Five English Reformers by Ryle, J.C. ,The Banner of Truth Trust, 1981

            Five English Reformers was written in 1890 by J. C. Ryle, a member of the Church of England. Ryle felt compelled to respond to a movement in the Church of England at that time to bring the Church of England back to the Roman Catholic Church, from whom she had broken at the time of the Reformation. There were disputes in the church over the use of vestments, candles, and ceremonies, but more importantly over the bodily presence of Christ in the Lord’s Supper. Understandably, there were some opposed to these and J. C. Ryle was one of them. In this book he appeals to history to support his cause and takes us back to the time of the Reformation, to that time when many men were willing to give up their life rather than agree to these doctrines and practices of Rome.

Ryle tells of the life of 5 such men: John Hooper, Rowland Taylor, Hugh Latimer, John Bradford, and Nicholas Ridley. All of these men lived in the early 1500’s and therefore during the time of the Reformation. They were all Protestant bishops or ministers who strove ardently to promote the truths of the Reformation. Several of them had opportunities to flee from England in order to escape persecution, but they chose instead to stand bravely and to fight for the truth. All of these men were also given many chances to recant, but rather than deny their Lord, they suffered interrogation, imprisonment, and burning. All of them, because of their faith, were burned at the stake in 1555 during the reign of “Bloody” Mary of England. Even though they faced and bore a painful death, their faith remained strong and sure to the end. This is reflected in the incidents recorded by the witnesses to their deaths. John Bradford, for example, is quoted as saying to the brother with whom he shared the stake, “Be of good comfort, brother, for we shall have a merry supper with the Lord tonight.”

The examples these men set for us in how they lived and died should urge us to a more zealous and godly life. Because of this, I would strongly recommend this book for young people, for especially you struggle with all the temptations of this world. The author deals more with the lives of these men than with the doctrinal issues and therefore the book is easy and interesting reading. After reading of the death of each of these men, examine the strength of your convictions and ask yourself this question: “Would I be ready so to die for the things which I believe?” By God’s grace, if we ever have to, we will. Let us prepare ourselves, by study and prayer, for such a possible death.