Socialism and the Pope

by Cranmer and Latimer. Edward VI. objected to signing the death warrant, but Cranmer insisted. Over a century later, Bishop Burnett denounced Joan Bocher's execution on the ground that she was a wrong-headed woman, who was burnt for some extravagant notions concerning Christ, but was fitter for Bedlam than the stake. Actually, Joan Bocher was a zealous and intelligent Reformer who sought to give understanding and sympathy to her fellows in times of unexampled and formidable difficulties.

In 1551, Coverdale sat on the Commission, under whose instructions, Van Paar or Van Parris was executed for Arianism. Parris was a surgeon, who came to England as a refugee from Menz in Hesse. Burnett describes him as a man of strict and virtuous life and most wonderful devotion. He joined the Strangers' Church in Augustin-Friars, in London, and publicly avowed his faith: "God the Father is the Only God, and Christ is not Very God."

Proceedings were taken against Parris, at Lambeth. He refused to recant, and was denounced as an obstinate heretic and delivered over to the secular power as "a child of the Devil and of all unrighteousness." He was executed as Smithfield, April 25, 1551.

Sir James Stephen in his "History of Criminal Law" declares that the sentence on Van Paar, like that of Joan Bocher, was clearly an illegal one. Is not power too often illegal?

For his share in the illegal farce, Coverdale was given the Bishopric of Exeter. Dr. Veysey was compelled to resign in his favour. Have we not seen a Lord Justice Clerk resign in favour of an astute politician who passed from Toryism to Socialism and on to "National Socialism" for the sake of Judicial elevation?

The desire of the principal leaders of the Reforming party to retain unchanged, the views of the Athanasian Trinity taught by the Church of Rome, is one of the strangest fascinations and compromises of history. Philosophically and historically, the Trinity is a contemptible doctrine. Its growth, as a departure from Truth, and an imposition on human thought, can be traced step by step. Every detail of this terrible criminal error of false faith can be explained and exhibited. Yet the "reformers" were moved by some strange fascination to make human torches of those who displayed more logic and consistency of thought and protestantism.

Hallam describes this persecuting solicitude for the doctrine of the Trinity, as:-

"The deadly original sin of the reformed churches; that which cools every honest man's zeal for their cause, in proportion as his reading becomes more extensive."

Burnett denounced these Trinitarian persecutions for casting "a great blemish on the Reformation." Referring to the Marian persecution, he added that "what Cranmer and Ridley suffered was thought a great retaliation on them."

Miles Coverdale did not long enjoy the award for participating in the persecution and burning of Anabaptists and Unitarians. He discovered his scruples and sacrificed his career on account of them.