Participants:
Series Code: LIN
Program Code: LIN000007A
|
00:18 Whilst John Knox was initially a reluctant preacher
00:21 once he accepted the call, 00:22 he moved forward with unflinching determination 00:25 and undaunted courage. 00:27 It was said of him 00:28 that he feared not the face of men 00:30 and while the fires of martyrs were burning all over Britain, 00:34 they only served to intensify his zeal for the gospel. 00:38 Ruling was Mary Queen of Scots, 00:40 and it was said that many a reformer 00:43 wilted under pressure in front of her. 00:46 However that was not the case with John Knox, 00:49 he stood before her and spoke without fear 00:52 and answered boldly for his faith. 01:03 On one occasion he was brought before her here 01:05 at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh 01:07 charged with heresy 01:09 as she said 01:10 he instructed the people to keep a religion 01:12 forbidden by the state, 01:14 thus she said he transgressed the command of God 01:17 requiring that subjects obey their princes. 01:20 However, he was able to answer 01:22 with strong and compelling reason 01:24 saying that right religion 01:26 received its original strength and authority 01:29 not for worldly princes but from the eternal God alone. 01:41 He went on to use some analogies from the past 01:44 that strongly supported his argument 01:46 if all the seed of Abraham were the religion of Pharaoh, 01:50 what religion would have been in the earth 01:53 or if in the days of the apostles 01:55 all men were the religion of the Roman emperors, 01:58 then what religion would have been 02:00 on the face of the earth. 02:02 And so he said, 02:03 "You may perceive, madam, 02:04 that subjects are not bound 02:06 by the religion of their princes 02:08 albeit they are acquired to give them obedience." 02:16 Mary responded, 02:18 "Ye interpret the scriptures one way 02:20 and they the Roman Catholic teachers 02:22 interpret another way, 02:24 whom shall I believe and whom shall be the judge." 02:30 "Ye shall believe God, 02:32 that plainly speaketh in His Word, 02:34 and further than the word teacheth you, 02:36 ye shall neither believe the one nor the other. 02:39 The Word of God is plain in itself. 02:42 And if there appear any obscurity in one place, 02:45 the Holy Ghost 02:47 which is never contrary to itself, 02:49 explains the same more clearly in other places 02:52 so there can remain no doubt 02:54 except unto such as obstinately remain ignorant." 03:02 John Knox pointed to the supremacy of the Bible 03:05 and the internal consistency of the bible 03:08 in being able to answer the challenging questions 03:11 that were put before him, 03:12 it was answers such as these 03:14 that illustrate just how bold he was, 03:16 but it was not just his intellect 03:18 that put fear into Mary Queen of Scots 03:20 but also his prayer life, 03:22 it was said by her, 03:24 "I feared the prayers of John Knox 03:26 more than 10,000 men armed and ready for war." 03:30 John Knox started his ministry carrying a two-handed sword 03:34 following his teacher George Wishart 03:36 but by the end of his ministry, 03:38 he was more famous for his prayer life. 03:46 Prayer is a gift 03:48 that has been given to the believer 03:49 an opportunity to talk to God to present our petitions 03:53 and lay our burdens to Him, 03:55 may we strike fear in the enemy's kingdom 03:57 not through might 03:59 but through a faithful prayer life, 04:01 what it is the key in the hand of faith 04:03 to unlock heaven storehouse. 04:48 For centuries the Waldensian's 04:50 had been a beacon of light shining 04:52 amidst the prevailing darkness, 04:54 faithfully they preserve God's Word 04:57 and work tirelessly to share it throughout Europe, 05:00 for this they paid a high price 05:02 facing wave after wave of bitter persecution, 05:06 the intense persecution that they faced 05:08 began to wear down the Waldensian churches, 05:11 and they began to give in to the temptation 05:13 to compromise. 05:15 Many began to render an outward compliance 05:17 to the papacy 05:19 while trying to remain true to their faith in God's Word. 05:22 But this course of action 05:24 began to quietly erode the purity of their faith. 05:34 Around this time of crisis, 05:36 the Waldensian's got word of the reformation 05:38 that was beginning to take root throughout Europe, 05:41 they heard of the work 05:42 that was taking place in Germany, 05:44 Switzerland and France. 05:45 And in order to fully understand the nature 05:47 of this new movement 05:49 and determine what similarities they shared, 05:51 the Waldensian churches decided to send 05:53 a few delegations of ambassadors 05:55 to the churches in Europe. 05:57 As these ambassadors came back, 05:59 they brought back some of the writings 06:01 of the leading reformers 06:02 as well as reports 06:03 of what similarities they shared 06:05 and is greatly encouraged the Waldensian believers. 06:08 Up until this point, 06:09 they have been a lone voice calling people 06:11 back to the standard of God's Word 06:13 and reports of other like-minded believers 06:15 was a source of great comfort to them. 06:23 The leaders of the Waldensian churches 06:25 then decided to convene a synod 06:27 with representatives from the protestant churches 06:30 so they could meet with the leaders 06:31 of the Waldensian churches to discuss their beliefs 06:34 and further determine the relationship 06:37 that the Waldensian's would have with the reformation 06:39 as a whole. 06:46 On the 12th of October, 1532 06:49 right here in the Angrogna Valley, 06:51 the Synod of Chanforan was convened 06:53 and sat for six consecutive days. 06:56 One of the most significant decisions 06:58 that was made 06:59 was a resolution to translate and print 07:01 the entire Bible into the French language. 07:04 And the Waldensian churches 07:06 raised the funds for this endeavor. 07:08 The work was then undertaken by Calvin 07:11 and his cousin Oliveton and was completed in 1535. 07:15 The Bible was then printed in Neuchatel, Switzerland 07:19 and then distributed 07:20 amongst the French-speaking Protestants in Europe. 07:28 Some of the commonality shared between the two churches 07:31 was a rejection of decidedly papal institutions 07:35 such as the mass, confession, 07:37 the celebration of feasts, the worship of saints, 07:40 the celebration of lent, 07:41 the observance of the lenticular fast 07:44 and prayers for the dead. 07:45 Other doctrines that they also rejected 07:47 was purgatory, penance, and celibacy. 07:50 However, it was not all good 07:53 in their joy at finding fellowship 07:55 the Waldensian churches were quick to embrace 07:57 some of the shortcomings of the reformation as well. 08:00 Whilst the reformation of the 16th century 08:02 was a decided step in the right direction, 08:05 it did not bring about a complete restoration 08:07 of biblical truth. 08:09 In some areas of belief and doctrine, 08:12 the Waldensian's made compromises 08:14 that represented a step backwards 08:16 as they found fellowship with the reformation. 08:23 Two things that stand out from the Synod of Chanforan, 08:26 firstly we see the importance of Christian fellowship, 08:29 and we see the importance of the accountability 08:32 and encouragement 08:33 that comes with Christian fellowship. 08:35 However, fellowship can be a two-edged sword 08:38 and sometimes we can be tempted to compromise 08:41 as we do fellowship with other believers. 08:44 Let us be careful as we're on this road to heaven 08:47 that we do not let our Christian experience 08:50 be derailed 08:51 but that we stay on track 08:53 and keep our eyes focused on Jesus. 09:42 As the new world was discovered by Columbus in 1492, 09:47 two men were born on this side of the Atlantic 09:50 who would have a powerful impact 09:52 on the shaping of Protestantism in Britain, 09:55 Latimer and Kremlin. 09:57 Hugh Latimer was born in 1491 10:01 here in the small village of Thurcaston 10:03 just north of Leicester, 10:05 a similar area 10:07 that John Wickliffe would have worked 10:08 just over a century before. 10:11 His father was a farmer 10:13 and yet despite their humble occupation, 10:15 he made sure that Latimer stayed in school 10:18 and got an education a vital decision 10:21 that would take him far in life. 10:28 He enrolled in Cambridge University 10:30 at the age of 14 10:32 and in 1510 was elected a fellow 10:35 here at Clair College. 10:37 He was at the time an ardent papist 10:39 and preached passionately against men 10:41 such as Luther and Melanchthon for seven years. 10:45 His belief in Catholic teachings was great 10:47 and his zeal 10:49 in the divine mission of the papacy was unshakable. 10:52 So what turned this pillar of papism 10:55 into a pillar of Protestantism, 10:57 an encounter with a man by the name of Thomas Bilney 11:00 who afterwards would visit him 11:02 even coming to the confessional booth 11:04 to speak with him 11:05 and he eventually changed his views, 11:07 the two men would later go and visit the sick 11:09 and imprisoned in Cambridge together. 11:20 Latimer went on to become the Royal chaplain 11:22 and the bishop here in Worcester 11:25 advocating for papal reform and denouncing the clergy 11:28 who did not own a Bible or the parishioners 11:31 who could not even recite the Lord's prayer. 11:34 His clarion call to reform ended him in prison in 1539, 11:39 but he was spared the stake by the intervention 11:41 of Thomas Cromwell. 11:43 He remained in prison until the death of Henry VIII 11:46 when Edward VI released him from prison. 11:48 He would never ever hold the high office of bishop again 11:52 but continued to preach regularly 11:54 where audiences enjoyed his preaching 11:56 which was known for his wit, 11:58 his intelligence, and his biblical nature. 12:06 When Edward VI died on July 6th, 1553, 12:10 England was thrown into turmoil. 12:13 Lady Jane Grey ascended the throne 12:15 but only had it for nine days 12:16 before Mary Tudor took the throne. 12:19 Despite initial favor toward the reformers, 12:22 her intentions of making England 12:24 a Catholic nation 12:26 soon became clear. 12:33 Mary ordered the arrest of Latimer 12:36 and word reached him 12:37 that his captors were on their way 12:39 offering him an opportunity to escape 12:41 but he chose not to, 12:43 as he passed Smithfield 12:45 on his way to London he commented, 12:48 "This place has long grown for my life." 12:51 Imprisoned here at the Tower of London, 12:54 he met Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London 12:57 and Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. 13:05 In March of 1554, 13:08 they were tried here in Oxford 13:10 where Latimer was asked 13:11 whether the natural body of Christ 13:13 was in the sacrament to which he responded, 13:15 "Our Savior's body is in heaven 13:18 whether He departed at the ascension." 13:20 He went on to explain 13:22 that the change at communion was not in the bread 13:25 but in the heart of the believer. 13:32 He and Ridley were sentenced to death 13:34 and on the 16th of October, 13:36 they were brought to the place of their execution 13:38 outside Balliol College, 13:40 here a cross marks the ground of the exact spot 13:44 where they were burned to death. 13:46 Before the flames they shared an embrace 13:48 and Ridley said to Latimer, 13:50 "Be of good cheer, brother, 13:52 God will either assuage the fury of the flames 13:55 or strengthen us to endure it." 13:57 Latimer then responded, 13:59 "Be of good comfort, master Ridley and play the man. 14:02 We shall this day by God's grace 14:05 light a candle in England 14:08 as I trust in God shall never be put out." 14:11 History says that Latimer died soon after, 14:14 but Ridley died a slow and painful death. 14:23 The cost of their death 14:24 was just over one pound and five shillings, 14:28 but the real result 14:29 was the overthrow of Romanism here in England, 14:33 the entire country was appalled by a religion 14:36 that had to resort to such brutal methods 14:38 in order to sustain itself. 14:41 As we contemplate their life and their death, 14:43 the real question for us though is 14:45 does the light that they lit at their death 14:48 still burn in our lives and our witness today. 15:29 Some men are born heroes, 15:32 they can look fear in the face 15:34 and wonder what it is, 15:36 others are not born that way 15:38 but they end their life as heroes, 15:40 Thomas Cranmer was such a man. 15:43 Born into a good family 15:45 a well-to-do family 15:46 here in the village of Aslockton 15:49 on the 2nd of July 1489. 15:52 Thomas Cranmer was educated from a young age 15:55 and growing up we know that he was an expert bowmen, 15:59 hunter, and a great horseman. 16:09 He enrolled at Cambridge University 16:11 at the age of 14 and earned his BA in 1511, 16:15 he was then elected a fellow here at Jesus College 16:19 and earned his Doctor of Divinity in 1523. 16:22 He lost his scholarship fellowship 16:24 a year later when he got married 16:25 but a year after that when his wife and child died, 16:28 he regained his fellowship. 16:36 His rise to archbishop was unconventional 16:39 and not sought after, 16:40 the issue of the day was King Henry VIII 16:42 desire to devote his first wife Catherine of Aragon. 16:46 And Cranmer commented to some friends at a lunch 16:49 that he thought the king should obtain 16:50 a consensus of opinion 16:52 from the leading universities around Europe 16:54 regarding whether this was permissible. 16:57 Word of these comments reached the king 16:59 who liked them and thought highly of Cranmer. 17:03 This set-in series a motion of events 17:05 that ended up with Cranmer 17:07 becoming the Archbishop of Canterbury 17:09 even though he had never been a bishop before 17:12 and was quite content being a university scholar. 17:25 Henry subsequently divorced Catherine 17:28 and married Anne Boleyn 17:30 whose daughter Elizabeth later queen of England 17:33 was goddaughter to Cranmer. 17:36 Henry's gift to England was to break the yoke of Rome 17:40 and to abolish monasticism, 17:42 but he himself was a faithful papist 17:45 in his beliefs until the end. 17:58 At the coronation of Edward VI, 18:01 Cranmer preached a sermon likening him 18:03 to the biblical boy King Josiah. 18:06 Cranmer also was instrumental 18:08 in translating the Book of Common Prayer 18:11 into English for the first time 18:12 rather than using the traditional Latin. 18:16 In 1553 following Edward's death, 18:18 Mary Tudor ascended to the throne 18:21 despite an attempt by Lady Jane Grey 18:23 to hold the throne which lasted only nine days. 18:27 Mary then took Stephen Gardiner from the Tower of London 18:30 and made him Lord Chancellor, 18:32 she then threw Thomas Cranmer in prison 18:35 for his role in Henry's divorce from her mother 18:37 and for his Protestant beliefs. 18:44 Cranmer spent 2.5 years in prison 18:47 during which time he was brought 18:49 to the roof of the prison 18:50 to watch the martyrdom of Ridley and Latimer 18:53 in an attempt to make him recant 18:55 which he eventually did 18:56 pledging his allegiance to Catholicism 18:58 where this did not secure his freedom. 19:01 He was finally brought to trial here at St. Mary's Church 19:04 where he was forced to listen 19:05 to a two-hour sermon denouncing himself. 19:09 When he was brought to make a public recantation, 19:11 he stood on a wooden platform 19:13 which rested against a pillar 19:15 where a wedge was cut which can still be seen today. 19:18 He stood up, 19:19 denounced the pope as Antichrist, 19:21 withdrew his former recantation 19:24 and stood by his previous teachings. 19:33 He was taken to the place of his execution 19:36 and as he reached the flames, 19:37 he held his right hand in first, 19:40 the same that had signed the recantation saying, 19:43 "This hand hath offended, it shall first be burned." 19:47 He held it there for a while 19:48 before collapsing into the flames. 19:57 Mary went on to slaughter 250 more Protestants 20:01 during her reign and when she died, 20:03 Elizabeth I took the throne. 20:05 One of her first acts as regent 20:07 was to revive the Book of Prayer 20:09 written by Cranmer 20:11 which was a fitting tribute to the man 20:13 who was her Godfather. 20:22 Though Cranmer recanted in the face of pressure 20:26 and persecution, 20:27 he ended his life a hero 20:29 faithful to God at the very end. 20:31 Proverbs 24:16 says, 20:34 "That a just man falls seven times 20:36 but rises again." 20:38 It's not how often you fall that matters 20:41 but that you rise at the end. 21:31 In 1572, 21:33 here in Paris an event took place 21:35 that has been described in the book Great Controversy 21:38 as blackest in the black catalog of crime. 21:42 On the 24th of August, 21:45 St. Bartholomew's Massacre began 21:48 as the bells sounded at night, 21:51 a slaughter began of the French Protestants 21:54 who were in the city. 21:55 There were more of them than usual 21:57 because they had gathered 21:58 for the wedding of one of their leaders. 22:00 And in the night, 22:02 they were dragged from their houses 22:03 and murdered in cold blood. 22:06 The slaughter continued 22:08 here in the city of Paris for seven days 22:11 and then it spread abroad to other cities 22:13 like Leon and Rouen and Orleans 22:17 and some people estimate 22:18 that up to 70,000 people were killed 22:21 over the next weeks and months. 22:31 Two days before St. Bartholomew's, 22:33 the King's mother Catherine 22:35 ordered the assassination of Admiral Gaspard De Coligny, 22:40 a Huguenot leader. 22:41 The assassination attempt failed 22:44 and they feared that the Huguenots 22:45 would launch a counter-attack 22:47 and so the second time round they made sure 22:50 and they killed the admiral in his bed, 22:53 and then the killing spree started. 22:56 The butchery continued for seven months 22:59 across the whole of France. 23:01 Many of those who were killed 23:03 were great and honorable people in society 23:06 as commoners and nobility alike suffered the same fate. 23:21 Two or three governors refused to obey the King's orders 23:24 and one of these Pullman Morin wrote a letter 23:27 that deserves to be repeated, 23:30 "Sire, I have received an order, 23:32 under your majesty's seal, 23:34 to put to death all the protestants 23:36 in my province. 23:37 I have too much respect for your majesty, 23:39 not to believe the letter a forgery 23:42 but if, which God forbid, the order should be genuine, 23:46 I have too much respect for your majesty to obey it. 23:54 When the news reached Rome, 23:56 the response was jubilant and very undiplomatic, 24:00 the joy amongst the clergy knew no bounds, 24:03 the Cardinal of Lorraine rewarded the messenger 24:06 with a thousand crowns. 24:08 The Canon of St. Angelo funded a joyous salute 24:11 and the bells on every steeple rang throughout the city. 24:15 Gregory XIII accompanied by Cardinals 24:19 and other ecclesiastical dignitaries 24:21 led a procession to the Church of St. Louis 24:24 with a Cardinal of Lorraine 24:26 lead chant of "AUM". 24:28 A medal was struck to commemorate the massacre. 24:31 And in the Vatican today 24:33 can be seen the three frescoes of Vasari 24:37 describing the attack on the admiral. 24:39 The king in council plotting the massacre 24:42 and the massacre itself. 24:52 St. Bartholomew's was one of those events 24:54 that helped to create a shared identity 24:56 between Lutherans, Calvin's reformed Church, 24:59 and the Anglicans. 25:01 Catholicism was the other 25:03 and the violence directed towards Protestants 25:05 created a shared sense of injustice 25:08 and solidarity that spread 25:10 through our international Protestantism. 25:18 St. Bartholomew's remains one of the many stains 25:21 on the Catholic Church 25:22 when the tragic consequences 25:24 of the union of church and state 25:27 were seen in full effect. 25:28 In the Bible, Jesus said that we should render to Caesar 25:31 or the state that were to Caesar 25:33 and to God that which is God, 25:35 meaning that church and state should remain separate. 25:39 May we defend the freedom of those we agree with 25:42 and those we disagree with for freedom, 25:45 religious freedom 25:46 is something that God wants for everyone. |
Revised 2020-05-14