Standing Boldly Before the Lord Chancellor
John Bradford stood boldly before the Lord Chancellor. “I urge you,” the young man said, “don’t condemn the innocent. If you believe I am guilty, you should pass sentence on me. If not, you should set me free.”
Bradford, the well-loved pastor of St. Paul’s in London, was thrown in prison for his beliefs that differed from the state church during Queen Mary’s reign. While in prison, so many of his congregation came to visit him that he continued to preach twice a day. He also preached weekly to the other men in prison, the thieves and common criminals, exhorting them from the Word of God and often giving them money to buy food.
Trusted in Prison
Bradford’s keepers trusted him so much, he was often allowed to leave the prison unescorted to visit sick members of his congregation. All he had to do was to promise that he would return by a certain hour. He was so careful about keeping his word that he was usually back well before his curfew.
Refusing the Pardon
After a year and a half, Bradford was offered a pardon if he would deny his beliefs, but he would not. Then after six more months in prison, the offer was repeated. Again he refused.
“John,” his friends warned, “you need to do something to stall for more time. Ask to discuss your religious beliefs with Queen Mary’s learned men. That will take you out of immediate danger.” John replied, ‘If I did that, the people would think I have begun to doubt the doctrine I confess. I don’t doubt it at all.”
“Then they will probably kill you very soon,” his friends said sadly.
Facing Death with Joy
The very next day John was sentenced to death and the keeper’s wife came to him with the news: “Tomorrow you will be burned.” Bradford looked to heaven and said, “I thank God for it. I have waited for this for a long time. Lord, make me worthy of this.”
Hoping to keep the crowds from knowing what was going on, the guards transferred him to another prison in the middle of the night. But somehow the word got out, and a great multitude came to bid him farewell. Many wept openly as they prayed for him. Bradford, in return, gently said farewell and prayed fervently for them and their future.
The Final Moments
At four o’clock the next morning, a large crowd had gathered at the place where Bradford was to be burned. Finally, at nine o’clock, an unusually large number of heavily armed men brought Bradford out to the stake. With him was John Leaf, a teenager, who also refused to deny his faith. Both men fell flat to the ground and prayed for an hour.
Bradford got up, kissed a piece of firewood and then kissed the stake itself. In a loud voice he spoke to the crowd: “England, repent of your sins! Beware of idolatry. Beware of false teachers. See they don’t deceive you!” Then he forgave his persecutors and asked the crowd to pray for him. Turning his head toward John Leaf, he said, “Be of good comfort, brother, for we shall have a merry Supper with the Lord tonight!”
Joy in Trials
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad -because these trials will make you partners with Christ in His suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing His glory when it is displayed to all the world. 1 Peter 4:12-13.
Date: 25th February 2023
Martyr: John Bradford
Location: England
Source: Jesus Freaks
Author: DC Talk, The Voice of Martyrs
Suffering Saturday 029
Previous post
Next post
