CHURCH HISTORY PART 4

1. CHURCH HISTORY PART 4 The Reformation in Great Britain

2. THE ENGLISH REFORMATION The Revival of the Bible

3. William Tyndale • Studying at Oxford and Cambridge he became convinced that the clergy had no knowledge of the Bible. • He famously said that he would produce a Bible that the ploughboy could understand. Clogher Valley Bible Class

4. The Banished Scholar • Failing to obtain a license from the church to translate and print an English Bible in England he travelled to Germany. • By 1525 he had completed the New Testament and the books began arriving in England. • He had to travel from place to place as the church in Germany also sought to prevent him doing this work. Clogher Valley Bible Class

5. The Martyred Saint • Henry 8th through Cardinal Wosley sent out agents seeking Tyndale. • Eventually he was caught in Antwerp and handed over to the Church. • In 1536 he was burnt at the stake. • His famous dying prayer was for the King of England’s eyes to be opened. • Within a few years the King permitted the distribution of the Bible in English. Clogher Valley Bible Class

6. Henry 8th and His Many Wives • Apart from the Protestant consciousness developing in England there was a political dispute with Rome developing. • To Henry Protestantism could be a tool in his battle with the Pope. Clogher Valley Bible Class

7. Faithful Catholic Given the title “Defender of the Faith” by the Pope for a book he wrote. Throughout his reign he was responsible for the deaths of Protestants including Tyndale. Claimed his marriage with Catherine of Aragon was unlawful and sought a divorce. Cranmer gave him the divorce and so he took England out of Rome. Freely dispensed of other wives (Anne Boleyn was executed). The Unpredictability of Henry Clogher Valley Bible Class

8. Breaking The Power of the Church • Thomas Cromwell the Chancellor advised the King that the church was subject to the Pope first. • Therefore Henry was convinced that he should he the Head of the Church of England. • He also closed down the wealthy abbeys and monasteries confiscating their wealth and property. • Ironically as he was doing this martyrs such as godly Thomas Bilney were dying at the stake. Clogher Valley Bible Class

9. Born in 1489 He became aware of the Lutheran controversy. Spent 3 years studying God’s Word in Greek and Hebrew. He embraced Christ. The King saw his Protestantism as a useful tool in his battle with the Pope. He was a major influence upon the King to print the Bible in English. Archbishop Cranmer Clogher Valley Bible Class

10. Edward 6th – England’s Josiah • He was crowned in 1547 at the age of 9 after Henry’s death. • Reformers from the continent visited • The images were removed from churches. • The Book of Common Prayer was introduced to replace the Catholic Missal. • The 39 Articles of Religion were introduced. Clogher Valley Bible Class

11. The Age of Great Preachers • Nicholas Ridley • John Rogers • John Hooper • Hugh Latimer Clogher Valley Bible Class

12. The Age of Great Preachers Nicholas Ridley • Like Cranmer he came to a gradual realization of the fullness of the gospel. • 1545 he acknowledged that transubstantiation was unscriptural. • In 1550 Edward 6th made him Bishop of London. Clogher Valley Bible Class

13. The Age of Great Preachers John Rogers • Educated at Cambridge he was acquainted with Ridley, Hooper and Latimer. • He did not embrace Protestantism until the period between 1534 and 1537 when he became close to William Tyndale. • Played a role with Coverdale in the translation of Matthew’s Bible. • Bishop Ridley appointed him to a number of important positions in London. Clogher Valley Bible Class

14. The Age of Great Preachers John Hooper • Converted through the writings of Zwingli. • Spent 9 years in Switzerland where he fellowshipped with Bullinger and married a Swiss lady. • Was appointed Bishop of Gloucester under Edward 6th. • His consecration was delayed for a year because he refused to wear the vestments he regarded as Popish. • Preached 3 to 4 times every day throughout his diocese. • Was greatly troubled by the state of his clergy. Clogher Valley Bible Class

15. The Age of Great Preachers Hugh Latimer • He described himself as an obstinate Papist. • He was converted listening to the testimony of a student called Bilney. • He became a powerful preacher in Cambridge inspiring hundreds to seek the Lord. • In 1530 he was made one of the Royal Chaplains to Henry 8th. • In 1535 he was made Bishop of Worcester but resigned in 1539 by the passing of the Romish 6 articles. • He spent the last year of Henry’s reign in the Tower of London. • He assisted Cranmer by living with him in Lambeth palace in the last 6 years of life. Clogher Valley Bible Class

16. The Turning Point • In 1553 Edward died. • He was replaced by Mary Tudor, the daughter of Catherine of Aragon. • She was a devout Catholic. • She had a particular grudge against Protestantism as her mother was humiliated. • Her deepest hatred was reserved for Archbishop Cranmer. Clogher Valley Bible Class

17. England Restored to Popery • Papists replaced Protestants in all the positions of influence. • She married Philip, Emperor of Spain. • Cranmer Latimer and Ridley confined to the Tower of London. • Agents were appointed to look out for people who did not attend Mass or support the Catholic Faith. Clogher Valley Bible Class

18. 1555 – The Burnings Commenced Burning of Anne Askew, John Lacels, John Adams and John Bleenian at Smithfield Clogher Valley Bible Class

19. The Martyrs Multiplied • The prisons were populated by godly folk. • The Bishops then selected who would burn from the crowd. • Most of the murdered were ordinary people. Clogher Valley Bible Class

20. The Unsung Heroes Thomas Drowy 15 year old boy burned in Gloucester, May 1555. Agnes Prest A Cornish woman Betrayed by her Catholic husband and burned in 1557, aged 54 Anne Askew 25 years of age and burned at Smithfield after making a bold confession William Hunter 19 years of age from Brentwood, burned in March 1555. Clogher Valley Bible Class

21. John Rogers • Wakened on 4th February 1555 to be taken to the stake. • Before his wife and children he said, “that which I have preached will I seal with my blood.” • He raised his hands through the flames towards heaven until he could hold them no longer. Clogher Valley Bible Class

22. John Hooper • Taken to Gloucester to be burned before his people. • To Sir Anthony Kingston who pleaded with him to recant he said, “The life to come is more sweet and the death to come is more bitter.” • His fire had to be lit three times and he was ¾ hour in the flames before he died in considerable pain. Clogher Valley Bible Class

23. Latimer and Ridley - Oxford Latimer’s Dying words, “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley and play the man; we shall this day light a candle in England as I trust shall never be put out” Clogher Valley Bible Class

24. Archbishop Cranmer • Like his brethren he bore a good testimony through his various examinations. • In his final month he signed the recantation. • On 21st March 1556 he was brought out to be jeered by his enemies. • They were enraged as he publicly renounced his recantation and refused the pope as AntiChrist. • As the flames leapt up he held his right hand in the flames with the words, “This unworthy right hand”. • Bishop Ryle said that of all the martyrs none showed as much physical courage as Cranmer. Clogher Valley Bible Class

25. A total of 288 people were burned between 1555 and 1558 The one reason why they were executed was because they refused to accept that Christ was sacrificed at the Mass. The Crimes of Bloody Mary Clogher Valley Bible Class

26. The Dawn of a New Era • Mary died on 17th November 1558. • The bells rang, bonfires were lit and the people rejoiced. • Queen Elizabeth ushered in a new age when the Church returned to the Reformation path. • The nation was stirred into Protestantism by the burnings. • Elizabeth ordered that a Foxes’ Book of Martyrs be placed in every church so that the sacrifice would be long remembered. Clogher Valley Bible Class

27. The Reformation In Scotland “England, in reforming itself, worked mainly from the political centre. Scotland worked mainly from the religious one. The ruling idea in the former country was the emancipation of the throne from the supremacy of the Pope; the ruling idea in the latter was the emancipation of the conscience from the Popish faith. The more prominent outcome of the Reformation in England was a free State; the more immediate product of the Reformation in Scotland was a free Church.” J.A. Wylie, The History of Protestantism Clogher Valley Bible Class

28. Early Witnesses • 1433 – Paul Craw executed. • A Lollard preacher from Bohemia. • Burned at St Andrews with a ball of brass in his mouth to prevent him speaking in death. Clogher Valley Bible Class

29. Patrick Hamilton – Martyred 1528 • A Scotsman man who studied at Wittenberg. • He was a bold preacher whose influence was felt throughout Scotland. • A Dominican Friar called Alexander Campbell witnessed to his heresy. • In death Hamilton said that the friar would meet the Judge in one month. • Campbell died within that time. “his reek infected all it blew on” Clogher Valley Bible Class

30. The Beaton Dictat • Hamilton was condemned by Archbishop David Beaton. • He was the virtual ruler who dominated the 16 year old James 5th. • He burned various early Protestants. • His nephew, Cardinal James Beaton pursued the same policy. Clogher Valley Bible Class

31. The Ministry of George Wishart • He fled Scotland for England where he recanted his faith. • In the Continent his faith revived. • He returned to Scotland and the crowds flocked to hear him preach. • He first introduced the Reformed Faith to Scotland as he received it in the school of Bullinger. Clogher Valley Bible Class

32. His Martyrdom and Legacy • Burned at Saint Andrews in 1546. • Speaking of Cardinal Beaton he declared that he would die very soon. • A young onlooker was both impressed and inspired by Wishart • JOHN KNOX. Clogher Valley Bible Class

33. John Knox – The Scottish Reformer • In May Beaton was murdered in his castle by those opposed to his power in Scotland. • The castle became a place of refuge for those endangered by the power of Rome. • In Easter 1547 John Knox became a minister in the castle. Clogher Valley Bible Class

34. From The Ministry To The Galley • Rome remained in the ascendancy throughout Scotland. • The castle was surrounded by the Scots and French. • Knox was captured and spent 19 months as a slave on a French warship. Clogher Valley Bible Class

35. Serving The English King • After his release he laboured in England because under Edward 6th things were more favourable than in Scotland. • He became one of the King’s chaplains and was even offered a Bishopric which he refused. • When Mary ascended the throne he made good his escape to the continent. Clogher Valley Bible Class

36. In Calvin’s Geneva 4 happy and blessed years: “…the most perfect school of Christ that ever was in the earth since the days of the apostles. In other places I confess Christ to be truly preached, but manners and religion to be so truly reformed, I have not yet seen in any other place”. John Knox Clogher Valley Bible Class

37. The Spiritual State of Scotland • The leading nobles had espoused the Reformation. • These entered into a Covenant in 1557 to promote Protestantism in their own parishes but they could not abolish the Mass. • In 1558 Walter Mill, an 82 year old preacher was burned. Clogher Valley Bible Class

38. The Political Unrest In Scotland • James 5th had died in 1542. • He had one daughter who was born a week before her father died, Mary. • Her mother, Mary of Guise took control of the nation. • There was much unrest as Mary, the heir, had married the future King of France. • Into this crisis arrived John Knox in 1559 to nurture the fledgling Reformed Faith. • This was only 30 years after Hamilton’s martyrdom. Clogher Valley Bible Class

39. Cometh the Hour…. • The Queen had summonsed 4 preachers to appear before her. • When she heard Knox had arrived she cancelled the meeting. • In St Andrews he preached against the idolatry of Rome. • The people abandoned Popery. • Other towns followed their example. • Unfortunately there were many acts of violence carried out against the monasteries, with which Knox was not associated. Clogher Valley Bible Class

40. Through Many Dangers • The Queen threatened civil war with her subjects. • With the help of the English the trouble was averted. • Within 15 months of Knox’s arrival Parliament declared Protestantism to be the religion of the Scots. • Knox was installed as Minister of St Giles Cathedral. Clogher Valley Bible Class

41. Presbyterianism Established Offices Employed: 1: Ministers for preaching. 2: Doctors for teaching students. 3: Elders to rule. 4: Deacons to manage the finance. 5: Superintendents to inspect ministers and plant churches. Clogher Valley Bible Class

42. Presbyterianism Established The Government: 1:Kirk Session for the local church. 2: Presbytery for governing a shire. 3: Synod for governing a province. 4: General Assembly for governing the national church. 5: The clergy and the people had equal powers. Clogher Valley Bible Class

43. His Principle “Take from us the purity of the Communion-table, and You take from us the Evangel.” Knox said, “Take from us the freedom of Assemblies, and you take from us the Evangel.” Clogher Valley Bible Class

44. A New Crisis • After her husband’s death Mary Queen of Scots returned to take control of the nation, in 1561. • One of her first acts was to celebrate mass in Holyrood Palace. Clogher Valley Bible Class

45. As a Result of 3 Private Interviews “If there be not in her a proud mind, a crafty wit, a callous heart against God and his truth, my judgement faileth me” Knox Clogher Valley Bible Class

46. A Shameful End • She attracted much scandal due to her immorality. • After her 3rd failed marriage she fled to England. • She was imprisoned for 18 years. • Eventually Elizabeth regarding her as a danger signed her death warrant. Clogher Valley Bible Class

47. John Knox – Died 1572 Clogher Valley Bible Class

48. Protestantism It is true, no doubt, that Protestantism, strictly viewed, is simply a principle. It is not a policy. It is not an empire, having its fleets and armies, its officers and tribunals, wherewith to extend its dominion and make its authority be obeyed. It is not even a Church with its hierarchies, and synods and edicts; it is simply a principle. But it is the greatest of all principles. It is a creative power. Its plastic influence is all-embracing. It penetrates into the heart and renews the individual. It goes down to the depths and, by its omnipotent but noiseless energy, vivifies and regenerates society. It thus becomes the creator of all that is true, and lovely, and great; the founder of free kingdoms, and the mother of pure churches. The globe itself it claims as a stage not too wide for the manifestation of its beneficent action; and the whole domain of terrestrial affairs it deems a sphere not too vast to fill with its spirit, and rule by its law. Wylie’s History of Protestantism Clogher Valley Bible Class