timer and Ridley. The following particulars concerning Dr. Ridley are added, as stated by John Fox. Then they brought a fagot, kindled with fire, and laid the same down at Dr. Ridley's feet. To whom Master Latimer spake in this manner: "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." And so the fire being given unto them, when Dr. Ridley saw the fire flaming towards him, he cried out with a wonderful loud voice: "Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit; Lord, receive my spirit." And after repeating this latter part often: "Lord, Lord, receive my spirit:" Master Latimer crying as vehement on the other side: "O, Father of heaven, receive my soul :" who received the flame' as it were embracing of it. After, as he had stroked his face with his hands, and (as it were) bathed them in the fire, he soon died (as it appeared) with very little pain or none. But Master Ridley, by reason of the evil making of the fire unto him, because the wooden fagots: were laid about the gorse and over high built, the fire burned first beneath, being kept down by the wood. Which when he felt, he desired them for Christ's sake to let the fire come unto him, which when his brother-in-law heard, but not well understood, intending to rid him out of his pain (for the which cause he gave attendance) as one in such sorrow, not well advised what he did, heaped fagots upon him, so that he clean covered him, which made the fire more vehement beneath, that it burned clean all his nether parts, before it once touched the upper. And that made him leap up and down under the fagots, and often desired them to let the fire come unto him, saying, "I cannot burn." Which indeed appeared well: for after his legs were cansumed by reason of his struggling through pain (whereof he had no release, but only his contentation in God), he shewed that side towards us clean, shirt and all, untouched with flame. Yet in all this torment he forgat not to call upon God still, having in his mouth: "Lord, have mercy upon me:" intermingling this cry, "Let the fire come unto me, I cannot burn." In which pains he laboured, till one of the standers-by with his bill pulled off the fagots above, and where he saw the fire flame up, he wrested himself unto that side. And when the flame touched the gunpowder, he was seen stir no more, but burned on the other side, falling down at Master Latimer's feet: which some said happened, by reason that the chain loosed: others said, that he fell over the chain by reason of the poise of his body, and the weakness of his nether limbs. Some said, that, before he was like to fall from the stake, he desired them to hold him to it with their bills. Howsoever it was, surely it moved hundreds to tears, in beholding the horrible sight. For I think there was none, that had not clean exiled all humanity and mercy, which would not have lamented to behold the fury of the fire so to rage upon their bodies. Signs of sorrow there were on every side. Some took it grievously to see their deaths, whose lives they held full dear. Some pitied their persons, that thought their souls had no need thereof. His brother moved many men, seeing his miserable case; seeing (I say) him compelled to such infelicity: that he thought then to do him best service, when he hastened his end. Some cried out of the luck, to see his endeavour, who most dearly loved him, and sought his release, turn to his greater vexation and increase of pain. But whoso considered their pre. ferments in time past, the places of honour that they sometimes occupied in this commonwealth, the favour they were in with their princes, and the opinion of learning they had, could not choose but sorrow with tears, to see so great dignity, honour, and estimation, so necessary members sometime accounted, so many godly virtues, the study of so many years, such excellent learning, to be put into the fire, and consumed in one moment. Well, dead they are, and the reward of this world they have already. What reward remaineth for them in heaven, the day of the Lord's glory, when he cometh with his saints, shall shortly, I trust, declare*. *The following observation is taken from Rolt's Lives of the Reformers, at page 172: Ridley's fine parts, and his great improvements in all the branches of literature necessary to a divine, gave him the first rank in his profession; and his life was answerable to his knowledge. He was of an easy obliging temper; and though he wanted not a proper spirit to support his character, or to do himself justice against the great and powerful; yet he was always ready to forgive any injuries or offences. His zeal for religion did not shew itself in promoting severities against those who differed from it, but in diligently explaining the parts that were misunderstood, and shewing their foundation in Scripture and antiquity. The greatness of his mind was not only shewn in the candour and charity of his sentiments; he did good offices for those who differed from him; he was a great benefactor to the poor; he expended his revenue in a way becoming a Bishop; he maintained and treated Heath, the deprived Bishop of Worcester, for a year and a half, in the same splendour, as though Fulhain House had been his own; and Bonner's mother, who merited nothing on her own account, dined always there at the table with him, whilst her son was in the Tower. The Reformation was greatly indebted to his zeal and learning while he lived, as well to his courage and constancy at his death: for of all who served the altar of the Church of England, he bore, perhaps, the most useful testimony, both in life and death, to her doctrine, The following particulars concerning the life of Bishop Ridley are chronologically arranged from his life, published by the Rev. Dr. Glocester Ridley, A. D. 1763. About the year 1502, he was born at Wilmonswick, in Northumberland. Until 1518, he was educated at Newcastle upon Tyne, when he was sent to Pembroke Hall, in the university of Cambridge, where he made great progress in the Greek and Latin tongues. In 1522, he took the degree of Bachelor in Arts. 1524. He was invited by the Master and Fellows of University College, in Oxford, to ac cept an exhibition in their college, which he declined. In this year he was elected Fellow of Pembroke Hall. 1525. He took his Master of Arts degree. 1526. He was appointed agent by the college in some parochial causes belonging to Pembroke Hall. 1528. He went to Paris and Louvain, in order to prosecute his studies. 1530. He was appointed junior treasurer of his college. 1533. He was chosen senior Proctor of the university. During his proctorate the university discussions took place concerning the supremacy of the Pope, which were determined in the negative, and signed in the name of the university by the Vice Chancellor and Proctors. 1534. He took his degree of Bachelor in Divinity, and was chosen public orator to the uni versity. 1537. Archbishop Cranmer made him one of his domestic chaplains, and had constant in tercourse with him in reading and doc trine. In 1538. He was collated to the vicarage of Herne, in East Kent, by the Archbishop. 1539. He opposed the famous Act of the Six Articles from the pulpit. 1540. He took his degree of Doctor in Divinity, and was elected Master of Pembroke Hall, in Cambridge. In this year he was appointed chaplain to 1541. He was made, by Archbishop Cranmer, a Prebendary in the cathedral of Canter bury. 1543. He was involved in some difficulties for a 1545. He renounced the error of transubstantia- 1547. He was by King Edward VI. made Bishop 1548. He was actively engaged with the other Reformers in drawing up the book of Common Prayer. 1549. He was actively engaged as a Commissioner for the abolishing of Popery in the university of Cambridge. 1550. He was translated to the bishopric of London. 1553. He was by Queen Mary committed to the Tower. |