| “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). |
| Two days ago I told you a story about a man named George Wishart, who gave up his life for the Lord in Scotland, back in the year 1546. Let me tell you about another man, or rather a teenager, who also gave up his life for the Lord in England about the same time. |
| His name was William Hunter, and he lived in England, in the town of Brentwood, in the county of Essex. He was a faithful Christian and had lost his job in London as a silk weaver because he refused to attend mass at the Roman Catholic Church. He came back to Brentwood where he lived with his father and mother, but he went to the Brentwood chapel from time to time to read the Bible, as very few people had Bibles of their own in those days. Through reading the Bible he had already come to know the Lord Jesus as his Savior, and he wanted to know more. One day he was caught reading the Bible, which was a punishable offence in those days, and the Roman Catholic authorities demanded that he be put to death. |
| He was eventually taken before one of the bishops in London, but he held his ground firmly, and would not submit to what he knew was contrary to the Word of God. After this he was imprisoned for nine months, and given the chance to “recant” or give up what he had learned from reading the Bible. But he remained faithful and did not give in. Finally he was condemned to be burnt to death in Brentwood, and this was carried out on March 26, 1555. William Hunter was only nineteen years old. |
| There is a monument there in Brentwood, on the spot where William Hunter was burned to death. If you are ever in England, it is worth a visit, just as the place in St. Andrews, Scotland, where George Wishart died, is worth a visit. My wife and I were able visit Brentwood and see the place some years ago. The writing on the monument reads as follows: |
WILLIAM HUNTER. MARTYR.
Committed to the Flames March 26th MDLV.
Christian Reader, learn from his example
to value the privilege of an open Bible.
And be careful to maintain it. |
