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world, yet look for none other (I exhort you as my friends) but to be charged with them at God's hand. This conscience, and the love that I bear unto you, biddeth me now say unto you both, in God's name, 'Fear God, and love not the world;' for God is able to cast both body and soul into hell-fire; when his wrath shall suddenly be kindled, blessed are all they that put their trust in him.' And the saying of St. John is true, 'All that is in the world, as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world; and the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." This admonition, so calm, so solemn, so affecting, produced such a powerful effect on the unhappy person to whom it was addressed, that he pined away with grief and remorse, and soon after died.

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Ridley had been removed to Oxford, with his venerable fellow-prisoners Bishops Cranmer and Latimer, before he wrote this letter. In 1555 he and Latimer were examined by the papal delegates; and on their refusal to submit to the pope, were degraded from their orders; Ridley steadily refusing to move his cap, or shew the least sign of submission or reverence to the usurped authority of the papal delegates. He, with Latimer, was then delivered to the temporal magistrates to be burnt to death. The evening before his martyrdom, Ridley prepared himself for his departure with joy and triumph. He washed himself, and invited his friends and relations to be present at his "marriage" in the morning. His discourse melted into tears one of his most obdurate enemies who was present. Ridley said, "You love me not now, I see well enough; for in that you weep, it doth appear you will not be at my marriage, neither be content therewith. But quiet yourself; though my breakfast shall be some

what sharp and painful, yet I am sure my supper shall be more pleasant and sweet.”

In the morning he approached the place of execution arrayed in a handsome black gown; and as he passed the prison of Bocardo, he looked to the chamber where Archbishop Cranmer was imprisoned, hoping to have seen and spoken to him; but he was engaged in disputing with Friar Soto and others: but shortly behind him he saw and spoke to Latimer, who came clad in his shroud to be ready for the fire. When they came to the spot, he ran to Latimer with a joyful countenance, embraced and kissed him, and comforted him, saying, "Be of good heart, brother; for God will either assuage the fury of the flame, or else strengthen us to abide it." Then turning to the stake, he kissed it, and kneeling down, prayed earnestly, as did Latimer likewise. Then rising, they conferred together for a little while. Dr. Smith preached the sermon usual on such occasions, to which the martyrs besought permission to reply; but were informed, that unless they recanted, they should not speak. "Well," replied the illustrious martyr, "so long as the breath is in my body, I will never deny my Lord Christ and his known truth; God's will be done in me." He then said, with a loud voice, "I commit my cause to Almighty God, who will judge all indifferently."

They were then ordered to make ready for burning, which they mildly obeyed. Ridley gave away several small things to persons standing by, many of whom were weeping. Latimer now stood in his shroud; and he who before, in an old coat and cap, seemed a withered and crooked old man, now roused to play the man, stood upright, and appeared a venerable and comely person. Ridley, standing in his shirt at the stake, lifted up his hands toward

heaven, and prayed, "O heavenly Father, I give unto thee most hearty thanks for that thou hast called me to be a professor of thee even unto death. I beseech thee, Lord God, take mercy upon the realm of England, and deliver the same from all her enemies." Then the smith fastened an iron chain round the bodies of both the martyrs, tying them to the stake. A faggot was now lighted and laid at Ridley's feet, when Latimer said, "Be of good comfort, master Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day light such a candle by God's grace in England, as, I trust, shall never be put out." When Ridley saw the fire flaming towards him, he cried with an exceeding loud voice, “Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit; O Lord, receive my spirit." Latimer, on the other side, exclaimed, "O Father of heaven, receive my soul." Then he received the flame as if he were embracing it, and soon died, with but little appearance of pain.

But Ridley had to undergo dreadful and lingering tortures; for the fire on his side was so smothered by the quantity of faggots, that his legs were slowly consumed, while he cried to his tormentors to "let the fire come at him." But in all his agony, he still called on God, "Lord, have mercy upon me." At length the faggots were removed by one of the by-standers; and when the tortured martyr saw the fire flaming up, he wrenched himself to that side. And when the flame reached a bag of gunpowder which hung round his neck, he was seen to stir no more, but burned on the other side; and either from the chain loosing, or by the overpoise of his body after his legs were consumed, he fell over the chain down at Latimer's feet.

Thus died this illustrious martyr- or rather, thus did he enter eternal life; and it may be said

with truth, that never, since the days of the apostles, was there a nobler manifestation of Christian faith and heroism. It was worthy of the brightest days of the primitive Church; and not even Polycarp, in the amphitheatre of Smyrna, exceeded the glory of NICHOLAS RIDLEY.

Let us now pass to days when the righteous were no longer persecuted, and learning and piety were exposed to none but the ordinary trials.

RICHARD HOOKER (usually called "judicious Hooker") was born near Exeter, about 1553, of parents remarkable for virtue and industry. From his childhood he was grave, desirous of learning, modest, and of so sweet and serene a quietness and meekness of nature, that many believed him to have an inward and blessed divine light. The seeds of sincere piety which his parents early instilled into his mind were so continually watered with the dews of God's blessed Spirit, that his infant virtues grew into such holy habits, as made him daily more in favour both with God and man.

About 1567, when Dr. Jewel, that celebrated opponent of Romish errors, was bishop of Salisbury, the parents of Hooker being unable to defray the expense of an university education for their son, this learned bishop, being made acquainted with the circumstance, and having examined and observed the boy's knowledge and behaviour, procured for him a maintenance at Corpus Christi College, in the university of Oxford. Here he continued for several years, still increasing in learning and prudence, and so much in humility and piety, that he seemed to be filled with the Holy Ghost. In 1571 he experienced the loss of his kind friend and patron, Bishop Jewel, who died, as he had lived, in devout meditation and prayer; but soon after, Edwin Sandys, bishop of London, who

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had heard from Jewel of Hooker's great merits and learning, placed his son under his tuition. While Hooker was a student in the university, so great was his devotion, that in four years he was but twice absent from the chapel-prayers. His behaviour there was such as shewed an awful reverence of that God whom he there worshipped, giving all outward testimonies that his affections were set on heavenly things. He was never known to be angry, passionate, or extreme in his desires; never heard to repine or dispute with Providence; but by a quiet, gentle submission of his will to the wisdom of his Creator, bore the burden of the day with patience. He was never heard to utter an uncomely word; and by this, and his grave behaviour, he caused a reverence towards his person even from those that elsewhere cast off all strictness of behaviour. In 1577 he became a fellow of his college; and two years after was appointed by the chancellor of the university to read the Hebrew lecture.

In

1584 he was appointed to the parsonage of Drayton Beauchamp, in Buckinghamshire; and in the next year, through the recommendation of his friend Sandys, archbishop of York, was made master of the Temple in London.

At this time the Church had been for some years exceedingly troubled by the schismatical proceedings of the Puritans, who declaimed against all her rites and ceremonies as popish and antichristian. Of this party was one Travers, who had been irregularly ordained abroad by some persons who were not of the degree of bishops, and who now ministered as lecturer of the Temple, though the law of the English Church prohibited such persons from acting as ministers. Travers, who had himself aspired to be master of the Temple, opposed Hooker's doctrines in the pulpit, and afterwards

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