A49701:185
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.
He shall not prepare unto himself many Horses, &c. In speaking of these Words ye shall understand, that I do not intend to speak against the strength, policy and provision of a King, but against excess and vain trust that Kings have in themselves, more then in the living God, the Author of all goodness and Giver of all Victory. Many Horses are requisite for a King, but he may not exceed in them, nor triumph in them more then is needful, for the necessary affairs and defence of the Realm.
What meaneth it, that God hath to do with the Kings Stable; but only he ⟨p. 56⟩would be Master of his Horses, The Scripture saith: In altis habitat, he dwelleth on high; it followeth, Humilia respicit, he looketh on the low things, yea upon the Kings Stables▪ and upon all the Offices in his House.
God is a great Grand Master of the Kings house,1 and will take account of every one that beareth rule therein; for the executing of their Offices, whether they have justly and truly served the King in their Offices, or no.
Yea, God looketh upon the King Himself, if he work well or not. Every King is subject unto God, and all other men are subjects unto the King.
In a King God requireth faith, not excess of Horses, Horses for a King be good and necessary, if they be well used, but—
Neither shall he multiply wives, &c.—
Let us not think that, because we read that Kings among the Jews had liberty to take more wives than one, ⟨p. 57⟩that we may therefore attempt to walk inordinately.—
For Christ hath forbidden this unto us Christians, and limiteth unto us one wife only. And it is a great thing for a man to rule one wife rightly and ordinately; for a Woman is frail, and proclive unto all evils; a Woman is a very weak Vessel, and may soon deceive a man, and bring him into evil. Many Examples we have in Scripture, Adam by Eve.—
How did wicked Jezebel?—
Therefore let our King, what time his Grace shall be so minded to take a wife, choose him one which is of God; that is, which is of the Household of faith—And that she be such a one as the King can find in his Heart to love, and lead his life in pure and chaste Espousage; and then shall he be the more prone and ready to advance Gods Glory, and to punish and extirp the great lechery used in this Realm.
Therefore let our King, what time his Grace shall be so minded to take a wife, chuse him one which is of God; that is, which is of the Houshould of faith—And that shee be such a one as the King can find in his Heart to love, and lead his life in pure and chast Espousage; and then shall he be the more prone and ready to advance Gods Glory, and to punish and extirpe the great lechery used in this Realm.
Therefore we ought to make a continual Prayer unto God,1 for to grant our Kings Grace such a Mate as may knit his heart and hers, according to ⟨p. 58⟩Gods Ordinance and Law, and not to consider and cleave only to a politic matter or conjunction, for the enlarging of Dominions for surety and defence of Countries.—
Therefore we ought to make a continual Prayer unto God,1 for to grant our Kings Grace such a Mate as may knit his heart and hers, according to ⟨p. 58⟩Gods Ordinance and Law, and not to consider and cleave only to a politique matter or conjunction, for the enlargeing of Dominions for surety and defence of Countries.—
We have now a pretty little shilling, indeed a very pretty one, I have but one I think in my Purse, and the last day I had put it away almost for an old Groat, and so I trust some will take them; the fineness of the Silver I cannot see: but therein is printed a fine sentence, that is,1 Timor Domini fons sapientiae. The fear of the Lord is the Fountain of wisdom. I would to God this Sentence were printed in the heart of the King in choosing his Wife and all his Officers.
For as the fear of God is fons sapientiae, so the forgetting of God is […] stultitiae, the fountain of foolishness; though it be never so politic.—
For as the fear of God is fons sapientiae, so the forgetting of God is 〈…〉 stultitiae, the fountain of foolishness; though it be never so politique.—
Let the King therefore choose unto him a Godly wife, whereby he shall the better live chaste, and in so living▪ all Godliness shall increase, and righteousness be maintained.
Let the King therefore chuse unto him a Godly wife, whereby he shall the better live chast, and in so living▪ all Godliness shall increase, and righteousness be maintained.
Notwithstanding I know hereafter, ⟨p. 59⟩some will come and move your Grace toward wantonness, and to the inclination of the flesh, and vain Affections. But I would your Grace would bear in memory, and History of a good King, called Lewis (that travelled towards the Holy Land) which was a great matter in those days, and by the way sickned, being long absent from his Wife, and upon this matter, the Physicians did agree, that it was for lack of a Woman; and did consult with the Bishops therein, who did conclude, that because of the Distance from his Wife (being in another Country) he should take a Wench.
Notwithstanding I know hereafter, ⟨p. 59⟩some will come and move your Grace toward wantonness, and to the inclination of the flesh, and vain Affections. But I would your Grace would bear in memory, and History of a good King, called Lewis (that travelled towards the Holy Land) which was a great matter in those dayes, and by the way sickned, being long absent from his Wife, and upon this matter, the Physitians did agree, that it was for lack of a Woman; and did consult with the Bishops therein, who did conclude, that because of the Distance from his Wife (being in another Country) he should take a Wench.
This good King hearing their Conclusion, would not assent thereunto, but said, he had rather be sick even unto death, than he would break his Espousals. Woe worth such Counsellors, Bishops! nay rather Buzzards.
This good King hearing their Conclusion, would not assent thereunto, but said, he had rather be sick even unto death, than he would break his Espousals. Wo worth such Counsellors, Bishops! nay rather Buzzards.
