their enemies. Soon after the breaking up of the convocation, our prelate repaired to his diocese; having made no longer a stay in London than what was absolutely necessary. As to state affairs, he had no talents for them, and knew that he had not; and therefore did not meddle with them. His highest ambition was to discharge in an upright and conscientious manner the duties of a Christian bishop, by endeavours to root out superstition, and to encourage the practice of piety and virtue. And how ill qualified he was to support the character of a courtier, the following anecdote will evince. It was the custom in those days for the bishops, upon the commencement of a new year, to make presents to the king; and many of them would present very liberally, proportioning their gifts to their expectances. Among the rest bishop Latimer, being at that time in town, waited upon his majesty with his offering. But, instead of a purse of gold, which was the common oblation, he presented a New Testament, with a leaf doubled down, in a very conspicuous manner, to this passage, "Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." In the year 1539, our prelate was again called up to London, to attend the business of parliament. A new spirit had now infused itself into the counsels of Henry VIII. whose whole reign was one continued rotation of violent passions; and he among his ministers, who could make the most artful address to the passions of the day, carried his point. Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, was now lately returned from Germany, having successfully negotiated some commissions, which the king had greatly at heart. This circumstance him considerable interest with the king; gave and as queen Ann Boleyn, who favoured the protestant cause, was now removed, Gardiner had recourse to all his arts of address and subtlety, and succeeded in persuading his majesty, that pressing motives of state policy demanded, that a stop should be put to all innovations in matters of religion, and that his subjects should be restrained by coercive laws, from indulging in that diversity of sentiment which at present prevailed in his dominions. Accordingly, measures were secretly taken to carry such laws, in the parliament to which bishop Latimer was now summoned. Not long after his arrival in London, he preached at court, and, as was his custom, expressed himself with great severity against whatever he had observed amiss. The popish party flattered themselves, that the freedom which he used on this occasion, afforded them a favourable opportu

nity of ruining him; and, at a meeting of the bishops, whom the king had called together to consult them upon some points of religion, one of them, kneeling down before his majesty, accused Latimer of having in that sermon pronounced a libel against the king and his ministers, which tended to alienate the people from their prince. Our prelate, being called upon by the king, with some sternness, to vindicate himself, was so far from denying, or even palliating what he had said, that he boldly justified it; and with such openness, manliness, and simplicity, that he completely baffled his accuser's malice: the severity of Henry's countenance changed into a gracious smile, and bishop Latimer was courteously dismissed.

In the parliament, the popish party was more successful; and, after a noble stand made by the Protestants, carried the act of the six articles, most justly styled the bloody statute, which received the royal assent. Bishop Latimer was one of the first, who by his conduct protested to the world against this proceeding. For, as he could not give his vote for an act, which put a sword into the hands of the enemies of reformation, he thought it wrong to hold any office in a church which enforced such terms of communion. He, therefore, resigned his bishopric, in the month of July of the same year, and retired into the country. Here he continued, during the first scenes of persecution to which it gave rise, and thought of nothing, for the remainder of his days, but a sequestered life. He had the misfortune, however, to meet with an accident, which brought him again within the reach of the malice of his enemies. By the fall of a tree he received so dangerous a contusion, that it was necessary for him to apply for the assistance of more skilful surgeons than the place of his retirement afforded him; and for this purpose he repaired to London. Here he found the popish party now completely triumphant; and he had the mortification to see his patron, lord Cromwell, in the hands of his enemies; while a still more severe persecution was commencing against the Protestants. He was also discovered by Gardiner's emissaries in the place of his concealment; was accused of having spoken against the statute of the six articles; and, in consequence, was committed to the Tower. It does not appear, that any formal process was instituted against him, or that he was ever judicially examined. He suffered, however, under one pretence or other, a cruel imprisonment during the remainder of king Henry's reign. Upon the accession of king Edward VI.

in 1547, Latimer, and all others who were imprisoned in the same cause, were set at liberty; and as some of the bishop's old friends were now in power, he was received by them with every mark of affection. Heath, who had been appointed his successor in the bishopric of Worcester, observing his credit at court, was apprehensive that it might be thought proper to reinstate him; and it cannot be imagined that, in the present posture of affairs, such a proceeding would have been attended with any difficulty. But he had other sentiments. As he was now growing old, he thought himself unequal to the weight of a bishopric, and had no inclination to incumber himself with one. He, therefore, would not apply himself, nor suffer his friends to apply for his restoration. The parliament, however, which was now sitting, did not overlook his case; and the House of Commons sent up an address to the protector, desiring him to restore Mr. Latimer to his see. The protector was well inclined to comply with this request, and proposed to Mr. Latiiner this resumption; but he persisted in declining it, alledging his great age, and the claim which he thence had to a private life. Having entirely rid himself of all entreaty on this head, he accepted of an invitation from his friend archbishop Cranmer, and took up his residence with him at Lambeth; where his chief employment was to hear the complaints, and to procure redress for the injuries of poor people. And so well known was his character for active benevolence, and his readiness to perform services of this kind, that strangers would resort to him from every part of England; so that he is said to have had as crowded a levee as a minister of state. No person, indeed, could be better qualified than he was, to undertake such a benevolent office: for his free reproofs, joined to the integrity of his life, had a great effect upon those in the highest stations; while his own independence, and backwardness in asking any favour for himself, allowed him greater liberty in asking for

others.

In these employments Mr. Latimer spent more than two years, interfering very little in any public transactions. It appears, however, that he assisted archbishop Cranmer in composing the homilies, which were published by authority in the beginning of king Edward's reign, and intended to supply the want of preaching, which was now at a very low ebb. And, as he was one of the most eloquent and popular preachers of the age in which he lived, he was also appointed to preach the Lent

sermons before the king, during the first three years of his reign. The choice of him for this purpose was generally approved: for numerous irregularities were known to prevail at this time among the great, and he was acknowledged to be as fit a man as any in the nation to detect and censure them. Upon the revolution which took place at court after the death of the protector, it seems probable that Mr. Latimer retired into the country, and made use of the king's license, as a general preacher, in those parts where he thought his labours might be most serviceable. This practice he continued during the remainder of king Edward's reign, and for a short time in the beginning of that of queen Mary. As soon, however, as the re-establishment of popery was resolved on, the first step taken towards it was the prohibition of all preaching throughout the kingdom, and the licensing of such preachers only as were known to be popishly inclined. A strict enquiry was now directed to be made after the more forward and popular preachers; and many of them were taken into custody. With respect to Mr. Latimer, the bishop of Winchester, who had proscribed him from the first, sent a messenger to cite him before the council. He had notice of this design some hours before the messenger's arrival; but he made no other use of the intelligence than to prepare for his journey. On his arrival, the messengercould not help expressing his surprise, at finding our venerable prelate prepared to accompany him; when Mr. Latimer told him, “that he was as ready to attend him to London, thus called on to answer for his faith, as he ever was to take any journey in his life; and he doubted not but that God, who had already enabled him to stand before two princes, would enable him to stand before a third." The messenger having then informed him, that he had no orders to seize his person, delivered a letter, and departed. From this it should seem, that the lords of the council chose rather to drive him out of the kingdom, than to bring him to any public trial; well knowing the firmness of his mind, and being afraid, as Mr. Fox says, "lest his constancy should deface them in their popery, and confirm the godly in the truth. Latimer, however, upon opening the letter, and finding it to contain a citation from the council, resolved to obey it, and set out immediately for London. As he passed through Smithfield, where persons condemned as heretics were usually burnt, he said cheerfully, "this place hath long groaned for me." The next day he appeared before the privy council,

who, after loading him with many reproaches, sent him to the Tower. During his imprisonment, he was treated with great severity, which he endured with the utmost resignation, and even retained his usual cheerfulness. Notwithstanding that the weather was extremely cold, he was kept without fire; upon which he facetiously desired a servant who came into his room to tell his master, "that unless he took better care of him, he should certainly escape him." After the servant had reported his message, the lieutenant, with some discomposure in his countenance, came to Mr. Latimer, and desired an explanation of what he had said. "Why, you expect, I suppose, master lieutenant," replied Mr. Latimer, "that I shall be burned; but if you do not allow me a little fire this frosty weather, I can tell you I shall first be starved with cold."

About this time, archbishop Cranmer and bishop Ridley were also committed to the Tower, which soon became so crowded with prisoners, that the three prelates were confined in the same room. However inconvenient this might be, in some respects, the enjoyment of each others company was a high satisfaction to them; and they prepared one another for the conflict which they shortly expected, by mutual conferences, and reading over the New Testament together with the greatest care and diligence. It was now given out, that the controversy between the Papists and Protestants should be fairly and finally determined, in a solemn disputation to be held at Oxford, by the most eminent divines on both sides; and Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer, were appointed to manage the dispute on the side of the Protestants. Accordingly, they were taken out of the Tower, and, without being suffered to have any thing with them but what they carried on their backs, sent to Oxford; where they were closely confined in the common prison, deprived of every comfort, but what their own breasts could administer. They were even denied the use of pen and ink; from which they might easily conclude, how free the intended disputation was likely to be. They endured their cruel treatment, however, with firmness and resignation, and sought their chief consolation in prayer, in the exercise of which they spent great part of every day. Mr. Latimer, in particular, would often continue kneeling so long, that he was not able to rise without assistance. An account is preserved by Fox, of a conference between Ridley and Latimer, during the time of their imprisonment, which sets the temper of the latter in a strong

VOL. VI.

light. As they were one day sitting together, ruminating upon the preparations which were making for their trial, Ridley first broke silence. "The time," said he, "is now come: we are now called upon either to deny our faith, or to suffer death in its defence. You, Mr. Latimer, are an old soldier of Christ, and have frequently withstood the fear of death; whereas I am raw in the service, and unexperienccd." With this preface he introduced a request, that Mr. Latimer, whom he called his father, would hear him propose such arguments as he thought it most likely his adversaries would urge against him, and assist him in providing himself proper answers to them. To this Mr. Latimer, in his usual strain of good humour, replied, that "he fancied the good bishop was treating him, as he remembered Mr. Bilney was used formerly to do; who, when he wanted to teach him, would always do it under colour of being taught himself. But in the present case," said he, "my lord, I am determined to give them very little trouble. I shall just offer them a plain account of my faith, and say very little more: for I know any thing more will be to no purpose. They talk of a free disputation; but I am assured, their grand argument will be, as it was once their forefathers, "we have a law, and by our law ye ought to die." When the commissioners appointed by the convocation had assembled at Oxford, and matters were prepared for proceeding to business, the prisoners were sent for to St. Mary's church, one after another, and certain articles were read to them, declaratory of the doctrines of transubstantiation, and a propitiatory sacrifice in the mass, which they were required either to subscribe or refute. Bishop Latimer was brought in last, like a primitive martyr, in his prison attire. He had a cap upon his head, buttoned under his chin, a pair of spectacles hanging at his breast, a New Testament under his arm, and a staff in his hand. He was almost spent in pressing through the crowd; and the prolocutor, Dr. Weston, ordering a chair for him, he walked up to it, and, saying he was a very old man, sat down without any ceremony. No sooner were the articles read to him, than he denied them. Being then informed by the prolocutor, that he must dispute against them on the Wednesday following, the old bishop, with as much cheerfulness as he could have shewn upon the most ordinary occasion, shaking his palsied head, answered, smiling, "Indeed, gentlemen, I am just as well qualified to be made governor of Calais." He then complained, that he had

T

been prohibited the use of pen and ink, and of any books, excepting that under his arm; which he had read over deliberately seven times, without finding any thing of the mass in it. Having made use of some expressions, in his humorous way, at which the prolocutor took offence, he endeavoured to explain his meaning in them; but he was not permitted to speak.

On the day appointed for the disputation, after the archbishop and bishop Ridley had publicly defended their opinions, interrupted by much rude clamour and indecent language, bishop Latimer was brought into the schools; and, having obtained the prolocutor's consent to speak in English, said, "I will just beg leave then, sir, to protest my faith. Indeed, I am not able to dispute. I will protest my faith; and you may then do with me just what you please." Upon this he took a paper out of his pocket, and began to read his protestation. He had not proceeded many minutes, when a murmur arose on every side, increasing by degrees into a clamour, which was rather encouraged, than checked, by the prolocutor. The old prelate, surprised at this sudden tumult of ill-manners, paused a little: but presently recovering himself, he turned to the prolocutor, and said, with some vehemence, "In my time I have spoken before two kings, and have been heard for some hours together, without interruption; but here I cannot be permitted one quarter of an hour. Dr. Weston, I have frequently heard of you before; but I think I never saw you till on this occasion. I perceive that you have great wit, and great learning: God grant that you may make a right use of these gifts!" He then gave the paper containing his protestation to the prolocutor, who said, "Since you refuse to dispute, will you then subscribe?" Upon his answering in the negative, Weston artfully led him by a train of familiar questions into an argument; and when he thought that he had raised him to a proper pitch, gave the signal to begin, to one who was appointed to oppose him; who immediately rose up, and, after a pompous preface, gave out the question. When he had done, Mr. Latimer gravely answered, "I am sorry, sir, that this worshipful audience must be disappointed in their expectations: I have already spoken my mind." The prolocutor, observing this, again had recourse to his artful mode of questioning, and, by degrees, led him to answer the chief arguments brought from Scripture in favour of transubstantiation. Different learned doctors now attacked him in the

same manner, and he answered their questions as far as civility required; but none of them could engage him in any formal disputation. And when proofs from the fathers were press ed upon him, he at length told them plainly, that such proofs had no weight with him: that the fathers, no doubt, were often deceived; and that he never depended upon them, but when they depended upon Scripture. "Then you are not of St. Chrysostom's faith," replied one of his antagonists, nor of St. Austin's ?" "I have told you," said Mr. Latimer, “I am not, except when they bring Scripture for what they say." Little more was said of any importance, before the prolocutor rose up, and dissolved the assembly, crying out to the populace, "Here you all see the weakness of heresy against the truth: here is a man, who, adhering to his errors, hath given up the gospel, and rejected the fathers." The old bishop made no reply; but wrapping his gown about him, and taking up his New Testament and his staff, walked out as unconcerned as he came in. On the Friday following, the three bishops were brought before the commissioners at St. Mary's church, where, after some affected exhortations to recant, the prolocutor first excommunicated, and then condemned them. As soon as the sentence was read, bishop Latimer, lifting up his eyes, cried out, "I thank God most heartily, that he hath prolonged my life to this end." The three bishops were then separated from each other, and carried to different places of confinement.

There were no steps taken towards putting the condemned prelates to death, for upwards of sixteen months. This was owing partly to irregularities in the proceedings against them, the statutes on which they had been condemncd not being then in force; and partly, it is said, to the private views of the bishop of Winchester, who had the chief management of affairs. In the year 1555, however, new laws in support of the Romish religion having been enacted, and the old sanguinary laws against heretics revived, a commission was granted from cardinal Pole, the pope's legate in Enge land, to the bishops of Lincoln, Gloucester, and Bristol, empowering them to try bishops Latimer and Ridley, for heresy. The commissioners having repaired to Oxford, seated themselves in great state in the divinity school, and cited the prisoners to appear. After Ridley had been examined, bishop Latimer was brought in; to whom the bishop of Lincoln addressed himself in an eloquent and pathetic speech, earnestly exhorting him to.

accept the mercy which was offered him, and to acknowledge the authority of the see of Rome. To this address Mr. Latimer immediately replied, that it was in vain to expect from him any acknowledgment of the pope's authority. The commissioners then proposed to him certain articles for subscription, which were much the same with those which had been proposed to him the year before. His answers, likewise, were much the same; to which he added a protestation, that, notwithstanding his replies to the pope's commissioners, he by no means acknowledged the papal authority. The bishop of Lincoln then said, that he, should be brought up again on the following day, when he might make what alterations he pleased in the answers which he had now given in. To this the old prelate replied, "that he begged they would do with him then just what they pleased; and that he might not trouble them, nor they him another day: that as to his opinions, he was fixed in them, and that any respite would be needless." On the next morning, he was again brought before the commissioners; when, as he still firmly persisted in refusing to renounce his sentiments, sentence was pronounced upon him. From this judgment, bishop Latimer appealed to the next general council which should be regularly assembled; but the bishop of Lincoln told him, that it would be a long time before Europe would see such a council as he meant. Our prelate was now delivered over to the secular arm, and the assembly was dissolved. On the same day, likewise, sentence was passed on bishop Ridley. Their execution was fixed for the 16th of October, about a fortnight after their condemnation. The spot of ground chosen for this scene, was on the north side of the city, near Baliol-college; and in the mean time, as apprehensions were entertained that this affair might occasion some disturbance, lord Williams was ordered by the queen to arm a body of the militia, and to march them immediately to Oxford. On the day appointed, the vice-chancellor of Oxford, and other persons of distinction, having repaired early in the morning to the place of execution, which was surrounded with a guard of militia, the prisoners were sent for; when the concern of the spectators for these venerable men was greatly augmented, by the striking contrast in their appearance. Bishop Ridley was dressed in his episcopal habit, thereby showing what they had before been; and bishop Latimer wore his usual prison attire, by which he showed the condition to which they were now reduced.

While they stood before the stake, about to prepare themselves for the fire, they were informed that they must first hear a sermon: and soon after a popish doctor ascended a pulpit, prepared for that purpose, and in his discourse, from these words of St. Paul, "Though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing," he treated the two bishops with great inhumanity, aspersing both their characters and tenets. Both Ridley and Latimer were desirous of say ing something in defence of themselves; but they were not permitted. Being now informed by an officer, that at their leisure they might make ready for the stake, the spectators were dissolved into tears, when they saw these ex: cellent men preparing for death. Mr. Latimer, having thrown off the old gown which was wrapped about him, appeared in a shroud, prepared for the purpose; and when he and his fellow-sufferer were ready, they were both fastened to the stake with an iron chain. They then brought a faggot ready kindled, and laid it at Ridley's feet; to whom 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." He then recommended his soul unto God, and, with a firmness and composure of mind worthy of the cause for which he suffered, soon expired in the flames. Such was the end of Hugh Latimer, one of the most active, zealous; consistent, and successful propagaters of the reformation in England; who, on that account, is justly entitled to an ample and particular biographical memoir.

In the preceding narrative, we have suffi ciently developed bishop Latimer's primitive and excellent character, uniform plainness and simplicity of manners, indefatigable activity in the discharge of his professional duties, uncommon cheerfulness of temper, astonishing fortitude in the most trying situations, and inflexible adherence to what he conceived to be his duty. He was not esteemed a very learned man, for he cultivated only useful learning; and that he thought lay in a very narrow compass. He never engaged in worldly affairs, thinking that a clergyman ought to employ himself only in his profession. Thus he lived rather a good, than what the world calls a great man. have already seen how eminent he was as a preacher. "As to his sermons," says Mr. Gilpin, "which are still extant, they are far from being exact pieces of composition. Elegant writing was then little known. Some polite scholars there were, Cheek, Ascham,

We