Cambridge Education and Reformation Calling
I was raised in the north of England and educated at Cambridge, where I devoted myself to the study of Scripture. The more I studied, the more I became convinced that many practices of the medieval Church had strayed from the simplicity of the Gospel. I embraced the Reformation, believing that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone.
Bishop of London Under Edward
King Henry VIII recognized my learning and made me one of his chaplains. Under King Edward VI, I became Bishop of London and worked tirelessly to reform the English Church. I helped compile the Book of Common Prayer, seeking to give ordinary people access to worship in their own language. I preached, I wrote, I labored to see England transformed by the Word of God.
Imprisonment Under Queen Mary's Reign
When Queen Mary ascended the throne and restored Catholicism, I knew I could not recant what I believed to be true. I was arrested along with Hugh Latimer and Thomas Cranmer, and we were brought to Oxford to be examined. For eighteen months I was imprisoned, but I used that time to write letters encouraging other believers and defending the doctrines of grace.
Protestant Martyr Oxford England
On October 16, 1555, Latimer and I were led to the stake. My brother-in-law had tied a bag of gunpowder around my neck to hasten my death, but the fire burned unevenlyโmy lower body was consumed while my upper body remained. I cried out in agony, "Lord, have mercy upon me! I cannot burn... Let the fire come unto me, I cannot burn."
A bystander finally pushed the burning wood higher, and the gunpowder exploded, ending my suffering. I had written in prison that I would rather die than deny the truth. God gave me grace to keep that vow.
The Gospel I preached is the Gospel I died for: Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone.
