The Courageous Martyr
by Thomas Ray
I could find no record of Robert Smith’s parents or the time and place of his birth, however, his education and position in society clearly indicates he came from a family of wealth and influence in the 1500s. At the time of his arrest, it is believed he was a teacher at Eaton. His conversion probably occurred as the result of being given a Tyndale translation of the Latin New Testament and several of Tyndale’s books.
Smith’s study of the Scriptures soon earned him the reputation as a Bible scholar. His commitment to Christ and his defense of the truth exposed him to the attention of the ecclesial authorities, which led to his arrest for heresy in the fall of 1555. He was initially impris oned in London. But shortly after his arrival, he was sent to be interrogated by the Bishop of London, better known as Bloody Bonner. During the reign of Mary the First from 1553 until her death in 1556, more than 300 men and women were martyred for their faith. Bishop Bonner was the most active and sadistic participant in this bloody massacre. Smith’s appearance before Bonner is recorded in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. It is impossible to print Smith’s complete interrogation but I would like to examine Smith’s beliefs about the church, the sacrament of the altar, and baptism.
In their first meeting Bonner asked Smith, “When was the last time you went to confession and participated in the sacrament of the altar?”
Smith replied, “I have not attended since my conversion and by the grace of God, I never will.”
Bonner asked him what he believed about the church.
Smith stated, “I believe there is one Catholic church or faithful congregation, which as the apostle said is built upon the prophets and apostles, Christ Jesus being the head corner-stone, and the Scripture is its only authority in matters of faith and practice, and by the grace of God I am made a member.”
Smith continued to explain that just as persecution forced the early church to meet secretly, “… the persecuted church in England does the same today” (his day).
Bonner, frustrated by Smith’s answer, asked him, “Well what sayeth thou about the sacrament of the altar? Is it not the very body of Christ, flesh, blood, and bone, as it was born of the virgin?”
Smith replied, “It is not God’s ordinance as you practice it. The bread and wine are just that, bread and wine. They are intended to remind us of Christ’s death.”
Bonner angrily warned Smith that if he did not renounce his faith and return to the Church he would be burned for heresy. To which Smith responded, “You shall burn in hell if you do not repent.”
Bonner then began to question Smith about baptism. It did not take the inquisitor long to discover that Smith rejected both infant baptism and baptismal regeneration. Bonner stated, “I believe if a child dies before they are baptized they are damned.”
Smith, “You shall never be saved by that belief.” Smith then asked Bonner, “Are we saved by water or by Christ?”
Bonner, “By both.”
Smith, “Then the water died for our sins; and must possess life. This means that water, which God created for our benefit, has become our Saviour. It is wicked to terrify parents by telling them their child is damned if they are not baptized.” Smith sarcastically continued, “My Lord, that is a good doctrine, is it not?” Smith explained that baptism preaches to us the death and resurrection of Christ, and salvation can only be obtained by faith in Christ.
Bonner, unable to confuse Smith, finally in frustration condemned him to death for heresy. It is obvious that Smith and many of his fellow sufferers held Baptist beliefs; even Bonner admitted that several of the prisoners agreed with Smith’s doctrine. This evidence proves that Baptists existed in England prior to the 1600s.
Robert Smith spent the last weeks of his life writing letters to family and friends, full of hope and encouragement. On August 8, 1555, Robert Smith finished his earthly life with courage and grace. Bloody Bonner did not escape the justice of God. In 1558, Queen Elizabeth came to the throne, and she had Bonner arrested and thrown into prison where he died.