When walking through the centre of Oxford, the visitor comes to a memorial with this inscription: “To the glory of God, and in grateful commemoration of His Servants, Thomas Cranmer, Nicholas Ridley, Hugh LatimerÔǪ who near this spot yielded their bodies to be burned, bearing witness to the sacred truths which they had affirmed and maintained against the errors of the Church of Rome, and rejoicing that to them it was given not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for His sake.”
Masters of the Reformation was originally published by The Church Society fifty years ago to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the deaths of Latimer and Ridley (Cranmer was martyred the following year). We are grateful to the Banner of Truth Trust for republishing this valuable book to mark the 450th anniversary of the martyrdoms. Sadly the story of the martyrs is not so well known today.
This book gives an account of five eminent men, who were important figures in the Reformation in England: the three mentioned on the memorial, along with Thomas Bilney and William Tyndale. Each was condemned to death for his courageous stand for the truth. “Little Bilney” is not so well known as the others but he was a most attractive personality: “one of the most lovable characters of the English Reformation”; “frail and diminutive in health and statureÔǪ absorbed in prayer and the reading of the Scriptures.”
The work of God in the English Reformation is told through these lives; and, indeed, the Reformation in England was to a considerable extent the result of the Holy Spirit’s work giving a gracious experience of the truth through individual reading of the Scriptures.
Sir Marcus Loane (Canon Loane at the time the book was written) was Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, from 1966 to 1982 and Primate of all Australia. (It is well known that the Diocese of Sydney has maintained a firm stand for Biblical truth.)
Masters of the Reformation is beautifully written; it is a serious study but is suitable for a present. We are reminded of England’s great need today for men of grace and courage as these five martyrs.

B A Ramsbottom
The Gospel Standard
December 2005