Put God First

Catherine of Aragon’s inability to produce a male heir, King Henry divorced her and married Anne Boleyn. The church opposed the divorce and delayed the new marriage. The king put pressure on the Parliament to pass the Act of Succession, which would transfer the royal lineage from Catherine’s children to Anne’s. The members of Parliament, with various degrees of enthusiasm, ultimately went along—all except Sir Thomas More.

More paid a high price for his faithfulness to principle. One by one the members of Parliament agreed, the will of the king being more important than their own principles. King Henry watched the signatures on the document, hoping to see Thomas More’s consent; More’s reputation for integrity was well known. On the other hand, his colleagues were known for compromise. King Henry was not always intent on doing right, but he always wanted to be declared right.

More’s approval would have helped to silence the king’s conscience. Instead, More’s silence pricked the king’s comfort and disturbed his peace. The king confined More in a filthy dungeon. His income was cut off. His family was reduced to a mean existence. While the king waited for More’s signature to approve the Act of Succession, England watched.

More held out for two years, and his wife lost all patience with his unyielding principals. Finally the duke of Norfolk, knowing that More’s days were numbered, tried to save his life.

Norfolk enters the bitter, filthy cell where, surrounded by vagabonds, brigands, thieves, and killers, sits the gentle scholar Thomas More. He is emaciated, clad in rags, shivering from the cold. Norfolk has brought the list of Parliament’s signatures, all from friends and companions from law and life. He begs More to sign it to save his life.

“But Thomas, look at these names,” says Norfolk. “You know these men. Can’t you do what I did, and come with us, for fellowship?”

More simply responds, “And when we stand before God, and you are sent to heaven for doing according to your conscience, and I am sent to hell for not doing according to mine, will you come with me, for fellowship?”

More was found guilty of treason and was beheaded on July 6, 1535. His final words on the scaffold were: “The King’s good servant, but God’s first.”