The Boldness of Hugh Lattimer

Hugh Lattimer once preached before King Henry VIII. Henry was greatly displeased by the boldness in the sermon and ordered Lattimer to preach again on the following Sunday and apologize for the offensive way he had given his message. The next Sunday, after reading his text, he thus began his sermon: “Hugh Lattimer, do you know before whom you are this day to speak? To the high and mighty monarch, the king’s most excellent majesty, who can take away your life, if you offend him. Therefore, take heed that you speak not a word that may displease. But then consider well, Hugh, don’t you know from where you have come and with whose message you are sent? Even by the great and mighty God, who is all-present and who-knows all things and who is able to cast thy soul into hell! Therefore, take care that you deliver this message faithfully. “He then preached the same sermon he had preached the preceding Sunday—and with considerably more energy. (Evangelism, A Biblical Approach, M. Cocoris, Moody, 1984, p. 126)