Ecclesiastical history epitomized containing a faithful account of ye birth life & doctrine, crucifixion & ascension of ye holy Iesus : with the lives of ye apostles evangelists & primitive fathers & other famous men in ye Christian Church both antient & modern who have couragiously confessed & suffered glorious martyrdomes & persecutions under several tyrannical governours both heathenish and Romish : faithfully continued to ye reformation and since deduced to this present age / carefully collected by J.S. ... ; in two parts.

The Life of HUGH LATIMER Martyr.

HƲgh Latimer was born in Leicestershire, at a place called Thrikesson, where in his younger years he was put to School, and profited so much in learning, that within a while he was sent to Cambridge; where he gave himself wholly to the Study of Divinity, and within two years after his coming thither, Commenced Batchelor of Divini∣ty; yet was he so zealous a Papist, till God opened his eyes that he wrote many bitter Letters against Melancthone, and others of the Reformed Church, using all the Idolatrous Ceremonies; counting it a great Crime in him if he omitted any one part of the Romish Decrees, and Canons resolving by any means to become a Fryer, for he at that time verily believed that if he were so he could not be Damned; so blinded was he with Superstition, and plunged so far into Error; but God having made him, a chosen Vessel to bear his Name, soon found means for his Conversion; for Mr. Biliney an orthodox Divine taking notice of his great Zeal, in the way he then was in, and for the Religion (though a false one) that he professed, he took such opportunities to discourse with him in Private, that by his Con∣vincing Arguments he so far wrought upon him, as to give heedful Attention to his Doctrine, where∣by he soon became more Tractable, and much in∣clined to the reformed Church; and greatly grieved

for the abuses he had offered to the reformed Mini∣sters, asking them both by word of mouth, and Letters forgiveness for the offences. And now his Eyes being open he plainly perceived the deceits of the Romish Church, and began to detest it, as much as he ever had admired it, so that he by that means fell into the high Displeasure of some Romish Doctors, who before had styled him their Champi∣on.

When he was thus Converted and brought over to imbrace the saving Knowledge of the Gospel, he began to Preach and indeavour to Convert o∣thers, insomuch that he converted many; but the Bishop of Ely sent strictly to forbid him; but upon his refusing to desist the Bishop went himself, when as he found him Preaching, which he continued so Authentickly and with such a Grace, that the Bi∣shop instead of reproving him, highly Commended him, and wished to God that himself had the same Gift of preaching so plain and powerfully, yet shortly after a complaint was made against him, to Cardinal Wolsey, who cited him before him; but by the means of Dr. Butts the King's Physician, he was rather advanced then any ways Discouraged; for it being about the time that the debate was held about King Henry the Eight his Supremacy, the Cardinal upon finding a man of great Learning, chose him to be one of those that sate about the deciding that Affair; when within a while he grew into such favour with the Lord Cromwel, that he pre∣ferred him to a Benefice in Wiltshire, where he faith∣fully Officiated for many years, and then was re∣moved from thence to the Bishoprick of Worcester, where he behaved himself so well, that he soon ob∣tained the Praise of all that were under his Cure.

Unless some malicious Fryers and Monks, who great∣ly Envyed him as plainly perceiving, that his Do∣ctrine tended to the discovery of their abominable Errors; insomuch that they Exhibited many griev∣ous Complaints against him. How that he Preached false Doctrine, and indeavoured to stir up the people to Rebellion. But to this he so learnedly returned Answer, that his Adversaries were ashamed of what they had done; then continued he more dili∣gent then ever, in Correcting and reforming such Abuses as were crept into the several Churches un∣der his jurisdiction, opposing, as much as in him lay, the Cross absurdities of the popish Priests, Preach∣ing against Miracles and Transubstantiation, Ado∣ration of Images, and the like, which made the ri∣gid Papists ever lay Snares for him, but in vain; du∣ring the Life of the worthy Lord Cromwel, they prevailed not in any thing.

Upon New-years day, when the Bishops were wont to present the King with Gifts, Dr. Latimer presented King Henry with a New Testament, in a Handkerchief, with this Inscription on the Co∣vers; Fornicatores, & Adulteros, Judicabit Domi∣nus; Whoremongers, and Adulterers, God will judg; so plain was he in reproving the King, when none besides him durst Attempt it.

A while after by the prevalency of the popish Lords, they obtained a Bill to pass in Parliament, containing the six bloody Articles, which obliged many a good man, to lay down his Charge, and a∣mongst the rest this good Bishop. When he had pul∣ed of his Rocket before several of his Friends, he cut a Caper or two, Saying; now I feel my self light, as being discharged of a heavy Burthon, for indeed such a Charge is not a little ponderous and trouble∣some;

If according to the Institution of Bishops, they faithfully discharge their Trust.

When he had resigned his Bishoprick, he retired himself to west Kingston near Bristow, where he had a Personage, and there he Preached every Sunday, Exhorting and instructing the People in the way to eternal Life. Yet here the restless Papists would not suffer him to be at quiet, but made great Complaints against his Doctrine, although they could prove nothing therein contrary to the Word of God; up∣on which he repairing to Arch-Bishop Cranmer to clear himself, found such Favour at his Hands, that he prevailed with the King so far on his behalf, that his Accusers were forced to draw in their Horns and shrink into their shells again, as well knowing they could make out nothing Erroneous, against either himself, or his Doctrine.

These were his Conflicts during the Reign of King Henry the Eight, but he dying, and young King Edward coming to the Crown, the six Articles that had caused such Blood-shed, were Rovoked, and then Dr. Latimer was restored to his Bishoprick, where he continued to Preach twice aday for the most part. And now the Popes Chickens not having such shelter under the Wings of this good Prince; as they had before, the Bishop lived in great quiet, and followed his Studies so close, that he soon became such a Disputant that few durst encounter him.

One day as he was Preaching, he told his Auditory, that his Preaching the Gospel would one day cost him his Life, and that Winchester was preserved in the Tower for the same purpose; which in the Reign of Bloody Queen Mary fell out accordingly, for she was no sooner seated in the Throne, but a Pursevant was sent to fetch Dr. Latimer up to Lon∣don.

Of whose coming altho he had six days notice before hand, yet would he not avoid him, but having received the Letters he brought from the Council, he promised to follow him, which he did the next day, tho contrary to the Expectation of his Enemies, who wished that he would fly, as well knowing his great Parts; but he taking leave of his Friends, said, I now go as willing to give an Account of my Faith, as ever I yet went to any place, doubting not, but that God who hath made me worthy to Preach his Word before two excellent Princes will enable me to bear Witness be∣fore the third, either to her Eternal Comfort or Discom∣fort. In his way to Court he Rid through Smith∣field, where he said to such as accompanied him: That Smithfield had groaned for him a long time. When he came before the Councel, they fell to abusing him after an unseemly manner, and without suffer∣ing him to speak for himself, sent him Prisoner to the Tower, which they had resolved upon before his coming.

Being in the Tower, God gave him not only a Christian patience, but indued him with the Spirit of wisdom, beyond what he had formerly been ca∣pable of. There he kept a whole Winter with∣out fire, notwithstanding his age, and the extremi∣ty of the Weather, which made him tell the Lieute∣nants man, Ʋnless they looked better after him, he should deceive them: Which words he repeat∣ing to his Master, the Lieutenant charged Dr. La∣timer as one intending to make his escape. But he expounded the Words, saying, That unless you pro∣vide me fire and other necessaries, instead of dying by heat (meaning by burning) I shall perish here, through Cold and want.

After he had continued a considerable time Priso∣ner

in the Tower, and had been often tempted to Recant, he was sent to Oxford, together with Dr. Ridley Bishop of London, and Arch-Bishop Cranmer, there to Dispute against the Popish Doctors a∣bout Transubstantiation, and other such like Erro∣neous Tenets in the Church of Rome. Where Dr. Weston was appointed Prolocutor: The Place for the Dispute being St. Mary's Church. And altho these three Champions of Christ were separated, not being allowed the use of Books, yet did they so Confound their Adversaries by lively Texts out of the Scriptures, and Proofs out of the Fathers, that they were obliged to fall to their old way of Rail∣ing. And so overpow'ring them with Noise and Clamor, they gave out to the Rabble that they had prevailed against the Hereticks, but would by no means suffer the Proceedings to be Published. Then was our good Bishop with the rest conveyed to se∣veral Prisons, where he continued with admirable Patience, writing to his fellow-Sufferers to Com∣fort and Strengthen them to bear their Cross: And often in his Prayer, which was exceeding Fervent, he would beg of God to restore the Light of the Gospel once more in England, and that he would preserve Queen Elizabeth to be a Comfort to the People: And for himself, he desired to dye, That he so might seal his Testimony with his dearest Blood. All which came afterwards to pass.

A while after he was brought to his Tryal, where he so defended the Doctrine he had Preached, that his Enemies were amazed at his prodigious Learn∣ing: Yet his Death, being right or wrong, resolved upon, they proceeded to degrade, and Sentence him: After which he was delivered up to the secu∣lar Power, in order to his Execution, together with Dr. Ridley.

When he was brought to the Stake, he look'd with a very chearful Countenance, as not being in the least Dismayed at the Approach of that Death which himself so much desired, and the which he might have avoided, if he would have Recanted. After he had prayed a while, he unstripp'd himself for the Fire, and said to Bishop Ridley, Brother, be of good Comfort, and play the Man; for I trust by God's Grace, we shall this Day light such a Candle in England as shall never be put out: Adding that He knew God was Faithful, and would not suffer him to be Temp∣ted above what he was able to bear. Then Embracing Dr. Ridley, he was bound to the Stake, and the Fire kindled to him, when as he cryed with a loud Voice; O Father of Heaven, receive my Soul: And then stroaking his Face with his Hand, he gave up the Ghost; dying a Glorious Martyr at Oxford, Anno Christi 1555.

Two things more are worthy of Note. The first is, That at his Death such abundance of Blood gushed out, that it for a while damped the Fire: The second, That Stephen Gardener Bishop of Win∣chester, his mortal Enemy, having that Day pre∣pared a great Feast at Winchester-House in South∣wark; notwithstanding his having several Persons of Quality to Dine with him, would not go to Dinner till such time as he received certain Intelli∣gence of the Deaths of Latimer and Ridley, which was not till about four in the Afternoon; when with a chearful Countenance he said, Come now my Lords sit down, the arch-Hereticks are Dispatched. But he had not eat past three Bits before his Tongue began to swell in his Mouth. So that being car∣ryed from the Table, as not being able to go him∣self, he continued in a miserable Condition for

fifteen Days, and then dyed, being as some Report, Starved by reason he could not swallow any Suste∣nance.