The next Bible to be considered in the history of the English Bible is the Matthews Bible.
What a treasure provided for the English speakers of the world is the English Bible! Below are some photgraphic comparisons to illustrate the Bible to the English speakers and the development of it at great cost to the translators and oftem to ay that would ever handle or hear it!
Below is a leaf from the Coverdale of the first chapter of John. Since Coverdale used the work of Tyndale, this would also be the reading in the Tyndale New Testament.
The reverance the English peoples had for the English Scriptures can be seen in the great price that was paid by both translators and readers of this book!
Here are a few testimonies of Christians that loved the early English Bibles that paid with thier lives!
The Testimony of Sir John Oldcastle:
At Christmas time in 1417, Sir John Oldcastle was roasted alive for his faith in the Word of God and his rejection of Rome’s authority. Oldcastle was the Lord of Cobham, a famous and fearless knight, and a favorite of King Henry IV. He loved John Wycliffe and the Wycliffe doctrine and often stood by Wycliffe or other Lollard preachers in his armor to protect them. Oldcastle used his position to shield Lollard preachers and his wealth to have copies of the Wycliffe Scriptures made for distribution. In spite of his open rejection of Roman Catholicism, Oldcastle was himself shielded King Henry IV until his death in 1413, at which time Oldcastle’s Romanist enemies connived to destroy him. They falsely charged Oldcastle with plotting a rebellion against the new king and had him arrested and condemned to die as a traitor and a heretic. Brought to the place of punishment a few days before Christmas 1417, “having a cheerful countenance,” it was evident that the old warrior still carried a burden for the souls of the people. Prior to his brutal execution, he warned the people to obey the Holy Bible and to beware of false teachers, whose lives are contrary to Christ and His example. He refused to allow a Catholic priest to minister to him, boldly declaring, instead, that he would confess his sins “to God only.” Falling down on his knees, he prayed that God would forgive his persecutors. This man who had loved the Word of God and had caused it to be distributed among the people, was hung in chains and suspended over the fire to be roasted alive. As this barbarous execution proceeded, the hateful priests and monks reviled and cursed the poor man and did their best to prevent the people from praying for him. It was to no avail. The people loved the godly knight and they wept and prayed with him and for him. The last words which were heard, before his voice was drowned by the roaring flames, was “Praise God!”
-The above from David Cloud (www.wayoflife.org)
John Rogers (1500 – 1555) is the man responsible for producing the Matthews Bible.
Rogers again used Tyndale’s word and revised the work of Coverdale to produce the Matthews Bible
Below is the first page in the Matthews Bible of the Gospel of John:
Like his friend Tyndale, John Rodgers would pay the ultimate price for his work. In 1555, he was burned at the stake.
John Rogers and his dear wife had 11 children. One was just a nursing infant at the time of his execution. During his imprisonment he was cruelly denied access at all to his family. On the day of his execution, his dear wife was present with all 11 children with the intent to strengthen her husband through the ordeal!
Just a few days before his burning, Mr. Rogers wrote from the darkness of prison a pamphlete to his children. That can be read at this link HERE.
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