A big historic event happened on February 9, 1555. John Hooper was burned at the stake by Queen Mary for refusing to repent of "heresy." He had been a very active bishop, preaching regularly, visiting churches, helping the poor, correcting social injustice, and creating a habit of Bible-reading among people. He had a problem with the vestments and affirmations he was supposed to make publicly, and was exiled several times before his death. His writings were complied and treasured by the Puritans. Five others were martyred with him.
Memorial to John Hooper
While Hooper was in prison, he was visited by a friar just at the beginning of his last imprisonment, in the hopes of belittling him.
Hooper desired that he might ask of him … this, "What remains after the consecration in the sacrament, any bread or no?" "No bread at all," said the friar. "And when you break it, what you break—whether bread or the body?" said Hooper. "No bread," said the friar; "but the body only." "If ye do so," said Hooper, "you do great injury, not only to the body of Christ, but also to the Scriptures, which say, Ye shall not break of him one bone." With that the friar having nothing to answer, recoiled back, and with circles and crosses began to use exorcism as though Hooper had bewitched him! Foxe's Book of Martyrs
About nine o'clock on the morning of February 9, 1555, he was taken to the center of Gloucester. About seven thousand people were present, it being market day. Hooper nodded cheerfully to friends; then arriving at the stake, he removed his outer clothes while sacks of gunpowder were tied to his armpits and between his legs. As the silent crowd gazed in terror, Hooper raised his voice and asked them to join him in the Lord's Prayer. The winter sky echoed with seven thousand voices: "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven …." More Real Stories for the Soul.
Too much green wood had been used to build the fire and the winds were strong. It created a slow torture that lasted for as much as an hour. It was a bloody and gory sight. He remained steadfast throughout the ordeal and now stands a victor with His Savior, having overcome the suffering of a torturous death to stand with what is true and righteous.
The Queen's Lord Chancellor, Stephen Gardiner, at first was no more tolerant of those who challenged the church doctrine than Mary. But after seeing those like John Hooper dying with courage and not discrediting themselves through surrender, it disconcerted him. He then sought that lesser punishments be given, but he died in November of 1555 having failed in his endeavors.
Sources:
P. Toon edited by Douglas, J. D., P. W. Comfort, & D. Mitchell. Who's Who in Christian History. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House, 1997, c1992.
Foxe, J. Foxe's Book of Martyrs. electronic ed. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000.
Gloucestershire Portal http://www.softdata.co.uk/gloucester/hooper.htm
More Real Stories for the Soul. electronic ed. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000. Page 230.
Christian History: Thomas Cranmer and the English Reformation. electronic ed. Carol Stream IL: Christianity Today, 1995; Published in electronic form by Logos Research Systems, 1996.
