The Story of Strength and Bravery of 16th Century Martyrs
Posted: Wednesday, November 17, 2010
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
Although somewhat known, the story of John Fryth is not extremely famous. But it is a perfect example of the soundness of faith possessed by numerous Christians from the first century up through relatively recent centuries.
Fryth was born in Westerham, England in 1503 although his parents moved to Sevenoaks when he was but a child and his father became an Innkeeper there. He attended school at Eton and from there, he attended King's College Cambridge where he received his BA degree in 1525.
While at the college, he became acquainted with William Tyndale and helped him with the translating of the Bible into English. This was during a time of strong feelings, the reformers against the Church's authorities. Much persecution was rampant from the politicized Church and burning at the stake was fairly common for the numerous number of heretics'. Fryth had sympathies toward the reformers and was quite outspoken which placed him in a bad light with the Church which caused the authorities at the college to lock him in their fish cellar. They released him in 1528 on the terms that he would not travel farther than 10 miles from the college.
He proceeded to travel abroad however, and spent much of his time at the new University of Marburg. He stayed abroad for six years where he married and had some children. It is reported that he received an invitation from King Henry the VIII to return and that the king would care for him and his family if only he would renounce his opinions. Fryth was reportedly in poor financial condition, but even so, he refused the invitation and wrote a strong article repudiating the doctrine of purgatory.
In the middle of 1532, Fryth returned to England to help Tyndale, but as soon as he arrived , he was confined to the stocks as a rogue and a vagabond'. A schoolmaster intervened and secured his release. Upon his release, he went to London, but Sir Thomas More issued an arrest warrant charging him with heresy. He was put in the tower.
John Fryth was examined by the Archbishop of Canterbury (Cranmer) and also given the opportunity to escape to Holland. He refused. He was tried before the Bishops of London, Chichester and Winchester on the charge of heresy. He refused to recant of his views and was sentenced to be burnt at the stake as an obstinate heretic'. (John Fryth 1503-1533: tyndale.org)
While Fryth was awaiting execution another man was put into his cell with him by the name of Andrew Hewet. When Fryth asked him for what crime he was sent to prison. "The Bishops" Hewet said, "asked me what I thought of the sacrament and I answered, I think as Fryth does". Then one of them smiled and the Bishop of London said, "Why Fryth is a heretic, and already condemned to be burnt, and if you do not retract your opinion you shall be burnt with him". "Very well", I answered, "I am content". So they sent me here to be burnt with you." On July 4, 1533, they were both attached to posts and burned at Smithfield.
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