Page 9 - 14 Later English Reformers

but the weapons which he prepared have

enabled other soldiers to do battle through

all the centuries even to our time.

Latimer maintained from the pulpit that the

Bible ought to be read in the language of the

people. The Author of Holy Scripture, said he,

“is God Himself;” and this Scripture partakes

of the might and eternity of its Author. “There

is no king, emperor, magistrate, and ruler ...

but are bound to obey ... His holy word.” “Let

us not take any bywalks, but let God's word

direct us: let us not walk after ... our

forefathers, nor seek not what they did, but

what they should have done.”—Hugh

Latimer, “First Sermon Preached Before King

Edward VI.”

Barnes and Frith, the faithful friends of

Tyndale, arose to defend the truth. The

Ridleys and Cranmer followed. These leaders