I have preached under trying circumstances, but nothing compared to William Laud’s (1573-1645) concluding sermon. It was preached at the scaffold on a cold day in January 1645 moments before his scheduled execution. William was an Anglican priest who became Archbishop of Canterbury (the one who functions as head of the Church of England). There was a vigorous debate in England in those days between traditional Anglicans and nonconformist Puritans. When William attempted to force full adherence to the Book of Common Prayer for worship, Puritans resisted. William, who had high church sympathies, was charged with trying to undo the work of the Reformers and return England to Catholicism. (It’s a long and involved story of how tied the English monarchy was to prevailing religious preferences.) William was arrested, imprisoned in a castle and brought to trial four years later. He began his final sermon with the memorable words, “Good, friends, this is an uncomfortable time to preach.” I should say so! He continued, “Yet I shall begin with a text of Scripture, ‘Let us run with perseverance the race that was set out for us looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.'” He reflected on how he had run his race and tried to look to Jesus. He admitted that he had ransacked every corner of his heart but couldn’t find anything worthy of death. He then concluded, “Though the weight of my sentence is heavy upon me, I am as quiet within as ever I was in my life.”
Knowing William’s story deepens the impact of his two prayers that follow here:
William Laud
Gracious Father, I humbly beseech you for your holy Catholic Church:
Where it is corrupt, purge it.
Where it is in error, direct it.
Where it is superstitious, rectify it.
Where anything is amiss, reform it.
Where it is right, strengthen and confirm it.
Where it is in want, furnish it.
Where it is divided and rent asunder,
make up the breeches of it,
O holy One of Israel.
Grant, O Lord,
that we may live in your fear [reverence],
die in your favor,
rest in your peace,
rise in your power,
and reign in your glory,
for your beloved Son’s sake,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Rev. Dr. Peter James served 42 years as the senior of Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA — 21 years in the 20th century and 21 years in the 21st century. He retired in 2021 and now serves as Pastor-in-Residence at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Even as a pastor, prayer came slowly to Pete. Read Pete’s story.