SALUTATION TO SMITHFIELD.

143

not but that God, as he hath made me worthy to preach his word before two excellent princes, so he will able me to witness. the same unto the third, either to her comfort or discomfort eternally."

The official, having delivered the summons, stated that he had "commandment not to tarry for him," and departed. This seems to have been intended as a hint to Latimer to escape further persecution by a flight from the kingdom. The opportunity was given, not as an act of kindness and mercy, but from a desire to escape the odium of imprisoning, and perhaps burning, one so long known and beloved by the great mass of the people.

Latimer obeyed the summons of his own free will, and soon made his appearance in London. As he passed through the open space already hallowed by the blood of the martyrs, he said, "Smithfield hath long groaned for me."

He appeared the morning after his arrival in the city, September 13, 1553, before the council. After an examination, conducted in a harsh and insulting manner, he was committed to the Tower, with his servant, Augustine Bernher, to wait on him.

He was now treated with much greater severity than during his former imprisonment. Inhumanity was carried so far, that as his imprisonment wore on into the winter, his room was not warmed. Latimer at last remonstrated by sending word to the governor, that "if he did not look better after him, perchance he would deceive him." The official hastened to the prisoner to inquire his meaning. "Yea, Master Lieutenant," was the reply, "I so said indeed; for you look, I think, that I should burn; but except you let me have some fire, I am like to deceive your expectation, for I am like here to starve for cold."

Archbishop Cranmer, Ridley, Bishop of London, and Mr. John Bradford were committed to the Tower not long after. They were at first confined separately, but as the prison became crowded, the four prisoners were placed in one room. The friends employed themselves in reading and studying the New Testament. Ridley applied to Latimer for his aid in preparing for the disputation which was to accompany their trial. "I pray you, good father," he said to Latimer, for that you are an old soldier and

INTERCOURSE IN PRISON.

145

an expert warrior, and God knoweth I am but a young soldier, and as yet of small experience in these fits,* help me, I pray you, to buckle my harness."

Latimer answered: "I begin now to smell what you mean. By travelling thus with me, you use me as Bilney once did, when he converted me, pretending as though he would be taught of me; he sought ways and means to teach me, and so do you. I thank you, therefore, most heartily; for indeed you administer armor unto me, whereas I was unarmed before, and unprovided, saving that I give myself to prayer for my refuge."

There is something very beautiful in this courtesy and deference between men so eminent. They seem in their prison, with no prospect beyond for this world but the stake and fagot, to have passed in their pilgrimage the valley of the shadow of death, and become calm tarriers in the land of Beulah. Latimer, though willing to yield to his friend's wish, foresaw that there was little practical need for such preparation. "Better," he said to Ridley, "a few things well

• An old word, usually written fytte, for combat.

pondered, than to trouble the memory with too much. You shall prevail more with praying than with studying, though mixture be best, for so one shall alleviate the tediousness of the other. I intend not to contend much with them in words, after a reasonable account of my faith given; for it shall be but in vain. They will say as their fathers did, when they have no more to say: 'We have a law, and by our law he ought to die."

CHAPTER XIII.

DISPUTATION AT OXFORD-TRANSUBSTANTIATION-LATIMER'S APPEARANCE-MARROW-BONES OF THE MASSPROTEST OF THE REFORMERS-PROCESSION-THE POT

OF WATER-THE QUEEN'S POLICY-SETTLEMENT WITH THE POPE-AVE MARIA.

THE

HE party in power deemed it necessary to proceed with greater deliberation and formality than was probably anticipated by their victims. It was determined to hold a disputation between the Roman Catholic and Protestant divines at Oxford. Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer were chosen by their opponents the representatives of the last-named party, and removed to Oxford. Unfairness was combined with inhumanity, as they were imprisoned in separate houses, without permission to see, or write, or send messages to one another. They were refused the use of books to assist in preparing their argument.

The champions on the opposite side were