this matter, after that with the weight of Christ's words, and the explaining of the same, he had sufficiently born the friar clean down, then he turned to the fifth chapter of the book of Wisdom. Out of which chapter he declared to the audience, how the true servants and preachers of God in this world commonly are scorned and reviled of the proud enemies of God's word, which count them here as madmen, fools, brainless, and drunken: so, did they (said he) in the Scripture call them which most purely preached, and set forth the glory of God's word. But (said he) what will be the end of these folly-fellows, or what will they say in the end? We mad men, we mad fools, we, we ourselves, &c. And that will be their end, except they repent. And thus ending his sermon, he so confounded the poor friar, that he drave him not only out of countenance, but also clean out of the university. But what should I stand here decyphering the names of his adversaries, when whole swarms of friars and doctors flocked, against him on every side, almost through the whole university, preaching likewise and barking against him amongst whom was Dr. Watson, &c. &c. &c.

Then came at last Doctor West, bishop of Ely, who, preaching against Master Latimer at Barnwell abbey, forbad him within the churches of that university to preach any more. Notwithstanding so the Lord provided, that Doctor Barnes*, prior of the Austin friars, did license Master Latimer to preach in his church of the Austins, and he himself preached at the church by, called St. Edward's church, which was the first sermon of the Gospel, which Dr. Barnes preached, being upon Christmas, even upon a Sunday. Whereupon

* The martyr.

certain articles were gathered out of his sermon, and were commenced against him by Master Tirell, fellow of the King's Hall, and so by the vice-chancellor presented to the cardinal.

This Master Latimer (as you have heard), being baited by the friars, doctors, and masters of that university, about the year aforesaid 1529, notwithstanding the malice of these malignant adversaries, continued yet in Cambridge, preaching the space of three years together, with favour and applause of the godly, also with such admiration of his enemies that heard him, that the bishop himself, coming in, and hearing his gift, wished himself to have the like, and was compelled to commend him upon the same.

So Master Latimer with Master Bilney, after this continued yet in Cambridge a certain space, where he with the said Bilney used much to confer and keep company together, insomuch that the place where they most used to walk in the fields, was called long after the Heretics' hill.

The society of these two, as it was much noted of many in that university, so it was full of many good examples to all such as would follow their doings, both in visiting the prisoners, in relieving the needy, in feeding the hungry. In a place of his sermons Master Latimer maketh mention of a certain history which happened about this time in Cambridge, between them two, and a certain woman then prisoner in the castle or tower of Cambridge, which I thought here not unworthy to be remembered. The history is this.

It so chanced that after Master Latimer had been so acquainted with the foresaid Master Bilney, he went with him to visit the prisoners in the tower in Cambridge, and being there, among other prisoners there was a woman, which was accused that she had killed her own child, which act she plainly and

steadfastly denied. Whereby it gave them occasion to search for the matter, and at length they found that her husband loved her not, and therefore sought all means he could to make her away. The matter was thus.

A child of hers had been sick a whole year, and at length died in the harvest time, as it were in a consumption. Which when it was gone, she went to have her neighbours to help her to the burial, but all were in harvest abroad, whereby she was inforced with beaviness of heart, alone to prepare the child to the burial. Her husband, coming home and not loving her, accused her of murdering the child. This was the cause of her trouble, and Master Latimer by earnest inquisition of conscience thought the woman not guilty. Then immediately after, was he called to preach before king Henry the Eighth, at Windsor, where after his sermon the King's Majesty sent for him, and talked with him familiarly. At which time Master Latimer, finding opportunity, kneeled down, opened this whole matter to the king, and begged her pardon, which the king most graciously granted, and gave it him at his return homeward.

This good act among many others at this time happened in Cambridge by Master Latimer and Master Bilney. But this was not alone, for many more like matters were wrought by them, if all were known. But as it is commonly seen in the natural course of things, that as the fire beginneth more to kindle, so the more smoke ariseth withal, in such like sort it happened with Master Latimer, whose towardness the more it began to spring, his virtues to be seen, and his doings to be known, the more his adversaries began to spurn and kindle against him. Concerning these adversaries, and such as did molest him, partly their names be above expressed.

Among the rest of this number was Dr. Redman, a inan savouring at that time somewhat more of superstition, than of true religion, after the zeal of the Pharisees, yet not so malignant or harmful, but of a civil and quiet disposition; and also so liberal in well doing, that few poor scholars were in that university, which fared not better by his purse. This Dr. Redman, being of no little authority in Cambridge, perceiving and understanding the bold enterprise of Master Latimer, in setting abroad the word and doctrine of the Gospel, at this time, or much about the same, writeth to him, seeking by persuasion to revoke the said Latimer from that kind and manner of teaching; to whom Master Latimer maketh answer again in few words, The sum and effect of both their letters, translated out of Latin, here followeth to be seen,

The Sum of the Epistle, written by Doctor Redman to Master Latimer.

"Grace be with you, and true peace in Christ Jesus. I beseech you heartily, and require most earnestly, even for charity's sake, that you will not stand in your own conceit with a mind so indurate, nor prefer your own singular judgment in matters of religion. and controversies before so many learned men, and that more is, before the whole Catholic church, especially considering that you neither have any thing at all in the word of God to make for you, nor yet the testimony of any authentic writer. Nay, nay, I beseech you, rather consider that you are a man, and that lying and vanity may quickly blear your eye, which doth some time transform itself into an angel of light.

"Judge not so rashly of us, as that wicked spirit hath tickled you in the ear, Wit you well that we

are careful for you, and that we wish you to be saved, and that we are careful also for your own salvation. Lay down your stomach, I pray you, and humble your spirit, and suffer not the church to take offence with the hardness of your heart, nor that her unity and Christ's coat without a seam (as much as lieth in you) should be torn asunder. Consider, what the saying of the wise man is, and be obedient thereunto, Trust not your own wisdom.' The Lord Jesus Christ, &c."

The Sum of Master Latimer's Answer to Doctor Redman.

"Reverend Master Redman, it is even enough for me, that Christ's sheep hear no man's voice but Christ's, and as for you, you have no voice of Christ against me, whereas for my part I have a heart that is ready to hearken to any voice of Christ that you can bring me. Thus fare you well, and trouble me no more from the talking with the Lord my God."

After Master Latimer had thus travailed in preaching and teaching in the university of Cambridge, about the space of three years, at length he was called up to the cardinal for heresy, by the procurement of certain of the said university, where he was commanded to subscribe, and grant to such articles as then they propounded unto him, &c.

After that he returned to the university again, where shortly after, by the means of Doctor Butts, the king's physician, a singular good man, and a special favourer of good proceedings, he was in the number of them which laboured in the cause of the

king's supremacy. Then went he to the court,

where he remained a certain time in the said Doctor Butts's chamber, preaching then in London very often. At last being weary of the court, having a benefice