Several learned men were sent by the Universi ty of Cambridge to Oxford, to maintain those points against Latimer and his friends. Cranmer and Ridley denied the truth of the articles, and argued most forcibly against them, showing how contrary they were to the testimony of the word of God.Then Latimer was brought forward. The disputation went on for several days. Latimer and his

friends were hissed at and mocked by the court; but God gave to his faithful servants a mouth and wisdom which nothing could gainsay nor resist.

After giving his reasons very forcibly for rejecting the two first articles, Latimer was questioned on the third, Whether the Catholic mass be a sacrifice propitiatory for the sins of quick and dead? To which he replied; "Christ made one perfect sacrifice for the whole world, neither can any man offer him again, neither can the Priest offer up Christ again for the sins of man, which he took away by offering himself once for all, as Paul saith, upon the cross, neither is there any propitiation for our sins, saving his cross only."

The same question being put to him a second time, he replied, "Christ made one oblation and sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, and that a perfect sacrifice; neither can there be any other propitiatory sacrifice."

They exhorted Latimer to abjure his errors; to which he answered that he would not deny his Master Christ, nor His truth.

He was taken back to prison, until the day of his

martyrdom. From his prison he wrote thus to a pious woman who had paid him much kind attention.

"If the gift of a pot of cold water shall not be in oblivion with God, how can God forget your manifold and bountiful gifts, when He shall say to you, I was in prison, and ye visited me.' God grant us all to do and suffer while we are here, according to His will and pleasure." Amen.

H. LATIMER. On the sixteenth day of October 1555, Latimer and Ridley, who had lived together in the same prison, and both like Christ Jesus, witnessed a good confession, were brought forth upon the north side of the city of Oxford, near to Baliol College, to be burnt.

Latimer was dressed in a poor frieze frock, with a handkerchief on his head, and a new long shroud hanging over his hose down to the feet. The hearts of all pitied that great man who was brought to such a desperate condition.

Yet in the sight of God, who seeth not as man seeth, Latimer never appeared so honourable as when he went to die in the cause of Christ. Ridley looking back saw Latimer behind him, and called out, "Oh! are you there?"—"Yes," said the venerable old man, "coming after you as fast as I can follow."

When a faggot kindled with fire was brought and put at Ridley's feet, Latimer called out, "Be of good comfort, brother 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." The fire now began to rise around them. Upon which, Latimer cried out with earnestness, "O Father of heaven receive my soul !" He then seemed to embrace the flames, and soon after breathed his last.

His dying words were wonderfully fulfilled. They did light up a flame which has never gone out. The friends of the Reformed religion, instead of being daunted by his death and that of his companion in the flames, gathered fresh courage from the example which both had set them, of suffering fortitude and holy courage. Daily more and more were brought over to the true faith of Christ. Thus died Hugh Latimer, than whom, few men are more endeared to all Protestants.

Behold what your ancestors did and suffered for the cause of religion. Imitate the noble example of the martyrs. Never shrink through that “fear of man which bringeth a snare," from the service of Christ. "Fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life."

HUGH LATIMER,

Bishop of Worcester.

When more than eighty years of age,
He was burned alive

For the cause of Christ,