"I have a mind to do this," said Marvin. "I have no objection to people reading the Bible if they do not rail upon the Church, so if it is to read it straight on, without any sort of explanation, I shall be willing to take my turn at the desk once a day, and Maud might go into the church sometimes; she is never very busy."
Sir Miles was simply amazed that his brother-in-law so readily consented to his proposal; and Walter Marvin detecting this, said,—"Why should you marvel at this? The Church of Rome and the Pope, as well as you Reformers, claim a right to the Scriptures; and surely we may try the claim of both?"
"Why, that is exactly my argument, Walter. Let the people have the Bible to read, and judge for themselves. If, after reading it fairly and thoughtfully they say, 'I like the old way best,' very well, let them hold to the Pope and priests. But if new light dawn upon them through the reading of God's Word, then let it shine on, that the man may be led as God wills, without hindrance from any man."
"That is fair enough," said Master Marvin; "and since the Parliament, as well as the King, hath authorised the reading of this Bible of Coverdale's—well, I shall not oppose it."
Sir Miles noted that everybody spoke of it as "Coverdale's Bible"—quite ignoring the fact that his old friend Tyndale had a large share in the translation of the Old Testament, as well as the New. Perhaps Archbishop Cranmer thought that in bringing forward the name of Coverdale as its translator, it would arouse less hostility than if the name of Tyndale were made prominent. But Sir Miles was not disposed to quarrel over this. After all, it was the Word of God; and if it made the way easier for men to obtain it, he would not grumble, especially if men like his brother-in-law would read it, which they would possibly refuse to do, with the name of Tyndale brought prominently before them. It was well-known now that Master William Tyndale had been executed as a heretic by the orthodox Emperor, Charles the Fifth; but against the name of "Coverdale" there was no such stigma.
A few days after this Maud came home with the news that her husband was going by water to London Bridge to buy one of Coverdale's Bibles, that he might read it at home for himself. He had twice been to church to read to the poor folks that were gathered round the reading desk, but he wanted a Bible of his own now, that he might read the portion over to himself before reading it aloud.
Of course Maud was very pleased to be able to bring this news home, and her friends were equally glad, especially Sir Miles.
"Now do not try to hurry in this thing; do not argue with Walter over disputed opinions, but if you both wish to talk of what you read, try to find points upon which you can agree. Walter is an honest-minded man, who was shocked, like many others, over the divorce and treatment of Queen Catherine. So were many of the Reformers as well as the Catholics; and that part of his character which makes him desirous of helping the poor, whenever and however he can, made him take up the Queen's quarrel so passionately. Now be content with God's leading Walter, and I believe happier days will dawn for you, Maud. Remember this, he has never tried to hinder you from following the new opinions, although he has small respect for them himself," Sir Miles added.
"I believe your advice is good, Miles," said his sister-in-law through her tears. They were tears of hope and joy, and not of sorrow; and though she would probably find it hard, when she had heard one of Latimer's sermons, not to ask her husband to go with her to church the next time the Bishop preached, she resolved to follow the advice just given; for no one seemed to find out the good points in her husband's character as Sir Miles did, and there was no one whom her husband respected more than his heretic brother-in-law. Marvin always spoke of him as a heretic, but immediately added, "He is a good knave, though, for all that, and I only wish he could live a little nearer to us, that I might see more of him."
"You must come again next year, Miles, if only for Walter's sake," said Maud, when she bade her brother-in-law farewell, and Sir Miles promised to do so if he could leave home.