January 8
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:1.
HUSS
During the weeks of suffering that passed before his final sentence, heaven’s peace filled his soul. He said to a friend, “in my prison, and with my fettered hand, expecting my sentence of death tomorrow…. When, with the assistance of Jesus Christ, we shall again meet in the delicious peace of the future life, you will learn how merciful God has shown Himself toward me, how effectually He has supported me in the midst of my temptations and trials.”
When the flames kindled about him, he began to sing, “Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me,” and so continued till his voice was silenced forever.
JEROME
He was led out to the same spot upon which Huss had yielded up his life. He (Jerome) went singing on his way, his countenance lighted up with joy and peace. His gaze was fixed upon Christ, and to him death had lost its terrors. When the executioner, about to kindle the pile, stepped behind him, the martyr exclaimed: “Come forward boldly; apply the fire before my face. Had I been afraid, I should not be here.”
BERQUIN
The frowning faces of his persecutors, the dreadful death to which he was going — these he heeded not…. Berquin’s countenance was radiant with the light and peace of heaven…. He was about to testify to his faith in the presence of the King of kings and the witnessing universe, and no token of mourning should belie his joy.
Notwithstanding the crusades against them, and the inhuman butchery to
which they were subjected. They had perfect peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
The victims were put to death with cruel torture… but they died as
conquerors. Their constancy were unshaken, their peace unclouded.
Their persecutors, powerless to move their inflexible firmness, felt themselves defeated.
The spirit of peace… evidence of their connection with heaven. The sweet savor of Christ surrounds them. The fragrance of the life, the loveliness of the character, reveal to the world the fact that they are children of God. Men take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus.
SOURCE REFERENCES
JANUARY 8th
GC 107.3, GC 109.2, GC 114.8, GC 218.1, GC 226.1, AG 320.5