A History of England Volume 7 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1860 edition. Excerpt: ...furnished July sufficient ground for his committal to the Tower. There 26, he had the weakness to betray his conscience by conforming to the ancient worship: but his apostacy was State Papers, i. 843. Wilk. t.on. Iv. 45 severely lashed by the pen of Bradford; and Ridley, by his speedy repentance and subsequent resolution, consoled and edified his afflicted brethren. Latimer, at the commencement of his career, displayed little of that strength of mind, or that stubbornness of opinion, which we expect to find in the man who aspires to the palm of martyrdom. He first attracted notice by the violence of his declamations against Melancthon and the German reformers; then professed himself their disciple and advocate; and ended by publicly renouncing their doctrine, at the command of Cardinal Wolsey. 1529. Two years had not elapsed, before he was accused of reasserting what he had abjured. The archbishop excommunicated him for contumacy; and a tardy and reluct 1531. ant abjuration saved him from the stake. Again he relapsed; but appealed from the bishops to the king. 1532.Henry rejected the appeal; and Latimer on his knees acknowledged his error, craved pardon of the convocation, and promised amendment t. He had, however, powerful friends at court, Butts the king's physician, Cromwell the vicar-general, and Anne Boleyn the queen consort. By the last he was retained as chaplain. Henry heard him preach; and, delighted with the coarseness of his invectives against the papal authority, 1535. gave him the bishopric of Worcester. In this situation he was cautious not to offend by too open an avowal of his opi lions: but the debate on the six articles put liis 1539. orthodoxy to the test; and with Cranmer he ventured to oppose the doctrine, but had not...