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Protestantism in England From the Times of Henry VIII - James Aitken Wylie

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that "he was go<strong>in</strong>g up to Jerusalem, and should see<br />

<strong>the</strong>m no more." He set out overnight, and arriv<strong>in</strong>g<br />

at Norfolk, he began to preach privately <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

houses <strong>of</strong> those disciples whom his fall had<br />

stumbled, and whom he felt it to be his duty first <strong>of</strong><br />

all to confirm <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> faith. Hav<strong>in</strong>g restored <strong>the</strong>m, he<br />

began to preach openly <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> fields around <strong>the</strong><br />

city. He next proceeded to Norfolk, where he<br />

cont<strong>in</strong>ued his public m<strong>in</strong>istry, publish<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> faith<br />

he had abjured, and exhort<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> disciples to be<br />

warned by his fall not to take counsel with worldlym<strong>in</strong>ded<br />

friends. He spoke as one who had "known<br />

<strong>the</strong> terrors <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord."[12]<br />

In no long time, he was apprehended and<br />

thrown <strong>in</strong>to prison. Friars <strong>of</strong> all colors came round<br />

him; but Bilney, lean<strong>in</strong>g on Christ alone, was not to<br />

fall a second time. He was condemned to be burned<br />

as a heretic. The ceremony <strong>of</strong> degrad<strong>in</strong>g him was<br />

gone through: with great formality. On <strong>the</strong> night<br />

before his execution, he supped <strong>in</strong> prison with his<br />

friends, convers<strong>in</strong>g calmly on his approach<strong>in</strong>g<br />

death, and repeat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong>t, and <strong>in</strong> joyous accents, <strong>the</strong><br />

words <strong>in</strong> Isaiah 43:2, "When thou walkest through<br />

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