Girolamo Savonarola - The Reformer of Florence

1. (1452 – 1498)
Italian Reformer And Martyr
by Dr. Peter Hammond

3. Born of Italian nobility in the city of Ferrara in 1452, Savonarola
was described as a serious and intelligent boy who, at an early
age, gravitated to the writings of some of the most learned men in
history.
Serious and Intelligent

4. He received instruction in philosophy, logic and medicine from his
father and grandfather. From studying the writings of Plato and
Dante, he came to develop a deep spiritual hunger. The pictorial
illustrations of hell in Dante’s Inferno tormented him.

5. In 1475, he decided to become a monk and joined the
Dominicans. After an intense time of study, he was sent to the city
of Florence. In the 15th Century, the center of the Renaissance
was Florence, Italy.
The Centre of The Renaissance

6. From this center of science and art, masters
such as Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci and Raphael
produced exquisite and timeless art.

10. In studying the writings of
Augustine of Hippo,
Savonarola came to see
how far the church
had fallen from
its Apostolic calling.
Fearless Preaching

11. Girolamo Savonarola began fearlessly to preach Christ amidst the
moral decay, irreligious lifestyles, superstitious beliefs and
unbiblical practices of the clergy and community. He was 38 years
old when he began his work of Reformation in Florence.

12. Vast crowds gathered to hear his denunciations of the prevalent
corruption and immorality.
Confronting Corruption

13. The majestic cathedral was filled to over-flowing by citizens of
Florence eager to hear this celebrated orator expose the
corruptions of the ruling Medici family and the idolatry and
corruptions of the Roman church.

14. Savonarola preached repentance from sin with a growing
earnestness. Many hardened sinners surrendered their lives to
Christ and forsook their evil ways of life.

15. The ruler of Florence, Lorenzo de' Medici, tried to silence the
Reformer with gifts and attempted bribes. However, Savonarola
was relentless and incorruptible.
Incorruptible

16. When Lorenzo was dying, at age 44, he sent for Savonarola, but
when the Reformer found that Lorenzo had no intention of
repenting of his sins, he refused him the blessing which was
customary to grant to the dying.

17. The people ousted Lorenzo’s son and unanimously chose
Savonarola as ruler of Florence. For three years Savonarola
governed Florence with justice and efficiency.
Reformation In Florence

18. Savonarola intended the city
to become an example
of a Christian commonwealth
in which God is the Ruler
and His Gospel
the Sovereign Law.

19. Dens of iniquity and vice were closed down. Gambling was
outlawed; licentious books and pictures were destroyed in a
“bonfire of vanities.”

20. Some people began to resent the strictness of the new rule. Pope
Alexander was one of the most notoriously immoral popes with
five illegitimate children whom he openly promoted to high office.
Papal Power Play

21. This pope engaged in the
most unscrupulous conduct,
including bribery and murder.
Pope Alexander VI took the
lead in attacking the
Reformer of Florence.

22. Firstly, Alexander VI tried to make Savonarola a cardinal and
offered him great bribes. Savonarola rejected all these declaring:
“I do not desire any other crown than the crown of a martyr.”

23. Thereafter the pope attempted to spread slander to undermine the
authority of Savonarola. Then the pope excommunicated and
imprisoned him.
Excommunication And Torture

24. People who had previously acclaimed and supported Savonarola
now allowed him to be tortured and joined in a chorus of
condemnation of the courageous Reformer.

25. However, Savonarola remained steadfast. He refused to be
shaken in his convictions even after the most unbearable tortures.
On 23 May 1498, Savonarola was burned to death in the great
square in the city of Florence.
Steadfast

26. Before a huge crowd, a bishop declared to the condemned
Savonarola: “I separate thee from the church militant and
triumphant.” Savonarola responded: “Militant, not triumphant, for
you have no power to separate me from the Church triumphant -
to which I go.” Savonarola died at age 45.

27. “We must regenerate the church,” taught Savonarola. “None are
saved by their own works. No man can boast of himself; and if, in
the presence of God, we could ask all these justified of sins –
have you been saved by your own strength?
Regeneration

28. All would reply as with one
voice: ‘Not unto us O Lord!
Not unto us; but to Him
be the glory!”

29. Savonarola gave special
emphasis to the authority
of the Bible.
“I preach the regeneration
of the church, taking the
Scriptures as my
sole guide.”
Scripture Alone

30. As Savonarola was being
severely tortured on the rack,
he prayed: “O Lord…
I do not rely on my own
justification, but on Thy
mercy.”
In between his tortures, he
wrote meditations on Psalm
32 and 51, which Martin
Luther later published,
describing them as:
“a piece of Evangelical
testimony and Christian truth.”
Christ Alone

31. Savonarola met his martyrdom with courage and faith, declaring:
“Should I not willingly die for His sake who willingly died for me, a
sinful man?”
Courage And Faith

33. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body
and after that have no more that they can do.”
Luke 12:14

36. Dr Peter Hammond
Reformation Society
P.O. Box 74
Newlands, 7725
Cape Town, South Africa
Tel: (021) 689 4480
Fax: (021) 685 5884
Email: info@ReformationSA.org
Website: www.ReformationSA.org