"And also he earnestly moved me in his letter, that for the
advancement of God's glory, and of Christ's Church, I would take the
pains to translate the said book, to the end that that most
excellent divine work of Luther might be brought again to light.
"Whereupon I took the said book before me, and many times began to
translate the same, but always I was hindered therein, being called
upon about other business, insomuch that by no possible means I
could remain by that work. Then, about six weeks after I had
received the said book, it fell out that I being in bed with my wife
one night, between twelve and one of the clock, she being asleep,
but myself yet awake, there appeared unto me an ancient man,
standing at my bedside, arrayed all in white, having a long and
broad white beard hanging down to his girdle-stead, who, taking me
by my right ear, spake these words following unto me:-'Sirrah! will
not you take time to translate that book which is sent unto you out
of Germany? I will shortly provide for you both place and time to
do it;' and then he vanished away out of my sight.
"Whereupon, being much thereby affrighted, I fell into an extreme
sweat, insomuch that my wife awaking, and finding me all over wet,
she asked me what I ailed. I told her what I had seen and heard;
but I never did heed nor regard visions nor dreams; and so the same
fell soon out of my mind.
"Then about a fortnight after I had seen that vision, on a Sunday, I
went to Whitehall to hear the sermon, after which ended I returned
to my lodging, which was then in King Street, at Westminster, and
sitting down to dinner with my wife, two Messengers were sent from
the whole Council-board, with a warrant to carry me to the keeper of
the Gatehouse, Westminster, there to be safely kept until further
order from the Lords of the Council, which was done without showing
me any cause {1} at all wherefore I was committed.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25