Marry, out upon this, counsel: shall I say, as he saith? In this sermon he gives his opinion of the fathers. They have handled many points of our faith very godly; and we may have a great stay upon them in many things: we might not well lack them. But yet, I would not have men to be sworn to them, and so addict, as to take hand over head whatsoever they say: it were a great inconvenience so to do.
Then have at the root: out with your swords, ye preachers, and strike at the root. Stand not ticking and toying at the branches, for new branches will spring out again, but strike at the root, and fear not these great men; these men of power; these oppressors of the needy; fear them not, but strike at the root.
I could wish, therefore, that a law might be provided in this behalf, and that adulterers might be punished with death. If the husband, or wife should become suiter, they might be pardoned the first time, but not the second. God shall make you strong enough: fear him; fear not them.
Peradventure you shall have that shall move you, and say unto you; "oh, Sir, such a one is a mighty prince, and a king of great power: you cannot be without his friendship: agree with him in religion, or else you shall have him your enemy. Receive bills of supplication yourself. I do not see you do now-a-days, as you were wont to do last year. Poor men put up bills every day, and never the nearer.
Many complain against you, that ye lie in bed till eight, nine, or ten o'clock. They are kept sometimes without your gates; or if they be let into the hall, or some outer chamber, out cometh one or other; Sir, you cannot speak with my lord yet, he is asleep.
And thus poor suiters are driven from day to day, that they cannot speak with you. For God's love, look better to it; speak with poor men, when they come to your houses, and dispatch poor suiters. I went one day myself betimes in the morning to a great man's house, to speak with him of business. Well, thought I, this is well: I like this.
This man doth somewhat regard his duty. For God's sake, ye great men, follow this example: rise in the mornings: Page be ready for suiters that resort to you; and dispatch them out of hand. But St. If ye now should excommunicate all such wicked persons, there would be much ado in England. But the magistrates shew favour to such, and will not suffer them to be rooted out, or put to shame.
But beware, ye magistrates; for God's love beware of this leaven. I would wish that Moses's law might be restored for punishment of lechery. Fie upon thee! Likewise some pastors go from their cure: they are afraid of the plague: they dare not come nigh any sick body; but hire others, and they go away themselves.
Out upon thee: the wolf cometh upon thy flock to devour them, and when they have most need of thee, thou runnest away from them. The soldier also, that should go to war, will draw back as much as he can. I shall be slain! But if the king commandeth thee to go, thou art bound to go. Follow thy occupation: in serving the king, thou shalt serve God.
Ye bribers, that go secretly about taking bribes, have in your minds, when ye devise your secret fetches, how Elizeus's servant was served, and was openly known. For God's proverb will be true: there is nothing hid, that shall not be revealed. It will never be merry in England, till we have the skins of such. For what needeth bribing, where men do their business uprightly.
I have to lay out for the king three thousand pounds: well, when I have laid it out, and bring in mine account, I must give three hundred marks to have my bills warranted. If I have done truly and uprightly, what need I give a penny to have my bills warranted? If I do bring in a true account, wherefore should one groat be given? Smell ye nothing in this? What need any bribes be given, except the bills be false? Well: I doubt not but there be some good officers among you, but I will not swear for all.
They make their Page moan, that they can get no money. The poor labourers, gun-makers, powder-men, bow-makers, arrow-makers, smiths, carpenters and other crafts cry for their wages. Then say I, if thou wilt not make restitution, thou shalt go to the devil. Now choose thee either restitution, or damnation. I was promised twenty pounds more the same lent, but it could not be made up, so that it came not. Well, the next lent came three hundred and twenty Page pounds more: I received it myself, and paid it to the king's council.
There I was asked, what he was that had thus made restitution? But should I have named him? Well; now this lent came one hundred and eighty pounds more, which I have paid this present day to the king's council. And so this man hath made a goodly restitution. If every one who hath beguiled the king said I to a certain nobleman, who is one of the king's council should make restitution after this sort, it would cough up the king, I warrant you, twenty thousand pounds.
Yea, quoth the other, a whole hundred thousand pounds. Alack, alack! There is no remedy: restitution or hell. Now this is of secret restitution. Some examples have been of open restitution. I am not afraid to name one: it was master Sherington, an honest gentleman, and one that God loveth.
He openly confessed, that he had deceived the king, and made open restitution. Oh, what an argument may he have against the devil! Page I will conclude these extracts, with his own apology for his free speaking. Though the sermon be never so good, and never so true, strait, he is a seditious fellow, he maketh trouble and rebellion in the realm, he lacketh discretion. Now-a-days, if they cannot reprove the doctrine, they will reprove the preacher: what! He should have respect to the time, and the state of things.
I know that preachers ought to have Page discretion in their preaching; and that they ought to have a consideration, and respect to the place and the time, where and when they preach: and I say here what I would not say in the country for no good. But what then? Thus far Mr. For it would have been impossible to have given a true idea, in any words but his own, of that noble zeal in the cause of truth, which upon all occasions he exerted, and which makes so principal a part of his character.
Nor can we wonder at the effect of his preaching, when we consider its freedom. The matter of it is, that, after the lord high admiral's attainder and execution, which happened about this time, Mr. Latimer publicly defended his death in a sermon before the king; that he aspersed his character; and that he did it merely to pay a servile compliment to the protector.
The first part of the charge is true; but the second, and third are false. As for his aspersing the admiral's character, his character was so bad, there was no room for aspersion. A more debauched person hath rarely infested a court, than he was, during the last reign. But years growing upon him, and his appetite for pleasure abating, his passions took a new course, and from a voluptuous, he became an ambitious man.
The pravity of his disposition, however, continued the same, though the object of his pursuit was altered. But enlarging his views still farther as he rose, and finding his marriage an incumbrance to him, he eased himself of it, as is generally suspected, by unfair means. This was done to make way for the princess Elizabeth, to whose bed he aspired; and, by her means, to the crown. Latimer had always a high esteem for the protector: he thought him an honest and a good man; and of better intentions towards the public, than any of the lords at that time about the king.
He was mortified therefore to see so invidious and base an opposition thwarting the schemes of so public-spirited a man; and endeavoured to lessen the odium by shewing the admiral's character in its true light, from some anecdotes not commonly known.
Since therefore Mr. What could induce that man to flatter the great, who, for the sake of truth, had voluntarily resigned one of the highest offices in his profession; and which, when voluntarily offered to him again, he had refused: a man too, who had taken all opportunities of inveighing against the vices of the greatest personages with a freedom, Page which in the strictest times would have been admired?
But during the reign of this prince, he never appeared of prime consideration in the public eye. In Page king Edward's reign he shewed himself with distinction enough. This person had long viewed the protector with an eye of jealousy and hatred.
From this time I meet with no accounts of Mr. Latimer, during the remainder of king Edward's reign. Latimer again, in the order of them. After the protector's death, the duke of Northumberland became all-powerful at court; and soon began to execute the wicked projects he had planned. His first step was to bring about a marriage between his son Guilford Dudley, and the eldest daughter of the house of Suffolk, a house nearly related to the crown.
Thus far the duke succeeded to his wish, and found a more general concurrence in the officers of state and judges, than he could have expected. The princess Mary, of whom he fatally thought himself too secure, found adherents in many parts of the nation, most of whom nothing but their great aversion to the duke's government, could have drawn to her party.
Her power daily increasing, the duke led an army against her. But his efforts were vain. But his crimes exceeded forgiveness. With him fell his new creation, queen Jane, an incomparable lady, endowed with every virtue; unfortunate only in having been made the tool of a practised villain.
Queen Mary having thus obtained the crown, began next to think of settling her government. Religion was her first care. As to her own principles, they were well known; though she had temporized under her father, with a good share of compliance, and had made promises too, upon her advancement to the crown, that she would introduce no public change in the established religion.
She resolved, therefore, as soon as she could, to restore popery, and reconcile the nation to the see of Rome. Page Her chief ministers in this design were Stephen Gardiner, now made lord chancellor, and Edmund Bonner, bishop of London.
The former of these persons hath already been often mentioned in a disadvantageous light. And sure the genius of popery had never a more proper subject to work on.
Bonner was indeed little more than an agent in the hands of Gardiner, who on many occasions chose rather to sit concealed, and work mischief by proxy. The queen's designs being now every where apparent, the reformed clergy presently took the alarm. Upon this he was sent for by the council; and being questioned about it, he boldly answered, "The paper was his, and he was only sorry, that he had not fixed it, as he intended, with his hand and seal, upon St.
Paul's gate. Latimer was in the country, where he continued preaching in his usual manner, unaffected by the danger of the times. But he did not long enjoy this liberty. The bishop of Winchester, who had proscribed him with the first, sent a messenger to cite him before the council. Latimer told him, "That he was as ready to attend him to London, thus called upon to answer for his faith, as he ever was to take any journey in his life: and that he doubted not but that God, who had already Page enabled him to stand before two princes, would enable him to stand before a third.
They well knew the firmness of his mind; and were afraid, as Mr. Latimer, however, opening the letter, and finding it to contain a citation from the council, resolved to obey it. He set out, therefore, immediately for London. As he passed through Smithfield, where heretics were usually burnt, he said chearfully, "This place hath long groaned for me. A servant leaving his apartment, Mr. Latimer, and desired an explanation of what he had said to his servant. Latimer, that I should be burned; but if you do not allow me a little fire, this frosty weather, I can tell you, I shall first be starved.
He had provided for the success, therefore, by modelling a convocation to his mind; in which only six protestant divines got admittance. By Page this junto, points of divinity and articles of faith were settled. Of these three, Ridley was generally esteemed the most eminent for parts and Page learning; as indeed he was superior in these points to most men of the age in which he lived. All the virtues of humanity were kneaded in his composition. In the mean time Mr.
Their prison-hours, however, were not spent in vain lamentations: their religion raised them above all human sufferings, and all mortal fears. Their chief resource was in prayer, in which exercise they spent great part of every day. Latimer particularly, would often continue kneeling, till he was not able to rise without help. The principal subject of his prayers was, that God would enable him to maintain the profession of his religion to the last; that God would again restore his gospel to England, and preserve the princess Elizabeth to be a comfort to this land.
Page The two bishops are represented fitting in their prison, ruminating upon the solemn preparations then making for their trial, of which probably they were now first informed. Bishop Ridley first broke silence. You, Mr. To this Mr. But in the present case, says he, my lord, I am determined for myself to give them very little trouble. I shall just offer them a plain account of my faith, and shall say very little more: for I know any thing Page more will be to no purpose.
They talk of a free disputation; but I am well 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 they had finished this exercise, Ridley breaks out in this pathetic strain. In Tine-dale, upon the borders of Scotland, the place of my nativity, I have known my countrymen watch night and day in arms; especially when they had notice of any intended inroad from the Scots.
And though by such bravery many of them lost their lives, yet they defended their country, died in a good cause, and intailed the love of the neighbourhood upon their posterity. Shall we not go always armed? Let us then awake; and taking the cross upon our shoulders, let us follow our captain Christ, who by his own blood hath hallowed the way that leadeth to God.
And now, methinks, I see you just about to lift up your eyes to heaven, in your accustomed manner, and turning your prophetical countenance upon me, thus to speak. And indeed, prayer and patience should be our great resources. For myself, had I the learning of St. Paul, I should think it ill laid out upon an elaborate Page defence. Yet our case, my lord, admits of comfort. Our enemies can do no more than God permits; and God is faithful; who will not suffer us to be tempted above our strength.
Be at a point with them: stand to that, and let them say and do what they please. To use many words would be vain: yet it is requisite to give a reasonable account of your faith, if they will quietly hear you. For other things, in a wicked judgment-hall, a man may keep silence after the example of Christ. But above all things, be upon your guard against the fear of death. This is the great argument you must oppose. WE left the Cambridge commissioners setting out in great pomp for Oxford, where they arrived on the 13th of April, Forms were then adjusted; and a method in their proceedings agreed on by the commissioners.
In this commission were joined thirty-three persons. To run over a catalogue of their names, would be needless; as the greater part of them were men of no note. His religion, however, was only in Page his head: it made no impression upon his heart. He was at this time, however, in the meridian of his credit. He was a bigot in the last degree. But the following story will give a just idea of his character.
When queen Mary began to think of restoring the old religion at Oxford, Dr. Tresham, then sub-dean of Christ-church, was among those, who were trusted by her in this business. But among them all, Chedsey was by far the most considerable.
He was indeed a very able man. For parts and learning, few of his time went beyond him. But he too had a Page ductile faith, which had been wholly guided by that of his superiors. The croud soon made way for archbishop Cranmer, who was brought in by a guard of armed men. He then spoke with an affected concern of his shameful apostacy; and of the several errors, which had crept into the church, while he presided over it.
Upon which the prolocutor appointed him likewise a disputation-day, and dismissed him. 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. The articles were then tendered to him; which he denied.
Upon which, the prolocutor cried out with some warmth, that he would make him find both: and when Mr. At length, the appointed day came for the archbishop's disputation. You might have known something very uncommon was in agitation; for the whole university was in motion. Almost at day-break the schools were thronged. About eight, the commissioners Page took their seats; and presently afterwards, the archbishop was brought in guarded.
But I will not delay the reader with the particulars of this day, nor of that, on which bishop Ridley disputed. I shall only say in general, for the sake of truth, that the papists do not seem to have justice done them by their protestant adversaries. Let these put what gloss upon the affair they please, the papists certainly had the better of the argument on both those days.
He who sits above with the Father, at the very same instant of time is handled with the hands of men? Austin, "Christ was carried in his own hands, when he said, this is my body? THE commissioners being now seated, the audience formed, and the tumult of a croud in some degree subsided, Dr.
I will protest my faith; and you may then do with me just what you please. Weston, I have frequently heard of you before: but I think I never saw you till now. I perceive you have great wit, and great learning: God grant you may make a right use of these gifts! His speech had its effect. The prolocutor took his paper, and said, he would read it himself. But whether he could not read it, or would not, he presently laid it down, and called out to the bishop, "Since Page you refuse to dispute, will you then subscribe?
Smith the opponent, to begin: who being prepared, immediately rises up, and in a pompous manner, prefaces the disputation, and gives out the question. The prolocutor observing this, begins again in his artful manner to draw Mr. Pray, said he, Sir, how long have you been in prison? Latimer, of our way of thinking. Page They then began to ply him with the fathers: and first, a passage from Hillary was quoted.
Latimer, speak in Latin, speak in Latin, I know you can do it, if you please. But instead of that, he answered gravely, "You may go on, Sir, if you please; but, upon my word, I do not understand you. The jargon of this learned doctor being silenced, others attacked him, but with equal success. He answered their questions, as far as civility required, but none of them could engage him in any formal disputation.
Chrysostom's faith, replied his antagonist, nor of St. On the friday following, therefore, the commissioners, seated in their accustomed Page form, sent for the three bishops to St. The next day a grand procession was made, in which the host, by way of triumph, was carried in state, under a canopy.
Some thought the queen was inclined to mercy; and it was confidently reported, that the three bishops would be removed indeed from interfering publicly with religion; but that, very liberally pensioned, they should in other respects have no cause to complain: while some again as positively affirmed, their measure would be very hard; as the queen, it was well known, would never forgive the hand Page they had had in her mother's divorce, and the separation from the church of Rome.
She had in general schemed it; but had laid out no measures. Civil affairs were at this time more her concern than ecclesiastical. At length, however, an area was cleared for the scene of blood about to be exhibited; and from this time, to the conclusion of the queen's reign, the establishment of popery was the single point in view; every national concern, in the mean time, both at home and abroad, being either made subservient to it, or neglected.
Page The first effort of the ministry was to gain a parliamentary concurrence. King Edward's laws against popery were still in force, and the nation of course in a state of separation from Rome. The pope laid aside his long-conceived displeasure; accepted the penitent nation; and easily consented to send over cardinal Pool into England, to make up the breach, in quality of his legate.
He might have been at the head of the reformation under Henry VIII; but he chose rather to court the favours of the pope; with whom to ingratiate himself, he treated Henry, then beginning to innovate, Page in a manner, which drew upon him a bill of attainder.
But as Rome was the situation he chose, his exile was the less grievous. Immediately his eyes were opened; and he found that, instead of sound philosophy, he had been indulging only a reverie of melancholy. And, to do him justice, he became his station. The cardinal immediately began to act.
And when many things had been said on that subject, and some things agreed on, they fell next on the treatment of heretics. And for those who are not in my jurisdiction, let them only be sent up to me, and lodged in any of my prisons, and when I have got them there, God do so to Bonner, and more also, if one of them escape me. Others spoke in the council, but all in the same violent strain. The whole nation stood aghast. THE rage of this persecution had now continued, yet unabated, near three quarters of a year.
However, afterwards, the whole truth appeared, when it was found that these delays, which had been charged upon the court of Rome, were really occasioned by the bishop of Winchester himself.
Page It was the secret grief of that ambitious prelate, that there was one still higher than himself, in ecclesiastical affairs. For he knew, that cardinal Carraffa, who had just obtained the pontificate, had no friendship for Pool, with whom formerly he had sharp disputes. The designing prelate, therefore, was in great hopes, that his scheme would take effect; and when Pool was removed, he made no doubt but he had interest to succeed him.
But this was only an under part in his scheme. He knew, and was distressed in knowing, that the archbishopric of Canterbury, upon the death of Cranmer, was intended for the legate. Page This dignity his heart was set on, of which he made himself sure upon the removal of Pool. With this view he did what he could to delay the execution of Cranmer, till the legate was recalled, and his own head ready for the mitre. The rumour of this commission spread an universal alarm. Great were the preparations in the mean time at Oxford, to receive the commissioners.
The bishop of London was first questioned. Then bishop Latimer was brought in; to whom Lincoln, who was a polite and very eloquent man, spoke to this effect. Confider, Mr. Latimer, it is not more than twenty years, since these novel opinions got footing amongst us. Why then should you oppose the unanimity of a whole people?
Confess your fault, and unite your penitence with theirs. It hath been a common error, let it be a general humiliation. Let me even implore you not to reduce us to the fatal necessity of cutting you off from the church; and leaving you to the vengeance of the civil power. Spare yourself: accelerate not your death: consider the condition of your soul: remember, it is the cause, not the death, that maketh the martyr. Here the bishop pausing, Mr.
At this the old bishop seemed to express his surprize, and told him, that although he did not know the author of it, yet it was written by a person of name, the bishop of Gloucester. Latimer, paid him some compliments upon his learning, and then spoke in vindication of his book. But Page his zeal carrying him too far, the bishop of Lincoln interrupting him, said, "We came not here, my lord, to dispute with Mr.
These articles were much the same as those, on which he had been brought to dispute the year before. They were accordingly read, and Mr. The notaries having taken down his answers and protestation, the bishop of Lincoln told him, "That as far as he could, he would shew lenity to him: that the answers which he had now given in, should not be prejudicial to him; but that he should be called upon the next morning, when he might make what alterations he pleased; and that he hoped in God, he would then find him in a better temper.
Latimer, your indulgence is to no purpose. When a man is convinced of a truth, even to deliberate is unlawful. If you urge me farther, I will reply as St. Latimer's final Page answer to the articles; which he gave as he had done before; and accompanied with the same protestation. Latimer in a very pathetic manner to retract his opinion: but being answered by a steady negative, he at length passed sentence upon him.
Latimer then asked him, whether there laid any appeal from this judgment? Latimer to the custody of the mayor, and dissolved the assembly. These preparations, and what others were necessary, being made, the last scene of this tragedy was opened. ON the north-side of the town, near Baliol-college, a spot of ground was chosen for the place of execution. The bishop of London first entered this dreadful circle, accompanied by the mayor: soon after, bishop Latimer was brought in.
This difference in their dress made a moving contrast, and augmented the concern of the spectators: the bishop of London shewing what they had before been; bishop Latimer, what they were now reduced to. When they considered, as Mr. He had a happy temper; formed on the principles of christian philosophy. Such was his chearfulness, 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, and on no occasion wanted a resource; he could retire within himself, and hold the world at defiance.
Like Cranmer, Latimer was also to be executed for his religious beliefs in the reign of Mary I. Hugh Latimer is thought to have been born in From on he was educated at Cambridge University.
He joined the likes of Cranmer at the White Horse Tavern where issues on the Lutheran faith were discussed. In , Latimer announced his support for justification by faith alone. This was a major plank of the Lutheran faith and the logical extension of the belief was that a church could act as an advisor and educator but that an individual did not need a church to get to Heaven.
If you had true faith, this would be known by God and would be sufficient to be accepted into Heaven. This belief was clearly a threat to the beliefs of the Catholic Church, which maintained that individuals could only ascend to Heaven via the Catholic Church. It culminated in his nomination to the bishopric of Worcester in By , however, the King was dissatisfied with the rapid development of reforming views and approved the conservative Act of Six Articles as fundamental expressions of Church doctrine; in consequence Thomas Cromwell prompted Latimer's resignation, the cessation of his preaching, and the restricting of his liberty.
During the subsequent reign of King Edward VI, who acceded to the throne in January , Protestantism rose in favor. Latimer became the most famous preacher of the day, speaking not merely on theological subjects but also on social and economic reforms.
His humorous and homely style ensured wide appreciation, and Latimer did much to spread the idea of the Reformation. The accession of Mary I in reinstated Catholicism, and Latimer was discredited and arrested immediately. Throughout his imprisonment and heresy trial in , the aged preacher stoutly maintained his Protestant convictions, even when he was about to be burned alive. Hugh Latimer died on Oct. George E.
Corrie edited The Works of Hugh Latimer 2 vols.
0コメント