The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

VII. Latimer-Antichrist’s End at Close of Prophetic Outline

HUGH LATIMER (c. 1490-1555), one of the most distinguished prelates of the Church of England, was born in Leicestershire. Receiving his B.A. at Cambridge in 1510, and his M.A. in 1514, he entered holy orders. In 1530 he preached before King Henry VIII, and rose in favor at court. He obtained his B.D. in 1534 by a disputation against the teachings of Melanchthon, for Latimer was still bitter against the Reformation. He called himself an “obstinate papist.” Won to Protestantism by Thomas Bilney, his antipathy against the Roman church equaled PFF2 368.4

his former fervor for it. His sermons caused great excitement, and his opponents induced the bishop of Ely to prohibit his preaching in the churches of the University of Cambridge. How ever, Dr. Robert Barnes gave him permission to preach in the church of the Augustine Friars, a church exempt from episcopal jurisdiction ⁵¹ PFF2 369.1

Many complaints were made against him by Catholics throughout the years of his preaching. In January, 1532, he was cited to appear before the bishop of London on the charge of Protestant heresy, and threatened with excommunication. After being greatly molested, he was freed at the intervention of the king, however, and absolved from the sentence. He had been made a royal chaplain upon recommendation of Cranmer, and in 1535 was appointed bishop of Worcester, where he actively promoted the Reformation. But in 1539 he resigned, refusing the mitre because he would not sign the Six Articles-transubstantiation, communion in one kind, celibacy of the clergy, lawfulness of monastic vows, private masses, and auricular confession. ⁵² PFF2 369.2

1. TELLS KING How ANTICHRIST MAY BE KNOWN

After the resignation of his bishopric Latimer was placed “in ward” in the home of Dr. Sampson, the bishop of Chichester. He remained in the custody of the bishop until that prelate was him self imprisoned in the Tower. Latimer was then set at liberty for a while, it is believed, but was finally apprehended and cast into the Tower, where he remained until the death of Henry in 1547. During the reign of Edward VI (1547-1553), Latimer regained his influence at court and identified himself firmly with the Reformation as a zealous and eloquent preacher, sparing no hypocrisy and no tyranny. In a sermon preached before the boy king in a palace garden in 1549, Latimer stated how Antichrist may be known: PFF2 369.3

“In this we learn to know antichrist, which doth elevate himself in the church, and judgeth at his pleasure before the time. His canonizations, and judging of men before the Lord’s judgment, be a manifest token of antichrist.” ⁵³ PFF2 369.4

Latimer declined an invitation to resume his former office, however, preferring to live chiefly in the archiepiscopal palace as confidant of Cranmer, with whom he associated in preparing the Book of Homilies ⁵⁴ Latimer’s activities were checked by the accession of Bloody Mary, in 1553. In July of that year he was summoned from Warwickshire to appear before the council in London. He was again arrested and imprisoned in the Tower, in the same room with Cranmer, Ridley, and Bradford.v ⁵⁵ In 1554 they were taken by their enemies to Bocardo, the “common gaol,” in Oxford, to defend their position on the mass before the divines of the university. Latimer was examined, basing his arguments solely on Scripture, but refused to dispute. After subjection to a mock trial they were again condemned. In 1555, about to be burned for his faith “at the ditch over against Balliol College,” Latimer said to Ridley, who was condemned and burned with him (cut of Martyrs’ Memorial on page 359): PFF2 370.1

” ‘Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man: we shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.’ ” ⁵⁶ PFF2 370.2

2. HOLDS STANDARD VIEW OF FOUR PROPHETIC EMPIRES

Latimer wrote less on the outline prophecies than his contemporary Reformers. But that he held the same view of the prophesied world outline is seen in his famous third sermon on the Lord’s Prayer, of 1552: PFF2 370.3

“There have been principally four monarchies in the world: the first were the Babylonians, which had great and many nations underneath them: which was God’s ordinance and pleasure, for he suffered them so to do. After those came the Persians, which were great rulers and mighty kings; as it appeareth by stories written of learned men at that time. Then came in the Greeks, and took the dominion from the Persians, and ruled them selves for awhile, till they were plucked down. At the last came the Romans, with their empire, which shall be the last: and therefore it is a token that the end of the world is not far off.” ⁵⁷ PFF2 370.4

3. DECLARES PRESENCE OF ANTICHRIST EVIDENCE OF LATTER DAYS

Latimer viewed the approaching judgment hour as the “latter day,” in relationship to Antichrist’s reign. With the appeal, “Therefore, good people, let us make ready towards his coming. And though he cometh not at this time, yet let us make ready,” Latimer said: PFF2 371.1

“I would will and desire you most heartily, for God’s sake, to consider that the judgment of God at the latter day shall be right, according unto justice: it will then appear who hath been good or bad. And this is the only comfort of all Christian people, that they know that they shall be de livered from all their troubles and vexations. Let us therefore have a desire that this day may come quickly. Let us hasten God forward. Let us cry unto him day and night, Adveniat regnum tuum; ‘Most merciful Father, thy kingdom come.’ St Paul saith, Non veniet Dominus nisi veniat defectio; ‘The Lord will not come till the swerving from faith cometh:’ which thing is already done and past. Antichrist is known throughout all the world. Wherefore the day is not far off. Let us beware, for it will one day fall upon our heads.” ⁵⁸ PFF2 371.2

4. PUTS ROMAN CHURCH IN DIABOLIC CATEGORY

In the “Last Appearance and Examination” we find his testimony be fore the commissioners, October 1, 1555. Latimer said concerning the church: PFF2 371.3

” ‘I confess there is a catholic church, to the determination of which I will stand; but not the church which you call catholic, which sooner might be termed diabolic. And whereas you join together the Romish and catholic church, stay there, I pray you. For it is one thing to say Romish church, and another thing to say catholic church.’” ⁵⁹ PFF2 371.4

In a sermon at Paul’s Church, London, on January 18, 1548, Latimer’s concept of the Papacy had been plainly told: PFF2 371.5

“But the devil, by the help of that Italian bishop yonder, his chaplain, hath laboured by all means that he might to frustrate the death of Christ and the merits of his passion. And they have devised for that purpose to make us believe in other vain things by his pardons.” ⁶⁰ PFF2 371.6

5. BELIEVES END LESS THAN 400 YEARS DISTANT

As to the approximate time to the end, Latimer only had the six-thousand-year theory, as did many of his contemporaries-some four hundred years till the end, but the time would be shortened for the elect’s sake. Latimer continues: PFF2 372.1

“St Peter saith, Finis omnium appropinquat; “The end of all things draweth very near.’ If St Peter said so in his time, how much more shall we say so.’ For it is a long time since St Peter spake these words. The world was ordained to endure, as all learned men affirm and prove it with scripture, six thousand years. Now of that number there be passed five thousand (five hundred) and fifty-two; so that there is no more left but four hundred and forty-eight. And furthermore, those days shall be shortened: it shall not be full six thousand years. Nam abbreviabuntur dies propter electos; ‘The days shall be shortened for the elect’s sake.’ Therefore all those excellent learned men, which without doubt God hath sent into this world in these latter days to give the world warning, all those men do gather out of scripture that the last day cannot be far off.” ⁶¹ PFF2 372.2