The similar phrase 'Worldly Christianity' is one used by Bonhoeffer. It's J Gresham Machen that I want to line up most closely with. See his Christianity and culture here. Having done commentaries on Proverbs (Heavenly Wisdom) and Song of Songs (Heavenly Love), a matching title for Ecclesiastes would be Heavenly Worldliness. For my stance on worldliness, see 3 posts here.
Showing posts with label Latimer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Latimer. Show all posts

10 Marian Martyrs

These are ten J C Ryle mentions in his essay Why were our reformers burned?. See here.
 
1. John Rogers, a London Minister burned in Smithfield on Monday, February 4, 1555. Rogers was a man who, in one respect, had done more for the cause of Protestantism than any of his fellow-sufferers. In saying this I refer to the fact that he had assisted Tyndale and Coverdale in bringing out a most important version of the English Bible, a version commonly known as Matthews' Bible. Indeed, he was condemned as "Rogers, alias Matthews."
2. John Hooper, Bishop of Gloucester. He was burned at Gloucester on Friday, February 9, 1555. Hooper was perhaps, the noblest martyr of them all. Of all Edward VI's bishops, none has left behind him a higher reputation for personal holiness, and diligent preaching and working in his diocese. None, judging from his literary remains, had clearer and more Scriptural views on all points in theology. Some might say that he was too Calvinistic; but he was not more so than the Thirty-nine Articles.
3. Rowland Taylor, Rector of Hadleigh, in Suffolk. He was burned on Aldham Common, close to his own parish, the same day that Hooper died at Gloucester. Rowland Taylor is one of whom we know little, except that he was a great friend of Cranmer, and a doctor of divinity and canon law. But that he was a man of high standing among the Reformers is evident, from his being ranked by his enemies with Hooper, Rogers, and Bradford.
4. Robert Ferrar, Bishop of St. David's, in Wales. He was burned at Carmarthen on Friday, March 30, 1555. Little is known of this good man beyond the fact that he was born at Halifax, and was the last Prior of Nostel, in Yorkshire, an office which he surrendered in 1540. He was also Chaplain to Archbishop Cranmer, and to this influence he owed his elevation to the Episcopal bench.
5, 6. John Bradford, Prebendary of St. Paul's, and Chaplain to Bishop Ridley. He was burned in Smithfield on Monday, July 1, 1555, at the early age of thirty-five. With him, a young man called John Leaf was also burned. Few of the English martyrs, perhaps, are better known than Bradford, and none certainly deserve better their reputation. Strype calls Bradford, Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer - the "four prime pillars" of the Reformed Church of England.
7, 8. Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London, and Hugh Latimer, once Bishop of Worcester. They were both burned at Oxford, back to back, at one stake, on the 16th of October, 1555. Ridley's last words before the fire was lighted were these, "Heavenly Father, I give You most hearty thanks that You have called me to a profession of You even unto death. I beseech You, Lord God, have mercy on this realm of England, and deliver the same from all her enemies." Latimer's last words were like the blast of a trumpet, which rings even to this day, "Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day, by God's grace, light such a candle in England as I trust shall never be put out!" When the flames began to rise, Ridley cried out with a loud voice in Latin, "Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit! Lord, receive my spirit," and afterwards repeated these last words in English. Latimer cried as vehemently on the other side of the stake, "Father of Heaven, receive my soul."
9. John Philpot, Archdeacon of Winchester. He was burned in Smithfield on Wednesday, December 18, 1555. Philpot is one of the martyrs of whom we know little comparatively, except that he was born at Compton, in Hampshire, was of good family, and well connected, and had a very high reputation for learning. The mere fact that at the beginning of Mary's reign he was one of the leading champions of Protestantism in the mock discussions which were held in Convocation, is sufficient to show that he was no common man.
10. Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. He was burned at Oxford, on March 21, 1556. There is no name among the English martyrs so well known in history as his. There is none certainly in the list of our Reformers to whom the Church of England, on the whole, is so much indebted. He was only a mortal man, and had his weaknesses and infirmities, it must be admitted; but still, he was a great man, and a good man.

10 Good Bishops or Archbishops

1. Ambrose of Milan 339-397
2. Augustine of Hippo 354-430
3. Anselm of Canterbury 1033-1109
4. Hugh Latimer of Worcester 1487-1555
5. Thomas Cranmer of Canterbury 1489-1556
6. John Hooper of Gloucester and Worcester c 1495-1555
7. James Ussher of Armagh 1581-1656
8. Daniel Wilson of Calcutta 1778-1858
9. J C Ryle of Liverpool 1816-1900
10. Marcus Loane of Sydney 1911-2009
(Other possibles: Nicholas Ridley of London 1500-1555, Edward Reynolds of Norwich 1599-1676, Reginald Heber of Calcutta 1783-1826 and Handley Moule of Durham 1841-1920)

Latimer and Cranmer Bitesized

I like the series of Bitesize biographies EP are putting out. I recently read the ones on the English Reformers Hugh Latimer and Thomas Cranmer. The two writers stick to their remit in presenting their subjects in a straightforward way over just over 100 pages but differ in approach. Richard Hannula, an American, is a High School principal and he writes giving us the story in seven chapters (with Grisham-like headings - The convert, preacher, parson, bishop, outcast restored, trial, stake) each with a Bible text. He is aiming at a 15 year old and up I guess. He gives a one page summary at the end. Both books include an intro, a timeline and a bibliography. Colin Hamer aims to be more analytical, his eight chapters being followed by an assessment in Chapter 9. He also has a preface and an author's note. His slightly more academic approach manages to avoid footnotes but requires a glossary at the back. Hamer brings out well how Cranmer's thinking developed.
Both books were useful in reminding me of important reformers of the past and their example. It made me pull down D C Wood's old Such a candle and send for MacCulloch's fat volume on Cranmer. But will I get round to reading them.

Speaking at Historic Venues

On Saturday there was another opportunity to preach in Trafalgar Square with Biblical Gospel Ministries. I preached alongside several others on John 3:16. The opportunity to pass on TBS Bibles and to witness was a blessing. A Christian worker I know happened to be passing through the square and she stopped to listen, which was nice. I have had that sort of thing happen before. Slightly surreal.
Then yesterday (Monday) I was speaking again on 1662, this time in Cambridge for PTS. The meeting took place in the Round Church, which I was told is the second oldest building in the city. We were only around 20 or so but I knew some of those present (Gearoid Marley of PTS, William Wilson from Norwich and someone I was in CU with all those years ago in Aber. Her husband chaired and had taken the trouble to look in here to have some material for introduction purposes). Beforehand I was able to meet up with a girl from the church here who is studying at Clare College who kindly showed me round before heading to a lecture on Old English riddles (We enjoyed seeing the portrait of Hugh Latimer in the Great Hall). I was also able to meet up with Ian Hamilton, minsiter of CPC, who would have been in the meeting but who was speaking that same night to the Chinese Fellowship. 

Latimer - Preaching Prelate

It was great to be at the Evangelical Library once again for a lunch time lecture. About 15 of us gathered on this occasion to hear Jeremy Walker speak on the preaching of Bishop adn martyr Hugh Latimer. Latimer's works, mostly sermons are preserved in two volumes available here and here. Generosuly quoting from these Jeremy gave us an encoruiaging and in some ways challenging description of the preaching, which he characterised as
1. Vivid and lively (not just illustrations but jokes too sometimes)
2. Popular in the best sense
3. Direct (plain language with vernacular paraphrasing and searching applications)
4. Polemical (especialy against false religion and injustice)
5. Pastorally thorough as well as thoroughly pastoral
The whole paper will appear on the Library website soon.
Thanks Jeremy! Good stuff!

Autumn Lectures at the Evangelical Library

This is the programme of Monday lunch time lectures organised for this Autumn at the Evangelical Library in Bounds Green North London.

Each meeting will commence at 1 pm and last approximately 50 minutes. There will be some time allowed for questions and discussion.

September 19
Speaker: Gary Brady
Subject: James Harvey (1826-1893), From Suffolk lad to London merchant

October 24
Speaker: Robert Strivens
Subject: The Parables of Jesus

November 28
Jeremy Walker:
Subject: Hugh Latimer (1487-1555), Preacher of God’s Word

Everyone is welcome. Sorry - no refreshments provided. Why not come early and make a day of it.