Jane Caroline Allaway

Retiree with an attitude. Unpredictable. Floating voter. Christian.

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

LEST WE FORGET: LESSONS FROM HISTORY
SAINT EDMUND CAMPION: A Diamond of England

Born in 1540 in London, his parents had largely been content to adopt the religion of the current monarch, they had conformed under Henry, returned to the Catholic faith under Mary and then adopted the new religion promoted by Elizabeth or at least had been Church Papists, who attended the church as required by the State to avoid the financial penalties. His father was a bookseller, so a man of moderate means rather than wealthy. Recognising his intelligence, his parents sent him to St. Paul’s Grammar School in the City from the age of 9 or 10 and at the age of 13 won the silver pen in a literary competition between three leading schools at that time. Shortly after this, he changed schools to Christ’s Hospital, one of those he had beaten. It would seem this was necessitated by some change in circumstances as the school was intended to be for orphans and poor children. He was a boarder and also received lodging free of charge. However, he was invited by his old school to deliver a speech to Queen Mary as she passed by on her Coronation procession, which was received with enthusiasm by both the monarch and the rest of the audience. This shows that even then he displayed a precocious talent for both writing and oration.

State censorship is nothing new. As the Regime under Queen Elizabeth imposed its ideology on the country, not only did they systematically destroy the ancient religious culture that had been followed by their ancestors for well over 1,000 years, they also stopped people complaining about it. Any criticism of the Catholic Church and the customs connected with it was encouraged but criticism of either the Elizabethan religious settlement or the Government generally was strictly forbidden. Theatres that did so would be shut down, street entertainers arrested and any written tracts would be traced back to the printing house that produced them and the proprietor forced to disclose who lay behind it or face the consequences.

It is against this backdrop that a secret printing press was set up at Stonor Park by the Jesuit mission of reconversion began in 1580 in order that they could counter official propaganda with texts of their own. The first major work to be published was Decem Rationes (Ten Reasons) why the Protestant religion was in error and the only true and original faith was that of the Catholic Church. It was addressed to the “Learned Members of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge” and the majority distributed on the pews at Oxford to be read by students attending the service on the first day of term, although it is clear from the tenth section, where at one point he addresses Elizabeth directly, that he hoped she would read it too.

Campion was fondly remembered by the staff and students from his time there as lecturer, a career he had abandoned to become a Catholic priest. Indeed, Edmund Campion had once been the darling of the Elizabethan Court, under the patronage of no less a person that of Robert Dudley, later the Earl of Leicester, the Queen’s acknowledged favourite, as a result of gaining his approval when he had been one of those invited to engage in a debate to entertain the Queen on her visit to Oxford in 1566. In fact, it is said that William Cecil had also offered his patronage. As such, he could have expected to rise to the highest level had he pursued a career in the Protestant church. However, as a result of their notice, he received sponsorship by Grocer’s Company for his maintenance, with the condition he should study divinity. This he did but the more he examined the writings of the early church fathers, the more he realised he could not reconcile them with Protestant teaching. Ultimately, his conscience and integrity won the day, he resigned his post, fleeing initially to Ireland and then to the Continent where he trained for the Catholic priesthood. On hearing of his defection, William Cecil is said to have commented: “It is a very great pity to see so notable a man as Campion is, to leave his country, for he was one of the diamonds of England.

Whatever a modern reader might make of his arguments, and some indeed might be offended by his rhetoric, nevertheless it does not detract from the sheer audacity of this move or the degree to which it made the capture of Campion an imperative, whilst William Cecil (Lord Burghley) called upon the Bishop of London to arrange for a suitable rebuttal in print.

Soon after the appearance of Decem Rationes Campion was captured after he delayed his journey north at the request of Catholics who had missed him when he visited Lydford Grange in Berkshire and asked him to return. Unfortunately, one of the government’s priest hunters would appear to have got wind of this visit through infiltrating the Catholic underground. Although, Campion and his assistants were able to get into the priest hole on his arrival and after an initial unsuccessful search he was all but giving up thinking the famous priest had eluded him, by chance a chink of light gave a clue as to their sanctuary, a panel was removed and the fugitives revealed.

It is claimed that after four days confined in the torture cell known as the Little Ease, due to its small size, he was taken to Leicester House to be confronted by Elizabeth herself. He acknowledged her as his queen and stated that he had only returned for the spiritual benefit of others, something it is said she acknowledged was likely true. Then she promised him unlimited honours if he would renounce his Catholic faith and return to the Church of England. He politely declined the offer.

Five days later, the Lieutenant of the Power received the order from the Queen to begin his torture. Upon his second or third racking he was so benumbed that he could neither take a cup or lift it to his mouth and after his last torment he lost the feeling and use of all his limbs. When asked how they felt by his keeper he replied “Not evil, for I feel them not at all.

Towards the end of the month of August, without any prior warning, he was given the opportunity to debate with the leading Protestant theologians as he had challenged them to do. He pointed out that they had placed him at a disadvantage, bringing him there without any of his notes on which he had made his book, so was relying on his own ability, learning and memory but was perfectly willing to engage them on those terms.

His opponents also said they wanted to correct the record concerning what he had stated in his book concerning the inhuman torture of others and that it was no more than had been done to others for professing their religion (I assume they meant the Protestant martyrs under Mary). Edmund responded that what had been done before their time by others of that time would have to be answered by them before God but “never did they rack or practice that hellish torture against men as they do now, which rack is far worse than many deaths.” When his opponent mocked his complaints and said it had been a mere tickling to remove his cramps, he responded he knew better how they felt since he had experience them. Then he said he complained not for his own sake but that of others who had been handled with even greater rigor than himself. It was retorted that it was necessary because they were under suspicion for matters of state (in other words treason) which Edmund fervently denied and said that he had been punished because he would not betray persons that he had conversed with concerning the Catholic faith alone.

There were four separate debates, the first with the assistance of other priests, the rest alone. Even though he had to conduct the debate without books or notes he more than held his own against them. Whilst the general public might not have benefited from the exchange, he did succeed in converting one of the nobles in the audience, Philip Howard, who later became a martyr himself.

Word got out about the debates, though, and these confrontations were celebrated in a popular street song:
A Jesuit, a Jebusite? Wherefore I do pray?
Because, he doth teach you the only right way?
He professeth the same by learning to prove
And shall we from learning to rack him remove

Campion the Champion, you’ll never him gainsay,
Campion the Champion, he’ll always win the day.

His reasons were ready, his grounds were most sure,
The enemy cannot his force long endure,
Campion, in camping on spiritual field,
In God’s caused his life is ready to yield. (Chorus)

Our preachers have preached in pastime and pleasure,
And now they be hated far passing all measure,
Their wives and their wealth have made them so mute.
They cannot nor dare not with Campion dispute. (Chorus)

The government tried torture one final time in an attempt to get him to implicate himself of treason by confessing to one or other of the plots they had contrived so they could justify condemning him for something other than religion. So savage was this that he admitted to a friend who was allowed access to him afterward that he thought they had meant to kill him. However, his Inquisitor reported back to the Council that they might as soon pluck his heart from his chest as force one false word from his mouth, so they were forced to go to trial with only their fabricated or circumstantial evidence and false witnesses.

He was tried with his fellow priests, Father Ralph Sherwin and Father Alexander Briant, on 14th November, indicted on the charge of plotting the death of the queen, the overthrow of religion, the subversion of the State and stirring up foreigners to invade England. Edmund immediately declared that protested before God that he was not guilty of any part of the treason contained in the indictment or any other reason whatsoever. Then when asked to raise his right hand to take the oath he was unable to do so, his arm had been so mutilated by the torture, so one of his fellow defendants assisted him to do so.

Naturally it was really just a show trial and the result a foregone conclusion. Nevertheless, he did his best to make his rebuttal of the prosecution on behalf of them all, for the sake of the judgement of others beyond the Court in order to demonstrate their charges were false. After the guilty verdict was announced, the judge asked if he wish to make a statement about why they should not die. Campion replied:

“It was not our death that ever we feared. We knew that we were not lords of our own lives and therefore for want of answer would not be guilty of our deaths. The only thing that we have now to say is, that if our religion do make us traitors, we are worthy to be condemned; but otherwise are, and have been, as good subjects as ever the Queen had.

"In condemning us, you condemn all your own ancestors, all the ancient priest, bishops and kings, all that was once the glory of England, the island of saints, and the most devoted child of the See of Peter. For what have we taught, however you may qualify it with the odious name of treason, that they did not uniformly teach? To be condemned with these lights, not of England only, but of the world, by their degenerate descendants, is both a gladness and a glory to us. God lives; posterity will live; their judgement is not so liable to corruption as that of those who are now going to condemn us to death.”

They were condemned to be hung, drawn and quartered on 1st December. Alexander Briant was subsequently punished by wearing iron shackles for two days, for having shaved his head that he might appear at the trial as a priest and making a wooden cross that he carried openly in the Court. It was reported that many of the Queen’s Council did not wish for Campion’s death but William Cecil insisted upon it. Nevertheless, the Queen did grant him one mercy, he was allowed to hang until he was dead before the butchery began.

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

@elonmusk Rather stupid since you need women to reproduce and they can only do so every 9 months for a limited timespan, whereas men can keep on producing without limitation. Hence historically men have been considered dispensable and preferable in dangerous pursuits, like war.

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

@elonmusk India, like China before them (and some other countries) has a problem that boys are valued more than girls, so if a baby is going to be terminated, it is more likely to be a girl. Also infanticide is greater against girls.

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

@elonmusk As you highlight, the birth rate is greater among the better educated and more affluent members of society, just as is the case in the other developed countries. Interesting isn't it? Here in the UK they blame it on the cost of living but data everywhere does not support it.

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

@elonmusk Nothing to panic about since India is now the most populous country in the world, having surpassed China for that award. It is currently 17.79% of the entire world population, so it probably isn't so bad that the population is stabilising or even falling. It can afford to.

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

@Kryptotajeer This is the problem. Muslims will use selective extracts of the gospels because they think it supports their argument, yet reject other parts of the same chapter because they do not. So either accept that they are true but open to different interpretation or stop using them.

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

@Kryptotajeer That's fine but remember the Quran says that if he wanted confirmation that what he received was true he should consult the Torah & the Gospel. Why do that if what was in existence at his time was already corrupted? Also, why does Islam teach that Muhammed is predicted there?

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

@Islam435 What about the concubines? Or the temporary wives? Still, you are correct, the world does not respect women or marriage when it condones affairs, secret or otherwise. Jesus taught that marriage is between one man and one woman for life. Anything outside of that is adultery.

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

@Jvnior @GodLogic_GL Does he indeed. That's news to me. Still, there are some strange Christians out there or people who are categorised as Christians, even claim to be, yet they really aren't consistent with the Apostolic faith. Opening line of Nicene Creed: "We believe in ONE God..." not three.

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

@Jvnior @GodLogic_GL That seems to disrespect all Muslims who have been prepared to die for their faith but not kill for it. It's not the same and a rather weak atheist argument against enduring faith. I would have thought better of you.

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

@korrathetaymi Where does the bible call Jesus a curse? I think we've answered you on that one already and it was another case of you twisting scripture from the original meaning as understood by Christians. Only some Orthodox Jews curse Jesus or even refuse to say his name.

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

@korrathetaymi Now whilst on the subject of how different languages refer to Jesus, what does "Isa" mean in Arabic? You maintain it is your version of his name but Jesus means "the Lord saves" or "God saves". In Aramaic: Yeshua. In Hebrew: Yehoshua. In Arabic: Al-rabb yakhlus or Al' yukhlis.

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

@korrathetaymi Need more context to this. However, I would point out that at one time "gay" meant something very different in English but once the LGB community had co-opted the word, the old meaning was forgotten. In the modern sense Jesus is not Gay and it is disrespectful to suggest it.✝️☦️

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

@Boss_Aleeyu @adam_danzomo @bmjvermerlleey @Boss_maan22 @Aashfinn @70thingxx This is not modesty, it's erasure. How do you even know that is a woman? (In the UK men have used the burka to conceal their identity & escape the law). Show me in the Quran where it says women must cover their FACES. It denies their humanity. If it is decency, why don't men?

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

@AtheistTakes You forget, God has all the time in the world. You don't. He has infinite patience and is giving you the chance to change your mind. I'd advise doing so at some point. It really is worth getting to know him. Jesus is a good friend.

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

@zarahussain999 Andy's on a roll! Interesting, it looks like even without Restore, Reform still couldn't win. (Well they didn't bring their best did they? Or then again, perhaps they did!)

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

Sometimes Muslims, even in the early days, forgot that the Lord is the true King over all. Let me tell you a story.

The Caliph Uthman amassed a great force of navy and army against the Christian Emperor Constants II in Constantinople. Uthman wrote this letter to him:

"If you wish to preserve your life in safety, abandon that vain cult which you learned from childhood. Deny that Jesus and turn to the great God whom I worship, the God of our father Abraham. Dismiss from your presence the multitude of your troops to their respective lands. And I shall make you a great prince in your regions ... But if you do not, that Jesus whom you call Christ, since he was unable to save himself from the Jews, how can he save you from my hands?"

The Emperor went into the house of God, fell on his face and said: "See, Lord, the insults which these Ishmaelites have inflicted upon you. May your pity, Lord, be upon us, as we hope in you. Fill their faces with indignity, and they will seek your name, Lord. They will be put to shame and disquieted for ever and ever; and they will perish full of shame. They will know that your name is Lord, and you only are raised on high over all the earth."
He lifted the crown from his head, stripped off his purple robes and put on sackcloth, sat on ashes, and ordered a fast to be proclaimed in Constantinople in the manner of Nineveh.

There arose a great storm that beset the ships of Uthman, both those heading for Constantinople and those he retained at Chalcedon to transport his army stationed there, and they were battered and sunk. There remained not a single one of them. On that day by his up-raised arm God saved the city through the prayers of the pious Emperor Constans. For six days the violence of the wind and the turbulence of the sea did not cease.

Two years later Uthman was assassinated by his own people and the Caliphate thrown into turmoil and civil war. Constans outlived both Uthman and his successor Ali.

So which of these two rulers showed true submission to God, Uthman or Constans? Yet which is called Rashidun?

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

@Jvnior They are just messing around I suspect. It's disrespectful but I'd ignore it. Getting all riled up is just giving them what they want: attention! God will deal with them in his own good time. He can afford to be patient!

[Jane Caroline Allaway @jan34591]

The majority of women didn't cover their faces, though. Where you show women in countries that were Muslim controlled, did they feel safer complying with the customs of the local Muslims. Where others have their faces covered, what is the context? Was it for a specific event, not all the time?