A49701:198
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.
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.
Nevertheless, if the King should have consented to their Conclusion, and accomplished the same, if he had chanced well, they would have excused the matter; as I have heard, one being reproached for such Counsel given, he excused ⟨p. 60⟩the matter, saying, that he gave him none other Counsel, but if it had been his case, he would have done likewise; so I think the Bishops would have excused the matter, if the King should have reproved them for their Counsel: I do not read, the King did so; but if he had, I know what would have been their Answer, they would have said, We give you no worse counsel, than we would have followed our selves, if we had been in like case.
Nevertheless, if the King should have consented to their Conclusion, and accomplished the same, if he had chanced well, they would have excused the matter; as I have heard, one being reproacht for such Counsel given, he excused ⟨p. 60⟩the matter, saying, that he gave him none other Counsel, but if it had been his case, he would have done likewise; so I think the Bishops would have excused the matter, if the King should have reproved them for their Counsel: I do not read, the King did so; but if he had, I know what would have been their Answer, they would have said, We give you no worse counsel, than we would have followed our selves, if we had been in like case.
Well Sir, this King did well, and had the fear of God before his eyes.—
Let the King therefore choose a Wife which feareth God, let him not seek a proud Wanton, one full of rich Treasures and worldly Pomp.
Let the King therefore chuse a Wife which feareth God, let him not seek a proud Wanton, one full of rich Treasures and worldy Pomp.
Neither shall he multiply to himself too much silver and Gold. &c.
He shall not multiply unto himself too much Gold and Silver: Is there too much think you for a King? God doth allow much unto a King, and it is expedient that he should have much; for he hath great expenses.—
He shall not multiply unto himself too much Gold and Silver: Is there too much think you for a King? God doth allow much unto a King, and it is expedient that he should have much; for he hath great expences.—
Necessary it is, that the King have a Treasure always in readiness for such ⟨p. 61⟩affairs as be daily in his hands: The which Treasure, if it be not sufficient, he may lawfully and with a safe Conscience, take Taxes of his Subjects; for it were not meet,—
Necessary it is, that the King have a Treasure alwaies in readiness for such ⟨p. 61⟩affairs as be daily in his hands: The which Treasure, if it be not sufficient, he may lawfully and with a safe Conscience, take Taxes of his Subjects; for it were not meet,—
But who shall see this too much, or tell the King of this too much? Think you any of the Kings Privy Chamber? No. For fear of loss of Favour. Shall any of his Sworn Chaplains? No. They be of his Closet, and keep close such matters. But the King himself must see this too much, and that he shall do by no means, with Corporal eyes: Wherefore he must have a pair of Spectacles, which shall have two clear Sights in them; that is, the one is Faith, the other is Charity: By them two, must the King ever see when he hath too much.—
I will tell you, my Lords and Masters, this is not for the Kings Honour: Yet some will say, Knowest thou what is for the Kings Honour better than we?
I answer, the Kings Honour is most perfectly painted forth in Scripture; of which,1 if ye be ignorant, for lack of ⟨p. 62⟩time, that ye cannot read it, though your Counsel be never so politic, yet it is not for the Kings Honour. What his Honour meaneth, ye cannot tell.
I answer, the Kings Honour is most perfectly painted forth in Scripture; of which,1 if ye be ignorant, for lack of ⟨p. 62⟩time, that ye cannot read it, though your Counsel be never so politick, yet it is not for the Kings Honour. What his Honour meaneth, ye cantot tell.
It is the Kings Honour, that his Subjects be led in the true Religion: That all his Prelates and Clergy be set about their work, in Preaching and Studying, and not be interrupted from their Charge. Also it is the Kings Honour.—
And when the King is set in the Seat of his Kingdom, he shall write him out a Book, Deut. 17.
I Told you in my last Sermon, of Ministers of the Kings people, & had occasion to show you, how few Noblemen were good Preachers. I left out an History then, which now I will tell you.
I Told you in my last Sermon, of Ministers of the Kings people, & had occasion to shew you, how few Noblemen were good Preachers. I left out an History then, which now I will tell you.
