TYNDALE (William), a learned divine, the first translator and publisher of the Old and New Testament in the English language, was born near the borders of Wales, and educated at Oxford, chiefly in Magdalen-hall. We are told that he was admitted a canon of the new college founded by Woley; but Anthony Wood disputes this fact. Having imbibed the opinions of Luther, and being apprehensive of persecution, he
removed to Cambridge, where he finished his academic studies. From thence he went to the house of Sir John Welch at Little Sudbury in Gloucestershire, in the capacity of tutor to that gentleman's children; and being then in orders, frequently preached at Bristol, and in that neighbourhood: but his doctrine being by the clergy of those times deemed heretical, he was obliged once more to fly from persecution. He now removed to London, where he preached for some time in St Dunstan's in the West. Having conceived an idea of bishop Tonstall's moderation from the character given him by Erasmus, he made an attempt to be admitted one of his chaplains; but not succeeding, and now destitute of support, he was taken into the house of Mr Humphrey Monmouth, alderman of London, where he continued about half a year. In this situation he first meditated the translation of the New Testament into English, as the most effectual means to bring about a reformation in religion; but as this could not be safely attempted in England, he embarked for Germany, supported by his friends with a pension of 10l. per annum. Having first paid a visit to Martin Luther, at that time in Saxony, he settled at Antwerp, and immediately began his translation of the New Testament, which was first printed in 1526, in 8vo. The gospel was always beholden to persecution for its propagation. The whole impression was in a short time consumed, and Tyndale by that means enabled to publish a second much more numerous.
Having now finished his first work, the indefatigable Tyndale began his translation of the Old Testament; and the five books of Moses being ready for the press, he embarked for Hamburg with an intention to print them; but the ship being cast away, all his papers, books, and money, were lost. However, he arrived safe at Hamburg; where, with the help of Miles Coverdale, he began the work anew, and finished the Pentateuch, which was printed in 1530. To this he added the book of Jonas, which was published the year following.
The matter now grew serious. The Papists were alarmed; and Tyndale's translations were at all events to be suppressed. The most conscientious Defender of the Faith assembled the heads of the clergy in the star-chamber, and, with their approbation, issued his royal proclamation for the total extinction of the English Bible, with all other books containing pestilent and damnable heresies. The Bibles, as many as were brought in, were accordingly burnt: but this was not enough. To appease the offended genius of Popery, it was necessary that the translator himself should also burn. Poor Tyndale, in consequence of an application from the court of London, was seized by the emperor's procurator-general at Brussels, confined in the castle of Vilvorden, 18 miles from Antwerp; and after 18 months imprisonment, in the year 1536, condemned and executed. They had however the humanity to strangle him first; after which his body was reduced to ashes. Thus died this very honest and learned divine, for having translated and, as was falsely pretended, perverted the scriptures.