John Bradford, was born in the first part of the reign of Henry VIII.  He early evinced a taste for learning, and began the study of law; but finding theology more congenial, removed to Cambridge University, where his ability and piety won for him, in less than a year, the degree of master of arts.  Soon after ,  he was made chaplain to Edward VI, and became one of the most popular preachers of Protestantism in the kingdom.  But after the accession of that rigid Catholic, Mary, he was arrested on the charge of heresy, and confined in the Tower a year and a half, during which time he aided with his pen the cause for which he suffered.  When finally brought to trail, he defended his principles to the last, withstanding all attemps to effect his conversion to Romanism.  He was condemned, and committed to the flames in 1555.  He died, rejoicing thus to be able to suffer for the truth.