Thursday, October 24, 2019
Contemplation & Candlelight
Come join us... Enter into the dark, candlelit chapel and just be, surrounded by music and prayer and peace.
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
all the king's horses
Today in the Episcopal Church lectionary we remember Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer. In their honor, I'd like to share a portion of the first sermon Hugh Latimer preached before King Edward. Worth considering in a 21st century light.
Hugh Latimer - The First Sermon preached before King Edward, March 8, 1549
(Deut. 17:14-16)
“In any wise, let not such a one prepare unto himself many horses,” etc. In speaking 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 than 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 than is needful for the necessary affairs and defence of the realm. What meaneth it that God hath to do with the king’s stable, but only he would be master of his horses? The scripture saith,…“He dwelleth on high.” It followeth,… “He looketh on low things;” yea, upon the king’s stables, and upon all the offices in his house. God is the great Grandmaster of the king’s house, 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 horses are not to be preferred above poor men. I was once offended with the king’s horses, and therefore took occasion to speak in the presence of the king’s majesty that dead is, when abbeys stood. Abbeys were ordained for the comfort of the poor: wherefore I said, it was not decent that the king’s horses should be kept in them, as many were at that time; the living of poor men thereby minished and taken away. But afterward a certain nobleman said to me, What hast thou to do with the king’s horses? I answered and said, I spake my conscience, as God’s word directed me. He said, Horses be the maintenances and part of a king’s honour, and also of his realm; wherefore in speaking against them, ye are against the king’s honour. I answered, God teacheth what honour is decent for the king, and for all other men according unto their vocations. God appointeth every king a sufficient living for his state and degree, both by lands and other customs; and it is lawful for every king to enjoy the same goods and possessions. But to extort and take away the right of the poor, is against the honour of the king. If you do move the king to do after that manner, then you speak against the honour of the king; for I full certify you, extortioners, violent oppressors, ingrossers of tenements and lands, through whose covetousness villages decay and fall down, the king’s liege people for lack of sustenance are famished and decayed, — they be those which speak against the honour of the king. God requireth in the king and all magistrates a good heart, to walk directly in his ways, and in all subjects an obedience due unto a king. Therefore I pray God both the king, and also we his people, may endeavour diligently to walk in his ways, to his great honour and our profit.
https://www.ccel.org/ccel/latimer/sermons.pdf (excerpt p.71-72)
Hugh Latimer - The First Sermon preached before King Edward, March 8, 1549
(Deut. 17:14-16)
“In any wise, let not such a one prepare unto himself many horses,” etc. In speaking 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 than 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 than is needful for the necessary affairs and defence of the realm. What meaneth it that God hath to do with the king’s stable, but only he would be master of his horses? The scripture saith,…“He dwelleth on high.” It followeth,… “He looketh on low things;” yea, upon the king’s stables, and upon all the offices in his house. God is the great Grandmaster of the king’s house, 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 horses are not to be preferred above poor men. I was once offended with the king’s horses, and therefore took occasion to speak in the presence of the king’s majesty that dead is, when abbeys stood. Abbeys were ordained for the comfort of the poor: wherefore I said, it was not decent that the king’s horses should be kept in them, as many were at that time; the living of poor men thereby minished and taken away. But afterward a certain nobleman said to me, What hast thou to do with the king’s horses? I answered and said, I spake my conscience, as God’s word directed me. He said, Horses be the maintenances and part of a king’s honour, and also of his realm; wherefore in speaking against them, ye are against the king’s honour. I answered, God teacheth what honour is decent for the king, and for all other men according unto their vocations. God appointeth every king a sufficient living for his state and degree, both by lands and other customs; and it is lawful for every king to enjoy the same goods and possessions. But to extort and take away the right of the poor, is against the honour of the king. If you do move the king to do after that manner, then you speak against the honour of the king; for I full certify you, extortioners, violent oppressors, ingrossers of tenements and lands, through whose covetousness villages decay and fall down, the king’s liege people for lack of sustenance are famished and decayed, — they be those which speak against the honour of the king. God requireth in the king and all magistrates a good heart, to walk directly in his ways, and in all subjects an obedience due unto a king. Therefore I pray God both the king, and also we his people, may endeavour diligently to walk in his ways, to his great honour and our profit.
https://www.ccel.org/ccel/latimer/sermons.pdf (excerpt p.71-72)
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