William Tyndale: Lesson 8 - The Betrayal

Introduction:

When we last left William Tyndale, he had met with the king’s messenger and replied that he must complete his translation work.

Before the king’s messenger left, William gave him something.

Do you remember what William gave to the king’s messenger?

That’s right, a letter addressed to the king!

How would King Henry VIII respond to William’s answer telling the king that he, William, must complete the English translation of the Bible (that is against the law!)?

The king’s messenger arrived safely back at the king’s palace from traveling abroad and meeting William Tyndale.

The king’s messenger promptly delivered the letter to King Henry VIII.

The king’s messenger explained to the king what he had experienced with William.

The king eagerly opened the letter to find out what William wrote.

What do you think William wrote?

As the king read the letter, he became angry.

In the letter, William told the king that he would not come back to England unless the king sponsored and permitted some portion or all of the Bible to be translated into English.

The king took this answer from William Tyndale as a rejection of the king and his offer.

The king was now committed more than ever to finding William Tyndale and imprisoning him.

The religious authorities now sought another individual to help them in their quest to capture William Tyndale.

What kind of man would be willing to search for William Tyndale who was doing God’s work in translating the Bible into English?

A man by the name of Henry Philips came to the attention of the religious authorities.

Henry was a man who made friends easily because people liked him.

Henry also knew the right words to speak to others to get them to like him.

Henry was also not very good with money.

He had a tendency to waste it.

One time, when traveling, Henry was given by his dad a sum of money that Henry was to safeguard and keep it for his dad.

Instead, Henry wasted the whole sum by gambling it all away.

Now Henry was in a real pickle!

How could he face his dad with all the money gone?

How would he explain to his dad about his selfish choices?

Bishop John Stokesly, a member of the religious authorities who wanted William Tyndale imprisoned, learned of Henry’s selfish choice.

He knew that Henry was a desperate man.

So, Bishop Stokesly invited Henry to join him one day to discuss his plan.

As part of this deal, Bishop Stokesly offered Henry money, a lot of money.

How do you think that Henry Phillips responded to the Bishop’s offer?

When he heard about how much money was involved, he knew that there was no way that he was going to refuse that offer!

Henry Phillips agreed to find William Tyndale and betray him to the authorities.

Henry found that it was not too difficult to find William Tyndale.

He found William Tyndale living in the home of Thomas Poyntz, a cousin to Lady Anne Walsh.

Remember, Lady Anne Walsh lived with her husband and children at Little Sodbury Manor.

Does anyone remember what William used to do at Little Sodbury Manor?

That’s right, he was the Walsh children’s teacher.

Henry knew that his biggest obstacle to capturing William Tyndale would be Thomas Poyntz.

Thomas and his wife provided William the protection he needed to continue his translation work.

If Henry could get Thomas away from William, he knew that he could capture William.

Thomas was also not too sure of Henry Phillips.

Thomas believed that William should not trust Henry Phillips.

But how would Henry get Thomas away long enough to capture William?

Henry learned one day that Thomas Poyntz was going to be going away on a business trip.

Henry knew that this was his opportunity to capture William.

With Thomas away, Henry got William away from the Poyntz’s home on an invitation to lunch.

As they were heading to lunch, do you know what Henry did?

He stole money from William!

He told William that he had been robbed.

He also indicated that he had intended to pay for lunch.

All of this was a lie!

William, unfortunately, gladly gave Henry the money.

As they were walking to lunch, Henry took William down a narrow street.

Before William knew it, he had been surrounded by men who were intent on imprisoning him.

What would William do?

Would he be able to escape like he did before?

If he were imprisoned, what would happen to the English translation of the Bible?

Conclusion: We’ll consider these questions next week in our last look at the life and translation work of William Tyndale.