That he could make use of it now, to help Tyndale with his New Testament translation, had a peculiar piquancy to Miles, who nevertheless knew he would have to be very cautious how he went to work.
So the friends parted, Tyndale to take his letter to the Bishop, and Miles to return to York House and write letters to the Commissioners and Sheriffs of the various counties of England, about the forced loan or "benevolence" that had to be levied in addition to the tax agreed to by Parliament.
It was hoped that the House of Commons, having vindicated their right to impose taxation, the benevolence would pass without much demur. But opposition came from a most unexpected quarter. Wolsey had done what he could to protect the shepherds while shearing the sheep almost to the skin, but the shepherds did not see why they should contribute anything to the king's demand, and for once they incited the sheep to resist being shorn.
They preached from every pulpit that this benevolence demanded in the name of the king was contrary to the liberties of the nation, and that the king could take no man's goods but by regular process of law. The keen instinct of the people had been sufficiently aroused now to understand that in the question of self-taxation was involved that of the very existence of freedom, and these pulpit orations drove it home still further, and made the people determine to resist the chancellor's demand, though they might be able to pay it ten times over.
Messengers rode to York House in hot haste to acquaint the chancellor of the storm that had been raised in all the country districts, and how the clergy themselves were leading the revolt against this illegal taxation, and Miles was soon busy enough receiving and answering the numerous letters. At first these were peremptory in their command to carry out the Royal warrant at all costs; and not until news came that Kent had driven the commissioners out of its bounds, and Suffolk preparing for an armed resistance, were these commands withdrawn.
As long as it was possible to hold out, Wolsey would not yield; and not until he had exhausted every political expedient, would he yield to the popular demand and withdraw the royal warrant.
Then, and not till then, was Miles free to seek his friend William Tyndale. They had caught, now and then, hasty glimpses of each other, for Master Tyndale had called to see Miles; but when he understood how closely he was engaged upon the Cardinal's business just now, he resolved not to call again until the popular ferment had somewhat subsided. But as soon as Miles was free to take an hour's rest in the open air, he went in search of his friend's lodging in Honey Lane, to learn how he fared, for he knew his plan to lodge with the Bishop had failed.
"My Lord Bishop could not entertain me at his house," said Tyndale; "but he has granted me leave to preach in the London pulpits, and assures me that I shall not long lack a service; and Master Garrett hath been my good friend, and I am to preach next Sunday at St. Dunstan's in the West."
"It is not far from the village of Charing, and I shall be able to come and hear you," said Miles eagerly; "and I shall bring a friend, who is a wealthy citizen of London, with whom I have had many talks concerning my own writing of the New Testament. He may be able and willing to help us in our difficulty." And then he told Tyndale what a storm had been raised throughout the country over the King's illegal demand, and how busy it had kept him.
The two friends walked to Paul's Stairs, where they took boat to Westminster, and went back to York House that way. Tyndale carried with him all the sheets he had translated, that Miles and he might read them over together, and any words that wanted further consideration might be copied and compared; for now Miles was free for a few days,—the Cardinal having gone to his house at Hampton.