ATTEMPTS TO INDUCE TYNDALE TO RETURN TO ENGLAND--THE INTERVIEW IN THE MEADOW--TYNDALE’S PATHETIC APPEAL AND HIS NOBLE OFFER. In England, Thomas Cromwell, the hammerman, had succeeded Wolsey in the supreme direction of affairs. So long as he possessed the King’s ear, the Reformers were secure of at least one friend, and Henry himself was prosperous and successful so long as he followed the guidance of his great Minister. Cromwell was a politician and not a Reformer, but all his instincts were in favour of those who pleaded for an overthrow of the Papal corruptions and tyranny. It is true that in pursuing his purpose Cromwell now and then adopted measures that cannot be defended, but his policy was, after all, that which, if pursued systematically instead of spasmodically, would have secured the independence and prosperity of the realm. Cromwell took Latimer into his favour, and endeavoured to employ his preaching talents in the furtherance of his designs. He now endeavoured to induce Tyndale to return home to England, hoping possibly that the great translator would also co-operate with him in working out his plans. Stephen Vaughan, one of the English envoys to the Low Countries, was the messenger who was employed for this purpose; and at Cromwell’s instance he wrote three letters to three different places whence he supposed they might reach Tyndale. This was in the year 1530; and the result of Vaughan’s inquiries into the whereabouts and doings of the Reformer was a high appreciation on his part both of Tyndale’s abilities and character. “The man is of greater knowledge than the King’s Highness doth take him for,” wrote Vaughan to Cromwell, “which well appeareth by his works. Would God he were in England!” Tyndale probably did not take the same view of the case as Vaughan, for about this time his brother John in England was sentenced by the Star Chamber to be exhibited in Cheapside upon horseback with his face to the horse’s tail. John Tyndale was further compelled to pay a considerable fine, and this punishment was inflicted because he had sent money and letters to his brother William Tyndale, and had, moreover, committed the further enormity of receiving and selling Testaments!