Burned At The Stake

Good News – July/August 2014 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Burned At The Stake!

The last who suffered martyrdom in Scotland for the cause of Christ was one Walter Mill, who was burned at Edinburgh in the year 1558. This person, on an accusation of heresy, was forced to abandon his spiritual duties and flee. But he was soon apprehended and committed to prison.

Being interrogated as to whether he would recant his “opinions,” he answered in the negative saying that he would “sooner forfeit ten thousand lives than relinquish a particle of those heavenly principles he had received from the voice of his blessed Redeemer.” In consequence of this, a sentence of condemnation was immediately passed on him and he was taken to prison in order for execution the following day.

This steadfast believer in Christ was eighty-two years of age and exceedingly infirm; and therefore it was supposed that he could scarcely be heard. However, when he was taken to the place of execution he expressed his spiritual confidence with such courage, and at the same time composure of mind, that it astonished even his enemies. As soon as he was fastened to the stake and the sticks lighted, he addressed the spectators as follows: “The cause why I suffer this day is not for any crime (though I acknowledge myself a miserable sinner), but only for the defense of the truth as it is in Jesus Christ; and I praise God who hath called me, by His mercy, to seal the truth with my life; which, as I received it from Him, so I willingly and joyfully offer it up to His glory. Therefore, as you would escape eternal death, be no longer seduced by the lies of what is antichrist: but depend solely on Jesus Christ, and His mercy, that you may be delivered from condemnation.” He then added that he trusted he should be the last who would suffer death in Scotland on a religious account. Thus did this pious Christian cheerfully give up his life in defense of the truth of Christ’s Gospel, not doubting that he should be made partaker of His heavenly kingdom.

By John Foxe (adapted)

Some Bible verses about the suffering of ChristOf the Lord Jesus Christ, the psalmist wrote: “Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; they are mighty who would destroy me, being my enemies wrongfully ... Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They also gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” —Psalm 69:4,20-21 NKJVIn preaching to those present, the apostle Peter said, “But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” —Acts 3:18-19And Peter wrote about the Lord Jesus: “Christ also suffered for us ... ‘Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness.” —1 Peter 2:21-24Will you put your trust in Him today?We can tell you how.