thing, that shall not both become a Christian man, and also a true and faithful subject to his Prince. If I were of another sort, and as the more part are, I might by chance obtain more favour. But whatsoever I do, or shall do to my Prince, I do it not for any reward, nor thereby seek reward, which, with half an eye, ye may perceive: And whether I be rewarded or not rewarded, it is all one to me; I will nevertheless do my duty. God hath eyes to see, and his reward prepared, and will prepare a living for me, wheresoever I be come, no less than he doth for those his creatures which neither sow nor mow.

"I am unkindly handled, to have such sharp inquisitions made of me in mine absence: I am (rude)ly handled for my service. Such stripes and bitter rewards would faint, and make weak the heart of some men towards their Prince; but I am the stronger, because I know my truth, and am at defiance with all men pretending the contrary. What! should I be longer in declaring my mind? Receive you the sum thereof, in short words. I will not be untrue to my Prince, though he were the doublest person of his realm, though his governance were such as should offend both heaven and earth: as his Grace is the very contrary, most noble, gracious, benign, and Am I not commanded by God, to be obedient to my Prince? Do I not, by the contrary, break God's ordinance? Am I ignorant in these things, supposeth the world, whose eyes are covered with ambition, dissimulation, and such like? 1 can no longer forbear but shew you my mind-it presseth my heart, like a deadly wound, when I hear that I am otherwise meant. I had much rather forsake my natural country, my most dear friends and family, and wander into some strange region and country, there to lead the rest of my short life, than thus to be handled for my true service, and my good mind-considering that truth hath no better estimation, insomuch that it standeth in such danger, and is so vilely reputed.

"I hear every where, how diligently my Lord Chancellor enquireth of all those (whom) he examineth in cases of heresy, for me. What are my manners? my opinions? my conversations? my faith? finally, what is my life entirely? And besides him, there be others deputed for such like examinations, which also make like inquisitions. Wherefore take they so great pains? What think they to hear? Or what think they that I am less than they? As concerning my creation-a man, a sinner, a vessel conceived in sin; finally, a wretched creature, barren and devoid of goodness-and this might they consider, without so great pains-taking. Who so miserable a creature as I am! beholding himself to be threatened with men so puissant, would not think himself to be in great danger? Who so unkindly and unchristianly entreated, may not wofully sing the verses painted in your stained cloth, resembling the evertion of Italy— changing the feminine into the masculine-Et sola et mediis herens in fluctibus, ecce, me miseram quantis undique pressa malis.

"I see there is no remedy-but I must depart out of this country. I anı here suspected above all men. I would it might please his Grace to license me to come into his realm, and no longer to be occupied in these things which so dangerously threaten my displeasure. I shall be contented to live in a corner of his realm, far from the company of men, and there to pass the residue of my short time.”

It may here be called to mind that we have already seen one English envoy in no small perplexity, and forced to move from his ground, in consequence of his zeal in opposing this great cause; but here we have the second, and in greater per

plexity still. Eager to gratify his impetuous Sovereign, and his no less temporising superior, Master Crumwell, the man had, in truth, been only doing his utmost. But being at once no favourite of Sir Thomas More's, (nor he assuredly of Vaughan's,) and, at the same time, the pupil of Crumwell, by whom he had been recommended to Henry; between the two, this ambassador was now in a maze. After such sound advice as he had tendered to his King, and all around him; after such fine sentiments as he had now so well expressed; one cannot but regret to find, in the end, that he had been only one of those of whom the Scriptures speak-“ their webs shall not become garments, and there is no judgment in their goings they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein, shall not know peace." But the secret comes out at last, and he is frank enough to tell it plainly; well knowing, as he must have done, that to such a man as Crumwell now was, it would be no blot in his character—for thus he proceeds

"I have too much laboured in truth. My policies have been here dirers. My conversation amongst men, like unto theirs. Amongst Christian men I have been a Christian. Amongst Jews, alike to them. Amongst Lutherans, a Lutheran also. What can I here do, without such policy? Shall such policies hurt me, because I used them to compass other things? Then, either think they that they sent a fool, or me constrain they to think, that they have no 'discrete perceveraunce !'

"Another thing that most grieveth me is this, that by this mean I should lose a most dear friend and special good Master of you, as I have been lately informed. And that you have excused you to the King's Majesty for me, and showed to him, that you are very sorry, that ever you commended or advanced me to his Majesty,-considering that I am one of such sort as I am, and that you were greatly deceived by me; supposing that I had been far otherwise disposed than I now am. Thus saith my Lord Chancellor, and so it is reported to me, of his mouth. If you have so done, then again increase my troubles into a more bitter passion than ever; and think not that whatsoever you have said, or shall say, have done, or shall do, it can yet turn my heart from you, of whom I have received far greater pleasures, than these displeasures.—But rather I will owe you all my powers, (besides that part which belongeth to God,) while I live, and will not be driven from you, though my body should extremely suffer. I speak it not feignedly, intending by such colour and manner of writing to win your favour, or to gape for your gift,-having no need thereof; nor, God willing, shall have, being right able, par tout, as the Frenchman saith, to get my living. But I declare by this my writing unto you, the earnest meaning of my heart, and that thereunto your exceeding merits have drawn me, nolens colens. Here leave I, to write any farther of this matter, till I hear either from you, or some other of my friends."

After informing Crumwell of his doings at Tournay, and the Emperor's movements, he then adds -" George Constantyne came to Antwerp, after his break

ing from my Lord Chancellor, the vi. day of December. With him, nor with none other such, will I meddle or have to do, considering that I am beaten with mine own labours. And thus, with most humble heart I bid you farewell, &c.— from Antwerp the ix. day of December 1531.-Your answer, if it so stand with your pleasure. Your humble and true servant, S. Vaughan."67

It may only be stated here that Constantyne again went on, importing books: but it will be remembered that we have given these instances, merely as a characteristic specimen of this sad year. "For why stand I here," says Foxe in one place, "numbering the sand?" And again,-"So great was the trouble of those times, that it would overcharge any story to recite the names of all them, which during those bitter days, before the coming in of Queen Anne, either were driven out of the realm, or were cast out from their goods and houses, or brought to open shame by abjuration. Yet, nevertheless, so mightily the power of God's gospel did work in the hearts of good men, that the number of them did nothing lessen for all this violence and policy of the adversaries; but rather increased in such sort, as our story almost suffereth not to recite the particular names of all and singular such as then groaned under the persecution of those days." But still besides those whose names are given, there must have been many who were never detected.

By these furious proceedings, the deep interest abroad, not one whit diminished, was increased, and in more places than one, for of course the parties molested fled to different ports. But on the 30th of December Vaughan concludes the year, by giving us the result, so far as his own residence and neighbourhood were concerned. His letter, as before, is addressed to Crumwell.

"I hear of divers, as well men as women, whose persons or names I know not, nor will know, to be fled out of England, for fear of punishment; bringing with them all that ever they can make. So that by this means, it is likely, that new Tyndales shall spring, or worse than he. I am unwise thus to write, being so unkindly treated in England in examinations: so that it seemeth my poor house, my body, and finally my life, standeth only in the untrue reports of any evil disposed person in the King's realm; which being examined of me, by chance evomite or spit out any venom against me, whereby he may trust to es

67 Cotton MS., Galba, B. x., fol. 21.-For several of the incidents before and afterwards mentioned as to Constantyne, see his own curious memorial to Lord Crumwell, dated 19th August 1539, with its introduction and notes, as first printed in the Archæologia of 1831, or vol. xxiii., pp. 50-78. "The caustic humour with which his remarks abound," says Mr. Amyot, "serves to give them additional point and effect." Some farther information furnished by Constantyne will occur under the years 1536 and 1539.

cape himself. Doth such unkindness, trow you, move me to use my policy with these manner of people, or to go about any thing which by chance might either help or ease? Nay, truly; but much rather I am utterly determined, henceforth, never to intermeddle, or to have any communication, with any one of them; but shall rather give place to some other man, which, peradventure, shall have better luck, than I hitherto have had; whom they go about thus unkindly to threaten, beat, rend, and tear for my service. I marvel of their exceeding thrift to bring me in danger, which never offended them. What Job could here have patience? What mind, so quiet, will here not be troubled ?

“Let their manners, their behaviours, their meanings, their communications, their companies, their opinions, their conversations, the orders of their livings in all things, be as nearly examined as mine; as subtilly searched and tried as mine; by so many sundry persons as mine;—And what think you? they shall be found Innocents? Nay, nocentes, the worse, peradventure, than He, of whom they so greatly examine. I would they all, which so greatly examine, did know, I am no heretic, nor for them all, will be made one. I neither have so corrupt a mind, so evil a conscience, nor so little understanding, as it seemeth they would I had, which seek ways to destroy the innocent. I pray God amend them!" 68

Vaughan, it is evident, was now thoroughly frightened, yet he need not have greatly "marvelled." The reports respecting him, must, of necessity, have been very contradictory, and the miserable plight, of which he complained so loudly, was nothing more than the natural result of those "divers policies," which he had dreamt to be the fruit of wisdom, or the evidence of his superior talent. He only adds in this letter," If in any part of this my writing, I have erred or offended, I ask thereof pardon. My passion is so great, I cannot resist. And thus, &c. from Antwerp the 30th day of December 1531." Nor did he ever write again on this subject. The truth, was, he was at once alarmed for himself, and disgusted with the proceedings at home; yet he retained his station, long survived Sir Thomas More, and remained on the Continent for years. But if Henry the Eighth be still resolved to have other agents out in pursuit after Tyndale, he must find some other man than Mr. Vaughan. Already we have seen a Friar, and two Ambassadors, completely foiled, and disappointed of their prey; though still the long pursuit is not even yet at an end! In the persons of her rulers at this period, no nation upon earth had surpassed Britain, in her opposition to Divine truth.

08 Galba, B. x., fol. 25.

SECTION IX.

TYNDALE'S PROGRESS-EXPOSITION IN MATTHEW-HIS SENTIMENTS UNDER PERSECUTION-THE KING NOT APPEASED RENEWED PURSUIT OF TYNDALE-NOW BY SIR THOMAS ELYOT-STILL IN VAIN-STATE OF ENGLAND -PARLIAMENT THE BISHOPS FINED-THE KING'S AFFAIRS-PERSECUTION GOES ON-BAINHAM-LATIMER-MORE AGAINST TYNDALE-FRYTH

ARRIVES IN ENGLAND-IN PERIL-IN THE TOWER-WRITING THERE IN DEFENCE OF THE TRUTH, AND ADDRESSING THE CHRISTIANS IN ENGLAND.

HAD Tyndale been only left unmolested, or left to proceed with the Scriptures, he would, unquestionably, have had some additional portion finished at press; but since the year 1528 the reader may now judge of his situation. Already he had given the New Testament, the Pentateuch, and the Prophet Jonah, to his native land. The work of Translation, or the joy of his heart, he still pursued, but without due deliberation, he would not employ the press. Our English exile fled for protection to no foreign prince; nor had he the aid of eminent literary assistants, like his contemporary, Martin Luther. If he had hitherto enjoyed the assistance and fellowship of only John Fryth, this was soon to be withdrawn, by his journey to the martyr's stake in England; and though labouring under the frown of his own monarch, as well as that of all his counsellors and bishops, on he went.

Meanwhile, he had one solitary encouragement. He well knew that whatever he put forth from the press, excited immediate notice; for, in fact, every thing he had yet published, had enjoyed the honour of being denounced in England, and interdicted both by royal and priestly authority. The only piece unnoticed as not being so, his "Exposition of the Epistle of John," was this year added to the catalogue, and reprobated in print, by the Lord Chancellor.

Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount, in the gospel by Matthew, now engaged Tyndale's attention, as demanding to be expounded, owing to the errors which still reigned triumphant ; and his exposition first came out sometime this year. In this fundamental portion of the Sacred Volume, he represents the Saviour as "opening the kingdom of heaven," which the enemies "had shut up, that other men should not enter."