There was in Trinity Hall, Cambridge, a young student of the canon law, of serious turn of mind
and bashful disposition, and whose tender conscience strove, although ineffectually, to fulfil the
commandments of God. Anxious about his salvation, Thomas Bilney applied to the priests, whom
he looked upon as physicians of the soul. Kneeling before his confessor, with humble look and
pale face, he told him all his sins, and even those of which he doubted. The priest prescribed at
one time fasting, at another prolonged vigils, and then masses and indulgences which cost him
dearly. Bilney went through all these practices with great devotion, but found no consolation in
them. Being weak and slender, his body wasted away by degrees; his understanding grew weaker,
his imagination faded, and his purse became empty. "Alas!" said he with anguish, "my last state
is worse than the first." From time to time an idea crossed his mind:"May not the priests be
seeking their own gain, and not the salvation of my soul?" But immediately rejecting the rash
doubt, he fell back under the iron hand of the clergy.

One day Bilney heard his friends talking about a new book:it was the Greek Testament printed
with a translation which was highly praised for its elegant Latinity. Attracted by the beauty of the
style rather than by the divinity of the subject, he stretched out his hand; but just as he was going
to take the volume, fear came upon him and he withdrew it hastily. In fact the confessors strictly
prohibited Greek and Hebrew books, "the sources of all heresies;" and Erasmus’ Testament was
particularly forbidden. Yet Bilney regretted so great a sacrifice; was it not the Testament of Jesus
Christ? Might not God have placed therein some word which perhaps might heal his soul? He
stepped forward, and then again shrank back. … At last he took courage. Urged, said he, by the
hand of God, he walked out of the college, slipped into the house where the volume was sold in
secret, bought it with fear and trembling, and then hastened back and shut himself up in his room.

He opened it_his eyes caught these words:"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all
acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (I Tim.
1:15). He laid down the book, and meditated on the astonishing declaration. "What! St. Paul the
chief of sinners, and yet St. Paul is sure of being saved!" He read the verse again and again. "O
assertion of St. Paul, how sweet art thou to my soul!" he exclaimed. This declaration continually
haunted him, and in this manner God instructed him in the secret of his heart. He could not tell
what had happened to him; it seemed as if a refreshing wind were blowing over his soul, or as if
a rich treasure had been placed in his hands. The Holy Spirit took what was Christ’s and
announced it to him. "I also am like Paul," exclaimed he with emotion, "and more than Paul, the
greatest of sinners! . . . But Christ saves sinners. At last I have heard of Jesus."

His doubts were ended_he was saved. Then took place in him a wonderful transformation. An
unknown joy pervaded him; his conscience until then sore with the wounds of sin was healed;
instead of despair he felt an inward peace passing all understanding. "Jesus Christ," exclaimed he.
"Yes, Jesus Christ saves!" . . . "I see it all," said Bilney; "my vigils, my fasts, my pilgrimages,
my purchase of masses and indulgences were destroying instead of saving me. All these efforts
were a hasty running out of the right way."

Bilney never grew tired of reading his New Testament. He no longer lent an attentive ear to the

teaching of the schoolmen; he heard Jesus at Capernaum, Peter in the temple, Paul on Mars’ hill,
and felt within himself that Christ possesses the words of eternal life. A witness to Jesus Christ
had just been born by the same power which had transformed Paul, Apollos, and Timothy. The
Reformation in England was beginning. Bilney was united to the Son of God, not by a remote
succession, but by an immediate generation.