Tower of London / Anne Boleyn's Execution

Behind me is a memorial to people who were executed here under the reign of Henry VIII. Perhaps the one that we are most interested in is his second wife, Anne Boleyn. She became a Protestant Christian. She read the New Testament in English. and she prayed many prayers. I’ve chosen one from her prayer book, and I can’t help but think that perhaps it is this prayer she prayed while she was preparing for her execution. Here’s a paragraph.

Thou merciful Lord was born for my sake. Thou died, suffered both hunger and thirst for my sake. Thou didst preach and teach, Thou didst pray and fast for my sake. Thou did all good works and deeds for my sake. Thou suffered most grievous pains and torments for my sake. And finally Thou gavest Thou most precious body to die. and shed blood on the cross for my sake.

Thou most merciful Saviour, let all these things profit me which Thou hast freely given to me, that having given Thyself for me, let Thy blood cleanse and wash away the spots and the foulness of my sins. let thy righteousness hide my unrighteousness.

Let the merits and the passion of the blood of Christ, let that blood be sanctification for my sins. Give me, Lord, thy grace that my faith and salvation in thy blood will not waver in me. but ever be firm and constant. That the hope of thy mercy and life everlasting never decay in me, that charity wax not cold in me. Finally, that the weakness of my flesh be not overcome with a fear of death.

And this line especially touches my heart as she prayed, grant me merciful savior. that when death hath shut up the eyes of my body, yet the eyes of my soul may still behold thee. And when death has taken away the use of my tongue and speech, let my heart cry and say to thee, that is to say, O Lord, into thy hands I commit my soul. Lord Jesus, receive my soul unto thee.

She was executed under false pretenses. 2,000 people gathered here at the Tower of London. She was accused of adultery, incest, and treason. And her final words were these, good Christian people, I have not come here to preach a sermon. I have come here to die. For according to the law and by that law, I am judged to die. And therefore, I will speak nothing against it. I am come neither to accuse God nor man. I pray God save the king and send him a long reign over you, for a gentler and more merciful prince there was never.”

The question is, why did she say that? Possibly it was because she was sincere. On the other hand, she may have said those wonderful words to protect her three-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, so that she would be able to reign someday, and reign she did. for 45 years here in London, England.

What a marvelous history and what a marvelous testimony Anne Boleyn was to us. There’s a very final lesson. God never shows us the good that we have done in life. She had no way to predict that her young daughter would eventually have such a great impact upon England. It was the golden age and she ruled, as I mentioned, for 45 years. At the day of her death, Cranmer, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury, said these words, she who was a queen on earth is now a queen in heaven. And I agree.