sideration was convinced of the errors of the faith he had hitherto earnestly embraced, and by consequence, such was the warmth of his disposition, became a zealous and active protestant desirous to make converts by all the means in his power. He preached in public, exhorted in private, and every where pressed the necessity of a holy life, in opposition to ritual observances. This conduct of course induced considerable opposition, many priests openly preached against Latimer, but he possessed a peculiar vein of humour, and the answers he made to his opponents were distinguished by such a flow of wit and sarcasm, without any appearance of ill-nature, that he captivated his hearers, while he rendered his adversaries in the highest degree ridiculous.

At length complaint was made to the King, of the alarming increase of heresy, and Henry at that time wishing to propitiate the Pope erected a court for the examination of heretics; Tunstal, Bishop of London, was appointed president, and Latimer and others were summoned before him; some were induced to recant, while others, among whom was Latimer, were cautioned and dismissed, when they immediately returned to Cambridge and were received with great joy by their friends.

He first obtained the favourable notice of the King by a bold letter he had the courage to write, against a proclamation just issued forbidding the use of the Bible in English and other books on religious subjects, and became fixed in the Royal favour by the part he took on the question of the King's supremacy in 1535, for which service he was summoned to court. His first benefice was that of West Kington, in Wilt

shire, presented to him by the Lord Cromwell. For the doctrines he preached here, he was again cited before the spiritual court, but was rescued from their clutches by the special command of the King. His apostolical simplicity of character interested the unfortunate Anne Boleyn so much in his favour, that she conjointly with Lord Cromwell recommended him to the King for a Bishoprick, and he was soon after appointed to the see of Worcester. He resigned his bishoprick however on refusing to subscribe to the Six Articles, and retired into the country, but was by the influence of Gardiner, apprehended and sent to the Tower, where he remained till the death of Henry.

He was immediately released on the accession of Edward VI., but declined the offer of a restoration to his bishoprick and went to lead a retired life with Cranmer at Lambeth, where he remained two years, when he was appointed to preach Lent Sermons before the King, which he continued for three successive years, and Heylin tells us, that the public anxiety to hear him was so great that the pulpit was removed out of the Royal Chapel into the Privy-Garden, the King listening from a window of the Chapel.

After the death of the Protector Duke of Somerset, Latimer again retired, and became a general preacher in various parts of the Country. At length Gardiner who had proscribed him from the first, sent a message to cite him before the Council; although he had notice of this design before the messenger's arrival, he made no use of the intelligence, but began to prepare for the journey. The messenger finding him fully equipped, and expressing his surprise, Latimer told him "that

he was as ready to attend him to London, thus called upon to answer for his faith, as he ever was to take any journey in his life; and that he doubted not but God, who had enabled him to stand before two princes, would enable him to stand before a third." The officer, however, having delivered a letter, and acquainting him that he had no orders to seize his person, immediately departed. It was evident that an opportunity was thus intentionally offered him to escape, but Latimer opening the letter and finding it contained a citation from the council resolved to obey. He, therefore, commenced his journey, and as he passed through Smithfield, he said cheerfully; "This place hath long groaned for me." The next morning he went before the council, whence, after patiently listening to much abuse, he was committed to the Tower. He was now cruelly treated; being kept without fire in the midst of a severe winter, he one day desired his attendant to tell the Lieutenant "that if he did not look better after him, perchance he might deceive him." The Lieutenant fearing that he would endeavour to escape, immediately came and demanded an explanation; "Why, you expect, I suppose, Sir," replied Latimer, "that I shall be burnt; but if you do not allow me a little fire this frosty weather, I can tell you, I shall first be starved." Latimer, Ridley and Cranmer were now sent from the Tower to Oxford, and compelled to join, as representatives of the Protestants, in a disputation with the Papists; at Oxford they were closely confined in the common prison, and denied the use of either books or pen and ink. After the disputation, he was again examined before the Coun-* cil, and finally condemned by the Bishop of Lincoln to be burned at the same time and place with Ridley.

The articles propounded at the last examination by the Council were as follow:

"In the name of God, Amen. We John of Lincoln, James of Gloucester, and John of Bristol, bishops. We do object to thee, Nicholas Ridley, and to thee, Hugh Latimer, jointly and severally, that in this high university of Oxford, in the year 1554, you affirmed and openly defended and maintained, and in many other times and places besides, that the true and natural body of Christ, after the consecration of the priest, is not really present in the sacrament of the altar. That in the said year you openly affirmed and defended, that in the sacrament of the altar remaineth still the substance of bread and wine. That in the said year you openly affirmed and obstinately maintained, that in the mass is no propitiatory sacrifice for the quick and the dead. That in the said year and place these the aforesaid assertions solemnly had been condemned by the scholastical censure of this school, as heretical and contrary to the catholic faith, by the worshipful Dr. Weston, prolocutor then of the convocation-house, as also by other learned men of both the universities. That the premises be true, and openly known by public fame, as well to them near hand, as also to them in distant places."

To these articles Ridley and Latimer severally answered, with a singularity of wit and learning which although it astonished the audience, had no effect upon their judges. Latimer appears to have given great offence by the following answer to the Bishop of Lincoln, who previously to passing sentence, exhorted him to revoke his errors and turn to the Catholic Church. Latimer said, Your Lordship doth often repeat the Catholic Church, as though I should deny the same.

No, my lord, I confess there is a Catholic Church to the determination of which I will stand, but not the church which you call catholic, which ought rather to be termed diabolic. And whereas you join together the Romish and catholic church, stay there, I pray you. For it is one thing to say the Romish church, and another thing to say catholic church. I must use here in this mine answer the counsel of Cyprian, who when cited before certain bishops, who gave him leave to take deliberation and counsel, to try and examine his opinion, answered them thus, 'In adhering to, and persevering in the truth there must no counsel or deliberation be taken.' And again, being demanded of them sitting in judgement, which was most like to be of the church of Christ, whether he who was persecuted, or they who 'hath foreshewed, that he that doth follow him, must take up his cross. Christ gave knowledge that his disciples should have persecution and trouble!' How think you then, my lords, is it likely that the see of Rome, which hath been a continual persecutor, is rather the church, or that small flock which hath continually been persecuted by it, even to death? Also ever in subjection, beginning at Noah's time, even to the apostle's days, nay the present hour."

did persecute? Christ,' said he,

On the 16th of October, these distinguished prelates were brought to the place of execution, in the town ditch on the north side of Baliol College, Ridley coming first, walking between the Mayor and an Alderman, dressed in canonicals; after him came Latimer already prepared for the fire, having on a long shroud, reaching down to his feet; the extreme age and venerable aspect of the latter appeared to excite pity in the breasts of all beholders. Having arrived at the stake they embraced and comforted each other; being compelled to Isten