with them. In the evening several other friends came to him, with whom he spent the time in prayer and other holy exercises.

He was taken to Newgate at night, when it was thought none would be stirring abroad, the Papists perhaps fearing that there might be a disturbance among the people, with whom he was very popular; and at nine the next morning he was led into Smithfield to be burnt. When they came to the stake, Bradford, falling down on one side of it, and another young man who was to suffer with him, on the other, they continued a minute in earnest prayer. Then one of the sheriffs said to Bradford, "Arise, and make an end; for the press of the people is great. At that word they both stood up, and Bradford, taking off his raiment, desired that it might be given to his servant; which request was granted. Then going to the stake, he looked up to heaven, and exclaimed, "O England! England! repent thee of thy sins! Beware of idolatry, beware of false antichrists, take heed they do not deceive you." One of the officers ordered his hands to be tied, if he would not be quiet; but he replied, “ Oh, Sir, I am quiet. God forgive you.' Then turning to his companion, he said, "Be of good comfort, brother;" adding, "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth to eternal salvation, and few there be that find it," after which he was not heard to say any other words.

Such was the end of John Bradford, concerning whom Bishop Ridley, whose chaplain he was, bore the following testimony: "He was a man by whom God hath and doth work wonders in setting forth his word." The Papists were so sensible of his worth, that they took more pains to bring him over to their doctrines than any other. His long protracted confinement was rendered a blessing to the Church of Christ, and affords a striking instance how God overruleth the wrath of men, causing it to praise Him. In his letters and tracts, (which he had then leisure to write) he being dead, yet speaketh; and many a weary and heavy laden soul has blessed God for the writings of John Bradford. Nor was his testimony only in writing or in words. As Fuller beautifully says, "He endured the flame as a fresh gale of wind in a hot summer's day, with

out any reluctancy; confirming by his death the truth of that doctrine which he had so diligently and powerfully preached during his life."

There are many points in the character of this holy man, well worthy of deep consideration. Let us examine ourselves, whether we can find in our own hearts and lives the same proofs of a saving change of heart;-his deep repentance, his prayerful spirit, his earnestness in seeking the good of others, his bold confession of the truth, and his readiness to endure all things for the sake of Christ and his Gospel. We, happily, do not live in such times of persecution, but let us consider well whether our faith is of such a kind, that if temptation or persecution should arise because of the word, we should be as ready as he was to confess Christ before men, even unto death. Let us pray unto God in the beautiful words of our Church, to enable us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

66

ARCHBISHOP LEIGHTON ON FORMS OF PRAYER.

J.

WHEREAS Some may account it much spiritualness to despise what they have heard before, and to desire continued variety in prayer; it seems rather to be want of spiritualness that makes that needful, for that we find not our affections lively in that holy exercise, unless they be awaked and stirred up by new expressions; whereas the soul that is earnest on the thing itself, for itself, panting after the grace of God and for the pardon of sin, regards not in what terms it be attended, whether new or old; yea, though it be in those words it hath heard and uttered a thousand times, yet still it is new to a spiritual mind. And surely the desires that do move in that constant way have more evidence of sincerity and true vigour in them, than those that depend upon new notions and words to move them, and cannot stir without them. It may be, it is another but a false flash of temporary devotion, that arises in a man's heart, which comes by some moving strain of prayer that is new. But when confessions of

sin, and requests of pardon, though in never so low and accustomed terms, carry his heart along with them heavenward, it is then more sure that the Spirit of God dwelleth in him, and the sense of the things themselves, the esteem of the blood of Christ, and the favour of God, do move the heart, where there is no novelty of words to help it. Beware that in fancying continual variety in prayer, there be not more of the flesh than of the spirit, and of the head working more than the spirit; for, (mistake it not) the spirit of prayer hath not its seat in the invention, but in the affection. In this many deceive themselves, in that they think the work of their spirit of prayer to be mainly in furnishing new supplies of thoughts and words; no, it is mainly in exciting the heart anew, times of prayer, to break forth itself in ardent desires to God, whatever the words be, whether new or old, yea, possibly without words.

ON THE LORD'S PRAYER.

"Thy kingdom come."

(Continued from p. 151.)

at

BUT a few days had passed since the thunder storm, and I had not any intention as yet of visiting Mary again, when I was induced to do so by a circumstance which occurred during one of my evening walks. It so happened that I was not at a great distance from her cottage, when I was startled by hearing the sound of voices, as if of persons in great anger; and whilst I listened, the dispute evidently became more violent, though I was not near enough to distinguish the words which were spoken. Being afraid that blows might be the consequence of the quarrel, I turned in the direction from which the noise proceeded, hoping to arrive in time to prevent any mischief, and to separate the angry parties: but just as I came to the corner of a lane, which had before kept me from their view, I heard a third voice, and that of a woman, who seemed endeavouring to do the very same thing. The voice was one which I very well knew, for it was Mary's; and as I came nearer I could see that she had caught the uplifted arm of one of the men, and was doing every thing in her power to reconcile him to the

other. "Think of our poor father, Charles," she said, whilst the tears rolled down her cheeks; "what would he say if he could see you giving way to your passion, after he tried so long to show you how wicked it was? and think of what the Bible says about those who are angry and quarrelsome-oh, what will become of you, if you go on in this bad way!" "None of your cant for me, Mary," exclaimed the young man, whilst he pulled his arm away from her, and raised it as if aiming a blow at his enemy, who on his part seemed quite prepared to return it; but at this moment I approached, and seizing him with a much firmer grasp than Mary's, compelled him to desist, whilst I inquired the cause of the quarrel, and asked how they dared thus openly to brave the laws of God and man?

Both began speaking at the same moment in reply, whilst Mary, feeling glad that I had come to stop the dispute, and yet vexed that I should see her brother (for he it was to whom she had been speaking,) in such a situation, sat down by the road side and cried bitterly. I soon found that the quarrel had arisen at a publichouse, and neither of the young men seeming in a state to listen to what I could say, I prevailed on some persons who were passing to take each of them to their separate homes, whilst I staid to comfort poor Mary. They were scarcely out of sight, when she rose from her seat on the bank, and began to walk slowly to her cottage; and perceiving that I followed, she begged me to walk in, and talk to her a little, for she was very miserable at what had happened that morning, and what would become of her brother she could not think. "It is very sad, Mary," I said, "but still we must not despair. God's mercy is very great, and his power equally so; and if we pray to Him, we have every reason to believe that He will do all that we ask, though it may not be just at the moment we wish." "But it is so shocking, sir," replied Mary, "to see him grow up with such habits, and what I never knew in any one belonging to me before, for my father was one of the quietest, best tempered men in the world, and always tried to break Charles's great spirit; and as for my poor husband, I do not think he ever said an

angry word to any one in his life-I am sure he never did to me. It would be bad enough to see such things in those who are not one's friends, but for a brother-oh, sir! sometimes it goes near to break my heart." "I can quite feel for you, Mary," I answered, "it is indeed a very great trial; but still, as I said before, we must never despair of any one, and when we see so much quarrelling in the world, we must try to think of that time when it will all be over; and must repeat again and again a prayer which I know you are in the habit of using every day. Can you tell me what I mean?" Mary thought for a moment, and then shook her head and said, "No, sir; I can't say I do exactly know." "Do you not remember the words 'Thy kingdom come,' in the Lord's Prayer?" I asked. "Yes, certainly, sir," she replied; "but I did not know before that they had any thing to do with quarrelling and fighting." "But it is true that they have," I said, "and in a way which I will try to explain to you. You know very well that every thing in the world belongs to God, that He is in fact the King over all, though He allows us to have earthly kings to order and rule earthly affairs. Now, as there have been wicked people who would not obey their rightful_earthly king, but chose some other person to rule them, and are therefore called rebels, so every person who follows his own wicked inclinations instead of God's commands, is a rebel to God, as he chooses something else to rule over him rather than his Maker. But we are told in the Bible, that when this earth shall be destroyed, and those who have lived here in the fear of God shall have received their full reward, all such wickedness shall cease, and it is for this we pray, when we say in our Saviour's words, "Thy kingdom come,' or 'May thy kingdom come,' and therefore, Mary, when you get unhappy at seeing the angry feelings which are in the world, you should remember that this state of things will only last for a time, for that God's own word has declared that He will create new heavens and a new earth, wherein shall dwell righteousness; and you should read in your Bible those chapters which tell us of the peace and happiness of those days when God's kingdom shall come, and all pain and