From The Sadness of Christ:
But for those that care for their soul’s health, as each one of us ought to do, unless it be such a
man as the mighty hand of God encourageth to martyrdom, which thing must either by some secret
means be perceived, or else by some other reasonable ways be well tried and known, otherwise I say is it
meet for these folk every man to stand in fear of himself, that he be not overcharged with his burden,
that he fall therewith downright; and therefore lest he, like as Peter did, trust overmuch to himself,
heartily must he beseech almighty God that he will of his goodness mercifully deliver his silly soul from
so great danger. Nevertheless this one point must we keep still in remembrance, that we never so
precisely pray to be preserved from peril, but that we commit the whole matter unto God, ready for our
parts with all obedience patiently to accept whatsoever his pleasure shall be to appoint us.
Saint Thomas knew the fate that awaited him. He could avoid it simply by signing The Act of Succession, which stated that Henry was the Supreme Head of the Church in England. If he had signed Thomas could have soothed his conscience by noting to himself that under the law a document signed under duress is of no effect. However, he would not take advantage of such legalisms even to save his life.
