Voice of the Martyrs
Letter From a Hell-Hole
In order to soften the sadness you suffer because of me, I cannot omit to tell you something of my pleasure and joy so that you may rejoice with me and praise the Lord. I will say what no person will want to believe when I tell it. I have found a nest of honey and honeycombs in the bowels of a lion. Who will believe what I say? Or what person will be able to imagine that one can find a paradise of pleasure in a deep and dark cave? That there is rest and hope of life in the place of sadness and death? That one finds joy in ones soul in a hell hole? Isn\’t it nearly unbelievable to be cheerful in a place where others weep? To be full of strength and full of courage where others fear and tremble? Who would be able to imagine this, or dare to believe it? To enjoy such pleasure in such a miserable condition. To find a company of good people in such a lonely place. To find such rest in tight bands and cold irons. Dear Brothers! The good hand of God has done all that for me. Look, the One who was once far from me is now present; he is with me; he whom I\’d hardly notice now I see very clearly; him whom I once saw from afar is now close by. He after whom I once hungered now comes and offers me His hand. He comforts and overwhelms me with gladness. He drives away all bitterness; he gives all strength and courage. He heals and refreshes me, makes me continue and comforts me. Oh how good is the Lord who does not allow his servants to be tempted above what they are able! Oh how light and pleasant is His yoke! Is there anyone like the Almighty, who takes up the burdened, heals and refreshes the wounded? Is there anyone like Him? Learn my dearly beloved how loving the Lord is, how good and merciful He is who visits His servants in their trials and condescends to allow them his companionship in such terrible and stinking holes. "[A letter by Pomponius Algerius who died a martyrs death in 1555]
Dying Words of Rutherford
I shall shine, I shall see Him as He is and all the fair comforting within and shall have my large share. It is no easy thing to be a Christian, but as for me I have got the victory, and Christ is holding forth His arms to embrace me. I’ve had my fears and fainting’s as an utter sinful man to be carried through creditably, but as sure as He ever spake to me in His Word, His Spirit witness to my heart saying Fear Not. Now, I feel, I believe, I enjoy I rejoice, I feed on manna. I have angels food my eyes shall see my redeemer, I, know that He shall stand upon the earth, and I shall be caught up in the clouds to meet Him in the air. I sleep in Christ, and when I awake I shall be satisfied, with His likeness. Oh for, arms to embrace Him, Glory, Glory dwelleth, in Immanuel’s Land. [Samuel Rutherford on his deathbed]
Dying Testimony of Christopher Love
"I am made this day a spectacle unto God, angels and men; and among men I am
made a grief to the godly, a laughing stock to the wicked, and a gazing stock to
all, yet, blessed be my God, not a terror to myself. Although there is but
little between me and death, yet this bears up my heart; there is but little
between me and Heaven. There is a lesser way between me and my Father’s house,
but two steps between me and glory. It is but lying down upon the block, and I
shall ascend upon the throne.I am this day sailing towards the ocean of
eternity, through a rough passage to my haven of rest, through a Red Sea to the
promised land. I think hear God say to me as He did to Moses, "God up to Mount
Nebo, and die there."Beloved I am this day making a double exchange. I
am changing a pulpit for a scaffold and a scaffold for a throne; and I might add
a third; I am changing this numerous multitude on Tower Hill, for the
innumerable company of saints and angels in Heaven, the holy hill for Zion; I am
changing a guard of soldiers for a guard of angels which will receive and carry
me into Abraham’s bosom. This scaffold is the best pulpit that ever I preached
in. In my church pulpit, God through His grace, made me an instrument to bring
others to heaven, but in this pulpit He will bring me to Heaven."Excerpts from the speech of Christopher Love upon the scaffold
immediately before martyrdom–As told in A Spectacle Unto God
Further Testimony of Christopher Love while imprisoned awaiting martydom
"I am accused of being an apostate, of being a turn-coat, of being this, of being that, of being anything but what I am. In general, I will tell you, I bless my God, a high court, a long sword, a bloody scaffold have not made me in the least to alter my principles or to wrong my conscience."
"Take heed of those doctrines that come under the notion of "new light." Those doctrines you ought to suspect as to whether they are true, which the broachers of them say are new, for truth is as old as the Bible. Many things go under the notion of "new light" yet they are but old darkness, old heresies raked out of the dunghill, and which were buried in former ages of the Church with contempt and reproach many hundreds of years ago."
"Here I come to that which you call an untimely end and shameful death, but (blessed be God) it is my glory and it is my comfort. I shall justify God; He is righteous because I have sinned. He is righteous though He cuts me off in the midst of my days and in the midst of my ministry."
"I conclude with the speech of the Apostle, 2 Timothy 4:6-7, "I am now to be offered up, and the time of my departure is at hand; I have finished my course, I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is a crown of righteousness laid up for me; and not for me only, but for all them that love the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ," through whose blood I expect remission of sins and eternal salvation. And so the Lord bless you all."
Blessed be my God, who has counted me worthy. And it is His mighty power that has enabled me to suffer anything for His sake. I have now lost some of my blood, so I am ready and willing to spill every drop that is in my veins in this cause for which I now have suffered which is for maintaining the truth of God and the honour of my King against Popish Usurpation. Let God be glorified, and let the King live forever.
Words spoken by Dr Bastwick as he descended the Scaffold having just had his ear removed as punishment for maintaining the truth of God’s cause.
John Bunyan’s Dying Word
Weep not for me, but for yourselves. I go to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; Who will, no doubt, through the mediation of His Blessed Son, receive me, though a sinner: when I hope we shall ere long meet to sing the new song, and remain everlastingly happy, world without end, Amen!
The Mercy of Death
I am through mercy, quite above the fears of death, and I’m going unto Him whom I love above life. Oh that I could but let you know what I now feel. Oh that I could show you what I see. Oh that I could express a thousandth part of that sweetness which now I find in Christ. You would all then think it worthwhile, to make it your business to be religious. Oh my dear friends you little think what a Christ is worth upon a death bed, I would not for a world, nay for millions of worlds, be now without a Christ, to pardon me. Oh the glory, the unspeakable glory, I behold. My heart is full, my heart is full, Christ smiles and I cannot choose but smile, can you find it in your heart to stop me, whom am now going to the complete and eternal enjoyment of Christ. Would you keep me from my crown? The arms of my blessed Saviour are open to embrace me the angels stand ready to carry my soul into His bosom. Oh did you but see what I see, you would all cry out with me how long dear Lord? Come Lord Jesus come quickly. Oh why are His chariot wheels so long in coming. [James Janeway on his death-bed]
Hastening Home
Well, I will tell you the reason. I’m near the end of my race, hastening home, and I am as glad of it as a schoolboy when sent home from the school to his father’s house.In a few days, I will sicken and die, In my sickness I will be much out of ease to speak of anything, but I desire that you maybe with me as much as you can and you shall see that all shall end well. [Alex Henderson when near death and someone asked him why he was so cheerful
The Last Adversary
I am now conflicting with my last adversary, though I believe the sting is taken out. Nature will struggle, but I humbly submit to the good pleasure of God, I hardly beg the pardon of my many sins, especially for the lack of hard work. Unfaithfulness in my public and private duties, hoping to be washed with Christ's blood, and desiring to be translated out of this restless condition. I expect daily, yeah hourly, to be translated into that everlasting rest, which God has prepared for those who are in Christ, and So I pray that God would bless you and His entire ministry everywhere.[Thomas Gataker--Westminster divine]
John Calvin’s Dying Testimony
I do testify that I live and purpose to die in this faith which God has given me through His Gospel, and that I have no other dependence for salvation than the free choice which is made of me by Him. With my whole heart I embrace His mercy, through which all my sins are covered, for Christ’s sake, and for the sake of His death and sufferings. According to the measure of grace granted unto me, I have taught His pure, simple Word, by sermons, by deeds and by exposition of this Scripture. In all my battles with the enemies of the truth I have not used sophistry, but have fought the good fight Asquarely and directly.��� Calvin on his deathbed.
"Swallow up your will in the will of God. It is a bitter cup we are to drink, but it is the cup our Father has put into our hands. When Paul was to suffer at Jerusalem , the Christians said,The will of the Lord be done. Oh Say Ye so when I go to Tower Hill, The will of the Lord be done![From a letter of Christopher Love to his wife as he awaited execution ]
"Friends, be not afraid; every step in this ladder is a degree nearer to Heaven. Besides the justice of my cause, this is my comfort, what was said of Lazarus when he died, that the Angels did carry his soul to Abraham’s bosom; so that as there is a great solemnity here of a confluence of people, a scaffold, a gallows, and people looking out of windows; so there is a greater and more solemn preparation of angels to carry my soul to Christ’s bosom.[Hugh Mackails testimony before being martyred]
���These times are like to be either very sinning or suffering times; and let Christians make their choice; there is a sad dilemma in the buisneess, SIN or SUFFER; and surely he that will will choose the better part will choose to suffer. Others that will choose to sin will not escape suffering; they shall suffer, but perhaps not as I do, but worse. Mine is but temporal, theirs shall be eternal. When I shall be singing, they shall be howling. I have no more to say but to beg the Lord that when I go away, he would bless every one that stayeth behind.��� [Marquis of Argyll before his martyrdom]
I have no more to leave you but the example of my death which I pray you keep in mind. For albeit the same be bitter and painful in man’’s judgement, yet it is the entrance to everlasting life, which none can inherit, who deny Christ before this wicked generation." [ Patrick Hamilton as he approached the stake to be burned.]
"I suffer with a glad heart. This flame has scorched my body yet it has not daunted my spirit." [George Wishart-- While in the flames of martyrdom. ]
I am now pointed out by many to be in a destitute and forlorn condition, but I would not exchange my state, no, not for all the glory that is on earth. I find my Redeemer’s love stronger in my bonds than ever I did in the days of my liberty. Therefore I hold living here as death itself. I am as full of love and joy in the Holy Spirit as ever bottle was filled with new wine. I am ready to cry out, The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me [Further testimony of Christopher Love in his bonds]
Although we pass through the fire to-day, yet we shall light such a candle in England as shall never be put out again. [Hugh Latimer to his fellow prisoner as he went to the stake]
I am quite different from other sick people. When they come near their end their senses fail and they become delirious, but it seems as if God wants me to concentrate all my inward senses. [John Calvin as he lay dying]
"Ah, is this dying? How I have dreaded as an enemy this smiling friend." Thomas Goodwin’s dying words
Blessed be my God, who has counted me worthy. And it is His mighty power that has enabled me to suffer anything for His sake. I have now lost some of my blood, so I am ready and willing to spill every drop that is in my veins in this cause for which I now have suffered which is for maintaining the truth of God and the honour of my King against Popish Usurpation. Let God be glorified, and let the King live forever.
Words spoken by Dr Bastwick as he descended the Scaffold having just had his ear removed as punishment for maintaining the truth of God’s cause
The report abroad (as I am incredibly informed) is that I, John Hooper, a condemned man for the cause of Christ, should now, after sentence of death (being in Newgate, a prisoner, and looking daily for execution), recant and renounce under oath that which I have preached up to now.
And this talk arises from this–that the bishop of London and his chaplains come to see me. I have spoken and so speak with them when they come, for I do not fear their arguments. Neither is death terrible to me. And I am more confirmed in the truth which I have preached up to now, by their coming.
I have left all things of the world, and I have suffered great pains and imprisonment, but I thank God that I am as ready to suffer death as any mortal man may be. I have taught the truth with my tongue and with my pen up til now, and shortly hereafter I shall confirm that truth by God’s grace with my blood. [John Hooper--Martyr]
