Bradshaw, William
, an eminent puritan divine,
was born in 1571 at Market-Bosworth, in Leicestershire, of
an ancient but reduced family, and was first educated at
Worcester free school, at the expense of an uncle, ou
whose death he was obliged to return to Bosworth, but afterwards found a friend in Mr. Ainsworth, schoolmaster at
Ashby-de-la-Zouch, who continued his education in that
school. In 1589, he was admitted along with Joseph Hall,
afterwards the celebrated bishop of Exeter, into Emmanuel college, Cambridge, and took in course his degree of
B. A. and M. A. but could not obtain a fellowship, according to the statutes, which allow but of one of a county at
time, and that for Leicestershire was gained by Mr.
Hall. The master of the college, however, Dr. Chaderton, who had a high respect for him, first procured him
to be tutor to the children of sir Thomas Leighton, governor of Guernsey, and afterwards to be fellow of Sidney
Sussex college, then newly founded. He then entered
into holy orders, and preached first as a lecturer at Abington, near Cambridge, and at Steeple Morton. Afterwards,
by the recommendation of Dr. Chaderton, he was in 101i
settled at Chatham, in Kent; but before he had been there
a year, he was sent for by the archbishop of Canterbury
(Whitgift) and commanded to subscribe, which he refusing,
was suspended. He therefore was obliged to remove, but
was afterwards licensed by the bishop of Litchfield and Coventry (Dr. Overton) to preach any where in his diocese,
and at length coming to London, was chosen lecturer of
Christ Church, Newgate-street. Here, however, he published a treatise against the Ceremonies, which obliged him,
to leave the city and retire to the house of his friend and
patron, Mr. Redriche, at Newhall, in Leicestershire, and he
remained here until near his death, which happened when,
on a visit at Chelsea in 1618. Bishop Hall says of him$
that he was “of a strong brain and of a free spirit, not
| suffering himself for small differences of judgment to be
alienated from his friends, to whom, notwithstanding his
seeming austerity, he was very pleasing in conversation,
being full of witty and harmless urbanity. He was very
strong and eager in arguing, hearty in friendship, regardless
of the world, a despiser of compliments, a lover of reality,
full of digested and excellent notions, and a painful labourer
in God’s vineyard.” The rev. Thomas Gataker, of Ilotherhiihe, wrote his life, a long and not uninteresting account.
Of his works we know only “Several Treatises of Worship and Ceremonies,” first printed in 1601, afterwards
that on ceremonies, as mentioned above, and the whole
reprinted 1660: “English Puritanism, containing the main
opinions of the rigidestsort of those that went by that name
in the realm of England,” 1605. This is valuable, as
showing the difference between the principles of the ancient
and modern non-conformists; Neal has given an abstract
of it, and Dr. Ames translated it into Latin. Mr. Bradshaw also wrote “Dissertatio de justificatione,” printed at
Leyden the year of his death, 1618, 12 mo, and “A plaine
and pithy Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians,” 162O, 4to, published by Gataker. 1
This text has been generated using commercial OCR software,
and there are still many problems; it is slowly getting better
over time.
The text was scanned and OCRd several times, and
a majority version of each line of text was chosen.
Please don't reuse the content
(e.g. do not post to wikipedia)
without asking liam
at fromoldbooks dot org first (mention the colour of your socks in the subject line of the mail),
because I am still working on fixing errors.
Thanks!
Works found by this author (or others with similar names) in the Early English Books Online Collection:
A triall of subscription by way of a preface vnto certaine subscribers; and, reasons for lesse rigour against non-subscribers. Both modestly written; that neither should offend. (1599) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
A shorte treatise, of the crosse in baptisme contracted into this syllogisme. No humane ordinance becomming an idoll, may lawfully be vsed in the seruice of God. But the signe of the crosse being a humane ordinance is become an idoll: ergo· The signe of the crosse may not lawfully be vsed in the seruice of God. (1604) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
A treatise of divine worship tending to prove that the ceremonies imposed vpon the ministers of the Gospell in England, in present controversie, are in their vse vnlawfull. (1604) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
A protestation of the Kings supremacie Made in the name of the afflicted ministers, and opposed to the shamefull calumniations of the prelates. (1605) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
Twelve generall arguments proving that the ceremonies imposed upon the ministers of the gospell in England, by our prelates, are unlawfull; and therefore that the ministers of the gospell, for the bare and sole omission of them in church service, for conscience sake, are most unjustlie charged of disloyaltie to his Maiestie. (1605) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
Proposition. Concerning kneeling in the very act of receiuing howsoever (1605) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
A consideration of certaine positions archiepiscopall (1605) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
A treatise of the nature and vse of things indifferent Tendinge to proue, that the ceremonies in present controuersie amongst the ministers of the gospell in the realme of Englande, are neither in nature nor vse indifferent. (1605) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
A myld and iust defence of certeyne arguments, at the last session of Parliament directed to that most Honorable High Court, in behalfe of the ministers suspended and deprived &c: for not subscribing and conforming themselues etc Against an intemperat and vniust consideration of them by M. Gabril Powell. The chiefe and generall contents wherof are breefely layd downe immediatly after the epistle. (1606) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
A direction for the weaker sort of Christians shewing in what manner they ought to fit and prepare themselues to the worthy receiuing of the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ: with a short forme of triall or examination annexed. Grounded vpon 1. Cor.11.23.-30. By W.B. Whereunto is adioined a verie profitable treatise of the same argument, by way of question and answer, written by another. (1609) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
The vnreasonablenesse of the separation Made apparant, by an examination of Mr. Iohnsons pretended reasons, published an. 1608. Wherby hee laboureth to iustifie his schisme from the church assemblies of England. (1614) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
A treatise of iustification Tending to proue that a sinner is iustified before God, onely by Christs righteousnes imputed. By William Bradshaw. (1615) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
A treatise of Christian religion. Or, the whole bodie and substance of diunintie. By T.C.Christian religion (1616) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
A preparation to the receiving of the Sacrament, of Christs Body and Bloud Directing weake Christians how they may worthily receiue the same. By W. Bradshavv. With a profitable treatise of the same argument, written by another.Direction for the weaker sort of Christians (1617) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
A plaine and pithy exposition of the second Epistle to the Thessalonians. By that learned & judicious diuine Mr William Bradshaw, sometime fellow of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge. Published since his deceasse by Thomas Gataker B. of D. and paster of Rotherhith (1620) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
A meditation of mans mortalitie Containing an exposition of the ninetieth psalme. By that Reuerend and religious seruant of God Mr. William Bradshavv, sometime fellow of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge. Published since his decease by Thomas Gataker B. of D. and Pastor of Rotherhith. (1621) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
A discourse of the sinne against the Holy Ghost Grounded upon Matt. Chap. 12. vers. 22.-23. Tending to the comfort of such persons as, being afflicted in conscience for their sins, are, by the delusions of Satan, brought to the brinke of despaire, through feare that they have fallen into that unpardonable sinne. Written some space of time since, by that godly and judicious divine M. William Bradshaw, sometime fellow of Sydny Colledge in Cambridge; and publish'd by his sonne Iohn Bradshaw. (1640) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
English Puritanisme containing the maine opinions of the rigidest sort of those that are called Puritans in the realme of England / written by William Ames ... (1641) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
Bradshaw's ghost being a dialogue between the said ghost, and an apparition of the late King Charles : wherein are laid down severall transactions that did occur in the many passages of his life, never known before. (1659) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
Several treatises of vvorship & ceremonies, by the Reverend Mr. William Bradshaw, one of the first Fellows of Sydney Colledge in Cambridge; afterward minister of Chattam in Kent, 1601. Known by his learned treatise De justificatione. 1. A consideration of certain positions archiepiscopal. 2. A treatise of divine worship, tending to prove the ceremonies, imposed on the ministers of the Gospel in England, in present controversie, are in their use unlawful. Printed 1604. 3. A treatise of the nature and use of things indifferent. 1605. 4. English Puritanism, containing the main opinions of the ridgedest sort of those called Puritans in the realm of England. 1604. 5. Twelve general arguments, proving the ceremonies unlawful. 1605. 6. A proposition concerning kneeling in the very act of receiving, 1605. 7. A protestation of the Kings supremacy, made in the name of the afflicted ministers, and oposed to the shameful calumniations of the prelates. 1605. 8. A short treatise of the cross in baptism. (1660) by Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.
The third volume of letters writ by a Turkish spy who lived five and forty years undiscover'd at Paris : giving an impartial account to the Divan at Constantinople of the most remarkable transactions of Europe, and discovering several intrigues and secrets of the Christian courts (especially of that of France) continued from the year 1645 to the year 1682 / written originally in Arabick, translated into Italian, and from thence into English by the translator of the first volume. (1691) by Bradshaw, William, fl. 1700.
The fourth volume of letters writ by a Turkish spy who lived five and forty years undiscover'd at Paris : giving an impartial account to the Divan at Constantinople of the most remarkable transactions of Europe, and discovering several intrigues and secrets of the Christian courts (especially of that of France) continued from the year 1642 to the year 1682 / written originally in Arabick, translated into Italian, and from thence into English, by the translator of the first volume. (1692) by Bradshaw, William, fl. 1700.
The fifth volume of letters writ by a Turkish spy who lived five and forty years undiscover'd at Paris : giving an impartial account to the Divan at Constantinople of the most remarkable transactions of Europe, and discovering several intrigues and secrets of the Christian courts (especially of that of France) continued from the year 1642 to the year 1682 / written originally in Arabick, translated into Italian, and from thence into English, by the translator of the first volume. (1692) by Bradshaw, William, fl. 1700.
The second volume of letters writ by a Turkish spy who lived five and forty years undiscover'd at Paris : giving an impartial account to the Divan at Constantinople of the most remarkable transactions of Europe, and discovering several intrigues and secrets of the Christian courts (especially of that of France) continued from the year 1642 to the year 1682 / written originally in Arabick, translated into Italian, and from thence into English, by the translator of the first volume. (1692) by Bradshaw, William, fl. 1700.
The seventh volume of letters writ by a Turkish spy who lived five and forty years undiscover'd at Paris : giving an impartial account to the Divan at Constantinople of the most remarkable transactions of Europe, and discovering several intrigues and secrets of the Christian courts (especially of that of France) continued from the year 1642 to the year 1682 / written originally in Arabick, translated into Italian, and from thence into English, by the translator of the first volume. (1694) by Bradshaw, William, fl. 1700.
The eighth and last volume of letters writ by a Turkish spy who lived five and forty years undiscover'd at Paris : giving an impartial account to the Divan at Constantinople of the most remarkable transactions of Europe, and discovering several intrigues and secrets of the Christian courts (especially of that of France) continued from the year 1642 to the year 1682 / written originally in Arabick, translated into Italian, and from thence into English, by the translator of the first volume. (1694) by Bradshaw, William, fl. 1700.
The sixth volume of letters writ by a Turkish spy who lived five and forty years undiscover'd at Paris : giving an impartial account to the Divan at Constantinople of the most remarkable transactions of Europe, and discovering several intrigues and secrets of the Christian courts (especially of that of France) continued from the year 1659 to the year 1682 / written originally in Arabick, translated into Italian, and from thence into English by the translator of the first volume. (1694) by Bradshaw, William, fl. 1700.