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; 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

and

wered 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 alt 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 persuade 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 cultivated only useful learning, and that he thought lay in a very narrow compass. He never engaged in worldly affairs, 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

of

of manners, for apostolic zeal in the cause of religion, and for every virtue, both of a public and private kind, that should adorn the life of a Christian; he was eminent and exemplary beyond most men of his own or of any other time; well deserving that evangelical commendation, with the testimony of a good conscience in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, he had his conversation in the world.

NICHOLAS RIDLEY,

BISHOP OF

LONDON.

THIS HIS most learned of all our English martyrs, was born of an ancient and worthy family at Willymondswyke, in Northumberland. He was educated in grammatical learning at Newcastle upon Tyne; from thence the was removed to Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge, at the expence of his uncle Dr Robert Ridley, about the year 1518, when Luther was preaching against indulgences in Germany. Here he acquired a great proficiency in the Latin and Greek tongues, and in the other learning of that time. His reputation was such, as to procure him the esteem of the other university, as well as of his own; for in the beginning of 1524, the master and fellows of University College, in Oxford, invited him to accept of an exhibition, founded by Walter Skyrley, bishop of Durham, which he declined. The next year he took his master's degree, and was appointed by the college their general agent in some causes relating to it.

His uncle was now willing to add to his attainments, the advantages of travel, and the improvement of foreign universities; and as his studies were now directed to divinity, he sent him to spend some time among the doctors of the Sorbonne at Paris, (which was then the most celebrated university in Europe) and afterwards among the professors of Louvain. Having staid three years abroad, viz. the years, 1527, 1528, 1529, he returned to Cambridge, and pursued his theological studies; and, as his safest guide in them, diligently applied himself to the read