History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, Volume 5: The Reformation in EnglandMerle d'Aubigné, J. H. (Jean Henri)
History
History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, Volume 5: The Reformation in England
Merle d'Aubigné, J. H. (Jean Henri)
Reformation
Monmouth being edified by Tyndale's sermons, inquired into his means
of living. "I have none,"[452] replied he, "but I hope to enter into
the bishop's service." This was before his visit to Tonstall. When
Tyndale saw all his hopes frustrated, he went to Monmouth and told him
everything. "Come and live with me," said the wealthy merchant, "and
there labour." God did to Tyndale according to his faith. Simple,
frugal, devoted to work, he studied night and day;[453] and wishing to
guard his mind against "being overcharged with surfeiting," he refused
the delicacies of his patron's table, and would take nothing but
sodden meat and small beer.[454] It would even seem that he carried
simplicity in dress almost too far.[455] By his conversation and his
works, he shed over the house of his patron the mild light of the
Christian virtues, and Monmouth loved him more and more every day.
[452] Foxe, Acts, iv, p. 617.
[453] Strype, Records, i. p. 664.
[454] Strype, Records, i. p. 664. He would eat but sodden meat and
drink but small single beer.
[455] He was never seen in that house to wear linen about him. Ibid.
[Sidenote: FRYTH JOINS TYNDALE.]
Tyndale was advancing in his work when John Fryth, the mathematician
of King's College, Cambridge, arrived in London. It is probable that
Tyndale, feeling the want of an associate, had invited him. United
like Luther and Melancthon, the two friends held many precious
conversations together. "I will consecrate my life wholly to the
church of Jesus Christ," said Fryth.[456] "To be a good man, you must
give great part of yourself to your parents, a greater part to your
country; but the greatest of all to the church of the Lord." "The
people should know the word of God,"[457] they said both. "The
interpretation of the gospel, without the intervention of councils or
popes, is sufficient to create a saving faith in the heart." They shut
themselves up in the little room in Monmouth's house, and translated
chapter after chapter from the Greek into plain English. The bishop of
London knew nothing of the work going on a few yards from him, and
everything was succeeding to Tyndale's wishes when it was interrupted
by an unforeseen circumstance.
[456] Tyndale and Fryth's Works, iii, p. 73, 74.
[457] That the poor people might also read and see the simple plain
word of God. Foxe, Acts, v, p. 118.
[Sidenote: LEARNING AND THE SCAFFOLD.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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