Thomas Bilney (A. D 1530)
There was in Trinity College, Cambridge, a young student much given to study of canon law. He was of a serious turn of mind and of timid disposition, and his tender conscience strove, although ineffectually, to fulfill the commandments of God.
Anxious about his eternal salvation, this lad, Thomas Bilney, applied to the priests, whom he looked upon as physicians of the soul. Kneeling before his confessor, with humble heart and pale face he told him all his sins—even those of which he doubted. The priests prescribed at one time, fasting; at another, prolonged vigils; and then, masses and indulgences, which cost him dearly. The poor man went through all these practices with deep devotion, but found no consolation in them. He was a slender man, not very strong; and his body was further weakened and his purse depleted with the demands for penance. Finally he had to own, "My last state is worse than the first."
From time to time the thought had crossed his mind: "May not the priests be seeking their own interests, and not the salvation of my soul?" But immediately rejecting the impious doubt, he would again succumb to the iron hand of the clergy.
One day Bilney heard his friends whispering together about a new book. It was the Greek Testament, printed with a translation which was highly praised for its close adherence to the Latin form. As he listened, he was attracted by the beauty of the style rather than by the divinity of the subject, and desired to see it for himself. He stretched out his hand for the forbidden volume; but just as he was about to receive it from his friend, fear came upon him and he hastily drew back.
But was not this the Testament of Jesus Christ? Might not God have placed therein some word which perhaps might heal his soul? At last he took courage and, urged by the Spirit of God, he slipped into a house where the volume was sold in secret. He bought it with fear and trembling, and then hastened back and shut himself up in his room.
He opened it his eyes caught these words: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." 1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15). He laid down the book and meditated on the astonishing declaration. "What! St. Paul the chief of sinners? And yet St. Paul is sure of being saved!" He read the verse again and again. "O blest assertion of St. Paul, how sweet thou art to my soul!" he exclaimed.
This declaration of Paul's continually haunted him; and in this manner God instructed Thomas Bilney in the secret of His heart. He could not tell what had happened to him: it seemed as if a refreshing wind were blowing over his soul, or that a rich treasure had been placed in his hands. The Holy Spirit took of the things of Christ and ministered them unto him. "I also am like Paul," he cried with emotion; "and more than Paul I am the greatest of sinners. But CHRIST DIED TO SAVE SINNERS. At last I have heard of Jesus." His doubts were ended—he was saved!
"It is all clear," said Bilney; "my vigils, my fasts, my pilgrimages, my purchase of masses and indulgences, were destroying instead of saving me." All his efforts were but taking him out of the way of peace.
Bilney never grew tired of reading his New Testament, nor of telling others of the way of Life. A witness to the full efficacy of the shed blood of Christ had been "born from above"—born by the same power that had transformed Paul, Apollos, and Timothy.
And in those troublous times of the history of the church his life bore out his witness: