among the stars of the first magnitude, in the six. teenth century, He was a voluminous and valuable writer; and his printed works, with his eloquence, powerfully aided the sacred cause of the Reformation.

MARTIN BUCER,

A German Theologian.
He died at Cambridge,

In the year 1551.
Aged 60.

His bones were burnt,
In the year 1557.

HUGH LATIMER.

LATIMER was born at Thurcaston, in the year 1470. In his fourteenth year he entered the Uni. versity of Cambridge, and was a zealous Papist, opposing the progress of the Protestant faith; so that he was elected Cross-bearer to the University in all their processions.

In the fifty-third year of his age, Bilney, one of the martyrs of the Reformation, was the happy instrument of enlightening Latimer's mind. After that event, he was exceedingly zealous in promoting the Reformation of religion.

The anger of the Popish clergy was soon kindled against Latimer. At their request, the Bishop of Ely silenced him; but Barnes, Prior of a monastery in Cambridge, which was not under the Bishop's government, immediately offered him his chapel. There Latimer preached boldly the doctrines of the Reformation, and great crowds heard him. Henry VIII, subsequently appointed him to the bishopric of Worcester.

It was the custom in those times for eminent men to present the King a gift on the first day of the new year. Latimer's offering was a New Testament; and in order to reprove the debauched conduct of Henry VIII. he marked that passage in it," Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."

Latimer preached often before the Court. On those occasions, he boldly reproved the vices of the age, and called upon all men to serve Christ in a life of holiness. Those sermons gave very great offence to the Papists. Some of the Bishops accused him to the king of preaching sedition. Latimer, in reply, asked his accuser what kind of sermons he would have him preach before a king. Then turning to Henry, with an honest simplicity, which clearly expressed his innocence, he said, "I never conceived myself worthy, neither did I ever seek the honour of preaching before your Grace, but was invited to it, and would be willing to give way to my superiors. There are many more worthy than myself, and if it be your Grace's pleasure to

appoint them Preachers, I should be happy to bear their books after them. But if your Grace continues me, I must discharge my conscience, and suit my subject to the audience."

The Popish party, however, soon after triumphed. Six articles of faith were drawn up by the immediate direction of Henry VIII., which all persons were directed to subscribe on pain of imprisonment and of death. Those articles were full of Popish errors which Latimer detested. He therefore voted against them in Parliament, preferring a good conscience to the favour of his Prince. Herein he imitated the faith of Moses, who accounted the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. That conduct obliged him to resign his Bishopric, and it is said that on going home from the Parliament, he threw off his robes, and declared he felt lighter than for many previous years.

Latimer retired into the country, where he spent his time in doing good. But he was soon after obliged to go to London, and his enemies cast him into the Tower at the advanced age of seventy-one. There he was treated as a criminal, left destitute, and confined for six years.

When Edward acceded to the crown, Latimer was set free from prison, and by the express invitation of Cranmer, he was persuaded to reside with him. There he employed his time in acts of piety; and assisted in compiling the first Book of Homilies, which contains his sentiments on all the great doctrines and duties of religion.

He was often called upon to preach before the King. His sermons were delivered in a public garden, which had been used for revelry and sinful mirth. His preaching was marked by simplicity, faithfulness, and energy. In the latter part of Edward's reign, he obtained leave to preach in any part of the kingdom. Accordingly he went about, with the zeal of an Apostle, from place to place, calling upon men every where to repent, and to seek the salvation of Christ. It was a favourite conviction with him, that he should one day be called upon to lay down his life for the sake of his great Master; but none of those things moved him, neither did he count his life dear unto himself, so that he might finish his course with joy, by a faithful discharge of his ministerial duties.

When the bloody Mary assumed the crown, the Popish party again triumphed. Mary was a furious bigot, and thought she could not do God greater service, than by ridding the world of such men as Latimer and his friends. He might however have escaped the fury of the Popish party; but like a valiant soldier of Christ, he rather chose to preach, and spread the great doctrines of the Reformation. That conduct soon procured him an order to appear before the Council at London. He obeyed the summons, though an opportunity was still left him to escape. "My friend," said he to the man who came for him, "you are a welcome messenger to me. And be it known to you and to the whole world, that I go as willingly to London at this present time, to

render an account of my doctrines as ever I did to any place in the world." Latimer immediately set off on his journey, and as he passed through Smith field the place where so many holy martyrs perished in the flames for Christ's sake, he observed, "Smithfield hath long groaned for me." He was treated by the Council with much cruelty, and sent to the Tower. His great age and increasing infirmities rendered the second imprisonment worse than the first. One day, when it was a hard frost, and he was suffering the severity of the cold without a bit of fire, he told the Lieutenant of the Tower, in a smiling way, that if he were not taken better care of, he should certainly escape out of his enemies' hands.

After being confined for a long time in the Tower, Latimer was removed on the tenth of April, 1554, to Oxford, with Cranmer and Ridley, his friends and fellow sufferers; where they were called upon to dispute before the University, upon certain articles sent by Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester.

1. Whether the real body of Christ be corporally present in the sacramental bread, after the words spoken by the Priest.

2. Whether after the words of consecration, there is any other substance in the bread and wine of the sacrament, than the real body and blood of Christ.

3. Whether the Catholic mass be a propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of quick and dead.