As already observed, the Lollards had become very numerous in England, especially in those parts where Wycliffe’s preachers had labored. The leaders of the Church determined to do their utmost to extirpate them. Richard II having been deposed in favor of Henry IV, the latter, anxious to favor the clerical party, issued a writ for the burning of heretics. Preaching was forbidden without a license from the bishop. This was aimed at the Wycliffe preachers, who had continued their good work. A law was now passed by the Lords confirming the burning of obstinate heretics. The hold that the teachings of Wycliffe had obtained in the country, however, is indicated by a petition from the House of Commons praying that the act against the Lollards might be repealed. The petition was rejected.
The first martyr to die by fire in England was William Sawtree, a London clergyman. He was burned to death in the year 1400 for the truth of the gospel. He was followed by a working man named John Badby, who, having witnessed a good confession, also died in triumph, supported by divine grace.
In 1413, Henry IV died and was succeeded by his son Henry V. In the first year of his reign, a national synod was convened with a view to the repression of heresy. A particular object of the clergy’s malice was Sir John Oldcastle, Lord Cobham, for he used his wealth and influence to protect the Lollards and promote the truth for which they stood. He circulated Wycliffe’s works and maintained at his own expense many itinerant preachers. Many of Wycliffe’s books were publicly burned, including one which belonged to Lord Cobham. The King was apprised of this. Hitherto Lord Cobham had been high in his favor. In a personal interview with Henry, Lord Cobham boldly maintained the truth. His faithfulness cost him the King’s patronage. Cobham was arrested and placed in the Tower. Arraigned before the Archbishop on the charge of heresy, he valiantly defended the truth. His judges demanded his adherence to the doctrine of transubstantiation, confession to the priest, the supremacy of the Pope, and the worship of relics, images, apostles, martyrs and confessors approved by the Church of Rome. On his second appearance before the tribunal, he was asked, among many other questions, if he was ready to worship the cross upon which Christ died.
“Where is it?” he said.
“But suppose it were here at this moment?”
“Tell me,” said Lord Cobham, “what sort of worship I owe it.”
“Right,” replied Cobham, “that is the true cross — far better than your cross of wood.”
“Sir,” said the Bishop of London, “you know very well that Christ died upon a material cross.”
“True,” replied Cobham, “and I know also that our salvation did not come by that material cross, but by Him who died thereupon. Further, I well know that St. Paul rejoiced in no other cross but in Christ’s passion and death only and in his own sufferings and persecutions for the same truth which Christ had died for before.”
His judges were confounded by his answers. The Lord had fulfilled His promise: “I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist” (Luke 21:1515For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. (Luke 21:15)).
The long trial came to a close. With mock kindness, the Archbishop urged him to submit.
“My faith is fixed. Do with me what you please,” replied Cobham.
He was condemned as an “incorrigible, pernicious and detestable heretic” and handed over to the secular power for the hateful sentence to be carried out. After a further, bold affirmation of faith and a warning to the people not to follow these leaders, he fell upon his knees and, lifting up his hands and eyes to heaven, he cried, “Lord, God eternal! I beseech Thee of Thy great mercy to forgive my persecutors, if it be Thy blessed will.” His execution was delayed some weeks, perhaps for reasons of policy, and in the meantime he escaped from the Tower and spent four years in hiding.
The Lollards were accustomed to meet in secret for prayer and worship. One place of frequent resort was a thicket in St. Giles Fields, near London. On the night of January 6, 1414, about eighty were assembled for their devotions. The King, who was then near London, was informed that Cobham, at the head of twenty thousand men, was at St. Giles Fields for the purpose of seizing his majesty, putting their persecutors to the sword, and making himself regent of the realm. The King immediately mustered the few soldiers available, marched to the spot, and attacked the helpless worshippers, of whom twenty were killed and the rest captured. Among them were a preacher named Beverley, Sir Roger Acton, and another who were put to death. The Lollard army of twenty thousand was a myth. No more were found. Since it was in the interests of the papal party to represent this affair as a plot to overthrow the regime, this fable has passed into the records of history. Foxe, who investigated the whole matter, has amply cleared these sufferers from the imputation of rebellion. But the aspersion branded them as enemies of the State as well as the Church, and they continued for many years to be the objects of bitter persecution.
Lord Cobham was discovered in Wales after four years of hiding and brought before the House of Lords. He made no answer to the charges brought against him, save to say in the words of Scripture, “With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment” (1 Cor. 4:33But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. (1 Corinthians 4:3)). He was executed with shocking barbarity. Hung by a chain from the gallows, he was slowly burned to death.
During the remainder of the reign of Henry V and his successor and right through the Wars of the Roses, confessors of the true faith had no respite, while in the reigns of Henry VII and Henry VIII the persecutions increased in bitterness. Neither age nor sex was spared. To read the Scriptures or deny popish superstitions were unpardonable crimes. Many true followers of Christ went to the stake and reached heaven through the fire.