This month following the announcement of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, it is said that over 40 million Anglicans have left the Church of England.

Is this the death of the Church of England I ask myself? I’m not sure?

J C. Ryle was Bishop of Liverpool between 1880 – 1900 and was an outstanding minister and his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels are among my favourite commentaries on the market. Ryle was born in Macclesfield in 1816 and died in Liverpool aged 84. He held to a Calvinistic tradition however he firmly believed that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the whole world. A belief that is entirely consistent with the New Testament and Biblical exposition.

Ryle was a great admirer of the 16th century reformers, and he wrote a book on Five English Reformers. These included Hugh Latimer, John Bradford and Nicolas Ridley.

On the anniversary of the burning of Hugh Latimer and Nicolas Ridley (October 16) GAFCON made an announcement that The Future Has Arrived. GAFCON has removed any reference to being in communion with the see of Canterbury and the Church of England.

The CofE has brought this upon itself. Years upon years of liberalism and corruption has brought about the biggest shift since the Reformation.

As I too have left the Church of England, I find myself reflecting upon a once great denomination in Christianity. Is this the end of the Church of England I ask myself? I don’t think it is. I think the tide could turn in time.

In his chapters on John Bradford: Martyr, Ryle closes with the following words,

“Let us thank God that the foundations of the Reformed Church of England were laid by such men as John Bradford. Let us clearly understand what kind of men our martyred Reformers were, what kind of doctrines they held, and what kind of lives they lived. Let us pray that the work they did for the Church of England may never be despised or underrated. Above all, let us pray that there never may be wanting among us a continual succession of English clergy, who shall keep the martyrs’ candle burning brightly, and shall hand down true Reformation principles to our children’s children.“

Ryle’s grave is very touching, it reads,

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course; I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim. 1V. 7.

May that be said of all those who belong to Christ and as Latimer famously said, “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.”