This Day in History, 1536

October 6, 1536, the date of the martyrdom of William Tyndale.

"I defy the Pope, and all his laws; and if God spares my life, I will cause the boy that drives the plow in England to know more of the Scriptures than the Pope himself!"

The plow boy, the merchant, and even the clergyman now know the Scriptures better as a result of the life and work of this brave hero of the faith. I have recently received a facsimile copy of Tyndale's 1526 New Testament, and it is quite remarkable in its beauty. While those who cherished Tyndale's original work did so at threat to their lives, my copy joins many other copies of the Bible on my bookshelves.