Brief Admonition Written in the New Testament of a Friend
To follow God's word, we must be willing to take up our cross by denying ourselves and preparing for the challenges that come with it.
John Bradford emphasizes the necessity of embracing the cross in the Christian walk, highlighting that every disciple of Christ must be willing to bear their cross, regardless of their profession or station in life. He challenges the misconception that following the gospel can be without trials, as the devil, the world, and the flesh oppose it. Bradford encourages believers to deny themselves and be prepared to take up their cross, echoing the words of Jesus in the Gospels.
Text
Brief Admonition written by John Bradford in the New Testament of a Friend
This book is called, The word of the Cross, because the cross always accompanies it: so that if you will be a student thereof, you must needs prepare yourself to that cross which you began to learn, before you learned your alphabet. And Christ requires it of every one that will be His disciple, therein not swerving from the common trade (manner, editor) of callings or locations, for no profession or kind of life wants its cross. So that they are far overseen (much mistaken, editor) who think that the profession of the gospel, which the devil most envies, the world does hate's, and the flesh most repines at, can be without a cross. Let us therefore enable us to take up our cross by denying ourselves.
From prison, 18th February, 1555.
John Bradford
Sermon Outline
- The Necessity of the Cross
- The Call to Discipleship
- The Importance of Self-Denial
- The Devil, World, and Flesh All Resist the Cross
- Preparing for the Cross
- The Gospel Profession is Not Exempt from the Cross
Key Quotes
“If you will be a student thereof, you must needs prepare yourself to that cross which you began to learn, before you learned your alphabet.” — John Bradford
“Let us therefore enable us to take up our cross by denying ourselves.” — John Bradford
Application Points
- We must be willing to deny ourselves and take up our cross to follow God's word.
- Every profession and location has its own unique challenges and crosses to bear.
- Self-denial is necessary to follow God's word and take up our cross.