A Matter of Conscience

a quote that I want to share with you,

it's from a play, "A Man For All Seasons"

it really struck me

it's message so important

(and I wish I could remember the exact names -
perhaps it was Cromwell himself)

it's a historical story written originally as a play I think

about the Church of England and it's break from
the Roman Catholic Church ...

the Roman Catholic Church would not allow divorce

So rather than abide by that, they made their
own church to allow divorce ...

the King of England himself,
having had his wife beheaded because he couldn't divorce her,

would be head of this new church -

AND

head of State

there were some very brave men who would not
vow to the new church... they were killed or
imprisoned ...

one, was harassed and brought to court,
under penalty of death
and to serve as an example to others of his ilk

to sign allegiance to this new church ...
all his friends and family were there,
begging and praying that he would just sign it ...

his good friend said to him,
"Please sign it, I beg of you,
for fellowship"

he knew his friend would die,
and had signed it himself
firmly believing it was the right thing to do -

do you know what this brave mans reply was ??

"When you go to heaven for FOLLOWING your conscience,

And I go to hell for NOT following mine,

Will you follow me?

for fellewship?"