WEBVTT 00:01.060 --> 00:08.760 THE LIFE AND STORY OF THE TRUE SERVANT AND MARTYR OF GOD, WILLIAM TINDALL We have now 00:08.760 --> 00:12.200 to enter into the story of the good martyr of God, William Tindall. 00:12.840 --> 00:18.600 Which William Tindall, as he was a special organ of the Lord appointed, and as God's 00:18.600 --> 00:22.800 matter to shake the inward roots and foundations of the Pope's proud prelacy, 00:23.560 --> 00:27.900 so the great Prince of Darkness, with his impious imps having a special 00:27.900 --> 00:34.420 malice against him, left no way unsought how craftily to entrap him, and falsely to 00:34.420 --> 00:40.220 betray him, and maliciously to spill his life, as by the process of his story here 00:40.220 --> 00:41.520 following may appear. 00:42.140 --> 00:47.160 William Tindall, the faithful minister of Christ, was born about the borders of 00:47.160 --> 00:51.720 Wales, and brought up from a child in the University of Oxford, where he, 00:52.100 --> 00:57.440 by long continuance, increased as well in the knowledge of tongues and other liberal 00:57.440 --> 01:02.520 arts, as especially in the knowledge of the Scriptures, whereunto his mind was 01:02.520 --> 01:09.040 singularly addicted, insomuch that he, lying then in Magdalen Hall, read privily 01:09.040 --> 01:13.620 to certain students and fellows of Magdalen College some parcel of divinity, 01:14.300 --> 01:17.420 instructing them in the knowledge and truth of the Scriptures. 01:18.140 --> 01:23.780 His manners and conversation, being correspondent to the same, were such that 01:23.780 --> 01:29.480 all they that knew him reputed him to be a man of most virtuous disposition and of 01:29.480 --> 01:30.700 life unspotted. 01:31.680 --> 01:36.800 Thus he, in the University of Oxford, increasing more and more in learning, 01:36.940 --> 01:42.900 and proceeding in degrees of the schools, spying his time, removed from thence to 01:42.900 --> 01:47.460 the University of Cambridge, where he likewise made his abode a certain space. 01:48.320 --> 01:52.800 Being now further ripened in the knowledge of God's word, leaving that university, 01:53.280 --> 01:58.120 he resorted to one master Welsh, a knight of Gloucestershire, and was there 01:58.120 --> 02:01.960 schoolmaster to his children, and in good favour with his master. 02:03.100 --> 02:07.680 As this gentleman kept a good ordinary commonly at his table, there resorted to 02:07.680 --> 02:12.560 him many times sundry abbots, deans, archdeacons, with divers other doctors, 02:13.120 --> 02:14.760 and great benefist men. 02:15.400 --> 02:19.880 Who there, together with Master Tyndale, sitting at the same table, did use many 02:19.880 --> 02:26.460 times to enter communication, and talk of learned men, as of Luther and of Erasmus, 02:26.960 --> 02:30.680 also of divers other controversies and questions upon the Scripture. 02:31.600 --> 02:37.340 Then Master Tyndale, as he was learned and well practised in God's matters, 02:37.620 --> 02:42.240 spared not to show unto them simply and plainly his judgment, and when they at any 02:42.240 --> 02:46.320 time did vary from Tyndale in opinions, he would show them in the book, 02:46.740 --> 02:50.680 and lay plainly before them the open and manifest places of the Scriptures, 02:51.460 --> 02:54.320 to confute their errors and confirm his sayings. 02:55.080 --> 02:59.600 And thus continued they for a certain season, reasoning and contending together 02:59.600 --> 03:04.700 divers times, till at length they waxed weary, and bare a secret grudge in their 03:04.700 --> 03:05.660 hearts against him. 03:07.140 --> 03:11.380 Not long after this it happened that certain of these great doctors had invited 03:11.380 --> 03:15.740 Master Welch and his wife to a banquet, where they had talk at will and pleasure, 03:16.280 --> 03:20.080 uttering their blindness and ignorance without any resistance or gained saying. 03:21.200 --> 03:25.040 Then Master Welch, and his wife coming home and calling for Master Tyndale, 03:25.520 --> 03:29.840 began to reason with him about these matters whereof the priests had talked at 03:29.840 --> 03:30.340 their banquet. 03:31.080 --> 03:35.240 Master Tyndale, answering by the Scriptures, maintained the truth and 03:35.240 --> 03:36.980 reproved their false opinions. 03:38.280 --> 03:42.620 Then said the lady Welch, a stout and a wise woman, as Tyndale reported, 03:43.100 --> 03:47.720 Well, said she, there was such a doctor who made to spend a hundred pounds, 03:47.940 --> 03:51.760 and another two hundred pounds, and another three hundred pounds. 03:52.120 --> 03:57.120 And what were it reason, think you, that we should believe you before them? 03:58.380 --> 04:02.720 Master Tyndale gave her no answer, and after that, because he saw it would 04:02.720 --> 04:05.600 not avail, he talked but little in those matters. 04:06.800 --> 04:11.820 At that time he was about the translation of a book called Enchiridion Miletus 04:11.820 --> 04:15.120 Christiani, which he delivered to his master and lady. 04:16.100 --> 04:20.300 After they had well perused the same, the doctorly prelates were no more so 04:20.300 --> 04:21.660 often called to the house. 04:22.400 --> 04:26.380 Neither had they the cheer and countenance when they came as before they had. 04:27.160 --> 04:31.920 Which thing they were well perceiving, and supposing no less, but it came by the 04:31.920 --> 04:36.740 means of Master Tyndale, refrained themselves, and at last utterly withdrew, 04:37.180 --> 04:38.460 and came no more there. 04:39.600 --> 04:44.560 As this grew on, the priests of the country, clustering together, began to 04:44.560 --> 04:48.920 grudge and storm against Tyndale, railing against him in ale-houses and 04:48.920 --> 04:53.460 other places, affirming that his sayings were heresy, and accused him secretly to 04:53.460 --> 04:56.040 the chancellor and others of the bishop's offices. 04:57.280 --> 05:00.900 It followed not long after this, that there was a sitting of the bishop's 05:00.900 --> 05:04.960 chancellor appointed, and warning was given to the priests to appear, 05:05.520 --> 05:08.980 amongst whom Master Tyndale was also warned to be there. 05:10.120 --> 05:14.020 And whether he had any misdoubts by their threatenings, or knowledge given him that 05:14.020 --> 05:16.800 they would lay some things to his charge, it is uncertain. 05:17.320 --> 05:22.160 But certain this is, as he himself declared, that he doubted their privy 05:22.160 --> 05:27.440 accusations, so that he, by the way, in going thitherwards, cried in his mind 05:27.440 --> 05:32.560 heartily to God to give him strength fast to stand in the truth of his word. 05:33.800 --> 05:37.120 When the time came for his appearance before the chancellor, he threatened him 05:37.120 --> 05:41.840 grievously, reviling and rating him as though he had been a dog, and laid to his 05:41.840 --> 05:46.120 charge many things whereof no accuser could be brought forth, notwithstanding 05:46.120 --> 05:48.200 that the priests of the country were there present. 05:49.060 --> 05:53.700 Thus Master Tyndale, escaping out of their hands, departed home and returned to his 05:53.700 --> 05:54.480 master again. 05:55.500 --> 05:59.820 There dwelt, not far off, a certain doctor that had been chancellor to a bishop, 06:00.440 --> 06:04.860 who had been of old familiar acquaintance with Master Tyndale, and favored him well, 06:05.460 --> 06:09.580 unto whom Master Tyndale went and opened his mind upon Diver's questions of the 06:09.580 --> 06:15.240 Scripture, for to him he durst be bold to disclose his heart, unto whom the doctor 06:15.240 --> 06:19.640 said, Do you not know that the pope is very antichrist, whom the Scripture 06:19.640 --> 06:20.480 speaketh of? 06:21.220 --> 06:25.360 But beware what you say, for if you shall be perceived to be of that opinion, 06:26.060 --> 06:27.360 it will cost you your life. 06:28.640 --> 06:33.080 Not long after, Master Tyndale happened to be in the company of a certain divine, 06:33.580 --> 06:37.580 recounted for a learned man, and in communing and disputing with him, 06:38.140 --> 06:39.660 he drave him to that issue. 06:41.160 --> 06:47.220 That the great doctor burst out into these blasphemous words, We were better to be 06:47.220 --> 06:49.300 without God's laws than the pope's. 06:51.120 --> 06:54.940 Master Tyndale, hearing this, full of godly zeal, and not bearing that 06:54.940 --> 06:59.880 blasphemous saying, replied, I defy the pope and all his laws, and added that if 06:59.880 --> 07:05.220 God spared him life ere many years he would cause a boy that driveth the plough 07:05.220 --> 07:07.560 to know more of the Scripture than he did. 07:08.880 --> 07:13.080 The grudge of the priests increasing still more and more against Tyndale, 07:13.540 --> 07:18.240 they never ceased barking and raiding at him, and laid many things sorely to his 07:18.240 --> 07:20.520 charge, saying that he was a heretic. 07:21.440 --> 07:26.380 Being so molested and vexed, he was constrained to leave that country and to 07:26.380 --> 07:27.200 seek another place. 07:27.840 --> 07:32.000 And so, coming to Master Welsh, he desired him, of his good will, 07:32.120 --> 07:36.400 that he might depart from him, saying, Sir, I perceive that I shall not 07:36.400 --> 07:40.680 be suffered to tarry long here in this country, neither shall you be able, 07:41.000 --> 07:44.300 or though you would, to keep me out of the hands of the spirituality. 07:45.540 --> 07:49.080 What displeasure might grow to you by keeping me, God knoweth! 07:49.720 --> 07:51.680 For the which I should be right sorry. 07:53.620 --> 07:57.260 So that in time Master Tyndale, with the good will of his master, 07:57.260 --> 08:02.680 departed, and Ephsones came up to London, and there preached awhile, as he had done 08:02.680 --> 08:03.240 in the country. 08:04.460 --> 08:09.580 Bethinking himself of Cuthbert Tonstall, then Bishop of London, and especially of 08:09.580 --> 08:15.260 the great commendation of Erasmus, who, in his annotations, so extolleth the 08:15.260 --> 08:19.160 said Tonstall for his learning, Tyndale thus cast with himself, 08:19.640 --> 08:23.360 that if he might attain unto his service, he were a happy man. 08:24.200 --> 08:28.880 Coming to Sir Henry Guilford, the king's comptroller, and bringing with him an 08:28.880 --> 08:33.400 oration of Isocrates, which he had translated out of Greek into English, 08:33.940 --> 08:39.680 he desired him to speak to the said Bishop of London for him, which he also did, 08:40.040 --> 08:44.080 and willed him moreover to write an epistle to the Bishop, and to go himself 08:44.080 --> 08:44.540 with him. 08:45.420 --> 08:49.980 This he did, and delivered his epistle to a servant of his, named William 08:49.980 --> 08:52.980 Hepalthwaite, a man of his old acquaintance. 08:54.460 --> 09:00.800 But God, who secretly disposeth the course of things, saw that was not the best for 09:00.800 --> 09:04.740 Tyndale's purpose, nor for the profit of his church, and therefore gave him to find 09:04.740 --> 09:08.440 little favour in the Bishop's sight, the answer of whom was this. 09:09.100 --> 09:13.340 His house was full, he had more than he could well find, and he advised him to 09:13.340 --> 09:17.080 seek in London abroad, where, he said, he could lack no service. 09:18.800 --> 09:23.300 Being refused of the Bishop, he came to Humphrey Mummoth, Alderman of London, 09:23.580 --> 09:27.720 and besought him to help him, who at the same time took him into his house, 09:28.000 --> 09:32.840 where the said Tyndale lived, as Mummoth said, like a good priest, studying both 09:32.840 --> 09:33.600 night and day. 09:34.260 --> 09:38.200 He would eat but sardine meat, by his good will, nor drink but small 09:38.200 --> 09:39.000 single beer. 09:39.820 --> 09:43.640 He was never seen in the house to wear linen about him, or the space of his being 09:43.640 --> 09:43.960 there. 09:45.000 --> 09:50.080 And so remained Master Tyndale in London almost a year, marking with himself the 09:50.080 --> 09:53.760 course of the world, and especially the demeanour of the preachers, how they 09:53.760 --> 09:58.540 boasted themselves, and set up their authority, beholding also the pomp of the 09:58.540 --> 10:02.860 prelates, with other things more, which greatly misliked him, insomuch that 10:02.860 --> 10:06.780 he understood, not only that there was no room in the Bishop's house for him to 10:06.780 --> 10:11.140 translate the New Testament, but also that there was no place to do it in all 10:11.140 --> 10:11.500 England. 10:12.900 --> 10:17.680 Therefore, having by God's providence some aid ministered unto him by Humphrey 10:17.680 --> 10:21.860 Mummoth, and certain other good men, he took his leave of the realm and 10:21.860 --> 10:26.580 departed into Germany, where the good man, being inflamed with the tender care and 10:26.580 --> 10:31.900 zeal of his country, refused no travail nor diligence, how by all means possible, 10:32.340 --> 10:36.060 to reduce his brethren and countrymen of England to the same taste and 10:36.060 --> 10:40.980 understanding of God's holy word and verity, which the Lord had endued him 10:40.980 --> 10:41.560 withal. 10:42.360 --> 10:46.640 Whereupon, considering in his mind, and conferring also with John Frith, 10:47.120 --> 10:52.660 Tyndale thought with himself no way more to conduce thereunto, than if the 10:52.660 --> 10:56.840 Scripture were turned into the vulgar speech that the poor people might read and 10:56.840 --> 10:58.780 see the simple plain word of God. 11:00.060 --> 11:04.580 He perceived that it was not possible to establish the lay people in any truth, 11:04.700 --> 11:08.900 except the Scriptures were so plainly laid before their eyes in their mother tongue, 11:08.900 --> 11:11.080 that they might see the meaning of the text. 11:11.520 --> 11:15.420 For else, whatsoever truth should be taught them, the enemies of the truth 11:15.420 --> 11:19.920 would quench it, either with reasons of sophistry and traditions of their own 11:19.920 --> 11:24.820 making, founded without all ground of Scripture, or else juggling with the text, 11:25.240 --> 11:29.640 expounding it in such a sense as it were impossible to gather of the text, 11:30.360 --> 11:32.240 if the right meaning thereof was seen. 11:33.300 --> 11:37.720 Master Tyndale considered this only, or most chiefly, to be the cause of all 11:37.720 --> 11:41.680 mischief in the church, that the Scriptures of God were hidden from the 11:41.680 --> 11:42.520 people's eyes. 11:43.280 --> 11:48.100 For so long the abominable doings and idolatries maintained by the Pharisaical 11:48.100 --> 11:54.740 clergy could not be espied, and therefore all their labor was with might and main to 11:54.740 --> 11:59.280 keep it down, so that either it should not be read at all, or, if it were, 11:59.560 --> 12:04.580 they would darken the right sense with the mist of their sophistry, and so entangle 12:04.580 --> 12:09.820 those who rebuked or despised their abominations, resting the Scripture unto 12:09.820 --> 12:13.280 their own purpose, contrary unto the meaning of the text. 12:13.880 --> 12:19.040 They would so delude the unlearned lay people, that though thou felt in thy 12:19.040 --> 12:24.900 heart, and wert sure, that all were false that they said, yet couldst thou not solve 12:24.900 --> 12:26.400 their subtle riddles. 12:27.420 --> 12:32.860 For these and such other considerations this good man was stirred up of God to 12:32.860 --> 12:37.340 translate the Scripture into his mother tongue, for the profit of the simple 12:37.340 --> 12:42.620 people of his country, first setting in hand with the New Testament, which came 12:42.620 --> 12:44.040 forth in print about A.D. 12:44.540 --> 12:45.100 1529. 12:46.560 --> 12:50.180 Cuthbert Tonstall, Bishop of London, with Sir Thomas More, being sorely 12:50.180 --> 12:55.040 aggrieved, devised how to destroy that false, erroneous translation, as they 12:55.040 --> 12:55.540 called it. 12:56.400 --> 13:01.340 It happened that one Augustine Packington, a mercer, was then at Antwerp, 13:01.760 --> 13:02.720 where the bishop was. 13:03.560 --> 13:06.860 This man favoured Tyndale, but showed the contrary unto the bishop. 13:07.420 --> 13:11.720 The bishop, being desirous to bring his purpose to pass, communed how that he 13:11.720 --> 13:13.720 would gladly buy the New Testaments. 13:14.900 --> 13:19.240 Packington, hearing him say so, said, My lord, I could do more in this 13:19.240 --> 13:22.640 matter than most merchants that be here, if it be your pleasure. 13:23.420 --> 13:28.220 For I know the Dutchmen and strangers that have brought them of Tyndale, and have 13:28.220 --> 13:29.080 them here to sell. 13:29.900 --> 13:34.140 So that if it be your lordship's pleasure, I must disperse money to pay for them, 13:34.220 --> 13:35.480 or else I cannot have them. 13:36.260 --> 13:40.220 And so I will assure you to have every book of them that is printed and unsold. 13:41.180 --> 13:45.800 The bishop, thinking he had God by the toe, said, Do your diligence, gentle 13:45.800 --> 13:46.840 master Packington. 13:47.280 --> 13:51.820 Get them for me, and I will pay whatsoever they cost, for I intend to burn and 13:51.820 --> 13:53.800 destroy them all at Paul's cross. 13:54.820 --> 13:59.060 This Augustine Packington went unto William Tyndale, and declared the whole 13:59.060 --> 14:04.140 matter, and so upon compact made between them, the bishop of London had the books, 14:04.460 --> 14:07.540 Packington had the thanks, and Tyndale had the money. 14:08.660 --> 14:13.300 After this, Tyndale corrected the same New Testaments again, and caused them to be 14:13.300 --> 14:18.160 newly imprinted, so that they came thick and threefold over into England. 14:19.200 --> 14:22.460 When the bishop perceived that, he sent for Packington, and said to him, 14:22.780 --> 14:26.760 How cometh this, that there are so many New Testaments abroad? 14:27.160 --> 14:29.140 You promised me that you would buy them all. 14:29.940 --> 14:35.600 Then answered Packington, Surely I bought all that were to be had, but I perceive 14:35.600 --> 14:37.120 they have printed more since. 14:38.360 --> 14:41.940 I see it will never be better so long as they have letters and stamps. 14:42.800 --> 14:45.220 Wherefore you are best to buy the stamps too. 14:46.240 --> 14:47.600 And so you shall be sure. 14:48.140 --> 14:51.100 At which answer the bishop smiled, and so the matter ended. 14:52.560 --> 14:58.740 In short space after, it fortuned that George Constantine was apprehended by Sir 14:58.740 --> 15:03.440 Thomas More, who was then Chancellor of England, as suspected of certain heresies. 15:04.220 --> 15:08.680 Master More asked of him, saying, Constantine, I would have had thee be 15:08.680 --> 15:14.040 plain with me in one thing that I will ask, and I promise thee I will show thee 15:14.040 --> 15:17.420 favour in all other things whereof thou art accused. 15:18.300 --> 15:22.820 There is beyond the sea, tindle, joy, and a great many more of you. 15:23.460 --> 15:25.500 I know they cannot live without help. 15:26.040 --> 15:30.000 There are some that succour them with money, and thou, being one of them, 15:30.440 --> 15:34.080 hadst thy part thereof, and therefore knowest from whence it came. 15:35.040 --> 15:38.340 I pray thee, tell me, who be they that help them thus? 15:39.140 --> 15:44.360 My Lord, quoth Constantine, I will tell you truly, it is the Bishop of London that 15:44.360 --> 15:49.540 hath helpen us, for he hath bestowed among us a great deal of money upon New 15:49.540 --> 15:54.340 Testaments to burn them, and that hath been and yet is our only succour and 15:54.340 --> 15:54.700 comfort. 15:55.720 --> 16:01.820 Now by my troth, quoth More, I think even the same, for so much I told the bishop 16:01.820 --> 16:03.200 before he went about it. 16:04.100 --> 16:09.540 After that Master Tindall took in hand to translate the Old Testament, finishing the 16:09.540 --> 16:13.420 five books of Moses with sundry, most learned and godly prologues, 16:13.500 --> 16:16.580 most worthy to be read and read again by all good Christians. 16:17.720 --> 16:21.900 These books being sent over into England, it cannot be spoken what a door of light 16:21.900 --> 16:25.960 they opened to the eyes of the whole English nation, which before was shut up 16:25.960 --> 16:26.460 in darkness. 16:27.860 --> 16:32.460 At his first departing out of the realm, he took his journey into Germany, 16:32.800 --> 16:35.500 where he had conference with Luther and other learned men. 16:36.240 --> 16:40.160 After he had continued there a certain season, he came down into the Netherlands, 16:40.600 --> 16:43.480 and had his most abiding in the town of Antwerp. 16:44.360 --> 16:48.300 The godly books of Tindall, and especially the New Testament of his translation, 16:48.800 --> 16:53.420 after that they began to come into men's hands and so spread abroad, wrought great 16:53.420 --> 16:55.200 and singular profit to the godly. 16:55.760 --> 17:00.080 But the ungodly, envying and disdaining that the people should be anything wiser 17:00.080 --> 17:05.220 than they, and fearing lest by the shining beams of truth their works of darkness 17:05.220 --> 17:08.960 should be discerned, began to stir with no small ado. 17:10.120 --> 17:13.160 At what time Tindall had translated Deuteronomy. 17:14.120 --> 17:17.580 Minding to print the same at Hamburg, he sailed thitherward. 17:18.480 --> 17:22.960 Upon the coast of Holland he suffered shipwreck, by which he lost all his books, 17:23.100 --> 17:28.240 writings, and copies, his money and his time, and so was compelled to begin all 17:28.240 --> 17:28.640 again. 17:29.780 --> 17:33.740 He came in another ship to Hamburg, where, at his appointment, Master 17:33.740 --> 17:38.120 Coverdale tarried for him, and helped him in the translating of the whole five books 17:38.120 --> 17:43.020 of Moses, from Easter till December, in the house of a worshipful widow, 17:43.480 --> 17:45.940 Mistress Margaret Van Emerson, A.D. 17:46.360 --> 17:50.980 1529, a great sweating sickness being at the same time in the town. 17:51.620 --> 17:55.580 So, having dispatched his business at Hamburg, he returned to Antwerp. 17:56.540 --> 18:00.460 When God's will was, that the New Testament in the common tongue should come 18:00.460 --> 18:06.260 abroad, Tindall, the translator thereof, added to the latter end a certain epistle, 18:06.400 --> 18:10.940 wherein he desired them that were learned to amend, if ought were found amiss. 18:11.820 --> 18:16.340 Wherefore, if there had been any such default deserving correction, it had been 18:16.340 --> 18:20.700 the part of courtesy and gentleness, for men of knowledge and judgment to have 18:20.700 --> 18:24.500 showed their learning therein, and to have redressed what was to be 18:24.500 --> 18:24.820 amended. 18:26.080 --> 18:30.620 But the clergy, not willing to have that book prosper, cried out upon it, 18:30.980 --> 18:34.760 that there were a thousand heresies in it, and that it was not to be corrected, 18:35.080 --> 18:36.560 but utterly to be suppressed. 18:37.840 --> 18:42.100 Some said it was not possible to translate the Scriptures into English, some that it 18:42.100 --> 18:46.500 was not lawful for the lay people to have it in their mother tongue, some that it 18:46.500 --> 18:47.960 would make them all heretics. 18:48.720 --> 18:54.200 And to the intent to induce the temporal rulers unto their purpose, they said that 18:54.200 --> 18:56.500 it would make the people to rebel against the king. 18:57.360 --> 19:02.040 All this Tindall himself, in his prologue before the first book of Moses, 19:02.340 --> 19:07.260 declareth, showing further what great pains were taken in examining that 19:07.260 --> 19:12.640 translation, and comparing it with their own imaginations, that with less labor, 19:12.900 --> 19:16.560 he supposeth, they might have translated a great part of the Bible. 19:17.680 --> 19:22.820 Showing, moreover, that they scanned and examined every title and point in such 19:22.820 --> 19:28.920 thought and so narrowly, that there was not one eye therein, but if it lacked a 19:28.920 --> 19:33.700 prick over his head they did note it, and numbered it unto the ignorant people 19:33.700 --> 19:34.540 for a heresy. 19:35.780 --> 19:40.480 So great were then the froward devices of the English clergy, who should have been 19:40.480 --> 19:44.780 the guides of light unto the people, to drive the people from the knowledge of 19:44.780 --> 19:49.360 the Scripture, which neither they would translate themselves, nor yet abide it to 19:49.360 --> 19:50.580 be translated of others. 19:51.380 --> 19:55.880 To the intent, as Tindall saith, that the world being kept still in 19:55.880 --> 19:59.500 darkness, they might sit in the consciences of the people through vain 19:59.500 --> 20:04.820 superstition and false doctrine, to satisfy their ambition and insatiable 20:04.820 --> 20:08.840 covetousness, and to exalt their own honour above King and Emperor. 20:09.840 --> 20:13.880 The bishops and prelates never rested before they had brought the King to their 20:13.880 --> 20:19.160 consent, by reason whereof a proclamation in all haste was devised and set forth 20:19.160 --> 20:24.620 under public authority, that the testament of Tindall's translation was inhibited, 20:25.480 --> 20:26.580 which was about A.D. 20:27.160 --> 20:27.800 1537. 20:28.720 --> 20:33.160 And not content herewith, they proceeded further, how to entangle him in their 20:33.160 --> 20:38.620 nets, and to bereave him of his life, which how they brought to pass, 20:38.980 --> 20:41.000 now it remaineth to be declared. 20:43.240 --> 20:48.180 In the registers of London it appeareth manifest how that the bishops and Sir 20:48.180 --> 20:54.220 Thomas More, having before them such as had been at Antwerp, most studiously would 20:54.220 --> 20:58.840 search and examine all things belonging to Tindall, where and with whom he hosted, 20:59.280 --> 21:03.600 whereabouts stood the house, what was his stature, in what apparel he went, 21:03.740 --> 21:08.300 what resort he had, all which things, when they had diligently learned, 21:08.740 --> 21:11.080 then began they to work their feats. 21:12.260 --> 21:16.380 William Tindall, being in the town of Antwerp, had been lodging about one whole 21:16.380 --> 21:21.940 year in the house of Thomas Points, an Englishman, who kept a house of English 21:21.940 --> 21:22.380 merchants. 21:24.120 --> 21:27.900 Came thither one out of England, whose name was Henry Phillips, 21:28.480 --> 21:33.180 his father being customer of Poole, a comely fellow, like as he had been a 21:33.180 --> 21:35.560 gentleman, having a servant with him. 21:36.280 --> 21:41.040 But wherefore he came, or for what purpose he was sent thither, no man could tell. 21:42.440 --> 21:46.680 Master Tindall, divers' times, was desired forth to dinner and supper 21:46.680 --> 21:51.320 amongst merchants, by means whereof this Henry Phillips became acquainted with him, 21:51.680 --> 21:55.620 so that within short space Master Tindall had a great confidence in him, 21:56.060 --> 21:59.100 and brought him to his lodging, to the house of Thomas Points. 21:59.840 --> 22:04.000 And had him also once or twice with him to dinner and supper, and further entered 22:04.000 --> 22:08.440 such friendship with him, that through his procurement he lay in the same house of 22:08.440 --> 22:12.700 the said Points, to whom he showed moreover his books, and other secrets of 22:12.700 --> 22:16.680 his study, so little did Tindall then mistrust this traitor. 22:17.840 --> 22:22.660 But Points, having no great confidence in the fellow, asked Master Tindall how he 22:22.660 --> 22:24.260 came acquainted with this Phillips. 22:25.260 --> 22:29.740 Master Tindall answered that he was an honest man, handsomely learned, 22:29.980 --> 22:31.080 and very conformable. 22:32.340 --> 22:37.240 Points, perceiving that he bear such favor to him, said no more, thinking that he was 22:37.240 --> 22:39.440 brought acquainted with him by some friend of his. 22:39.940 --> 22:44.460 The said Phillips, being in the town three or four days, upon a time, desired Points 22:44.460 --> 22:48.200 to walk with him forth of the town, to show him the commodities thereof, 22:48.600 --> 22:52.940 and in walking together without the town, had communication of divers things, 22:53.140 --> 22:57.560 and some of the king's affairs, by which talked Points as yet suspected 22:57.560 --> 22:57.980 nothing. 22:58.900 --> 23:03.300 But after, when the time was passed, Points perceived this to be the mind of 23:03.300 --> 23:08.720 Phillips, to feel whether the said Points might, for lucre of money, help him to his 23:08.720 --> 23:12.980 purpose, for he perceived before that Phillips was moneyed, and would that 23:12.980 --> 23:14.380 Points should think no less. 23:15.420 --> 23:20.020 For he had desired Points before to help him to divers things, and such things as 23:20.020 --> 23:25.380 he named, he required might be of the best, for, said he, I have money enough. 23:26.640 --> 23:31.000 Phillips went from Antwerp to the court of Brussels, which is from thence twenty-four 23:31.000 --> 23:35.520 English miles, whence he brought with him to Antwerp the procurer-general, 23:35.960 --> 23:38.380 who is the emperor's attorney, with certain other officers. 23:39.640 --> 23:44.160 Within three or four days, Points went forth to the town of Barois, being 23:44.160 --> 23:48.460 eighteen English miles from Antwerp, where he had business to do for the space 23:48.460 --> 23:49.720 of a month or six weeks. 23:50.220 --> 23:53.800 And in the time of his absence, Henry Phillips came again to Antwerp, 23:53.860 --> 23:58.220 to the house of Points, and coming in, spake with his wife, asking whether Master 23:58.220 --> 23:59.200 Tyndall were within. 23:59.200 --> 24:03.460 Then went he forth again, and set the officers, whom he brought with him from 24:03.460 --> 24:05.380 Brussels, in the street and about the door. 24:06.240 --> 24:10.320 About noon he came again, and went to Master Tyndall, and desired him to lend 24:10.320 --> 24:14.900 him forty shillings, for, said he, I lost my purse this morning, coming over 24:14.900 --> 24:17.000 at the passage between this and Mechelen. 24:17.800 --> 24:21.980 So Master Tyndall took him forty shillings, which was easy to be had of him 24:21.980 --> 24:27.360 if he had it, for in the wily subtleties of this world he was simple and inexpert. 24:27.920 --> 24:32.440 Then said Phillips, Master Tyndall, you shall be my guest here this day. 24:33.020 --> 24:37.120 No, said Master Tyndall, I go forth this day to dinner, and you shall go with me, 24:37.360 --> 24:39.660 and be my guest, where you shall be welcome. 24:40.940 --> 24:44.740 So when it was dinnertime, Master Tyndall went forth with Phillips, and at the going 24:44.740 --> 24:49.940 forth of Points' house was a long narrow entry, so that two could not go in a 24:49.940 --> 24:50.200 front. 24:50.960 --> 24:55.080 Master Tyndall would have put Phillips before him, but Phillips would in no wise 24:55.080 --> 24:59.180 but put Master Tyndall before, for that he pretended to show great 24:59.180 --> 24:59.760 humanity. 25:00.960 --> 25:04.400 So Master Tyndall, being a man of no great stature, went before, and Phillips, 25:04.500 --> 25:09.340 a tall comely person, followed behind him, who had set officers on either side of the 25:09.340 --> 25:12.760 door upon two seats, who might see who came in the entry. 25:13.880 --> 25:17.520 Phillips pointed with his finger over Master Tyndall's head down to him, 25:18.000 --> 25:21.060 that the officers might see that it was he whom they should take. 25:22.160 --> 25:26.140 The officers afterwards told Points, when they had laid him in prison, 25:26.500 --> 25:28.360 that they pitted to see his simplicity. 25:29.440 --> 25:32.240 They brought him to the Emperor's attorney where he dined. 25:32.940 --> 25:36.540 Then came the procurer-general to the house of Points, and sent away all that 25:36.540 --> 25:39.940 was there of Master Tyndall's, as well as his books, as other things, 25:40.020 --> 25:45.040 and from thence Tyndall was had to the castle of Fulford, eighteen English miles 25:45.040 --> 25:46.000 from Antwerp. 25:47.000 --> 25:52.440 Then in Continent, by the help of English merchants, were letters sent, in favour of 25:52.440 --> 25:53.960 Tyndall, to the court of Brussels. 25:54.860 --> 25:59.760 Also, not long after, the letters were directed out of England to the council at 25:59.760 --> 26:04.840 Brussels, and sent to the merchant adventurers to Antwerp, commanding them to 26:04.840 --> 26:06.860 see that with speed they should be delivered. 26:08.200 --> 26:12.800 Such of the merchants as were there at the time, being called together, required the 26:12.800 --> 26:17.140 said Points to take in hand the delivery of those letters, in favour of Master 26:17.140 --> 26:22.400 Tyndall, to the Lord of Barois and others, which Lord of Barois, as it was told 26:22.400 --> 26:25.660 Points by the way, at that time was departed from Brussels. 26:26.940 --> 26:31.660 Points did ride after the next way, and overtook him at Aachen, where he 26:31.660 --> 26:35.640 delivered to him his letters, which when he had received and read, he made no 26:35.640 --> 26:40.520 direct answer, but somewhat objecting, said, There were of their countrymen, 26:41.020 --> 26:46.680 that were burned in England, not long before, as indeed there were Anabaptists 26:46.680 --> 26:47.880 burned in Smithfield. 26:48.700 --> 26:53.700 And so Points said to him, How be it, said he, whatsoever the crime was, 26:54.080 --> 26:58.300 if his lordship or any other nobleman had written, requiring to have had them, 26:58.720 --> 27:00.720 he thought they should not have been denied. 27:01.380 --> 27:06.320 Well, said he, I have no leisure to write, for the princess is ready to ride. 27:07.060 --> 27:11.480 Then said Points, If it shall please your lordship, I will attend upon you unto the 27:11.480 --> 27:14.700 next baiting place, which was at Maastricht. 27:15.260 --> 27:20.580 If you so do, said the Lord, I will advise myself by the way what to write. 27:21.920 --> 27:26.360 So Points followed him from Aachen to Maastricht, which are fifteen English 27:26.360 --> 27:27.240 miles asunder. 27:27.560 --> 27:31.660 And there he received letters of him, one to the council, another to the Company 27:31.660 --> 27:36.300 of the Merchant Adventurers, and another also to the Lord Cromwell in England. 27:37.360 --> 27:41.540 So Points rode from thence to Brussels, and then and there delivered to the 27:41.540 --> 27:46.280 council the letters out of England, which the Lord of Barois' letters also, 27:46.700 --> 27:52.220 and received Ephsun's answer into England of the same by letters which he brought to 27:52.220 --> 27:57.400 Antwerp to the English merchants, who required him to go with them into 27:57.400 --> 27:57.820 England. 27:58.520 --> 28:03.100 And he, very desirous to have Master Tyndall out of prison, let not to take 28:03.100 --> 28:07.880 pains, with loss of time in his own business, and diligently followed with the 28:07.880 --> 28:11.840 said letters which he delivered to the council, and was commanded by them to 28:11.840 --> 28:14.040 tarry until he had other letters. 28:14.960 --> 28:20.600 A month after, the letters being delivered him, he returned, and delivered them to 28:20.600 --> 28:24.720 the Emperor's council at Brussels, and tarried for answer for the same. 28:25.500 --> 28:30.340 Phillips, being there, followed the suit against Master Tyndall, and hearing that 28:30.340 --> 28:34.120 he should be delivered to Points, and fearing lest he should be put from his 28:34.120 --> 28:39.200 purpose, he knew no other remedy but to accuse Points, saying that he was a 28:39.200 --> 28:43.480 dweller in the town of Antwerp, a succorer of Tyndall, and one of the same 28:43.480 --> 28:49.120 opinion, and that all this was only his own labor and suit, and no man's else, 28:49.120 --> 28:51.220 to have Master Tyndall at liberty. 28:52.080 --> 28:55.660 Thus Points was delivered to the keeping of two sergeants at arms. 28:56.900 --> 29:01.960 Master Tyndall, still remaining in prison, was prophet and advocate and a procurer, 29:02.760 --> 29:06.200 of which he refused, saying that he would make answer for himself. 29:07.480 --> 29:13.700 He had so preached to them who had him in charge, and such as was their conversant 29:13.700 --> 29:18.520 with him in the castle, that they reported off him, that if he were not a good 29:18.520 --> 29:22.720 Christian man, they knew not whom they might take to be one. 29:24.020 --> 29:29.440 At last, after much reasoning, when no reason would serve, although he 29:29.440 --> 29:34.380 deserved no death, he was condemned by virtue of the emperor's decree made in the 29:34.380 --> 29:35.560 assembly at Augsburg. 29:36.800 --> 29:41.320 Brought forth to the place of execution, he was tied to the stake, strangled by the 29:41.320 --> 29:46.160 hangman, and afterwards consumed with fire at the town of Filford, A.D. 29:46.880 --> 29:53.220 1536, crying at the stake with a fervent zeal and a loud voice, Lord, open the King 29:53.220 --> 29:54.300 of England's eyes! 29:55.400 --> 29:59.000 Such was the power of his doctrine, and the sincerity of his life, 29:59.080 --> 30:02.880 that during the time of his imprisonment, which endured a year and a half, 30:03.060 --> 30:07.840 he converted, it is said, his keeper, the keeper's daughter, and others of his 30:07.840 --> 30:08.340 household. 30:09.440 --> 30:14.280 As touching his translation of the New Testament, because his enemies did so much 30:14.280 --> 30:19.560 carp at it, pretending it to be full of heresies, he wrote to John Frith as 30:19.560 --> 30:25.260 followeth, I call to God to record against the day we shall appear before our Lord 30:25.260 --> 30:30.640 Jesus, that I never altered one syllable of God's word against my conscience, 30:30.860 --> 30:35.780 nor would do this day, if all that is in earth, whether it be honour, pleasure, 30:36.000 --> 30:37.900 or riches, might be given me.