Bold as a Lion Preaching

Hugh Latimer (1485-1555), the English Reformer, often preached before Henry VIII, and on one occasion enraged the king with his boldness. So he was commanded to preach the following weekend and make an apology. On the next Sunday, after reading the text, he addressed himself as he began to preach:

“Hugh Latimer, 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 came? Who it was that sent you out with a message? You’re sent by the great and mighty God! Who is present everywhere, and who beholds all your ways, and is able to cast your soul into Hell. Therefore, take care that you deliver your message faithfully!”

Latimer then gave King Henry the very same sermon he had preached the week before – only with more passion and more urgency!

“To me it is a very small thing that I should be examined by you, or by any human court . . . but the one who examines me is the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:3-4).

About savedbygrace1976

Mark Chanski (author of Manly Dominion; Womanly Dominion; and Encouragement: Adrenaline for the Soul) has labored as a full-time Pastor since 1986 in churches in Ohio and Michigan. He has been Pastor of Harbor Church in Holland, Michigan, since 1994. He has also been elected as Coordinator of the Reformed Baptist Network. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Cornerstone University, and a Master of Divinity degree from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He teaches Hermeneutics for the Reformed Baptist Seminary in Sacramento, CA. Mark is married to his wife Dianne, and has fathered their four sons and one daughter, whose ages stretch from 36 to 26 (born 1983 to 1994).

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1 Response to Bold as a Lion Preaching

Joseph Kamps says:

November 9, 2011 at 11:08 pm

Speaking of Lions…Wasn’t it James I who was muttering an aside to one of his courtiers while John Knox was preaching to him. Knox stopped his sermon and said “When the lion in the forest roars, all the rest of the creatures remain silent – so when the Word of God is being spoken should all of His creatures remain silent.”