William Tyndale

, otherwise called Hitchins, was born on the borders of. Wales, brought up from a Child in Grammar, Logick, and Philosophy in this University, particularly for the most part in St. Mary Magdalens Hall; where, having sucked in the Doctrine of Luther, read it privatly to certain Students, and to some of the Junior Fellows of Magd. Coll. adjoining. Whether he took a Degree, either by the name of Tyndale or Hitchins, it doth not appear in our Registers, and whether he was one of the Junior Canons of Cardinal Wolseys Coll. as some think, there is no ground or footstep left to perswade us to it. From Oxon he went to Cambridge, where being well ripened in Gods word, he was entertained by one Sir Joh. Welch a Knight of Glocestershire, and by him made Tutor to his Children. While he continued there, he shewed himself so much a friend to Luther, and foe to the Pope, before several Abbats, Doctors, and other Men of the Clergy living in the neighbourhood, that he was forced merely for the security of his Person to leave that place. So that journying to London, he endeavoured to get into the Family of Cuthb. Tonstall Bishop thereof; but being frustrated of his design, he was desirous for the good of his Country to translate the New Testament into English, but finding no place to do it in England, he left his native Country and went into Germany, where setting on the work, he finished it in the Year 1527, which was the first translation of it made into English. Afterwards going on with the Old Test. He finished the five Books of Moses with sundry prologues before every one of them, besides other treatises written there. Which being sent into England, did, as esteemed by the then Clergy thereof, prove very mischievous to the whole Nation: Insomuch, that the King was forced to put out a Proclamation, prohibiting the buying and reading the said translation or translations. Afterwards the King and Council, finding that he would do much harm if not removed out of the way, they sent to the Emperors Attorney at Bruxels to have him seized: Whereupon our Author who was then at Antwerp, being snap’d by two Catchpoles, appointed by one Hen. Philipps an English Man, sent thither on purpose to find him out, was, after examination, sent to Prison in the Castle of Filford 18 Miles distant from Antwerp, where continuing for some time, did at length suffer death, (notwithstanding great intercessions were made for him by the English Merchants abiding in that Country) as I shall tell you anon. He hath written,

Protestation touching the Resurrection of the Bodies, and the State of Souls after this life.

Preface to the five Books of Moses called Genesis—Written in the Year 1530. Jan. 17.

Prologue shewing the use of the Scripture.

Prologues to the five Books of Moses.

Certain hard words expounded in the first, second, and fourth, Book of Moses.

Prologue upon the Prophet Jonas, the four Evangelists, upon the Epistles of St. Paul, the Epistles of St. Peter, and the 3 Epistles of St. John.

The Parable of the wicked Mammon—Published 1527. May 8.

The obedience of a Christian Man, and how Christian Rulers ought to govern—Published 1528. Oct. 2. and 1561. in oct.

An Exposition on the 5. 6. and 7 Chapters of St. Matthews Gospel.

Answer to Sir Tho. Mores Dialogues.—An. 1530.

The practice of papistical Prelates.—An. 1530. ’Tis about the divorce of K. H. 8.

A path way into the Holy Scriptures.

Exposition of the first Epistle of St. John—Published in Sept. 1531. in oct.

Exposition on Mr. Will. Tracies Will. Noremberg. 1546. oct.

Fruitful treatise upon Signes and Sacraments.

Two Letters to Joh. Fryth Prisoner in the Tower.

All which were printed in one Vol. in fol. 1573. He is also supposed to be Author of,

The Supper of the Lord, after the true meaning of the 6th of John, and the eleventh of the 1. of Cor. And incidently in the exposition of the Supper is confuted, the Letter of Sir Tho. More against Jo. Fryth—Written Apr. 5. an. 1533. This Person Will. Tyndale was first strangled by the hands of the common Hangman, and then burnt near to Filford Castle before-mentioned, in Fifteen hundred thirty and six. 1536 See his Story at large in Joh. Fox his Book of Acts and Monuments of the Church, &c. and in Rob. Persons his answer thereunto in The third part of a Treatise intit. of three conversions of England, &c. Printed 1604 chap. 14 p. 170. 171.