Are you searching for encouragement to stand firm in your faith during difficult seasons? The story of John Foxe, the author of Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, is a powerful reminder that God honors perseverance, faithfulness, and a heart set on truth.
The Early Life of John Foxe
John Foxe was a gifted young man, blessed with a sharp mind and a love for learning. He entered Oxford University early and quickly distinguished himself in poetry and languages, especially Greek and Latin. In 1538, he became a fellow of Magdalen College, completing his M.A. by 1543. It was through the encouragement of his friends, William Tyndale and Hugh Latimer, that Foxe began to study the Scriptures and church history—an endeavor that would change his life forever.
Wrestling with the Truth
As Foxe delved into church history, he became deeply troubled. He discovered that many church doctrines did not align with the Bible. Hoping to prove himself wrong, he started his research from the very beginning, but the more he studied, the more he agreed with the Protestant reformers. This inner conflict led Foxe to spend many nights in a secluded grove, crying out to God in prayer.
Philippians 4:6–7 reminds us:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Facing Persecution and Hardship
Foxe’s friends, not understanding his spiritual struggle, reported his behavior to university officials. When questioned, Foxe could have lied to protect his position, but he chose to stand for the truth. In 1545, he was asked to leave Oxford. His friends and financial support vanished, yet Foxe remained faithful to Christ.
He found work as a tutor and married in 1547, but ongoing persecution made it hard to keep a job. In 1548, Foxe moved to London, where he nearly starved. Weak and desperate, he prayed at St. Paul’s Cathedral. There, a stranger gave him money, saying it would sustain him until he found work. Three days later, Foxe was hired as a tutor for the Duke of Norfolk’s grandchildren—a clear answer to prayer.
Psalm 34:17 says:
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.”
Foxe’s Perseverance and God’s Provision
These years were good for Foxe and his family until Queen Mary took the throne in 1553 and renewed the persecution of Protestants. Foxe fled to Germany, working at a printing house and beginning his most famous work, The Acts and Monuments of These Latter and Perilous Days, first published in 1554.
When Elizabeth I became queen, Foxe returned to England. He was ordained in 1560 and served at Salisbury Cathedral. He cared deeply for his church family, tending to their needs by day and working on his manuscript by night. His health suffered, but he pressed on, trusting God for strength.
Charles Spurgeon once said,
“By perseverance the snail reached the ark.”
Foxe’s perseverance was a testimony to his faith in Christ. He worked not for his own glory, but so others would know the faithfulness of God’s people.
Spurgeon also encouraged believers:
“Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of.”
Foxe’s trials revealed his deep devotion to Christ and the truth of God’s Word.
Puritan Wisdom for Troubled Times
Thomas Watson, a beloved Puritan, wrote,
“Faith can make use of the waters of affliction, to swim faster to Christ.”
Richard Sibbes added,
“There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.”
Foxe’s life shows us that our trials can draw us closer to Jesus, and that Christ’s mercy is always sufficient, no matter how hard the path.
The Legacy of Foxe’s Book of Martyrs
In 1563, the English edition of Foxe’s Book of Martyrs was published. It touched countless lives, and the Anglican Church placed a copy in every church. Even Queen Elizabeth and Sir Francis Drake were moved by its stories.
When John Foxe died in 1587, he was remembered not just as an author, but as a compassionate, loyal, and trusted man who wanted, above all, to follow God’s will and help others do the same.
Encouragement for Today
God calls us to faithfulness, even when it’s hard. Like Foxe, let’s hold fast to God’s Word and trust Him to guide and provide for us.
Psalm 37:23–24 says:
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.”
May we, like John Foxe, be faithful in troubled times, trusting that God will always uphold us.
