MARTYRS TO ADMIRE: HUGH LATIMER

in 1555, hugh latimer was burned at the stake for heresy. his heresy was an opposition to the state religion, and an INSISTENCE that the bible be translated into english— william tyndale’s translation had recently been banned so latimer knew what he was up against. in 1528, latimer was given an admonition and a warning— he backed down.

after some politics and smears in the reformation movement, latimer was on the ASCENDANT as he took the lead among the reformers. during advent in 1529, he preached his “sermons on the card” at st. edwards church, a substantial moment in SOLIDIFYING his identity. in 1535, he was appointed bishop of worcester. three years later, he preached the final sermon before friar john forest was burned at the stake. one year after that, he was imprisoned in the tower of london for his vocal opposition of king henry’s six articles. upon his release from prison, he served as chaplain to katherine duchess of suffolk.

in april of 1554, representatives from the papal party began examining hugh latimer, nicholas ridley, and archbishop thomas cranmer. they made arguments that both the merit of the mass, and the real presence of christ were unbiblical. in response, the papal party demonstrated that latimer did not share the faith that the eminent fathers had. when mary I came to power, she ultimately had latimer and ridley tried for their teachings and beliefs. latimer is quoted as having said this to ridley as the flames ensued.

“play the man, master ridley. we shall this day light such a

candle, by god’s grace, in England, that i trust shall never be put out.”

that candle was never extinguished, and latimers legacy has lived on as a man in pursuit of truth— october 16th is recognized by the church of england, the american EPISCOPAL church and the anglican church of canada as a day of COMMEMORATION for the oxford martyrs.