Page 3 - 14 Later English Reformers

educated classes to a better knowledge of the

truth, and gave a new impetus to the work of

reform. But the common people were still, to

a great extent, debarred from God's word.

Tyndale was to complete the work of Wycliffe

in giving the Bible to his countrymen.

A diligent student and an earnest seeker for

truth, he had received the gospel from the

Greek Testament of Erasmus. He fearlessly

preached his convictions, urging that all

doctrines be tested by the Scriptures. To the

papist claim that the church had given the

Bible, and the church alone could explain it,

Tyndale responded: “Do you know who

taught the eagles to find their prey? Well, that

same God teaches His hungry children to find

their Father in His word. Far from having

given us the Scriptures, it is you who have

hidden them from us; it is you who burn