Why Were the Reformers Burned?

J. C. Ryle provides the following, very conservative figures.

It is a broad fact that during thew last four years of Queen Mary's reign, no less than 288 persons were burnt at the stake for their adhesion to the Protestant faith.

In 1555, there were burnt 71
In 1556, there were burnt 89
In 1557, there were burnt 88
In 1558, there were burnt 40
A total of 288 Christians were burnt at the sake for their Protestant, that is, evangelical and biblical faith.  Some historians give higher figures.

It is significant that in 1555, the five young scholars and trainee ministers of the Gospel were burned at the stake for their adherence to the Protestant Reformed faith in France.  This was a time of great purge against God's people by unreformed religion.  Then, to be a Christian was a costly business, and a convert had to be sure of his faith before he would publicly acknowledge it. They honoured God and His Christ with their lives.  They not only gave their lives to Him, but gave their lives for Him and out of their love and devotion to Him.