Wisdom of the Ages

The Voice of a Martyr John Bradford

“We must never settle for harmony at the expense of holiness, nor for peace at the expense of principle”
– John Bradford – Martyr and Preacher of Righteousness
– He was burned at the stake on 1 July 1555

“Mr. Bradford, martyr, speaking of Queen Mary, at whose cruel mercy he then lay, said, “If the queen be pleased to release me, I will thank her; if she will imprison me, I will thank her; if she will burn me, I will thank her, etc. So saith a believing soul: Let God do with me what he will, I will be thankful“

The rich heritage we have as an example left to us. May we seek to be free from the bitterness of soul and to live in the fullness of a heart of gratitude to Him who directs our steps and holds us by the undeserved grace of God in Christ Jesus. John Bradford’s voice still speaks and the life of Christ within him continues to minister unto us in this day.

He is accredited with the phrase “There but for the grace of God go I”.

There is a 19th-century tradition tracing to Bradford the idiomatic “There but for the grace of God go I” as an expression of humility and reliance on God’s grace rather than his own morality. The editor of The Writings of John Bradford, Aubrey Townsend, notes this in his preface