quently withstood the fear of death; whereas I am raw in the service, and unexperienced." With this preface he introduces a request, that Mr Latimer, whom he calls his father, would hear him propose such arguments, as he thinks it most likely his adversaries would urge against him, and assist him with providing himself with proper answers to them.

"

To this Mr Latimer, in his usual strain of good humour, replied, that he fancied the good bishop was treating him, as he remembered Mr Bilney used formerly to do; who, when he wanted to teach him, would always do it under colour of being taught himself. "But, in the present case, said he, my lord, I am determined 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 more will be to no purpose. They talk of a free disputation; but I am well assured their grand argument will be, as it once was their forefathers, We have a law, and by our law ye "ought to die"Bishop Ridley having afterwards desired his prayers, that he might trust wholly upon God. « Of ચંદ્ર my prayers (replied the old bishop) you may be well assured; nor do I doubt but I shall have yours in return: 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 defence: Yet our case, my lord, admits of com. fort. 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 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 ex"ample of Christ. As for their sophistry, you know falsehood may often be displayed in the colours of truth. But, above all things, be upon your guard against the fear of death: This is THE GREAT ARGUMENT you must oppose. Poor Shaxton! it is to be feared, this argument had the greatest weight in his recantation. But let us be stedfast and unmoveable, assuring our selves, that we cannot be more happy, than by being "such Philippians, as not only believe in Christ, but dare "to suffer for his sake." Agreeably to this noble fortitade did our martyr behave himself through this dispute;

wherein,

wherein, though much artifice was used for the purpose, he never could be drawn into any formal reasoning with his adversaries. Mr Addison greatly admires his behaviour on this occasion, but does not assign the true cause of it. This remarkable old man (says he) knowing how his abilities were impaired by age, and that it was impossible for him to recollect all those reasons which had ⚫ directed him in the choice of his religion, left his companions, who were in the full possession of their parts and learning, to baffle and confound their antagonists by the force of reason: As for himself, he only repeated to his adversaries the articles in which he firmly believed, and in the profession of which he was determined to die. The truth is, he knew it would anwser no end to be more explicit.

However, he answered their questions as far as civility required, and in these answers, it is observable, he managed the argument much better than either Ridley or Cranmer, who, when they were pressed in defence of transubstantiation, with some passages from the fathers, instead of disavowing an insufficient authority, weakly defended a good cause, evading and distinguishing after the manner of schoolmen. Whereas, when the same proofs were multiplied upon Latimer, he told them plainly, that such proofs had no weight with him; that the fathers, no doubt, were often deceived, and that he never depended upon them, but when they depended upon scripture. Then you are not of St Chrysostom's faith, (replied his antagonist) nor of St Austin's."I have told you (says "Mr Latimer) I am not; except they bring scripture " for what they say." The dispute being ended, sentence was passed upon him in the beginning of October; and he and Ridley were executed on the sixteenth. When they came to the stake, Latimer lift up his eyes with a sweet and amiable countenance, saying, Fidelis est Deus, &c. i. e. God is faithful, who will not suffer us to be tempted above that which we are able. When they were brought to the fire, on a spot of ground on the north side of Baliol College; where, after an abusive sermon, being told by an officer they might now make ready for the stake, Mr Latimer, having thrown off his prison attire, appeared in a shroud prepared for the purpose; and ⚫ whereas before (says Mr Fox) he seemed a withered and crooked old man, he stood now bolt upright, as comely a father as one might lightly behold.' Being thus ready, he recommended his soul to God, and deli

vered himself to the executioner, saying to the bishop of London, "We shall this day, brother, light such a "candle in England, as shall never be put out.'

It is said, that as he was burning, the blood ran from his heart in such abundance, that it astonished the spectators, and brought to mind what he had before wished, that he might be so happy as to shed his heart's blood for the truth. When the fire was first kindled, he cried "O Father of heaven, receive my soul," and so receiving the flame, and (as it seemed) embracing it, and having stroked his face with his hands, and bathed them a little in the fire, he soon died without the least appearance of suffering pain.

Such was the death of Hugh Latimer, bishop of Worcester, one of the leaders of that noble army of martyrs, who introduced the Reformation in England. He had a happy temper, improved by the best principles; and such was his chearfulness, that none of the circumstances of life were seen to discompose him. Such was his Christian 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, feel the support of a gracious Master, and hold the world at defiance.

And, as danger could not daunt, so neither could ambition allure him. Though conversant in courts, and intimate with princes, he preserved to the last a rare instance of moderation in his original plainness. In his profession he was indefatigable: And, that he might bestow as much time as possible on the active part of it, he allowed himself only those hours for his private studies, when the busy world is at rest; constantly rising, at all seasons in the year, by two in the morning. How conscientious he was in the discharge of the public parts of his office, we have many examples. No man could per suade more forcibly; no man could exert, on proper occasions, a more commanding severity. The wicked, in whatever station, he rebuked with dignity, and awed vice more than a penal law.

He was not esteemed a very learned man, for he culti vated only useful learning, and that he thought lay in a very narrow compass. He never engaged in worldly airs, thinking that a clergyman ought to employ himself only in his profession. Thus he lived, rather a good, than what the world calls a great man. He had not those commanding talents which give superiority in business; but, for honesty and sincerity of heart, for true simplicity

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