Five English Reformers [Paperback]

J. C. Ryle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1960

Few martyr's words can be more stirring than those of Bishop Hugh Latimer's to Dr. Nicholas Ridley:
Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and
play the man. We shall this day light such
a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I
trust shall never be put out.
But, why were such men burned at the stake? What were the great convictions in which they lived and for which they were prepared to sacrifice life itself? What made their lives and testimony to Christ's gospel so powerful? Do Christians today share either their convictions or their faithfulness?
It was the increasing conviction that martyrs, though dead, can still speak to the church, which led Bishop J.C. Ryle to pen these pungent biographies of Five English Reformers last century. Along with an analysis of the reasons for their martyrdom he points out the salient characteristics of their Christian lives. Such men still prove to be examples, warnings and challenges all in one, to Christians today. Readers will rise from the company of their life-stories praying for a similar faith in Christ's power.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Banner of Truth; Revised edition (July 1, 1960)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851511384
• ISBN-13: 978-0851511382
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #168,200 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Church History > General

More About the Author

J. C. RYLE (1816-1900) was a prominent writer, preacher, and Anglican clergyman in nineteenth-century Britain. He is the author of the classic Expository Thoughts on the Gospels and retired as the bishop of Liverpool.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five English Reformers, April 10, 2000

By 

Joseph Inglis (San Augustine, Tx) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Five English Reformers (Paperback)

Five English Reformers describes the lives of five men who were burnt at the stake while under the reign of Queen Mary the 1st or better known as "Bloody Mary ". They were, John Hooper, a Protestant bishop, Rowland Taylor, Rector of Hadleigh, Hugh Latimer a Protestant bishop, John Bradford, and Nicholas Ridley, another Protestant bishop. J.C.Ryle divides the book into six parts, the first describing why they were burnt, and the last five , a description of each of their lives. Ryle takes much of his material from John Foxe's Book of Martyrs to give an easy to read account of men who died for Christ. It shows the true colors of "Bloody Mary" under whose reign these men and 283 others including, fifty-five women and four children were burnt at the stake. I believe the chapters on Latimer and Ridley are the most touching of the book. I highly recommend this, and hope you will get as much out of it as I have. Another book worth reading is Fair Sunshine, by Jock Purves.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just Foxe!, February 7, 2007

By 

Unwritten (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Five English Reformers (Paperback)

I have been reading this book by the good Bishop Ryle and it is excellent to say the least.

Any writing by Ryle is recommended reading for Christians everywhere: Ryle is not afraid to shoot straight from the hip, and say what needs to be said.

This is a moving and endearing book, as it not only explains the manner in which Latimer, Ridley, Hooper, Taylor and Bradford died, but also the theological reasons for why they thought it necessary to die.

This book is four things:

1) a history lesson

2) five biographies

3) an introduction to reformation theology

4) a defense of reformed evangelical "low church" theology, against a more "high" ritualistic, Catholic tradition

Ryle happily uses a lot of source material, however it would be misleading to say he simply quotes large slabs of Foxe. He quotes sections where it is appropriate, but abridges to make the 15th century language appropriate for his 19th century readers. He also pulls in other sources from existing writing and correspondence from each of these Reformers. In this way, he's able to explain their theology and how it is still relevant.

Ryle also explains the historical context, and the theological and social factors at the time.

This is not only a moving story of martyrdom, but a convincing argument that doctrine is worth dying for.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for all Anglo-Catholics, December 17, 2003

By 

James Forsyth "www.jamesforsyth.net" (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five English Reformers (Paperback)

A previous reviewer, Potatohead, has said that s/he would stick with Fox(e). This may be a reasonable recommendation. However, J. C. Ryle helps us to put the persecution of the English reformers in a relatively modern context. Pumpkinhead that I am (as opposed to Potatohead), I would probably be better off with the new updated and expanded edition of Foxe's Book of Martyrs, because the archaic English has been rewritten by Harold J. Chadwick (ISBN 0-88270-672-1).

On the topic of the above-stated "modern context" of J. C. Ryle (circa 1880 - I wish Banner of Truth would put the original publication date), he often predicts a turning back by the Church of England to the ways of Rome. We, with the the luxury of hindsight, can see that to some extent this has happened, but far more damaging has been the disastrous assault of liberalism.

I agree with Ryle wholeheartedly, that the blood of the martyrs should never be forgotten.

Thoroughly enjoyable, but unfortunately only 4 stars as (1) I agree with Potatohead's criticisms on the over-use of Fox(e), and (2) There is no index!