nothing more of Father West, and Hackett will never obtain any farther orders. The chase was now over till Henry himself began, for thus ended, at least, the Cardinal's hunt after heretics so called! After this, he will have quite enough to do, in taking care of himself. It was Providence ruling and over-ruling all things, for the sake of His own Word.

SECTION VI.

TYNDALE'S PROGRESS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT-PERSECUTION IN ENGLAND -THWARTED ONCE MORE TUNSTAL AT ANTWERP-WOLSEY'S CAREERTYNDALE'S INFLUENCE IN THE PALACE-CRANMER FIRST EMPLOYED— WOLSEY'S FALL-LORD CHANCELLOR MORE-RISE OF CRUMWELL-PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED-COMMOTION THERE-MORE, THE BISHOPS, AND THE KING, IN LEAGUE AGAINST THE SCRIPTURES-COVERDALE SENT TO HAMBURGH-ANOTHER OR FIFTH EDITION OF THE TESTAMENT.

In the denunciation of the English New Testament by Tunstal and Warham, in 1526, we then noticed one curious omission, that of Tyndale's name; at that time they appear not to have known it, but we have already seen, that very soon after the names of Tyndale and Roye were distinctly known to one of Tunstal's chaplains, Dr. Robert Ridley, prebend of St. Paul's; and he may have been the first individual, who, in writing at least, denounced the Translator by name as well as his invaluable work. Tyndale's frank acknowledgement of his authorship in 1527, made this more generally known; and, the confirmation was completed, by the examinations held before the Bishop of London during the last spring. It was then, too, that one of the ablest scholars, said to be the greatest genius, if not the only wit in all England obtained license from his friend, the bishop, first to read Tyndale, and then to write in reply. Ever since his license in March last, More, as he tells us afterwards, had been busy "night and day," and this year we find him bring out his first controversial publication, consisting of above one hundred and twenty folios, or 250 pages, printed by John Rastell, his brother in-law.2

1 On the authority of Erasmus, we are told that Dean Colet thought Sir Thomas More "the only wit in the Island," and "the greatest genius in England."

2 Its original title discovers the importance which was now attached to the exertions of Tyndale. "A dyaloge of Syr Thomas More, knyghte: one of the Counsayll of our Souvrayne Lorde

If, therefore, Tyndale wished to go on with his labours, it had now become more than ever necessary that he should use precautions for the safety of his person and removal from place to place seems to have been one of these. Before, however, adverting to these places, let us first return and mark the course of his engagements.

With regard to the translation of the Old Testament in which Tyndale had for some time been employed, with all the aid which young Fryth was so well fitted to lend, we have now some tangible proof of his progress.

It has been customary to speak of Tyndale's Pentateuch as published in 1530, but this is incorrect. The five books might be afterwards bound up, but originally they were neither printed at the same press, nor published together, but separately. In the order of importation, at least, the account of the creation and the early history of mankind in Genesis, seems to have been followed by Deuteronomy, that compendious repetition or summary of the law, with explanatory additions. At all events before the end of their year 1529, or the 25th of March, 1530, these two books are among those publicly denounced; and those alone under the following titles:-"The Chapters of Moses, called Genesis-the Chapters of Moses, called Deuteronomos." When we come to the spring of 1530, the five books of Moses will be more fully noticed.

During this year, the state of his native land had continued to oppress the mind of Tyndale. However modest and unpretending in his character, as he could not be unacquainted with the great effects produced by what he had already done, so he must have felt that he was raised up for a certain purpose; and that with the progress of events or the condition of his country he must endeavour to keep pace with his pen. The correctness and celerity, as well as power, with which he did so, will appear alike remarkable.

One distinguishing feature of our Translator's character, was loyalty to his King, blended with love to his country. The

the King, and chauncellore of hys duchy of Lancaster. Wheryn be treatyd dyuers maters, as of the veneracyion and worshyp of ymaggs and reliques, praying to sayntis and goynge on pylgrymage. Wyth many other thyngys touchyng the pestylent secte of Luther and Tyndale, by the tone, bygone in Saxony, and by the tother, laboryd to be brought in to England." There was a second edition to which was added: "Newly over sene by the sayd Syr Thomas More, Chauncellour of England, 1530." In his works reprinted, we are told that this Diologue was "made in the year 1528."

latter he had discovered by commencing with "the Parable of the unrighteous Mammon," and the former, or rather both, by his next publication, "the Obedience of a Christian man." Deeply interested as he was, however, in the best interests of the reigning monarch, he would not stoop to flatter him, much less wink at the course he now pursued. Hence this year his small publication on the subject of matrimony, and his exposition of 1 Corinthians, vii. chapter. The former, a warning as to its abuse, the latter, illustrative of the sin attending its gross violation-an abounding evil of the age.3

Marriage was then a question of vital importance to the virtue and happiness of his country; dreadfully trampled on and invaded by the priesthood of the day, and now, by the highest authority of the land, in his own person, threatened to be dissolved. It became, therefore, such a man as Tyndale to take up the subject. the subject. His voice was solitary indeed, but it had now a power, which, probably, he had never anticipated; it went also through the land, for whatever he now published was sought for and read; and not the less so, that every thing he put forth was so denounced.

Fryth was engaged about this time in translating from the German a small work, entitled, "The Revelation of Antichrist," one of the first books printed in English against the Roman Pontiff. He published it, with a long prefatory epistle and an antithesis at the end, under the assumed name of Richard Brightwell. It was printed "at Malborow, in the land of Hesse, the 12th day of July 1529, by me Hans Luft."

About this period both Tyndale and Fryth had removed from Marburg; and by the month of August, in Antwerp itself, a negociation with Tunstal, respecting books, there took place, which will be narrated presently, after we have noticed other contemporary movements in England.4

3 This exposition had a brief translation from Erasmus prefixed, and is thus entitled, “An exhortation to the diligent study of Scripture, made by Erasmus, Roterodamus, and translated into English. An exposition into the seventh chapter of the first epistle to the Corinthians." This was at first sometimes ascribed to Roye, then at Strasburg; but this was a mistake, as may be seen by the colophon, "At Malborow in the land of Hesse, 1529, xx day of June, by me Hans Luft." 8vo.

4 The well known Conference at MARBURG between Luther and Zwingle, commenced on the 30th of September. Here was a convenient opportunity for Tyndale to have met with both. But by that time he was in Antwerp. We make no comment here, but request the reader to observe what is said of Tyndale and such meetings, under 1533.

With regard to the progress of that noble cause in England, for which Tyndale only lived and at last died, it must be read, as before, in the opposition displayed. Wolsey may be removed, but enemies, in reality more bitter and determined, will remain, nay still flourish and rise in royal favour.

It will be remembered that abroad, Hackett, the British ambassador, had been affronted at Antwerp, and resenting the indignity, had, in April, conveyed the intelligence to England. In the same month, at home, Tunstal was again busy at his last year's employment, and firmly pushing his victims to abjure. He seems as though he had resolved that the spring of the year should be so distinguished, and happy would he have been to have rooted up the seed sown by other hands.; but this season the number of persons caught was comparatively few. Last year, Hacker, and Pykas, and Tyball, had sadly fallen, by exposing so many of their friends, but happily no one now followed their example. Among those who were examined, the most eminent was that of a respectable citizen and leather-merchant of London, John Tewksbury. His case was the more interesting from his having possessed a manuscript copy of the Bible, and his openly deponing that he had been studying in the holy Scriptures from the year 1512. He professed, however, that he had been brought to the knowledge of the truth by the reading of Tyndale's New Testament," and his subsequent publication or exposition of the Parable of the Wicked Mammon. "In the doctrine of justification," says John Foxe, " and all other articles of his faith, he was very expert and prompt in his answers, in such sort as Tunstal and all his learned men were ashamed, that a leather-seller should so dispute with them, with such power of the Scriptures, and heavenly wisdom, that they were not able to resist him.'

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The number of Bishops presiding at the examination of this good man, proves at once the importance of his case, and the extent to which their alarm and hatred had now gone. Besides Tunstal himself, there was West of Ely, and Clark of Bath, with Standish of St. Asaph, and Longland of Lincoln. These men had the truth told them on this occasion, and were even warned. Amongst other things, Tewksbury had the boldness to say," I pray God that the condemnation of the Gospel and translation of the Testament, be not to your

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shame, and that ye be not in peril for it." They continued disputing with him day after day, for more than eight or ten days together; his first appearance being on the 13th of April. At last he abjured, though, like Bilney, only for the present. As old Thomas Fuller said " it takes more to make a valiant man, than being able to call another coward," though in reporting such abjurations, one cannot but revert to the first grand and public recantation of Barnes, at St. Paul's. He might, before that year ended, be selling New Testaments confidentially, and in private, but this could never compensate for the mischief he had done, by his great and sad failure. Its influence must have been yet felt, in preventing that bold decision which would have been followed by the crown of martyrdom. Thus, this worthy man Tewksbury, only required another to precede him, in the year 1531, when we shall find him gather courage, deeply repent, and follow with great and determined courage to the stake.

How criminal was that man, who, with cool deliberation, thus spent his days in laying a snare, or in weaving a net for the feet of these saints? By him, indeed, they were not put to death; they were left by him for Stokesly to butcher, though the guilt of this righteous blood must ever rest upon Tunstal, as well as his successor.

But again, and that a third, if not the fourth time, a gracious Providence interposed. This, too, was about the very same month as in the two preceding years; not by disease, indeed, as last year, but by a method as effectual, the occupation of Tunstal abroad. In 1526 the authorities were scattered

by prevailing sickness. In 1527 they were so again by political affairs. In 1528 they were scared, as we have seen, by the "Sudor Anglicus," and this year they are again diverted from their prey by pressing affairs of state. These men could discern some of the signs of the times, but they could not, or rather would not, observe the finger of God.

Tunstal, cool and fresh, was ready to engage whenever state policy demanded his services, and the proof of his being as yet the leading persecutor of the truth, is plainly seen in this, that when once he departed, the storm in a great degree subsided. In a very short time, however, far from forgetting Tyndale's operations, we shall find him fully as busy, in another way, abroad, as he had been at home.