MarginaliaAn. 1555. Iuly.haue a tyme to conferre.

Harps. I will do the best I can, for I pitie his case.

Bradford. Syr, I will not desire any body to sue for tyme for me. I am not waueryng, neither would I that any body should thinke I were so. But if you haue the charitie and loue you pretende towardes me, and thereto do thinke that I am in an errour, I thinke the same should moue you to do as you would be done to. As ye thinke of me, so do I of you, that you are farre out of the way, and I do not onely thinke it, but also am therof most assured. In this and such lyke gentle talke they departed.  

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In STC 3477 (sigs. E5r-E7v) there are accounts of various discussions held with Bradford on 17, 19 and 21 February. These conversations did not concern theological matters but were concerned with the recall of the writ for Bradford's execution and the earl of Derby's efforts to save Bradford's life. Foxe never printed any of this material.

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¶ The talke of Doctour Heth Archbyshop of Yorke, and Day Byshop of Chichester, with Maister Bradford.  

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ECL 262, fo. 94r-v is a copy of this examination among Foxe's papers. It was written by Augustine Bernher, Hugh Latimer's amanuensis. Bernher may have copied this examination for Latimer or he may have copied it for the benefit of other protestants.

THe. xxiij. of the same moneth,  

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22 February in STC 3477.

speake with Bradford. MarginaliaTalke betwene the Byshops & Bradford.When hee was come before them, they both, and especially the Byshop of Yorke, vsed him very gently: they would haue hym to sit downe, and because he would not, they also would not sit. So they all stode: and whether he would or not, they would needes he should put on, not onely his night cap, but his vpper cap also,  

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Bradford was wearing a skullcap and, because of Archbishop Heath's exalted rank, he had to dress more formally, putting on a hat over his skull cap.

Now thus standyng together, my Lord of Yorke, began to tell Bradford howe that they were not sent to him, but of loue and charitie they came to him: and hee, for that acquaintaunce also which he had with Bradford, more thē the Byshop of Chichester had: then after commendyng Bradfordes godly lyfe, he cōcluded with this question: how he was certaine of saluation and of his Religion.

Brad. After thankes for their good will, Bradford answered: by the word of God, euen by the Scriptures I am certaine of saluation, and Religion.

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The importance of John Bradford and his inspiring letters for Foxe's history is reflected in his being allotted three large narrative illustrations (more than any other individual). The picture of Archbishop Heath of York and Bishop Day of Chichester visiting Bradford in the Counter in an attempt to move his mind shows them in his prison cell using the formal gestures of disputation. The barred windows of the small room and the keeper's keys hanging from his wrist tell of Bradford's confinement, though he is not bareheaded in this lordly presence, nor are the visitors seated, thanks (as the text explains) to the bishops' special courtesy. Inscriptions help readers' identification of the prison keeper and Bradford.

Yorke. Very well sayd: but how do ye know the worde of God and the Scriptures, but by the Church?

Bradford. In deede my Lord, MarginaliaThe church is a meane to know the scripture: as the woman of Samaria was to the Samaritans to know Christ.the Churche was and is a meane to bryng a man more speedely to know the Scriptures and the word of GOD, as was the woman of Samaria a meane that the Samaritanes knewe Christ: but as when they had heard hym speake, they sayd: now we know that he is Christ, not because of thy wordes but because we our selues haue heard hym: so after we come to the hearyng and readyng of the Scriptures shewed vnto vs and discerned by the Churche, wee doe beleue them, and knowe them as Christes sheepe, not because the Churche sayth they are the Scriptures, but because they be so, beyng thereof assured by the same spirite which wrote and spake them.

Yorke. You know, in the Apostles tyme at the first the word was not written.

Bradford. True, if you meane it for some bookes of the new Testament: MarginaliaAthough in the Apostles tyme certayne bookes of the new testament were not yet written: yet the Apostles send vs ad firmiorem sermonem propheticum.but elles for the olde Testament Peter telleth vs, Firmiorem sermonem propheticum habemus:  

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2 Peter, 1. 19 (Vulgate)

Foxe text Latin

Firmiorem sermonem propheticum habemus.

[As in1570].

Foxe text translation

We haue a more sure word of Prophecie.

Actual text of 2 Peter, 1. 19 (Vulgate)

et habemus firmiorem propheticum sermonem etc.

[Accurate citation, although the word order is different]

where as for the infirmitie of their persons men perchaunce might haue founde some faulte at their preachyng: albeit, in very deede no lesse obedience and fayth ought to haue bene geuen to the one, then to the other: for all proceedeth forth of one spirite of truth.

Yorke. That place of Peter is not to be vnderstand of the Worde written.

Brad. Yes Syr, that it is, and of none other.

Chic. Yea, in deede Maister Bradford doth tell you truely in that point.

Yorke. Well, you know that Irenæus and others do magnifie much and MarginaliaThe authoritie of the church alleged agaynst heretickes, and wherfore.alledge the Churche agaynst the heretickes, and not the Scripture.

Bradford. True, for they had to do with such heretickes as did deny the Scriptures, & yet did magnifie þ^e Apostles: so that they were inforced to vse the authoritie of those Churches wherein the Apostles had taught, and whiche had still retained the same doctrine.

Chic. You speake the very truth: for the heretickes did refuse all scriptures, except it were a peece of Lukes Gospell.

Bradford. Then the alledgyng of the Church can not be principally vsed agaynst me, whiche am so farre from denying of the Scriptures that I appeale vnto them vtterly, as to the onely iudge.