Latimer next proceeded to declare what would give real riches to England. ‘Your Grace promised by your last proclamation that we should have the Scripture in English. Let not the wickedness of worldly men divert you from your goodly purpose and promise. There are prelates who, under pretence of insurrection and heresy, hinder the Gospel of Christ from having free course.... They would send a thousand men to hell ere they send one to God.’[78] Latimer had reserved for the last the appeal he had determined to make to his master’s conscience: ‘I pray to God that your Grace may do what God commandeth, and not what seemeth good in your own sight; that you may be found one of the members of his Church and a faithful minister of his gifts, and not,’ he added, showing contempt for a title of which Henry was very proud, ‘and not a defender of his faith; for he will not have it defended by man’s power, but by his word only. ‘Wherefore, gracious king, remember yourself. Have pity on your soul, and think that the day is even at hand when you shall give account of your office and of the blood that hath been shed with your sword. In the which day that your Grace may stand steadfastly and not be ashamed, but be clear and ready in your reckoning, and to have (as they say) your _quietus est_ sealed with the blood of our Saviour Christ, which only serveth at that day, is my daily prayer to Him that suffered death for our sins which also prayeth to His Father for grace for us continually.’[79] Thus wrote the bold chaplain. Such a letter from Latimer to Henry VIII. deserved to be pointed out. The king does not appear to have been offended at it. He was an absolute prince, but there was occasionally some generosity in his character. He therefore continued to extend his kindness to Latimer, but did not answer his appeal. [Sidenote: Latimer’s Preaching.] Latimer preached frequently before the court and in the city. Many noble lords and old families still clung to the prejudices of the middle ages; but some had a certain liking for the Reformation, and listened to the chaplain’s preaching, which was so superior to ordinary sermons. His art of oratory was summed up in one precept: ‘Christ is the preacher of all preachers.’[80] ‘Christ,’ he exclaimed, ‘took upon him our sins: not the work of sin—not to do it—not to commit it, but to purge it; and that way he was the great sinner of the world.[81]... It is much like as if I owed another man 20,000_l._, and must pay it out of hand, or else go to the dungeon of Ludgate; and, when I am going to prison, one of my friends should come and ask, “Whither goeth this man: I will answer for him; I will pay all for him.” Such a part played our Saviour Christ with us.’