But the Word of God could not be forever bound. In attempting to prevent its circulation men soon discovered that they were undertaking a work beyond their strength.

The Bible had taken deep root in the hearts of the people. What kings and prelates had sought to suppress and destroy, kings and prelates now began to foster and supply.

In his “Stories From English History,” pages 196, 197, Henry P. Warren says: “Henry, by Cromwell's advice, ordered a translation of the Bible to be made in English, and a copy to be placed in every church. There had been English translations before, but they had not been in the hands of the people generally, and had only been read secretly and in fear.... Cromwell then appointed Cranmer and the bishops to revise the Bible, and publish it without note or comment; and in the year 1539 a copy of the English Bible was chained to the reading-desk of every parish church. From that time the Bible has never ceased to be printed and sold freely.”

Says Charles C. Coffin, in his “Story of Liberty,” page 44: “The people listen to the reading with wonder and delight. They begin to think; and when men begin to think, they take a step toward freedom. They see that the Bible gives them rights which hitherto have been denied them,—the right to read, to acquire knowledge. Schools are started. Men and women who till now have not known a letter of the alphabet, learn to read; children teach their parents. It is the beginning of a new life, a new order of things in the community—the beginning of liberty.”