The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 11
The Life & Death of THOMAS BILNEY, who suffered Martyrdome, Anno Christi 1531.
THomas Bilney, an English-man by birth, was brought up in the University of Cambridge from a childe, where he profited so much in all the liberall Sciences, that he in a short time commensed Bachelour of both Lawes; But the holy Spirit of Christ by secret inspira…ion, endewing his heart with the knowledge of better things, he lefe the study of mans lawes, and set himselfe wholly a part for the study of Divini…y, accounting godlinesse his greatnest gaine; And as his owne heart was enflamed with a sincere love to Christ and the Gospell of Christ, so his great desire was to bring others to embrace the same; and his labour was not in vaine, for he converted many of his fellowes to the knowledge of the Gospel, and amongst the rest Master Hugh Latimer, (who afterwards sealed to the truth of Christ with his blood) Master Latimer being crosse-keeper at that time in Cambridge, bringing it forth upon procession dayes: At the last Bilney forsaking the University, went up and downe, Preaching the Gosp…l, where ever he came, sharpely reproveing the pride, and pompe of …he Clergie, and striveing to overthrow the authority of the Bishop of Rome. Cardinall Wolsey at that time being in great authority, and well knowing that the pride and hypocrisie of the Clergie could not long continue against the word of God, if once the light of the Gospel should open the eyes of men, he therefore caused Bilney to be apprehended, and cast into prison; And on the 25. day of November 1537. Master Bilney was brought before the said Cardinall and many other Bishops sitting at Westminster, and there examined whether he had not taught unto the people, the opinions of Luther, or of any other condemned by the Church; Bilney answered that wittingly he had not taught any thing contrary to the Catholique Church. Hereupon he was delivered over to the Bishop of London, to be further examined: being brought before him, he exhorted him to abjure and recant; Bilney answered, that he would stand to his conscience saying, fiat justicia, et judicium in nomine domini. Then said the Bishop of London, with the consent of the rest, read part of the sentance against Master Bilney but respites the rest of it untill the morrow, to see if he would recant; then he was brought before them againe, but still he refuseth to recant: yet at the last, through infirmity, rather then by conviction, he recanteth the seventh day of December 1527.
After which abjuration made, he went againe to Cambridge, but he had such conflicts within himselfe upon the consideration of what he had done, that he was overwhelmed with sorrow, and was neere the point of utter dispaire, so that his friends were afraid to let him be alone, but continued with him day and night, striving to administer some comfort unto him; But he was in such an agonie for the space of a whole yeer after, that he could receive no comfort, yet at the length, having bin throughly humbled for his sinne, through the goodnesse of God he came unto some quiet in conscience, being firmely resolved to spend his dearest blood in giving testimony to that truth which before he had renounced. Having thus determined in his minde, he tooke his leave of his friends in Trenityhall, and said that he would goe to Ierusalem and so should see them no more (alluding to Christs going up to Ierusalem before his passion.) And immediatly he departed into Norfolke, and there Preached, first privatley in houses, and then openly in the fields, bewailing his former subscription, and owning that doctrine for truth which before he had abjured, willing all men to be warned by him, and never to trust to their fleshly friends in causes of religion; whereupon he was apprehended, and carryed to prison; while he there remained, Doctor Call and Doctor Stokes, with many others, were sent to dispute with him, the forme of which, by meanes of Bilneies doctrine, was somewhat reclaimed; After many tedious disputes, seeing that by no meanes they could not withdraw Master Bilney for truth, he was condemned to be burned.
The night before his execution, many of his friends resorted unto him, found him eating hartily with a quiet minde and cheerefull countinance, where upon they said unto him, that they were glad to see him thus to refresh himselfe, being shortly to suffer such painefull torments; He answered, I imitate those, who having a decaying house to dwell in, hold i… up by props as long as may be. Continuing with his friends in heavenly discourses, one of them said, that although the fire which he should suffer the next day, would be of great heat unto his body, yet it would be but for a moment, but the spirit of God would refresh, and coole his soule with everlasting comfort; At these words Master Bilney put his finger into the flame of the candle then burning before them, and feeling the heat thereof, said, I finde by experience, and have knowne it long by Philosophy, that fire is naturally hot, yet I am perswaded by Gods holy word, and by the experience of some Saints of God therein recorded, that in the flame we may feele no heat, and I constantly beleeve, that however the stubble of this my body shall be wasted by the fire, yet my Soule and Spirit shalbe purged thereby; and although it may be somewhat painfull for a time, yet joy unspake…ble followeth there-upon.
As he was led forth to the place of execution, one of his freinds spake unto him, and desired him to be constant, and to take his death as patiently as he could; to whom Master Bilney answered with a quiet and milde countenance; When the Marriner undertakes a voyage, he is tossed on the billowes of the troubled Seas, yet in the midst of all perils he heareth up his spirit, with this consideration, that ere long he should come unto his quiet Harbour; so saith he, I am now sayling upon the troubled Sea, but ere long my Ship shall be in a quiet Harbour; and I doubt not, but through the grace of God, I shall endure the Storme; only I would entreat you to help me with your prayers.
As he went along the streets, he gave much almes to the poore, by the hands of one of his friends. Being come to the Stake, he there openly made a long confession of his faith in an exellent manner, and gave many sweet exhortations to the people; and then earnstly called upon God by prayer, and at the end rehearsed the 143. Psalme.
Then turning to the Officers, he asked them if they were ready, whereupon the fire was kindled; he holding up his hands, and crying sometimes Jesus, sometimes Credo: but the winde did blow away the flame from him, which made his paine the longer, yet he patiently endured it; continuing to call upon God, untill he gave up the ghost.
Iust such another Saint-like singing Swan,
Was blessed Bilney, born an English-man;
Brought up in Cambridge University,
Famous for Arts, and Parts, and Piety:
Where by powerfull preaching, he converted
Holy Hugh Latim…r, then much perverted
To Popery, made many a proselyte,
Of's fellow-Students, by the Gospels light.
At last by Card'nall Wolsey, prosecuted;
Who, and his shavelings, with him oft disputed,
They by their subtill treats and threats at length
Tript up his heeles, and foyld his humain strength,
And caus'd him to recant: In which sad case,
This blessed Saint abote a twelve moneths space,
In bitter anguish and perplexity
Of Soul, in danger, in despaire to dye.
At last, again, by Gods all-guarding grace,
Recovered comfort did despair quite chace,
And fill his Soul with such redoubled joy
As all his former preciovs parts t' imploy,
In constant and courageous preaching down
The odious errours of Romes tripple Crown;
For which our tongues may never cease t' expresse
That Bilney's Crowned with true happinesse.