Light Such a Candle

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” — Matthew 5:14 (KJV)

Under Queen Mary, hundreds of people were burned for their faith in England between 1555 and 1558. They included bishops and scholars, but also weavers, farmers, housewives and young people. Two of the most famous were Nicholas Ridley, who had been Bishop of London, and Hugh Latimer, an old preacher famous for plain, powerful sermons.

Both men had helped lead the Reformation in England. Both were arrested when Mary came to the throne, and both refused to give up what they believed. On 16 October 1555, in Oxford, they were led out together to die.

Ridley was nervous. Latimer was old and frail. But as the fire was lit, the old man turned to his friend and said words that have become some of the most famous in English history:

“Be of good cheer, Ridley; and play the man. We shall this day, by God’s grace, light up such a candle in England, as I trust, will never be put out.”

“Play the man” meant: be brave, don’t lose heart. And Latimer’s prediction came true. Their deaths, and the deaths of so many others, did not stamp out the faith in England. They made people ask why ordinary men and women would rather die than give it up. The candle they lit was never put out.

Notice two things about Latimer’s words. First, he encouraged his friend. Even at the worst moment of his own life, he was thinking about Ridley. That is what Christian friends do: we hold each other up when things get hard.

Second, he said “by God’s grace.” Latimer didn’t claim to be brave in himself. He trusted that God would give them the strength they needed when they needed it.

Ridley, too, thought of others at the end. Foxe records that just before he died, he asked one of the officials to plead with the queen for some poor tenants whose rights he was worried about. Facing death, he was still trying to help people who couldn’t help themselves.

Jesus said his followers are the light of the world, like a city on a hill that can’t be hidden. Ridley and Latimer were light in a dark time. Your light might look smaller: a kind word, honesty when it is easier to lie, courage to be known as a Christian at school. But every candle matters. And some of them are never put out.

One thing to do this week: think of a Christian friend who needs encouragement right now. Be their Latimer this week: tell them, in your own words, “Be of good cheer. God will give you what you need.”