The saints encouragement in evil times: or Observations concerning the martyrs in generall with some memorable collections out of Foxes three volumes. Martin Luther. The covenant and promises. Living and dying by faith. By Edward Leigh Esquire.

John Bradford.

He did not eat above one meal a day; which was but very little when he took it: and his continuall study was upon his knees. In the midst of dinner he used often to muse with himself, having his hat over his eies, from whence came commonly plen∣ty of tears dropping on his trencher. He was very gentle to man and childe, and in so good credit with his keeper, that at his desire in an even∣ing (being prisoner in the Kings bench in Southwark) he had licenc•• upon his promise to return again that night, to go into London with∣out any keeper to visit one that was sick lying by the Still-yard: Neither did he fail his promise, but returned unto his prison again, rather pre∣venting his hour then breaking his fidelity. He slept not commonly a∣bove four hours in the night; and in his bed till sleep came, his book went not out of his hand. He count∣ed that hour not well spent wherein

he did not some good, either with his pen, study, or in exhorting of o∣thers.

Whosoever (saith he) hath not learned the lesson of the crosse, hath not learned his A, B, C, in Christi∣anity.

He was not content till he found God coming into his spirit with se∣verall dispensations, according to the severall parts of his prayer.

The keepers wife came up sudden∣ly to him (he being in the keepers chamber) as one half amazed, and seeming much troubled, being al∣most windelesse, said, O M. Brad∣ford, I come to bring you heavy news, what is that, said he? marry quoth she to morrow you must be burned, and your chain is now a buying, and soon you must go to Newgate; with that M. Bradford put off his cap, and lifting up his eies to heaven, said, I thank God for it; I have looked for the same time, and therefore it com∣eth not now to me suddenly, but as a thing waited for every day and hour, the Lord make me worthy thereof.

Creswell offering to make sute for M. Bradford: He thus answered, I•• the Queen will give me life I will thank her, if she will banish me I will thank her, if she will burn me I will thank her, if she will condem•• me to perpetuall imprisonment, I will thank her.

Some of the subscriptions of his letters were observable,

The most miserable, heardhearted, unthankfull sinner, John Bradford.

A very painted hypocrite, John Bradford.

Notes

• Foxes Acts and Mon. vol. 3d. p. 181.
• Qui non est Crucianus non est Christia∣nus. Luth.
• Foxes Acts and Mon. vol: 3. p. 282.
• Foxes Acts and Mon. vol. 3d p. 356, 357.