Sermon: The second [seventh] sermon of Master Hugh Latimer which he… by Hugh Latimer | AskReformation

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For God had dispensed with them to have many wives. Well: what happened to king David in his childhood, by the child of the devil? Ye shall hear. King David had a proud son, whose name was Adonias,¹ a man full of ambition, desirous of honour, always climbing, climbing. Now, whilst the time was of his fathers childhood, he would depose his father, not knowing of his fathers mind, saying. Ego regnabo. I will reign, I will be king, he was a stout stomacked child, a biwalker, of an ambitious mind, he would not consent to his fathers friends, but gate him a chariot, and men to run before it, and diverse other adherents to ⟨image 12⟩help him forward, worldly wise men, such as had been before of his fathers counsel, great men in the world, & some no doubt of it, came of good will thinking no harm, for they would not think, that he did it without his fathers will, having such great men to set him forth, for every man can not have access at all times to the king, to know his pleasure, well: algates he would be King, he makes a great feast,² and thither he called Joab the ringleader of his fathers army, a worldly wise man, a bywalker, that would not walk the Kings high way, and one Abiathar the high priest. For it is marvel if any mischief be in hand, if a priest be not at ⟨image 13⟩some end of it, they toke him as King, and cried, Vivat rex Adonias. God save king Adonias, David suffered all this, & let him alone, for he was in his childhood a bedrid man.

For God had dispensed wyth theym to haue manye wyues. Wel: what happened to kinge Dauid in his chyldhode, by the chylde of the deuyll? Ye shall heare. Kynge Dauid hadde a proud sonne, whose name was Adonias,¹ a man ful of ambition, desyrouse of honoure, alwayes clymbyng, climbinge. Nowe, whylse the tyme was of his fathers childhode, he wold depose hys father, not knoweyng of hys fathers mynde, saiing. Ego regnabo. I wil raigne, I wyll be kyng, he was a stoute stomacked chyld, a biwalker, of an ambitious mynde, he wold not consente to hys fathers frēdes, but gate him a charret, and mē to runne before it, and dyuerse other adherentes to ⟨image 12⟩helpe hym forthward, worldely wise men, such as had bene before of hys fathers counsayle, great men in the world, & some no doute of it, came of good wil thynkynge no harme, for they woulde not thynke, that he did it wythoute his fathers wyll, hauynge suche greate men to set hym forth, for euery man cā not haue accesse at al tymes to the kynge, to knowe hys pleasure, well: algates he woulde be Kyng, he makes a great feaste,² and thether he called Ioab the ryngleader of hys fathers armye, a worldlye wyse man, a bywalker, that woulde not walke the Kynges hye way, and one Abiathar the highe prieste. For it is maruayle if any michyefe be inhand, if a prieste be not at ⟨image 13⟩some ende of it, they toke hym as Kynge, and cried, Viuat rex Adonias. God saue kynge Adonias, Dauid suffered all thys, & lette hym alone, for he was in hys chyldhode a bedred man.

1Adonias. iij. of Kings the first.Adonias. iij. of Kynges the fyrst.
2Joab captain general of Davids army.Ioab captain general of Dauids army.

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He that walketh in the high plain vaye, walketh safely. Upon this the went and brake the matter to David,¹ and desired him to show who should reign after him in Jerusalem, adding that if Adonias were king, she and her son after his death should be destroyed, saying: Nos erimus peccatores. We shall be sy•••ers, we shall be taken for traitors, for though we meant no harm but walked uprightly yet because we went ⟨image 14⟩not the by way with him he being in authority will destroy us, And by and by cometh in Nathan, and taketh her tale by the end, & showeth him how Adonias was saluted king, & that he had bid to dinner the Kings servants, all saving him and Sadoc, and Banaiah and all his brethren the kings sons save Solomon. King David remembering him self, swore, as sure as God liveth, Solomon my son shall reign after me, and by and by commanded Nathan and Sadoc and his guard the Cerithes & Phelites, to take Solomon his son and set, him upon his mule, and an•••it him King▪ and so they did crying, Vi•at Solomon Rex. Thus was Solomon ⟨image 14⟩throned, by the advise and will of his father, and though he were a child, yet was his will to be obeyed & fulfilled, and they ought to have known his pleasure. Whilst this was a doing there was such a Joy and outcry of the people,² for their new King, and blowing of trumpets, the Joab & the other company being in their jollity, and keeping good cheer. heard it, and suddenly asked what is this ado? And when they perceived, that Solomon, by the advise of his father was anointed King, by and by there was all whist. all their good cheer was done, and all that were with Adonias went away, & let him reign alone. if he would, and why? He walked ⟨image 15⟩a byway and God would not prosper it.

He that walketh in the hye playne vaye, walketh safelye. Upō thys the wente and brake the matter to Dauid,¹ and desyered hym to shewe wo should raygne after hym in Hierusalem, addynge that yf Adonias were kynge, she and her sonne after hys death shoulde be destroied, saying: Nos erimus peccatores. We shalbe sy•••ers, we shalbe takē for traytors, for though we ment no harme but walked vpryghtly yet because we went ⟨image 14⟩not the by way with hym he beynge in authoritie wyl destroye vs, And by and by commeth in Nathā, and taketh hyr tale by the ende, & sheweth him howe Adonias was saluted kynge, & that he hadde byd to dynner the Kynges seruantes, al sauinge hym and Sadoc, and Banaiah and al hys brethren the kynges sonnes saue Salomon. Kynge Dauid remembryng hym selfe, swore, as sure as God lyueth, Salomō my son shall raygne after me, and by and by commaunded Nathan and Sadoc and hys garde the Cerithes & Phelites, to take Salomō hys sonne and set, hym vpon hys mule, and an•••it hym Kynge▪ and so they dyd criynge, Vi•at Salomō Rex. Thus was Salomō ⟨image 14⟩throned, by the aduyse and wyl of hys father, and thoughe he were a childe, yet was his wil to be obeyed & fulfylled, and they ought to haue knowē hys pleasure. Whylse this was a doyng there was suche a Ioye and outecrye of the people,² for theyr newe Kynge, and blowynge of trompettes, ye Ioab & the other company beinge in theyr iolytye, and kepynge good cheare. heard it, and sodaynlye asked what is thys ado? And when thei perceiued, yt Salomō, by ye aduyse of hys father was annoynted King, by and by there was all whysht. all theyr good chere was done, and al yt were wyth Adonias wente awaye, & lette hym raygne alone. yf he woulde, and whye? He walked ⟨image 15⟩a bywaye and God would not prospere it.

1Bethsabe sueth to David & solicits her sons Solomons matter.Bethsabe sueth to Dauid & sollicites her sonnes Salomōs matter.
2The Joy of the people for their new king.The Ioye of the people for theyr newe kyng.

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Here we may see the wonderful great mercy of Solomon for this notorious treason, that Adonias had committed, it was a plain matter, for he suffered him self to be called king, it hung not of vehement suspicion or conjecture nor sequel or consequent ⟨image 16⟩yet notwithstanding Solomon for that present, forgave him, saying. I will not forget it utterly, but I will keep it in suspense, I will take no advantage of the at this time. This Adonias & Absalom were brethren, and came both of a strange mother, and Absalom like wise was a traitor and made an insurrection against his father. Beware therefore these mothers, and let kings take heed how they marry, in what houses, in what faith. For strange bringing up bringeth strange manners.¹ Now giveth David an exhortation to Solomon, and teacheth him the duty of a King, and giveth him a lesson, as it followeth at large in the book, and he ⟨image 16⟩that list to read it, may see it there at full. But what doeth Adonias all this while?² He must yet climb again, that gal of ambition was not out of his heart. He will now marry Abisaas the young queen that warmed king Davids bosom, as I told you, & cometh me to Bethsabe, desiring her to be a mean to Solomon her son that he might obtain his purpose. And bringeth me out a couple of lies at a clap, and committeth me two unlawful acts. For first he would have been King without his fathers consent, and now he will marry his fathers wife, and the .ii. lies are these. First, said he to Bethsabe, thou knowest that the Kingdom belongeth to ⟨image 17⟩me, for I am the elder. The kingdom was mine,³ he lied falsely it was none of his. Then said he all the eyes of Israel were caste upon me, that is to say, all Israel consented to it, and there he lied falsely. For Nathan, Sadoc, and other wise men, never agreed to it. Here was a great enterprise of Adonias, he will be climbing still. Well Bethsabe went at his request to her son Solomon, and asked a boon, and he granted her what so ever she did ask. Notwithstanding he brake his promise afterward and that right well, for all promises are not to kept, specially if they be against the word of God.⁴ Or not standing with a commune profit, ⟨image 17⟩and therefore, as soon as Solomon heard that Adonias would have married the young queen Abisaak: nay then let him be king to, said he.

Here we maye se the wonderfull greate mercy of Salomon for thys notoryous treason, yt Adonias had cōmytted, it was a plaine matter, for he suffered hym selfe to be called kynge, it hūg not of vehemēt suspitiō or cōiecture nor sequel or cōsequēt ⟨image 16⟩yet notwythstandynge Salomon for that present, forgaue hym, sayinge. I wyll not forget it vtterlye, but I wyll kepe it in suspence, I wyll take no aduauntage of the at thys tyme. Thys Adonias & Absolon were brethren, and came boeth of a straunge mother, and Absolon lyke wyse was a traytoure and made an insurrection agaynste hys father. Beware therefore these mothers, and let kynges take hede howe they marye, in what housses, in what fayeth. For strange bringyng vp bringeth straunge maners.¹ Nowe geueth Dauid an exhortacion to Salomō, and teacheth hym the dutye of a Kynge, and geueth hym a lesson, as it foloweth at large in the boke, and he ⟨image 16⟩that lyste to reade it, maye se it ther at full. But what doeth Adonias all thys whyle?² He must yet clymbe agayne, yt gal of ambition was not out of his hert. He wil now mary Abisaas the yōge quene that warmed kīg Dauids bosome, as I told you, & commeth me to Bethsabe, desyering hyr to be a meane to Salamon hyr sonne that he myght obtayne hys purpose. And bryngeth me out a couple of lyes at a clappe, and cōmytteth me two vnlawfull actes. For fyrste he woulde haue bene Kynge wythoute hys fathers consente, and now he wyll mary hys fathers wyfe, and the .ii. lyes are these. Fyrste, sayed he to Bethsabe, thou knowest that the Kyngdome belongeth to ⟨image 17⟩me, for I am the elder. The kyngedom was myne,³ he lyed falsely it was none of hys. Then sayed he all the eyes of Israel were caste vpō me, that is to saye, all Israel consented to it, and there he lyed falslye. For Nathā, Sadoc, and other wyse men, neuer agreede to it. Here was a greate enterprise of Adonias, he wyl be climbing styll. Well Bethsabe wente at hys requeste to hyr sonne Salomon, and asked a boune, and he graunted hyr what so euer she did aske. Notwythstanding he brake his promis afterward and that rightwell, for all promysses are not to kepte, speciallye if they be agaynste the worde of God.⁴

1•ote of what force education is.•ote of what force education ys.
2Adonias schrinkes in the wetting and provethnogth in the wearing.Adonias schrinkes in ye wetyng and prouethnogth in the wearyng.
3ij. loud lies at a clap made by Ambitious a Adonias.ij. lowde lyes at a clap made by Ambitious a Adonias.
4When promises may not be performedWhen promises maye not be performed

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But I will promise thee, thou shalt never minister any more. Vade in agrum tuum. Get the to thy land, and live there. A great matter of pity & compassion, so God grant us all, such mercy. And here was the end of Eli's stock, according to the promise and threatening of God. As for the Phelethites we do not read that they were punished. Mary Semey transgressed his Injunction for he kept not his house, but went out of Jerusalem to seek two servants of his, that had run from him, and when it came to Solomons ear, it cost him his life. I have ripped the matter now to the pill, and have told you of plain walkers, and of bywalkers, & how ⟨image 18⟩a king in his childhood is a king, as well,¹ as in any other age. We read in scripture of such as were but .xii. or .viii. years old, and yet the word of the holy Ghost called them kings, saying: Cepitr• guare. He began to reign, or he began to be king. Here is of bywalkers. This history would be remembered, the Proverb is: Felir quē faciunt aliena pericula cautū.

But I wyll promyse the, thou shalte neuer mynyster anye moore. Vade in agrum tuum. Get the to thy lande, and lyue theare. A great matter of pittye & compassyō, so God graunt vs al, suche mercye. And here was the ende of Elis stocke, accordyng to the promyse and threatenyng of God. As for the Phelethites we do not read that thei were punyshed. Mary Semey traunsgressed hys Iniunction for he kepte not hys house, but wente oute of Hyerusalem to seke two seruaūtes of hys, that had runne from hym, and when it came to Salomons eare, it coste hym hys lyfe. I haue rypt the matter nowe to the pyll, and haue tolde you of playne walkers, and of bywalkers, & howe ⟨image 18⟩a kynge in hys chyldehode is a kynge, as well,¹ as in any other age. We reade in scrypture of suche as were but .xii. or .viii. yeares olde, and yet the worde of the holye Goost called them kynges, sayinge: Cepitr• guare. He began to raygne, or he began to be kynge. Here is of bywalkers. Thys hystorye woulde be remembred, the Prouerbe is: Felir quē faciunt aliena pericula cautū.

1Joas was but vij years old when he was made King, iiij. King. xij. Josiah was viij.iiij. King. xxijIoas was but vij yeares old when he was made Kynge, iiij. Kyng. xij. Iosias was viij.iiij. Kyng. xxij

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And I answered him, that I would be ruled by Gods book, and rather then I would dissent one jot from it, I would be torn with wild horses. And I chanced in our communication, to name the Lords supper. Tush sayeth the Bishop. What do ye call the Lords supper? What new term is that? There stood by him a dubber, one Doctor Dubber he dubbed him by and by, and said that this term was seldom red in the doctors. And I made answer, that I would rather follow Paul in using his terms, then them, though, ⟨image 24⟩they had all the doctors on their side. Why said the bishop,¹ can not we without scriptures order the people? how did they before the scripture was first written and copied out? But God knoweth, full ill yet would they have ordered them. For seeing that having it, they have deceived us. in what case should we have been now without it? But thanks be to God, that by so wonderful a miracle hath preserved the book still. It followeth in the text. Habebit secum &c. ²He shall have it with him in his progress, he must have a man to carry it, that when he is hawking and hunting or in any pastime, he may always commune with them of it. He shall read in it ⟨image 25⟩not once a year, for a time, or for his recreation when he is weary of hawking or hunting but Cunctis diebus vite sue. All the days of his life. Where are those worldlings now? These bladder puffed up wily men? Woe worth them that ever they were about any King. But how shall he read this book? as the Homilies are read.³ Some call them homilies, and in deed so they may be well called, for they are homely handled. For though the Priests read them never so well, yet if the Parish like them not, there is such talking and babbling in the Church, that nothing can be heard, and if the parish be good, and the priest naught he will so hack it, & chop it, ⟨image 25⟩that it were as good for them to be without it, for any word that shall be understand. And yet (the more pity) this is suffered of your graces bishops in their dioceses unpunished. But I will be a suitor to your grace,⁴ that ye will give your bishops charge year they go home, upon their allegiance to look better to their flock, & to see your majesties injunctions better kept, and send your visitors in their tails.

And I answered hym, that I woulde be ruled by Gods boke, and rather then I wolde dissent one iote frō it, I woulde be torne wyth wylde horsses. And I chaunced in our cōmunication, to name the Lordes supper. Tushe sayeth the Byshop. What do ye call the Lordes supper? What newe terme is that? There stode by hym a dubber, one Doctour Dubber he dubbed hym by and by, and sayde that thys terme was seldome red in the doctours. And I made answer, yt I would rather folowe Paule in vsyng hys termes, then them, though, ⟨image 24⟩they hadde all the doctours on theyr syde. Whye sayed the byshoppe,¹ can not we wythoute scriptures order ye people? how dyd they before the scripture was fyrste wrytten and copied out? But God knoweth, ful yl yet woulde they haue ordered theim. For seyng that hauyng it, they haue deceyued vs. in what case shold we haue bene nowe wythout it? But thankes be to God, yt by so wōderful a myracle hathe preserued ye boke styll. It foloweth in the text. Habebit secum &c. ²He shal haue it wt hym in hys progresse, he muste haue a man to carrye it, that when he is haukynge and huntynge or in any pastyme, he maye alwayes comune with them of it. He shall reade in it ⟨image 25⟩not once a yeare, for a tyme, or for hys recreation when he is weary of haukyng or huntyng but Cunctis diebus vite sue. All the dayes of hys lyfe. Where are those worldlynges now? These bledder puffed vp wylye men? Wo worth them that euer they were about any King. But how shall he read thys boke? as the Homilies are read.³ Some call theym homlyes, and in dede so they maye be well called, for they are homely handeled. For though the Priestes reade theym neuer so well, yet yf the Paryshe lyke them not, ther is suche talkynge and bablynge in the Churche, that nothynge can be heard, and yf the paryshe be good, and the pryest naught he wyll so hacke it, & choppe it, ⟨image 25⟩that it were as good for theym to be wythout it, for any worde that shal be vnderstande. And yet (the more pytye) thys is suffred of your graces byshoppes in theyr diocesses vnpunished. But I wyll be a suter to youre grace,⁴ that ye wyll geue youre byshoppes charge year they go home, vpon theyr allegiaunce to loke better to theyr flocke, & to se your maiesties iniunctiōs better kepte, and sende youre visitours in theyr tayles.

1A Bishop yt asked whether ye people might not be ordered with outscripturesA Byshop yt asked wheather ye people myght not be ordred with outscriptures
2The Bible must not be forgotten in time of progress and pastime.The Byble must not be forgotten in tyme of progresse and pastyme.
3How homely they handle the godly homilies.How homely they handle the godlye homylies.
4M. L. request to the kings grace.M. L. request to the kynges grace.