SMELLING OF THE PAN.

43

tures. And if Luther do none otherwise than I have done, there needeth no confutation of his doctrine; otherwise, when I understand he doth teach against the Scripture, I will be ready with all my heart to confound his doctrine as much as lieth in me."

"Well, well, Mr. Latimer," replied the Bishop, "I perceive that you somewhat smell of the pan you will repent of this gear one day." Strype, who records the conversation, adds the comment: "And so the Bishop, never a whit amended by the sermon, practised with Latimer's foes from that day forwards to put him to silence."

CHAPTER IV.

DR. REDMAN-SICK OF THE PLAGUE--LATIMER BEFORE

CARDINAL WOLSEY

MISSAL.

BISHOP WEST'S CHARGE

DIS

A

NOTHER remonstrance to Latimer's mode

of direct inculcation of Scripture truth came in a Latin letter from Dr. Redman, of St. John's College, who afterwards became master of Trinity, both in the same university. Redman was a liberal divine and profound scholar, but while sensible of the ecclesiastical corruptions of the time, too timid to grapple resolutely for their reform. He cautioned Latimer against setting up his private judgment against the united voice of the doctors and councils of the Church. Latimer replied in a concise sentence: "Reverend Mr. Redman, it is even enough for me that Christ's sheep hear no man's voice but Christ's; and as for you, you have no voice of Christ against me; whereas, for

SICK OF THE PLAGUE.

45

my part, I have a heart that is ready to hearken to any voice of Christ that you can bring me. Thus fare you well, and trouble me no more from the talking with the Lord my God."

An incident of this period shows that Latimer was politic as well as bold, ready as a humorist as well as a theologian. The vice-chancellor of the University, so runs the story as told by Bishop Bonner, intending to . excommunicate Latimer for his heresies, sent him a summons. Latimer, however, hearing of the matter, stopped the messenger on his way with the announcement that he was sick of the plague," and so deluded the chancellor," who does not appear to have suspected that the plague of which he spoke was the plague of heresy.

Bishop West, notwithstanding his compliments after sermon, perhaps finding that the preacher "smelt of the pan" more and more strongly, silenced him. The sentence, however, lost its effect. Latimer was excluded, of course, from St. Mary's and the other collegiate and parish churches of the diocese, but was received by his friend Dr. Barnes,

Prior of the Austin Friars at Cambridge, and invited to preach in the church of the monastery, which, in common with the many institutions of its class, was exempt from episcopal jurisdiction. As Barnes was Prior in 1525, we may assign these transactions to that period. Latimer accepted the invita tion, and resumed his labors. The Bishop hereupon joined with several of the University officials in presenting a complaint to Cardinal Wolsey against the contumacious preacher. Latimer, in compliance with the summons issued by the Cardinal, appeared at York Place. After biding his time in the antechamber, he was summoned to the inner room, where he found Wolsey with two doctors from Cambridge.

"Is your name Latimer?" was the Cardinal's greeting.

"Yea, forsooth," was the reply.

"You seem," continued the Cardinal, "to be of good years and no babe, but one that should wisely and soberly use yourself in all your doings. And yet it is reported to me. that you are much infested with this new fantastical doctrine of Luther, and such like

SOME QUESTION IN DUNS.

47

heresies, and that you do very much harm among the youths, and other light heads, with your doctrine."

"Your Grace is misinformed," said Latimer, "for I ought to have some more knowledge than to be so simply reported of; by reason that I have studied, in my time, both the ancient doctors of the Church, and also the school doctors."

"Marry, that is well said," replied the Cardinal; "I am glad to hear that of you, and therefore you, Mr. Doctor Capon, and you, Mr. Doctor Marshall, say you somewhat to Mr. Latimer touching some question in Duns."

In the examination which followed, Latimer showed himself more familiar with Duns Scotus than his examiners, in many cases setting them right in their citations. This proof of learning impressed the Cardinal.

"What mean you, my masters," he exclaimed, "to bring such a man before me into accusation? I thought he had been some light-headed fellow, that never studied such kind of doctrine as the school authors are. I pray thee, Latimer, tell me the cause why the Bishop of Ely, and others, do mis