FOX'S BOOK OF MARTYRS
CHAPTER XII
The Life and Story of the True Servant and Martyr of God,
William Tyndale
We have now to enter into the story of the good martyr of God, William Tyndale;
which William Tyndale, 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, having a special malice against
him, left no way unsought how craftily to entrap him, and falsely to betray him,
and maliciously to spill his life, as by the process of his story here following
may appear.
William Tyndale, the faithful minister of Christ, was born about the borders of
Wales, and brought up from a child in the University of Oxford, where he, by long
continuance, increased as well in the knowledge of tongues, and other liberal arts,
as especially in the knowledge of the Scriptures, whereunto his mind was singularly
addicted; insomuch that he, lying then in Magdalen Hall, read privily to certain
students and fellows of Magdalen College some parcel of divinity; instructing them
in the knowledge and truth of the Scriptures. His manners and conversation being
correspondent to the same, were such that all they that knew him reputed him to be
a man of most virtuous disposition, and of life unspotted.
Thus he, in the University of Oxford, increasing more and more in learning, and
proceeding in degrees of the schools, spying his time, removed from thence to the
University of Cambridge, where he likewise made his abode a certain space. Being
now further ripened in the knowledge of God's Word, leaving that university, he resorted
to one Master Welch, a knight of Gloucestershire, and was there schoolmaster to his
children, and in good favor with his master. As this gentleman kept a good ordinary
commonly at his table, there resorted to him many times sundry abbots, deans, archdeacons,
with divers other doctors, and great beneficed men; who there, together with Master
Tyndale siting at the same table, did use many times to enter communication, and
talk of learned men, as of Luther and of Erasmus; also of divers other controversies
and questions upon the Scripture.
Then Master Tyndale, as he was learned and well practiced in God's matters, spared
not to show unto them simply and plainly his judgment, and when they at any time
did vary from Tyndale in opinions, he would show them in the Book, and lay plainly
before them the open and manifest places of the Scriptures, to confute their errors,
and confirm his sayings. And thus continued they for a certain season, reasoning
and contending together divers times, until at length they waxed weary, and bare
a secret grudge in their hearts against him.
As this grew on, the priests of the country, clustering together, began to grudge
and storm against Tyndale, railing against him in alehouses and other places, affirming
that his sayings were heresy; and accused him secretly to the chancellor, and others
of the bishop's officers.
It followed not long after this that there was a sitting of the bishop's chancellor
appointed, and warning was given to the priests to appear, amongst whom Master Tyndale
was also warned to be there. And whether he had any misdoubt by their threatenings,
or knowledge given him that they would lay some things to his charge, it is uncertain;
but certain this is (as he himself declared), that he doubted their privy accusations;
so that he by the way, in going thitherwards, cried in his mind heartily to God,
to give him strength fast to stand in the truth of His Word.
When the time came for his appearance before the chancellor, he threatened him
grievously, reviling and rating him as though he had been a dog, and laid to his
charge many things whereof no accuser could be brought forth, notwithstanding that
the priests of the country were there present. Thus Master Tyndale, escaping out
of their hands, departed home, and returned to his master again.
There dwelt not far off a certain doctor, that he been chancellor to a bishop,
who had been of old, familiar acquaintance with Master Tyndale, and favored him well;
unto whom Master Tyndale went and opened his mind upon divers questions of the Scripture:
for to him he durst be bold to disclose his heart. Unto whom the doctor said, "Do
you not know that the pope is very Antichrist, whom the Scripture speaketh of? But
beware what you say; for if you shall be perceived to be of that opinion, it will
cost you your life."
Not long after, Master Tyndale happened to be in the company of a certain divine,
recounted for a learned man, and, in communing and disputing with him, he drove him
to that issue, that the said great doctor burst out into these blasphemous words,
"We were better to be without God's laws than the pope's." Master Tyndale,
hearing this, full of godly zeal, and not bearing that blasphemous saying, replied,
"I defy the pope, and all his laws;" and added, "If God spared him
life, ere many years he would cause a boy that driveth the plough to know more of
the Scripture than he did."
The grudge of the priests increasing still more and more against Tyndale, they
never ceased barking and rating at him, and laid many things sorely to his charge,
saying that he was a heretic. Being so molested and vexed, he was constrained to
leave that country, and to seek another place; and so coming to Master Welch, he
desired him, of his good will, that he might depart from him, saying: "Sir,
I perceive that I shall not be suffered to tarry long here in this country, neither
shall you be able, though you would, to keep me out of the hands of the spirituality;
what displeasure might grow to you by keeping me, God knoweth; for the which I should
be right sorry."
So that in fine, Master Tyndale, with the good will of his master, departed, and
eftsoons came up to London, and there preached a while, as he had done in the country.
Bethinking himself of Cuthbert Tonstal, then bishop of London, and especially
of the great commendation of Erasmus, who, in his annotations, so extolleth the said
Tonstal for his learning, Tyndale thus cast with himself, that if he might attain
unto his service, he were a happy man. Coming to Sir Henry Guilford, the king's comptroller,
and bringing with him an oration of Isocrates, which he had translated out of Greek
into English, he desired him to speak to the said bishop of London for him; which
he also did; and willed him moreover to write an epistle to the bishop, and to go
himself with him. This he did, and delivered his epistle to a servant of his, named
William Hebilthwait, a man of his old acquaintance. But God, 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 favor in the bishop's sight;
the answer of whom was this: his house was full; he had more than he could well find:
and he advised him to seek in London abroad, where, he said, he could lack no service.
Being refused of the bishop he came to Humphrey Mummuth, alderman of London, and
besought him to help him: who the same time took him into his house, where the said
Tyndale lived (as Mummuth said) like a good priest, studying both night and day.
He would eat but sodden meat by his good will, nor drink but small single beer. He
was never seen in the house to wear linen about him, all the space of his being there.
And so remained Master Tyndale in London almost a year, marking with himself the
course of the world, and especially the demeanor of the preachers, how they boasted
themselves, and set up their authority; beholding also the pomp of the prelates,
with other things more, which greatly misliked him; insomuch that he understood not
only that there was no room in the bishop's house for him to translate the New Testament,
but also that there was no place to do it in all England.
Therefore, having by God's providence some aid ministered unto him by Humphrey
Mummuth, and certain other good men, he took his leave of the realm, and departed
into Germany, where the good man, being inflamed with a tender care and zeal of his
country, refused no travail nor diligence, how, by all means possible, to reduce
his brethren and countrymen of England to the same taste and understanding of God's
holy Word and verity, which the Lord had endued him withal. Whereupon, considering
in his mind, and conferring also with John Frith, Tyndale thought with himself no
way more to conduce thereunto, than if the Scripture were turned into the vulgar
speech, that the poor people might read and see the simple plain Word of God. He
perceived that it was not possible to establish the lay people in any truth, except
the Scriptures were so plainly laid before their eyes in their mother tongue that
they might see the meaning of the text; for else, whatsoever truth should be taught
them, the enemies of the truth would quench it, either with reasons of sophistry,
and traditions of their own making, founded without all ground of Scripture; or else
juggling with the text, expounding it in such a sense as it were impossible to gather
of the text, if the right meaning thereof were seen.
Master Tyndale considered this only, or most chiefly, to be the cause of all mischief
in the Church, that the Scriptures of God were hidden from the people's eyes; for
so long the abominable doings and idolatries maintained by the pharisaical clergy
could not be espied; and therefore all their labor was with might and main to keep
it down, so that either it should not be read at all, or if it were, they would darken
the right sense with the mist of their sophistry, and so entangle those who reguked
or despised their abominations; wresting the Scripture unto their own purpose, contrary
unto the meaning of the text, they would so delude the unlearned lay people, that
though thou felt in thy heart, and wert sure that all were false that they said,
yet couldst thou not solve their subtle riddles.
For these and such other considerations this good man was stirred up of God to
translate the Scripture into his mother tongue, for the profit of the simple people
of his country; first setting in hand with the New Testament, which came forth in
print about A.D. 1525. Cuthbert Tonstal, bishop of London, with Sir Thomas More,
being sore aggrieved, despised how to destroy that false erroneous translation, as
they called it.
It happened that one Augustine Packington, a mercer, was then at Antwerp, where
the bishop was. This man favored Tyndale, but showed the contrary unto the bishop.
The bishop, being desirous to bring his purpose to pass, communed how that he would
gladly buy the New Testaments. Packington hearing him say so, said, "My lord!
I can do more in this matter than most merchants that be here, if it be your pleasure;
for I know the Dutchmen and strangers that have brought them of Tyndale, and have
them here to sell; so that if it be your lordship's pleasure, I must disburse money
to pay for them, or else I cannot have them: and so I will assure you to have every
book of them that is printed and unsold." The bishop, thinking he had God "by
the toe," said, "Do your diligence, gentle Master Packington! get them
for me, and I will pay whatsoever they cost; for I intend to burn and destroy them
all at Paul's Cross." This Augustine Packington went unto William Tyndale, and
declared the whole matter, and so, upon compact made between them, the bishop of
London had the books, Packington had the thanks, and Tyndale had the money.
After this, Tyndale corrected the same New Testaments again, and caused them to
be newly imprinted, so that they came thick and threefold over into England. When
the bishop perceived that, he sent for Packington, and said to him, "How cometh
this, that there are so many New Testaments abroad? You promised me that you would
buy them all." Then answered Packington, "Surely, I bought all that were
to be had, but I perceive they have printed more since. I see it will never be better
so long as they have letters and stamps: wherefore you were best to buy the stamps
too, and so you shall be sure," at which answer the bishop smiled, and so the
matter ended.
In short space after, it fortuned that George Constantine was apprehended by Sir
Thomas More, who was then chancellor of England, as suspected of certain heresies.
Master More asked of him, saying, "Constantine! I would have thee be plain with
me in one thing that I will ask; and I promise thee I will show thee favor in all
other things whereof thou art accused. There is beyond the sea, Tyndale, Joye, and
a great many of you: I know they cannot live without help. There are some that succor
them with money; and thou, being one of them, hadst thy part thereof, and therefore
knowest whence it came. I pray thee, tell me, who be they that help them thus?"
"My lord," quoth Constantine, "I will tell you truly: it is the bishop
of London that hath holpen us, for he hath bestowed among us a great deal of money
upon New Testaments to burn them; and that hath been, and yet is, our only succor
and comfort." "Now by my troth," quoth More, "I think even the
same; for so much I told the bishop before he went about it."
After that, Master Tyndale took in hand to translate the Old Testament, finishing
the five books of Moses, with sundry most learned and godly prologues most worthy
to be read and read again by all good Christians. These books being sent over into
England, it cannot be spoken what a door of light they opened to the eyes of the
whole English nation, which before were shut up in darkness.
At his first departing out of the realm he took his journey into Germany, where
he had conference with Luther and other learned men; after he had continued there
a certain season he came down into the Netherlands, and had his most abiding in the
town of Antwerp.
The godly books of Tyndale, and especially the New Testament of his translation,
after that they began to come into men's hands, and to spread abroad, wrought great
and singular profit to the godly; but the ungodly (envying and disdaining that the
people should be anything wiser than they and, fearing lest by the shining beams
of truth, their works of darkness should be discerned) began to sir with no small
ado.
At what time Tyndale had translated Deuteronomy, minding to print the same at
Hamburg, he sailed thitherward; upon the coast of Holland he suffered shipwreck,
by which he lost all his books, writings, and copies, his money and his time, and
so was compelled to begin all again. He came in another ship to Hamburg, where, at
his appointment, Master Coverdale tarried for him, and helped him in the translating
of the whole five books of Moses, from Easter until December, in the house of a worshipful
widow, Mistress Margaret Van Emmerson, A.D. 1529; a great sweating sickness being
at the same time in the town. So, having dispatched his business at Hamburg, he returned
to Antwerp.
When God's will was, that the New Testament in the common tongue should come abroad,
Tyndale, the translator thereof, added to the latter end a certain epistle, wherein
he desired them that were learned to amend, if ought were found amiss. Wherefore
if there had been any such default deserving correction, it had been the part of
courtesy and gentleness, for men of knowledge and judgment to have showed their learning
therein, and to have redressed what was to be amended. But the clergy, not willing
to have that book prosper, cried out upon it, that there were a thousand heresies
in it, and that it was not to be corrected, but utterly to be suppressed. Some said
it was not possible to translate the Scriptures into English; some that it was not
lawful for the lay people to have it in their mother tongue; some, that it would
make them all heretics. And to the intent to induce the temporal rulers unto their
purpose, they said it would make the people to rebel against the king.
All this Tyndale himself, in his prologue before the first book of Moses, declareth;
showing further what great pains were taken in examining that translation, and comparing
it with their own imaginations, that with less labor, he supposeth, they might have
translated a great part of the Bible; showing moreover that they scanned and examined
every title and point in such sort, and so narrowly, that there was not one i therein,
but if it lacked a prick over his head, they did note it, and numbered it unto the
ignorant people for a heresy.
So great were then the froward devices of the English clergy (who should have
been the guides of light unto the people), to drive the people from the knowledge
of the Scripture, which neither they would translate themselves, nor yet abide it
to be translated of others; to the intent (as Tyndale saith) that the world being
kept still in darkness, they might sit in the consciences of the people through vain
superstition and false doctrine, to satisfy their ambition, and insatiable covetousness,
and to exalt their own honor above king and emperor.
The bishops and prelates never rested before they had brought the king to their
consent; by reason whereof, a proclamation in all haste was devised and set forth
under public authority, that the Testament of Tyndale's translation was inhibited-which
was about A.D. 1537. And not content herewith, they proceeded further, how to entangle
him in their nets, and to bereave him of his life; which how they brought to pass,
now it remaineth to be declared.
In the registers of London it appeareth manifest how that the bishops and Sir
Thomas More having before them such as had been at Antwerp, most studiously would
search and examine all things belonging to Tyndale, where and with whom he hosted,
whereabouts stood the house, what was his stature, in what apparel he went, what
resort he had; all which things when they had diligently learned then began they
to work their feats.
William Tyndale, being in the town of Antwerp, had been lodged about one whole
year in the house of Thomas Pointz, an Englishman, who kept a house of English merchants.
Came thither one out of England, whose name was Henry Philips, his father being customer
of Poole, a comely fellow, like as he had been a gentleman having a servant with
him: but wherefore he came, or for what purpose he was sent thither, no man could
tell.
Master Tyndale divers times was desired forth to dinner and support amongst merchants;
by means whereof this Henry Philips became acquainted with him, so that within short
space Master Tyndale had a great confidence in him, and brought him to his lodging,
to the house of Thomas Pointz; and had him also once or twice with him to dinner
and supper, and further entered such friendship with him, that through his procurement
he lay in the same house of the sait Pointz; to whom he showed moreover his books,a
nd other secrets of his study, so little did Tyndale then mistrust this traitor.
But Pointz, having no great confidence in the fellow, asked Master Tyndale how
he came acquainted with this Philips. Master Tyndale answered, that he was an honest
man, handsomely learned, and very conformable. Pointz, perceiving that he bare such
favor to him, said no more, thinking that he was brought acquainted with him by some
friend of his. The said Philips, being in the town three or four days, upon a time
desired Pointz to walk with him forth of the town to show him the commodities thereof,
and in walking together without the town, had communication of divers things, and
some of the king's affairs; by which talk Pointz as yet suspected nothing. But after,
when the time was past, Pointz perceived this to be the mind of Philips, to feel
whether the said Pointz might, for lucre of money, help him to his purpose, for he
perceived before that Philips was monied, and would that Pointz should think no less.
For he had desired Pointz before to help him to divers things; and such things as
he named, he required might be of the best, "for," said he, "I have
money enough."
Philips went from Antwerp to the court of Brussels, which is from thence twenty-four
English miles, whence he brought with him to Antwerp, the procurator-general, who
is the emperor's attorney, with certain other officers.
Within three or four days, Pointz went forth to the town of Barois, being eighteen
English miles from Antwerp, where he had business to do for the space of a month
or six weeks; and in the time of his absence Henry Philips came again to Antwerp,
to the house of Pointz, and coming in, spake with his wife, asking whether Master
Tyndale were within. Then went he forth again and set the officers whom he had brought
with him from Brussels, in the street, and about the door. About noon he came again,
and went to Master Tyndale, and desired him to lend him forty shillings; "for,"
said he, "I lost my purse this morning, coming over at the passage between this
and Mechlin." So Master Tyndale took him forty shillings, which was easy to
be had of him, if he had it; for in the wily subtleties of this world he was simple
and inexpert. Then said Philips, "Master Tyndale! you shall be my guest here
this day." "No," said Master Tyndale, "I go forth this day to
dinner, and you shall go with me, and be my guest, where you shall be welcome."
So when it was dinner time, Master Tyndale went forth with Philips, and at the
going forth of Pointz's house, was a long narrow entry, so that two could not go
in front. Master Tyndale would have put Philips before him, but Philips would in
no wise, but put Master Tyndale before, for that he pretended to show great humanity.
So Master Tyndale, being a man of no great stature, went before, and Philips, a tall,
comely person, followed behind him; who had set officers on either side of the door
upon two seats, who might see who came in the entry. Philips pointed with his finger
over Master Tyndale's head down to him, that the officers might see that it was he
whom they should take. The officers afterwards told Pointz, when they had laid him
in prison, that they pitied to see his simplicity. They brought him to the emperor's
attorney, where he dined. Then came the procurator-general to the house of Pointz,
and sent away all that was there of Master Tyndale's, as well his books as other
things; and from thence Tyndale was had to the castle of Vilvorde, eighteen English
miles from Antwerp.
Master Tyndale, remaining in prison, was proffered an advocate and a procurator;
the which he refused, saying that he would make answer for himself. He had so preached
to them who had him in charge, and such as was there conversant with him in the Castle
that they reported of him, that if he were not a good Christian man, they knew not
whom they might take to be one.
At last, after much reasoning, when no reason would serve, although he deserved
no death, he was condemned by virtue of the emperor's decree, made in the assembly
at Augsburg. Brought forth to the place of execution, he was tied to the stake, strangled
by the hangman, and afterwards consumed with fire, at the town of Vilvorde, A.D.
1536; crying at the stake with a fervent zeal, and a loud voice, "Lord! open
the king of England's eyes."
Such was the power of his doctrine, and the sincerity of his life, that during
the time of his imprisonment (which endured a year and a half), he converted, it
is said, his keeper, the keeper's daughter, and others of his household.
As touching his translation of the New Testament, because his enemies did so much
carp at it, pretending it to be full of heresies, he wrote to John Frith, as followeth,
"I call God to record against the day we shall appear before our Lord Jesus,
that I never altered one syllable of God's Word against my conscience, nor would
do this day, if all that is in earth, whether it be honor, pleasure, or riches, might
be given me."
Chapter 13
Back to Index of this Book
