will, without making any other man privy, or any other procuring him, as he said, this day, for anon you shall be called before them again, to desire a time and men to confer withal; so shall all men think a wonderful wisdom, gravity, and godliness in you; and by this means you shall escape present danger, which else is nearer than you be aware of.

To this truly deceptive advice, Bradford firmly replied, I neither can nor will make such request,; for then shall I give occasion to the people and to all others, to think that I doubt of the doctrine which I confess; the which thing I do not; for thereof I am most assured, and therefore I will give no such offence.

As they were thus talking, the chamber door was unlocked, and Dr. Seton* came in, who, when he saw Hussey, said, What, Sir, are you come before me?

O Lord, said Bradford in his heart to God, goeth the matter thus? This man told me, no man knew of his coming; Lord, give me grace to remember thy lesson, Beware of those men, &c.-Cast not your pearls before

dogs: for I see that these men are come to hunt for matter, that the one may bear witness with the other.

After some by-talk respecting Bradford's age, country, and such like; Seton began a gay and long discourse concerning my Lord of Canterbury, (Cranmer), M. Latimer, and M. Ridley, and how they at Oxford had not been able to answer any thing at all; and that therefore Cranmer had desired to confer with the Bishop of Durham and others; all which tended to this end, that Bradford should make the like suit, being in nothing to be compared to my Lord of Canterbury.

To this Bradford briefly answered, as he had done before to M. Hussey; with which neither Hussey nor Seton being satisfied, the latter after many persuasions proceeded.

Seton. I have heard much good talk of you, and even yesternight a gentleman made report of you at the Lord Chancellor's table, that ye were able to persuade as much as any that he knew. And I, though I never heard you preach, and to my knowledge never saw you before yesterday, yet, methought your modesty was such, your behaviour and talk so without malice and impatience, that I should be sorry you should do worse than myself. And I tell you further, I do perceive my Lord Chancellor hath a fancy towards you; wherefore be not so obstinate, but desire respite, and some learned man to confer withal, &c.

Brad. I cannot nor I will not so offend the people. I doubt not, but I am most certain of the doctrine I have taught.

Here Seton waxed hot, and called Bradford arrogant, proud, vain-glorious, and spake like a prelate; to which

Brad. Beware of judging, lest you condemn yourself.

But still Seton urged him, shewing him how merciful Gardiner was, and how charitably they entertained him.

Brad. I never saw any justice, much less love, I speak for my part, in my Lord Chancellor. Long have I been unjustly imprisoned, and handled in the same uncharitably; and now my Lord hath no such matter against me.

This talk served not the Doctor's purpose, wherefore he went from matter to matter, from this point to that point. Bradford still gave him the hearing and answered not; for he perceived that they had both come only to fish for something, which might make a show that my Lord Chancellor had justly kept him in prison. When all this talk took no such effect as they had looked for;

Hussey. Will ye not admit conference, if my Lord Chancellor should offer it publicly?

Brad. Conference, if it had been offered before the law had been made, or if it were offered so that I might be at liberty to confer, and as safe as he with whom I should confer, then it were something; but else I see not to what other purpose conference should be offered, but to defer that which will come at the length, and the lingering may give more offence than do good. Howbeit, if my Lord shall make such an offer of his own motion, I will not refuse to confer with whomsoever he shall appoint.

Upon hearing this, Seton called Bradford arrogant, proud, and made use of other reproachful expressions; when Bradford perceiving that he should be shortly called for, besought them both to give him leave to talk with God; and to beg wisdom and grace of him; alleging that otherwise he was helpless; upon which, after much ado, they departed.

Then Bradford went to God, and made his prayers, which the Lord, of his goodness, graciously accepted in his need; praised therefore be his holy name.

No. 52.*

THE THIRD AND LAST EXAMINATION OF

BRADFORD,

In the Church of St. Mary Overies, on the 30th of January,

1553.

SOON after Seton and Hussey had left Bradford, he was conducted to St. Mary's, and kept waiting till eleven o'clock; when he was brought before Gardiner and the other bishops; upon which the former said, that if Bradford would answer with modesty and humility, and conform himself to the catholic church with them, he yet might find mercy, because they would be loath to use extremity; concluding with an exhortation, that Bradford would recant his doctrine.

Brad. As yesterday 1 besought your Honours, to set in your sight the majesty and presence of God, to follow him, who seeketh not to subvert the simple by subtle questions: so I humbly beseech every one of you to do this day; for that you know well enough, that guiltless blood will cry for vengeance. And this I pray not your Lordships to do, as one that taketh upon me to condemn you utterly herein; but that ye might be more admonished, to do that which none doth so much as he should do. For our nature is so much corrupt, that we are very oblivious and forgetful of God. Again, as yesterday I pretended mine oath, and oaths, against the Bishop of Rome, that I should never consent to the practising of any jurisdiction for him, or on his behalf, in the Realm of England; so do I again this day, lest I should be perjured. And last of all, as yesterday the answers I made were by protestation, and, saving mine oath, so I would your Honours should know that my answers shall be this day; and this I do, that when death, which I look for at your hands, shall come, I may not be troubled with the guiltiness of perjury.

Fox iii. 288.