Why Were Our Reformers Burned?

by J.C. Ryle

To ask and answer the question ‘Why were our Reformers burned?’ could not be more pertinent to the times in which we live, according to Roger Carswell in his Introduction to this edition of J. C. Ryle’s tract on the English Reformers. • A pithy, important read. This is a booklet that needs to be read carefully and prayerfully. Its aim is not to lead anyone to smug self-righteousness or complacency. To understand the error of a theological system ought to stir within us compassion and winsome boldness towards those who are caught up in it. • Give thanks for the Reformers who led the way. We ought to feel deeply thankful to God for those who lived and laid down their lives for the truth of the gospel. The world was not worthy of they took up their cross and followed their Saviour. We need to understand why the Reformers of the sixteenth century lived and died as they did, and in our times cultivate a similar, costly commitment to the truth of the gospel. This booklet is an extract from Ryle’s Five English Reformers and Light from Old Times.

Genres: History

48 pages, Paperback

First published June 7, 2010

About the author

(John Charles Ryle) Ryle started his ministry as curate at the Chapel of Ease in Exbury, Hampshire, moving on to become rector of St Thomas's, Winchester in 1843 and then rector of Helmingham, Suffolk the following year. While at Helmingham he married and was widowed twice. He began publishing popular tracts, and Matthew, Mark and Luke of his series of Expository Thoughts on the Gospels were published in successive years (1856-1858). His final parish was Stradbroke, also in Suffolk, where he moved in 1861, and it was as vicar of All Saints that he became known nationally for his straightforward preaching and firm defence of evangelical principles. He wrote several well-known and still-in-print books, often addressing issues of contemporary relevance for the Church from a biblical standpoint. He completed his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels while at Stradbroke, with his work on the Gospel of John (1869). His third marriage, to Henrietta Amelia Clowes in 1861, lasted until her death in 1889.

Reviews

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal. Easy to read, short in length. Incredible tribute to the English Reformers under the reign of Bloody Mary. This book contains eye-opening accounts of their deaths and the main reasons they were condemned for “heresy”. Every Christian should read this book.

[Joonas Laajanen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. A good reminder of the importance of the Lord's Supper.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of the reformed martyrs. J.C Ryle is always a solid read.

[Diana Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the beginning portion but as the book went on, I lost interest in the details of each martyr. If you enjoy more history, then you’ll enjoy this book.

[Geoff Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reformers (John Rogers, John Hooper, Rowland Taylor, Robert Ferrar, John Bradford, Nicholas Ridley, Hugh Latimer, John Philpot, Thomas Cranmer) mentioned in this book during the reign of Bloody Mary were burned at the stake for the reason-refusing specific doctrine of the Roman Church-whether the presence of the body and blood of Jesus is in the elements of the Lord's supper after consecration. All of the reformers listed in the book were inquired about this doctrine and could recant (Cranmer actually did, but then took it all back)

[John Tilinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a helpful reminder that our Protestant heritage came at a cost. Unexpectedly, I also found one of the best explorations of the implications of the error of transubstantiation that I’ve come across.