Our dear friend William Tyndale wroteth a letter from his cell in the Vilvorde Prison near Brussels…

I believe, most excellent Sir, that you are not unacquainted with the decision reached concerning me. On which account, I beseech your lordship, even by the Lord Jesus, that if I am to pass the winter here, to urge upon the lord commissary, if he will deign, to send me from my goods in his keeping a warmer cap, for I suffer greatly from cold in the head, being troubled with a continual catarrh, which is aggravated in this prison vault. A warmer coat also, for that which I have is very thin. Also cloth for repairing my leggings. My overcoat is worn out; the shirts also are worn out. He has a woolen shirt of mine, if he will please send it. I have also with him leggings of heavier cloth for overwear. He likewise has warmer nightcaps: I also ask for leave to use a lamp in the evening, for it is tiresome to sit alone in the dark.

But above all, I beg and entreat your clemency earnestly to intercede with the lord commissary, that he would deign to allow me the use of my Hebrew Bible, Hebrew Grammar, and Hebrew Lexicon, and that I might employ my time with that study. Thus likewise may you obtain what you most desire, saving that it further the salvation of your soul. But if, before the end of winter, a different decision be reached concerning me, I shall be patient, and submit to the will of God to the glory of the grace of Jesus Christ my Lord, whose spirit may ever direct your heart. Amen.

W. Tyndale

—William Tyndale (1494-1536)

A devoted translator of the New Testament into English, Mr. Tyndale was strangled and burned at the stake for his goodly efforts.

Justice works in mysterious ways, friends! More than we mere sharecroppers can possibly imagine! But pray, could they not of given the good man a bit of extra cloth and a woolen cap, before they so violently assaulted his body? Sweet Baby Jesus!

Mr. Tyndale’s last words as his skin was bubbling and crisping from the flames of ignorance were, “Lord! open the king of England’s eyes.” …(ccel.org)

Oh, Dear Lord! Open too the eyes of the wretched people of this lonely and accursed Eastern Shore of Maryland!