, an Englishman one of our own Religion, God hath given him to us, and he is a most pretious Treasure, and yet many of us do desire a stranger to be King over us,2—Let us follow Daniel, let us not seek the death of our most Noble and rightful King, our own Brother, both by nativity and Godly Religion. Let us pray for his good estate that he live long among us: Oh what a plague were it, that a strange King of a strange Land, and of a strange Religion should raign over us: where ⟨p. 54⟩now we be governed in the true Religion, he should extirpe and pluck away all together, aud then plant again all Abomination and Popery, God keep such a King from us.
Well, the Kings grace hath two Sisters,1 my Lady Mary, and my Lady Elizabeth, which by Succession and Course, are Inheritors to the Crown, who, if they should marry with strangers, what should ensue? God knoweth. But God grant (if they so do, whereby strange Religion cometh in) that they never come to coursing not succeeding.
Therefore to avoid this Plague, let us amend our Lives, and put away all pride, which doth drown men in this Realm, at these days; all Covetousness, wherein the Magistrates and rich men are overwhelmed, all lechery, and other excessive vices, provoking Gods wrath (were he not merciful) even to take from us our natural King and Liege Lord;1 yea to plague us with a strange King for our unrepentant hearts.
Therefore to avoid this Plague, let us amend our Lives, and put away all pride, which doth drown men in this Realm, at these daies; all Covetousness, wherein the Magistrates and rich men are overwhelmed, all lechery, and other excessive vices, provoking Gods wrath (were he not merciful) even to take from us our natural King and Liege Lord;1 yea to plague us with a strange King for our unrepentant hearts.
Wherefore if as ye say,1 ye love the King amend your lives.—
Now I hear all things shall be ended after a Godly manner shortly. Make hast, make hast, and let us learn to convert to repent and mend our lives: if we do not, I fear, I fear, lest for our sins and unthankfulness an hypocrite shall reign over us.—
