Christian Martyrs of Old - This Day in History

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"Today in church History" July 1, 1555

Solomon's Porch

On this date in 1555 John Bradford (1510-1555) was one of 300 burned alive by Mary Tudor (Bloody Mary) for preaching the true Gospel (salvation by Grace alone and not the Catholic Church). 

As he walked to his place of execution, crowds lined up and down the road. The people cried and prayed for him. There was no doubt about it, Gentle John had an impact on people's lives. He even ministered to the criminals while he was in London's tower. 

He was killed along with a man named John Leaf. Just before they lit the fire Bradford said this to young John Leaf, "Be of good comfort brother; for we shall have a merry supper with the Lord this night!"

Mary I (18 February 1516 – 17 November 1558), also known as Mary Tudor, and as "Bloody Mary" by her Protestant opponents, was Queen of England and Ireland from July 1553 until her death in 1558. She is best known for her vigorous attempt to reverse the English Reformation, which had begun during the reign of her father, Henry VIII. Her attempt to restore to the church the property confiscated in the previous two reigns was largely thwarted by parliament, but during her five-year reign, Mary had over 280 religious dissenters burned at the stake in the Marian persecutions.

In the Old Testament, good, godly kings generally reigned for many years, while the ungodly kings reigned for much shorter durations. Mary reigned for only about 5 years and died at the early age of 42. 

Bradford and Leaf were burnt alive at Smithfield, then in the heart of London. It was also where William Wallace was executed 250 years earlier.