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Protestantism in England From the Times of Henry VIII - James Aitken Wylie

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fa<strong>the</strong>r as one might lightly behold."[6]<br />

All was now ready. An iron cha<strong>in</strong> had been put<br />

round <strong>the</strong> martyrs, and a staple driven <strong>in</strong> to make it<br />

firm. The two were fastened to one stake. A lighted<br />

fagot was brought, and laid at Ridley's feet. Then<br />

Latimer addressed his companion <strong>in</strong> words still<br />

fresh--after three centuries--as on <strong>the</strong> day on which<br />

<strong>the</strong>y were uttered: "Be <strong>of</strong> good comfort, Master<br />

Ridley, and play <strong>the</strong> man: we shall this day light<br />

such a candle, by God's grace, <strong>in</strong> <strong>England</strong>, as I trust<br />

shall never be put out."<br />

The flames blazed up rapidly and fiercely.<br />

Latimer bent towards <strong>the</strong>m, as if eager to embrace<br />

those m<strong>in</strong>isters, terrible only <strong>in</strong> appearance, which<br />

were to give him exit from a world <strong>of</strong> sorrow <strong>in</strong>to<br />

<strong>the</strong> bliss eternal. Strok<strong>in</strong>g his face with his hands,<br />

he speedily, and with little pa<strong>in</strong>, departed. Not so<br />

Ridley. His suffer<strong>in</strong>gs were protracted and severe.<br />

The fagots, piled high and solidly around him,<br />

stifled <strong>the</strong> flames, and his lower extremities were<br />

burned, while <strong>the</strong> upper part <strong>of</strong> his body was<br />

untouched, and his garments on one side were<br />

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