hearing Master Bradford speaking thus to the Sheriff, said; If you have no better learning than that, you are but a fool and had best hold your peace; to which M. Bradford made no answer, but asked all the world forgiveness, and forgave all the world, and entreated the people to pray for him, and turning his head towards the young man who suffered with him, said; Be of good comfort, brother, for we shall have a joyful supper with the Lord this night; and so embracing the reeds, said,* Strait is the way and narrow is the gate, that leadeth unto eternal salvation, and few there be that find it. And thus they both ended their mortal lives, like two lambs, without any alteration of countenance, being void of all fear, hoping to obtain the price of the goal they had long run at; to the which (adds the martyrologist) I beseech Almighty God happily to conduct us, through the merits of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, Amen.† Having noticed the brutal conduct of the Sheriff Woodroffe, it appears but just to mention the contrary behaviour of his colleague in office, Sir William Chester; who acted towards Bradford and the other martyrs, who suffered during his Shrievalty, with as much kindness, humanity, and respect, as Woodroffe discovered levity of conduct, cruelty, and hardened barbarity. In person, Bradford was somewhat tall and slender, spare of body, of a faint sanguine colour, with an auburn beard. He usually slept only four hours in the night, and till sleep overpowered him he continued reading. His chief recreation was in pious society and religious conversation, in which he spent a short time at table after dinner, and then to prayer and study again. He considered that hour ill spent in which he did not some good action, either with his pen, in his study, or in exhorting others. He was no niggard of his purse, but would liberally participate what he had with his fellow prisoners; and usually once a-week he visited the thieves, pickpockets, and such others as were on the other side of the prison, whom he would affectionately exhort, to learn from their troubles how to amend their lives; and would afterwards distribute among them, some portion of money for their relief and comfort. * "He was very charitable, in so much, that in a hard time, he sold his chains, rings, and jewels, to relieve those who were in want.' S. Clarke's Martyrology, vol. i. 230. Both whilst in the King's Bench and the Poultry Compter, he preached twice a-day regularly, unless sickness hindered him; and frequently administered the sacrament; and the keepers were so indulgent to him, that so many pious persons attended his sermons, and partook of that sacred ordinance, that his chamber was usually nearly full. Preaching, reading, and praying, constituted his whole life, and he always studied upon his knees. In the midst of a scanty dinner, which was his only meal, he used often to muse with himself, drawing his hat over his eyes, while the tears streamed downward upon his trencher. He was of a gentle and amiable disposition, and held in such great reverence and admiration by all good men, that great numbers who knew him only by fame, greatly lamented at his death; and even many of the papists themselves wished heartily for his life. He seldom went to bed without shedding tears; and there was never any prisoner with him who did not profit greatly by his society; as all those with whom he associated were ready to testify, and confessed no less to the glory of God.† See Appendix, Note (GG.) + See Appendix, Note (HH.) IN MORTEM JOHANNIS BRADFORDI, Constantissimi Martyris. Discipulo nulli supra licet esse magistrum: Has Bradforde tuo dum condis pectore voces, Besides the letters we have already introduced, this holy martyr wrote several others; with which, not being able from their contents or otherwise, to ascribe them to any particular period, we conclude this interesting and instructive compendium, of the faith and practice of one of the most pious, learned, and faithful of the ENGLISH REFORMERS; and as we imagine, of the principles upon which the REFORMATION in ENGLAND proceeded. No. 90.* To his loving Brethren, B. and C., with their Wives and whole Families. I BESEECH the everliving God to give to you all, my good brethren and sisters, the comfort of his Holy Spirit, and the continual feeling of his mercy in Christ our Lord, now and for ever, Amen. The world, my brethren, at this present, seemeth to have the upper hand, iniquity overfloweth, the truth and verity seem to be suppressed, and they who take part therewith are unjustly entreated. The cause of all this is God's anger, because we have grievously sinned against him; his mercy, because he here punisheth us, and as a father nurtureth us. We have been unthankful for his word, we have contemned his kindness, we have been negligent in prayer; we have been too carnal, covetous, licentious, &c.; we have not hastened to heavenward, but rather to hellward; we were fallen almost into an open contempt of God, and all his good ordinances. So that, of his justice he could not long forbear, but make us to feel his anger, as now he hath done in taking his word and true service from us, and permitting satan to serve us with antichristian religion; and that in such sort, that if we will not yield to him, and seem to allow it in deed and outward fact; our bodies are like to be laid in prison, and our goods given we cannot tell to whom. This should we look upon, as a sign of God's anger, procured by our sins; which, my good brethren, every one of us should now call to our memories oftentimes, as particularly as we can; that we might heartily lament them, repent them, hate them, ask earnestly mercy for them, and submit ourselves to bear in this life any kind of punishment, which God will lay upon us for them. Thus should we do, in consideration of God's anger in this time. Now his mercy in this time of wrath is seen, and should be seen Fox iii. 317. Cov. 330. |