All too often we forget what many have gone through in the past to give us such polished theology for today. God has used those in the history of the church to expose truth to many who were in spiritual ignorance. This book is about just that. John Hooper, Rowland Taylor, Hugh Latimer, John Bradford, and Nicholas Ridley all took a stand for the truth of God's word and they were burned at the stake in return. I am amazed a the stand that these men took and the opposition they received yet they stood strong on the foundation of truth that we often times take for granted. This foundation of truth was not taught to them from years of tradition as well as thoroughly articulated systematic theology books. They were taught these truths by the Holy Spirit through the word of God in a time when hardly anybody thought that was an option. I will leave out the specific doctrines that they stood for (in hopes that you will seek it out) and just encourage you to thank God daily for good doctrine and the easy access that we have to it. I just want to give you a few quotes from the men this book was written about.
John Hooper wrote these words on his prison cell wall:
"Content thyself with patience, with Christ to bear the cross of pain: Who can or will recompense a thousand-fold, with joys again. Let nothing cause thy heart to fail: Launch out thy boat, hoist up thy sail,Put from the shore; And be thou sure thou shalt remain, for evermore.Rowland Taylor just before he was attached to the stake:
Fear not death, pass not for bands, only in God put thy whole trust; For He will require thy blood at their hands, And thou dost know that once die thou must, Only for that thy life if thy give, death is no death, but amens to live. Do not despair; Of no worldly tyrant be thou in dread; Thy compass which is God's word, shall lead thee, and the wind is fair."
"Good people, I have taught you nothing but God's Holy Word, and those lessons that I have taken out of God's blessed book, the Holy Bible; and I am come hither to this day to seal it with my blood."Hugh Latimer, who arose at 2 am to study each morning, left the world with these words:
"Be of good comfort, Master Ridley (another reformer he was burned with), and play the man; We shall this day light such a candle. By God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out."John Bradford spoke of his being wrongly condemned:
"When I consider the cause of my condemnation, I cannot but lament that I do not rejoice more than I do, for it is God's verity and truth. The condemnation is not a condemnation of Bradford simply, but rather a condemnation of Christ and His truth. Bradford is nothing else but an instrument, in whom Christ and His doctrine are condemned."Nicholas Ridley offered up a final supplication as he was at the stake:
The price these men paid for the doctrines we cherish today should not be forgotten. Read about the martyrs of the past; It will excite your hunger for spiritual growth and deepen your love and commitment to Christ and His truth. May we never take for granted sound doctrine. Praise God for His wonderful grace!
"O Heavenly Father, I give unto Thee most hearty thanks, for that Thou hast called me to be a professor of Thee, even unto death. I beseech Thee, Lord God, take mercy upon this realm of England, and deliver the same from all her enemies."
