This pack contains;
Anne Bradstreet
Sailing to the New World at the age of eighteen, Anne Bradstreet was among the first contingent of Puritan refugees to leave English shores between 1630 and 1642, in search of liberty to worship without fear of persecution from state or church. Frequently struggling with ill–health, in addition to the challenges of raising a family in the harsh conditions faced by the early settlers, she achieved unexpected fame as America’s first published poet, a remarkable feat for a woman in view of the cultural prejudices of the times.
Seeing the Invisible
When John Bunyan asked Elizabeth to marry him he was inviting her to share not only his life but also his sufferings. Young Elizabeth would care for her new husband's four children, and take the family through the dark period of persecution when John Bunyan was imprisoned. The story of Elizabeth's strong faith and courage is recorded here, along the stories of nine other ordinary people of extraordinary faith. Among them a young child known to us only as Jane, a man who was willing to volunteer to be a slave for the sake of the gospel and a woman who served in Spurgeon's church with such faithfulness that he called her his 'best deacon.' It is no surprise that Derek Prime says, my hope and prayer are that God may graciously use the inspiration of these ten lives… As we take a good look at the example of godly men and women, may their faithfulness instruct and inspire us.
Nine Day Queen of England
Kneeling down on the hard wooden scaffold Jane turned to Feckenham who stood by her. “Shall I say this Psalm?” she faltered. Overcome with emotion … he simply said, “Yea”. Jane then began to repeat Psalm 51 in English, David’s great prayer of contrition. Jane recited all nineteen verses “in a most devout manner” and then both she and Feckenham rose to their feet. A deep silence rested over that sad scene, nothing could be heard except for the quiet sobbing of her lady attendants. Hardened soldiers who had witnessed brutality many times before stood without moving.’
…‘Lady Jane called out in a clear voice. “Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” Then with a stroke, swift, sharp and terrible, Jane’s short life was ended. Like the Apostle Paul she had fought a good fight, finished the course and kept the faith. Henceforth there was laid up for her a crown of righteousness – a crown that none could take from her.’
Lady Jane Grey has often been called the ‘Tudor Pawn’ but to see her as one whose life was simply moved around by others is totally inadequate. This is no simplistic life and death of a sixteen–year–old girl. In order to understand the full tragedy and triumph of her life it is vital to grasp the far–reaching political and religious changes that were shaking England at that time. The Reformation touched the whole population; from palace to university; from emerging town to peasant cottage. Like a complicated jigsaw the pieces fit together giving a picture of a girl with outstanding natural abilities whose strength of character and remarkable faith shine out despite the darkness that often surrounded her.
