Thomas Bilney - Part 2

by: SJH, 2010

Thomas Bilney was born in or after 1493. He was educated at Trinity Hall. After he graduated and took Holy orders, he became interested in the Greek edition of the New Testament translated by Erasmus in 1516. He was saved and eventually became the Father of the English Reformation.

Because Bilney denounced saint and relic veneration and refused to accept the mediation of the saints, he was summoned before Cardinal Wolsey. He took an oath that he would not disseminate the doctrines of Luther. Bilney was allowed to leave, but within the next year, problems arose.

Objections were made to a series of sermons he preached in and around London. He was dragged from the pulpit and imprisoned in the Tower of London. He was brought before Cardinal Wolsey, William Warham, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and several bishops in the chapter-house at Westminster, and convicted of heresy. His sentence was postponed in hopes that he would recant.

Bilney was kept in the Tower for more than a year. Bishop Tunstall pressured him to recant. His friends tried to get him to have pity on himself, telling him that he would be of far better use to the Lord if he preserved his life. Bilney was pressured by his friends and eventually gave in. One Saturday morning, Bilney was led before the bishops, there he recanted before all his friends.

Later Bilney returned to Cambridge, where he was tortured with anguish, remorse, and fear. He could barely eat or drink, and he trembled constantly. Eventually, Bilney confessed his sin, found peace, and started to preach again. The Holy Spirit had spoken to him and given him hope to live on for Christ.