Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Cradock, Walter
CRADOCK, WALTER (1606?–1659), puritan divine, was born of a gentleman's family at Trevela, in the parish of Llangwmucha, Monmouthshire, where, from his ancestors, he derived an estate of 60l. a year. He was educated at Oxford, and became curate first at Peterston-upon-Ely, Glamorganshire, and afterwards to William Erbury, vicar of St. Mary's, Cardiff. In consequence, however, of his puritanical opinions, he was deprived of his curacy by the Bishop of Llandaff, who described him as ‘a bold, ignorant young fellow.’ He then went to Wrexham, where he officiated as curate for nearly a year. Afterwards he appears to have resided at Llanvair Waterdine, Herefordshire, under the patronage of Sir Robert Harley of Brampton Bryan. Thence he made excursions into the neighbouring counties, establishing in some of them settled congregations. Subsequently he succeeded the Rev. William Wroth as pastor of the congregational church at Llanvaches, Monmouthshire, and about 1646 he was appointed preacher at Allhallows-the-Great, London. He was one of the commissioners or triers appointed on 20 March 1653–4 for the approbation of public preachers. He died at Trevela on 24 Dec. 1659, and was buried in the chancel of the church of Llangwmucha.
He was the author of: 1. ‘The Saints Fulnesse of Joy in their fellowship with God,’ a sermon preached before the House of Commons ‘in Margarets Westminster,’ 21 July 1646, being the day appointed for thanks-giving for the surrender of Oxford, London, 1646, 4to. 2. ‘Gospel-Libertie,’ a collection of twelve sermons, Lond. 1648, 4to. 3. ‘Divine Drops distilled from the Fountain of Holy Scriptures,’ Lond. 1650, 4to. 4. ‘Gospel-Holinesse, or, the saving sight of God,’ Lond. 1651, 4to.
His collected ‘Works’ were published at Chester, 1800, 8vo, by the Rev. T. Charles of Bala and the Rev. P. Oliver of Chester.
[Life prefixed to Works; Williams's Eminent Welshmen; Wood's Athenæ Oxon. (Bliss), iii. 360, 878, Fasti, ii. 124; Hanbury's Memorials, iii. 422; Cat. of Printed Books in Brit. Mus.; Rees's Nonconformity in Wales, 2nd ed. p. 46.]