Have you ever heard a speaker deliver a message that seemed intended just for you? As John Bradford (1510-1555) listened to a sermon by Hugh Latimer, he was seized with remorse. Hugh, a fellow Reformer, made an impassioned appeal to make restitution “for things falsely gotten.” John was cut to the heart and resolved to make amends. His former boss, Sir John Harrington, managed money in support of King Henry VIII’s army. Some of the money intended for the army found its way into Sir John’s pocket. It’s unclear what part John Bradford played in the scheme. Likely, he knew about it but said nothing. He brought the matter to Sir John after hearing the sermon. Sir John was reluctant to pay the money back, but John persisted, offering cash from the sale of his father’s estate to make it happen. Sir John agreed to the deal and the money was repaid. Character is what we are when no one is looking.
John Bradford became famous in England for his personal integrity. He was later arrested for seditious preaching when Queen Mary went on her rampage against Protestants. John was found guilty in a mock trial and burned at the stake. He said to a fellow martyr moments before the wood was lit, “Be of good comfort, brother, for we shall have a merry supper with our Lord this night.”
What John wrote about prayer is a keeper, “Prayer is the simple, unfeigned, humble and ardent opening of the heart before God in which we either ask for things needful or give thanks for benefits received.” To Bradford goes the honor of leading us in prayer: