Martyrs John Denley and John Newman

by Pastor Clinton Macomber

As with every country in the world, England has been one of the worst enemies of the little flock of the followers of Christ. One Englishman, Edmund Tyrell, was a justice of the peace in the County of Essex, during the reign of Bloody Mary, and is remembered in history because of his zeal in finding and having true believers in Christ executed. As Mr. Tyrell was returning from witnessing a martyrdom at Raileigh, and another one at Rockford, he happened to cross paths with two men: a gentleman, John Denley, and another fellow, a pewter worker, John Newman, who were coming from Maidstone in Kent County.

On June 12, 1555, Mr. Tyrell knew that the two men were Bible believers, before their paths intersected. When they met each other on the road, Mr. Tyrell had them arrested on his suspicion, had them searched, and found their personal statement of faith. During questioning, the men admitted that they had fled from their own country because of their faith and had been in many different countries. Mr. Tyrell suspected that these two men were very influential in spreading their beliefs wherever they went, and as such needed to be executed.

While the record does not mention that John Denley was a Baptist, his statement of faith certainly indicates that he was. The following is a summary of his statement of belief.

1. The elements of the Lord's Table are not the actual body and blood of the Lord Jesus, because, after His crucifixion, Jesus rose from the grave, and ascended into heaven, from which He will come again in judgment.
2. The elements of the Lord's Table simply represent the body and blood of the Lord Jesus and the refreshment that only He can give to His followers. Christ said, "Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you," Matthew 11:28.
3. The body of the Lord Jesus cannot be in all places at once, because His body was given the birth of the Virgin Mary and that it is in heaven at the right hand of God; and so cannot be on altars tables all around the world. Furthermore worshiping items of this world is idolatry and contrary to the Scriptures.

The case against the two men was reinforced by a letter that Mr. Denley had sent to those who were imprisoned for their profession of Christ. The letter was very skillfully written and full of apostolic encouragement. In it he requested prayer for himself that he would remain true and promising to pray for them. He talked about the glories of dying for Christ and the fellowship that we have in taking a stand with those like Moses who chose to suffer rather than to enjoy the glory of Egypt.

The two men were transferred to one set of commissioners, who were unable to dissuade them from the truth, so they were passed along to another commissioner, Bishop Edmond Bonner of London, who was also unable through his “fatherly discretion” to dissuade the men from the truth on June 28, 1555. John Denley replied to all of the bishop’s arguments and persuasions by simply saying in the end: "God save me from your counsel, and keep me in the mind that I am in."

The men were brought into St. Paul's Church on July 1, where their articles were read and another attempt was made to dissuade these men from the truth. At first there were promises made to them, and then there were threatenings. The formal charges are listed below:

1. The rejection of the belief that there is a catholic (universal) church of Christ on the earth.
2. The rejection of the belief that the Church of England is part of a catholic church.
3. The rejection of the Mass, saying it is idolatry and evil and contrary to the Word of God.
4. The rejection of the Confessional used in England.
5. The rejection of the belief that priests can offer absolution.
6. The rejection of the belief that infant baptism, confirmation, and the other sacraments provide salvation.
7. The belief that there are only two ordinances in the church, that of the Lord's Table and adult baptism.
8. The belief that since the Lord Jesus ascended up into heaven, it is not His body that is offered to people at Mass.

John Denley went through each of the charges and explained from Scripture why he held those beliefs. The officials found that the men were firm in their stands and beliefs, and nothing was going to dissuade them.

They were brought before the bishop on the afternoon of July 5, 1555, and condemned as heretics and turned over to the sheriffs in London. John Denley was then transferred to Uxbridge where he was executed by burning on at August 8, 1555.

As he was being set in the fire and the flames burned around him, he sung a Psalm. Dr. Story was present and commanded the tormentors to throw bundles of burning sticks at him. One of those bundles hit John Denley in the face, wounding him, and in reaction John Denley put his hands over his face. Dr. Story turned to the person that had thrown that bundle, and told him in jest that he had "marred a good old song." On hearing that, John Denley opened his hands and continued singing until his spirit left the burning body and entered his Savior’s presence.

The other fellow, John Newman, was a pewter worker, and he was burned at the stake on August 31, at Saffron Walden in Essex, after giving a powerful and clear testimony as to the reasons he believed God's Word and took it seriously. He stood courageously and unwavering all the way to the end.

Sources

John Foxe, Steven Reed Catletty, George Townsend. The Acts and Monuments of John Fox, pages 328-334.