and children to God: he can preserve them. Cease therefore from such words, for we are willing and ready to die.'

A ring was now made, as is usual at executions by the sword. As the young servant boy was standing in the ring, waiting to be beheaded, a count came riding up to him on horseback, and spake to him, and said: My dear child, if you will give up these errors I will maintain you, and have you always with me.'

He

To which the youth replied: 'Were I to love my life, and forsake my God, in order to escape this cross, it would serve me little. Your treasures can profit neither of us; I look for better in heaven.' Thus undauntedly did the youth answer; he said further I expect the kingdom of my Father. hath chosen me. He can make all things work together for the best; therefore forbear such entreaties. To him who has at all times cared for and supported me, I desire to show my obedience even in this my last tribulation. To him from our inmost hearts will we cry as the hour approaches, that we may with comfort leave this world. If we turn not from him, he will give unto us the crown of everlasting glory.' Upon this there arose a great tumult, the clashing of spears and weapons, among the

people, each one speaking of the affair as he understood it. Thus did these pious heroes die by the sword, and as the faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ become a sacrifice to the Lord. Anno 1529.

While these seven brethren were in prison, they drew up among them (each one expressing his own thoughts) the following paper, and sent the same to their brethren :

The first wrote the following prayer: 'Out of the depths of my soul, I cry unto thee, O God. Deign to hear my cry. Oh, send thy Holy Spirit, even as thou, O Christ, hast not hitherto taken him from me; but kindly bestowed him upon me. We yield ourselves to that which thou hast commanded, but the heathen seek to slay us.'

The second prayed: 'The flesh is weak, O Lord, that thou knowest well; it fears a little pain. Fill us now with thy Holy Spirit; this we entreat from the bottom of our hearts, that we may remain stedfast unto the end, and with firm mind and courage endure the suffering that is now approaching, and fear neither pain nor smart.'

The third prayed: The spirit is ready and willing, desirous to suffer. O Lord! wilt thou hear our prayers through Jesus Christ thy Son. We beseech thee, likewise, for our enemies, who alas! are so

ignorant that they know not what they do, and think not upon thine anger.'

The fourth prayed: 'We pray thee, O Father and gracious Lord, through Christ thy Son, increase thy flock, that little band. Enkindle in them thy divine light in us also, that our souls may be glad ; for this, we from our hearts hunger and thirst.'

The fifth prayed: Thou hast, O God, received us in mercy, and made us thy servants. Thy service have we (according to our weakness, through thy divine help) willingly fulfilled and accomplished. Preserve us firm now, and from this time forth, by thy word. We desire ever to continue obedient unto thee. Come to our help, and be our comforter.'

The sixth prayed: Thou art, O Lord God, my defender. We desire to cleave close to thee; then pain will not be grievous unto us. Although men take from us our life, thou hast prepared for us eternal life in heaven. Do we here suffer pain and reproach? It will not be in vain.'

The seventh said: 'Our body, life, soul, and all our members, have we, O God, received from thee; these we will again present a sacrifice to thee, to the honour and praise of thy holy name. Yet is it nothing but dust and ashes. We commend our spirit into thy hands. · Amen.'"

WILLIAM TYNDALE,

AND THE FIRST PRINTED ENGLISH BIBLES.

THE name of WILLIAM TYNDALE deserves to be had in everlasting remembrance by every Englishman. The greatest gift England ever

re

ceived was the Printed

Bible, and William Tyndale, under God's provi

dence and blessing, first gave it. No king or queen, prince, poet, or philosopher, ever bestowed on us a greater boon. Every English boy and girl ought to know that.

The Gospel was brought to our shores at an early period-long before popery was known in the land. But popery came and prevailed in England as the national religion for many hundred years. No doubt there were many who feared God and loved the Saviour, even in those days of popish darkness. Among these was John Wycliffe, Rector of Lutterworth, in Leicestershire, who translated the whole bible into English at the latter end of the fourteenth

century, about the year 1380. This was before printing was invented, and a written copy of the New Testament alone would then cost two pounds sixteen shillings and eightpence, equal to nearly fifty pounds of our money. We give a curious extract of his translation in the old English, which our young friends will easily make out.

Therfore whane Jhesus was born in bethleem of Juda in the daies of king eroude loo astronomyens camen fro the eest to Jerusalem and seiden where is he that is born king of Jewis, for we han seyn his sterre in the eest and we han comen for to wor shipe im."

Though the process of writing was tedious and expensive, yet numerous copies of Wycliffe's translation were taken, and read extensively; and no doubt these were the means of enlightening many of our countrymen, who, on renouncing the errors of popery, were called Lollards, many of whom were persecuted and burnt as martyrs of Jesus.

Some rude attempts had been made at printing picture books, from wooden blocks, like playingcards; but it was not until nearly the middle of the fifteenth century that the art of printing words in pages, and forming them into books, was invented