lator, was brought into the King's service in 1530, and Cranmer, to whom also he was well known, was made Archbishop of Canterbury March 30, 1533; desirous of promoting the Reformation, they projected a large folio edition of Tyn sure to pay for their 'sins. HE is that fatted calf which is slain to make them good cheer withal, if they will repent and come to their Father again; and his merits are the goodly raiment to cover the naked deformities of their sins." His conclusion to this suppli-dale's Bible. According to Strype, cation is: "Finally, if the King's who quotes from Fox, "This Bible Grace, and other temporal persons had been printed in 1532, and was conspiring with the spirituality, be reprinted again about three or four of ignorance, I doubt not but their years after [1537]. The undereyes shall be opened shortly, and takers and printers were Grafton they shall see and repent, and God and Whitchurch, who printed it at shall show them mercy. But if it Hamburgh; the corrector was John be of a set malice against the truth, Rogers, a learned divine, after a and of a grounded hate against the canon of St. Paul's in King Edlaw of God, by the reason of a full ward's time, and the first martyr in consent they have to sin, and to the next reign; the translator was walk in their old ways of ignorance, William Tyndale, another learned whereunto being now past all re- martyr, with the help of Myles pentance, they have utterly yielded Coverdale, after Bishop of Exeter; themselves to follow with full lust, but before all this second edition without bridle or snafile, which is was printed, Tyndale was taken the sin against the Holy Ghost; and put to death for his religion in then ye shall see, even shortly, that Flanders, in 1536; and his name God shall turn the point of the growing into ignominy, as one sword, wherewith they now shed burned for an heretic, they thought Christ's blood, homewards to shed it might prejudice the book if he their own again, after all the ex- should be named the translator amples of the Bible." thereof; and so they used a feigned The political principles of this name, calling it Thomas Matthew's bold and spirited remonstrance, it Bible, though Tyndale before his will be seen, are founded upon our death had finished all but the ApoLord's direction and distinction,crypha, which was finished by "Render unto Cæsar the things Rogers abovesaid, who added also that are Cæsar's, and to God the some marginal notes." things which are God's;" the religious sentiments are so plainly evangelical as to require no com ment. The archbishop, in 1534, had proposed, in the convocation of the clergy of the province of Canterbury, that there might be a translation of the Bible into English; accordingly, on December 19, 1534, they agreed he should make That he was well affected to the English monarchy appears from his Epistle to the Reader, prefixed to the second edition of his New Tes-application in their names to the tament in 1534. "Caring for the King for permission to procure weal of the nation I was born in, a new edition. In 1537, the archfor the King, and all that are bishop received six of the cothereof, as a tender-hearted mother pies from Grafton (" printed," says would for her only son." Strype, "in Flanders; an edition Lord Thomas Cromwell, an in- of 500 copies, which cost £500, a timate acquaintance of our trans-good round sum in those days"); he sent a copy to Cromwell, the "I call God to record against the privy seal, intreating him to present day when we shall appear before our it to the King, that "the said book Lord Jesus, to give a reckoning of might, by his authority, be both our doings, that I never altered one bought and used by all indifferent-syllable of God's word against my ly." This Edition has not the conscience, nor would do this day, name of any printer to it, but if all that is in earth, whether it be Cromwell was allowed to print honour, pleasure, or riches, might in large red letters, at the bot- be given me. Moreover, I take tom of the title-page, "SET God to witness to my conscience, FORTH BY THE KING'S MAJES- that I desire of God to myself in TY'S LICENCE." This second edition this world no more than that withof Tyndale's Bible was dedicated out which I cannot, keep his laws," by Rogers, in a pompous gaudy &c. Frith adds, "Judge, Christian style, to the King, as the supreme reader, be not these words spoken head of the Church of England." of a faithful, clear, innocent heart. The second edition of Tyndale's And as for his behaviour, it is such New Testament, corrected by him- that I am sure no man can reprove self, was not published till 1534. him of any sin; howbeit, no man It is said to be printed "by Martin is innocent before God, who knowEmperowre, Antwerp;" A beau-eth the heart." tiful copy of it, printed and illuminated on vellum, after the style of a popish Missal, was presented, probably by Tyndale, to the queen, the unhappy Anne Boleyn; on the gilt leaves, in large letters, is written, 66 "ANNA REGINA ANGLIA." The following solemn protestation of Tyndale, made in 1533, respecting his translation of the Bible, is very striking. His bosom friend, John Frith, in his book on the Sacrament, in reply to Sir Thomas More, the chancellor, thus introduces it :—“ And Tyndale, I trust, yet liveth, well content with such a poor apostle's life as God gave his son Christ and his faithful ministers in this world, which is not sure of so many mites, as ye be yearly of pounds; - although I be sure that, for his judgment and learning of Scripture, he were more worthy to be promoted than all the bishops in England. I received a letter from him, which was written since Christmas, wherein, among other matters, he writeth this: *This is in the British Muscum. The writer of the above honourable testimonial was a disciple of Tyndale, a very learned man, a prisoner in the Tower for his principles respecting the Lord's Supper, protesting against the error of the real presence in the sacrament of the altar. The following quotation from a letter of Tyndale's shows his spirit as to a willingness to suffer death himself in the cause in which they were engaged:- "Fear not the threatening, therefore, neither be overcome of severe words, with which twain the hypocrites will assail you. Neither let the persuasions of worldly wisdom bear rule in your heart, no, though they be your friends who counsel you. Let Bilney be a warning to you;* let not their visure beguile your eyes; let not your body faint. He that endureth to the end shall be saved. If the pain be above your strength, remember, Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, I will Bilney abjured in 1529, but, from the misery be felt in his conscience two years afterwards, began to preach openly the protestant doctrines, and was burned at Norwich, 1531. give it you; and pray to your belonging to the Emperor of GerFather in that name, and he shall many. ease your pain, or shorten it. The When the chancellor, Sir ThoLord of grace, of hope, and of faith mas More, and the bishops exbe with you! Amen! William Tyn-amined any person, who had lived dale." at Antwerp and who knew our translator, he would inquire most particularly about him, "as where and with whom he hosted, where-about stood the house, what was his stature, in what apparel he went, what resort he had," &c. &c. This excellent John Frith was imprisoned because he could not agree in sentiment on the subject of the real presence either with Archbishop Cranmer or the popish bishops. When they asked him if he would abide by his principles, Tyndale had lodged about a year he wrote in Latin what is Englished in the house of Thomas Pointz, an thus: "I, Frith, thus do think, Englishman, who kept an hotel and, as I think, so I have said, at Antwerp. In the year 1534, written, taught, and affirmed, and there came a genteel young man, in my books have published." In Henry Philips, to the house, whose another letter from Tyndale, writ- father, a customer with the Enten May, 1532, is this touching glish merchants, resided at Poole remark respecting Mrs. Frith:- in Dorsetshire. From meeting Sir, your wife is well content him several times at dinner, at with the will of God, and would merchants' houses, Tyndale connot, for her sake, have the glory of ceived a respect for him and put God hindered." Blessed woman!- great confidence in him, and freFrith was burned in Smithfield, quently invited him to the hotel. April 29th, 1533, and died, like Here Philips also lodged and Stephen, praying for his perse-boarded; he saw how Tyndale was employed in his study, and cutors. Many besides of Tyndale's dis- learned from him his secrets as to ciples, who were called Sacramen- his books, &c. The host, Mr. tarians, also suffered grievously Pointz, suspected he was a bad at this time for having his Testa- fellow, and told Tyndale so; but ment and other books in their pos-nothing could lead him to think ill session. James Bainham, a lawyer, of his new acquaintance. though he abjured, yet, afterwards in the flames thus exclaimed, when the fire had half consumed his arms and legs, "O ye papists, behold, ye look for miracles, and here now you may see a miracle; for in this fire I feel no more pain than if I were on a bed of roses." After a few weeks, Philips went to Brussels, distant from Antwerp about 20 miles, and informed the popish court held there that Tyndale was an heretic. He soon afterwards returned to Antwerp, bringing the Emperor's attorney and other officers with him. FindIt has been already intimated ing, by inquiry at the hotel, that that Tyndale became a martyr for Tyndale was at home, he ordered Christ. The pious queen Anne dinner; at noon he came to Tyndale Boleyn, 1536, having also fallen a and, saying he had lost his purse, victim to the machinations of Gar-wished him to lend him forty shildiner, Bishop of Winchester. The lings, which he instantly handed papists in the King's council now to him: "the which," says Fox, resolved to get rid of Tyndale, was very easy to be had of him, though he was residing in a town if he had it, for in the wyly sub 66 tilties of this world he was simple | a year and a half in the Castle, (durand unexpert." The traitor said, ing which time it is said, he became, "Mr. Tyndale, you shall be my by the power of his doctrine and guest here to-day.' No," re- sincerity of his life, the instrument plied the unsuspicious saint, "I go of the conversion of the gaoler and forth this day to dinner, and you his wife and another person,) he shall go with me and be my guest, was put upon his trial, being where you shall be welcome.". offered an Advocate and a ProcGoing from the hotel, they had to tor: he, however, pleaded his own pass through a long narrow entry, cause, but without effect: he was where there was not room for two condemned by virtue of the Emto go abreast. Philips refused to peror's decree made in the Assemgo first, and being much taller than bly at Augsburgh, and upon the Tyndale, he pointed to him with same brought forth to the place of his finger, so as to be seen by the execution, was there tied to the officers who were placed outside stake, and then strangled by the 'the door. They seized him accord- hangman; and afterwards coningly, and carried him to the Empe- sumed. This was at Filford, anno ror's Procurer-general; and then, 1536, crying thus at the stake with after taking away all his books, a fervent zeal and a loud voice, papers, &c. they carried him to the "Lord open the king of England's castle of Filford, eighteen miles from eyes!" He was, it is conjectured, Antwerp. The officers afterwards at the time of his death, about 50 told Mr. Pointz, "That they pitied years of age. to see his simplicity when they That such means were adopted took him." to compass the death of this faithSpeaking of this base transac-ful servant of Christ, will stand as tion, Fox says, the good martyr of God who was falsely betrayed and put to death, whom as he was a special organ of the Lord appointed, and as God's mattock to shake the inward roots and foundation of the Pope's proud prelacy, so the great Prince of darkness, with his impious imps, left no way unsought, how craftily to entrap him, and falsely to betray him, and maliciously to spill his life." Every exertion was made by the English merchants to save his life. The worthy Pointz became the bearer of letters to the Emperor's council at Brussels; and it was expected he would have been set at liberty. But the infamous Philips, who had betrayed innocent blood being there, urged the matter against Tyndale, and informed also against Pointz as a heretic. After our Apostle had been an indelible blot on the character of the king and the nobles of England. The neutrality of the port of Antwerp was invaded by the Emperor, who had guaranteed it for the purpose of trade with England: by residing there Tyndale had not become his subject, nor was he amenable to his authority. The following is the law under which he suffered :-Ferdinand in the Councils of Ratisbon, and Spires, in 1529, had thus decreed against some of the Protestants in the Act which secured their general liberties :-" That the Edict made at Worms, should stand in force through all Germany, till the time of the General Council which should shortly follow:-That the doctrine of them which hold the Lord's Supper, otherwise than the church doth teach, should not be received, nor the mass should be altered: and that, whereas the doctrine of reli martyr as to whose influence his gion was altered, should be no impediment to the contrary, but that they which were disposed to come to Mass, might safely therein use their devotion. Against anabaptists likewise; and that all ministers of the church should be enjoined to use no other interpretation of Holy Scripture, but according to the exposition of the church doctors. Moreover, that all persous and states should keep peace, so that for religion, neither the one part should offer molestation to the other, nor receive said confederates under their protection and safeguard: all which decrees they which jecture the causes of his royal should transgress, to be outlawed anger and malice. Tyndale had and exiled." not in any way or on any occasion Admitting it to be just, that the recognized the supremacy of the subject of another state should be king, in all or any causes ecclesi amenable to this law, there is no astical, nor joined in the delusive doubt that Tyndale both as a Sa- flattery of addressing him by fulcramentarian, and for having used some dedications as being " by the an exposition of the Scriptures, grace of God Defender of the contrary to the interpretation of Faith, and in earth the supreme the church doctors, had exposed head of the Church of England:" himself to its penalties! These, he had neither looked to him for however, were not strangulation patronage or support. But on the and burning, but outlawry and contrary, had reproved his vices exile! This was one objection, I and called upon him to repent of find, that was urged by Pointz for his having joined in persecuting the the saving of the life of his brother saints of God. "If the king's and friend. But it was replied by grace, (said Tyndale in his supthe Lord of Barron, that there had plication,) and other temporal perbeen Germans burned in England sons conspiring with the temporality not long ago, (referring to the Bap-be of ignorance, I doubt not but tists who were burned in Smith- their eyes shall be opened shortly, field). This nobleman wrote to and they shall see and repent," &c. Lord Cromwell in reply to a letter, it should seem, which he had received from him on the subject, but all intercession was in vain; the Vicegerent, though the second man in the kingdom, was not the first! nor was the death of Tyndale the first instance in which his power was insufficient to prevent the martyrdom of Sacramentarians! The last prayer of this extraordinary servant of Christ speaks very plainly the dying opinion of the This was language too uncourtly for such a vain pedantic tyrant as Henry VIII. The conduct of Tyndale towards him was framed on the model of that of John the Baptist towards HEROD:—and as the character of the monarchs, so the character of these servants of Christ, and also their ends, were very similar. It was not possible, that one who in matters of religion owned no authority but that of Christ, admitted no appeal but to the Scrip |
