The 16th October 2025 marked four hundred and seventy years since Bishops Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley were chained to the stake in Oxford in 1555 and burnt alive by the mediaeval Roman Catholic Church. As the fire rose around them for their witness to Jesus Christ and His Gospel, old Latimer cried out to young 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.”
That candle was the light of the Gospel — the light of grace alone, faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed in Scripture alone. It was this same light that shattered the darkness of Roman Catholicism in the days of the great Protestant Reformation. Sadly, today that candle burns very dimly, almost like a smoking flax. In this very period of what Protestants call Reformation Month, we learn — according to the local press — that King Charles III and Pope Leo are to kneel together in prayer in the Sistine Chapel in Rome, where King Charles will sit in a purpose-made seat, decorated with the King’s coat of arms, which will stay in place for the King’s future use and his successors. The King will also be named Royal Confrater of the Abbey of St Paul —an honorary “brotherhood” within a Catholic monastic order which signifies a symbolic reunion with Rome and a spiritual fellowship entirely inconsistent with the Protestant faith he swore to defend.
This is being billed as a symbol of unity, peace, and reconciliation between the Church of England and the Papal See. According to the news media, this is the first such act between a United Kingdom monarch and the Pope since before the Reformation. Many are hailing it as a wonderful gesture that builds bridges and heals old divisions. However, it is not.
For those of the historic Christian faith, it is an act of gross betrayal and the greatest folly. Sadly, throughout the godless, secularised United Kingdom, many see the Reformation and all it stood for as being over. But for those of us who live to uphold the true Reformed faith, it is a cause for deep grief and alarm. For, on the very anniversary of the martyrs’ suffering, our nation’s ruler prepares to pray with the very Holy See that burned them to death. The timing is no coincidence; it is constructed and deliberate.
When Charles was crowned, he swore before God and the people to “maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the true Protestant Reformed Religion,” as required by the Coronation Oath Act of 1689. That oath is no mere ceremony; it is a covenant.
“It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.” (Proverbs 20:25)
By joining in worship with the Bishop of Rome, Charles symbolically breaks that vow before Heaven. “Let no man deceive you by any means,” wrote the Apostle, “for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4)
The Pope was never the head of Christ’s Church and never shall be. “There is no other head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Church of England’s own Articles still declare:
“The Church of Rome hath erred, not only in their living and manner of ceremonies, but also in matters of Faith.”
And, “The Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this realm of England.”
Surely these words now speak again.
The Reformed faith rests upon one cornerstone: justification by faith alone through Christ alone (see Romans 1:16–17; 3:24–27; and Galatians 3:15).
Rome teaches that salvation is found in sacraments, in priestly absolution, and in human co‑operation with grace; yet the Scriptures declare, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” (Romans 3:28)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8‑9)
The cross of Christ requires no supplement, no repetition, and no mediation but His own.
“It is finished.” (John 19:30)
Our confession is Christ alone — Solus Christus.
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
Mary is not a co‑Redeemer with Jesus Christ.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
To mingle another name with His, or another power with His, is to divide His glory.
Therefore, we repudiate the Roman idol of transubstantiation — the notion that bread and wine are changed into the literal body and blood of the Lord. When Jesus said, “This do in remembrance of me,” (Luke 22:19), He sat bodily among His disciples, proving His words to be spiritual, not physical. The flesh profiteth nothing. “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63)
The Church rightly confesses that transubstantiation “overthroweth the nature of a sacrament.”
We likewise reject the idolatry of Mariology, which crowns a creature with attributes that belong only to God. Mary herself calls God her Saviour, saying, “My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” (Luke 1:47)
Christ rebuked any who would exalt her above obedience to His word, saying, “Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:28)
We worship none but God: “Thou shalt worship the LORD thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matthew 4:10)
If we ask the question, Why were our Reformers burned?
The answer is: because they stood against the Church of Rome — not out of hatred or malice, but because they loved the Gospel of God more, and refused to recant their love of the truth. Their martyrdom was because Rome declared them heretics. In the eyes of Rome, even the so‑called “separated brethren” are still viewed as heretics.
Five hundred years on, the Gospel is still the same. It has not changed. The Church of Rome has not changed nor repented of its false doctrines. The teachings of Trent remain the teachings of the papacy; Vatican II merely re‑phrased them in dressed‑up language.
Therefore, to unite in joint prayer with those who deny the true Gospel is not peacemaking; it is apostasy. It is not Christian unity — it is to corrupt and compromise true unity.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers,” warns the Apostle, “for what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)
When the throne and the papal altar clasp hands, it foreshadows the prophecy of Revelation 17 — that the kings of the earth commit fornication with the great harlot who traffics in sacred things. This is not the candle of Latimer, but the smoke of Babylon.
Shall we then forget the price of truth? Buy the truth, and sell it not.
Shall England’s sword lie dull, her oath ignored, and her pulpits silent?
“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3)
We therefore call upon King Charles III — as one who bears the royal title Defender of the Faith — to repent before the living God, to renounce communion with Rome, and to uphold the Gospel for which his martyred forebears died.
Lord, let the King see that this so‑called joint prayer session blurs the line between truth and falsehood.
The Psalmist counsels all rulers:
“Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way.” (Psalm 2:10‑12)
And we, the Church of Jesus Christ, must not falter.
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)
The Lord still keeps a remnant who have not bowed the knee to Baal nor kissed him.
Let our prayer be that of William Tyndale, who died on the 6th of October 1536, praying for the King’s soul: “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.” The Lord answered that prayer in providing the Tyndale Bible – the first New Testament in English, then the Cloverdale Bible – the first complete English translation, and later, in 1611, the King James Bible.
Let us pray again:
- Lord, open King Charles’s eyes.
- Lord, let the King see that this ecumenical service blurs the line between truth and falsehood.
- O Lord, open the eyes of our blinded rulers and foolish people who have forgotten Thee and forsaken Thee.
- Lord, once again flood our land with Gospel light!
- Restore unto us the burning heart of Reformation truth: Scripture alone, grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone, to the glory of God alone.
O Lord, hear our prayer. And may we be faithful, though the world mocks and kings betray, until the day when the Lamb who was slain shall reign upon His throne. For He hath said: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)
Amen.
