Recovering our memory: Hugh Latimer

Name: Hugh Latimer
When: 1485-1555
Where: England

So What?

Latimer was one of the first generation of English Protestants; a zealous evangelistic speaker, he’s sometimes credited as the best preacher of 16th century England. These days, however, he’s probably best known for being martyr who was burnt at the stake for his faith.

What’s encouraging is how “ordinary” his journey to faith sounds. While initially holding to the orthodox Catholic doctrines of the day, he was gradually won over to Reformed ideas under the spiritual influence of Thomas Bilney, who befriended Latimer and came to him as his priest to give confession. Latimer later reflected: “by his confession I learned more than in twenty years before”. Latimer become part of a group of men who met at the White Horse Inn in Cambridge to discuss the ideas of the German reformer Martin Luther—the group even earned the nickname “little Germany”.

Latimer was appointed as Bishop of Worcester in 1535, where he was renowned as a compelling evangelistic preacher. King Henry VIII had initially been supportive of Protestantism, if only so that he could divorce his wife, Catherine. Despite breaking away from Rome and making himself head of the Church of England in 1534, by 1539 Henry had grown uneasy with the reformed doctrine that was beginning to take hold, and issued the “Six Articles”. These reaffirmed a number of catholic doctrines, including transubstantiation—the idea that during communion, the bread and wine are miraculously transformed into the actual body and blood of Jesus—and the saying of “private” masses for the souls of the dead. All this was underpinned by the belief that salvation could be earned through works (like taking the mass), rather than received as a gift from God. Latimer vocally opposed the Six Articles in parliament and eventually resigned his bishopric in protest. Nonetheless, his preaching continued to draw large crowds.

So it was no surprise that Latimer’s card was marked when the catholic Queen Mary I ascended the English throne in 1553. Latimer was old and quite unwell; but when under investigation he still refused to recant his view, among others, that transubstantiation was untrue. Consequently, Latimer was burnt at the stake in Oxford in 1555 alongside Nicholas Ridley. As the lighted faggots were placed at their feet, Latimer reportedly said to the younger man: “Play the man, Master Ridley; we shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out”. Although Latimer was only one of almost 300 English Protestants burnt at the stake between 1555-1558, his death was immortalized in John Foxe’s “Book of Martyrs”. The book became immensely popular, meaning that Latimer has continued to inspire generations of Christians right through to the present age.

Today, in an age when Christians in the west are feeling under pressure from the government, Latimer’s story puts our struggles with the state in perspective. But it’s helpful for us to pause and reflect on how far we would be prepared to go in defence of our faith—if events demanded it, would our mild indignation escalate into Latimer’s steely resolve? Or would compromise creep in? Latimer challenges us to treasure the gospel of grace as dearly as he did: it’s worth dying for.

Good quote: When sentenced to death by burning at the stake, Latimer declared: “I thank God most heartily that He hath prolonged my life to this end, that I may in this case glorify God by that kind of death”.

Interesting Fact: Latimer used to get up at 2 a.m. every day to study.

Prayer of thanks: Lord, thank you that your word has the power to change people like Latimer, and people like me. Thank you for the gift of faithful preachers who teach from your word and for the freedom they have to do so in this country. Thank you that Latimer chose to die rather than deny the truth about you; please help me to have the same courage and conviction. Amen.