John Bradford (1555)

April 24th, 2025
by Jon Holaday

John Bradford was a humble & often timid man. He lived in England during the most religiously dangerous periods under bloody Mary, whom killed over 300 Christians in her attempt to bring Catholicism back to England. He came from a wealthy family and trained in business law. He served in government under King Henry VIII. It was while in law school, he came to saving faith in Christ. Bradford has given Christianity one of the greatest quotes and not many knew it was from him, "But for the grace of God go I." A bishop of Mary's once spoke against the deceased Edward and a listener threw a knife at him that missed. Bradford stood up to reason with the mad man and usher the bishop away to safety, in which he did. Well, this would result in his arrest days later. For two years he lived, preached & wrote from prison. He was a man of his word and the guards often let him out at night on trusting he would return. He always did. He was convicted of being a Christian, taken to the stake to be burned! He asked forgiveness of any he wronged & forgave the guards around him. Another brother was killed that day with him and its recorded he said this, "Brother, be of good comfort, for we shall have a merry supper with the LORD this night, where all our pains will end in peace, and our warfare in songs of joy." He saved a life and lost his own. Sound familiar?