Hidden from the Enemies of the Word
Tyndale could not comprehend the desperation of the church leaders to protect their man-made kingdom and to keep people in the dark with “vain superstitions and false doctrine.” Tyndale’s supporters understood the wickedness of the Lord’s enemies who were combing Europe for Tyndale, and, so, they kept him hidden in safe houses throughout Germany and Belgium. He was completing his translation work at the home of Thomas Pointz, a Christian merchant in Antwerp.
A False Friend Gains His Trust
Occasionally, Tyndale left his lodgings for a quiet dinner with Pointz and fellow merchants of the city. One evening, a man named Henry Phillips joined their group and appeared to share Tyndale’s excitement for the Word of God; and, within days, Tyndale had taken Phillips into his confidence, showing him his current work on the Old Testament and his commentaries on salvation in Christ. Pointz was suspicious of the quickly formed friendship and questioned Phillips closely on his next visit. Still uneasy, Pointz left Antwerp for a month-long business trip. Emperor Charles V (considered the Holy Roman Emperor of most of central Europe) held his royal court in the city of Brussels just twenty-four miles away from Antwerp. Phillips secretly traveled to the emperor’s court with the victorious news that he had discovered the hiding place of the heretic, William Tyndale. To this day, no one knows who Phillips was actually spying for – the pope, the emperor, or King Henry VIII – but what is certain is that Phillips returned triumphantly to Antwerp with the emperor’s High Counselor and a detail of the palace guards.
The Arrest of William Tyndale
The next day, Phillips paid a visit to Tyndale, allegedly to talk to him about his work before inviting him to dinner. As Phillips and Tyndale left Point’s home, they walked through a long narrow entryway out to the street. Phillips walked behind the kindly Bible translator until they neared the roadway, and then he stealthily pointed Tyndale out to the guards who were standing in wait. As soon as Tyndale stepped foot on the public street, the soldiers seized him roughly and placed him under arrest.
Date: 12th October 2024
Martyr: William Tydale
Location: Pakistan
Source: God’s General-The Martyrs
Author: Robert Liardon
Suffering Saturday 112
Previous post
Next post
