THE FOURTH AND FIFTH ARTICLES. 173

Lincoln. What say you to the fourth? and so recited it. After the recital whereof, when Master Latimer answered not, the Bishop asked him whether he heard him or no?

Latimer. Yes, but I do not understand what you mean thereby.

Lincoln. Marry, only this, that these your assertions were condemned by Master Doctor Weston as heresies; is it not so, Master Latimer?

Latimer. Yes, I think they were condemned, but how unjustly, He that shall be the judge of all, knoweth.

So the notaries took his answer to this article also to be affirmatively.

Lincoln. What say you, Master Latimer, to the fifth article? and recited it.

Lincoln. I know not what you mean by these terms. I am no lawyer; I would you would propose the matter plainly.

Lincoln. In that we proceed according to law, we must use their terms also. The meaning only is this, that these four assertions, evil spoken of, are yet common and frequent in the mouths of the people.

Latimer. I cannot tell how much, nor

what men talk of them. I come not s much among them, in that I have been se cluded a long time. What men report of them I know not, nor care not.

This answer taken, the Bishop of Lincoln said:

"Master Latimer, we mean not that these your answers shall be prejudicial to you; tomorrow you shall appear before us again, and then it shall be lawful for you to alter and change what you will. We give you respite till to-morrow, trusting that after you have pondered well all things against tomorrow, you will not be ashamed to confess the truth."

Latimer. Now, my lord, I pray you give me license in three words, to declare the causes why I have refused the authority of the Pope.

Lincoln. Nay, Master Latimer, to-morrow you shall have license to speak forty words.

Latimer. Nay, my lord, I beseech you to do with me now as it shall please your lordships; I pray you, let not me be troubled tomorrow again.

Lincoln. Yes, Master Latimer, you must needs appear again to-morrow.

Latimer. Truly, my lord, as for my part, I require no respite, for I am at a point. You shall give me respite in vain; therefore, I pray you, let me not trouble you to-morrow.

Lincoln. Yes, for we trust God will work with you against to-morrow. There is no remedy; you must needs appear again tomorrow, at eight of the clock, in St. Mary's Church. And forthwith the Bishop charged the Mayor with Master Latimer, and dismissed him; and then brake up their session for that day, about one of the clock at after

CHAPTER XV.

ARRANGEMENT OF THE COURT-THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE ROMISH CHURCH-PERSECUTIONS-ANSWER TO ARTICLES-SENTENCE-APPEAL.

66

"THE

THE next day following" (the first day of October), Fox continues, "somewhat after eight of the clock, the said lords repaired to St. Mary's Church; and after they were set on a high throne well trimmed with cloth of tissue and silks, then appeared Master Ridley, who was set at a framed table a good space from the Bishop's feet, which table had a silk cloth cast over it, the which place was compassed about with framed seats in quadrate form, partly for gentlemen which repaired thither (for this was the session day also of jail delivery), and heads of the University to sit, and partly to keep off the press of the audience: for the whole body, as well of the University as of the town, came thither to see the end of these two persons.

TABLE CLOTHS AND LEARNED DEGREES. 177

After the examination and condemnation of Master Ridley, immediately Master Latimer was sent for: but in the mean season the carpet or cloth which lay upon the table whereat Master Ridley stood, was removed, because (as men reported) Master Latimer had never the degree of a doctor as Master Ridley had. But eftsoons as Master Latimer appeared, as he did the day before, perceiving no cloth upon the table, he laid his hat, which was an old felt, under his elbows, and immediately spake to the commissioners, saying:

Latimer. My lords, I beseech your lordships to set a better order here at your entrance: for I am an old man, and have a back, so that the press of the multitude doth me much harm.

Lincoln. I am sorry, Master Latimer, for your hurt. At your departure we will see to better order.

With that, Master Latimer thanked his lordship; making a very low courtesy. After this, the Bishop of Lincoln began in this manner:

Lincoln. Master Latimer, although yesterday, after we had taken your answers to those