Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

THE

SERMONS

OF

THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD, AND CONSTANT

MARTYR OF JESUS CHRIST,

HUGH LATIMER,

SOME TIME BISHOP OF WORCESTER :

NOW FIRST ARRANGED ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF TIME IN WHICH THEY WERE PREACHED, COLLATED BY THE
EARLY IMPRESSIONS, AND OCCASIONALLY ILLUSTRATED WITH NOTES, EXPLANATORY OF OBSOLETE

PHRASES, PARTICULAR CUSTOMS, AND HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS.

TO WHICH IS PREFIXED

A MEMOIR OF THE BISHOP;

BY

JOHN WATKINS, LL.D.

Then they brought a fagot, kindled with fire, and laid the same down at Dr. Ridley's feet, to whom
Master Latimer spake in his manner: "BE OF GOOD CHERR, MASTER RIDLEY, AND PLAY THE MAN;
WE SHALL THIS DAY LIGHT SUCH A CANDLE, BY GOD'S GRACE, IN ENGLAND, AS I TRUST SHALL NEVER
BE PUT OUT."-Fox.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOLUME II.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR JAMES DUNCAN, PATERNOSTER-ROW.

MDCCCXXIV.

[graphic]

ness and godliness, so the omitting and neglecting of the same is the root and cause of all sin and mischief: and that will be more evident unto them that do consider with themselves these two principal parts, wherein true prayer doth consist. The first part of true prayer, is called in the Hebrew tongue, Thephillah, the which signifieth Judie vel condemnationis deprecationem, a hearty and earnest request and supplication, made unto God the eternal judge, for the remission and pardon of sins, the which request proceedeth from the heart that is anguished by the ugsome* sight of his wickedness, revealed by the brightness of the law of God.

The other part of prayer is called in the same tongue THEHILLAH, Laus, a praise of God's mercies, the which doth follow the former request. For when the heart so anguished hath poured out his grief, and is by the Spirit of God certified that his sins be forgiven, his prayer. ís heard for Christ's sake by and by it bursteth out into a joyful praising of the name of the Lord, who so graciously hath shewed himself, in giving comfort unto his sorrowful conscience. In these two parts of prayer the children of God do exercise themselves, that is, in lamenting of their sins, and in rejoicing in the forgiveness of the same, the which consisteth in the death of Christ.

Whereupon the third part followeth, the which is to erave at their Father's hands such things as be needful for them in this world. Now he that beholdeth diligently the state of the world, shall easily perceive that the most part of men are given up to their own hearts lusts, because they be destitute of that most comfortable spirit of prayer. Who doth not see that the principal occasion of this horrible unthankfulness, the which of all states of men is showed towards the eternal God, happeneth by the reason

that men do not pass for their sins, do lightly regard them, and so do not crave remission of them at God's hands, neither be thankful? If men did exercise themselves in faithful prayer, and did use to examine themselves by the rule of the law of God (in the which glass they may soon see their own filthiness) they would no doubt with great diligence, consider the great and inestimable benefits of the Lord their God shewed unto them, even in these our days. First, how graciously he gave us the light of the gospel in King Edward's time, for the space of seven years. After the which time, by the reason of our unthankfulness, he most justly plagued us, and took the same away again, and caused by the devil's hangmen (the Papists I mean) darkness, blindness, and most pestiferous doctrine to be brought into the church, by reason whereof, a great number that had before no lust to the truth (even by God's just judgment) were then deceived by lies, and so perished eternally. And yet, notwithstanding, the faithful Lord in all these turmoilings preserved his servants, giving unto a number of them such a princely spirit, that they were able to deride and laugh to scorn the threatenings of the tyrants, to despise the terribleness of prisons and torments, and in the end, most joyfully to overcome and conquer death to the praise of God and their own endless comfort. Unto other some, the self-same most gracious God gave such a valiant spirit, that they were able, by his grace, to forsake the pleasures and commodities of this world, and being armed with patience, were content to travel into far and unknown countries, with their families and households, having small worldly provision, or none all; but trusting to his providence, who never forsaketh them that trust in him. Besides this, the same God preserved a great number, even in the midst of their enemies, not only from bodily dangers, but also from being infected with that poisoned and blasphemous doctrine, that then in all open

VOL. II.

b

« AnteriorContinuar »