at we think we have no faith at all, or if we have any, it
is very feeble and weak. And therefore these are two things; to have faith
and to have the feeling of faith. For some men would fain have the feeling
of faith, but they cannot attain unto it; and yet they may not despair,
but go forward in calling upon God, and it will come at length: God will
open their hearts, and let them feel his goodness.

And thus may you see who are in the book of life, and who are not. For all
those that are obstinate sinners, are without Christ, and so not elect to
everlasting life, if they remain in their wickedness. There are none of us
all but we may be saved by Christ, and therefore let us stick hard unto
it, and be content to forego all the pleasures and riches of this world
for his sake, who for our sake forsook all the heavenly pleasures, and
came down into this miserable and wretched world, and here suffered all
manner of afflictions for our sake. And therefore it is right that we
should do somewhat for his sake, to show ourselves thankful unto him; and
so we may assuredly be found among the first, and not among the last; that
is to say, among the elect and chosen of God, that are written in the
counting book of God, who are those that believe in Christ Jesus; to whom,
with God the Father, and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world
without end.--Amen.

THE PARABLE OF THE TARES,
BY BISHOP LATIMER, PREACHED ON THE 7TH OF FEBRUARY, 1553.

MATTHEW XIII.--_The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which
sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came
and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way, &c._

This is a parable or similitude wherein our Saviour compared the kingdom
of God, that is, the preaching of his word, wherein consisteth the
salvation of mankind, unto a husbandman who sowed good seed in his field.

But before we come unto the matter, you shall first learn to understand
what this word parable, which is a Greek word, and used in the Latin and
English tongue, means; that is to say, "A parable is a comparison of two
things that are unlike outwardly;" while in effect they signify but one
thing, for they appertain to one end; as in this place, Christ compared
the word of God unto seed: which two things are unlike, but yet they teach
one thing; for like as the seed is sown in the earth, so is the word of
God sown in our hearts: and thus much of this word parable.

T