Historia ecclesiastica
The Weblog of Dr. Michael A. G. Haykin

8,000 martyrs

August 31st, 2008 Posted in 17th Century, Puritans

In response to my mention in the previous post of 8,000 Dissenters dying in prisons during the reign of Charles II and James II, a dear friend, Ron Miller, made this extremely helpful comment:

“The 8000 number is found in De Foe’s preface to De Laune’s A Plea for the Non-Conformists, p 4 in the 1720 edition I have, the seventh paragraph from the start. De Foe says this, ‘I am sorry to say, he is one of near eight thousand Protestant Dissenters that perish’d in prison in the days of that merciful [sarcasm?!] prince, King Charles the Second’.”

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2 Responses to “8,000 martyrs”

  1. Don Johnson Says:
    August 31st, 2008 at 9:08 pm

    Hi Dr. Haykin

    I just began a study of Pilgrim’s Progress in our Bible Study hour today. Interestingly enough, today is the 320th anniversary of Bunyan’s death.

    I was surprised at this number, we aren’t as aware of the extent of the suffering of the Non-Conformists as we are of other periods. Perhaps because of no Foxe’s Book of Martyrs to reference…

    Maranatha!
    Don Johnson
    Jer 33.3

  2. Michael Haykin Says:
    September 1st, 2008 at 2:58 pm

    Dear Don:

    To be honest, the number surprised me. And yes we are not really aware of it.

    Blessings as you study PP by the immortal dreamer.

    Michael.

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