Foxe's Book of Martyrs
by Jeremiah Greene
Does pride bring out the worst in men or does the worst in men bring out pride? The hatred displayed on the part of the Catholic leaders was founded on their unwillingness to admit that they were wrong--pride. Thousands stood up for what God had showed them only to be put to death. In 1555 A.D. alone, 300 selfless, Godly martyrs gave their lives to the stake. It was the love of Jesus and the martyrs love for God that kept these men of God preaching. The joy that only Jesus could bring was the constant companion of these faithful few.
The early church wasn't any exception to martyrdom. Men like Peter and James willingly gave their lives in service to the Lord. Honest, Christian men, women, and children have suffered for the cause of Christ. Evil men like Nero and other high individuals have persecuted and annihilated hundreds of thousands of Christians in all walks of life. Beheadings and burnings were a part of every day life for those who lived during the early part of the turn of history.
Pre-Reformers and actual Reformers in the 1300's on up to the 1600's suffered no end of miseries and trials at the hands of Catholicism. Throughout what we call the "Middle Ages", countless numbers of men and women wouldn't be silenced by the cold hand of persecution. These people loved the Lord and with His help made numerous break-throughs for Christ. Thousands came to know Jesus not only by the preaching but by the example these God-fearing patriots. Men like John Huss, John Wycliffe, Sir John Oldcastle, Latimer, Ridley, Thomas Cranmer, and William Tyndale all believed in what the Bible said as true. They stood up and defied man's doctrine and called it what it was--a bunch of rotten lies.
One example of a true martyr was John Huss. This man of God became totally dedicated to the furtherment of the Gospel. Once Huss was asked to present his views before a Council. He was promised that he would not be harmed. Instead, he was betrayed, arrested, and imprisoned before he had a chance to speak to the Council. John Huss was brought before the Council for a "trial"; it was nothing but a mockery of one. The Catholic leaders, of course found him guilty of "heresy" and when Huss was asked to recant, he boldly refused. On the day of July 6, 1415, this Holy man of God died by means of the torturous method of execution called being burned at the stake. Not one cry was uttered from the martyr. The only sound he made was his prayer to God.
Hugh Latimer was another brave soul who died for the cause of Christ. As with many other great men, he quickly became a thorn in the side of many Catholic leaders. Instead of listening to the truth that Latimer so boldly declared, these evil men had him arrested. He was given a mock trial and condemned to death. Along with him at the stake, a converted Catholic bishop named Nicholas Ridley was tied next to him to burn. As the men were tied down, Latimer said to Ridley,"My friend Ridley, be of good cheer for the fires which we start today will not soon be put out!" Indeed not a person that witnessed their martyrdom turned away untouched by bravery displayed at that horrible scene. Even though they were not present on this earth, with the aid of God's Spirit, their preaching lived on.
Though some didn't heed the truth that was preached, some Catholics listened and believed the preaching of the Protestant martyrs. Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, was one of these converts. When he displayed his conversion, his superiors became enraged this action. Cranmer was apprehended and tried. When he asked if he would recant, he grew cowardly and agreed to do so. Later he took back his recantation and was condemned to death. When he was tied to the stake and the fire was built, he held his right hand into the fire to be burned first. This was the hand that he had used to sign his official recantation. Thomas Cranmer recognized his folly and repented. In the face of death, he stood firmly and declared his change of mind.
This book tells the story of the lives, suffering, and victorious deaths of countless Christian martyrs all throughout history. Beginning with the early church, this glorious historical record traces the roots of religious persecution. Foxe's Book of Martyrs tells the story of many great apostles, Pre-Reformers, and Reformers. Since John Foxe wasn't estranged to persecution, his book possesses a sense of insight into the suffering of these God-fearing martyrs.
Christians today have grown so prideful that they can't be taught by God's Word. If we had half the love for Jesus and the willingness to do His will that these men in the Reformation and early church had then there is no telling what we could accomplish for God. The Bible says in Ephesians 1:4,"...that we should be holy and without blame..." When we are prideful, we are not walking holy and we do have blame. The reason we don't have many people today that are willing to stare death in the face like the martyrs did is because of pride and a lackadaisical attitude.