Losada, Christopher

Losada, Christopher a martyr to the cause of Protestantism in Spain in the 16th century, was, at the time of his conversion under the preaching of Dr. Egidius, SEE GIL, JUAN, an eminent physician and learned philosopher. He was chosen pastor of a Protestant Church in Seville, which met ordinarily in the house of Isabella de Baena, "a lady not less distinguished for her piety than for her rank and opulence." Among the members of note in his congregation were Don Juan Ponce de Leon, and Domingo de Guzman, and others equally well celebrated. Arrested by the Inquisition in consequence of his zeal in diffusing Protestant principles among his countrymen, neither the prison nor the rack availed to make him renounce his convictions, and he was consequently condemned to the stake. He suffered death at an "auto- da-fe," solemnized at Seville September 24, 1559, in the square of St. Francis, and attended by four bishops, the members of the royal court of justice, the chapter of the cathedral, and a great assemblage of nobility and gentry, the occasion of the death penalty on twenty-one apostates from the Romish belief. The most distinguished individual aside from Dr. Losada was one of his members, Don Juan Ponce de Leon, whom we have mentioned above. They both bore their trial with admirable Christian patience, committing their souls to a faithful Creator. See Fox, Book of Martyrs, page 136; M'Crie, Reformation in Spain, pages 217, 300, 307. (J.H.W.)