| The letter of William Tyndale to those who had imprisoned him. The image below is reproduced from William Tyndale: A Biography, by R. Demaus, New Edition, revised by Richard Lovett (London, 1886), p. 437. |
An Englishman driven by a desire to render the Bible into English, William Tyndale created language so powerful that some say without him, there would have been no Shakespeare. Eighty percent of the King James Version of the Bible, including the Psalms and The New Testament, comes from his translation. Its lyrical depths reach us now.
He lived from 1494–1536, a time when kings had divine right. He was accused of heresy, betrayed for money, captured overseas, and sent to prison in Antwerp in 1535. For over a year he was held in the castle of Vilvoorde not far from Brussels. In 1536 he was placed on a scaffold, strangled, and once dead, then burned at the stake. Nice times.
He was a scholar, a linguist, a Christian, and a creative man. While in prison, he wrote requests to the authorities. Of particular concern he felt bereft of anything to do in the dungeon cell where he was, and requested material for study. This was denied. The image attached shows a copy of the letter he wrote asking for warm clothes as well as books. The translation can be found at http://www.bible-researcher.com/tyndale3.html
His life was lived with a passion and commitment and influence to such a degree one would think he would be honored for all to see, not imprisoned and abandoned. But then, not all did see.
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How inspiring to know about Tyndale through your blog. A man of great strength!
And I am personally more inspired by the concluding part of his letter, where he writes –
“But if, before the end of winter, a different decision be reached concerning me, I shall be patient, and submit to the will of God to the glory of the grace of Jesus Christ my Lord, whose spirit may ever direct your heart. Amen. ”
It is easier to accept God’s will when things work out the way we want, but it takes courage to do the same when things happen other way.
Really profound message ” I shall be patient “.