We now turn our attention to Alban who has the distinction of being the first English martyr recorded. The exact time frame of his martyrdom is a little vague but it seems appropriate that it occurred either in the third century or very early fourth century. If John Foxe is right and it happened under the Emperor Dioclesian then we can date it in the late third century, though that is a debated fact. Just the same, that he was the first martyred Englishman does not seem to be up for debate and so we will assume it to be so.
Alban was the first martyr that ever in England suffered death for the name of Christ. At what time Dioclesian and Maximian the emporers had directed out their letters with all severity for the persecution of Christians, Alban, being then an infidel, received into his house a certain clerk, flying from the persecutors' hands, whom when Alban beheld continually, both day and night, to persevere in watching and prayer, suddenly by the great mercy of God he began to imitate the example of his faith and virtuous life; whereupon, by little and little, he being instructed by his wholesome exhortation, and leaving the blindness of his idolatry, became at length a... Christian.
And when the aforementioned clerk had lodged with him a certain time, it was informed the wicked prince, that this good man and confessor of Christ (not yet condemned to death) was harbored in Alban's house, or very near unto him. Whereupon immediately he gave in charge to the soldiers to make more diligent inquisition of the matter. As soon as they came to the house of Alban he, putting on the apparel wherewith his guest and master was apparelled, offered himself in the stead of the other to the soldiers; who, binding him, brought him forthwith to the judge.
It fortuned that at that instant when blessed Alban was brought unto the judge, they found the same judge at the altars offering sacrifice unto devils, who, as soon as he saw Alban, was straight ways in a great rage, for that he would presume of his voluntary will to offer himself to peril, and give himself a prisoner to the soldiers, for safeguard of his guest whom he harbored; wherefore he commanded him to be brought before the images of the devils whom he worshipped, saying: "For that thou hadst rather hide and convey away a rebel, than deliver him to the officers, that (as a contemner of our gods) he might suffer punishment of his blasphemy; what punishment he should have had, thou for him shalt suffer the same, if I perceive thee any whit to revolt from our manner of worshipping." But blessed Alban, who of his own accord had betrayed to the persecutors that he was a Christian, feared not at all the menaces of the prince; but being armed with the spiritual armor, openly pronounced that he would not obey his commandment.
Then said the judge, "Of what stock or kindred art thou come?" Alban answered, "What is it to you, of what stock I come? If you desire to hear the verity of my religion, I do you to wit, that I am a Christian, and apply myself altogether to that calling." Then said the judge, "I would know thy name, and see thou tell me the same without delay." Then said he, "My parents named me Alban, and I worship the true and living God, who created all the world." Then said the judge, fraught with fury, "If thou wilt enjoy the felicity of prolonged life, do sacrifice (and that out of hand) to the mighty gods." Alban replieth, "These sacrifices which you offer unto devils, neither yet can they accomplish the desires and prayers of their suppliants." The judge, when he heard these words, was passing angry, and commanded the tormentors to whip this holy confessor of God, endeavoring to overcome with stripes the constancy of his heart against which he had prevailed nothing with words. And he was cruelly beaten, yet suffered he the same patiently, nay rather joyfully, for the Lord's sake. Then when the judge saw that he would not with torments be overcome, nor be seduced from the Christian religion, he commanded him to be beheaded. - John Foxe
It is no doubt true that Alban knew little about the Christian religion. It is no doubt true that he could not expound the finer points of theology. It is no doubt true that there were probably things that he believed as a new convert that were wrong, even dramatically wrong. But he believed truly in Christ and confessed him with his mouth to the world so that it is also true that this brother now lies blissfully in Christ's holy bosom thankful he was called to die for His sake. May we all have such conviction and fortitude.
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