their own greatness, they conspire against every kingdom."[466] [463] Marking especially the demeanour of the preachers, and beholding the pomp of the prelates. Foxe, Acts, v. p. 118. [464] Doct. Tr. p. 238. Obedience of a Chr. Man. [465] Ibid. p. 251. [466] Ibid. p. 191. No kingdom was to be more familiar than England with the conspiracies of the papacy of which Tyndale spoke; and yet none was to free itself more irrevocably from the power of Rome. Yet Tyndale was leaving the shores of his native land, and as he turned his eyes towards the new countries, hope revived in his heart. He was going to be free, and he would use his liberty to deliver the word of God, so long held captive. "The priests," he said one day, "when they had slain Christ, set poleaxes to keep him in his sepulchre, that he should not rise again, even so have our priests buried the testament of God, and all their study is to keep it down, that it rise not again.[467] But the hour of the Lord is come, and nothing can hinder the word of God, as nothing could hinder Jesus Christ of old from issuing from the tomb." Indeed that poor man, then sailing towards Germany, was to send back, even from the banks of the Elbe, the eternal Gospel to his countrymen. [467] Tyndale, Doct. Tr. p. 251. CHAPTER IX. Bilney at Cambridge--Conversions--The University Cross-Bearer--A Leicestershire Farmer--A Party of Students--Superstitious Practices--An obstinate Papist--The Sophists--Latimer attacks Stafford--Bilney's Resolution--Latimer hears Bilney's Confession--Confessor converted--New Life in Latimer--Bilney preaches Grace--Nature of the Ministry--Latimer's Character and Teaching--Works of Charity--Three Classes of Adversaries--Clark and Dalaber. [Sidenote: BILNEY AT CAMBRIDGE.]