The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 249

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 in the English
Reformation were men of learning, and most of them had been highly
esteemed for zeal or piety in the Romish communion. Their opposition
to the papacy was the result of their knowledge of the errors of the “holy
see.” Their acquaintance with the mysteries of Babylon gave greater
power to their testimonies against her.
“Now I would ask a strange question,” said Latimer. “Who is the
most diligent bishop and prelate in all England? ... I see you listening
and hearkening that I should name him.... I will tell you: it is the devil....
He is never out of his diocese; call for him when you will, he is ever
at home; ... he is ever at his plow.... Ye shall never find him idle, I
warrant you.... Where the devil is resident, ... there away with books,
and up with candles; away with Bibles, and up with beads; away with
the light of the gospel, and up with the light of candles, yea, at noondays;
... down with Christ’s cross, up with purgatory pickpurse; ... away with
clothing the naked, the poor, and impotent, up with decking of images
and gay garnishing of stocks and stones; up with man’s traditions and
his laws, down with God’s traditions and His most holy word.... O that
our prelates would be as diligent to sow the corn of good doctrine, as
Satan is to sow cockle and darnel!”—Ibid., “Sermon of the Plough.”

248