Written by Dr. Marcus J. Serven
The answer to this question is that on the night of Nov. 4, 1605 the murderous “Gunpowder Plot” was foiled. This evil conspiracy was discovered when an anonymous letter was sent to Lord Monteagle, a member of the English House of Lords, warning him to stay away from a meeting of Parliament planned for Nov. 5, 1605. Alarmed, he immediately informed the governmental authorities of a plot. Some of the conspirators were arrested late on the night of Nov. 4th. The goal of these treasonous English Catholics was to blow-up Westminster Palace, thereby assassinating the King (James I), and also killing his ministers and many of the members of Parliament. This then would have made it possible to install a sympathetic head-of-state who would be favorable to the reestablishment of Roman Catholicism as the state religion.
How did this treacherous act come about? Thirty-six barrels of gunpowder were secretly smuggled into the basement of the castle by the conspirators. One of them, Guy Fawkes (an explosives expert), was actually discovered in the basement the night before with “slow match” burning in a bucket and the barrels of gunpowder scattered about. He was immediately arrested and sent to the Tower of London where he revealed the names of his co-conspirators. It was discovered that Robert Catesby was their overall leader. Days later, Catesby and several other members of the plot died resisting capture at Holbeach House, while the surviving conspirators were tried and publicly executed (hanged, drawn, and quartered) in January 1606.
As a result, the Parliament made an edict to establish a “Day of Thanksgiving” to be observed every year on Nov. 5th. They rejoiced that King James and the English government had been delivered from this wicked plot. Over time the “Day of Thanksgiving” has popularly become known as “Bonfire Night” or “Guy Fawkes Night.” It is celebrated throughout the United Kingdom with bonfires, fireworks, and the burning of effigies (“guys”) made of straw. This event was a major blow to any plan to reestablish Roman Catholicism in England. Interestingly enough, the complete rejection of Roman Catholicism would come about eighty-three years later. On that same day–November 5, 1688–King William III and Queen Mary landed with their army at Torbay in southern England and succeeded in establishing a kingly line that favored Protestantism. This event became known as the “Glorious Revolution” and it represented the end of the intense struggle within the United Kingdom between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. As a result, England’s state religion would be Protestant.
Charles H. Spurgeon passionately argues, “This day [Nov. 5th] ought to be celebrated…by the songs of saints. Our Puritan forefathers most devoutly made it a special time of thanksgiving. There is extant a record of annual sermons preached by Matthew Henry on this day. Our Protestant feeling, and our love of liberty, should make us regard its anniversary with holy gratitude…Thou hast made this nation the home of the gospel; and when the foe has risen against her, Thou hast shielded her…Should it not be laid upon the heart of every lover of the gospel of Jesus on this day to plead for the overturning of false doctrines and the extension of divine truth? Would it not be well to search our own hearts, and turn out any of the Popish lumber of self-righteousness which may lie concealed therein?” (Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, page 620)
Although Spurgeon’s words may seem harsh to our modern day ears, they reflect the sober realization of the fierce theological struggles between Roman Catholicism (i.e. salvation by the accumulation of good works), and Protestantism (i.e. salvation by grace through faith). It is the difference between “darkness” and “light” when it comes to how we understand our relationship to God (See: 2 Cor. 5:16-21 and 6:14b; Eph. 2:4-10; Tit. 3:4-7). Either we must climb “the stairway to heaven” by our good works, or completely cast ourselves by faith upon the merits of Jesus Christ becoming recipients of His grace. Like many of our Puritan brethren, I choose the latter. Therefore, let us rejoice in the mercy and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ who redeems sinners and transforms us into His saints. The Psalmist reminds us, “Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed” (Ps. 21:11). Praise be to God!
Resources for Further Study:
Douglas, J. D., gen. edit. The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church. Revised Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1978.
- “Catesby, Robert” by J. D. Douglas
- “England, Church of” by John A. Simpson
- “Fawkes, Guy” by J. D. Douglas
- “Gunpowder Plot” by J. D. Douglas
- “James VI (of Scotland) and I (of England)” by Henry R. Sefton
- “Recusants” by W. S. Reid
- “Reformation, The” by Robert D. Linder
- “Roman Catholicism” by H. M. Carson
Scott, Otto. James I: The Fool as King. Vallecito, CA: Ross House Books, 1976.
Spurgeon, Charles H. Morning and Evening. Peabody, MA: Hendricksen Publishers, 1991.
Wylie, James A. The History of Protestantism. Two Volumes. Carginagh, Kilkeel, N. Ireland: Mourne Missionary Trust, Reprint, 1990.
Dr. Marcus J. Serven, ThM and DMIn
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