Soon it will be the 455th anniversary of the martyrdom of William Hunter. This is his story...............
In Brentwood (Essex), a large monument stands with the following words on it: "William Hunter. Martyr. Committed to the Flames March 26th 1555. Christian Reader, learn from his example to value the privilege of an open Bible. And be careful to maintain it." William Hunter was a young boy who loved the Word of God. While reading it, he had found Jesus as his Saviour and was gloriously saved. Unfortunately, the agents of Roman Catholicism caught him as he was reading his Bible. They dragged before the judges and demanded that he be put to death as a heretic. At his trial, Master Brown (one of the Roman Catholic persecutors) tried to ask William Hunter difficult questions and trick him into making a fool of himself. Fortunately, William held his ground and answered all of the questions asked of him. In the end, Brown was the one looking humiliated and flustered. With his ego and pride sunk, he became very angry. Brown flew into a rage, took William’s Bible and threw it on the floor. In response to his tirade, William asked Brown either hear him quietly, and allow him to answer for himself, or else send him away.
Upon hearing this, Brown announced that William would be to the Bishop Bonner (Bishop of London). Bonner commanded his men to put William in stocks for two days and nights with only a crust of bread and a cup of water. At the end of the two days, Bonner came to him. The cup of water and the crust of bread were untouched. Bonner demanded that William recant his evangelical faith, but he refused. After threatening to burn him at the stake, Bonner commanded that William be taken to a convict’s prison and be placed in irons. In response, William said: "God strengthen me in His truth.” Despite everything, William still refused to recant his evangelical faith – therefore he was condemned to be burned at the stake. On the night before his execution, he met with his Father and Mother. On the day of his execution, the Sheriff’s son came to William, took him by the right hand and said: “William, be not afraid of these men who are here present, with blows, bills, and weapons prepared to bring you to the place where you shall be burned.” William answered: “I thank God I am not afraid, for I have laid my account what it will cost me already.” At this, the Sheriff's son wept so heavily that he couldn’t continue the conversation any further.
William Hunter went cheerfully to the stake, the Sheriff's servant taking him by one arm, and his brother by the other. While on his way he met his Father, who spoke to his son, weeping and saying: “God be with thee, son William”; and William answered: “God be with you, good father, and be of good comfort; for I hope we shall meet again when we shall be happy.” His Father said: “I hope so, William.” Then William went to the place where the place of execution, but the stake wasn’t ready, so he kneeled down, and publically read from Psalm 51. The Sheriff then came to him and said: “Here is a letter from the Queen. If thou wilt recant, thou shalt live; if not thou shalt be burned.” Answering, William said: “No, I will not recant, God willing.” He was then chained to the stake.
Then William looked out at the crowd that had assembled around the stake and said: “Good People, pray for me; and make speed and despatch me quickly; and pray for me while you see me alive, good people, and I will pray for you likewise.” One of the Roman Catholics shouted out: "'What!, pray for thee? I will pray no more for thee than I would pray for a dog.” William answered: “Now you have that which you sought for; and I pray God, it be not laid to your charge in the last day. I forgive you.” William then publically prayed: “Son of God, shine upon me!” After he said these words, a single thin ray of glorious sunlight immediately broke through a sky that had, until then, been covered in thick, dark clouds. This shaft of sunlight shone right into William’s uplifted face, it then lit up the small area surrounding the stake. The watching crowds were amazed that what they saw. Shortly before the fire was lit, a Roman Catholic priest approached William and said: “As thou burnest here, so shalt thou burn in hell.” As the flames began to rise around him, William lifted up his hands to heaven and said: “Lord, Lord, receive my spirit”. Soon afterwards, William Hunter, the boy martyr of Brentwood, went to be with Christ. Closing his eyes in this world, he opened then in Heaven. He was ready to die because he was saved, can the same be said of you?
