Academic
Writings of John Bradford, The : Volume One - containing Sermons, Meditations, Examinations, etc.
Overview: The publication of the works of the leading English reformers in 55 volumes by the Parker Society between 1841 and 1855 was undoubtedly one of the major enterprises of evangelical Christianity in the 19th Century. Yet perhaps the very size of the project militated against its popular usefulness, for the 7,000 supporters who annually subscibed one pound were given little guidance as to which volumes were of primary importance. In the 1860's J.C. Ryle had occasion to write, 'Among the many volumes published by the Parker Society, not a few, I suspect, sleep quietly on library shelves, unopened and uncut.' Few of those who did assess the relative value of the various authors would have disagreed with Ryle's judgment that among the foremost, which 'should never be neglected', were these two volumes of John Bradford (c. 1510-1555). 'He is far better known', Ryle could say, 'as a martyr than as a writer. The splendour of his death has eclipsed for the work of his pen. Few perhaps have the least idea what a rich treasure of English theology is laid up in his literary remains. They consist chiefly of sermons, short treatises, meditations, prayers, declarations, exhortations, and letters. All are good, and all deserve reading. He that can read them without feeling his soul stirred within him, must be in an unsatisfactory condition. To my mind, there is not only Scriptual soundness in all that Bradford writes, but a peculiar fire, unction, warmth, and directness, which entitles him to a very high rank among Christian authors.' The founders of the Parker Society wanted the writings of the English reformers to be 'for all future time easily accessible'. Their vision has long been allowed to fail but there is nothing better than Bradford's writings to show why it needs to be restored.
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