LIGHTING A CANDLE THAT IS BURNING STILL
"Early set forth on thine eternal race;
The ascent is steep and craggy; thou must climb.
God at all times has promised sinners GRACE,
If they repent; but He ne'er promised TIME.
Cheat not thyself as most, who then prepare
For death, when life is almost turned to fume:
One thief was saved, that no man need despair,
And but one thief that no one might presume”.
“A STANDARD-BEARER—BIDDING FAREWELL—BEFORE THE BISHOPS—LATIMER'S APPEAL—BE OF GOOD HEART,BROTHER —PLAYING THE MAN—IS POPERY ALIVE OR DEAD?”
AFTER this resolute defense the three confessors were removed to prison, and there they lay for eighteen months awaiting their death. Of Latimer's behavior during that interval, his servant has preserved for us the following account: —
“In prayer he was fervently occupied, and I did note that he most of all did rejoice that God had given him grace to apply his office of preaching, and assisted him without fear or flattery to tell unto the wicked their faults. The other thing I did notice was his earnestness and diligence in prayer, wherein so long he continued kneeling that he was not able to rise without help, and amongst other things he prayed for three principal matters. The first that God would help him to stand to his doctrine until his death. The other thing was, that God would restore the Gospel of Christ unto this realm once again. And these words, ' once again, once again,' he did so inculcate and beat into the ears of the Lord God, as though he had seen God before him, and spake unto Him face to face. The third thing was, that God would make the Princess Elizabeth, whom he was wont to mention by name, and even with tears, a comfort to the comfortless realm of England. These were the matters he prayed for so earnestly; but were these things desired in vain? Did God despise the prayers of this His fervent soldier? No, assuredly; for the Lord did most graciously grant all these requests.”
The malice of their enemies separated the three friends, but their servants continued to take messages from one to the other. Their long detention in prison fixed the eyes of all England upon them, and Latimer's brave bearing contributed not a little to the firm faith of others. "I do think that the Lord hath placed old Father Latimer to be His standard-bearer," said Ridley, "in our age and country against his mortal foe Antichrist.”
In the month of May 1553 Latimer wrote a farewell address "to all unfeigned lovers of God's truth.”
“Set before you," said he, "that though the weather be stormy and foul, yet you go not alone.; many of your brethren and sisters pass by the same path, as St. Peter telleth us; that company might cause you to be the more courageous and cheerful. But if you had no company at all to go presently with you, stick not to go still forward. I pray you tell me if from the beginning any, yea, the best of God's friends have found any fairer way or weather to the place whither we are going (I mean to heaven) than we now find and are like to find? Wherefore, my dear beloved, be not so dainty to look to have at the Lord's hands, your dear Father, that which the patriarchs, prophets, and evangelists, martyrs and saints, yea, and His own Son, Jesus Christ, did not find.”
On the 28th of September three Bishops were sent down to Oxford in order to examine the three confessors. Foxe relates that when Latimer came before these judges "he held his hat in his hand, he had a kerchief on his head, and upon it a nightcap or two, and a great cap such as townsmen use, with two broad flaps to button under the chin; he wore an old threadbare frieze gown, girded to his body with a penny leather girdle, at the which hanged by a long string of leather his Testament; and his spectacles, without case, depended about his neck upon his breast.”
Stout Hugh Latimer refused utterly to recant, and therefore the three Bishops, on the 1st of October, proceeded to read their sentence to him. This ran as follows: —
"Forasmuch as the said Hugh Latimer did affirm, maintain, and stubbornly defend certain opinions, assertions, and heresies contrary to the Word of God and the received faith of the Church, as in denying the true and natural body of Christ, and His natural blood to be in the sacrament of the altar; and, secondly, in affirming the substance of bread and wine to remain after the words of consecration; thirdly, in denying the mass to be a lively sacrifice of the Church for the quick and the dead; therefore the judges did condemn him as a heretic, adjudged him presently to be degraded from all ecclesiastical orders, declared him to be no member of the Church, excommunicated him with the greater excommunication, and committed him to the secular powers to receive due punishment.”
Latimer asked if he might not appeal from the sentence which had just been read over to him.
“To whom would you appeal?”
“To the next General Council which shall be truly called in God's name.
"I have no objection to such an assembly," said the Bishop of Lincoln, who presided, “but it will be a long time before the Council is convoked." On the 16th of October 1555 Ridley and Latimer were led together to execution. Foxe, who doubtless wrote his account from the narrative of an eye-witness, describes the scene thus. His vivid words bring the martyrdom plainly before us: —
"On the north side of Oxford, in the ditch over against Baliol College, the place of execution was fixed; and for fear of any tumult, the lord Williams and the households of the city sufficiently appointed were commanded by the Queen's letters to be their assistant; when everything was ready, the prisoners were brought forth by the mayor and bailiffs.
“Dr. Ridley had on a black gown furred, such as he used to wear when a bishop; a tippet of velvet furred, a velvet nightcap, with a corner cap, and slippers on his feet. He walked to the stake between the mayor and an alderman, &c.
“After him came Mr. Latimer, in a poor Bristol frieze frock much worn, with his buttoned cap and kerchief on his head, all ready to the fire, a new long shroud hanging down to the feet: which sight excited sorrow in the spectators, beholding on the one side the honor they sometime had, and on the other the calamity into which they had fallen.
“Dr. Ridley, as he passed toward the prison called Bocardo, looked up where Dr. Cranmer lay, hoping to have seen him at the glass window and spoken to him. But Dr. Cranmer was then engaged in dispute with Friar Soto and his fellows, so that he could not see him. Dr. Ridley then looking back, saw Mr. Latimer coming after. Unto whom he said, Oh, are you there? " Yea,' said Mr. Latimer, have after, as fast as I can.' So, he following, at length they came to the stake. Dr. Ridley first entered the place, earnestly held up both his hands towards heaven; then seeing Mr. Latimer, with a cheerful look he ran to him and embraced him, saying, Be of good heart, brother, for God will assuage the fury of the flame, or else strengthen us to abide it.'
“He then went to the stake, and, kneeling down, prayed with great fervor; while Mr. Latimer, following, kneeled also, and prayed as earnestly as he.”
After they arose the one talked with the other a little while, till they which were appointed to see the execution removed themselves out of the sun. What they said to each other I can learn of no man.
“A sermon was then preached by Dr. Smith, lasting about a quarter of an hour, from St. Paul's words, Though I give my body to be burnt, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.'
“At its conclusion Dr. Ridley said to Mr. Latimer, Will you begin to answer the sermon, or shall I?’ Mr. Latimer said, ' Begin you first, I pray you.'
‘I will,' said Dr. Ridley.
“He then, with Mr. Latimer, kneeled to my lord Williams, the vice-chancellor of Oxford, and the other commissioners, who sat upon a form, and said, ' I beseech you, my lord, even for Christ's sake, that I may speak but two or three words:' and whilst my lord bent his head to the mayor and vice-chancellor to know whether he might have leave to speak, the bailiffs, and Dr. Marshal, the vice-chancellor, ran hastily unto him, and with their hands stopping his mouth, said, Mr. Ridley, if you will revoke your erroneous opinions, you shall not only have liberty so to do, but also your life.'
Not otherwise?' said Dr. Ridley. No,' answered Dr. Marshal: therefore if you will not do so, there is no remedy: you must suffer for your deserts.' Well,' said the martyr, so long as the breath is in my body I WILL NEVER DENY MY LORD CHRIST AND HIS KNOWN TRUTH: God's will be done in me: With that he rose and said with a loud voice, I commit our cause to Almighty God, who will judge all, without respect of persons.' To which Mr. Latimer added his old saying, Well, there is nothing hid, but it shall be opened.' They were then commanded to prepare, immediately, for the stake.
“With all meekness they obeyed. Dr. Ridley gave his gown and tippet to his brother-in-law, Mr. Shipside, who all the time of his imprisonment, although he was not suffered to come to him, was there at his own charge to provide him necessaries, which, from time to time, he sent him by the sergeant. Some other of his apparel he also gave away; the other the bailiffs took.
“He likewise made presents of other small things to gentlemen standing by, divers of them pitifully weeping; to Sir Henry Lea he gave a new great; to my lord Williams' gentleman some handkerchiefs, &c., and happy was he who could get the least trifle for a remembrance of this good man.
“Mr. Latimer quietly suffered his keeper to pull off his hose and his other apparel, which was very simple; and being stripped to his shroud, he seemed as comely a person as one could well see.
“Then Dr. Ridley, standing as yet in his drawers, said to his brother, It were best for me to go in my drawers still.' ‘No,' said Mr. Latimer, it will put you to more pain; and it will do a poor man good.' Whereunto Dr. Ridley said, Be it in the name of God,' and so unlaced himself. Then being in his shirt, he held up his hands and said, O heavenly Father, I give unto Thee most hearty thanks, that Thou hast called me to be a professor of Thee, even unto death; I beseech Thee, Lord God, have mercy on this realm of England, and deliver it from all her enemies.'
“The smith then took a chain of iron, and brought it about both their middles; and as he was knocking in the staple, Dr. Ridley took the chain in his hand, and looking aside to the smith, said, Good fellow, knock it in hard, for the flesh will have its course.' Then his brother brought him a bag of gunpowder, and tied it about his neck. Dr. Ridley asked him what it was; he answered, Gunpowder.'
Then,' said he, I take it to be sent of God; therefore I will receive it. And have you any,' said he, for my brother?' (meaning Mr. Latimer). Yea, sir, that I have,' said he. ‘Then give it unto him,' said he, in time, lest you come too late.' So his brother carried it to Mr. Latimer, "They then brought a lighted fagot, and laid it at Dr. Ridley's feet; upon which Mr. Latimer said, BE OF GOOD COMFORT, MR. 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.'
“When Dr. Ridley saw the fire flaming up towards him, he cried with an amazing loud voice, Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit; Lord, receive my spirit; ' and continued often to repeat, Lord, Lord, receive my spirit.' Mr. Latimer cried as vehemently, O Father of heaven, receive my soul.' After which he soon died, seemingly with little pain.”
“And thus," says Thomas Fuller, quaintly," though he came after Ridley to the stake, he got before him to heaven. His body made tinder by age, was no sooner touched by the fire, but instantly this old Simeon had his Nunc Dimittis,' and brought the news to heaven that his brother was following after.
“And thus much concerning Master Hugh Latimer, that old and blessed servant of God, for whose labors, travails, fruitful life, and constant death, this whole realm hath cause to give great thanks to Almighty God.”
“But Dr. Ridley, from the ill-making of the fire, the fagots being green, and piled too high, so that the flames, which burned fiercely beneath, could not well get to him, was put to such exquisite pain that he desired them, for God's sake, to let the fire come unto him. His brother-in-law hearing him, but not very well understanding, to rid him of his pain, and not well knowing what he did, heaped fagots upon him, so that he quite covered him. This made the fire burn so vehement beneath, that it burned all his nether parts before it touched the upper, and made him struggle under the fagots, and often desire them to let the fire come under him, saying, I cannot burn.' Yet in all his torments he forgot not to call upon God. In such pains he labored till one of the standers-by, with his bill, pulled the fagots from above, and where Dr. Ridley saw the fire flame up, he wrested himself to that side. At last the fire touched the gunpowder, and he was' seen to stir no more, but burned on the other side, falling down to Mr. Latimer's feet; his body being divided.
“The dreadful sight filled almost every eye with tears. Some took it grievously to see their deaths whose lives they had held so dear. Some pitied their persons, who thought their souls had no need thereof. But the sorrow of his brother, whose anxiety led him to attempt to put a speedy end to his sufferings, but who, from error and confusion, so unhappily prolonged them, surpassed that of all. So violent was his grief, that the spectators pitied him almost as much as they did the martyr.”
"How fast the Marian death-list is unroll'd !
See Latimer and Ridley, in the might
Of Faith, stand coupled for a common fight !
One, like those prophets whom God sent of old,
Transfigured, from this kindling hath foretold
A torch of inextinguishable light ;
The other gains a confidence as bold ;
And thus they foil their enemy's despite.
The penal instruments, the shows of crime,
Are glorified while this once-mitred pair
Of saintly friends, the murtherous chain partake,
Corded, and burning at the social stake !
Earth never witnessed object more sublime
In constancy, in fellowship more fair."
Thus Wordsworth sings, and the consent of the generations since their martyrdom is in accord with this testimony.
The number of the English martyrs is indeed very small when compared with the list of sufferers in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe. But it was a sufficient number to burn deeply into the English nation a horror of Popery which at times assumes a form ludicrous and absurd.
“To us the gigantic Papal system of the sixteenth century," says a recent writer, "that wonderful imperium, in imperio, with its proud claims, its tens of thousands of satellites, its endless abuses, is in general a little more than an extinct geological system, which we study with the mild excitement of antiquarian curiosity." Such indeed is the too common spirit of many amongst us, and it is for this reason that Rome is able to make such gigantic advances as it has done of recent years. The system, alas! is still a living force, and if its methods are somewhat more guarded and subtle than they were of old, it still constitutes a menace to the civil and religious liberties of the nation.
The sentence which was read over to Latimer shows the great issue upon which he died. And the controversy between Protestants and Romanists is still not upon secondary questions, but upon the question as to the sufficiency of the sacrifice which our Lord offered upon the Cross. Between the two theologies a great gulf is fixed, and no union is possible without the surrender of the one or of the other view. If Christ died once for all, then there is no need for the mass or for a priesthood, and upon the ground of faith in Christ alone the guilty may find, peace with God.
Latimer's mission was to declare the sufficiency of Christ's atonement, and to show its practical bearing upon the hearts and lives of men. In this he still occupies a position which is peculiarly his own, and in the discharge of this duty his best qualities are to be seen. Utility was the essential in Latimer's ministry, and in this practical earnest devotion to the interests of others lay his wonderful power over his own age and ours. To each of us is given some similar office. We live only that we may, find out what is true in order that by it we may both help ourselves and others; that is, by the Gospel to live such a life as shall become a fragrant force in the regeneration of the world.
THE END