Kent; in which place he displayed the diligence of a faithful pastor, and preached, so far as he then knew them, the pure doctrines of the Gospel of the Grace of God. Every passing period continued to increase Ridley's popularity: the inhabitants of the parishes round Herne heard of his exemplary character and faithful preaching, and flocked with eagerness to hear the truth from his lips. Advised by his patron, Cranmer, who was decidedly anxious to bring him more fully into notice, he repaired in 1540 to Cambridge, and took his degree of D.D., and at the close of the same year he was elected to the Mastership of Pembroke Hall. About the same period, at the recommendation of Cranmer, the king appointed him one of his chaplains; and subsequently he was honoured with the fifth prebendal stall in Canterbury cathedral. Persecution, either sooner or later, invariably defeats itself, while those engaged in it not infrequently advance the cause they seek to destroy. The severe persecution to which those noble champions of the truth were exposed and subjected, who opposed the errors of popery, could not be unheeded by a spirit such as Dr. Ridley possessed; and while in his retired vicarage of Herne, in the year 1545, his philanthropic mind dwelt seriously upon the sufferings of those who endured for conscience' sake, particularly on the subject of the sacrament. Until now, he had himself held the doctrine of transubstantiation;-the decrees of the Pope, the decision of the Councils, and the rhetorical expressions of the Fathers, had tended to settle him in the faith-reflection begat doubt, and doubt led to inquiry-the word of man was renounced for the Word of God; and the natural result was an entire renunciation of error, and an unhesitating reception of truth. The light which had been received by Dr. Ridley was not placed under a bushel: it was allowed to shine clearly, and many saw and rejoiced in it; the dawn of a brighter day had thus broken through the surrounding thick darkness, and gradually the night of error was dispersed, and glorious heavenly brightness gleamed around, instrumentally by the studies and labours of the indefatigable Ridley. That the conduct of this holy-minded man should provoke the enmity of such as envied his fame, and hated the truth, can excite no surprise : several attempts were made to crush his rising celebrity, and, if possible, through him, wound his steady friend, Cranmer; but their attempts were unavailing: He who sitteth in the heavens, and whose acknowledged servant Ridley was, had them in derision,-the evil of their ways fell in disgrace and ruin on their own heads: in the net which they laid for others themselves were caught. In September, 1547, Ridley was promoted to the see of Rochester, and on Sunday, the 25th of that month, was consecrated by Henry, Bishop of Lincoln. At the death of Henry VIII., Edward succeeded to the crown; but being then little more than nine years of age, he was too young to hold the reins of government in person; the administration, therefore, of the affairs of the nation was, by Henry's will, committed to sixteen executors, who were to retain their power until the young king should attain his eighteenth year. The unsettled state of the kingdom on religious matters supplied abundant occasions for intriguers to gather partisans around them, and hence, contests and disputations of a fiery order everywhere abounded. Peace and tranquillity appeared to have fled the land; opposition, hatred, and evil designings prevailed. The learning, prudence, and christian temper of Bishop Ridley were now called into lively exercise, and so well did he carry himself in the arduous duties he was called on to perform, that in April, 1550, he was promoted to the see of London. Of the opinion formed of his character, full information may be obtained by referring to King Edward's patent to Ridley, in the register of London, which confirmed him in his office for life. "For the singular learning in the sacred Scriptures," it states, "and most approved manners with which the said Nicholas, late bishop of Rochester, is endued, and because, according to the commendation of our Saviour, we judge him above all others worthy to be put over many things who hath been found faithful over few, we of our grace and mere motion, grant to him the bishoprick of London, to have, hold, and occupy durante vitâ sua naturali-during the time of his natural life." The elevation of the bishop to the wealthy and influential see of London, does not appear to have produced any of those unhappy results in him, too consequent upon exaltation—pride and arrogance: on the contrary, it is stated on sufficient authority that he was, in reference to himself, mortified in spirit, and given to prayer and devout contemplation: while, in respect to his family, he was careful and instructive. His mode of life was, as soon as he had rose and attired himself, to continue in prayer half-an-hour: then, unless other absolutely unavoidable business prevented, he retired to his study, where he continued until ten o'clock, at which time he had family prayers, to whom he daily read a lecture, beginning at the Acts of the Apostles, and so going regularly through St. Paul's Epistles, giving every one that could read, a New Testament, and requiring them to learn by heart a certain chapter, especially the thirteenth of the Acts. For the purpose of assuring his family of the resolution he had formed, he had the 101st psalm frequently repeated to his household, being anxious that those about him should be patterns of virtue and honesty to others. After prayers he went to dinner, where he was generally silent; but when occasion required, he conversed with considerable freeness, wisdom, and discretion, and at times, even with sportiveness. One hour after dinner he devoted to cheerful conversation, or a game at chess. This was his unbending hour, which having expired, he returned to his study, where he continued until five, unless applicants at home, or business abroad, required his attention. At the hour of five, family prayer, as in the morning, was again attended to; after which he supped, and then again spent one hour as after dinner, in diversion; he then again entered his study, where he remained till eleven, when he retired to private prayer, and then went to bed, thus concluding the entire day. Meekness of temper and gentleness of disposition towards others appear the distinguishing features in the good bishop's character throughout his life that some attachment to things in themselves indifferent should have been felt by him, is not surprising, especially if the times in which he lived be considered. As soon, however, as his judgment was convinced, and he omitted no means in order to the attainment of so desirable an end,-he hesitated not to act agreeably with its dictates, as well as to acknowledge any evil into which false attachment might have led him; hence his modest letter of apology to Bishop Hooper, when they both were in prison for having insisted so strenuously as he had done, that at his consecration he should appear arrayed in his linen surplice and cope. The entire letter is worth a thousand homilies, and furnishes an example worthy the close imitation of all christians, in whatsoever sphere they move in the church. "My dear brother," writes the worthy prelate, "I understand by your works that we thoroughly agree, and wholly consent together in those things which are the grounds and substantial points of our religion, howsoever, in times past, in similar matters and circumstances of religion, your wisdom and my simplicity made us to think differently." Even at the time of the dispute, to which this letter refers, Ridley agreed with Hooper, that there was more pomp than was convenient; but he judged it dangerous when the Papists withdrew their obedience from the King in his minority, and others maintained errors subversive of all good government, to countenance a refusal to submit to the laws in being, in things not sinful in themselves. With a heart of Charity, and the hand of Wisdom, the bishop proceeded to reform and remove the errors and abuses which were connected with religious ceremonies; and hence, although in the face of considerable opposition, he proceeded to enforce a command which he had obtained in council, that in every church and chapel throughout his diocese the altars should be taken down at which the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper had been administered, and that tables should be set up in their stead, in some convenient part of the chancel. The reasons of Ridley for this change were, because he conceived it most in accordance with the first institution of Christ, while it prevented the untaught communicants, as well as the ignorant and evil-persuaded priests, from confounding the ordinance with a sacrifice, which they always had done, while they attended before an altar. Ridley's care for the poor had long and actively been displayed, and now, as he possessed more influence, he employed it more fully to their advantage. The suppression of the monasteries by Henry VIII. had not only withdrawn charitable assistance from the poor, but had tended considerably to increase their numbers; to remove which evils the worthy bishop employed his interest, and succeeded in obtaining royal and other grants for their support to a considerable extent; many of which grants might now be looked after, or employed for the same purpose, with advantage to the community, and honour to themselves, by the Holy Ridley's successors in office. The Reformation was now making rapid advancement in this land and others; for although the changes in outward things were yet but comparatively few, the hold which the doctrines of Truth had upon many of the people's minds was considerable. Hope filled the hearts of the faithful with joy and gladness, as the reign of righteousness appeared to them about to commence. Suddenly, however, a check was given to the delightful progress which had, chiefly through the labours of Ridley, been so happily witnessed. King Edward died; and after a short struggle the sanguinary-minded Mary came to the throne: Lady Jane was committed to the Tower, while Mary, with the proud title of Supreme Head of the Church, commenced her reign of terror, persecution, and blood! Anxious, as it would appear, to put out the light which already dawned upon ill-fated England, the queen proceeded to draw the sword against her most loyal and useful subjects. Among numbers, whose purity of life and doctrine offended Mary, and who, in consequence, were imprisoned and slain, was the pious Ridley, and afterwards Cranmer and Latimer. Ridley, for the faithful and conscientious discharge of his duty, was despoiled of his authority and rights, and on the 26th of July, 1553, was sent prisoner to the Tower. From his first apprehension, it appeared quite certain, from the spirit displayed by the bigoted and dark-minded queen, that his life would be sacrificed, unless the interposition of Divine Providence ordered it otherwise. Of that fact the bishop was fully convinced. Not willing, however, to rush on death through disgrace and torture, for a mistaken question, or a point of minor importance, and determined not to betray the cause of truth, or be seduced by sophistry, or terrified by cruelties, he sought the advice of true friends, either to point out his errors, or to confirm him in the faith. His famous conference with Latimer and Cranmer on this subject is worthy of notice, but too lengthy to be inserted here. After various trials, and numerous attempts to induce Ridley to recant, his final examination came; at which, after much piety and wisdom had been displayed by him, and before which his very judges appeared to quail, he was found guilty-guilty of being an humble, but fearless follower of Him who has said, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." His sentence of condemnation was read in his hearing, which adjudged him an heretic, and degraded him from the degree of bishop, from the priesthood, and all ecclesiastical orders. It moreover declared he was not a member of the Church, and therefore he was committed to the secular powers, of them to receive due punishment, according to the tenor of the temporal laws; and finally he was excommunicated. Almost the last act of the pious Ridley was writing a farewell to his relations, which for Christian spirit and saintly counsel is worthy of universal perusal. The day appointed for his martyrdom having come, Ridley walked firmly between the mayor and one of the aldermen to the stake, where he was joined by Latimer, who having kissed him, they prayed together with much earnestness and resignation of spirit. After a sermon had been preached, the martyrs were stripped. Ridley, standing on a stone by the stake, raised his hands piously towards heaven and prayed. The iron chain was then fastened round the middle of both, and in a short time the fire being lighted, the bodies of the holy men were subjected to the tortures of the flame. Latimer's sufferings were soon terminated, but those of Ridley were of a protracted and most excruciating character. At length death released him from the reproach and tauntings of base men, and the pain of a burning body; and his triumphant soul joined that of his fellow-martyrs in that state of consummate blessedness prepared for and promised by Him whose honour they sought, and whose favour they enjoyed. A crystal streamlet from the hill Wound through the valley, wild and free, Beneath the wavy, tinted beam, Meander'd by a cottage door, With fragrant jasmine festoon'd o'er !— And kiss'd the breeze as it warbled by! * * 豪 JOHN HOWDEN, B.A.] |