Protestantism in England From the Times of Henry VIII - James Aitken Wylie

Luther, who was then beginning to be heard of,
was often mentioned, and from the man the
transition was easy to his opinions. The young
student from Cambridge did not conceal his
sympathy with the German monk, and kept his
Greek New Testament ever beside him to support
his sentiments, which startled one half of those
around the table, and scandalized the other half.
The disputants often grew warm. "That is the book
that makes heretics," said the priests, glancing at
the unwelcome volume. "The source of all heresies
is pride," would the humble tutor reply to the lordly
clergy of the rich valley of the Severn. "The vulgar
cannot understand the Word of God," said the
priests; "it is the Church Sat gave the Bible to men,
and it is only her priests that can interpret it." "Do
you know who taught the eagles to find their
prey?" asked Tyndale; "that same God teaches his
children to find their Father in his Word. Far from
having given us the Scriptures, it; is you who have
hidden them from us."
The cry of heresy was raised against the tutor;
and the lower clergy, restoring to the ale-house,
48