not to tarry for him, by whose sudden departure it was manifest, that they would not have had him to appear, but rather to have fled out of the realm. They knew that his constantness should confound them in their popery, and confirm the godly in the truth. As concerning the man

ner and form how he was entertained when he came before the council, how stoutly he did behave himself in Christ's cause, and was content to bear most patiently all the mocks and taunts given him by the scornful and pestilent papists also how patiently he took his imprisonment, and how boldly and willingly he in the end, adventured his life in the defence of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, because these things be at large described in the book of the martyrs, by that most godly, learned, and excellent instrument of God, master John Fox, I will not spend the time now to rehearse the same, saving one thing, the which I would wish all godly bishops and faithful preachers to note, the which is this, that he being in prison comfortless, and destitute of all worldly help, most of all did rejoice in this, that God had given him grace, to apply his office of preaching, and assisted him without fear or flattery to tell unto the wicked their faults, and admonish them of their wickedness; neither allowing, nor consenting, to any thing that might be prejudicial or hurtful unto the gospel of Christ, although the refusal thereof did cast him in danger of his life. God grant that all those that be in that office may follow his footsteps, and that the rest that either refuse to take pains, or are given to flatter, may be turned out, and be set to the cart or plough, and others put into their rooms that be willing, diligent, and able to do their duties!

The other thing that I would have noticed, is his earnestness and diligence in prayer, wherein oftentimes so long he continued kneeling, that he was not able for to rise without help; and amongst other things, these were three principal matters he prayed for. The first, that as God had appointed him to be a preacher and professor of his

word, so also he would give him grace to stand unto his doctrine until his death. The other thing, the which most instantly with great violence of God's Spirit he desired, was that God of his mercy would restore the gospel of his son Christ unto this realm of England once again, and these words "once again, once again," he did so inculcate and beat into the ears of the Lord God, as though he had seen God before him, and spake unto him face to face. The third principal matter wherewith in his prayers he was occupied; was to pray for the preservation of the queen's majesty that now is, whom in his prayer accustomably he was wont to name, and even with tears desired God to make her a comfort to this comfortless realm of England. These were the matters he prayed for so earnestly; but were these things desired in vain ? Did God despise the prayers of this his faithful soldier? No assuredly; for the Lord did most graciously grant all these his requests. First, concerning profession, even in the most extremity, the Lord graciously assisted him; for when he stood at the stake, without Bocardo gate at Oxford, and the tormentors about to set the fire upon him, and that most reverend father Doctor Ridley, he lifted up his eyes towards heaven, with a most amiable and comfortable countenance, saying these words, Fidelis est Deus, qui non sinit nos tentari supra id quod possumus; " God is faithful, which doth not suffer us to be tempted above our strength :" and so afterwards by and by shed his blood in the cause of Christ, the which blood ran out of his heart in such abundance that all those that were present (being godly,) did marvel to see the most part of the blood in his body so to be gathered to his heart, and with such violence to gush out, his body being opened by the force of the fire. By the which thing God most graciously granted his request, the which was, to shed his heart's blood in the defence of the gospel. How mercifully the Lord heard his second request, in

restoring his gospel once again to this realm, these present days can bear record. But alas! what shall England say for her defence, how shall she avoid the terrible plagues of God for the horrible and devilish unthankfulness, for that treasure? The Lord be merciful unto us.

Now concerning his third request, it was also most effectuously granted to the great praise of God, the furtherance of his gospel, and to the unspeakable comfort of this realm for when matters were even desperate, and the enemies mightily flourished and triumphed, God's word banished, Spaniards received, suddenly the Lord called to remembrance his mercy, and made an end of all these miseries, and appointed her, for whom that same greyheaded father Latimer so earnestly prayed in his captivity, as the true and natural ruler, and owner of this imperial crown, to shew herself, and by the brightness of God's word to confound the dark, devilish, and vile kingdom of Antichrist, and to restore the temple of God again, the which thing not this faithful prophet only but all the rest, whom God made worthy to be his witnesses, did most earnestly require and desire in their faithful prayers. The selfsame God grant unto every faithful Christian his spirit, that they may be diligent and watchful in prayers for her, by whom God hath bestowed such unspeakable gifts upon us, that the same God will assist her with his grace and Holy Spirit, to proceed faithfully in the building of his house, and in plucking down of all kinds of sin and wickedness, superstition, idolatry, and all the monuments of the same, to the glory of his name, and her everlasting and endless comfort. To the which faithful prayers, that all they which fear God may be the better encouraged; I have set forth these sermons, made by this holy man of God, and dedicated them to your grace; partly, because they were preached in your grace's house at Grimsthorp, by this reverend father and faithful prophet of God, whom you did

nourish, and whose doctrine you did most faithfully embrace, to the praise of God, and unspeakable comfort of all godly hearts, the which did with great admiration marvel at the excellent gifts of God, bestowed upon your grace, in giving unto you such a princely spirit, by whose power and virtue you were able to overcome the world, to forsake your possessions, lands, and goods, your worldly friends, and native country, your high estate and estimation, with the which you were adorned, and to become an exile for Christ and his gospel's sake: to choose rather to suffer adversity with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of the world with a wicked conscience, esteeming the rebukes of Christ greater riches, than the treasures of England: whereas the worldlings are far otherwise minded: for they have their pleasures amongst the pots of Egypt, they eat, drink, and make merry, not passing what become of Christ or his gospel; they be so drunken with the sweet delicates of this miserable world, that they will not taste of the bitter morsels which the Lord hath appointed and prepared for his chosen children, and especial friends. Of the which he did make you most graciously to taste, giving unto your grace his Spirit, that you were able in all the turmoils and grievances the which you did receive, not only at the hands of those which were your professed enemies, but also at the hands of them which pretended friendship and good-will, but secretly wrought sorrow and mischief; to be quiet and patient, and in the end brought your grace home again into your native country, no doubt to no other end, but that you should be a comfort unto the comfortless, and an instrument by the which his holy name should be praised, and his gospel propagated and spread abroad; to the glory of his holy name, and your eternal comfort in Christ Jesus, unto whose merciful hands I commit your grace, with all yours eternally. Amen.

From Southam, the 2d of October, 1562.