The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 32
HVGH LATYMER.
The Life and Death of Hugh Latimer.
HVgh Latimer, born at Thirkesson in the County of Leicester, being of a prompt and sharp wit, was by his Parents brought up in learning, and at the age of 14. he went to Cambridge, where after he had profited in other studies, he gave himself to the study of School-Divinity: commensed Batchelor in Divinity, and was a very zealous Papist, made an Oration against Philip Melanc…hon: railed against Master Stafford, Divinity-Lecturer, and willed the Scholars in no wise to beleeve him: he carried the Crosse before the Procession: Master Bilney seeing, and pittying his blinde zeal, came to his study, and desired him to hear him make a Confession of his Faith, which Latimer consenting to, was so touched therby, that he gave over School-Divinity, and studied more O…thodox Divines. He used often to confer with Master Bilney, and asked Master Stafford forgivenesse before he dyed: he became a powerfull Preacher, and instructed many in private also; whereupon the Devill raised up many Doctors and Fryers against him, and the Bishop of Elye forbad him to Preach Anno Christi 1529. yet he continued three yeeres preaching with much applause, yea the Bishop himself hearing him upon a time, commended him, and wished that he had the like gifts himselfe: he used oft…n to visit the Prisoners, to relieve the needy, and feed the hungry. He was afterwards sent fo… to the Court, and employed in the businesse about King Henries Divorce; then by the King he had a Benefice given him at West-Kingston neer Sarum, where with much diligence he instructed his flocke; whereupon some Popish Priest… drew up Articles against him; and he was much molested by the Bishop of London and the Archbishop of Canterbury, out of whose hands the King rescued him, and at the request of the Lord Cromwell made him Bishop of Worcester: where also he busily employed himselfe in instructing his flocke, and giving them a good example by his holy life: yet neither there was he quiet, for one of great place accu…d him to the King for preaching Sedition, but the King rested satisfied with his answer. At New-years-tide the Bishops used to present the King with a New years gift, and Bishop L… timer, amongst the rest, presented him with the New Testament, wrapped up in a Napkin, with this Posie about it, Forni…atores, & adulteros judi…abi… Dominus: Whoremonger… and Adulterers God will judge. But the six Articles coming out, and he seeing that he could not retaine his Office with a good Conscience, of his owne accord he re…igned his Bishopricke: and when he put off his Rocket in hi… chamber amongst his friends, he gave a skip in the floore for joy, feeling his shoulders lighter, and being (as he said) discharged of so heavie a burthen. Yet neither then would the Bishops suffer him to be quiet, till he was laid up in the Tower, where he remained till Edward the sixt his reigne, at which time being restored to his liberty, he continued a faithfull and painfull preacher all that Kings dayes; preaching twice every Sabbath, though sixty seven yeares of age: he rose to his study Winter and Summer at two a clocke in the morning: he evidently fore-saw, and fore-told all those plagues which England afterwards felt under Queen Marie: and fore told concerning himselfe, that his preaching of the Gospell would cost him his life:S…ephen Cranme…. and that Winchester was kept in the Tower for the same purpose, which afterwards proved so. In the beginning of Que…n Maries Reign he was sent for up by a Pursuivant, whereof he had notice six houres before he came to his house, yet inste…d of flying, he prepared himselfe for his journey; and when the Pursuivant came, he said to him; My friend you are welcome, I goe as willingly to London to give an account of my Faith, as ever I went to any place in the world. The Pursuivant having delivered his Letter, told him that he was commanded not to stay for him, and so immediately departed: but Latimer hasted after to London, and as he rode through Smithfield, he said, That Smithfield had groaned for him a long time. Coming before the Councill, after many mocks & scorns, he was sent to the Tower, where the Lord gave him such a valiant spirit, that he did not onelyonly bear the terriblenesse of imprisonment, but derided and laughed to scorn the doings of his enemies. This aged Father being kept in the cold winter without a fire, he bad the Lievtenants man to tell his Master, That if he did not looke better to him, perchance he would deceive him: the Lievtenant thinking that he intend…d to make an escape, charged him with his words; to whom he answer…d, You thinke I should burn, but except you let me have a fir…, I shall deceiv your expectation, for I am here like to starve with cold. From thence he was carried to Oxford with Cranmer and Ridley, where they spent their time in brotherly conference, fervent prayer, and fruitfull writing; yea, many times he continued so long in fervent prayer, that he was not able to get up without helpe. Three things he more especially prayed for.
First, That as God had appointed him to be a Preacher of his Word, so, that he would give him grace to stand to his Doctrine; that he might give his hearts blood for the same.
Secondly, that God of his mercy would restore his Gos…pell to England once againe, once againe; which he often inculcated in his prayer, and that with so much ardor, as though he had seen God before him, and spoken to him face to face.
Thirdly, that the Lord would preserve Queen Elizabeth, and make her a comfort to this comfortlesse Realm of England. The Lord most graciously answering all thos… his requests. When he came to the stake, he lift up his eyes with an amiable and comfortable countenance, saying, Fidelis est Deus, &c. God is faithfull, who will not suffer us to be tempted above that which we are able, &c. As he was burning, his blood ran out of his heart in such abundance, as if all the blood in his body had been gathered thither, to the great astonishment of the beholders, according to his former r…quest, That he might be so happy as to shed his hearts blood for the Truth. The other two requests we have found, and yet have the benefit. When the fire was first kindled, he cryed, O Father of heaven receive my soule: and so receiving the flame, and as it were, embracing of it, having stroaked his face with his hands, and bathed them a little in the fire, he soone died with very little pain or non at all, Anno Christi 1555.
Though Latimer was in his heedlesse youth
A diviator, and abandon'd truth,
Yet (heaven having blest him with a riper age)
At last he banish'd his too forward rage,
And from a wandring Commet, he became
A blazing starre, and blush'd not to proclaime
Against his former Errours which had spread
Upon his heart, and almost struck it dead.
He sought the way of truth, and seeking, found
A better Anchor, and a firmer ground
Where on he fixt his thoughts, and would not be
Remov'd by arguments or Tyrannie.
Thus our brave Latimer became a terrour
To Papists, and an enemy to errour,
Though he at first most wilfully deny'd
The truth, yet for the truth at last he dy'd.