Michael Marcel shares the story of one of the first Protestants in England and one of the earliest martyrs.

Tunstall kept threatening Bilney and then left him to ponder, hoping he would renounce his beliefs. Meanwhile, his friends would visit him and encourage him to do the same thing so he could be released to continue God's work. Eventually, the pressure got to him and he gave in. He was finally released from prison in 1529, but he was in torment for denying the truth.

Back in Cambridge it seemed as if even the Scriptures condemned him. Fear made him shake constantly and he could scarcely eat or drink. Then in 1531 Holy Spirit spoke to his heart, and he fell at the foot of the cross, shedding floods of tears, and then he found peace. The more God comforted him the greater seemed to be his crime, so he decided to take up the martyr's crown.

One night Bilney called his friends around him and said "You shall see me no more...Do not stop me, my mind is made up and I shall carry it through. My face is set to go to Jerusalem." He left Cambridge for Norfolk where he encouraged believers and preached to the unbelievers.

Bilney was arrested again, tried by the Bishop of Norwich and sentenced to death. A few of his friends went to Norwich to say goodbye, where they found him full of joy.

During their last talk with him, Bilney put his finger in the flame of the lamp and said, "When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned." He was quoting Isaiah 43:2.

Bilney was one of the earliest martyrs, being burned in Norwich at the Lollards Pit. He died repeating the word 'Credo' - I believe. The Bishop of Norwich wondered if he had done the right thing, he exclaimed, "I fear I have burned Abel and let Cain go."

Bilney was one of the fires that led us to understand that we are saved by faith and not works. He also shows us that obeying God is everything, even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.