William Tyndale: Break with Rome (1526-1534)

 

Bray, Gerald, ed.  Documents of the English Reformation.  Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1994.

There are 654 pages with appendices. Mr. (Rev.Dr.) Bray will invite one to histories, documents and “more friends.” A 2005 edition is available at: http://www.amazon.com/Documents-English-Reformation-Revd Gerald/dp/0227172396/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374785087&sr=1-1&keywords=gerald+bray+english+reformation

 Mr. Bray builds the structure on six foundations:  

 1. The Break with Rome (1526-1534)
2. Henrician Reformation (1534-1547)
3. Cranmer’s Reformation: Edward VI (1547-1553)
4. Reaction and Recovery (1553-1559)
5. Progress of Protestantism (1560-1625)
6. Protestant Schism and Final Settlement (1625-1700)

In the first section, Mr. Bray includes Mr. Tyndale's "Preface to the New Testament."  It's not terribly remarkable, but it was what it was. We mention three biblical texts below as cited by Mr. Tyndale, but he has already used several others earlier. 

Of note, thus far, we have heard little about Mr. Luther.  We know Mr. Tyndale had visited the Teutons in Wittenberg.

In time, we will get to Mr. Tyndale's "Preface to the Pentateuch."

More from Mr. Tyndale’s “Preface to the New Testament:”

1. Mt. 7.26. One needs the foundation of Christ’s Word. Without Christ’s Word, the storms will remove the dwelling built on sand. 2. Mt.21.33-41. The Parable of Vineyard. The Church has “locked up” God’s Word. At least since Wycliffe’s days, the Word of God was “locked down,” but "lock down" must have preceded Wycliffe too. At some point, the Romano-English bishops tossed out the “Sower of the Seed.”  The question remains:  when did the Romano-Latin dominion overtake the publication and use of Anglo-Saxon Bibles? 

3. Lk.11.24-26. The Parable of the Unclean Spirit. That dirty and evil spirit (singular) "departs" and "returns" with his buddies (plural). Mr. Tyndale’s point regarding the Romano-English Church is none too delicate, to wit, that evil spirits have come to the nation. He doesn't mention names, but one can read between the lines as Mr. Tyndale has gone underground and is in "fugitive status" in 1525.  Mr. Tyndale’s point: England endures “…the scourge every day sharper and sharper with tribuations.” Earlier in the prologue and preface to the New Testament, reprobates being previously exposed to God’s Word “every day wax worse and worse and blinder and blinder till he be an utter enemy of the Word of God and his heart so hardened that it shall be impossible to convert him.” Pharoah is one such example. Inferably, Mr. Tyndale had the Bishop of London in mind.  

 4. “The Gospel is glad tidings of mercy and grace and that our corrupt nature should be healed again for Christ’s sake and for the merits of his deservings only.” The category of systematic theology is on offer here: the “active obedience and merits” of Christ in behalf of the believer. I well recall--or offensively recall-- Mr. (rev.dr.) Daniel Dunlap, formerly of the Reformed Episcopal Church, an Oxford don, now ensconced in a TEC work after being re-ordained by them, a theonomist like Mr. Sutton, and a vigorous Anglican extremist…right after he himself was double-crossed by Mr. (bp.) Sutton, asserting that “active obedience” of “Christ’s merits” had no place in Anglican theology. Mr. Dunlap had hubris of the first order. He's been off the radar screen for a decade perhaps. A real "mouth."

 5. Tyndale: “But if I believe in Christ, Christ’s deeds have purchased for me the eternal promise of the everlasting life.”

6. Mr. Tyndale gives a brief introduction to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Mr. Bray's first chapter is "The Break with Rome (1526-1534)." He leads with Mr. Tyndale. We do well to draw the connection between London, Archbishop Warham, Mr. Cranmer, White Horse Inn, Stephen Gardiner, John Fisher and others.


Apparently, Mr. Tyndale's "Preface" didn't make the cut when Mr. Cranmer wrote his "Preface" to the Great Bible in 1540.
 

A few quotes from Mr. William Tyndale, 1494-1535. He is five years younger than Mr. (Canterbury) Cranmer.

Apart from Mr. Bray, a few quotes by Mr. Tyndale as found on the web variously:

“I perceived how that it was impossible to establish the lay people in any truth except the Scripture were plainly laid before their eyes in their mother tongue.”...

“My overcoat is worn out; my shirts also are worn out. And I ask to be allowed to have a lamp in the evening; it is indeed wearisome sitting alone in the dark." Tyndale did a fair amount of brig time in Belgium.

“Here is also to be noted, that the cause of the institution was to be a memorial, to testify that Christ's body was given, and his blood shed for us.” Oh, oh!

“No more doth it hurt to say that the body and blood are not in the sacrament.” This is a hanging offense in the 1520s.

“Neither was there any heresy, or diversity of opinion, or disputing about the matter, till the pope had gathered a council to confirm this transubstantiation: wherefore it is most likely that this opinion came up by them of latter days.” The antecedent is the Fourth Lateran Council, 1215.

“I perceived how that it was impossible to establish the lay people in any truth except the Scripture were plainly laid before their eyes in their mother tongue.”

 “If God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy who drives the plough to know more of the Scriptures than you do.” Tyndale to his London Bishop, who was unamused with him.

“Oh Lord, open the King of England’s eyes!” Allegedly said before strangulation and burning at the stake. And where was Mr. Cranmer in 1536?

Rev. 6.9ff. Heaven awaits that final judgment and Hell fears it---DPV, not Tyndale.