Latimer and Henry VIII
Bishop Hugh Latimer was preaching in Westminster Abbey when King Henry VIII was in the congregation. He preached a sermon which greatly offended His royalty, so the King ordered him to preach again the following Sunday and make a public apology for the offense.
The next week the bishop ascended the pulpit, read the text, then began his sermon, “Hugh Latimer, dost thou know before whom thou art this day to speak? To the high and mighty monarch, the King’s most excellent majesty, who can take away thy life if thou offendest; therefore take heed that thou speakest not a word that may displease.
But then, consider well, Hugh!
Dost thou not know from whom thou comest- upon whose message thou art sent? Even by the great and mighty God, who is all-present and beholdest all thy ways and who is able to cast thy soul into hell!
Therefore, take care that thou deliverest thy message faithfully!”
And thus beginning, Latimer preached over again, with increased energy, the same sermon h...