Character study

 The last time I wrote, I wrote of Peter and John thriving in persecution, and Herod who dropped dead for he could not give God the Glory.

Today I would like to do another contrast, this time in jolly old England and it is from the Foxe's book of Martyrs, which if you have never read it it is time you did. "APA citation style: Foxe, J. (1870) Fox's Book of martyrs."

What I want to do here is to show the difference between the Godly and those who profess Godliness when in reality they live a "godly" facade. Herod was a different story for he never pretended to be "godly", no he was so full of himself he cared not for any God but only for himself.

The man listed in the second paragraph is the one I want you to see clearly after reading the first paragraph.

Thomas Hudson, Thomas Carman, and William Seamen

Were condemned by a bigoted vicar of Aylesbury, named Berry.

The spot of execution was called Lollard's Pit, without Bishipsgate, at Norwich. After joining together in humble petition to the throne of grace, they rose, went to the stake, and were encircled with their chains. To the great surprise of the spectators, Hudson slipped from under his chains, and came forward. A great opinion prevailed that he was about to recant; others thought that he wanted further time. In the meantime, his companions at the stake urged every promise and exhortation to support him. The hopes of the enemies of the cross, however, were disappointed: the good man, far from fearing the smallest personal terror at the approaching pangs of death, was only alarmed that his Savior's face seemed to be hidden from him. Falling upon his knees, his spirit wrestled with God, and God verified the words of His Son, "Ask, and it shall be given." The martyr rose in an ecstasy of joy, and exclaimed, "Now, I thank God, I am strong! and care not what man can do to me!" With an unruffled countenance he replaced himself under the chain, joined his fellow-sufferers, and with them suffered death, to the comfort of the godly, and the confusion of Antichrist.

Berry, unsatiated with this demoniacal act, summoned up two hundred persons in the town of Aylesham, whom he compelled to kneel to the cross at Pentecost, and inflicted other punishments. He struck a poor man for a trifling word, with a flail, which proved fatal to the unoffending object. He also gave a woman named Alice Oxes, so heavy a blow with his fist, as she met him entering the hall when he was in an ill-humor, that she died with the violence. This priest was rich, and possessed great authority; he was a reprobate, and, like the priesthood, he abstained from marriage, to enjoy the more a debauched and licentious life. The Sunday after the death of Queen Mary, he was revelling with one of his concubines, before vespers; he then went to church, administered baptism, and in his return to his lascivious pastime, he was smitten by the hand of God. Without a moment given for repentance, he fell to the ground, and a groan was the only articulation permitted him. In him we may behold the difference between the end of a martyr and a persecutor.

 Way back in this era the priests had authority, money, prestige, and fear. This man was what we call an hireling, for he was not of God. 

When you know Jesus there will be a changed heart and the young men in the first paragraph evince that very thing, for one was afraid he was unworthy to die for Christ. The other, vicar berry could not live for God.

It is a fascinating study and one well worth the time to read the whole book.