BIOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM HUNTER
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William Hunter was born to religious parents.
He had been trained in the doctrines of the Reformation from his earliest youth.
He truly loved the Bible and this made him anathema to the authorities.
He refused communion at Mass when aged 19 years.
Bishop Bonner endeavoured to reason with him, promising security and pardon if he
would just go and receive confession.
Hunter refused and was first placed in the stocks for two days and nights with just a
crust of brown bread and a cup of water – which he did not touch.
He was then sent to prison with as many irons on him as he could bear.
First he spent time in Newgate prison.
During the nine months in prison he went before the Bishop five times, found to be
incorrigible, then he was condemned on February 9 in St. Pauls.
Then after a month was sent to his home town Brentwood to be burned.
On the day of his martyrdom the procession of officials with William in the middle left
from the Swan Inn.
At the stake he knelt down, read Psalm 51 until the verse, "the sacrifices of God are
a broken spirit and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."
The bailiff put the chain about him and William threw the Psalter to his brother
Robert, who called to him, "William, think of the passion of Christ, and be not afraid
of death." "Behold", answered William, "I am not afraid".
Then he said, "Lord, Lord, Lord, receive my spirit".
His martyrdom resulted in others seeking out the Scriptures to find a faith like his.
Bibliography:
Fox’s Book of Martyrs