Stauron - Volume 15, Issue 6

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An English Saul at the Cross

Gary Hagen

The story of the Reformation of the church in Europe did not follow a paint-by-numbers scheme. In Germany God began much of His reformational work through the conversion of an Augustinian monk—Martin Luther. In the city of Geneva, a Frenchman who had once studied in Paris for the Catholic priesthood played a central role—Jean Cauvin. But in England, the humor of God employed the lust of the famous fornicating king—Henry VIII.

In other parts of Europe, reformation of the church was eventually effected by a complete separation from Rome. This sort of break was never to occur in England. Rather than break with the apostate church, a prolonged attempt was made to convert the Catholic Church in England to the Protestant faith. England still bears those scars.¹

Of course, as the story goes, when Pope Clement VII would not grant the king's divorce to Catherine so that he might marry Anne of Boleyn, Henry rejected both the civil and ecclesiastical headship of the pope. Henry appointed Thomas Cranmer as archbishop of Canterbury, and Cranmer immediately pronounced Henry's marriage with Katharine invalid and crowned Anne queen. Not to be outdone, the pope retaliated by excommunicating Henry. So Henry declared himself the head of the Church of England. But despite this schoolyard tussle with the pope, Henry remained devoted to the heresies of Rome even to the point of persecuting and executing reformers. Yet Henry's resolve to oust papal rule in his realm over his marriage to Anne Boleyn would ultimately open the way for yet another beachhead in the battles for reformation.

Hugh Latimer is perhaps known today as the greatest preacher and most prominent martyr of the English Reformation. He has been called the John Knox of England.²

Latimer was born the son of a well-to-do farmer. His father gave him the best education available. Finally, at age fourteen, he was sent to Cambridge where he eventually studied theology and devoted his life to the church. Latimer employed his considerable intellectual prowess and eloquence in the service of combating the advocates of the Reformation. His rabid craving to drive its doctrines from the shores of England was reminiscent of Saul of Tarsus against the first-century Christians.³ He persecuted the reformers in their meetinghouses. Even Latimer's doctoral dissertation was used to attack the teachings of Melanchthon. But, as with Saul, God still had a sense of humor in England.

The halls of Cambridge resonated with discussions and study of the teachings of both Wycliffe and Luther. One group of men met to discuss the promotion of reformational truths. Among them was Thomas Bilney. He had often observed the passion and rhetorical excellence of Latimer, and had longed to see him converted. Bilney used Latimer's passion against the reformation as well as his pride. He did this by begging for a hearing with Latimer in order to "make confession." Latimer, thinking that his discourse against the teachings of Melanchthon had finally converted Bilney back to the Romish faith, agreed to hear his confession and absolve Bilney of his sin. Kneeling before Latimer, Bilney's confession was not one of turning from the reformational truths of the gospel — but a confession of Christ.

In his confession to Latimer, Bilney described the anguish of soul he had often felt by attempting to live by the works righteousness taught by Rome, and he recounted how he had striven to remove this anguish to no avail. This anguish struck a chord in the heart of Latimer. He knew all too well the doubts and grief that Bilney described. His superstitious ways were hollow, and he now saw this through the testimony of Bilney's faith and the peace that he had found in the perfect sacrifice of the spotless Lamb of God. When Bilney finally stood up, Latimer remained seated, weeping. Bilney comforted him with the words of Isaiah 1:18, "Brother, `though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.'" Latimer's zeal remained, but like Paul, his loyalty was now to the cross of Christ, not the Romish Church of England.

After the death of Henry VIII, his only male heir, Edward VI (son of Anne Boleyn), assumed the crown. After six years, Edward died and Mary Tudor, eldest daughter from Henry's marriage to Catherine, assumed the throne. For her execution of hundreds of Protestant `heretics,' she was affectionately known as "Bloody Mary."

It was under this reign of Mary I that Latimer was martyred at Oxford on October 16, 1555. By some accounts he was now past 80 years old. Latimer, and a fellow reformer only half his age—Nicholas Ridley, were tried and sentenced to be burned at the stake. They knelt in prayer, and were then chained to the stake by their waists. As the fires were lit and the pain commenced, Latimer shouted to his fellow martyr: "Be of good comfort, master Ridley, 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."