Martyr Memorial Commemorations.

Every year throughout England and Wales martyr memorial services are held to remind people in general and Christians in particular about the cost of the liberties we now enjoy. This becomes ever more important as the Roman Catholic Church, the greatest and fiercest persecutor of true Christians the world has ever seen, become more and more accepted as brothers in Christ in Evangelical circles.

There are two main reasons why this is so. One is a lack of knowledge of what Roman Catholic dogma actually is and the other is an abysmal ignorance of church history, especially when Rome was in control. It should be remembered that when Rome dominated Europe that period in history is known as the Dark Ages. That in itself speaks volumes; for Christ said of His Church that it was to be the light of the world, yet when the Roman Catholic Church was in the noonday of its power, ignorance and superstition, along with cruelty and vice, dominated Europe. Nevertheless, here and there Gospel light shone out. In the Cottian Alps in Italy the Waldensians held aloft the torch of truth, as did the Albigenses in the French Alps.

In other places too, Gospel light flickered in the darkness. The Harlot Church hurled her anathemas and launched her armies against the helpless people. At the same time the Bible was put on the Index of Forbidden Books and an act for the burning of heretics was introduced by the papacy. All over Europe wherever “heretics” were to be found they were arraigned before the Holy Inquisition, tortured, and if they refused to recant, they were burned alive.

Quite apart from their guilt or otherwise, are such deeds the mark of the true Church of Jesus Christ? Is there any hint in Scripture that Christ would have His Church do such evil deeds? He did warn His disciples that the days would come when they would be those put to death by religious opponents who would think they were doing the will of God. No other institution, other than the Church of Rome, fits the bill.

In England the persecution didn’t start until after the Council of Constance which ordered the bones of John Wickliffe, the Morning Star of The Reformation, to be dug up and burned, though there is a reference to two foreigners being burnt near Oxford in the 12th century. The Lollards, who were followers of the teachings of Wickliffe, were savagely persecuted and an unknown number burned at the stake.

The Act For The Burning of Heretics, de Haeretico Cumberendo, became law in England in 1400. The Act was abolished in 1553 during the reign of Edward VI, who was a Protestant. He was known as England’s Josiah because of the number of reforms that were enacted abolishing much of Papist superstition.

When Mary 1st, Bloody Mary, came to the throne she immediately began the task of re-establishing the Roman Catholic religion. She struck at the leaders first of all but many ordinary people also suffered. In all, two hundred and eighty nine men, women and children were incinerated at the stake while another one hundred and twelve perished in prison as a result of torture and starvation.

In Guernsey a baby was born in the flames and fell out unscathed from the burning pile. It was thrown back in because otherwise it might grow up to be a heretic. So much for the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church!

In England and Wales it was the denial of Transubstantiation that sealed the fate of those on trial. Transubstantiation means a change of substance. Roman Catholic teaching is that the wafer is changed into the whole Christ who is then immolated upon the Romish altars as a bloodless sacrifice for the living and the dead.

This year I have had the privilege of attending three commemorations.

The first was in Chester in commemoration of the martyrdom of George Marsh, a curate in the Church of England. He was burned on the 24th of April 1555 about a mile from the city centre. He was tried in Chester Cathedral and condemned to be burned alive at the stake because he denied the Roman Catholic dogma of Transubstantiation.

A special refinement of cruelty awaited the martyr when he reached the place of execution. A barrel full of pitch (tar) was placed above his head so that when the fire was lit the pitch would melt and fall on him. He went through the city reading his Bible and when he reached the place of execution he handed it to one of the spectators. The sheriff ordered it to be burned along with Marsh. Such was the hatred of the Church of Rome for the Bible. These days Roman Catholics are allowed to read the Bible but are only allowed to interpret it as the RC Church dictates. In practise, relatively few Romanists ever read the Word of God and are totally ignorant of its contents.

The memorial monument at Chester had the name of a Roman Catholic priest inscribed on it in 1979. The priest concerned had been executed in 1678 for being illegally in England. The authorities had passed a law that any man who went to the continent and trained as a priest would not be allowed to return on pain of death. This law was passed in the reign of Elizabeth 1st, following the eleventh attempt on her life by Roman Catholics at the instigation of the Jesuits.

When Elizabeth ascended the throne of England the then pope excommunicated her and her descendents and called upon her subjects to do away with her by whatever means they could. Some of the Romanist aristocracy wrote to the pope as to whether they would be committing a sin in assassinating her. They were assured that far from committing a sin they would be accomplishing a most pious deed.

This year the Chester Martyr Commemoration took place in brilliant sunshine. The Old Fashioned Gospel was preached outside the cathedral where George Marsh was tried before the RC Bishop of Chester. Men and women were left in no doubt as to the heinousness of their personal sin and also the national sins. They were called upon to repent and believe the Gospel. This was no “Lovey Dovey” style of preaching but preaching as Christ, the Apostles, the Reformers, and indeed evangelical preachers in general, practised until more recent times. While there were some good and encouraging conversations, there was also a very evident hardness of heart as many refused a Gospel tract.

After the preaching those present made their way to the monument carrying appropriate Bible texts on banners through the crowded streets. The police used to escort the people to the monument but refused to do so about four years ago. One suspects political correctness lies at the back of that decision. However, nothing deterred, we make our way along the footpath.

At the monument a wreath is laid and Chris Richards of the Protestant Alliance gave an address recounting the sufferings of the martyrs and the reasons for which they laid down their lives.

In the evening, after a tea provided by the church a rally was held in Zion Tabernacle, Chris Richards being the speaker.

The rallies are an opportunity to preach the Gospel, to remind people of the evil doings of Rome and the false doctrines that the martyrs repudiated, as well as the truths they stood up for. It is a time for God’s people to learn the lessons of history and the need to make a stand in our day. Last, but not least, it is encouraging to have fellowship with those of kindred mind.