Had a chance to see A Man for All Seasons once again this past weekend – on the big screen(!) – and was reminded of one of the best lines, in one of the best films – ever:
“Well, I think that when statesmen forsake their own private
conscience for the sake of their public duties, they lead their
country by a short route to chaos.”
Sir More, who was unquestionably the most respected statesman of England during his time, was placed under unimaginable pressure to swear an oath recognizing the “Succession to the Crown Act 1533” which King Henry VIII had gotten passed through Parliament as a means to become “Supreme Head of the Catholic Church.” The act took that title and authority away from the succession of the Papacy; or at least in legal terms it did. King Henry had the act passed because of the Pope’s refusal to recognize the annulment of the Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon after she was never able to give birth to a son. By the King becoming the Supreme Head of the Church he was able to declare himself divorced from his wife (freeing him to marry Anne Boleyn). But Sir More, who was also Secretary and Personal Advisor to King Henry, steadfastly refused to take the oath and even resigned all of his offices including his office as Chancellor.
Eventually Sir More was imprisoned at The Tower of London and was found guilty of “high treason”, though the verdict was clearly fixed against him. He was beheaded 5 days later. Upon the scaffold just before his execution he is recorded as saying that he died “the king’s good servant, but God’s first.”[Source: The South Carolina Conservative]
Is there anyone in the halls of Congress today who could hold a candle to this man?
I pray that we individual Christians won’t need the courage of a Sir Thomas More to stand up to this current godless government of ours. Although I have every confidence that He’ll help us find it if we do.
In searching for quotes by Sir Thomas More,I came across your blog on “A Man for All Seasons.” If you wouldn’t mind, I would like to offer a small but important correction. In terms of usage, you would say, “Sir Thomas” – the title in front of their first names, and not necessarily including their last names. However, you could use the title with both first and last names, as in “Sir Thomas More.” You would never use the title with just their last names. Thank you.
“Sir More” seemed a bit odd to me as well. But since I was just quoting another source (South Carolina Conservative) I left it as-is.
Appreciate you taking the time to comment though. Thanks!