WRITINGS OF THE MARTYR BRADFORD.
The second and concluding volume of Bradford's writings, which I am editing for the Parker Society, is about to be concluded.
Bradford's Treatise against the Fear of Death, with Sweet Meditations on the Felicity of the Life to Come and the Kingdom of Christ, was printed by Powell without a date, by Singleton without a date, and by Wolf 1583,—the last two editions being mentioned by Herbert, the first of Powell by Dibdin from Herbert's MS. additions. If any of your readers could inform me where a copy of any one of these editions is to be found, it would greatly oblige.
I have also never met, after some years' inquiry, with the edition of Bradford's Letter on the Mass, printed by Waldegrave, Edinburgh.
Some of the early editions of Bradford's writings are very rare. I possess his Examinations, Griffith, 1561; and Meditations, Hall, 1562; both of which are scarce: as also the only copy I have ever seen (though imperfect) of the first edition of his Sermon on Repentance, evidently printed in 1553.
His Complaint of Verity is of extraordinary rarity. The only copy I am aware of is possessed
by the Rev. T. Corser, of Stand, Manchester; and was purchased (I believe) at Mr. Bright's sale for 17l.
I should be obliged to any one who would supply me with any information about early editions of Bradford's writings.
Every one is familiar with the story that Bradford, on seeing a criminal pass to execution, said, "There goes John Bradford but for the grace of God." Can any one inform me of any early printed authority for that story?
A. Townsend.
Weston Lane, Bath.
[In the British Museum are the following works by John Bradford, bound in one volume, press-mark 3932, c.:—The Hvrte of Hering Masse; also Two Notable Sermons, the one of Repentance, and the other of the Lord's Supper, Lond. 1581. On the fly-leaf is written, "A copy of Bradford's Hurte of Hearyng Masse, printed for H. Kirham, 1596, B. L., was in Mr. Jolley's sale, Feb. 1843. This edition by William Copland for William Martyne without date is scarcer, and I believe earlier.—R. H. Barham.">[