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 {450} 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?