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OF HUGH LATIMER.

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ing it one day longer; in hopes (said he) sir, that you might reason yourself into a better way of thinking, and at length embrace, what we all so much desire, that mercy which our holy church now for the last time offereth to you." "Alas! my lord," answered Latimer, "your indulgence is to no purpose. When a man is convinced of a truth,7 even to deliberate is unlawful. I am fully resolved against the church of Rome; and, once for all, my answer is, I will never embrace its communion. If you urge me farther, I will reply as St. Cyprian did on a like occasion.. He stood before his judges, upon a charge of heresy ; and being asked, 'Which were more probably of the church of Christ, he and his party, who were every where despised, or they his judges, who were every where in esteem;' resolutely answered, 'That Christ had decided that point, when he mentioned it as a mark of his disciples, that they should take up their cross and follow him.' If this then, my lords, be one of the characteristics of the christian church, whether shall we denominate by that name the church of Rome, which hath always been a persecutor, or that small body of Christians, which is persecuted by it ?" "You mention, sir," said the prelate, "with a bad grace your cause and St. Cyprian's together they are wholly different." "No, my lord," replied

Latimer, "his was the mine."

word of God, and so is

Finding his repeated exhortations had no effect, the Bishop at length passed sentence upon him.

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Latimer then asked him, "whether there was any appeal from this judgment ?" "To whom," said the Bishop, "would you appeal?" "To the next General Council," answered Latimer, "that shall be regularly assembled." "It will be a long time," replied his judge, "before Europe will see such a Council as you mean." He then committed him to the custody of the Mayor, and dissolved the assembly. On the same day, likewise, sentence was passed upon Ridley, and the sixteenth of October, and a spot on the north side of the town, near Baliol College, were appointed for the execution of the brother martyrs.

Thither, on the day prescribed, the Vice-Chancellor and other officers of distinction repaired early in the morning; and a guard being drawn round the place, the prisoners were sent for. Ridley, accompanied by the Mayor, first entered the dreadful circle, soon after which Latimer was brought in; the former dressed in his episcopal habit; the latter, as usual, in his prison attire. This difference in their dress, by its affecting contrast, augmented the concern of the spectators; Ridley showing what they had previously been, and Latimer what they were at present.

When they were about to prepare themselves for the fire, they were informed that they must first hear a sermon; upon which, a Dr. Smith ascended a pulpit prepared for the purpose, and in a discourse on the words, "Though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me

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nothing," "* treated both the characters and the tenets of the two venerable victims with savage inhumanity.

The discourse ended, Ridley was beginning to speak in defence of himself, when the Vice-Chancellor ran toward him, and stopping his mouth with his hand, told him, "That if he was going to recant, he should have leave; but he should be permitted in nothing farther." Thus checked, the Bishop looking round with a noble air, cried out, "We commit our cause then to Almighty God." An officer then stepped up, and acquainted them, "that at their leisure they might now make ready for the stake."

The spectators burst into tears, when they saw these two primitive men preparing for death. Reflecting on their preferments, the places of honor they held in the commonwealth, the favor they stood in with their princes, their great learning and greater piety, they were overwhelmed with sorrow to see so much dignity, so much honor, so much estimation, so many godly virtues, the study of so many years, and so much excellent learning, about to be consumed in one moment. Mr. Latimer, having thrown off the old gown which was wrapped about him, appeared in a shroud prepared for the purpose; and whereas before he seemed a withered and crooked old man, he now stood bolt upright, as comely a father as one might lightly behold.

*1 Cor. xiii. 8.

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When he and his fellow sufferer were ready, they were both fastened to a stake with an iron chain. They then brought a fagot 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." After which recommending his soul to God, and the flames speedily reaching him, he quickly expired, apparently without much pain.

But it was not so with Ridley; for by some mismanagement on his side of the stake, the wind blew the flames from the upper part of his body, and his legs were consumed before the fire approached the vital parts. This caused him to endure dreadful torments, till the blaze caught some gunpowder, which had been tied about their waists, and had hastened Latimer's death. The chain then loosening, his body fell at the feet of him, whose animating precepts and noble example had so eminently contributed to enable him to sustain this fiery trial.

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"Such," says Gilpin, I was the life of Hugh Latimer, bishop of Worcester; one of the leaders of that glorious army of martyrs, who introduced the Reformation in England. He had a happy temper, formed on the principles of christian philosophy. Such was his cheerfulness, that none of the accidents of life could discompose him. Such was his fortitude, that not even the severest trials could unman him. He had a collected spirit,

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and on no occasion wanted a resource; he could retire within himself, and hold the world at defiance.

And as danger could not daunt, so neither could ambition allure him. Though conversant in courts, and intimate with princes, he preserved to the last, a rare instance of moderation,—his primeval plainness.

In his profession he was indefatigable: and that he might bestow as much time as possible on the active part of it, he allowed himself only those hours for his private studies, when the busy world is at rest; constantly rising, at all seasons of the year, by two in the morning.

How conscientious he was in the discharge of the public parts of his office, we have many examples. No man could persuade more forcibly; no man could exert, on proper occasions, a more commanding severity. The wicked, in whatever station, he rebuked with censorian dignity; and awed vice more than the penal laws. 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. He had not those commanding talents, which give superiority in business: but for honesty and sincerity of heart, for true simplicity of manners, for apostolic zeal in the cause of religion,

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