Which thing only moved me to translate the new Testament. Because I had perceived by experience, how that it was impossible to stablish the 1lay people in any truth, except the Scripture were plainly laid before their eyes in their mother tongue, that they might see the process, order and meaning of the text: for else what soever truth is taught them, these enemies of all truth, quench it again, partly with the smoke of their bottomless pit, whereof thou readest Apocalipsis, ix. that is, with apparent reasons of sophistry, and traditions of their own making, founded without ground of Scripture, and partly in juggling with the text, expounding it in such a sense, as is impossible to gather of the text, if thou see the process, order and meaning thereof. ⟨p. 2⟩And even in the Bishops of London's house, I intended to have done it. For 2when I was so turmoiled in the country where I was, that I could no longer there dwell (the process whereof were to long here to rehearse) I this wise thought in my self, this I suffer because the Priests of the country be unlearned, as God it knoweth, there are a full ignorant sort which have seen no more Latin, then that they read in their Portesses and Missals, which yet many of them can scarcely read (except it be Albertus de secretis mulierū, in which yet, though they be never so sorrily learned, they poor day and night, and make notes therein, & all to teach the midwives as they say, and Linwode a book of constitutions to gather tithes, mortuaries, offerings, customs, and other pillage, which they call not theirs, but Gods part, and the duty of holy church, to discharge their consciences with all: for they are bound that they shall not diminish, but increase all thing unto the uttermost of 3their powers) & therefore (because they are thus unlearned thought I) when they come together to the Alehouse, which is their preaching place, they affirm that my sayings are heresy. And besides that they add to of their own heads, which I never spake, as the manner is to prolong the tale to short the time with all, and accused me secretly to the Chancellor, and other the 4Bishops officers.
Whiche thyng onely moued me to translate the new Testament. Because I had perceaued by experience, howe that it was impossible to stablishe the 1laye people in any truth, excepte the Scripture were playnely layd before their eyes in their mother toung, that they might see the processe, order and meanyng of the text: for els what soeuer truth is taught them, these enemies of all truth, quench it agayn, partly with the smoke of their bottomlesse pitte, wherof thou readest Apocalipsis, ix. that is, with apparāt reasons of sophistry, and traditions of their owne makyng, founded without grounde of Scripture, and partely in iugglyng with the texte, expoundyng it in such a sense, as is impossible to gather of the text, if thou see the processe, order and meanyng therof. ⟨p. 2⟩And euē in the Byshops of Londons house, I entented to haue done it. For 2when I was so turmoyled in the coū trey where I was, that I could no lē ger there dwell (the processe whereof were to long here to rehearse) I this wise thought in my selfe, this I suffer because the Priestes of the countrey be vnlearned, as God it knoweth, there are a full ignoraunt sorte whiche haue sene no more Latin, then that they read in their Portesses and Missales, which yet many of them can scarcely read (except it be Albertus de secretis mulierū, in which yet, though they be neuer so sorily learned, they poore day and night, and make notes therein, & all to teach the mydwiues as they say, and Linwode a booke of constitutions to gather tithes, mortuaries, offeringes, customes, and other pillage, whiche they call not theirs, but Gods part, and the duety of holy church, to discharge their consciences with all: for they are boūd that they shall not diminishe, but encrease all thyng vnto the vttermost of 3their powers) & therfore (because they are thus vnlearned thought I) when they come together to the Alehouse, whiche is their preachyng place, they affirme that my sayinges are heresie. And besides that they adde to of their own heades, which I neuer spake, as the maner is to prolōg the tale to short the time with all, and accused me secretly to the Chauncellour, and other the 4Byshops officers.
- 1What first moved W. Tyndale to translate y• Scripture into englsshWhat first moued W. Tyndale to translate y• Scripture into englssh
- 2This bishop of Lon don was then Tunstall, which afterward was bishop of DurhamThis bishop of Lō don was then Tunstall, which afterward was bishop of Durham
- 3The popes chaplains pulpit, is the alehouseThe popes chaplens pulpet, is the al•house
- 4Christs apoitles did meekly admonish, but the Popes sectaries did brawl and skold.Christes apoitles dyd mekely admonish, but the Popes sectaryes dyd braule and skold.
