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THE

CHRISTIAN GUARDIAN,

AND

Church of England Magazine.

JUNE 1824.

MEMOIRS OF THE REFORMERS.

TYNDALE.

THE great glory of the Reformation was the translation of the Scriptures into a number of the languages of Europe. As the earlier versions of the word of God had been the principal means of producing that event, so when the work of translation was encouraged and supported by the ruling powers, the effect of that reaction was extensive beyond calculation. Had the system of doctrine been purified, and the mode of discipline corrected, without a diffusion of the lively oracles of truth, there would have been danger of the recurrence of error in the former, and of superstition in the latter, after the general fermentation excited by religious revolution had subsided; but when easy access was afforded to the volume of inspiration, and all ranks in society were invited to search the Scriptures, and judge of the faithfulness of their teachers by an immediate appeal to an unerring standard, the promoters of true religion felt that the reformed churches were fixed on immoveable bases. And however Protestants might differ among themselves on the circumstantials of Christianity, they rejoiced together that effectual provision had been made for the transmission of its essentials.

"But to dwell no longer," said JUNE 1824.

Milton, "in characterizing the depravities of the church, and how they sprung, and how they took increase; when I recall to mind at last, after so many dark ages, wherein the huge overshadowing train of error had almost swept all the stars out of the firmament of the church; how the bright and blissful Reformation, by divine power, struck through the black and settled night of ignorance and antichristian tyranny; methinks a sovereign and reviving joy must needs rush into the bosom of him that reads or hears, and the sweet odour of the returning Gospel imbathe his soul with the fragrancy of heaven. Then was the sacred Bible sought out of the dusty corners where profane falsehood and neglect had thrown it; the schools opened; divine and human learning raked out of the embers of forgotten tongues; the princes and cities trooping apace to the newerected banner of salvation; the martyrs, with the unresistible might of weakness, shaking the powers of darkness, and scorning the fiery rage of the old red dragon *."

To the grateful and affectionate remembrance of posterity do those lay a peculiar claim, who are reckoned among the earlier biblical translators. In this interesting

* On Reformation in England, B. I.
2 D

group of worthies, sketched by the pencil of history, stands near the illustrious Wickliffe the venerable form of William Tyndale.

Of his birth, it is only known that it occurred towards the close of the fifteenth century on the Welsh border. His family is supposed to have sprung from Robert Tindall, of Tansover, in the county of Northampton, who descended from Adam de Tindale, Baron of Langley, in South Tindale, in Northumberland*. He was entered at Magdalen Hall, Oxford, where he was distinguished for diligence in study, and sobriety of behaviour. Through divine grace his mind was drawn in a more particular manner to the consideration of the sacred writings and perceiving with concern the ignorance that prevailed on the subject of scriptural divinity, he willingly imparted in private lectures such in formation as he had gained on reformed religion from the works of Luther and Erasmus, to those of the junior fellows or students, who wished to soar above the Aonian mount to Sion's hill, and Siloa's brook," or turn from logical schemes to Gospel truths. To what degrees he proceeded does not appear; but we learn from Bishop Tanner and Anthony Wood, that Cardinal Wolsey gave him a situation in his newly founded college, on account of his singular merits; where, however, he was afterwards imprisoned, and finally expelled, for espousing too openly the sentiments of the Saxon Reformer. He retired to King's College, Cambridge, where he was allowed to graduate

Quitting the University for the hospitable mansion of Sir John Welsh, at Little Sodbury, in Gloucestershire, he became tutor to that knight's children. In this situa

* Biog. Britann.

tion, however, he did not "neg-
lect the gift that was in him," or
merge the character of public
teacher in that of private instruc-
tor, but embraced every opportu-
nity of preaching in Bristol and its
neighbourhood. He also entered
into frequent disputation with the
dignified clergy who resorted thi-
ther, over whom he had generally
a great advantage in controversial
matters; for, while their knowledge
of the Scriptures was very scanty,
and their acquaintance with Latin
confined to the breviary or missal,
his superior biblical and classical
attainments enabled him to confute
their positions by appeals to origi-
nal authorities. This gave rise to
many curious scenes, much to the
annoyance of the ecclesiastics, and
the amazement of the Knight and
his friends, who had not been ac-
customed to hear the opinions of
their reverences called in question.
In one of these disputes his anta-
gonist, being hard pressed, ex-
claimed in a passion, Why, Sir,
I say, we had better be without
God's laws than the Pope's !”—“I
defy the Pope and all his laws,"
replied Tyndale; "and if God
spare my life, before many years
are gone by, I'll teach one of the
poor plough boys to know more of
the Scripture than you do!" When
they found they could not answer
him as a divine, they reviled him
as a heretic, and told him, that
though he depended on his interest
with the country gentlemen, he
should shortly be otherwise dealt
with. Send me where you will,"
said he, "and do with me what you
please; only allow me ten pounds
a year, and give me liberty to
preach to the people, and instruct
their children." Dame Welsh, who
was a sensible and well-mean-
ing woman, but somewhat scan-
dalized at hearing those guests
whom she had been in the habit of
respecting so completely posed by

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Athen. Oxon. vol. i. p. 33.-Fox, p. the family tutor, asked him_one 1048.-Halle's Henry VIII. fol. 227.

day, rather warmly, "Mr. Tyn

dale, our friend Dr. A. has been advanced to the wealthy dignity of B—; and Dr. C. is the rich beneficiary of D; and Dr. E. is the powerful Rector of F ; and do you think it reasonable, that we should believe you before them?" He made her no reply, and for a time entered less into argument; but meanwhile translated, from the Latin of Erasmus, "The Manual of a Christian Soldier," and presented it to Sir John and his Lady, who read it with attention, and were so much convinced by its reasonings on the spirituality of Christian profession, as to feel a growing distaste for the society and conversation of those ignorant and immoral ecclesiastics; which was no sooner perceived by them, than they became more bent on his removal from that part of the country, and preferred articles against him before the Chancellor of the diocese. On his way to attend the court, he prayed fervently that God would enable him to adhere steadfastly to the truth; and when he appeared, as none of the priests present chose to come forward as his accuser, he was severely reprimanded and dismissed. He then called on an old clergyman, by whom he was much respected, and who had himself served the office of a chancellor. To this friend he spake confidently of his situation, and told him his sentiments on many parts of the word of God. Before they parted, the ex-dignitary said to him, "Do you not know that the Pope is very Antichrist, whom the Scripture speaketh of? But beware what you say; for if it should be known that such is your opinion, it will cost you your life. I have been an officer of his; but I have given it up, and defy him and all his works!"

Though he was comforted by this sympathy, he found so much vexation from the clergy, that feeling convinced his further stay would only endanger the worthy

Knight as well as himself, he left his roof upon proper representation, and repairing to London, preached at St. Dunstan's in the West. Conceiving a high opinion of Dr. Tonstall, Bishop of London, from some commendations bestowed on him for his learning by Erasmus, he endeavoured to get into his household, anticipating facilities to his studies from such a change in his condition; and applied to a friend of Sir John Welsh, and a known patron of the scholars, Sir Henry Guildford, Master of the Horse and Comptroller to the King, to whom he presented an Oration of Isocrates, which he had translated from the Greek. This gentleman engaged to represent him to the Bishop, and further advised him to write an epistle to his Lordship, and carry it in person to the palace; which advice he followed, and delivered the epistle to a gentleman of the household, to hand to the prelate. "But God," observes the pious martyrologist, "who secretly disposeth the course of things, saw that was not best for Tyndale's purpose, nor for the profit of his church; and therefore gave him to find little favour in the Bishop's sight. The answer of whom was this, that his house was full; he had more than he could well provide for, and advised him to seek in London abroad, where he said he could lack no service."

Humphrey Monmouth, Alderman and Draper, who had heard Tyndale preach at St. Dunstan's, happening to meet him a little before this application, inquired with much interest into his means of support, and was pleased to hear he was seeking for a chaplaincy. When, therefore, he was disappointed, he waited on this gentleman to inform him of the circumstance, who received him with great kindness, lodging him in his house for half a year, and enabling him to prosecute his studies. He was now intent on translating

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