“We had spied out Antichrist long ago if we had looked in the doctrine of Christ and His apostles; where, because the least seeth himself now to be sought for, he roareth and seeketh new holes to hide himself in; and changeth himself into a thousand fashions with all manner of vileness, falsehood, subtlety, and craft. Because that his excommunications are come to light, he maketh it treason unto the King to be acquainted with Christ. If Christ and they may not reign together, one hope we have--that Christ shall live for ever. The old Antichrists brought Christ unto Pilate, saying, ‘By our law He ought to die;’ and when Pilate bade them judge Him after their law, they answered, ‘It is not lawful for us to kill any man;’ which they did to the intent that they which regarded not the shame of their false communications should yet fear to confess Christ, because that the temporal sword had condemned Him. They do all things of a good zeal, they say; _they love you so well, that they had rather burn you than that you should have fellowship with Christ_. They are jealous over your armies, as saith St. Paul. They would divide you from Christ and His Holy Testament, and join you to the Pope to believe in his testament and promise.” The New Testament had been issued without Tyndale’s name upon it, but at length the secret of his authorship had leaked out. Now with a sublime scorn both for the prelates and for their malice, Tyndale continues:-- “Some men will ask peradventure why I take the labour to make this work, inasmuch as they will burn it, seeing they burnt the Gospel? I answer, _In burning the New Testament they did none other thing than that I looked for_; NO MORE SHALL THEY DO IF THEY BURN ME ALSO; IF IT BE GOD’S WILL, IT SHALL SO BE.” Then Tyndale concludes his preface thus:--“Nevertheless, in translating the New Testament I did my duty, and so do I now, and will do as much more as God hath ordained me to do. And as I offered that to all men to correct it whosoever could, even so I do this. Whosoever, therefore, readeth this, compare it unto the Scriptures. If God’s Word bear record unto it, and thou feelest in thine heart that it is so, be of good comfort and give God thanks. If God’s Word condemn it, then hold it accused, and so do with other doctrines; as Paul counselleth his Galatians. Believe not every spirit suddenly, but judge them by the Word of God, which is the trial of all doctrine, and lasteth for ever. Amen!”