ors were seated on a
form close to the stake. A sermon was preached, {p.233} "a scant
one," "of scarce a quarter of an hour;" and then Ridley begged that
for Christ's sake he might say a few words.

Lord Williams looked to the doctors, one of whom started from his
seat, and laid his hand on Ridley's lips--

"Recant," he said, "and you may both speak and live."

"So long as the breath is in my body," Ridley answered, "I will never
deny my Lord Christ and his known truth. God's will be done in me. I
commit our cause," he said, in a loud voice, turning to the people,
"to Almighty God, who shall indifferently judge all."

The brief preparations were swiftly made. Ridley gave his gown and
tippet to his brother-in-law, and distributed remembrances among those
who were nearest to him. To Sir Henry Lee he gave a new groat, to
others he gave handkerchiefs, nutmegs, slices of ginger, his watch,
and miscellaneous trinkets; "some plucked off the points of his hose;"
"happy," it was said, "was he that might get any rag of him."

Latimer had nothing to give. He threw off his cloak, stood bolt
upright in his shroud, and the friends took their places on either
side of the stake.

"O Heavenly Father," Ridley said, "I give unto thee most humble
thanks, for that thou hast called me to be a professor of thee even
unto death. Have mercy, O Lord, on this realm of England, and deliver
the same from all her enemies."

A chain was passed round their bodies, and fastened with a staple.

A friend brought a bag of powder and hung it round Ridley's neck.

"I will take it to be sent of God," Ridley said. "Have you more, for
my brother?"

"Yea, sir," the friend answered. "Give it him betimes then," Ridley
replied, "lest ye be too late."

The fire was then brought. To the last moment, Ridley was distressed
about the leases, and, bound as he was, he entreated Lord Williams to
intercede with the queen about them.

"I will remember your suit," Lord Williams answered. The lighted torch
was laid to the faggots. "Be of good comfort, Master Ridley," Latimer
cried at the crackling of the flames; "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."

"_In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum_," cried Ridley.
"_Domine, recipe spiritum meum._"

{p.234} "O Father of Heaven," said Latimer, on the other side,
"receive my soul."

Latimer died first: as the flame blazed up abou