mined by the Earl of Oxford and Sir Philip Paris, knight.

The prisoners being sent up, were brought before the bishop, on the 17th of the month, to be examined upon some articles objected against them; to which they were compelled to answer. The articles were similar to those so frequently objected to other godly martyrs, and were answered in like manner.

The articles being propounded and answered, they were dismissed until the afternoon, when they again appeared, and were examined by fair and flattering speeches, as well by the bishop as by his assistants, and talked to, to recant and revoke their opinions. They notwithstanding remained firm in their opinions, and therefore, after the common usage of the ecclesiastical laws of the papal church, were sent away again until the next day, being the 18th day of May. Then in the forenoon the bishop, according to his accustomed manner of proceeding, again dismissed them, and at last in the afternoon condemned them as heretics, and so delivered them to the sheriffs, in whose custody they remained until they were delivered to the sheriff of Essex, and by him were executed,-Chamberlain at Colchester, on the 14th of June; Thomas Osmond at Manningtree, on the 15th, and William Bamford, alias Butler, at Harwich, on the same day.

The History of the worthy Martyr and Servant of God, Master John Bradford.

John Bradford was born at Manchester. His parents brought him up in learning from his infancy, until he attained such knowledge in the Latin tongue, and skill in writing, that he was able to gain his own living. He continued some years in an honest and good life, after the course of this world, when the Lord, who had elected him to a better function, and preordained him to preach the gospel of Christ in that hour of grace, which in his secret council he had appointed, called his chosen child to the understanding and partaking of the gospel of life. In which he was so truly taught, that his effectual call was perceived by the fruits. For Bradford forsook his worldly affairs and worldly wealth, and gave himself wholly to the study of the holy scriptures. To accomplish his purpose the better, he departed from the Temple at London, where the temporal law is studied, and went to the University of Cambridge, to learn by God's law how to further the building of the Lord's temple. In Cambridge his diligence in study, his profiting in knowledge and godly conversation so pleased all men, that within one year after that he had been there, the university gave him the degree of a master of arts.

Immediately after the master and fellows of Pembroke hall did give him a fellowship in their college; that man of God, Martin Bucer, so liked him, that he held him not only most dear to him, but also often exhorted him to direct his talent to preaching. He answered always that he was unable to serve in that office, through want of learning. To the which Bucer was used to reply, saying, "If thou have not fine manchet bread, yet give the poor people barley bread, or whatsoever else the Lord hath committed unto thee." And while Bradford

was thus persuaded to enter into the ministry, Doctor Ridley, that worthy bishop of London, and glorious martyr of Christ, called him to take the degree of a deacon. He obtained for him a license to preach, and gave him a prebend in his cathedral church of St. Paul's.

In this office by the space of three years, how faithfully Bradford walked, how diligently he laboured, many parts of England can testify. He sharply opened and reproved sin; he sweetly preached Christ crucified, pithily impugned heresies and errors, and earnestly per. suaded the people to live godly lives. After the death of our blessed young King Edward VI. when Queen Mary had got the crown, Bradford still continued diligent in preaching, until he was unjustly deprived both of his office and liberty by the queen and her council.

The fact was this: on the 13th of August, in the first

year of the reign of Queen Mary, Master Bourne, then bishop of Bath, made a sermon at St. Paul's Cross in London, to set popery abroad, so that it moved the people to no small indignation, being almost ready to pull him out of the pulpit. Neither could the reverence of the place, nor the presence of Bishop Bonner, nor yet the commandment of the Mayor of London, whom the people ought to have obeyed, stay their rage; but the more they spoke, the more the people were incensed. At length Bourne, seeing the people in such a mood, and himself in such peril, ended his sermon, fearing lest he should there end his wretched life, and de. sired Bradford, who stood in the pulpit behind him, to come forth, and to stand in his place and speak to the people. Good Bradford at his request spoke to the people, and exhorted them to godly and quiet obedience. As soon as the people saw him begin to speak to them, they were so glad to hear him, that they cried with a great shout: "Bradford! Bradford! God save thy life, Bradford !" Shewing not only what affection they bare unto him, but also what regard they gave unto his words. For after that he had preached to them, and exhorted them to be quiet and patient, soon all the raging ceased, and in the end each man departed quietly to his house. Yet Bourne thought himself not yet full sure of his life till he was safely housed, notwithstanding that the mayor and sheriffs of London were at hand to help them. Wherefore he desired Bradford not to depart from him till he was in safety; which Bradford, according to his promise, performed. For while the mayor and sheriffs led Bourne to the school-master's house, Bradford went at his back, shadowing him from the people with his gown, and so set him safe.

Within three days after, he was sent for to the Tower of London, where the queen then was, to appear before the council. There he was charged with this act of saving of Bourne, which act they called seditious, and also objected against him for preaching. He was then committed first to the Tower, then to other prisons, out of which neither his innocence, godliness, nor charitable dealing could purchase to him liberty of body, till by death (which he suffered for Christ's cause), he obtained the heavenly liberty, of which neither pope nor papist shall ever deprive him. From the Tower he was sent to the King's Bench in Southwark; and after his condemnation, he was sent to the Compter, in the Poultry, in London; in which two places he preached twice a day continually, unless sickness hindered him; where also the sacrament was often administered; and through the kindness of the keeper to him, there was such a resort of good people daily to his lecture, and to the ministration of the sacrament, that commonly his chamber was well nigh filled. Preaching, reading, and praying occupied his whole life. He did not eat above one meal a day; which was but very little when he took it; and his continual study was upon his knees. In the midst of dinner he used often to muse with himself, having his hat over his eyes, from whence came usually plenty of tears. He was very gentle to man and child, and in so good credit with his keeper, that at his desire in an evening, being prisoner in the King's Bench in Southwark, he had license upon his promise to return again that night, to go into London without any keeper, to visit one that was sick. Neither did he fail in his promise, but returned to his prison again, rather anticipating his hour, than breaking his fidelity, so constant was he in word and in deed.

In person he was somewhat tall and slender, spare body, of a faint sanguine colour, with an auburn beard. He slept commonly not above four hours in the night; and in his bed, till sleep came, his book was not out of his hand. His chief recreation was not in gaming, or other pastime, but only in honest company, and profitable talk, in which he would spend a little time after dinner, and then went to prayer and his book again. He counted that hour not well spent, in which he did not some good, either with his pen, study, or in exhorting others, &c. He was no niggard of his purse, but would liberally share what he had with his fellowprisoners. And commonly once a week he visited the

thieves, pick-pockets, and such others that were with him in prison where he lay, to whom he would give godly exhortation, to amend their lives by repentance, and afterwards distribute among them some portion of money to their comfort.

While he was in the King's Bench, and Master Sanders in the Marshalsea prison, at the rear of those two prisons they met many times, and conferred together; so mercifully did the Lord work for them, even in the midst of their troubles; and Bradford was so trusted by his keeper, and had such liberty, that there was no day but he might have easily escaped if he would, but the Lord had other work for him. In the summer, while he was in the King's Bench, he had liberty of his keeper to ride into Oxfordshire, to a merchant's house of his acquaintance, and horse and all things were prepared for his journey, and the party in readiness who should ride with him; but God prevented him by sickness, so that he went not at all.

One of his old friends and acquaintance came to him whilst he was prisoner, and asked him, if he sued to get him out, what he would do, or whither he would go? He made answer, as not caring whether he went out or not; but if he did, he said he would marry, and abide still in England secretly, teaching the people, and occupying himself in that way. He was had in so great reverence and admiration with all good men, that a multitude, who never knew him but by fame, greatly lamented his death; yea, and a number also of the papists themselves wished heartily that his life should be spared.

One afternoon as he was walking in the keeper's chamber, the keeper's wife suddenly came to him, as one seerning in much trouble, and said: "Oh, Master Bradford, I come to bring you heavy news.' "What is that?" said he. 66 Marry," quoth she; "tomorrow you are to be burned; and your chain is now buying, and soon you must go to Newgate." With that Master Bradford put off his cap, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, said: "I thank God for it; I have looked for the same a long time, and therefore it cometh not now to me suddenly, but as a thing waited for every day and hour; the Lord make me worthy;" so thanking her for her gentleness, departed to his chamber, and called his friend with him. When he came thither, he went secretly himself alone a long time, and prayed; which done, he came again to his friend, and gave him several writings and papers, and shewed him his mind in those things which he wished to have done. They then continued together all the evening, when there came to him half a dozen of his friends more, with whom he spent the time in prayer and other good exercise, they wondering to hear and see his doings.

A little before he went out of the Compter, he made a notable prayer at his farewell, with such humility and holy unction, that it ravished the minds of the hearers. Also when he put on the shirt that was made for his burning, he made such a prayer concerning the wedding garment, that some of those present were in such great admiration, that their eyes were as thoroughly occupied in looking on him, as their ears gave place to hear his prayer. At his departing out of the chamber, he made likewise a prayer, and gave money to every servant and officer of the house, with exhortation to them to fear and serve God, continually labouring to eschew all manner of evil. That done, he turned himself to the wall and prayed vehemently, that his words might not be spoken in vain, but that the Lord would work the same in them effectually, for Christ's sake. When he was in the court, all the prisoners cried out to him, and bade him farewell, as the rest of the house had done before with tears.

The time they carried him to Newgate, was about eleven or twelve o'clock in the night, when it was thought none would be stirring abroad; and yet, contrary to their expectation, there was in Cheapside and other places, between the Compter and Newgate, a great multitude of people that came to see him, who most gently bade him farewell, praying for him with most lamentable and pitiful tears, and he again as gently bade

them farewell, praying most heartily for them. Now, whether it were a commandment from the queen and her council, or from Bonner and his adherents; or whether it were devised by the lord mayor, aldermen, and sheriffs of London, or not, I cannot tell; but there was a great noise over-night about the city, that Bradford was to be burnt the next day in Smithfield, by four o'clock in the morning, before it should be much known. Some thinking the fear of the people to be the cause of this; others thought that it was rather because the papists judged his death would convert many to the truth. So some thought one thing, and some another. But this was certain, the people prevented the device suspected; for the next day, at the hour of four o'clock in the morning, there was in Smithfield a great multitude of men and women.

However, it was nine o'clock of the day before Master Bradford was brought into Smithfield. He was led forth with a great company of armed men, as the like was not seen at any man's burning. Bradford, being come to the place, fell flat to the ground, secretly making his prayers to Almighty God. Then rising again, and putting off his clothes to his shirt, he went to the stake, and there suffered with a young man of twenty years of age, whose name was John Leaf, joyfully and constantly.

Communication between John Bradford and the Lord Chancellor and others in Commission with him, on the 22d of January, A. D. 1555.

After the lord chancellor, and the residue of the queen's council in commission with him, had ended their talk with Farrar, late bishop of St. David's, the under-marshall of the King's Bench, was commanded to bring in John Bradford: being come into the presence of the council, he kneeled down on his knees; but immediately was bidden by the lord chancellor to stand up.

When he was risen, the lord chancellor earnestly looked upon him: but he gave no place, that is, he ceased not in like manner to look on the lord chancellor, save that once he cast up his eyes to heaven-ward, and sighed for God's grace.

Then the lord chancellor, somewhat troubled, spake to him to this effect; "That for a long time he had been imprisoned justly for his seditious behaviour at St. Paul's cross, on the 13th August, 1553, for his false preaching and arrogance, taking upon him to preach without authority. But now," he added, "the time of mercy is come, and therefore the queen's highness, willing to offer mercy, hath sent to declare and give the same, if you will return: and if you will do as we have done, you shall find as we have found, I warrant you." This was the sum of his words, and in manner the same words which he spake.

To these words John Bradford spake: "My lord, and lords all, I confess that I have been long imprisoned, and (with humble reverence be it spoken) unjustly, for I did nothing seditiously, falsely, or arrogantly, in word or deed, by preaching or otherwise; but rather sought truth, peace, and all godly quietness, as an obedient and faithful subject both in going about to save Master Bourne, now the bishop of Bath, who was preaching then at St. Paul's Cross."

At these words, or rather before he had fully finished, the lord chancellor said that "the act was seditious, as you, my lord of London, can bear witness."

Bonner." You say true, my lord, I saw him with mine own eyes, when he took upon him to rule and lead the people malapertly, thereby proving that he was the author of the sedition."

Bradford." My lords, notwithstanding my lord bishop's seeing and saying, yet I have told the truth, as one day my Lord God Almighty shall reveal to all the world, when we shall all come and appear before him: In the mean time, as I cannot be believed by you, I must and am ready to suffer."

Lord Chancellor." I know thou hast a showy and glorious tongue, but all thou speakest is lies. I have not forgot how stubborn thou was when thou wast be

fore us in the Tower, whereupon thou wast committed to prison concerning religion: I have not forgotten thy behaviour and talk, for which thou hast worthily been kept in prison, as one that would have done more hurt than I will speak of."

Bradford." My lord, as I said before, so I say again, that I stand as before you, so before God, and one day we shall all stand before him: the truth then will be the truth, though now you will not so take it. Yea, my lord, I dare say, that my lord of Bath (Master Bourne) will witness with me, that I sought his safety at the peril of mine own life."

Bonner." That is not true; for I myself did see thee take upon thee too much."

Bradford." No, I took nothing upon me that was not desired, and that too by Master Bourne himself, as, if he were here present, I dare say he would affirm what I say. For he desired me both to help him to pacify the people, and also not to leave him till he was in safety. If I said any thing before your honours, in the Tower, that did not beseem me, if your lordships would tell me what it was, I should and would shortly make you answer.'

Chancellor." Well, leave this matter: Wilt thou return again, and do as we have done, and thou shalt receive the queen's mercy and pardon?"

Bradford." My lord, I desire mercy with God's mercy; but mercy with God's wrath, may God keep me from my conscience doth not accuse me. All that ever I did or spake, was both agreeable to God's laws, and the laws of the realm."

Chancellor." Well, if thou make this babbling rolling in thy eloquent tongue, and yet being altogether ignorant and vain glorious, and wilt not receive mercy offered to thee, know for truth, that the queen is minded to make a 'purgation of all such as thou art.'

But

Bradford." The Lord, before whom I stand, as well as before you, knoweth what I have sought: his mercy I desire, and also would be glad of the queen's favour, to live as a subject without a clog of conscience. otherwise the Lord's mercy is better to me than life. And I know to whom I have committed my life, even into his hands who will keep it, so that no man may take it away before it be his pleasure. Therefore his good will be done; life in his displeasure is worse than death; and death with his true favour, is true life."

Chancellor." I know well enough, that we shall have glorious talk enough from thee: be assured, therefore, that as thou hast deceived the people with false and devilish doctrine, so shalt thou receive."

Bradford." I have not deceived the people, nor taught any other doctrine, than by God's grace I am, and hope shall be, ready to confirm with my life. And as for the devilishness and falseness in the doctrine, I would be sorry you could so prove it."

Durham." Why, tell me, what say you about the ministration of the communion ?"

Bradford." My lord, here I must desire of your lordship, and of all your honours, a question, before I dare make you an answer to any interrogatory or question. I have been six times sworn that I shall in no case consent to the practising of any jurisdiction, or any authority on the bishop of Rome's behalf within this realm of England. Now, before God, I humbly pray your honours to tell me whether you ask me this question by his authority, or not? If you do, I dare not, nor may answer you any thing in his authority, which you shall demand of me, except I would be forsworn, which God forbid."

Secretary Bourn." Hast thou been sworn six times? what office hast thou borne ?"

Bradford." I was thrice sworn in Cambridge; when I was admitted master of arts, when I was admitted fellow of Pembroke Hall, and when I was there, the visitors came there, and sware the university. Again, I was sworn when I entered into the ministry, when I had a prebend given me, and when I was sworn to serve the king a little before his death."

Chancellor.-"Tush! Herod's oaths a man should make no conscience at."

Bradford." But, my lord, these were no Herod's oaths; no unlawful oaths; but oaths according to God's word, as you yourself have well affirmed in your book 'De vera obedientia.'"

Rochester." My lords, I never knew why this man was in prison before now: but I see that it had not been good that this man had been abroad: what the cause was that he was put in prison, I know not; but I now well know that not without a cause he was and is to be kept in prison."

Bourn." Yea, it was reported this parliament-time, by the earl of Derby, that he has done more hurt by letters, and exhorting those that have come to him, in religion, than ever he did when he was abroad by preaching. In his letters he curses all that teach any false doctrine (for so he calls that which is not according to what he taught) and most heartily exhorts them to whom he writes to continue still in what they have received from him."

Bradford." I have not written, nor spoken any thing seditiously, nor I trust ever shall do." Bourn." Yea, thou hast written letters." Chancellor." Why speakest thou not? Hast thou not written as he saith?"i

Bradford." What I have written, I have written." Southwell." Lord God! what an arrogant and stabborn boy is this, that thus stoutly behaves himself before the queen's council!"

Chancellor.-"We shall never have done with thee, I perceive now: be short, be short; wilt thou have mercy?"

Bradford." I pray God to give me his mercy, and if therewith you will extend yours, I will not refuse it; but otherwise I will none."

Here now was much ado, one speaking this, and another that about his arrogance, in refusing the queen's pardon.

He was again brought before them on the 29th of July, when he was again offered mercy and pardon if he would recant. After the lord chancellor's long talk about the queen's pardon, Bradford began to speak, "My lord, and my lords all, as now I stand before you, so I humbly beseech your honours to consider, that you sit in the seat of the Lord, who (as David witnesses) is in the congregation of judges, and sittest in the midst of them and as you would your place to be now regarded as God's place, so demonstrate yourselves to follow him in your sitting, that is, seek no guiltless blood, nor hunt not by questions to bring into the snare, them which are out of the same. At this present I stand before you guilty or guiltless, then proceed and give sentence accordingly if guiltless, then give me the benefit of a subject, which hitherto I could not have."

:

Here the lord chancellor made much ado to purge himself, as that he sought not guiltless blood; and so began a long process how that Bradford's act at St. Paul's Cross, was presumptuous, arrogant, and shewed a taking upon him to lead the people, and charged Bradford with writing seditious letters.

Bradford."I have written no seditious letters; I have not perverted the people; but that which I have written and spoken, I will, by God's grace, never deny. And where your lordship saith, that I dare not answer you; that all men may know that I am not afraid, sav ing mine oath, ask me what you will, and I will plainly make you answer, by God's grace, although I now see my life lieth thereon. But, O Lord, into thy hands I commit it, come what will: only sanctify thy name in me, as in an instrument of thy grace. Amen. Now ask what you will, and you shall see I am not afraid, by God's grace, plainly to answer."

Ld. Chanc.-"Well, then, how say you to the blessed sacrament? Do you not believe there Christ to be present concerning his natural body?"

Bradford." My lord, I do not believe that Christ is corporeally present at and in the due administration of the sacrament. By this word (corporeally) I mean that Christ is there present corporeally unto faith."

Ld. Chanc. "Unto faith? We must have many more words to make it plain."

Bradford." You shall so: but first give me leave to speak two words."

Ld. Chanc.-" Speak on." Bradford.-"I have been now a year and almost three-quarters in prison, and all this time you never questioned with me about this, when I might have spoken my conscience frankly without peril; but now you have a law to hang up and put to death, if a man answer freely, and not to your wishes, and so now you come to demand this question! Ah, my lord, Christ used not this way to bring men to faith."

Here the lord chancellor was appalled, as it seemed, and said most gently that he used not this means. "It was not my doing," said he, " for I, for my part, have been challenged for being too gentle."

Bradford." My lord, I pray you stretch out your gentleness, that I may feel it, for hitherto I never felt it. I was three-quarters of a year in the Tower; you forbade me paper, pen, and ink; and never in all that time, nor since, did I feel any gentleness from you. I have rather hitherto found, as I looked for, extremity." Here were several persons telling my lord it was dinner-time. And so he rose up, leaving Bradford speaking, and saying, that in the afternoon he would speak more with him. He was then brought into the vestry, and was kept there till night, when he was conveyed again to prison.

On the next day a gentleman, called Master Thomas Hussey, came into the chamber in which John Bradford lay, and he began a long oration, how that of love and old acquaintance he came to him. "You," said he, "so wonderfully behaved yourself before the lord chancellor, and other bishops yesterday, that even the veriest enemies you have, did see that they have no matter against you; and I, therefore, advise you to desire a time, and men to confer with, and so all men shall think there is a wonderful wisdom, gravity, and godli. ness in you, and by this means you shall escape present danger." To this John Bradford answered, "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, which I do not."

As they were thus talking, the chamber-door was unlocked, and Doctor Seton came in, with the very same insidious design to deceive and entrap this godly man.

This Doctor Seton, after some talk of Bradford's age, of his country, and such like, began a long sermon of my lord of Canterbury, Master Latimer, and Master Ridley, and how they at Oxford were not able to answer anything at all; and that therefore my lord of Canterbury desired to confer with the bishop of Durham and others: all which talk tended to this end, that Bradford should make the like request for a conference; but to this he briefly answered, as he before had done to Hussey. With this answer neither Seton nor Hussey were content; and after many persuasions, Seton said, "I have heard much talk of you, and yesternight a gentleman made report of you at the lord chancellor's table, that you were able to persuade as much as any one that he knew. And I thought your modesty was such before the bishops, your behaviour and talk so without malice and impatience, that I would be sorry you should do worse than myself. And I tell you further, I do perceive my lord chancellor has a regard for you wherefore be not so obstinate, but desire respite and some learned man to confer with," &c.

But Bradford kept still one answer: "I cannot, nor will I so offend the people. I do not doubt; I am most certain of the truth of the doctrine I have taught." Here Doctor Seton waxed hot, and called Bradford arrogant, proud, and vain glorious.

Then Bradford besought them both to give him leave to talk with God, and to beg wisdom and grace of him: "For," said he, "otherwise I am helpless ;" and so they with much ado departed. Then Bradford prayed to God, which the Lord of his goodness did graciously accept in his need, praised be his holy name! Shortly after they were gone, Bradford was led to the church, and there tarried till eleven o'clock.

After the excommunication of Lawrence Sanders, John Bradford was called in, and being brought before the lord chancellor and the bishops, the lord chancellor 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. Therefore he concluded with an exhortation, urging him to recant his doctrine.

After the lord chancellor had ended, Bradford began to speak thus: "As yesterday I besought your honours to set in your sight the majesty and presence of God, that you might 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 you know well enough, that guiltless blood will cry for vengeance. And this I pray your lordships to do, not as one that takes upon myself to condemn you, but that you might be the more admonished to do that, which none does so much as he should. For our nature is so corrupt, that we are very forgetful of God. Again, as yesterday I alleged 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 at this day. 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 mine 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."

At these words the lord chancellor was wroth, and said, that they had given him respite to deliberate till this day, whether he would recant his errors of the blessed sacrament, "which, yesterday," said he, "you uttered."

Bradford." My lord, you gave me no time for any such deliberation; neither did I speak anything of the sacrament which you disallowed. For when I had declared a presence of Christ to be there to faith, you went from that matter to purge yourself, that you were not cruel, and so went to dinner."

Ld. Chanc." What? I perceive we must begin all again with thee. Did I not yesterday tell thee plainly, that thou madest a conscience where none should be? Did I not make it plain, that the oath against the bishop of Rome was an unlawful oath?" Bradford." No, indeed, my lord: you said so, you did not prove it."

but

Ld. Chanc.-" O Lord God, what a fellow art thou? Thou wouldest go about to bring into the people's heads, that we, all the lords of the parliament house, the knights and burgesses, and all the whole realm be perjured! O what an heretic is this! Here, good people, you may see what a senseless heretic this fellow is. If Í should make an oath I would never help my brother, nor lend him money in his need, were this a good answer to tell my neighbour desiring my help, that I had made an oath to the contrary? or that I could not do it?"

Bradford." O, my lord, discern betwixt oaths that be against charity and faith, and oaths that be according to faith and charity, as this is against the bishop of Rome."

Here the lord chancellor made much ado, and a long time was spent about oaths, which were good and which were evil; but Bradford proved, that obedience in this point to the queen, if she should demand an oath to the bishop of Rome, being denied, was not a general denial of her authority, and of obedience to her. "No more," said he, "than the sale, gift, or lease of a piece of a man's inheritance, proves it a sale, gift, or lease of the whole inheritance."

And thus great talk was made about this matter, the lord chancellor speaking much; to whom Bradford replied, "That it was a wonder his honour weighed conscience no more in this, and yet would be so earnest in vows of priests' marriages made to bishops, and be careless for solemn oaths made to God and to princes." The lord chancellor said, the queen might dispense with it, and did so to all the whole realm. But Bradford

said, that the queen's highness could do no more than remit her own right; as for the oath made to God, she could never remit it, forasmuch as it was made unto God."

At which words the lord chancellor chafed wonderfully and said, that in plain sense Bradford slandered the realm of perjury;" and, therefore," observed he to the people, you may see how this fellow takes upon him to have more knowledge and conscience than all the wise men of England, and yet he hath no conscience at all."

Here came forth the chamberlain of Woodstock, and spake to my lord chancellor, how that Bradford had been a serving-man, and was with Master Harrington.

Ld. Chanc.-"True, and did deceive his master of seven-score pounds; and because of this, he became a gospeller and a preacher, and yet you see how he pretends conscience."

Bradford." My lord, I set my foot by his, whoever he be, that comes forth and vouches to my face, that I ever deceived my master. And as you are chief justice by office in England, I desire justice upon them that so slander me, because they cannot prove it."

Here my lord chancellor and the chamberlain were smitten blank, and said they heard it. "But," said my lord chancellor, "we have another matter than this against you for you are an heretic."

"Yea," said the bishop of London, "he did write letters to Master Pendleton, who knows his hand as well as his own, your honour did see the letters."

Bradford." This is not true; I never did write to Pendleton since I came to prison."

London." Yea, but you indited it."

Bradford." I did not, nor know what you mean." Here came one of the clerks of the council, putting the lord chancellor in remembrance of letters written into Lancashire.

Ld. Chanc.-" You say true: for we have his hand to shew."

Bradford." I deny that you have my hand to shew of letters sent into Lancashire, otherwise than such as I will stand to, and prove them to be good and lawful."

Here all was answered, and then the lord chancellor began a new matter. "Sir," said he, "in my house the other day you did most contemptuously contemn the queen's mercy, and further said, that you would maintain the erroneous doctrine in King Edward's days against all men."

Bradford." Well, I am glad that all men see now you have had no matter to imprison me before this day justly. Now I say, that I did not contemptuously contemn the queen's mercy, but would have received it, if I might have had it with God's mercy; that is, without doing or saying anything against God and his truth. And as for maintenance of doctrine, I said I was more confirmed in the religion set forth in King Edward's days, than ever I was: and if God so would, I trust I should declare it by giving my life for the confirmation and testification thereof. So I said then, and so I say now."

Ld. Chanc." Well, yesterday thou didst maintain false heresy concerning the blessed sacrament, and therefore we gave thee respite till this day to deliberate."

Bradford." My lord, I spake nothing of the sacrament, but that which you allowed, and reproved not, nor gave me anything to deliberate on."

Ld. Chanc." Why? didst thou not deny Christ's presence in the sacrament?"

Bradford." No, I never denied nor taught, but that to faith, a whole Christ, body and blood, was as present as the bread and wine to the due receiver."

Ld. Chanc.-" Yea, but dost thou not believe that Christ's body naturally and really is there, under the forms of bread and wine?"

Bradford." My lord, I believe Christ is present there to the faith of the due receiver; as for transubstantiation, I plainly and flatly tell you, I believe it not."

"for

Here was Bradford called a devil, a slanderer : we ask no question," said my lord chancellor "of transubstantiation, but of Christ's presence.

Bradford." I deny not his presence to the faith of the receiver, but deny that he is included in the bread, or that the bread was transubstantiated."

Another bishop asked, "Whether the wicked man received Christ's very body or not?" And Bradford answered plainly, "No." At this the lord chancellor made a long oration, how that it could not be that Christ was present, except the evil man received it. But Bradford put away all his oration in few words, that grace was at that time offered to his lordship, although he received it not; so that (said he) the receiving makes not the presence, as your lordship infers; but God's grace, truth, and power is the cause of the presence, which grace the wicked that lack faith cannot receive. And here Bradford prayed my lord not to separate that which God had coupled together. He hath coupled all these together; "Take, eat, this is my body;" he saith not, "See, peep, this is my body," but "Take, eat." So that it appears this is a promise depending upon condition if we take and eat.

Here the lord chancellor and other bishops exclaimed that Bradford had found out a toy of the condition, but Bradford said, "My lord, are not these words, 'Take, eat,' a commandment? Are not these words, 'This is my body,' a promise? If you will challenge the promise, and do not the commandment, may you not deceive yourself?"'

Here the lord chancellor denied Christ to have commanded the sacrament, and the use of it.

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'Why, my lord," said Bradford, "I pray you tell the people what mood 'Take, eat,' is; is it not plain to children that Christ, in saying so, commandeth?"

At these words the lord chancellor began trifling about the imperative mood, and fell to parsing, or examining, as he should teach a child, and so concluded that it was no commandment.

But Bradford prayed him to leave trifling, and said, My lord, if it be not a commandment of Christ to take and eat the sacrament, why dare any take upon them to command and make that of necessity which God leaveth free, as you do in making it a necessary commandment once a year for all that be of discretion, to receive the sacrament?"

After much more examination and questioning, which are too long to detail, the lord chancellor began to read the excommunication. And in the excommunication, when he came to the name of John Bradford, layman, "Why," said he, "art thou no priest?"

Bradford..—“ No, nor never was either priest, or beneficed, or married, or any preacher, before public autho rity had established religion, or preacher after public authority had altered religion, and yet I am thus handled at your hand; but God, I doubt not, will give his bless ing where you curse.' And so he fell down on his knees, and heartily thanked God that he counted him worthy to suffer for his name's sake. And so praying God to give him repentance and a good mind, after the excommunication was read, he was delivered to the sheriff of London, that he should be delivered from thence to the Earl of Derby, to be conveyed into Lancashire, and there to be burned in the town of Manchester, where he was born; but their purpose concerning the place was afterward altered, for they burned him in London.

After the condemnation of John Bradford, which was on the last day of January, being sent to prison, he there remained until the first day of July, during all which time he sustained other conferences with sundry adversaries, who repaired to him in the prison. Of whom, first, Bishop Bonner, coming to the Compter to degrade Dr. Taylor, on the fourth day of February, entered into talk with Bradford, the effect whereof was as follows:

Private conferences with John Bradford, by such as the Prelates sent unto him, after the time of his condemnation; from his own writing.

On the fourth of Feb., that is, the same day on which Master Rogers was burned, Bonner, bishop of London, came to degrade Dr. Taylor, but before he spake to Master