Are you ready?

NOW?

Thomas Watts was ready for anything! He needed to be; life was counted cheap in Tudor England. Infant mortality was high, life expectancy low, and sudden death no stranger in the land. Against this harsh background, he lived with his wife and family at Billericay, in Essex. There was nothing special to make him stand out; he was just a linen draper with a shop in the town. Yet the people who knew him better could see something different. Even at such a turbulent time, he seemed to have a sense of inner peace and joy.
In those days, everyone was expected to accept the state religion and church attendance was compulsory. Since Mary Tudor had become Queen the mass was celebrated each week, as she was a Roman Catholic. At every service, Christ's sacrifice at Calvary was re-presented, but a more deeply rooted pagan ritual lay behind it all. In any event, it denied the truth of the Bible; that the Lord Jesus Christ had died once, for all of His people and then ascended to heaven.

Like many true Christians, Thomas Watts knew that the Mass was wrong and would have nothing to do with it. He was fully aware of the consequences, for disobedience could lead to prison and much worse - being burned to death at the stake. He felt this was quite likely, but he lived the Lord more than his own life, because Christ had died for him. So he made sure he was ready. First, he sold his business and put his affairs in order. Then, after providing for his wife and family, he gave to the poor and needy.

On the 26th April 1555, he was arrested and brought before Lord Rich and the commissioners in Chelmsford, charged with non-attendance at church. They, in turn, sent him to London to appear before Bishop Bonner and Dr Harpsfield, his deputy. In spite of Bonner's threats, for he was called 'Butcher Bonner' on account of his cruelty to the Protestants, Thomas Watts could not be shaken. He would not deny his Biblical beliefs. Although willing to comply with all lawful authority, he would not submit his conscience to the Church of Rome. Bonner then tempted him with 'fair promises', but to no avail. Brought backwards and forwards for examination, he stood so firm that his persecutors finally gave up. He was sentenced to die and handed over to the sheriffs of London.

After spending some time in Newgate Prison, he was brought back to Chelmsford for his execution. With other brave men who shared his condemnation, he spent his last night at Scot's house - a riverside inn. (The old Stone Bridge now stands nearby.) Though death was before them all, they rejoiced in their brief time of fellowship together. The next day each was to suffer for his Saviour's sake; though many miles apart, they would later be re-united 'in glory'. (Full Story in 'The Essex Martyrs')

Obviously he was sorry to say farewell to his wife and children, yet death held no fear for him. Like the apostle Paul, he saw not loss but gain; it was the doorway to Eternal life in all its fullness. He had such peace and composure that two of his children offered to die by his side!

On the 10th of June 1555, he walked calmly up to the old market place, just in front of the present Shire Hall, where he was secured to a wooden stake and burned to death. Even in his last moments his thoughts were for others. Having already warned his wife and family against false religion, he gave a final challenge to Lord Rich: to repent of the evil he had done to him.

There have been great changes since the days of Thomas Watts. There have been great advances in medicine, science and technology. Even the Roman Catholic Church has changed! But the world is not a better place. Man's heart and nature have not changed. Today, the Roman Catholic Church is further from the Bible than ever before. Now there are many other false religions, as well as counterfeit 'Christianity', and great evil is done in their name. Something is missing. As Thomas Watts discovered, we need to be 'made right' in God's sight, but can do nothing to help ourselves. The good news of the Gospel however is that -

Thomas Watts was ready to die; he was ready to forsake all that this world held dear for him; he was ready to face Almighty God. Not because of who he was or because of what he had done, but because of who Christ is and what He has done.