=i IE JOHN RYLANDS ■ IRARY li Inchester TERCENTENARY OF THE .UTHORISED VERSION" OF THE ENGLISH BIBLE A.D. I6li;i91l CATALOGUE OF AN EXHIBITION OF MANUSCRIPT AND PRINTED COPIES OF THE SCRIPTURES ILLUSTRATING THE HISTORY OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE price Sixpence rjef BJfli THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES IN MEMORY OF ANN SCOTT LONGUEIL THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY BIBLE TERCENTENARY EXHIBITION BERNARD QUARITCH II GRAFTON STREET, NEW BOND STREET, LONDON, W. SHERRATT AND HUGHES PUBLISHERS TO THE VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER 34 CROSS STREET, MANCHESTER, AND SOHO SQUARE, LONDON, W. Digitized by tine Internet Archive in 2007 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/exhibitionofmanuOOjohniala THE MAIN LIBRARY THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY MANCHESTER: catalogue of an EXHIBITION OF MANUSCRIPT AND PRINTED COPIES OF THE SCRIPTURES, ILLUSTRATING THE HISTORY OF THE TRANS- MISSION OF THE BIBLE, shown IN THE MAIN LIBRARY FROM MARCH TO DECEMBER, MCMXI TERCENTENARY OF THE "AUTHORISED VERSION OF THE . . ENGLISH BIBLE A.D. 161I-I9II MANCHESTER: AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS. LONDON: BERNARD QUARITCH, AND SHERRATT AND HUGHES. MCMXI ABERDEEN : THE UNIVERSITY PRESS 771 77^ SRli HIV 1111 PREFATORY NOTE. I HE exhibition of manuscripts and printed books described in the following pages, has been arranged to commemo- rate the Tercentenary of the publication of the " Authorised Version " of the English Bible of 1 6 II , an event which is to be observed not only in this country, but wherever the English language is spoken. The Committee charged with the promotion of the cele- bration, after carefully considering the important occurrences which cire to mark the year 1911, decided to recommend that the celebration in England be held during the week be- ginning Sunday, 26th March. In the absence of any definite information as to the exact month in which the * ' Authorised Version " was issued from the Press, the date fixed upon by the Committee, whether by design or accident, is peculiarly appropriate, since, in the reign of King James I., and indeed, until the reformation of the calendar, which came into force on the first day of January, 1752, the year commenced on the 25th day of March. Hence, according to the reckoning which obtained in the year of the publication of the " Authorised Version," the celebra- tion is fixed for the first week, commencing with the first Sun- day of the Tercentenary year. The object which we have kept in view in the selection and arrangement of the exhibits is to illustrate the transmission PREFATORY NOTE. of the. Bible through the various stages of its eventful history, from the original texts and early versions, down to the Revised English Version of 1881-98. It is impossible, within the limits of a short prefatory note, to convey anything like an adequate idea of the extent of the collection from which the exhibits eu:e selected. This, how- ever, should be said, that its range must not be estimated by the comparatively limited number of objects which can be ac- commodated in the exhibition cases of the library. Another purpose for which exhibitions of this character are arranged from time to time is to reveal to students, and to the public generally, something of the riches of the collections which have made this library famous in the world of letters, and which, at the same time, have helped to make Manchester a centre of attraction to scholars from all parts of the world. It is hoped, therefore, that the present exhibition may be of service to a wide circle of students, who may be still unaware of the wealth of material which is available to them for the study of the Bible in all its aspects. To this end, we have included in this catzJogue a list of "a selection of works for the study of the original texts and principal versions of the Bible which may be consulted in the library ". Here, ageun, it should be emphasised that the list represents nothing more than a " selection" of the books available to readers. For the help of those into whose hands this pamphlet may fall, and who may not be familiar with the romantic history which surrounds our national Bible, we have prefixed to the catalogue a brief account of the vicissitudes through which the Bible has passed in its descent to us. In the annotations to the catalogue entries reference has been made to the interesting features and peculizurities of m£Uiy of the editions shown. These notes will often supplement the PREFATORY NOTE. information contained in the introductory sketch, and vice- vorsa. The descriptions as printed are, as far as they are given, carefully exact transcripts of the opening lines, colophons, or title-pages of the respective volumes. The upright bars ( | ) are intended to indicate the actual arrangement of the lines in the originals. It remains only for me to say that I am greatly indebted to my colleagues, Mr. Vine, Mr. Peacock, and Mr. A. Kiddle, for help in the arrangement of the exhibition, and in the pre- paration of the catalogue. HENRY GUPPY. The John Rylanos Library, 2Sth March, 1911. NOTE. The exhibition will remain on view until the end of the year. The public are admitted on Tuesday and Friday after- noons, between the hours of two and six ; and on the second Wednesday of each month, between the hours of seven and nine in the evening. CONTENTS. PAGE Brief Sketch of the History of the Transmission of the Bible - - 1 Descriptive Catalogue of Exhibition 87 Case 1, Manuscripts: Hebrew and Greek — 1. Synagogue Roll of the Law, 15th cent. - - ... 37 2. Synagogue Roll of the Law, 17th cent. 37 3. The Mantle of the Law 37 4. Hand Roll of the Book of Esther, 16th cent 38 5. Papyrus Roll, a.d. 29 38 6. Minuscule Greek Gospels, 11th cent. - - ... 39 7. Minuscule Greek Gospels, 11th cent. ...... 40 8. Samaritan Pentateuch, a.d. 1211 40 Case 2. Manuscripts : Coptic, Syriac, Latin, etc. — 1. Facsimile of the " Codex Vaticanus," 4th cent. - • - - 41 2. The Peshitta (Syriac) Version of the Gospels, c. a.d. 550 - - 41 3. The Peshitta (Syriac) New Testament, c. a.d. 1200 - - - 42 4. Coptic (Saidic) Version of St. Luke, 8th cent. - ... 48 5. Coptic (Saidic) Version of Jeremiah, lOth-llth cent. - - - 43 6. Latin Version of the Gospels, 9th cent. 44 7. Latin Version of the Gospels, 10th cent. - - - 44 8. Armenian Version of the Gospels ------ 44 Case 3. Early Printed Texts and Versions — 1. The First Printed Hebrew Text (Psalter), 1477 - ... 45 2. The First Printed Hebrew Historical Books, 1485 . - - 45 3. The First Published Greek Bible, 1518 46 4. The First Printed Bible [1456 ?] 46 5. The First Printed Polyglott (and Greek) Bible, 1514-17 - - 48 6. The First Published Greek Testament, 1616 - - - . 50 7. Erasmus's Exhortation in English, 1529 52 8. The Second Erasmus Greek Testament, 1519 53 9. The Third Erasmus Greek Testament, 1522 .... 53 10. The First Erasmus Latin Testament, 1520 - - .- - 54 CONTENTS. PAOB Case 4. Early Printed Versions other than English — 1. The First Bible with Verse Divisions, 1528 - - - - 55 2. The First Printed Dutch Bible, 1477 56 3. The First Printed French Bible, c. 1473-8 57 4. The First Printed German Bible [1466] 57 5. The First Printed Italian Bible, 1471 58 6. Luther's First New Testament, September, 1522 - - - 59 7. Luther's First Bible, 1534 59 Case 5. Wiclif, Caxton, and Fisher — 1. Pre- WicliBte Translation of the Apocalypse, c. A.D. 1375 - - 60 2. Early Wiclifite New Testament, c. a.d. 1400 - - - - 60 3. Queen Elizabeth's Copy of the Later Wiclifite Gospels, c. a.d. 1410 61 4. Later Wiclifite Bible, a.d. 1430 - 62 5. Caxton's " Golden Legend," 1483 63 6. Mirk(J.) "The Festial," 1483 64 7. Bishop Fisher's Translation of the Penitential Psalms, 1508 - 65 Case 6. Tindalb, Coverdale, '» Matthew " — 1. Facsimile of Tindale's First Quarto New Testament [1525] - 65 2. Facsimile of Tindale's First Octavo New Testament [1525-26]- 67 3. Tindale's Pentateuch [1530-34] 68 4. Tindale's Revised New Testament [1534] - - - . 70 5. Tindale's Second Revision of the New Testament [1536'?] - 70 6. Tindale (W.). " The Parable of the Wicked Mammon," 1549 - 71 7. Tindale (W.). " Obedience of a Christian Man," 1528 - - 71 8. Tindale (W.). " Practyse of Prelates," 1530 - - - - 72 9. More (Sir T.). " Dyaloge," 1531 72 10. Erasmus (D.). "Enchiridion Militis Christiani," 1533 - - 73 11. Foxe (J.). "Acts and Monuments," 1563 74 12. "Coverdale's Bible," 1535 75 13. " Matthew's Bible," 1537 75 Case 7, The " Great Bible," Taverner's, and The "Genevan " — 1. The Great Bible, 1539 77 2. The "Great Bible," with Prologue, 1540 - - - - 78 3. "Taverner's" Bible, 1539 79 4. Becke's Revision of " Matthew's Bible," 1549 - - - - 80 5. New Revision of Tindale's New Testament [1552] - - - 80 6. The "Genevan New Testament," 1557 81 7. The " Genevan Bible," 1560 ------- 82 8. The First Bible Printed in Scotland, 1576-79 - - - - 82 CONTENTS. PA«B Case 8. The '• Bishops' Bible," Rhembs, and Doway — 1. The " Bishops' Bible," 1568 88 2. The Second " Bishops' Bible," 1572 84 3. The Second Quarto " Bishops' Bible," 1573 - - - - 85 4. Tomson s Revision of the "Genevan New Testament," 1576 - 85 5. The "Rhemes New Testament," 1582 86 6. Fulke's Refutation of the " Rhemes New Testament," 1589 87 7. The First " Doway Bible," 1609 87 Case 9. The Authorised Version of 1611 — 1. The Authorised Version of the Bible, 1611 88 2. The Authorised Version of the Bible, 1611 90 3. The Second Folio Authorised Version, 1613 . ... 90 4. The Quarto Authorised Version, 1612 90 5. The Octavo Authorised Version, 1612 91 6. King James's Copy of the Authorised Version, 1616 - - - 91 7. Rainolds (J.). " Summe of the Conference," 1584 - - - 92 8. Rainolds (J.). " Sex Theses De Sacra Scriptura," 1602 - 93 Case 10. From the "Authorised" to the " Revised" — 1. The" Wicked "Bible, 1631 93 2. The First Cambridge Edition of the " Authorised Version," 1638 94 3. The " Parliamentary Bible," 1653 94 4. The " Cambridge Standard Edition," 1762 95 5. The " Oxford Standard Edition," 1769 95 6. The First English Printed Bible in America, 1782 - - - 96 7. The " Revised Version " of the New Testament, 1881 - 96 8. The " Revised Version " of the Bible, 1885 ... - 96 9. Elizabeth Fry's Bible - - - 97 A Selection of Works for the Study of the original texts and principal versions of the Bible 99 Publications of the John Rylands Library 118 Trustees, Governors, and Principal Officers of the John Rylands Library 124 Rules and Regulations of the Library . - ■ . . 126 ILLUSTRATIONS. Illustrations : — To face page The Main Library Title Page of an early Wicliflte Manuscript, c: 1400 - - - 10 A page of Caxton's " Golden Legend," 1483 62 A page of Tindale's •' Pentateuch," 1530-34 68 Title-page of Tindale's Revised New Testament, 1534 - - 70 Title-page of " Coverdale's Bible," 1535 74 Title-page of " Matthew's Bible," 1537 - - " - - - 76 Title-pageof the "Great Bible," 1539 78 A page of the "Genevan Bible," 1560 82 Apageof the "Bishops' Bible," 1568 84 Title-page of the "Authorised Version," 1611 - - - - 88 Excerpts from the two impressions of the " Authorised Version," 1611, showing the " He" and " She " readings in Ruth iii. 15 90 A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE. I HE text of the Bible rests for its primary authorities in the * case of the Old Testament on manuscripts written in the Hebrew language, and for the New Testament on manuscripts in the Greek tongue. It is a point worthy of notice that, whilst the Hebrew idiom was always restricted to the use of the Jewish people, the Greek language was the common medium of com- munication throughout the eastern portion of the Roman Empire at the time of the New Testament history. As the exclusiveness of religion, life, and language, which was the distinguishing character- istic of the Jews fitted them in a peculiar way to be the guardians of the Sacred Scriptures during the period of the formation of the Old Testament canon, so the prevalence of the Greek language at the commencement of the present era provided one of the condi- tions necessary for the rapid spread of Christianity in accordance with the different intention of the new dispensation. The composition of the latest books of the Old Testament may not improbably be assigned to about the second or hebrew third century B.C., but none of the Hebrew manuscripts ^^^^ approach this date in antiquity. The oldest codex with em un- questioned date is one of A.D. 916 containing the Prophetical books of the Old Testament, preserved in the Imperial Library at St. Petersburg, which also possesses in a manuscript of A.D. 1009 the earliest complete Hebrew Bible. The British Museum has an undated manuscript of the Pentateuch, which is believed to be somewhat older than that containing the Prophets at St. Petersburg. All the extant Hebrew manuscripts of the Old Testament are A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY > more or less exact copies of a single critical edition, called the Massoretic (i.e. traditional) text, which not only supplied the text but furnished a complete apparatus of notes and punctuation. The preparation of the Massoretic text can only be dated approxi- mately, but it must be placed between the fifth and eighth centuries of the present era (Case I , Nos. 1 -4). Besides the Hebrew Massoretic manuscripts there exists another important recension of one portion of the Old . 5AP1ARITAN Testament, namely, the Samaritan Pentateuch. This penta- ■^ TEUCH. is a form of the Hebrew text of the Pentateuch as preserved by the Samaritans. Their possession of this independent text has been attributed to Manasseh, grandson of the high-priest Eliashib, who was one of the Jews expelled from Jerusalem by Nehemiah for having contracted marriages with the heathen. In retaliation he joined the Samaritans, that mixed race which owed their introduction into Palestine to the Assyrians, and helped to establish a Temple on Mount Gerizim as a rival to the one in Jerusalem. With the Jewish ritual he probably brought a copy of the Pentateuch, which seems to have been the only portion of the Old Testament recognised as inspired at the time. The in- dependent history of the Samaritan Pentateuch renders it of great value for the restoration of the original form of the text. In some cases it agrees with the Greek Septuagint version where that differs from the Hebrew, but on the whole it is in substantial accord with the Massoretic text which thus receives important confirmation from an unprejudiced source. The oldest extant manuscript of the Samaritan Pentateuch is probably that at Nablus, but it is doubtful whether even this is earlier than the twelfth century A.D. The copy shown in the present exhibition was written in A.D. 1211 (Case 1, Nos. 5-8). The middle of the second century A.D. may be taken as an approximate date for the latest of the books comprised creek in the New Testament canon. Between their comple- ^^"^ tion and the manuscript material no such interval exists in the case of the New as in that of the Old Testament. The two oldest and OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE most valuable manuscripts of the New Testament were written in the fourth century. One of these, the " Codex Sinaiticus " (desig- nated by the symbol i^), belongs to the Imperial Library at St. Petersburg, whilst the other, the " Codex Vaticanus " (styled B), is preserved, as its name implies, in the Vatican Library at Rome. Two important manuscripts are known of the fifth century — the " Codex Alexandrinus " (A) in the British Museum, and " Codex Ephraemi" (C) in the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris. Several codices of the sixth century are in existence, of which the most noteworthy, on account of the character of its text, is " Codex Bezae" (D) in the possession of the University Library, Cam- bridge. Of manuscripts written in later centuries the quantity is very considerable. If one reckons the whole number of Greek manuscripts of the New Testament (including those of portions of the text), the total will amount to about 4000 (Case 1 , Nos. 5-7). Whilst the essential basis of the true Biblical text can only be provided by manuscripts written in the original Ian- septuacint guages in which the books of the Old and New Testa- ^^"^^'o^- ment were composed, the various translations of the Bible are (^ the highest value in the establishment of its general accuracy, and for the elucidation of difficult and disputed passages. Of these the most important in every respect is the Greek version of the Old Testament, known as the Septuagint. This was produced in Alex- andria in the time of the Macedonian dynasty in Egypt, probably between the years 285 and 1 50 B.C. The unique value of this ver- sion is due to the fact that it not only provides the earhest form of the text of the Old Testeunent owing to the existence of manu- scripts some centuries older than the Hebrew ones, but that it is also the primary authority for those books not contained in the Hebrew canon, known as the Apocrypha. The Greek manu- scripts, " Codex Sinaiticus," " Codex Vaticanus," " Codex Alex- andrinus," and "Codex Ephraemi," which have already been mentioned amongst the principal authorities for the text of the New Testament, contain in addition the Septuagint version of the Old, and occupy a position of equal importance with regard to it. / A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY Upwards of 300 manuscripts of the Septuagint are known at the present time. To the Western world the Latin version of the Scriptures, commonly called the Vulgate, must always be the one [^^tin of greatest interest by reason of its general use through- ^^''^'^ns. out the Middle Ages, and its continuous position of supremacy in the Latin Church. This translation of the Bible we owe to the labours of St. Jerome, who undertook the task of preparing an authoritative Latin text at the request of Pope Damasus about A.D. 382. Before that time several translations appear to have been in circulation in the Church. These Old Latin versions, as they are styled, are now known only from fragmentary remains, so far as the canonical books are concerned ; but these are very valuable for the Old Testament, since they represent a translation made from the Septuagint instead of the original Hebrew, and so are of great importance for the textual criticism of the former. St. Jerome seems to have brought his Biblical labours to a conclusion about A.D. 404. These may be described in brief as consisting of a conservative revision of the Old Latin versions of the New Testament, with a fresh translation of the Old Testament from the Hebrew. In the case of the Psalms, however, of which he prepared three different versions, the one that gained currency was a translation made by him from Origen's Hexaplar edition of the Septuagint. Of the Apocrypha, the authority of which St. Jerome did not recognise, only a small part was translated by him, so that the present Vulgate text of it may be regarded as essenti- ally the same as that of the Old Latin version. The version of St. Jerome had to encounter considerable op- position at first, for, although it was produced at the instance of Pope Damasus, it was never officially recognised by the mediaeval Church, and won its way to its ultimate position by virtue of its superior merits. In 1 546 it was declared by the Council of Trent to be the authoritative Latin version. At least 8000 manuscripts of it are in existence (Case 2, Nos. 6-7). OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE. For its contributions to the textual criticism of the Bible a very high place must be accorded to the Syriac version, of 5yriac which there are two early forms in existence, called ^^"^'®N- the Peshitta, and Old Syriac, respectively. The former term means "simple," and hence probably "current," or "common" version, like " Vulgate ". The date of the Peshitta Old Testa- ment is not known, but it seems not unlikely that some parts of it were translated before the commencement of the Christian era. The New Testament has been attributed with some probability to Rabbula, who was Bishop of Edessa from 41 1 to 435 A.D., and is recorded to have made a translation of the New Testament from Greek into Syriac. The earliest manuscripts of this translation belong to the second half of the fifth century (Case 2, Nos, 2-3). The discovery of the existence of the Old Syriac version is due to William Cureton, who in 1 842 found some fragments in the British Museum of a translation very different from that of the Peshitta. This version received the name Curetonian Syriac, but it was not until 1892 that any considerable portion of it was known. In this year two Cambridge ladies, Mrs. Lewis and her sister Mrs. Gibson, discovered and subsequently photographed a palimpsest manuscript on Mount Sinai, the under-writing of which was found to consist of a nearly complete copy of the four Gospels of a textual character closely akin to that of the Curetonian. The great importance ^f the Old Syriac is due to the support given by it to the readings peculiar to " Codex Bezae " and its allies, which provide the basis of what is known as the Western text of the New Testament. Amongst Biblical versions a prominent place is occupied by the Aramaic Targums of the Old Testament, which aramaic furnish us with very early evidence as to the original t-^"*^""^- state of the Hebrew text, although their value is considerably lessened by the fact that they are in the nature of paraphrases rather than translations. They owe their origin to the custom of explaining the Hebrew text in Aramaic which eifter the exile had become the vernacular tongue of the Jews. From an extempore , A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY oral exposition the targum gradually passed to a fixed form which was at last committed to writing. The earliest and most literal of the targums is that of Onkelos on the Pentateuch, which appears to have been in existence in the third century, although not granted official recognition until the fifth, in which the targum of the Prophets ascribed to Jonathan ben Uzziel is supposed to have received its final form. Of the older versions of the New Testament the most important is Coptic, which was the literary form of the vemacu- coptic lar language used in Egypt in the early centuries of ^^''^'°'^- the present era. Coptic owed its origin to the Greek settlement in Egypt ; not only were the Greek characters adopted, with some additional symbols, for the script, but a number of Greek words were taken into the language. As a literary medium it seems to have come into general use in the course of the second century A.D. The New Testament was translated into Coptic at an early date, either in the third century, or at the close, possibly, of the second. Two principal forms of it are known, the SaVdic and Boheiric, which represent two of the principal dialects of the country. Of these the former, which was the version of Upper Egypt, is probably the earlier. Only fragments of it remain so that it is impossible to judge properly of its textual character, although it appears to belong to the Western type. On the other hand, there are a considerable number of manuscripts of the Boheiric type, owing doubtless to its adoption ultimately as the recognised version of the Coptic Church. The date of the translation may be assigned to the latter half of the third or the first half of the fourth century. In the character of its text it agrees with the two famous Greek manuscripts "Codex Sinaiticus" and "Codex Vaticanus," on which the revisers of the New Testament of 1881 relied for many departures from the " Authorised Version " in its adhesion to what is known as the Received Text, of which " Codex Alexandrinus " is the most distinguished representative (Case 2, Nos. 4-5). The other ancient versions are not of such importance as to call for extended notice. The Armenian and Ethiopic versions OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE. both rest for the Old Testament on the Septuagint, and are assigned to about the fifth century, to which the Georgian transla- tion also belongs. The Gothic version, of which various frag- ments remain, was the work of Ulfilas who was made bishop probably in 341 at Antioch, and died in 381 or 383. As the earliest translation made for the use of a Teutonic people it can never be regarded without interest by English people, as members of the same race. The literary history of the English Bible may be said to begin with John Wiclif, to whom is ascribed the honour of , . . , ! . EARLY having given to his own countrymen, in or about the pj^^"^" year 1 382, the first complete Bible in their own tongue, •'"''ases. Long prior to Wiclif's time, however, portions of the Bible had been translated both into Anglo-Saxon and English. As early as the seventh century, Caedmon, a lay monk of Whitby (who died in 680), whose gifts as a poet had been discovered while he was a poor cow-herd on the neighbouring downs, composed a metrical version of large portions of Old Testament history, and of the main facts in the life of our Lord, and the preaching of the Apostles ; " besides many more about the Divine benefits and judgments, by which he endeavoured to turn all men from the love of vice, and to excite in them the love of, jmd application to, good actions ". These paraphrases were made from translations, which had been prepared by monks who under- stood the Latin Vulgate. About the end of the seventh century, or at the beginning of the eighth century, the Psalter was ren- dered into Anglo-Saxon by Aldhelm, Abbot of Malmesbury, and Bishop of Sherborne (who died in 709). In this version, which survives in a single manuscript, preserved in the National Library at Paris, the first fifty Psalms are in prose and the rest in verse. The Venerable Bede, the most famous scholar of his day in Western Europe, who died at Jarrow in 735, translated the Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer into Anglo-Saxon for the benefit of illiterate priests ; and shortly before his death he trans- lated the Gospel of St. John also into the vernacular. King A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY Alfred the Great set at the head of his " Book of Laws " the Ten Commandments, and certain other Mosaic injunctions from the Book of Exodus, in the language of the people : and was en- gaged, it is said, upon a version of the Psalms at the time of his death in the year 90 1 . As early as the ninth century, a complete translation of the Four Gospels was in existence in England, although none of the extant manuscripts are of that date, and in the latter part of the tenth century there was in circulation a translation of the first seven books of the Old Testament which had been made by Aelfric, Abbot of Peterborough, who has been identified with the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, of the same name, but without sufficient authority. This is known as " Aelfric's Heptateuch," of which several manuscript copies are extant. It was probably part only of a much larger work, for translations of the Books of Kings, Esther, Job, Judith, the Maccabees, and of the Four Gospels also exist, which are of the same date, and are supposed to be from the same pen. In addition to translations, Anglo-Saxon glosses on the Latin texts, written between the lines and interpreting the Latin word by word, are found in manuscripts both of the Gospels and the Psalter. The most important is the " Lindisfarne Gospels," known also as '* St. Cuthbert's Gospels," which was written in Latin by Eadfrith, Bishop of Lindisfarne, in honour of his pre- decessor St. Cuthbert, who died in the year 687. It was illumi- nated by Ethelwold, afterwards (724-740) Bishop of Lindisfarne, and at a later date, probably in the middle of the tenth century, the interlinear translation in the Northumbrian dialect was added by a monk named Aldred. The volume remained at Lindisfarne (Holy Isle) until the Danish invasion of Northumbria in 875, when it was carried away for safety, in company with the shrine which held the body of St. Cuthbert. It afterwards remained for a long period at Durham, but was subsequently restored to the Priory of Lindisfarne, where it remained until the dissolution of the monasteries. It was finally purchased by Sir Robert Cotton in the seventeenth century, through whom it ultimately passed into the 8 OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE. keeping of the British Museum, where it remains. Another similar Gospel book, which is known as the " Rushworth Gospels," from the name of its former possessor, is preserved in the Bodleian Library. It was originally written in Latin by MacRegol, an Irish scribe, about 820, and the interlinear English version was added about a century later by a scribe named Owun, and a priest of Harewood named Faerman. The three later Gospels in the Rushworth book are so nearly identical with those of the Lihdis- farne book as to suggest that the translation contained in the latter represents a publicly circulated version. Of Psalters there are several specimens, the glosses of the earliest dating back to the ninth century. But such glosses were only intended to assist in reading the Latin texts ; they were not meant for popular use. In addition to the above, there are many copies of the Anglo- Saxon Psalter and Gospels in the British Museum, at Oxford, Cambridge, and elsewhere, some of which are of as late a dale as the end of the twelfth century, showing that the more ancient form of the English language was in use long after the Norman Conquest, and even when the transition was far advanced from Anglo-Saxon to the Middle English of Chaucer. It may there- fore be said, that eifter the Norman Conquest little or nothing was done for the English translation for a long time. The wants of the educated classes were provided for by the Norman-French translations and by the Anglo-Saxon versions which continued to be copied. Yet, by the time of the Plantagenets, the vernacular tongue of the country had become so changed, by its contact with the French spoken by the upper classes, as to make new translations of the Scriptures necessary. Putting aside such metrical paraphrases as the "Ormulum," a poem, of which only a fragment, preserved in the Bodleian Library, has come down to us, in which the Gospel of each day is first paraphrased, and then elaborately expounded out of the writings of Aelfric, Bede, and Augustine, by an Augustinian monk, named Orm or Ormin, and the story of Genesis and Exodus, written probably in Suffolk about the middle of the , A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY thirteenth century, the first work approaching to literal translation is a rendering in verse of the Psalter, written at the end of the same century, and now preserved in the British Museum. The earliest Elnglish version in prose of an entire book of Scripture appejtfs to have been a translation of the Psalter and Canticles, also in the British Museum, by William de Schorham, who in 1 320 was ap- pointed Vicar of Chart Sutton, near Leeds, in Kent, where he had been a monk. This was quickly followed by, if it was not simultaneous with, another translation of the Psalter, together with an English commentary, by Richard Rolle, a chantry priest and hermit of Hampole, near Doncaster, who died in 1 349. These excerpts, as they might be termed, were not widely circulated, and although they furnished devotional reading for people of rank and education, they did little to enlighten the community at large in the knowledge of Scripture. But they prepsu-ed the way for Wiclif's great work of the translation of the whole Bible. The church in Wiclif's day had become very corrupt. There was corruption in doctrine, corruption in ritual, cor- ruption in discipline, and corruption in the patronage of clifite church livings. For thirty years Wiclif was a trenchant and vehement assailant of ecclesiastical abuses, and with voice as well as pen, he laboured incessantly to effect a reform in the church. He maintained that the doctrine and practices he assailed had no warrant or foundation in Scripture, and held that the surest way to put an end to ecclesiastical superstition and presumption was to acquaint the people with the Bible. It is customary to say that Wiclif gave to his countrymen an ElngHsh version of the entire Bible, but the whole of the transla- tion was not his own work. He was the centre of a band of colleagues and disciples, participators in his work, whose share it is not always easy to discriminate from his own. He had one collaborator, in the person of Nicholas de Hereford, one of his most ardent followers at Oxford, a man to be remembered with honour, notwithstanding his subsequent backsliding. He it yM^rmieii^ iounee.tynicvf»yitetig-ycyni>i>a. \bt»ct'iiSU^mc**lfAttcq;iiiue.of- v6vvw«.pcvttia:tgyati1faKno^ ^<»yco(^A\ttci\^cchAuc Vnolbcn.' ElliaU> tuwtctirecilmk- *" ' fm . -'-f am MCttfT rf n£-| ftiiitl bttjilw it«v MM' re^yc;te'fM»l urn- ;c ttii>Slnv »0* >n'to nwili hiU yttihai a»M-vfC faa*y tior tmmc Ofhtperffaubetui ^iileti. tvtun hV(itt*yt»ttt'ttibtvtur itioi£ i-«i4C»tutcii« f tttotuwie. oMttetoum »mo uobur ftf •/ obArCuitnc io^oti'M^crm tvuelAaihb oyet- mtadtfmAirtuactca » "^ " PAGE OF AN EARLY WICLIFITE MANUSCRIPT, ABOUT 1400 OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE. was who made the translation of the Old Testament and Apocrypha to the middle of Baruch, which is found in the so-called Elarly Version of John Wiclif. It should be pointed out here that, in the Vulgate, Baruch follows the book of Jeremiah, and is not relegated to the Apocrypha. The original manuscript of Here- ford's translation, with his alterations and corrections, is preserved in the Bodleian Library. Indeed, there are two manuscripts in the Bodleian which are of the greatest value for the history of the Wiclifite version : one is the original manuscript of the translation, and the other, which is transcribed from it, has a note at the end assigning the work to Hereford. At the place where Hereford left off (Baruch iii. 19) a note is inserted in Latin stating the fact : " Explid" translatom Nicholay de herford" and it is supposed that his work was interrupted in the middle of the year 1 382 by a summons to appear before Convocation in London, to answer for his opinions, and that he never resumed it. The remaining books of the Old Testament, Ezekiel, Daniel, the twelve minor prophets, and the two books of the Maccabees are added by another and unknown hand, but believed to be the work of Wiclif. The whole of the Bible was probably completed by the end of the year 1 382, so that Wiclif, who died in 1 384, had the joy of seeing his hope fulfilled, and the Scriptures circulated in various forms among his countrymen. To render the work more practically useful, tables of the Lessons and of the Epistles and Gospels for Sundays, etc., were added to many copies; and different portions of the Bible were transcribed and issued in separate form (Case 5, Nos. 1-2). The version from which Wiclif's translation was made was the Latin Vulgate, in the text commonly current in the fourteenth century, which was far from pure. It was also so exactly literal that in many places the meaning was obscure. Wiclif and his followers would be conscious of these defects, and, probably soon after the completion of the first translation, a complete revision was undertaken. Wiclif did not live to see it accomplished, but it was carried to a successful issue by John Purvey, one of his A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY disciples, and the friend of his last days, who had already become notorious for his opinions, and had shared in the disgrace of Nicholas de Hereford. The fruits of Purvey' s labours were given to the world in or about the year 1 388. Purvey' s own copy is still preserved at Dublin. In a general prologue he has left an interesting account of the method on which he proceeded in his revision (Case 5, No. 4). This first triumph of the English Bible was not won without a perilous struggle, and yet, notwithstanding the hostility of the clergy in the fifteenth century, and the wholesale devastation of libraries in the sixteenth, not fewer than one hundred and seventy copies have survived, none of which appear to be later than 1450. Of these one hundred and seventy copies of the whole or part of the Wiclifite versions, fifteen of the i Old Testament and eighteen of the New belong to the original or early version. The remainder are of Purvey' s revision, which itself has in some very rare cases undergone another partial revision. The greater part appear to have been written between 1 420 and 1 450. Another interesting fact is that nearly half the copies are of small size, such as could be made the constant daily companions of their owners. Others again are noticeable for the rank of those by whom they were once possessed. One belonged to Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, another to Henry VI., another to Richard III., another to Edward VI., another was presented to Queen Elizabeth on the occasion of her progress through the city of London in 1 558-59 (Case 5, No. 3). It was impossible for the Wiclifite version, even as amended by Purvey, to establish itself as the national translation, if only for the reason that it was made from the Vulgate. No translation of a translation can take classic rank, and, could the general cir- culation of this version have been assured, the completeness of its success, by stimulating the desire for acquaintance with the original language of the sacred writings, must soon have deprived it of special authority. It is, nevertheless, a memorable event in the OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE. history of English literature, enriching the letnguage, and aiding to give it consistency, although its limited circulation, the rudimentary character of its prose, and its derivation from an incorrect Latin version prevented it from exercising that marked influence upon our speech which was exerted by the versions of William Tindale and succeeding scholars. The century following Wiclif's death was not productive of any great development of the movement for reform. Wiclif's followers were true to the high trust bequeathed to them. Men like John Purvey and John of Trevisa preached with all their powerful eloquence against the abounding corruptions of the church, and by so doing called down a still fiercer persecution against the Lollards, as the followers of Wiclif were called, with the result that for a time any outward sign of Wiclif's premature reformation was silenced. The clergy openly boasted that Wiclif's teaching had passed away, and considering that all danger was over they resumed their wonted arrogance and evil ways. It was, however, but the sleep before spring, the winter rest which should cause the leaf to be greener, and the blossom to be more fragrant. Like the leaven in the parable the teaching of Wiclif was silently doing its work, not only in this country, but in Bohemia, in Germany, and in other parts of the Continent. Men were being raised up and prepared for the part which they were to perform in that mighty movement which was to characterise the sixteenth century. The country which, more than any other, was to be dis- tinguished in after years for its zeal in printing and the printed circulating the Scriptures was late in entering the lists. ^'^'^^' England was nourishing her faith on manuscript copies of Wiclif's versions long after the time when Bibles in the vernacular were being printed in other countries (Case 4). On the Continent events were moving with wonderful rapidity. Indeed, it mdy be said that the events of the latter half of the fifteenth century are amongst the most remarkable which history has to record of any age. It was the century which witnessed 13 A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY the birth of the printing press, the discovery of the New World, and the revival of learning in Europe. At the beginning of the fifteenth century the Greek language was almost unknown in Western Europe. A few scholars such as Petrarch had sought to inspire a taste for Greek literature, but with little success. It was with the collapse of the Eastern Empire in 1 453, when Constantinople fell into the hands of the Turks, that the revival of Greek learning took place. Exiled from their country, the scholars of Greece carrying with them the treasures of their literature sought a home in Italy, and found a welcome awaiting them in Rome, and Florence, and Venice. The fame of these refugee scholars, who were able and willing to give instruction in the original language of the New Testament, spread rapidly, with the result that students from all parts of Europe were attracted to this new centre of Greek culture. England was slow to welcome the new learning, and it was not until the year 1491 that Greek was publicly taught at Oxford, whilst at Paris a public teacher of the language had been appointed as early as 1 458. William Grocyn, the first teacher of Greek at Oxford, was one of a little band of Oxford students, including Thomas Linacre, William Latimer, Thomas More, William Lily, and John Colet, who having been attracted to Italy by the fame of the Greek teachers returned to the mother- country full of the new learning which was to conduce to a better education in the schools and colleges. John Colet, afterwards to become famous as the Dean of St. Paul's, and founder of St. Paul's School, reading for the first time the New Testament in the original tongue, became so fired with enthusiasm that he began to proclaim his good news at Oxford. The fame of his lectures spread, not only throughout England, but to the Continent, attracting from Rotterdam Desi- derius Erasmus, the scholar who subsequently became the greatest literary figure in Europe. Erasmus, himself, tells us that his religious opinions were to a OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE. large extent moulded by this intercourse with Colet ; and although in after years we are inclined to blame him (or his vacillation and timidity, we are compelled to acknowledge the great service which he rendered to the cause of religion, by the influence which his lectures had upon the life and character of those of his scholars who were to carry forward to its accomplishment the mighty movement of the Reformation. It must have been during the time that Colet was delivering his lectures on the Epistles of St. Paul, that William Tindale, the man who, more than any other, was to leave the impress of his scholarship and character upon the history of our national Bible, entered the University of Oxford, and we cannot doubt that he, too, became one of the eager listeners to those fresh and vivid exposi- tions of Colet, which not only captivated but influenced so many of his hearers. The story of Tindale' s life is involved in uncertainty. Tradi- tion says he was born in Gloucestershire, a county which was held to be the very stronghold of the church, in or about the year 1484. John Foxe tells us " that by long continuance in the University he grew up and increased as well in the knowledge of tongues and other liberal arts as especially in the knowledge of the Scriptures, whereunto his mind was singularly addicted ". Having proceeded in the degrees of the schools, Tindale removed from Oxford to Cambridge, attracted by the fame of the teaching of Erasmus, who from 1511 to 1 5 1 4, as Professor of Divinity, was teaching Greek and theology there. The teaching of Erasmus at this time was revolutionary in the extreme, and gave great offence to the church authori- ties. He contended that men should not any longer greek "^^^ study theology in Duns Scotus and Thomas Aquinas, ment. but should go to the Fathers of the church, and above all to the New Testament. He showed that the Latin Vulgate swarmed with faults, and rendered an immense service to the truth by publishing his critical edition of the Greek text with a new Latin translation (Case 3, No. 6). 15 A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY This first published edition of the Greek Testament was printed in 1516 at Basle, by John Froben, the projector of the work. It came to the knowledge of Froben that the volume of the " Complutensian Polyglot " containing the Greek Testament (Case 3, No. 5), which had been prepared and printed through the exertions and at the expense of Cardinal Ximenes at Alcala, was ready for issue in 1514, but that, for some reason, authority to circulate it was withheld. Desirous of anticipating the edition of Alcala, Froben requested Erasmus to undertake the preparation of an edition for him. Unfortunately the work was so hurriedly executed (it was not commenced until April, 1515, and was ready for circulation in April, 1516), and for the most part was derived from such inferior manuscripts of the text, that it swarmed with errors. A revised edition appeared in 1519, and a third edition in 1522 (Case 3, Nos. 8-9). It was without doubt this work of Erasmus that first suggested to Tindale his noble design of translating the Word of God into the language of the people. The following passage, drawn from the " Exhortation," or " Paraclesis ad lectorem pium," prefixed by Erasmus to his New Testament, finds an echo in one of the most memorable of Tindale's utterances : " I would," says Erasmus, " that all women should read the Gospel and Paul's epistles. And I wish that they were translated into all languages, that they may be read and known not only by the Scotch and Irish but also by the Turks and Saracens. ... I would that the husbandman may sing them at his plough, that the weaver may with them keep time with his shuttle, that the traveller may with their narration beguile the weariness of the journey." In 1521 Tindale was acting as chaplain to Sir John Walsh, of Little Sodbury, in Gloucestershire. Here, around the table of his master he met many church dignitaries, with whom he came into violent controversy, never hesitating to express his opinions, and to refute their errors by confronting them with the manifest words of Scripture. This matter of fact way of dealing with i6 OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE. their arguments gave great offence to these divines, and they bore Tindale a secret grudge. It was at Little Sodbury that he trans- lated a book by Erasmus entitled, " Enchiridion militis Christiani," or " The Manual of a Christian Soldier," v/hich was a bold out- spoken protest against the wicked lives of the monks and friars. Here was the authority for his views, no less an authority than his spiritual guide, the learned Erasmus ; surely this would convince those who had refused to be persuaded by his own arguments and by Scripture (Case 6, No. 1 0). It was about this time, too, that Tindale first announced his purpose of translating the Bible into EngHsh. Falling one day into argument with one of the divines he was led to give utterance to those memorable words, in which we find an echo of Erasmus's hopes : "If God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plough to know more of the Scripture than thou doest ". It soon became evident that Little Sodbury would no longer serve as a safe retreat for one who gave utterance to such views, and that the work of translating could not be accomplished there. Towards the end of 1 523 he removed to London, in the hope of finding a sympathetic and liberal patron in the person of the Bishop of London (Cuthbert Tunstall), whom Erasmus had praised for his great learning, only to discover that not only was there no room in the Bishop of London's palace for carrying on such a work as he proposed, but that there was no room in all England to do it. Here was the testing time, and here shines forth the personality which has so unalterably moulded the English Bible. If the work could only be done in exile, in secret, and in peril of life, these were but potent reasons why it should be done and done quickly. In May, 1 524, Tindale left London for Hamburg, and there during a residence of several months completed his tindalevs translation of the New Testament. There is litde ^E^^AriENT. doubt that he paid a visit to Luther at Wittenberg, in order to confer with him ; unfortunately there is no record of the interview. 17 2 , A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY Elariy in the following year (1525) Tindale found his way to Cologne, a town famous for its printers, where he entered into an arrangement with Peter Quentell to print his New Testament. Here again he was to experience the bitterness of hope deferred. His project had been discovered by his enemies, and further progress was arrested by an order of the Senate of Cologne. Half- distracted, Tindale rushed to the printers before the order could be carried into execution, seized all the sheets he could lay his hands upon, and fled by ship up the Rhine to Worms, a city in every way suitable to his purpose, since it was the head- quarters of Lutheranism, where four years earlier the great re- former had triumphantly defended his doctrines before Charles V. Here the work commenced and interrupted at Cologne was recommenced at the press of Peter Schoeffer. It is impossible to say whether or not he completed the quarto edition commenced at Cologne, but most probably he abandoned it, and started afresh with an edition of a somewhat smaller size, in order to mislead the inquisitors. This view seems to be supported by the fact that only one fragment of the quarto edition, consisting of the sheets printed at Cologne, has survived, which is now preserved in the British Museum (Case 6, No. 1). By the end of the month of March, 1 526, some thousands of copies of the Worms edition of the Testament were ready for distribution. Henry and Wolsey had been warned of this "Threatened Invasion of England by the Word of God," and did everything in their power to defeat it. Fortunately the enter- prise of the merchants was more than a match for the power of the Sovereign and the hostility of the bishops, and in spite of all their precautions the Testaments were smuggled into England and widely circulated. The issue of this Testeunent was an event of the utmost im- portance, marking, as it did, em epoch in the literary history of our country. At a time when our language was still unformed, when as yet no attempt had been made to make it the vehicle of any important literary undertaking, Tindale proved that its capacity was OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE. unbounded, and that it was possible to express the highest truths in the clearest manner with simplicity and grace, thus exercising a permanent influence of the most beneficial kind over the literary taste of the English-speaking people. The English Bible with which we are so familiar, in its form and substance, is the work of Tindale. The Revisers of 1881 point out that the revisions undertaken since Tindale's day have one and all been built upon Tindale's version. They acknow- ledge that the Revised Version is still to all intents and purposes Tindale's, and that it is to him we owe many of the beautifully felicitous phrases with which our Bible abounds. Finding that the Testaments, in spite of the prohibition, were being circulated throughout England, Wolsey took steps to sup- press the seditious books. He directed the Bishop of Rochester (John Fisher) to preach at St. Paul's Cross, denouncing them as replete with error. At the conclusion of the sermon great baskets full of the New Testaments, the fruits of a simultaneous secret search for copies, were brought out and publicly burned. So rigorously was this search carried out that only two copies of the octavo edition have survived out of an edition of probably three thousand copies. Not satisfied with these results the Bishop of London (Cuthbert Tunstall) went so far as to commission a Lon- don merchant trading to Antwerp to buy up all the copies he could find. This was a blessing in disguise for our translator, for not only was he relieved of his stock by the friendly London mer- chant, but he was able to pay his debts, and to be in possession of the means to put out a revised edition. After the completion of the New Testament Tindale settled down to the study of Hebrew in order to qualify himself to deal with the Old Testament books as he had done with the New. In 1527 he found it necessary to remove to Marburg, where, in the intervals of study and of work upon the Old Testament, he found time to issue his three most important doctrinal and controversial works. His first publication was the " Parable of the Wicked Mammon " (Case 6, No. 6), an exposition of the parable of the 19 , A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY Unjust Steward, in which he makes an attack upon the so-called " spirituaUty," and expounds the doctrine of justification by Faith. This he followed up by " The obediece of a Christen man and how Christe rulers ought to governe, where in also (yf thou marke diligently) thou shalt fynde eyes to perceave the crafty conveyance of all iugglers " (Case 6, No. 7). The first of these two works was remarkable for its destructive ability, the latter for its constructive. Tindale was not content merely to overthrow the hypocrisies of the Church, he builds up a simple faith in the Gospel. The bishops in the desire to arrest the progress of this heresy decided that as the press had been instrumental in circulating the poison it should be used to circulate the antidote. Sir Thomas More, the greatest genius at that time in England, was commissioned to take up the pen, and champion the cause of the Church. He did so, and for nearly five years this literary combat between Tin- dale and More lasted. Tindale won, for More himself confessed, that " as brevity is the soul of wit it is the essence of retort, and a confutation ten times the length of the work it is intended to de- molish is a failure ". In 1 529 Tindale having completed his translation of the book of Deuteronomy was desirous of getting it printed at Hamburg. He took ship, but suffered shipwreck and penta- escaped only with his life. Finding another ship he proceeded to Hamburg and there met Miles Coverdale, a fugitive like himself for the cause of religion, who assisted him to repair his loss in translating the whole of the Pentateuch. Having com- pleted his business he removed in 1529-30 to Antwerp. That was the year in which the Pentateuch was printed, according to the colophon, at Marburg by Hans Luft (Case 6, No. 3). Some recent authorities are of opinion that Marburg was a fictitious name for, Antwerp, since Hans Luft whose printing office was at Wittenberg is only associated with Marburg in Tindale's and a few other English books. In 1 530 Tindale's pen was again busy framing his final and most unsparing indictment of the Roman hierarchy, " The Practice OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE. of Prelates " (Case 6, No. 8). In the " Obedience of a Christian Man" Tindale laid down rules of absolute submission to the temporal sovereign, and gave pleasure to the King, but this volume excited Henry's fury, since, in it, Tindale had the;temerity to denounce the King's divorce proceedings. After several years of wandering, hoping in that -'way to baffle the ingenuity of his pursuers, Tindale settled in Antwerp. Here he returned with all his energy to his great work of translation, and in 1531 issued the " Book of Jonah". In 1534 he re-issued the "Pentateuch," and produced the revision of his/'jNew Testa- ment " (Case 6, No. 5), which was to form the basis of all the subsequent versions, down to and including the Revision of 1881. With this Testament Tindale' s hopes began to nse after long years of toil and danger. The sky was brightening. Hitherto he had led a charmed life, but early in the year 1535 so subtle a plot was devised that it could scarcely fail of success. Through the treachery of a plausible scoundrel named Phillips, Tindale was decoyed away from the house of his friend Thomas Poyntz, with whom he had found a safe retreat, was seized and hurried away to the castle of Vilvorde, the principal state prison of the Low Countries, about eighteen miles from Antwerp, where he was to spend the last sixteen months of his life. Notwithstanding all the efforts of his friends in England and in the Low Countries to procure for him protection he was con- demned to death. The verdict had been foreseen. Tindale was in the hands of his life-long enemies, and for him there was now only one pathway to escape. Sentence of death was passed upon him on the 1 2th of August, 1 536. A respite of two months was granted to the condemned man, during which he struggled bravely to finish his great work. In a letter written during his imprisonment, Tindale begs that he may be allowed the use of his Hebrew books, Bible, granmiar, and dictionary ; and there is good reason for believing that he left behind him in manuscript a translation of the books of the Old Testament from Joshua to 2 Chronicles inclusive. , A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY On Friday, October 6th, 1 536, he was led out to the stake, Avhere he was first strangled then burned. The last words upon his lips were: "Lord! open the King of England's eyes" — a prayer which was nearer its answer than the heroic martyr deemed. His unrelenting enemies had succeeded in cutting short his life, but his work was beyond their power ; like the seed of the parable it has grown up into the mightiest of trees. There is scarcely a corner of the globe into which English energy has not penetrated, and wherever the English language is heard there the words in which Tindale gave the Bible to his countrymen are repeated, as the holiest and yet the most famiHar of words. As the Reformation advanced the demand for a Bible in English was every day becoming louder and more urgent. The whole system of ecclesiastical teaching, dales BIBLE worship, and government must be tried and judged by the Scriptures on which it was alleged to be founded, said the reformers. And so in addition to Tindale other men began to turn their attention to the work of translation, of whom one of the most notable was Miles Coverdale. Like Wiclif, Coverdale was a native of Yorkshire, and at an early age espoused the principles of the Reformation. For so doing he found himself in danger, and like his contemporary, Tindale, he fled beyond the seas, probably to Zurich, where he applied himself to the study and translation of the Scriptures. He did not, like Tindale,' issue the Bible in instalments, but published the whole Bible at once, in 1 535, just about a year before Tindale's death, from the press of Christopher Froschover of Zurich (Case 6, No. 1 2). Unlike Tindale's, this version was translated not from the original tongues but "out of Douche and Latyn". Coverdale was preceded by Tindale in the translation of the New Testament, the Pentateuch, and the Book of Jonah, and as far as these parts are concerned his translation was only a revision of Tindale's labours. In the use of ecclesiastical terms Tindale thought it OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE necessary to be very particular. He translated " presbyteroi " as " elders," and not "priests"; "metanoia" as "repentance," not " penance " ; "ecclesia" as " congregation," not "church". But Coverdale was not so rigid. Coverdale's translation was dedicated to Henry VIII., as " defendour of the fayth and under God the chefe and suppreme heade of the Church of Englonde". To the dedication was prefixed a profuse invocation of Divine blessings on the King and on his " dearest just wyfe, and most vertuous Pryncesse, Queen Anne ". A good deal of diplomacy was, nevertheless, required to procure through the King free course for the new translation, but in the end not only was Coverdale's Bible not seized and burned, but it was allowed to be openly circulated, and in an edition of the same Bible printed in 1537, it is declared on the title-page to be " set forth with the Kynges moost gracious licence ". In 1537 there appeared another notable version of the Bible in English. The name of the translator was given on riATTHEws the title-page as Thomas Matthew, but this proved to ^'^'''^" be a name assumed by John Rogers, who was the person respon- sible for the work (Case 6, No. 13). John Rogers was Tindale's literary executor. The Bible he published was not a new translation, but a well-edited version of other men's translations. It comprised substantially a reprint of Tindale's Testament and Pentateuch, a first issue of the other translations left behind in manuscript by Tindale, and a reprint of Coverdale's version of' the books from Ezra to Malachi. Strange to say, the King's license was extended to this Bible, although the most cursory inspection must have revealed Tindale's connection with the book. This protection was obtained at the suit of Archbishop Cranmer, who, in 1 534, had tried in vain to induce the Bishops to undertake a translation of the Bible. Hav- ing failed in his endeavour, the Archbishop, in a letter to Thomas Cromwell, Chief Secretary of State, dated 4th August, 1 537, begs him to read the book, a copy of which he sends with the letter, 23 A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY assuring him that, so far as he has examined ' the translation, it is more to his liking than any translation heretofore made. He prays Cromwell to exhibit the book to the King, and to obtain from him a '* licence that the same may be sold, and redde of every person, withoute danger of any acte, proclamacion, or ordinaunce hertofore graunted to the contrary, untill such tyme that we, the Bisshops, shall setforth a better translacion, which I thinke will not be till a day after Domes day ". As a translation Matthew's Bible was of greater merit than Coverdale's, but it was accompanied by prologues and notes of the editor's own, which were too fierce and free to be palatable to all sorts of people. Like Tindale, Matthew or Rogers was a zealous and extreme reformer. He was the first martyr to be burned at Smithfield during the reign of Queen Mary in her persecution of the Protestants in 1555. Neither of the two Bibles of Coverdale and Matthew was altogether satisfactory. The inaccuracy of Coverdale's taverners version caused it to lose ground, and the boldness of ^'^""^ Matthew's notes was unpalatable. It was necessary therefore to meet a widely felt want by revising all the existing translations. Richard Taverner, an excellent Greek scholar, was induced to undertake the work. Such little time was given him for the work that he did little more than to correct the English of Matthew's Bible by the Vulgate, and to suppress many of its notes. He explains in his dedication how absurd it was for any one to sup- pose that a faultless translation of the Bible could be made in a year's time by any single man. The Bible was published in London in 1 539, was allowed to be publicly read in the churches, but exercised very little influence on subsequent versions (Case 7, No. 3). In course of time the true history of Matthew's Bible came to be known, and the King's advisers reaHsed the very unpleasant fact, that in procuring for it a royal license they had befooled the King. With the deliberate advice of the fathers of the spirituality his Majesty had ordered Tindale 's translations to be burned as 24 OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE. replete with error, and he had employed an agent to search for Tindale and apprehend him as a broacher of heresies and sedition. And yet the King had been persuaded, unawares, to grant a license for the circulation of what was practically Tindale's transla- tion. It was extremely awkward for Henry's advisers. When Cromwell and Cranmer discovered the real import of their act, they set to work as quickly and as quietly as possible to minimise the effects of the license. Cromwell resolved to supersede Matthew's Bible by a new version, the basis of which should be Matthew's version J^^^ great shorn of its polemical annotations. The execution of ^'^'-^■ this project was entrusted to Coverdale, who had given proof of his moderation and courtesy in the treatment of ecclesiastical questions. It was resolved that the printing should be executed in Paris, where it would be less subject to interference than in England, so Coverdale, accompanied by his printer Richard Grafton, proceeded to Paris. The inquisitor-general hearing of the project issued an order to stop the work and seize whatever had been printed. Coverdale and Grafton took flight leaving behind all their property which was confiscated. The printed sheets were purchased by a smart haberdasher for trade purposes, but were consigned to Eng- land in four large vats. Coverdale and Grafton were soon at the work again in London, and in April, 1 539, the new version was in the hands of the public (Case 7, No. I ). On account of its large dimensions this new version received the designation of the " Great Bible ". In consequence of a long prologue by Cranmer that was prefixed to the edition issued in the following year (Case 7, No. 2) and all subsequent editions, the version came to be called " Cranmer' s Bible ". In order that the " Great Bible " might achieve the object for which its publication was designed, of superseding all former licensed versions, a royal order was issued that every clergyman in England should provide on this side the feast next coming "one boke of the whole Bible of the largest volume in Englysshe, 25 , A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY and have the same sett up in summe convenient place within the churche that he has cure of, whereat his parishioners may most commodiously resort to the same and rede yt ". This order was not universally respected by the clergy ; but it was partially obeyed, and in a large number of churches Bibles were set up for free and public reading. It is of interest to notice that part of the " Great Bible " still lives in the " Book of Common Prayer," in the form of the Psalter, which is the version of the Psalms given there. Furthermore, it is from the same source that are taken the sentences and " comfortable words " of Scripture repeated in the office of the Holy Communion. Considering the hand which Coverdale had in the preparation of the " Great Bible," it might reasonably have been expected that the New Testament portion would bear the impress of Cover- dale's version of 1 535. But it does not, it follows Tindale's version of 1 534 much more closely than Coverdale' s. For eighteen years after the publication of the " Great Bible " very little was done in the way of perfecting the English version of the Scriptures. From 1553 to 1558 England was under the rule of Queen Mary, during whose reign the circulation of the Bible in the vulgar tongue was not encouraged. The public reading of Scripture was prohibited by a proclamation dated 1 8th August, 1 553 ; by another proclamation in June, 1 555, the importation of such books as the works of Tindale, Coverdale, and Cranmer was prohibited, and in 1 558 the delivery of wicked and seditious writings of the reformers was required under penalty of death. A relentless persecution was also directed against all who en- deavoured to promote the reformers' opinions, with the result that nearly three hundred persons were burned at the stake, and far more were imprisoned or otherwise punished. It is computed that as many as 800 reformers sought shelter on the Continent. Geneva became the favourite place of resort of the refugees, for the reason that Protestantism was there supreme. The ruling spirit of the city was John Calvin, and the man at 26 OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE, his right hand was Theodore Beza. This attracted so many Elnglishmen that they formed by themselves a considerable con- gregation. In 1556-57 they had John Knox for their pastor, who was succeeded in 1557 by another distinguished exile, William Whittingham, who married a sister of Calvin's wife. Whittingham was a scholarly man and devoted himself to the work of perfecting the Ejiglish version of the Scrip- ■n r • 1 f I • 1 1 THE GENE tures. Ihe farst mstalment or his labours was a vantesta- revised translation of the New Testament, with " most profitable annotations of all harde places," which was published in Geneva by Conrad Badius in 1557 (Case 7, No. 6). To this translation was prefixed an epistle by Calvin, which helped to introduce the book to the favourable notice of Protestants and the Bible reading section of the English people. In this volume the English New Testament was broken iip into verses for the first time. Also for the first time the actual text was distinguished, by a difference of type, from the supple- mental words that had been inserted in order to express the full sense of the original, and the simpler roman type was employed in place of the black-letter type of the earlier Bibles and Testa- ments. Immediately after the issue of Whittingham's Testament the Genevan exiles entered upon a revision of the whole THE Bible. It is impossible to say how many had a hand ^fj^l^^'* in it. Coverdale was residing at Geneva for a time and may have assisted, whilst a similar claim may be advamced in favour of John Knox, but it is generally admitted that the chief credit of the work belongs to Whittingham, who was assisted by Thomas Sampson and Anthony Gilby. For the space of two years and more these three worthy men toiled at their task, and in 1 560 they gave to the world the fruit of their labours in the book which is now known as the " Genevan Bible " (Case 7, No. 7). The New Testament portion was not merely a reprint of Whittingham's Testament of 1557, but a new revision. In the prefatory epistle it is explained that the revision was 27 , A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY undertaken not merely to provide a reformed text of the Bible, but in order to furnish the English people with both a cheaper and a better annotated Bible than they had ever had. The " Great Bible," which from 1540-60 was most in request, was both costly and unwieldly. It was well adapted for public reading, but it was inconvenient for private use, and its cost was a hindrance to its circulation. The Genevan scholars resolved that their version should be issued in a cheap and handy form, and that it should be furnished with such marginal notes as the average man in those days required for the elucidation of Scripture. The " Genevan Bible " at once became popular, although it was never formally recognised by authority. It was reckoned a better translation than any of its predecessors. It embodied the latest result of Biblical criticism. It was portable and moderate in price. It was conveniently cut up into verses. Its origin was associated with romance. It was the people's Bible, and for upwards of fifty years it was the version in demand. Between \ 560 and 1 640 not less than 1 50 editions were printed. To Scotsmen the " Genevan Bible " was of special interest. It was the Bible of Knox and Melville, it was read in all places of worship in Scotland between 1560 and 1610. The first edition of the English Bible actually printed in Scotland was of the " Genevan Version ". It was printed by Thomas Bassandyne and Edward Arbuthnet of Edinburgh between the years 1576 and 1579, with the Ucence of the Privy Council, and the authority of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, by whose order every parish in Scotland subscribed a fixed amount before the work was undertaken (Case 7, No. 8). The popularity of the " Genevan Version " was disquieting to the authorities of the Church of England. They had the mortifica- tion of seeing an unauthorised version of the Scriptures preferred to the one ordered to be read in the churches, and of hearing it extolled by scholars and divines. In the annotations, with which the margins bristled, the constitution of their church was held up to scorn, and they felt it was expedient to provide the English 28 OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE. people with a new version, which from its intrinsic excellence might supplant in the affections of the people the popular but obnoxious Genevan Version. Consequently, in 1564, it was resolved that a revised version of the Bible, which should be " de facto " the Church's own version, should with all convenient speed be bishops- BIBLE. issued) to the people, and the Archbishop of Canter- bury (Matthew Parker) put himself at the head of the movement. In the carrying out of his project Parker adopted the principle of divided labour. He " sorted out " the whole Bible into " parcels," and distributed these for examination and revision among qualified divines, furnishing each contributor with a copy of instructions regarding the spirit and method in which the work was to be conducted. These instructions were of a most praise- worthy character. The labours of previous translators were to be respected ; alterations were not to be made in a spirit of wanton- ness. The task of reviewing the corrections and amendments of the several revisers Parker reserved for himself. Four years were spent upon this revision, and in 1568 the new version was published. Most of those who took part in the revision were members of the episcopal bench, and so the sobri- quet " The Bishops' Bible," by which it is still known, was given to it. Everything was done to make it attractive. It was issued in magnificent style, profusely illustrated with woodcuts, and embellished, in questionable taste, with copper-plate portraits of Queen Elizabeth, the Earl of Leicester, and Lord Burleigh (Case 8, No 1). On the title-page of some of the editions it is stated " Cum gratia et privilegio " ; this was not, however the authority of the Crown, but of the Church. It was reprinted in small quarto, and somewhat revised in 1 569. In 1572 the second folio edition appeared, in which the New Testament had undergone still further revision. A remarkable feature of this edition is its two- version Psalter, which exhibits, printed side by side, " The translation vsed in common prayer,' 29 A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY and " The translation after the Hebrewes " (Case 8, No. 2). In all succeeding editions, except the folio of 1 585, the " Prayer Book " version of the Psalter is substituted for the new version of 1568. In 1571 an order was issued by Convocation that "every archbishop and bishop should have at his house a copy of the holy Bible of the largest volume, as lately published at London, and that it should be placed in the hall or large dining-room, that it might be useful to their servants or to strangers ". The cost of a copy was about equivalent to £ 1 6 of our money. But this order met with the general fate of ecclesiastical edicts. The " Bishops* Version " never became popular with either laity or clergy, nor did it command the respect of scholars. It was avowedly nothing more than a revision of the " Great Bible," but it shows that good use was made of the " Genevan Version," for some of the best and raciest of the notes in the "Bishops' Version " are taken from it verbatim, without acknowledgment. The Church of Rome had always bitterly opposed any attempt to circulate the Bible in the language of the people, and licence to read the Scriptures, even when truly testa- and cathoHcly translated, was but sparingly granted. In spite, however, of the denunciations uttered by the Roman Catholic priests against, what they were pleased to term, the incorrect emd untruthful trsuislations which were in circulation, the Bible continued to be read by increasing numbers of people. Indeed, the attempts to suppress it created a prejudice against the Roman Catholic Church ; and, as time wore on, it was felt by many Catholics that something more must be done than the mere denunciation of the corrupt translations in the direction of providing a new version which the Roman Church could warrant to be authentic and genuine. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth there ceased to be a Roman hierarchy in England. The faithful Catholics were scattered abroad, but to their honour be it said, many of them, true to their principles and professions, did in their exile what the 30 OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE. Protestant refugees had done before at Geneva. They set them- selves the task of translating the Bible, and in 1 582 they issued from the press of John Fogny at Rhemes, an English translation of the New Testament (Case 8, No. 5). The Old Testament was not issued, from lack of means, until 1609-10, when they were able to complete their labours at Douay (Case 8, No, 7). From this circumstance arose the designation " Douay Bible," by which the Roman Catholic version has since been known. The source from which this version was derived was " the authentical Latin, . . . diligently conferred with the Greeke and other editions in diuers languages ". The objects for which it was published were " the discouerie of the Corrvptions of diuers late translations, and for cleering the Controversies in religion, of these daies". The work of revision was carried out by a number of scholars, under the direction of Gregory Martin, a man who was reputed to be the best Hebrew and Greek scholar of his college, William Allen, who was afterwards made Cardinal, and Richard Bristow. Public attention was soon directed to this Rhemes Version, and several divines of the English Church undertook to examine and expose its defects, as a fit reply to the bitter attacks which had been made upon Protestant versions for many years past. Amongst the earUest to take up their pens in refutation of the Rhemes accusations were Dr. William Fulke, Master of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, Dr. Thomas Bilson, the poet George Wither, and Dr. Edward Bulkeley. But it was left to Dr. Fulke to pro- duce a complete review of the entire New Testeunent of Rhemes, which appeared in 1 589 (Case 8, No. 6). When James VI. of Scotland succeeded to the throne of England as James I., in the year 1603, there were three notable Protestant versions of the Bible in the popular tongue : the " Great Bible," the " Genevan," and the " Bishops' ". The first still retained some of its pristine celebrity, the second had lost none of its prestige with the people, whilst the third represented all the improvement on the former which the learning and piety of 31 A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY the Church of England could effect. But there was a demand for another and better translation than any that had yet been printed. At that date there were in the Church of England two parties, the Low Church or Puritan party, and the High Church or Ritualistic party. The former complained of certain grievances to which they were' subjected, and on the occasion of the King's journey through London they submitted a petition for the redress of their grievances, which had reference, principally, to obnoxious ceremonies that had been made part of the Church's ritual. In response, the King appointed a conference to be held at Hampton Court in January, 1604, at which representatives of both parties were to ihave an opportunity of stating their views to His Majesty. The result was not what the Puritans anticipated, but there was one point on which James met their wishes by authorised granting the proposal made by Dr. John Rainolds, ^^■'^'^n- President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and the Puritan leader at the Conference, that a new translation of the Bible should be undertaken. " I have never yet," said the royal theologian, >" seen a Bible well translated into EngHsh, and the worst of all . . . is the Genevan." The result was that the King expressed his desire "that some special pains should be taken ... for one uniform translation to be done by the best learned men in both universities ; after them to be revised by the bishops and the chief learned of the Church ; from them to be presented to the Privy Councfl, and lastly to be ratified by his royal author- ity." Furthermore the King ordered that the whole Church of the kingdom should be bound by this new translation and none other. In spite of the half-hearted way in which the matter was taken up by many of the clergy, and in spite of the cynical comments of some of the bishops, the King took the matter in hand and set the work in motion so that its achievement was due to his royal interest' and influence. A list of men qualified to be employed in the work was sent in and approved by his Majesty, but it was not until 1 607 that the work of revision was actually begun. 32 OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE The list of translators comprised originally fifty-four names, but only forty- seven persons came forward to take part in the work of revision. The revisers were divided into six companies, and to each company was assigned a separate portion of Scripture. Three companies were set to the Old Testament, two companies to the New Testament, and the sixth company to the Apocrypha. Elach of the translators was required to make his own translation, chapter by chapter, of the portion of Scripture assigned to his company. Each company held meetings from time to time, to hear and compare translations, and to agree as to the rendering to be adopted by the company. After an entire book had been gone over in this way, the result was sent the round of the other com- panies, to be " considered of seriously and judiciously " ; and it was then, with remarks, remitted to the company from which it came. By that company the remarks and criticisms were reviewed, and if not approved, they were referred to a select committee of final revisers. The execution of the work occupied about three years, and both the length of time employed and the elaborate mode of pro- cedure adopted indicate the pains that were taken to make the translation worthy of its high design. In 1611 the new version was given forth to the public. There seem to have been two impressions of this first edition, probably due to the impossibility of one printing office being able to supply in the time allotted the number of copies required, about 20,000 (Case 9, Nos. I -2). Considering the interest which the King had taken in the matter, it was fitting that his name should be permanently associated with the new tr£mslation. It was accordingly dedicated to the King " as the principal mover and author of the work," and has since been known as " King James's Bible ". It is commonly called the " Authorised Version," but strange to say it was never formally authorised. Indeed, much of its history is involved in obscurity. " Never," says Dr. Scrivener^ " was a great enterprise like the production of our ' Authorised Version ' carried out with less knowledge handed down to 33 3 , A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY posterity of the labourers, their method, and order of working." No evidence has yet been produced to show that the version was ever pubHcly sanctioned by Convocation, or by Parlieunent, or by the Privy Council, or by the King. It was not even entered at Stationers' Hall, with the result that it is now impossible to say at what period of the year 1611 the book was actually published. It won its way, partly by the weight of the King's name, partly by the personal authority of the prelates and scholars who had been engaged upon it, but principally by its own intrinsic superiority over its rivals. It did not at once supersede all earlier Enghsh versions. Long after 1611 the "Genevan Version" continued to be the household Bible of a large portion of the EngHsh people, and in some parts of England the " Bishops' Bible" retained its place in church, but gradually it displaced even the " Genevan Bible " in popular affection, and established itself as the sole recognised version of the Bible in English. From about the middle of the seventeeth century down to the appearance of the "Revised Version" of 1881-85 it reigned without a rival. Hostile criticism of the new version was soon heard, and along with a daily increasing measure of appreciation, there has, down to the present time, been a constantly swelling murmur of dissatisfaction. The first serious proposal for a revision was made in 1645, and a bill was actually brought into the Long Parliament, shortly before its dissolution in 1653, to appoint a committee to review and revise the " New Translation " as the " Authorised Version " was called, but the sudden dissolution of the Parliament put an end to the scheme. From 1653 to 1871 demands continued to be made from time to time by divines and Biblical scholars for a revision of the " King's Version," and many attempts were made to furnish such a revision in whole or in part. It was not until 1870, however, that steps were taken in earnest to have a thorough revision of the whole Bible instituted. 34 OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE. The honour of being the first to take action in this matter belongs to the Convocation of Canterbury. Not only did the proposal emanate from the Convocation of Canterbury, but the work of revision was undertaken by that body. A committee of its own members, eight of the Upper and sixteen of the Lower House, was nominated " to undertake the work of revision (with) . . . liberty to invite the co-operation of any eminent for scholarship to whatever nation or religious body they might belong ". This com- mittee separated itself into two companies ; one for the revision of the Old, and the other for the revision of the New Testament. To each company were added, by invitation, distinguished scholars from different churches in the United Kingdom. The churches of America also were invited to form a committee of co-operation. In the month of June, 1870, the revisers commenced their labours. The New Testament was completed in November, 1 880, and published on the 1 7th May, 1 88 1 , when a copy was pre- sented to Queen Victoria. The revision of the Old Testament was not completed until the 20th June, 1 884, and publication did not take place until the 19th May, 1885. Thus the time devoted to the revision of the New Testament was ten years and a half, and that devoted to the revision of the Old Testament was about fourteen years. The concluding volume of the " Revised Ver- sion," consisting of the Apocrypha — the books which were present in the Greek Old Testament, but failed to secure a place in the Hebrew Canon — did not make its appearance until 1895. The " Revised Version " is, in the strictest sense of the term, a revision. It is based on the "Authorised Version" of 161 1, as that was based on the "Bishops' Bible" of 1572, and as the " Bishops' Bible," in its turn, was based on the " Great Bible " of 1 539, and the " Great Bible " on the translations of Tindale and Coverdale. 35 CASE 1. MANUSCRIPTS: HEBREW AND GREEK. 1. SYNAGOGUE ROLL OF THE LAW. 15th cent. Sefer Torah : Scroll of the Law of Moses in Hebrew, without vowel-points. 28| in. (720 mm.) high. Written on forty-six goat-skins. 15th cent. *^* Elxecuted in Spain. The oldest known Hebrew manuscript containing any considerable portion of the Bible is a Pentateuch of the ninth century of the Christian era. 2. SYNAGOGUE ROLL OF THE LAW. 17th cent Sefer Torah : Scroll of the Law of Moses in Hebrew, without vowel-points. 9yV in. (230 mm.) high. On vellum. 17th cent. *^* The scroll-hcuidles are surmounted by the Crown of the Law. (See succeeding note.) The metal hand employed as a pointer by the person using the roll is also exhibited. 3. THE MANTLE OF THE LAW. *^* The "Mantle of the Law" is the popular name of the cover for the scroll of the Pentateuch. It is made in the form of a bag so as to fit the scroll when it is rolled up, open at the bottom but closed at the top, except for two openings through which the scroli- hsuidles pass. It is made of expensive material, which must not have been used for any other purpose. 37 THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. Between the sectional readings of the law in the synagogue the scroll is closed and covered with the mzmtle, which is usually decorated with an embroidered crown, borne between two lions, alike typical of Judah, and symbolical of the strength and majesty of the law. Two examples are shown in this case : the first of pink silk with richly gilt embroidery bear- ing the crown between two lions, and the second of white embroidered silk also bearing the crown and ' two lions. Similarly the upper ends of the scroll-handles are decor- ated with a coronet, usually made of gilded silver and adorned with bells, known as the " Crown of the Law," as exemplified by the Hebrew manuscript ex- hibited beside the mantles of the law. 4. HAND ROLL OF THE BOOK OF ESTHER. 16th cent. Me^illat Esther: Scroll of the Book of Esther in Hebrew, without vowel-points. 9f in. (245 mm.) high. Written on deer-skin. 16th cent. 5. PAPYRUS ROLL. a.d. 29. Bilingual Papyrus — Demotic and Greek. 13f x 11^ in. (350 X 292 mm.), a.d. 29. *** This document of the time of our Lord shows the common writing material, and the form of Greek script in use at the time. Papyrus was employed in Egypt from a very early date as a material for writing, whence its use gradually spread to neighbouring countries. It was prepared from the papyrus plant, which in ancient times grew in abundance beside the Nile, by cutting the pith of the stem into thin longitudinal strips. These were placed side by side, and cmother layer of strips laid on them at right 38 * CASE 1. angles. The layers were then united by means of pressure and moisture, adhesion being assisted prob- ably by the glutinous character of the pith, or by the addition of glue. When dried and polished the sheets were then ready for use. The original strength of the papyrus thus prepared for writing is estimated to have been about the same as that of modern paper. Owing to its want of durability any document liable to much handling could not survive for more than a limited period. On such perishable material the books of the New Testament must have been originally written, so that the disappearemice of the autograph copies through constant use, apart from other dangers incidental to their circulation, need not occasion any surprise. The upper portion of the papyrus exhibited, which re- lates to the sale of a house in the Faiyum district of Egypt, is written in the demotic form of Egyptian writing, whilst the lower part is in the current Greek script, of a character similar to that which is likely to have been used by the writers of the New Testa- ment. 6. MINUSCULE GREEK GOSPELS. 1 1th cent. The Four Gospels in Greek. With tables of Eusebian canons, prologfues, etc. 8yV x 6^ in. (205 x 155 mm.). On vellum. 11th cent. *„f* Written in a neat minuscule hand. With illuminated architectural patterns for the Eusebian canons, half- page decorative patterns at the commencement of each gospel, and full-page miniatures of St. Matthew, St. Mark, and St. John (that of St. Luke is missing). The style of decoration is Byzantine. The volume is open at the miniature facing the Gospel of St. John, which gives an interesting illustration of the 39 THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. evangelist engaged upon his work, holding in his right hand the pen with which the sacred volume -, upon his knees is being written. In front of him is a scholar's cabinet, with the key in the hasp- lock, of which this miniature gives probably the earliest known representation. On the desk above the cabinet are displayed the various implements used by the ancient scribe in the exercise of his craft — inkpot, dividers, knife for erasure, etc. A pillar at the back of the desk supports a mirror from which a hanging lamp is suspended. 7. MINUSCULE GREEK GOSPELS. 11 th cent. The Four Gospels in Greek. ^\ x 61^ in. (235 x 170 mm.). On vellum, lltli cent. *#* Written in a fine minuscule hand, the first lines of each gospel being in gold. With half-page decora- tive patterns at the commencement of each gospel and full-page miniatures of Moses and of the four evangelists. The style of decoration is Byzantine. The miniature representing St. John follows the Greek tradition, which says that he dictated his Gospel to a disciple named Prochorus. In the upper right-hand corner of the picture is a hand coming forth from a cloud to indicate the presence and activity of the Divine Spirit. St. John stands in the centre, with his left hand raised towards that divine manifestation, in order to receive the heavenly inspiration, and his right hand stretched down towards Prochorus, who is seated at the left hand and writing the opening words of the Gospel : *^^Ev ap')(ri rjv 6 Xoyof ". 8. SAMARITAN PENTATEUCH, a.d. 1211. The Pentateuch in Samaritan. 10^ x 9 in. (276 x 228 mm.). On vellum, a.d. 1211. 40 CASE 2. *»* Written in bold majuscular characters for public liturgical use. The Samaritan recension of the Pentateuch, whilst agreeing essentially with the Masoretic, or traditional, text, differs from it in some important particulars. In some of the more serious cases the Samaritan text is found to be in agreement with the Septuagint, representing, perhaps, a retranslation of the latter version. CASE 2. MANUSCRIPTS: COPTIC. SYRIAC, LATIN, etc. 1. FACSIMILE OF THE "CODEX VATICANUS". 4th cent. Bibliorum ss. Qraecorum codex Vaticanus 1209 (cod. B)'denuo phototypice expressus iussu et cura praesidum Byblio- thecae Vaticanae . . . [Codices e Vaticanis selecti photo- typice express!. 4.] Mediolani, 1904-07, 4 vols. 4to. *^* This is a facsimile of what is generally held to be the oldest and the most valuable of all the memuscripts of the Greek Bible, the " Codex Vaticanus ". It belongs, as its name implies, to the Vatican Library at Rome, where it has been at least from 1 48 1 . It is design- ated by the letter " B," to distinguish it from other uncial manuscripts, as the " Codex Sinaticus," styled " S," and the " Codex Alexandrinus," styled " A ". There is substantial agreement amongst palaeographers in assigning it to the fourth century. 2. THE PESHITTA (SYRIAC) VERSION OF THE GOSPELS, c. A.D. 550. The Four Gospels in the Peshitta form of the Syriac Transla- tion. IItV X 8U- in- (290 x 227 mm.). On vellum. About A.D. 550. 41 THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. *»* Written in large estrangelo letters, the most ancient form of Syriac characters. The word " Peshitta " means " simple," and hence, per- haps, as applied to the Scriptures " current,** " common," in which case it may be compared with the term " Vulgate " used for the Latin Bible, or " Authorised Version " for the English. Besides the Peshitta version there is another of great im- portance known as the Old Syriac. For fifty years this version was represented only by some fragments discovered in the British Museum in 1 842 by William Cureton, and by three leaves found afterwards in the East and published in 1872. In 1892 two Cam- bridge ladies, Mrs. Lewis and her twin-sister Mrs. Gibson, found in the monastery of St. Catherine on Mt. Sinai a palimpsest manuscript, the under-writing of which proved to be a nearly complete copy of the four Gospels of the same version as that discovered by W. Cureton. A much more thorough comparison of this version with the Peshitta was now rendered possible. The relationship of the two is one of the most complex problems that the textual critic has to settle at the present time. Both are obviously of great antiquity, but in the present division of scholar- ship on the question it is inadvisable to hazard an opinion on the question of priority. There are other Syriac versions, besides the two here mentioned, but none of the same importance for the history of the text. One of them, the Heraclean, is exhibited immediately above this one. 3. THE PESHITTA (SYRIAC) NEW TESTAMENT. c. A.D. 1200. The Four Gospels in the Peshitta form of the Syriac trans- lation and the remainder of the New Testament in the 42 CASE 2. Heraclean form of that version. 10^^ x 7^\ in. (275 x 186 mm.). On vellum. About a.d. 1200. *** Written in Northern Mesopotamia in the estrangelo character. Remarkable as one of the very few complete copies of a Syriac New Testament in any Europesui library. The Apocalypse in the Heraclean version is not found in any other known manuscript. The name of the version is derived from Thomas of Heraclea, Bishop of Hierapolis, who in A.D. 616 finished a complete revision, undertaken by himself, of the translation prepared in A.D. 508 by one named Polycarp for Philoxenus, a previous Bishop of Hiera- polis. 4. COPTIC (SAlDlC) VERSION OF ST. LUKE. 7th- 8th cent. Pragment of the Gospel of Saint Luke in the Saidic form of the Coptic translation. 14 x lO^f in. (355 x 275 mm.). On vellum. 7th-8th cent. *^* The New Testament is said to have been translated into Coptic before the close of the second century. There are two main forms of the Coptic version, Boheiric (also called Alexandrian and Memphitic) and Saidic or Thebaic. The Boheiric version re- presents the dialect of Lower Egypt, from the Arabic neime of which the term itself is derived. The Saidic translation exhibits the dialect of Upper Egypt, and is less polished than the other. 5. COPTIC (SAIDIC) VERSION OF JEREMIAH. 10th- 1 1th cent. Fragment of the Prophet Jeremiah in the Saidic form of the Coptic translation. 13| x lOy's in. (345 x 265 mm.). On vellum. lOth-llth cent. 43 THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. 6. LATIN VERSION OF THE GOSPELS. 9th cent. The Four Gospels in Latin. With prologues, etc. 11^ x 7| in. (296 x 200 mm.). On vellum. 9th cent. *** Written in large Caroline minuscules. Initials in gold. The Caroline minuscule hand is that reformed style of writing which was introduced in the reign of Charle- magne, by whose authority schools for the training of scribes and others were established throughout the Ejnpire. To assist him in his educational projects the Emperor procured the assistance of Alcuin, who spent the later years of his life in directing and pro- moting the literary studies that were then in course of reorganisation throughout Charlemagne's dominions. 7. LATIN VERSION OF THE GOSPELS. 10th cent. The Four Qospels in Latin. With tables of Eusebian canons, prologues, etc. 9^^ x ^^1% in. (240 x 192 mm.). On vellum. 10th cent. *** Written in the finest Caroline minuscule hand. With full-page decorative patterns executed in purple and gold at the commencement, and before each gospel. The tables of Eusebian canons are within illuminated architectural designs. The manuscript was written and illuminated, probably at Cologne, for the Emperor Otto the Great (A.D. 912-973). 8. ARMENIAN VERSION OF THE GOSPELS. 9th cent. The Four Gospels in Armenian. 10 x 7f\ in. (253 x 182 mm.). On vellum. 9th cent. *^* A very fine example of the uncial character. Until the close of the fourth century the Armenians used the Syriac version of the Bible. About A.D. 400 the first Armenian translation was commenced by St. 44 CASE 3. Mesrop and the Armenian patriarch Isaac. Two of the former's pupils attended the Council of Ephesus in A.D. 43 1 , and brought back with them some Greek manuscripts. St. Mesrop and the patriarch, there- upon, made a complete revision of their work in accordance with the new material. It is still some- what uncertain whether the original translation was made from the Syriac, or the Greek, although there are grounds for thinking that the version was based on the former text. Some connection appears to have been established between it and the Old Syriac text, a fact which should considerably enhance its value. CASE 3. EARLY PRINTED TEXTS AND VERSIONS. 1. THE FIRST PRINTED HEBREW TEXT (PSALTER). Bologna, 1477. [Colophon], I . . . '•-IlDDn ^rV2p p Ppy^ jl in nDN [Begin.] nvniMn '•didii -^tz^^ .D^'-icDrr to^^td riD^tt^in ni^i niNn Hfh^ it^!«2'' 7i2vh72 nmt^n I .omo^ i^ripi ( . . . I . . . TTOprr trr^i-^^'D dv n^h^nn I • • • d'^idd rV^))ll'' ^::i'T\t2 ^^^r\ nnil ^OV ■^I3"tt?''^n) [Bologna] Fol. ([i.e. 1477] 1^1 .intfl:"^ *** The first portion of the Old Testament in Hebrew that issued from the press; accompanied by the commentary of Kimchi. 2. THE FIRST PRINTED HEBREW HISTORICAL BOOKS. SoNCiNO, 1485. ^TT nWl'' TV22n nnZ^WI [Begin.] Fol. ([i.e. Soncino, 1485] ini i:''2?:31'ttr) 45 * THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. The first Biblical text produced at the celebrated Jewish press at Soncino, containing Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings, with the commentary of Kimchi. 3. THE FIRST PUBLISHED GREEK BIBLE. Venice, 1518. ndvra Th Kar' 'E^oxw KaXoufxeva \ Bc^Xua ©eta? ArjXaBrj \ rparj^ IIa\aid | batissimorum autorum cita- tionem, emendationem | & interpretationem, prscipue, Origenis, Chry | sostomi, Cyrilli, Vulgarij, Hieronymi, Cy- I priani, Ambrosij, Hilarij, August!- | ni, unacuAn- notationibus, quae | lectorem doceant, quid qua [ ratione mutatum sit. | [9 lines.] Apvd Inclytam \ Germaniae Basilaeam. \ [Print- er's device.] | [6 lines.] {[Colophon, pt. 2, p. 675 :] Anno- tationvm Erasmi Roterodami In Nowm \ testametum ... I ... 1 ... I .. . finis. Basilece, Anno salutis hiia | nse .M.D. XVL Kalendis Martij. | — [Colophon at end :] Basilece in aedibus loannis Frobeni] Hammelhurgenis \ Meuse Februario. Anno .M.D. XVI. | . . . | . . . | . . . | [Printer's device.]) Fol. *^* This is the first edition of the Greek New Testament of Erasmus, which was also the earliest text to be put into circulation owing to the long delay in the issue of the " Complutensisui Polyglot ". Erasmus undertook the work at the suggestion of the printer, Froben, who was desirous of anticipating the edition of Alcala. The work was not begun until April, 1515, but was prosecuted with such rapidity that the edition was ready by April, 1516. Its critical value is less than that of the Complutensian edition, although owing to its more extended circulation it has had a much 50 CASE 3. greater influence on the text. The parallel Latin translation was made by Erasmus himself. In the preface we find a very interesting testimony to the value of vernacular versions of the Bible : — " Vehementer enim ab istis dissentio, qui nolint ab idiotis, legi diuinas Hteras, in uulgi linguam transfusas, siue quasi Christus tam inuoluta docuerit, ut uix a pauculis theologis possint intelligi, siue quasi religionis Chris- tianae praesidium in hoc situm sit, si nesciatur. Regum mysteria coelare fortasse satius est, at Christi mysterium q3 maxime cupit euulgari. Optarim ut omnes mulier- culae legant euangelium, legant Paulinas epistolas. Atq3 utina haec in omues omniu linguas essent trans- fusa, ut non solu a Scothis & Hybernis, sed a Turcis quoq3 & Saracenis legi cognosciq3 possint. Primus certe gradus est, utcuq3 cognoscere. Esto riderent multi, at caperentur aliquot. Vtinam hinc ad stiuam aliquid decantet agricola, hinc nonnihil ad radios suos moduletur textor, huiusmodi fabulis itineris taediii leuet uiator. Ex his sint oTa Christianoru omniu colloquia. Tales enim ferme sumus, quales sunt cotidianae nostrae confabulationes." This preface of Erasmus was translated into English under the title "An exhortation to the diligent study e of scripture," which is shown in the same case. The preceding passage is thus rendered : — ■" And trulye I do greatly dissent from those men/whiche wold not that the scripture of Christ shuld be traslated in to all tonges/that it might be reade diligently of the private and seculare men and women/Other as though Christ had taught soch darke and insensible thinges/that they could scante be vnderstonde of a few divines. Or els as though the pithe and sub- stance of the christen religion consisted chefly in this/ y^ it be not knowne, Paraventure it were moste 51 , THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. expedient that the councels of kinges shuld be kept secret/but Christ wold that his councelles and misteries shuld be sprede abrode as moch as is possible. I wold desire that all women shuld reade the gospell and Paules epistles/and I wold to god they were translated in to the tonges of all men/So that they might not only be read/and knowne/of the scotes and yryshmen/But also of the Turkes and sarracenes/Truly it is one degre to good livTge/ yee y^ first (I had almoste sayde the cheffe) to have a litle sight in y^ scripture/though it be but a grosse knowledge/ad not yet cosumatte. (Be it in case that some wold laugh at it/yee and that some shuld erre and be deceaved [or, some would be won]) I wold to god/y* plowma wold singe a texte of the scripture at his plowbeme/And that the wever at his lowme/with this wold drive away the tediousnes of tyme. I wold the wayfaringe man with this pastjone/wold expelle the werynes of his iorney. And to be shorte I wold that all the communication of the christen shuld be of the scripture/for in a maner soch are we oure selves/ as oure daylye tales are." 7. ERASMUS'S EXHORTATION. Marlborow, 1529. C An exhor | tation to the diligent stu- | dye of scripture, made by Eras- | mus Roterodamus. And { traslated in to inglissh. | <[ An exposition in to the | seventh chaptre of the first pist- | le to the Corinthians. | ^ | {[Colophon :] C At Malborow in the londe of \ Hesse. M.D. xxix. XX daye lu- | nij. By my Hans Luft. | , 8vo. *^* Title within woodcut border. This work is a translation of the Paraclesis originally prefixed by Erasmus to his Greek New Testament, and afterwards published in separate form. 52 CASE 3. The translation, as well as the exposition of 1 . Cor. 7, is attributed to William Roy, who acted as amanuensis to William Tindale, whilst he was preparing his version of the New Testament. 8. THE SECOND ERASMUS GREEK ^TESTAMENT. Basle, 1519. Novvm Testa- ] mentvm Omne, Mvlto Qvam Antehac t)i | ligfentius ab Erasmo Roterodamo recos^nitu, erne | datum ac translatum, no solum ad Grascam ueritate, uerum | etiam ad multoru utriusqj linguae codicum, eorumq3 ueteru | simul & emedatorum fidem, postremo ad pro- batissimoru | autorum citationem, emedationem & interpretatione, prae- | cipue Origfenis, Athanasii, Nazianzeni, Chrysostomi, Cy- | rilli, Theophylacti, Hieronymi, Cypriani, Ambrosij, Hila- | rij, Augustini, una cu Annotationibus recognitis, ac magna 1 accessione locupletatis, quae lectorem doceant, quid qua ra- | tione mutatij sit . . . | [6 -lines.] | Addita sunt in singulas Apostolorum epistolas { Argumenta per Erasmvm Rot. | {[Colophon ;] Basileae In Aedibvs loannis Frohenii, I Anno Salvtis Hvmanae M.D. XIX. j Mense Martio. [ ) Fol. *^* Title within woodcut border. The second edition of Erasmus's Greek New Testament, embodying many corrections. This edition is said to have been employed by Luther for his translation of the New Testament into German. 9. THE THIRD ERASMUS GREEK TESTAMENT. Basle, 1522. Novvm Testa- 1 mentvm Omne, Tertio lam Ac Dl- | ligentius ab Erasmo Roterodamo recogni- | tum, non solum ad Qrsecam ueritatem, uerumetiam j ad multorum utriusq3 linguae codicum, eorumq3 ue- [ terum simul & emenda- 53 THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. toru fidem, postremo ad pro- ] batissimorum autorum citationem, emedationem & | interpretationem, una cum Annotationibus recogni- | tis, ac magna accessione locupletatis, quae lectorem do | ceant, quid qua ratione mutatum sit ... | [lo lines.] | Addita sunt in singulas Apostolorum epi- { stolas, Argumenta per eundem. ] [Colophon ;] Finis Novi Testamenti Totivs, Ad Qraecam | Veritatem, Vetvstissimorvmqve Codi- | cvm Latinorvm Fidem, Et Ad Proba- | tissimorvm Avtorvm Citationem I Et Interpretationem lam Ter | tio Accvrate Recogniti, I Opera Stvdioqve Des. | Erasmi Roterodami | Theologiae Pro I fessoris. Anno | M. D. XXII. | . . . | [Basel : J. Frohen,] 1522. Fol. *^* Title within woodcut border. The third edition of Erasmus's Greek New Testament. In this edition the passage relating to the Three Witnesses has been introduced in fulfilment of a promise made to the editor of the " Complutensian Polyglot " that if any Greek manuscript could be found in which the words occurred he would insert them. A Greek codex, now in Dublin, was produced in support of the reading, and Erasmus admitted it to the text as promised. This edition is the one which Tindale is said to have employed for his translation of the New Testament. 10. THE FIRST ERASMUS LATIN TESTAMENT. Antwerp, 1520. Nowm I Testamentum totum Eras | mo interpraete per eum casti- I gatis aliquot locis, in qui- | bus operarii incuria, fue- 1 rat erratu, adiecta et no ] ua illi^ pfatione. Nos | de nostro numerum | adiecimus in mar J gine. | Antuerpie per Michaelem Hille \ nium sub inter- aignio Rapi. \ {[Colophon :] | . . . M.D. XX. ] ) 54 CASE 4. »^ T--'- ---'-- - - This appears to be the first edition of the Latin translation of Erasmus in a separate form. CASE 4. EARLY PRINTED VERSIONS OTHER THAN ENGLISH. 1. THE FIRST BIBLE WITH VERSE DIVISIONS Lyons, 1528. [Above border :] ^ Biblia ^ [Within woodcut border :] ^r Habes In Hoc Libro j prudens lector vtriusq3 instrumenti nouam tranlatione | seditam a . . . Sancte pa- | gnino lucesi ... I ... necnon & librum de interpreta- mentis hebraicorum, | arameora, STfaecorumq} nomi- num, sacris in literis con- | tentoru ... | [6 lines] | . . . Habes & in libri fronte eiusdem iiriTOfiijv \ A. Abbreuiationem librorum historialium veteris instru I menti, & erratorum castigationes quas quis} exacte con { spiciens suum corrigfat librum, duas loannis Prancisci I Pici mirandulae . . . Epistola [sic] ad eundem, | Epistolam translatoris ad Clementem septimum Ponti I ficem maximum, & proemium in quo maximis efferun 1 tur laudibus sacrae literae. [ 15 [Printer's device] 28 j [Colophon ;] C Veteris ac noui instrumeti noua transla- I tio per . . . San | ctem Pa^rninu Lucen. nuper aedita, explicit. I Impressa est autem Lug^duni per Antonium | du Ry. calcog^raphum diligentissimu impen | sis Fran- cisci Turchi, & Dominici Bertici- | nium Lucesium, & lacobi de Qiuntis biblio | poise ciuis Floretini. Anno diii. 1527. Die | uero. xxix. lanuarij. | Lugduni : A. Du Ry, 1528. 4to. *^* The first edition of the Latin version of Sanctes Pagninus. This translation was prepared with the 55 i-*.m-Trr THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. view of providing a more correct rendering of the original than that of the ordinary Vulgate text. An edition revised by Servetus v/as published in 1 542 at Lyons. This is said to be the first printed Bible in v\rhich the verses are numbered, the division adopted for the Old Testament being that of the Hebrew text. 2. THE FIRST PRINTED DUTCH BIBLE. Delft, 1477. [Begin ;] Hier beghit dat prologus vader bible | des ouer- setters te duytsche vte latine \ [Fol. i verso, col. 2, line 36 : ! . . . Hier eyndet dat proiogus | Ende hier beghint den text des eerste \ boocx des bijbels gheheten. Genesis ] [Fol. 2 recto, col. \, line i :] [I]nden beghin sciep god I hemel en aerde • • . 1 Etc. [Colophon, vol. i :] Delf in hollaut | [Arms of Delft.] | Deese ieghenwoerdighe bible mit ho | ren boecken. ende elc boeck mit alle | sijne capitelen bi ene notabelen mees- [ ter wel ouergheset wt den latine in | duytsche ende wel naerstelic gecorri | geert ende wel ghespelt : was gemaect ] te delf in hollant mitter hulpen gods | ende bij ons iacob iacobs soen en mau I ricius yemants zoen van middelborch | ter eeren gods, ende tot stichticheit | ende lerijnghe der kersten ghelouighe | mensche. Ende wort voleynd. int iaer | der incarnacien ons here duysent vier | hondert zeue en tseuentich. den thien | den dach der maent ianuario. | [Printer's device.] [Begin., vol. 2 :] [D]it boeck parali- pomenon is een | corte weder om halinge des ou | den testaments . • • | Etc. [Colophon, vol. 2 :] Diese ieghen- woerdighe bible mit ho | ren boecken. ende elc boeck mit alle | sijne capitelen. bi ene notabelen mees- { ter wel ouergheset wt den latine in | duytsche ende wel naerstelic gecorri | geert ende wel ghespelt : was gemaect I te delf in hollant mitter hulpen gods | ende bij ons iacob iacobs soen eii mau | ricius yemants zoen van middel- 56 CASE 4. borch I ter eeren gods, ende tot stichticheit | ende lerijns^he der kersten ghelouisrhe | mensche. Ende wort voleynd. int iaer | der incamacien ons here duysent vier I hondert zeue en tseuentich. den thien | den dach der maent ianuario. | [Printer's device.] Delft : Jacob Jacobszoen van der Meer and Mauri- ciu8 Yemantszoen, 10 Jan, 1477. 2 vols. Fol. *^* The first printed Dutch version of the Holy Scriptures. It does not contain either the Psalms, or the New Testament, though both are found in a Vienna manu- script of this version.' The translation, which is from the Latin text, is believed to have been made about the year 1 300. 3. THE FIRST PRINTED FRENCH BIBLE. Lyons, [c. 1473-8]. [Begin.] Cy commence la table du | nouueau testament | [Fol. 21 recto :] Levvangile Selon Saint Mathiev | [Col. i :] Cy commece le nouueau | testament Et premieremet [ leu- uangiie nostre seigneur | ihucrist selon saint mahleu | [Colophon ;] Cy finist lapocalipse et | samblablement le nouueau \ testament veu et corrige p | venerables per- sones freres | iullien macho et pierre far | get docteurs en theologie de | lordre des augustins de lyo | sus le rosne Imprime en la | dicte ville de lyon par Bar | tholomieu buyer citoien du | dit lion | Lyon^ : B. Buyer [147-]. Fol. *^* Several editions of the Old and New Testament in French were published at Lyons, c. 1 473- 1 478, being the earliest impressions of the Bible in that language. 4. THE FIRST PRINTED GERMAN BIBLE [Strass- BURG, 1466.] [Begin.] [P]ruder Ambrosius der hat | vns pracht ein cleine gab. ... I Etc. [Fol. 4 recto, col. i, line 37:] [I]n dem 57 THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. anegang geschieff got \ den himel vnd die erde. wann | Etc. [End., fol. 405 verso, col. 2, line 16:] herre ihesus ich kum. Die genade vnsers lierren ilie- | su cristi sey mit vns alien Amen. | ] [Strassburg : Johann Mentelin, before June 27, 1466.] In 2 vols. Fol. *#* The first German Bible. A copy of this Bible at Munich is stated to have been bought on June 27, 1466, and rubricated in the following year, whilst a copy at Stuttgart has a manuscript colophon : " Explicit liber iste anno Domini millesimo quadringentesimo quinquagesimo [erasec?] sexagesimo sexto formatus arte impressoria per venerabilem virum Johannem Mentell in Argen- tina ". This German version, which is substantially the same as the other pre- Lutheran versions of the Bible, is said to have been in circulation in manuscript for more than a century prior to this date. It is taken from the Latin Vulgate text, although in the New Testament there are many instances of Old Latin readings. The place of its origin is not known, but there are indications of a connection with Bohemia. In this copy the titles to the Psalms are found im- mediately ailer the Psalms instead of at the end of the Bible. 5. THE FIRST PRINTED ITALIAN BIBLE. Venice. 1471. [Begin ;] Epistola De don Nicole di Ma- ] Iherbi ueneto al Reuerendissimo profes- | sore dela sacra Theologia maestro Laure- | tio del ordine de sancto Francesco: nella ] Biblia uulgatizata. | [Fol. 13 recto, head-title :] Genesis | [Col. i, text .] [N]el Princi | pio Dio creo | II Cielo et La terra. ] Etc. [End., vol. i :] Finisse EI Psalteri I o De David \ [Vol. 2, fol. 2 recto, head-title ;] Prologo 58 CASE 4. [Gol. i] [Ijvnga La Epistola | quelli che iunge il sacerdo- ] tio . . . I Etc. [Fol. 3 verso, head-title ;] Proverbli [Gol. I, text:] [L]e Parabole De Salo | mone: cioe sec- ondo^la sente ] tia ... 1 Etc. [Colophon :] Impresso fu questo uolume ne lalma pa- ] tria de Venecia ne gflanni di la saiutifera i | carnatione del fis^luolo di le temo et omni- I potete dio. | M.CCCC.LXXi. In. Kalen- | de. De. Avgvsto. I Venice : Vindelinua de Spira, 1471. Fol. *^* The printer's name appears in the " Rime di Hier- onymo Squarzafico de Alexandria coposte a laude di questo volume," preceding the colophon. This Italian translation was the work of Nicolo di Malherbi, abbot of the Camaldolites, and was accorded the Papal approbation. The version, of which this is the first impression, was reprinted frequently during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The rendering is based on the Vulgate text. 6. LUTHER'S FIRST NEW TESTAMENT. Wittem- BERG, Sept. 1522. Das Newe Testa- | ment Deutzsch. | Vuittemherg. \ [Melchior Lotter, September, 1522.] *^* The first edition of Luther's New Testament. The woodcuts illustrating the Apocalypse are attributed to Lucas Cranach. In this issue the Dragon and the Scarlet Woman are each depicted wearing a tiara in the manner of the Popes. This gave such offence that in the second issue of December, 1 522 (of which there is a copy also in the library), the offending illus- trations were cancelled, and an ordinary crown was substituted for the tiara in both instances. 7. LUTHER'S FIRST BIBLE. Nuremberg, 1524. DasAlteTe- | stament mit f leyss | verteutscht. | M.D.XXIIII. I (Das Ander teyl des allien j Testaments mit fleyss 59 THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. verteutscht. | M.D.XXIIII. | —Das Newe Testament mit I fleyss verteutscht. | M.D.XXIIII. | ) [Colophon, vol. 3 :] Gedruckt zu Nurmherg \ durch Friderichen \ Peypus \ M.D.XXIIII. ] 3 vols. Fol. *^* Printed on vellum. Title to vol. 1 within a woodcut border : there are wood- cuts beneath the titles of the other volumes, and throughout the edition. The illustrations and capitals are all coloured by hand. The Old Testament volumes contain only the Pentateuch, and the historical and poetical books. The prophets did not appear until 1 532, and the Apocrypha as a whole not until 1534. For the Old Testament Luther used the Hebrew Bible printed at Brescia in 1494, and for the New the second edition of the Greek text of Erasmus, 1519. CASE 5. WICLIF, CAXTON, AND FISHER. 1. PRE-WICLIFITE TRANSLATION OF THE APO- CALYPSE, c. A.D.I 375. Apocalypse: An English translation of a Norman version of the Apocalypse, with an exposition interspersed. 8^ X 5i in. (209 x 139 mm.). On vellum. About a.d. 1375. *^* This translation was formerly attributed to Wiclif. 2. EARLY WICLIFITE NEW TESTAMENT, c. a.d. 1400. The Four Gospels, Acts, Catholic Epistles, Epistles of St. Paul, and Apocalypse in the earlier form of the Wiclifite translation into Ens^lish. Without pro- 6o CASE 5. logues. lOj^ X 7^ in. (272 x 195 mm.). On vellum. About A.D. 1400. *^* The earlier version of the Wiclifite Bible was partly made by Wiclif himself, and partly prepared under his supervision by Nicholas de Hereford and others. It appeared about 1 382, two years before Wiclif's death. It gave so literal a rendering of the Latin Bible from which it was translated as to be in many places obscure. Soon after its completion a thorough revision was undertaken, which was carried to a successful issue by John Purvey, the friend of Wiclif's last days. This revision was completed by about 1388. The great majority of the Wiclifite manuscripts of the Bible exhibit the text of the later version. 3. QUEEN ELIZABETH'S COPY OF THE LATER WICLIFITE GOSPELS, c a.d. 1410. The Four Gospels in the later form of the Wiclifite trans- lation into Ensflish. With prolo^^ues. Gyl x 4^4 in. (173 X 122 mm.). On vellum. About A.D. 1410. *j^*This manuscript of the Gospels was presented to Queen Elizabeth on the occasion of her progress through the city of London in January, 1558-59, by Francis Newport, who, for the sake of his religion, had been compelled to fly from this country during the reign of Queen Mary. There is prefixed to it a long letter written by Newport to the Queen. According to Holinshed (Edition of 1577): At the " Little Conduit in Cheape " the citizens had erected a pagezuit, where one dressed as an old man to represent "Time" appeared, together with his daughter " Truth," holding a book in her hand, with the words Verbum Veritatis, " The word of Truth," inscribed upon it. At the same time a 6i THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. child came forward, and explained in the following verses the meaning of the pageant : — This old man with the sythe, olde father Tyme they call, And hir his daughter Trueth, which holdeth yonder Booke, Whome he out of his rocke hath brought forth to vs all, From whence this many yeares she durst not once out looke. The ruthfull wight that sitteth vnder the barren tree, Besembleth to vs the forme, when common weales decay, But when they be in state triumphant, you may see By him in freshe attire that sitteth vnder the baye. Nowe since that Tyme agayne hys daughter Trueth hathe brought. We trust worthy Q. thou wilt this trueth embrace, And since thou vnderstandst the good estate and naught, We trust welth thou wilte plant, and barrennes displace. But for to heale the sore, and cure that is not seene, Whiche thing the Booke of trueth doth teach in writing playne : She doth present to thee the same, loorthy Queene, For that, that words do fly e, but writing doth remayne. " When the childe had thus ended his speeche, hee reached his Booke towardes the Queenes Maiestie, which a little before, Trueth had lette downe vnto him from the hill, whyche by Sir John Parrat was re- ceiued and deliuered vnto the Queene. But shee as soone as she had receyued the Booke, kissed it, and with both hir hemds helde vp the same, and so layd it vpon hir brest, with great thankes to the Citie therefore. And so wente forwarde towardes Paules Churchyarde." 4. LATER WICLIFITE BIBLE, c a.d. 1430. The Old Testament from Proverbs to Malachi, with the Apocryphal books found in the Wiclifite version, and the New Testament. The later form of the Wiclifite translation into English. With prologues to most of 62 ■Si^IpfoeabJa^flm Ik «ii*rf(«» fp^ <*»"' "i" '<"" '^°' ''"" iirs flym/ ft tutf'*.' 6?"' / ^"^> ''^'' *" fcnc 4-onnon / ^ns; eC-ffp!* Sf"/ "nt" 3apft( 6p o>"rc «)«>> (»"cta? t,v? «kmic orj**: / 7lnt>; offtt ^lo Octfiftie fence Ocfes; o(tc l^c IbmC*.' fgdbtn* Ofi) S8«»? 6a!>j on of!* / SDant offtpBc/ 7liii> 2|o»()if off einoiK /I?H9 Ibne i« 5cpit« fcB' / Ttrr* >• •?' ^f* t"*' / o"*? '® "* jTto'cft no t^ o«icr (ll» nnO Hiat i«s nj t^c «rf«/7lffrg6f i» t^f rcit^ port nns? tfictj in t»c«ttogt anijnionp tpcft ronft./l^t h) frn Sfclb an>» BCacB mo) / Cftitu OoS? I^t pe ttgnctti nolU moftt tfif Bpfto) Caibf anSj ftiu^ Ibfrtni lo ma tip tjcfe Fopamf Uno fo Ibao t^ lbo:C9 CtportcSi? to (§« It) fonco of lloc / ^ijas ttitwfj t^ Ipioifloe ^tc folovoctt) th Ii){ of abia t quagcfmc io ttStc it? (Pe cflittfttfipTiwcof rtV^Cg poenatfit :jlfcafein tb^icfit >bno fonc of vt?otr / 16» C9a«i tboe t9» ftnt^ f to Koe n) i^ gf. mmdon of fpn / 3ap(V< tni; Xn linttt f g rtom font fence/ 4: u» of K)C gtittcaciS of rfwn llcmCnit^ mm lbt)itOt Ibaa a lbic6»».> man an».' airfft,' m ftio tbcrBis 'JtnO; &gO)) to ma£c Ifk tout of hSrhnr IbQtdk Ibno girtt anS; 9pr / Jlniij o« l%c muftpngof 1^10 toutgoS dinungft)? (?c taitgogco / "1 f"ng of l^« tout ibao emoncmanct ^.-tOi »t) aa t^ Ibojft)? / '21 n>? tQct lb»tr moCc ttftm fpctfro / »k tout lba» gtrtc / U Ibao s mfCc a&uto ane; S IH CyBjin) / f(rn>«a of Otigf)* / J^io 'Hcinetix^ tboo tlie fltfl mat) rtiat founoc malbmtfipc « peotaCtjw/ IbDub rnSutcb; Ebng anO? p>< toi^ I IBtnnt 3 toiw agagnc to Sflatt tb^wOi Ba!)j i^K r<"w» / tbtJicSf lUae o6«am/ llocot an» ^Imm/Cf naew cam 'Se / $«o / nnS; fchwC / lOf So mm 5(o6 of 6u9 mm 6iCam / 71 nS? of liftirt otfec oi anS; Ca£on / £f s'k'ii mm fct? aii>,' ij loug^ftto mcCcfia nno? (iiro/ llolb J fflaC fpcfif of aSiam of Ib^m out B&fTiJn ta f Bp come / Ik lbc*8)*; Sam toug^ of ^le 6to»T atom / jJGiamlbae cuer fhitQ fuC o»B; (tclbe / 8: Ibas titV fm oC»? ibfwi) ?i8 fiioct ocpat/ jf 01 ibft)m * »»«» m6> (pC out fczS^omifottos.' ?pm/ Ib^icft (his? to a£jam / TlBiam ma6c (^ «t»p <; POO ou< of rtjp CanSc ana? EpnttK ani>? aCfe fro tfic ^Ibo of tf g frisct / anSj eo ', me in to tfi« Can* tdat J fIbC flictbe to (^ / 3 ffcC moGe >f)f gtelbe m to modk jspfe / 3 ffioC e^fji' t^c onD? flioC magnf fpB Hip name nnS; tftou (V>aU fc Bfeffpa; an>/3 fBnIt 6&ffc tfiem t^cit Bfefjc t^ « mtfc tfiem rtjat tutfc t^e / :X niv »n ffyt f?oC fc eCrfTpft; 2((retfie6pmT*8oft^ ert^ / a62am Ibao C»» pnt oRc IbCoi) 6e OcpatftS' f rom tfie fcii^ of 21 mm / Tlni)? I'» toBe IbiKj fipm 5&am ei« ftpf an!)? fctt) t^e fenc of ()to 6:o0rt ant>: l^it mepne ant>< (716 coWt nnB fuSftaunetanft Cam in to t^ fence of Canaan am; mm in to t6f TaCi of Strttm / m ibfjitfic n^tt p(te pepfc Ib^cfc Ibcte 1^ ptpft- of Ca i naan/ '2ln6?oittfc:tij (ijiOc to TtEwm 3 f9aC gnuc to t^ (Qis Canct anB< to t^pq egteo liClmtK "Xfeam 6iS? ttp'i an auC < tn on tb^idk R: 0i6e faorefifc / 31n»? efcffioi nti».' ifianfips' out »>:!>;/ "XEnm feOrtoi aK t^ bnOc ajlbnti; «> feul6 / Tln&jYalbc ifie fealbto t^etof ana.' fen* ?tf tp6e oe out fc:*; toCa.' ^ / r-8tri 61 A PAGE OF CAXTON'S ■'GOLDEN LEGEND," M83 CASE 5. the books, and a table of lessons, etc., according: to the use of Salisbury prefixed. 15^ x 10| in. (384 x 270 mm.). On vellum. About a.d. 1430. 5. CAXTON'S "GOLDEN LEGEND". 1483. [Begin. : Prefatory matter.] The holy z blessed doctour | saynt lerom sayth thys aucto | ryte/ do alweye somme good j Etc. Folio j [recto, head-title :] Of thaduent of our lorde | [Gol. i, text ;] [T]he tyme of thaduet | or comyng of our | Etc. [Colophon :] Thus endeth the leg^ende named | in latyn legenda aurea / that is to saye I in englysshe the golden legende / For ] lyke as golde passeth in valewe alle | other metalles / so thys legende excedeth | alle other bookes / wherin ben contey- | ned alle the hygh and grete festys of | our lord / the festys of our blessed la | dy / the lyues passyons and myracles I of many other sayntes / and other hys- | toryes and actes / as al allonge here | afore is made mencyon / whichewerke | Ihaueaccomplisshedatthecommaun- | demente and requeste of the noble and [ puyssaunte erle / and my special good j lord wyllyam erle of arondel / t haue I fynysshed it at westmestre the twenty | day of nouembre / the yere of our lord | M / CCCC / Ixxxiij / 1 the fyrst yere | of the reygne of Kyng Rychard the | thyrd | By me wyllyam Caxton ] Westminster : Wm. Caxton, 1483. Fol. *#* The " Golden Legend " may very properly be placed among the English Bibles, containing, as it does, a fairly literal translation into English of nearly the whole of the Pentateuch, and a great part of the Gospels, mixed up with a good deal of mediaeval gloss, under the guise of the lives of Adam, Abraham, Moses, the Apostles, and others. The book must have been read extensively by the people, or to the people, long before the days of Tindale and 63 THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. Coverdale, since numerous editions were printed dur- ing the latter years of the fifteenth century and the early part of the sixteenth century. The reading in Genesis iii. 7 of " breeches " for " aprons," which is generally thought to be peculiar to the Genevan version of the Bible of 1 560, and has led to its popular designation " Breeches Bible," was anticipated by Caxton in the " Golden Legend ". Hence this volume may be said to contain the earliest portion of the Bible printed in English. The translation which was Caxton' s own work was made from the French version by Jean de Vignay. The original Latin work was compiled by Jacobus de Voragine, archbishop of Genoa from 1292 to 1298. 6. MIRK GOHN). "THE FESTIAL." 1483. [Begin. ;] this day is callyd the first sonday of aduent / that 1 is the sonday in cristys comyng / Therfore holy | etc. {[Colophon:] Enprynted at westmynster by wyllyam Caxton the laste | day of luyn Anno domini M CCCC Lxxxiij I ) Fol. %*The compiler of the "Festial," John Mirk, was a Canon of the monastery of Lilleshul, an old founda- tion in Shropshire. His reason for undertaking the work is to be found in a manuscript copy where he says that, finding many priests, from incapacity, were, like himself, unable to teach their parishioners pro- perly, he had taken pains to compile sermons for all the principal feasts of the year, which he had extracted chiefly from the " Golden Legend ". Although the subjects of nearly every chapter in the " Festial " may be found in the " Golden Legend," they are treated very differently in the two works. 64 CASE 6. 7. BISHOP FISHER'S TRANSLATION OF THE PENI- TENTIAL PSALMS. 1508. Tudor badge above title.] C This treatise concernynge the fruytfull I saynges of Dauyd the kynge Z prophete in | the seuen penytencyall psalmes. Deuyded | in seuen sermons was made and compyled | by the ryght reuer- ente fader in god lohan | fyssher doctour of dyuynyte and bysshop of | Rochester at the exortacion and sterynge of | the moost excellente pryncesse Margarete I countesse of Rychemout 2 Derby / i moder | to our souerayne lorde kynge Hery the .vii. | {[Colophon ;] C Here endeth the exposycyon of'§ .vii. psalmes, Enpryn \ ted at London in the fietestrete at the sygne of y-sonne \ hy wynkyn de worde. In the yere of cure lorde. M I CCCCC.viii. f .xvi. day of y moneth of luyn. The | xxiii. yere of y reygne of our souerayne lorde kynge He I ry the seuenth. | ) 4to. * * Fisher's rendering of the Seven Penitential Psalms is interspersed throughout the sermons. * CASE 6. TINDALE. COVERDALE. "MATTHEW". 1. FACSIMILE OF TINDALE'S FIRST QUARTO NEW TESTAMENT. [1525]. Facsimile Texts. | The First Printed | English New Testa- ment. I Translated By | William Tyndale. | Photo- lithographed From The Unique Fragment, Now In | The Qrenville Collection, British Museum. | Edited By | Edward Arber | . . . | London : | 5 Queen Square, Bloomsbury. \ 15 February, 1871. | . . . | 4to. 65 5 * i * THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. William Tindale, under the influence of reflections growing out of circumstances of his life at Oxford, Cambridge, and Little Sodbury, contemplated the translation of the New Testament into English, as the noblest service he could render to his country. Happening one day, in the year 1523, to be in con- troversy with one of the reputed learned divines of his day, who said, " we were better be without God's laws than the Pope's," he was led to give utterance to the declaration with which his neune will ever be associated : "... if God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plough shall know more of the Scripture than thou doest ". The boast was not an idle one. He went to London in the hope of finding a sympathetic patron in the person of the Bishop of London (Cuthbert Tunstall), of whose love of scholarship Erasmus had spoken highly, under whose protection he might carry out his project. He was slowly forced to the conclusion, however, that not in the leisure of a palace, nor any- where in all England, but amid the dangers and privations of exile, must the English Bible be produced. After a short residence in London he crossed to Hamburg, where he completed his trans- lation of the New Testament from the original Greek, probably with the aid of Erasmus's new Latin version of 1 522, and Luther's German version of 1 522. He then proceeded to Cologne to arrange for the printing, probably at the press of Peter Quentell. The work had not proceeded far when the Senate of Cologne were persuaded, by the intrigues of Cochlaeus, a re- lentless enemy of the Reformation, to issue an order forbidding the printers to continue the work. Before the order could be carried into effect, Tindale, taking with him the printed sheets, fled to Worms, where 66 CASE 6. the enthusiasm for Luther, then at its height, offered a safe retreat. It is doubtful whether this edition was ever completed. It is worthy of note that the type used in the quarto issue of the New Testament is the same, with scHne differences of " sorts," as that which appears in certain books bearing the imprint " Marburg, Hans Luft," of which three are exhibited in this case. It has recently been suggested in explanation that Tindale obtained punches, or matrices, at Cologne, from which a new fount may have been afterwards cast for him. There are grounds for believing the "Marburg" imprint to be fictitious, being adopted in order to conceal the place of printing, which was not improbably Antwerp. 2. FACSIMILE OF TINDALE'S FIRST OCTAVO NEW TESTAMENT. [1525-26.] The I First New Testament | Printed In The English | Lan- guas^e I (.1525 or 1526) 1 Translated From The Qreeic By I William Tyndale | Reproduced In Facsimile | With An]^ Introduction By | Francis Fry. . . | Bristol I Printed For The Editor \ MDCCCLXII | 4to. *^* Printed on vellum. With woodcuts and capitals illuminated by hand. This is a facsimile of the octavo issue of the first edition of Tindale's New Testament, which, there is every reason to believe, was printed at Worms by Peter Schoeffer. Of this edition only two copies are known to have survived : one preserved in the library of the Baptist College, Bristol, wanting the title-page and prologue, probably eight leaves ; the other in St. Paul's Cathedral Library, wanting probably seventy-eight leaves. 67 THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. As soon as Tindale was at Worms the work, commenced and interrupted at Cologne, was continued and finished. We have no evidence that the edition commenced at Cologne was ever completed. If it were, as some writers contend, then another edition in small octavo must have been simultaneously issued, of which large consignments were without delay smuggled into England. The edition which had been commenced at Cologne was in quarto, and was furnished with marginal glosses, " pestilent glosses," as they came to, be described. A description of this had been sent to Elngland by Cochlaeus, and there- fore, as it seems, to baiHe his enemies Tindale com- menced a new edition, in small octavo without glosses. This "invasion of England by the word of God," which Cardinal Wolsey did everything in his power to prevent, commenced early in the year 1 526, probably in the month of March. To appreciate the value of Tindale's work as a translator, it needs only to be pointed out, as the result of a careful calculation, that at least eighty per cent, of the words in the Revised Version of 1 88 1 stand precisely as they stood in Tindale's revised Testament of 1534. This Testament was publicly and vigorously denounced by Bishop Tunstall at Paul's Cross, London, and burned in 1 526. It was publicly burned a second time in May, 1 530. 3. TINDALE'S PENTATEUCH. [1530-34.] The first | Boke of Moses called | Genesis. Newly | correctyd I and I amendydby | W.T. | [MD]XX[XniI] | {{Title:'] A Prolo I ^e In To The Secon- | de bolce of Moses called | Exodus. I — [Title ;] The secon | de boke of Moses, cal- I led Exodus. 1 ?^i \ —{Title :] AuPro- | loge In To 68 A XXXV.Chaptcr: apohis facc.But trhche ircnt before tfic Lor dc to fpeak with him,he tokc the coucrigc of rntill he came out. And he came out and fpa* J!'Arta''t?ut J^e vnto the childcrn of Ifrael that rchicli he ivauat u< IS coas commaunded- And thc childcTn of Ifrael Buicii."'"** (^^z the face of Mofcs,that thc rk>nnc of hit face fhonc trith beames: but Mofcs put a co* vcrynge t>ppon his face, rntill he went in, to comenrcidihim. The.x5C5f\'. Chapter. Nd Mofcs gathered all the companyc of thc childern of Ifrael together, and fa>de Dnto them: thefcare the thingcs trhich thc Lordchath commaunded to doo; Sixc dayes^e fnall roorkc,but the fcuenth da>e (Hal be onto you thc hol> Sabbath of the Lordcs rcft.fo that rohofoeuer doth an> worke there inXhaUd^e.Moreoucryc fhall k>ndleno fyrc thoroia? out all >ourc habitacyons apo thc Sab bath da>c. And Moles fpake r»nto all the multitude of tlie childcrn of Ifrael fainge.this i$ the thin gc irhich the Lorde cSmaudcd faynge:Geue fro amogcyou an hcueoffringe,tJntotheLor# de. All thatt are toill^inge in their hartes, fhall bryngcheiieofTringes vnto thc Lordc.goldc, i>'luer,bra{Te: Iac^nn nes and A PAGE OF TINDALES "PENTATEUCH," 1530-34 CASE 6. The I thirde boke of Moses | called Leuiticus. [ -^[Title :] CThe I Thyrde Bo- | ke of Moses. Cal- | led Leuiti- | cus. I — [Title ;] C A prolo | ge into the fourth boke of | Moses/ called Nu- 1 meri. ] —[Title :] The four | the boke of Moses called | Numeri. | — [Title :] A Pro | loge In To The | f3^e boke of Moses, cal- | led Deuter- onomye. | ) [''Marburg: Hans Luft;' 15S0-S4>.] 8vo- *^* The titles, except that to the Prologue of Elxodus, are within woodcut borders. With illustrations. Of the book of Genesis two editions are known, the first issued in 1 530, the second in 1 534. The earlier edition has a colophon : " Elmprented at' Malborow in the lande of Hesse, by me Hans Luft . . . M.CCCCC.xxx. the .xvij. dayes of Januarij ". The copy contained in this volume is of the revised edition of 1534, in which a Roman fount has been substi- tuted for the original black letter one. The other books are of the first edition, and printed in Roman type, except Numbers, which is in the black letter found in works having the " Marburg " imprint. This copy has the marginal glosses intact. With few exceptions these are found to be cut away, as ordered by the Bishop, at least the " most pestilent " of them. The reason for this order is obvious from a glance at the open pages. Having completed and issued the New Testament, Tindale settled down to the study of Hebrew, in order to qualify himself for the translation of the Old Testa- ment. In 1527 he took refuge in Marburg, where, in the intervals of study he found time to prepare his two most important controversial works : " The Parable of the Wicked Mammon " and " The Obedience of a Christian Man," which constituted his manifesto. ELarly in 1 530 his translation of the 69 THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. " Pentateuch," made direct from the original Hebrew, with the aid of Luther's German version, which had been printed by Hans Luft, was ready for circulation. This little volume ranks second only to the 1525 New Testament, and is no less important as a monument of the English language. 4. TINDALE'S REVISED NEW TESTAMENT. 1534. C The ne- | we Testament / dyly | gently corrected and | compared with the | Qreke by Willyam | Tindale : and fynes- | shed in the yere of ou | re Lorde Qod. | A.M.D. 1 xxxiiij. I in the moneth of | Nouember. | (C Imprinted at An- \ werp by Marten \ Emper- ovrr. 1 Anno. M.D.xxxiiij. | ) 8vo. *,* With woodcuts. The first revision of Tindale's Testament. In this edition the " Prologue to the Romans," filling thirty-four pages, first appears. This Prologue, written in 1526, after the issue of the first edition of the Testament, was printed in a separate form, of which the only copy known to have survived is pre- served in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. 5. TINDALE'S SECOND REVISION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 1536. The newe | Testament yet once | agayne corrected by | Wylliam Tyndall/Wheare | vnto is added an exhor- tacion | to the same of Erasmus Rot. ] with an Englysshe Kalender | And a Table/necessary to fynde 1 easly and lyghtely any story | contayned in the .iiii. euan- | gelistes & in the Actes 1 of the Apostles | oc | 1536 ] [Antwerp ?] 1536. 8vo. *^* Title within woodcut border. With illustrations. The only perfect copy known of the first edition of Tin- 70 > CClje ne tbe1leftament/&?lv gently cowcteo ant) compareD tbttlj t|)e (Bttkt bi? Willvmt XftiOaleranDfpntC^ fj)ei)ttttlje?ereofou mtljcmonetljof TITLE-PAGE OF TINDALES REVISED -NEW TESTAMENT." 1534 CASE 6. dale's second revision, which appeared in the year of his martyrdom at Vilvorde. The " exhortacion to the diligent studye of scripture ** is a version attributed to W. Roy of the "Paraclesis" prefixed by Erasmus to the first (1516) and sub- sequent editions of his Greek New Testament. A separately printed edition (1529) of this work is shown in Case 3. 6. TINDALE (William). "The Parable of the Wicked Mammon." 1549. c{^he para- | ble of the Wicked | Mammon. | ^Compiled in the yere | of our Lorde. M.D. | xxxvi. W. T. f^-Imprynted at London in \ Fletestrete at the sygne of \ the Rose Garlande hy \ Willyam Cop- \ land. 1 M.D. xlix. 1 *^* The first edition of this work appeared in May, 1 528, although it was not improbably written some time previously. An exposition of the parable of the unjust steward. It was evident to Tindale that the evils with which his native country was infested could be traced to the love of money. He saw that the men in power ( falsely called " spiritual " had taken away the key of knowledge, and had beggared the nation by their extravagance, so he makes his attack on the so-called '* spirituality," at the same time expounding the doctrine of " Justification by Faith" . 7. TINDALE (William). " Obedience of a Christian Man." 1528. The obedie- | ce of a Christen man and how Chr | istS rulers ought to governe / | where in also (yf thou 71 , THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. ma- I rke diligently) th- | ou shalt fynde ] eyes to pe- I rceave | the | crafty conveyauce of all | iug^^lers. | {[Colophon :] C At Marlhorow in the lade of \ Hesse The seconde daye of Octo | ber. Anno. M.CCC.CC.xxviij/ hy I me Hans tuft. | ) 8vo. *^* Title within woodcut border. First edition of Tindale's most important original work, in which he laid down the duty of absolute submission to the temporal sovereign, and insisted upon the paramount authority of Scripture in matters of doc- trine. The book was brought to the King's notice by Anne Boleyn, and naturally met with his approval. 8. TINDALE (William). " Practyse of Prelates." 1530. The prac- | tyse of Prelates. | C Whether the Kinges grace I maye be separated from hys ( quene / be cause she was I his brothers wyfe. | marborch | In the yere of cure Lorde. | M.CCCCC. ^ XXX. I 8vo. *^* Title within woodcut border. First edition of this work, which may be regarded as forming in part an answer to More's " Dyaloge ". This was Tindale's final and most unsparing indictment of the Roman hierarchy, in which he had the temerity to denounce in no uncertain manner the King's divorce proceedings, and excited his fury. 9. MORE (Sir Thomas). "Dyaloge." 1531. C A dyaloge of syr Thomas | More knyghte : one of the I counsayll of our souerayne lorde the kyng and chaun I celloure of hys duchy of Lancaster. Wheryn be | treatyd dyuers maters / as of the veneracy- | on Z wor- CASE 6. shyp of ymagys 2 relyques/ | prayng to sayntis / t goynge on pyl I grymage. Wyth many other ] thyngys touch - yng the pes- | tylent secte of Luther | I Tyndale / by the I tone bygone in ] Saxony / t | by the | tother laboryd | to be brought in to England.*. | C Newly ouersene by the sayd syr Thomas More | chauncellour of England.-. | 1530. | *i* \ [London : W. RastelL] ([Colophon :] C Anno domini .M.v.C.xxxi. mense Mail. | ) Fol. %* This work in which Sir T. More came forward in defence of the Roman Catholic Church is written in the form of a discussion between More and a univer- sity student impressed by the teaching of the Re- formers. It was intended to provide a refutation of Tindale's opinions as expressed in " The parable of the wicked mammon " and " The obedience of a Christen man," with a condemnation of his version of the New Testament. The work was first published in the summer of 1529, and Tindale lost no time in preparing his "Answere," which was probably printed in the spring or early summer of 1 53 1 . To this More replied by issuing " The cofutacyon of Tindale's answere," and other controversial works published within the next year or two. 10. ERASMUS (Desiderius). "Enchiridion Militis Christiani." 1533. C A booke called in latyn En- | chiridlon militis christiani / I and in englysshe the ma- | nuell of the christen | knyght / replenys- | shed with moste | holsome pre- I ceptes / I made | by the famous | clerke Erasmus of I Roterdame / to the whiche | is added a newe and | meruaylous pro- | fytable pre- | face. | {[Colophon ;] . . . /m- | printed at London by wynkyn \ de worde / for lohan Byddell / | otherwyse 73 THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. Salisbury / the .xv. | daye of Nouembre. And be for \ to sell at the sygne of our Lady | of pytie next to Flete bridge, \ 1533. | . . . | ) 8vo. *^* Title within woodcut border. First English edition. The translation is attributed to W. Tindale. A bold outspoken protest against the wicked lives of monks and friars, which Tindale translated from the Latin and presented to Sir John and Lady Walsh, as his authority for the views he had expressed in the heat of controversy with the divines at Little Sodbury. 11. FOXE GoHN). "Acts and Monuments." 1563. Actes and Monuments of these latter and perillous dayes, touching matters of the Church wherein ar compre- hended and described the great persecutions & horrible troubles, that haue bene wrought and practised by the Romishe Prelates, speciallye in this Realme of England and Scotlande, from the yeare of our Lorde a thousande, vnto the tyme nowe present . . . Imprinted at London by John Day, dwellyng ouer Aldersgate . . . {[Colophon ;] . , . Anno. 1563. the. 20. of March . . .) Fol. *^* First edition. With woodcuts. The volume is open at the illustration depicting the burning of Tindale at Vilvorde in Bra- bant on August 6, 1 536. John Foxe was one of the most convinced and stalwart of the champions of the Reformation, and his work, popularly known as "the Book of Martyrs," with all its faults, is the epic of the martyr age of the Church of England. 74 BIBLIA te,tt)c t)olp @crtpmrc of tiK oibc an* Hew Ttflamtnt , faith- fully (tnt> nul^p tranflaKb out 0f2)0u*«an6 fUatyn in W (Cnglifbe. pxMtfti »«,t^at rf>ttt!Oibt ofiEfob nwU ^aue fr« paf^age,an^ bt glcrifwfttcj. enpaul (Tel. HI. tttt^t n>oi6( ofCbnfibtMllin you pint ttcufly in aU. nry^bomc ? c !. 3o(ue I. Aft H6t the bof e of t^jte Uw 1>'P*«1 outoftbymcucb.but fycrcffe t^'f* tbtrmbaycanbnigtjtctcf. TITLE-PAGE OF COVERDALES "BIBLE." 1535 CASE 6. 12. "COVERD ALE'S BIBLE." 1535. i9 Biblia 45 | The Byble : that | is / the holy Scrypture of the I Olde and New Testament, | faythfully translated in I to Engflyshe. | [12 lines.] [Zurich : Christopher Froschover ?], M.D.XXXV. Fol. *^* Title within woodcut border. With woodcuts. The first complete Bible printed in English. The trans- lation was made not from the original Greek and Hebrew but from the Vulgate and other versions by a Yorkshireman — Miles Coverdale, afterwards Bishop of Exeter. Nothing definite is known as to the place of printing or name of printer, but certain features point to Zurich and to Froschover. There is a curious reading in Jer. viii. 22, where " Balm in Gilead '* is rendered " Triacle at Galaad ". The Psalter in the " Book of Common Prayer " is sub- stantially the same as that printed in the Coverdale Bible of 1535, and actually the same as that printed in the "Great Bible" of 1539. Although Coverdale' s Bible appeared without any express licence, it was allowed to circulate freely by the authorities. 13. "MATTHEW'S BIBLE." 1537. [Title within woodcut border :] ]J The Byble / | which is all the holy Scrip- | ture : In whych are contayned the | Olde and Newe Testament truly | and purely translated into En- | glysh by Thomas | Matthew. \ ^ ^ ^ \ [4 lines.] I M,D,XXXV11, | [Below border:] Set forth with the Kinges most gracyous lycece | Fol. [Antwerp : For R. Grafton and E. Whitchurch, of London.] 1537. Fol. *^* With woodcuts. " Thomas Matthew " is generally considered to be a name assumed by John Rogers, an intimate friend of 75 ' THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. Tindale, probably his literary executor, who became the first martyr in the Marian persecution. This version comprises a reprint of Tindale's Testament and Pentateuch. From Ezra to the end of the Apocrypha, including Jonah, it is substantially Coverdale's version. But from Joshua to Chronicles the text differs so much from Coverdale's, that it is supposed to be from the translations left behind by Tindale. The work of Rogers was probably con- fined to the general task of editing the materials at his disposal, and preparing marginal notes collected from various sources. This is generally considered to be the real primary version of our Elnglish Bible. Of the place of printing and the printer nothing is definitely known. The licence was obtained from Henry VIII. by his minister, Thomas Cromwell, whose autograph appears above the title of the copy on exhibition, at the desire of Archbishop Cranmer expressed in the following letter : — " My especiall good Lorde, after moost hartie comenda- tions unto Your Lordeship. Theis shalbe to signifie unto the same, that you shall receyve, by the bringer herof, a Bible in Englishe, both of a new translacion, and of a newe prynte, dedicated unto the Kinges Majestie, as farther apperith by a pistle unto His Grace, in the begynnyng of the boke, which, in myn opinion, is very well done, and therfore I pray your Lordeship to rede the same. And as for the trans- lation, so farre as I have redde therof, I like it better, than any other translacion hertofore made ; yet not doubting but that ther may, and wilbe founde some fawtes therin, as you know no man ever did, or «m do so well, but it may be, from tyme to tyme amendid. And forasmoche as the boke is dedicated unto the 76 '^^**^*' ^ X !**♦«*• Mt; ^^ ^et fo;t^ toitri fljelkingesmoft gt^icpous l?ttce. TITLE-PAGE OF MATTHEWS "BIBLE," 1537 CASE 7. Kinges Grace, and also greate paynes and labour taken in setting forth of the same, I pray you, my Lorde, that you woll exhibite the boke unto the Kinges High- ness ; and to obteign of His Grace, if you can, a licence that the same may be sold, and redde of every person, withoute danger of any acte, proclamacion, or ordi- naunce hertofore graunted to the contrary, untill such tyme that we, the Bisshops, shall setforth a better translacion, which I thinke will not be till a day after Domes day. And if you contynew to take suche paynes for the setting forth of Goddes Wourde, as you do, although in the meane season you suffre some snubbes, many sclandres, lyes, and reproches for the same, yet one day He will requite altogether ; and the same Wourde, (as Saincte John saieth) ' whiche shall judge every man at the last daye,' must nedes shewe favour to theym, that now do favour it. Thus, my Lorde, right hartely faire you well. At Forde, the 4 day of Auguste. Your assured ever, " T. Cantuarien ' : " CASE 7. THE "GREAT BIBLE," TAVERNER'S, AND THE "GENEVAN". I. THE GREAT BIBLE. 1539. CThe Byble in | Englyshe, that is to saye the con- | tent of all the holy scrypture, bothe | of y olde and newe testament, truly | translated after the veryte of the | Hebrue and Qreke textes, by jr dy- | lysrent studye of dyuerse excellent | learned men, experte in theforsayde I tonges. j C Prynted by Rychard Grafton 7 | Edward Whit- church. I . . . I . . . I 1539. I ( [Colophon :] [ . . . | . . . 77 , THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. Fynisshed in Apryll, | Anno. M.CCCCC.xxxix. j *h | . . . I ) Fol. *^* Title within woodcut border. With illustrations. The I first edition of the " Great Bible," so called from its size, and from the fact that it is referred to, in the Injunctions issued to the clergy by Thomas Cromwell in 1 538, as : " the hole byble of the largyest volume " ordered to be *' set vp in sum conuenient place wythin the said church that ye haue cure of, where-as your parishoners may most comodiousiy resorte to the same and reade it ". This is a revision by Coverdale of Matthew's Bible of 1537, by the aid and with the assistance of Thomas Cromwell. It was printed partly at Paris and partly at London. 2. THE "GREAT BIBLE," WITH PROLOGUE. 1540. C The Byble in | Englyshe, that is to saye the con- [ tent of al the holy scripture both | of y olde, and newe testa - met, with ] a prologe therinto made by | the reuerende father in [ Qod Thomas | archbysshop | of Canter | bury, I C This is the Byble apoynted | to the vse of the churches. ] [London] : C Prynted by Rychard Grafton. 1 . . . ] mdxl 1 ( [Colophon .•] | . . . | . . . Fynisshed in Apryll, Anno. M.CCCCC.XL. | ^ ] . . . ] ) Fol. *^^* Title within woodcut border. With illustrations. The second edition of the "Great Bible" (April, 1540), and the first to contain Cranmer's Prologue, which was included in all subsequent editions of the " Great Bible," of which there were six. It is often styled " Cranmer's Bible," but improperly so, for the Arch- bishop had little if anything to do with it beyond writing the Prologue, 78 TITLE-PAGE OF THE "GREAT BIBLE," 1539 CASE 7. In the Prologue there is an interesting passage relating to the earlier vernacular versions of the Scriptures : — *' And yet, yf the matter shulde be tryed by custome, we myght also allege custome for the readynge of the scrypture in the vulgare tonge, and prescrybe the more auncient custome. For it is not moch aboue one hundreth yeare ago, sens scripture hath not bene accustomed to be redde in the vulgar tunge within this realme, and many hundred yeares before that, it was translated and redde in the Saxones tonge, whych at that tyme was oure mothers tonge. Wherof there remayneth yet diuers copyes foude lately in olde abbeis, of soch antique maners of writynge and speaking, that fewe men nowe ben able to reade and vnderstande the. And when this language waxed olde and out of come vsage, because folke shulde not lacke the frute of reading, it was aga)me trans- lated in y newer language. Wherof yet also many copies remayne and be dayly founde." 3. "TAVERNER'S BIBLE." 1539. The Most I Sacred Bible, | Whicheisthe holy scripture, con- 1 teyning the old and new testament, | translated into English, and newly ] recognised with great diligence | after mostfaythful exem- \ plars, by Ry chard | Taverner Prynted at London in Fletestrete at \ the sygne of the Sonne hy John Byd- \ dell, for Thomas Barthlet, \ . . . 1 . . . I M.D.XXXIX. I Fol. *^* Tide within woodcut border. The first edition of " Taverner' s Bible," a revision of Matthew's Bible of 1537. Taverner aimed at com- pression and vividness, but exercised little or no influence on later revisions. 79 THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. 4. BECKE'S REVISION OF "MATTHEWS BIBLE". 1549. The Byble, that | is to say all the holy Scri- | pture : In whych are co- ] tayned the Olde and | New Testamente, I truly J purely tra- | slated into En- | ST^sh, 1 nowe | lately with ] greatein- | dustry 2" dilige- | ce recogrnised. I [4 lines.] C Imprynted at \ London hy Ihon Daye, dwelling 1 at Aldersgate and William \ Seres, dwelling in \ Peter Golledge. | . . . | . . . | xvii. day of August. M.DXLIX. I Fol. *^* Title within woodcut border. With illustrations. A close reprint of Matthew's Bible of 1537, with the notes, etc., revised by Edmund Becke. It is of no importance textually. In this Bible is to be found the curious note at the end of 1 Pet. iii. on the words "To dwell w a wyfe ac- cordinge to knowledge" in which occurs the sen- tence : " And yf she be not obedient and healpfull vnto hym, endeuoureth to beate the feare of God into her heade, that therby she maye be compelled to learne her duitie and do it ". 5. NEW REVISION OF TINDALE'S NEW TESTA- MENT. [1552.] r>- The newe Testament ( of our Sauiour lesu Christe. Faythfully tran- | slated out of the Qreke. | C Wyth the Notes and expositions of the darke pla- | ces therein. I Viuat [Portrait of Edward VI] Rex. j [5 lines.] ([Colophon, beneath device ;] Imprynted at London by Rycharde lugge, dwel- \ lynge in Paules chwrche yarde at thesigne of the byble. \ [4 lines.]) [1552.] 4to. 80 CASE 7. *♦* With woodcuts. A new revision of Tindale's New Testament. The notes and introductions are entirely new. In the dedicatory epistle addressed to Edward VI. R. Jugge speaks of " vsing thaduise and helpe of godly learned men," but who these were is not known. 6. THE "GENEVAN NEW TESTAMENT". 1557. The I Newe Testa- [ ment Of Ovr Lord le- | sus Christ. | Conferred diligently with the Qreke, and best ap- | proued translations. | With the arguments as wel be- fore the chapters, as for euery Boke | & Epistle, also diuersities of readings, and moste proffitable | annota- tions of all harde places : wherunto is added a copi- | ous Table. | [Woodcut beneath title.] At Geneva | Printed By Conrad Badius. | m.d.lvii. | 8vo. * * The only edition of any part of the Scriptures issued during the reign of Queen Mary (1553 — 1558), and that was edited by an exile, and printed at Geneva. This version is ascribed to William Whittingham, one of the band of English exiles who found an asylum at Geneva. He married a sister of Calvin's wife, and in 1557 succeeded John Knox, as Pastor of the Elng- lish Congregation. The text is based upon Tindale's, compared with the Great Bible, and influenced by Beza's Latin trans- lation. It forms the groundwork of the New Testament in the Geneva Bible of 1 560, but is distinct. It was the first Testament to be printed in Romem type and the first to show verse divisions, and with its elaborate apparatus of arguments, etc., forms the first critical edition of the New Testament in Elnglish. 8i 6 THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. 7. THE "GENEVAN BIBLE". 1560. The Bible | And ] Holy Scriptvres | Conteyned In \ The Olde And Newe | Testament. | Translated Accor- ] ding to the Ebrue and Qreke, and conferred With | the best translations in diuers langages. | With Moste Profitable Annota- | tions vpon all the hard places, and other things of great | importance as may appeare in the Epistle to the Reader. | [Woodcut beneath title, with texts round it.] At Geneva. | Printed By Rovland Hall. \ M.D.LX. | 4to. *** With maps and woodcuts. The first edition of the " Genevan Version ". The earliest Bible printed in Roman type, with verse divisions, and in a handy and cheap form. The revision was mainly the work of three men : Wm. Whittingham, Anthony Gilby, and Thomas Sampson, exiles at Geneva. It obtained speedy and permanent popularity, and although never formally recognized by authority, for three generations maintained its supremacy as the Bible of the people. It is said that its phrases find an echo in quotations, from Shakespeare to Bunyan. Between 1560 and 1640 something like 150 editions were called for. It was reckoned a better translation than any that had ever been printed before, probably be- cause it embodied in the notes the current and popular Calvinism of that day. 8. THE FIRST BIBLE PRINTED IN SCOTLAND. 1576-79. The Bible | And Holy Scriptvres | Conteined In The | Olde And Newe | Testament. [ Translated According To The 1 Ebrue & Qreke, & conferred with the beste transla- tions I in diuers languages. | (.*.) j With Moste Profit- able Annotations | Vpon All The Hard Places Of The 82 The gcneracion of Chrift. % i^:^ THE HOLT^GOSPEL \:i^,£!T. oi Icfus C?Iuifl, ""according to Matlhtwc, T 1( S ^ \U V M £ \T. ^iK »/».'. /.^.( t#.« '.-. ./-,J(. ' tfGoi fi ^tMriitd it tir J mM.», -,• ItllliH-r (! "/■■ «,„..,» .-, .-feAji ,/,i. ,; ii,if.o);..Vf, III,, » < ,«!( ir^, jii<< i» ,^r. mure (*!','(. UuTtll, 1 of. /Vi/ir /•/. do<\i; .;» («(« f rtf^irre^iio r.rAy-'Pf'"'-P Wth »» l/»V» f f, :■;. ..rr "",; f„fr y,.TU »; ,;, ,;, ,.««»„;/ lU f'i.li^jf Upedfjf. Sa lU^t litTtl-j we an ai-nwtjhtd •ertaf\.v:d ivtil) mofteufictiWid heans tmhtte tins iV f'or iIktc it 119 ioye >*or nnfot-tnoh no Pe-ttr «»r trntftatt, tUfit »ni*,t*»- 4^ thai tU lUt ftp fmhe f.irttij , .» /* J iusi:'i: ui^trmc lieili tlie !rjhru.)l ifAiTMivn ,^«t lohn tlmf^ is tctfpird l^treilt, ^nd llnre- /' - : i ,:.jl. iejrnt.i itileTprller vnulh^^ty difinbe^ai it ■merefilt* UdtttJnd tolm jitUfh Itf^ tL'^'fr ij.j the [M^f.H'ijtrefvtt lite f.imt ,tfteiy ttrmeth the Ccfpet nvnt l.y I tlrrt^the ^ejevftnch off neth lite dure l» lltr ^ttieTp.xndm^ of lite Minn: fjr nhefteatr doeth {.loiee tin iiffit,ytni»jiid |.>»!T ofC'rtfl ,fi-.J re.ide llul'trhtth » vritliti cf the imtte of (jfd nme tab, tU redimrr of the vtMdey-witli moftt prbfjit, \ov tu toruemitt^ the t^riter; oflltt hjht^^il (i cwdeitt that • Mitlht-K, wjj J Fullicatte m ctfiome gallterer^ti'd »,.< lltente ihfiti of cUifl to he an^ftf.'t. Mjtl^ IS llxf^hl 10 hatte betieTeteri dtptfir,aitd lt> /«« }ltiited the ftrfl Clft'h at ^lerandrij, vlterr he dyed the et^ltl jnt of J^.-re.i«<» »ata fl»fiitoi cf^AiMoiltta and htume T.iiJi di' tp'r^ttid fiUome in aU Itit tratteils'.he Itiud fourt f'-te and fijre yeres^and Teas Itaytd at Co,-i},t„tt;i pir.Iohri w.it that ^poJIU ^Itwne the Lord iomtd^lite fotlite of £tlitdeHS^.nd brother cfj. i(K(,rt,j,4 lamel:!ie djid litre fore yeres after Cl>np,and vai Imryid itere to the Ctlie of [{Ixfteu f. "J^.u.'i"^ CI? A P. t. i Thelrl'fi'ie'"^fid fttufatttert, II H'lt4yrai ccntttiteJ ty ttie belj Q*fl. Mid h.'rnrotihi virpm ^Marie . vhe^fi.t leal bttttn- ■h,d i»i,;-/,^. .0 Th, ^'filfanffitli I'fifhei iFJ le^e,. And Salmon bcgarcBooz ofiRachab. ,* Anii ' Booi bcga're Obcil of Ruth . And •■j ii> lU-. Obcd bccarc Iclfc. c",™',!'?,";,! And'Uillb-?3'e Diui.lrhcKin?. And i^'ti>t„'uut c. r.rL— '••■» Ititd zmal'ftfli. to Tr>e ^'ftllatilltttli I'iieiiet ^t\ t \ t.< t c t fL ""^ m.nj,. .. if%h.u.Ml^ih/H,:^ihinf,r/£m -p.u.Jtl.c K;n"tcoatc Solomcn of bcr^„^^,,,. ,»4««/. that was rU ^//; of Vria«. __ ,:,^mu.i. .iT-,L i.^f.L- «,r^ 7 And'SoIomunbcgatc K.oboam.An( c,6 of . . > V . c H R . ST . '"f'Ti:;?^"'' Ab.a.And Ab,a berate the ^fonnc of .Dauid,the » And Afa bcga.e lofaphat And lufa fonnc of Abraham. bcgatcIo.am.And lorambcga-cO •Abialiibcgarc Ifaac, ^'^WtQ^' Ait^i Ifaac bcgatc la- *ii*-«=-S*3(;»£:^|j. And'lacobbcga- ^ [uda^ and hij brethren, Ji'tt',''"' • ''^"''i<"^'^ bcpatcl>hare»,andZaia'of r.i '. itllX- Tliamar. And'I'harci bcgatc Efrom. And "."l"^ Efn.mbcgatcAram. And Arambcgate Aminadab.And Ami And'SoIomunbcga:c l<.oboam.AndRo &• boim bcjate Aba.AnJ Abia bcgate A'a. oSamiLH. ■ ■■-' - fiBhat ' 'C-"*""''' And Ozias bcgatc >' loirhani . And loa- ^""J^'" tbam bcgatc Achaz. AndAcbaz bcgatc ,f,!,'Aj'',v«f<«.' Ezccias. '"'"f'i'ii 1 And • Eicciai bcgatc ManafTci . Atid ic ifci •■»» ManalTei bcgatc Amon. And Amon be- J°"'^7***^ gatelolu.. ,x«i»M And •lofiasbcgatc lacim.And lacim be *■ «,rnrcpc<5oDmftart:anDr«op«v« his iDMtl) : aiiO lit VDyll aftontt t icb: bitfTebarcall tt)ep tt)atpat ttKtt truam!)pm. 31 (ij) The A PAGE OF THE "BISHOPS' BIBLE," 1568 CASE 8. of the Psalter, which exhibits, printed side by side : 1 . The translation vsed in common prayer. 2. The translation after the Hebrewes. Practically, the " Bishops' Bible " was a failure ; it never succeeded in ingratiating itself into the favour of either laity or clergy. 3. THE SECOND QUARTO "BISHOPS' BIBLE". 1573. IT The holie Byble. | [Woodcut beneath title.] ([Colophon :] 5^ iTnprinted at London \ in Powles Churchyarde by Richarde lugge, | . . . | . . . | [Printer's device beneath colophon.]) (1573.) 4to. *^* The woodcut beneath the title contains a portrait of Queen Elizabeth, with a verse from John v. The second quarto edition of the " Bishops' Bible ". In this and all succeeding editions, except the folio of 1585, the Prayer Book version of the Psalter is sub- stituted for the translation given in the folio of 1 568. 4. TOMSON'S REVISION OF THE "GENEVAN NEW TESTAMENT ". 1 576. The I New Testa- | ment Of Ovr Lord ] lesvs Christ Transla- 1 ted Ovt Of Qreeke | By Theod. Beza : ] Whereunto are adioyned brief Summaries of doctrine vpon | The Euan^^elistes and Actes of the Apostles, together | with the methode of the Epistles of the Apo- | sties by the said Theod. Beza : | And also short expositions on the phrases and hard places taken | out of the large anno- tations of the foresaid Authour and | loach. Camerarius, By P. Loseler. Villerius. | Englished by L. Tomson. | [Woodcut beneath title with verse surrounding it.] Imprinted at London by Christopher Barkar | dwelling in Pontes Churchyeard at the \ eigne of the Tigres head. \ 1576. | . . . 1 — 8vo. 85 THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. *»* With woodcut map. The first edition of Tomson's revision of the Genevan New Testament. The alterations resuhed from a close comparison of the Genevan text with Beza's Latin version of 1565. This recension became the final form of the Genevan New Testament. 5. THE "RHEMES NEW TESTAMENT". 1582. The I New Testament ] Of lesvs Christ, Trans- [ lated Faithfvlly Into Engflish, | out of the authentical Latin, according: to the best cor- | rected copies of the same, diligently conferred with | the Qreekeand other editions in diuers languages : With | Argvments of bookes and chapters, Annota- | tions, and other necessarie helpes, for the better vnder- j standing of the text, and speci- ally for the discouerie of the | Corrvptions of diuers late translations, and for | cleering the Controversies in religion, of these dales : | In The English College Of Rhemes. | [15 lines.] Printed At Rhemes, | by John Fogny. \ 1582. 1 . . . I 4to. *^* Title wathin lace border. The first Roman Catholic version of the New Testament printed in Elnglish. Translated from the Latin Vulgate by Gregory Martin, William Allen (afterwards Cardinal), and Richard Bristow, but principally by the first-named. This version exercised an influence upon the terminology of the 1611 Bible (the authorised version), but not upon the structure of its text. The Old Testament was not issued until 1 609 at Doway. 86 CASE 8. 6. FULKE'S REFUTATION OF THE " RHEMES NEW TESTAMENT". 1589. The I Text Of The New ] Testament Of lesvs ] Christ, Trans- lated Ovt Of I the vulgar Latine by the Papists of the traite- | rous | Seminarie | at Rhemes. With Argu- ments of I Bookes, Chapters, and Annotations, pre- tending to I discouer the corruptions of diuers transla- I tions, and to cleare the controuer- | sies of these dayes. | IF VVhereunto is added the Translation out | of the Original Qreeke, commonly vsed in | the Church of England, ] With 1 A Confvtation Of AH | Svch Argv- ments. Glosses, And | Annotations, As Conteine Manifest I impietie, of heresie, treason, and slander, against the Catho- I like Church of Qod, and the true teachers thereof, or | the Translations vsed in the Church of England : | Both by auctoritie of the holy Scriptures, | and by the testimonie of the an- | cient fathers. | ^ By William Fvike, | . . . | H Imprinted at London by the Deputies of Ghri- \ stopher Barker ... | ... | Anno 1589. | Fol. *^* Title within woodcut border. The first systematic attempt to refute the arguments and accusations contained in the Rheims New Testament of 1582. Many partial replies had been already published, but nothing so comprehensive as this. 7. THE FIRST " DOW AY BIBLE". 1609. The I Holie Bible | Faithfvlly Trans- | lated into English, ] Ovt Of The Avthentical | Latin. | Diligently conferred with the Hebrew, Greeke, | and other Editions in diuers languages. J With Argvments of the Bookes, and Chapters : | Annotations : Tables : and other helpes, | for better vnderstanding of the text : for discouerie of | Corrvptions in some late translations : and | for clearing 87 THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. Controversies in Religion. | By tlie Englisli College Of Doway. j ... 1 ... | Printed at Doway hy Lavrence Kellam, \ at the Signe of the holie Lambe. \ M.DC.IX. | (-M.DC.X.) 2 vols. 4to. *^* Title within lace border. The first Roman Catholic version of the whole Bible in English, Like the Rhemes New Testament of 1 582, of which it is the complement, it rendered into Elnglish the text of the Vulgate. It owes its existence, not so much to a desire on the part of the Church of Rome to produce a vernacular Bible as to the fact that the number of English Bibles in circulation compelled the Roman authorities to pro- duce what they wished to be received as the standard Roman Catholic English version. CASE 9. THE AUTHORISED VERSION OF 1611. 1. THE AUTHORISED VERSION OF THE BIBLE. 1611. The I Holy \ Bible, | Conteyning the Old Testa- | ment, and the New : | IF Newly Translated out of | the Originall Tongues : and with | the former Translations diligently I compared and reuised, by his | Maiesties speciall Com- I mandement. | II Appointed to be read in Churches. | IT Imprinted | at London by Robert \ Barker, Printer- to the I Kings most Excellent \ Maiestie. \ Anno Doaa 1611. J Fol. *^* Title within woodcut border containing the words " Cum Priuilegio " at the base. 88 TITLE-PAGE OF THE "AUTHORISED VERSION," 1611 CASE 9. The first edition of " King James' Bible," commonly called the " Authorised Version ". The idea of this new translation was due to John Rainolds, President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, the Puritan leader at the Hampton Court Conference, 1604. The King took up the proposal warmly, and its achievement was due to his royal interest and influence. The translators numbered about fifty, and were divided into six companies, each company being responsible for a certain section of the Scrip- tures. The results of their several labours were subjected to mutual criticism, and then underwent nine months' final revision by a representative com- mittee of six members. The directions were to take the *' Bishops' Bible " as a basis and to consult the other versions. Like all the principal Ejiglish versions from 1537 to 1885, this version was built upon the foundations laid by Tindale and Coverdale. It won its way by sheer merit, until gradually it displaced even the Genevan Bible in popular ad'ection, and established itself as the sole recognised version of the Bible in English. From about the middle of the seventeenth century down to the appearance of the Revised Version in 1881-85 it reigned without a rival. There seem to have been two impressions of this first edition, probably due to the impossibility of one printing office being able to supply in the time allotted the number of copies required, about 20,000, One impression reads in Ruth iii. 15:" She went into the citie " ; the other reads '* He went into the citie," with the result that two series of editions of this version grew up, one following the " She " edition, the other the " He " edition. It is impossible to say which, if either, was the earlier, 89 THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. although precedence is generally given to the " He '* edition, of which this is a copy. 2. THE AUTHORISED VERSION OF THE BIBLE. 1611. The 1 Holy | Bible. 1 . . . *^* Another copy of the Authorised Version, with the reading : " She went into the citie ". 3. THE SECOND FOLIO AUTHORISED VERSION. 1613. The I Holy | Bible, | Conteyning the Old Testa- ] ment, and the New: | IT Newly translated out of | the Originall Tongues: and with | the former Translations diligently | compared and reuised by his | Maiesties speciall Com- | mandement. | IT Appointed to be read in Churches. | '^Imprinted \ at London hy Robert \ Barker, Printer to the I Kings most excellent \ Maiestie. \ Anno Dom. 1613. I Fol *^* Title within woodcut border. The second folio edition of the Authorised Version. The ' New Testament title is dated 1611. It is supposed that the greater part of the volume was printed in 1611, but that the publication was for some unknown reason delayed till 1613. 4. THE OCTAVO AUTHORISED VERSION. 1612. The I Holy Bible | Conteining The | Olde Testament, | And The New. | IF Newly Translated out of the Originall | Tongues : and with the former Translations dili- | gently compared and reuised, by his Maie- | sties speciall Commandement. | Imprinted at Lon- \ don by Robert Barker \ Printer to the Kings most Ex- \ cellent Maiestie. \ Anno 1612. | 8vo. go ^talkethwitli Ch; 10 :%tD DeeiaiD, usuiTcD bctt)ou of tI)c1t«DK©, 111? Daugl)tci: : tor tljott Dtitl ttitvotn molt Hmtntdc in tfjc lattcc mtjcthcn at tlic beginning, m as mart) as tl)on foUoVbcDll nct^ongmtn, U)!)e* tl)crpoo.2C,o2cat). 1 1 Znn nott) mp baagI)tct,ftatcnot, 3} Vbtu DOC to tlicc all t5at tljou rcqui^ rdl : fo2 all rtjt t titic of nip people ftoet!) mtoU) , tijat tl)ou act a ipcnuous ibo-^ nian« II :ani) nott) it is ttue , tijat 3f am thv ncacc Kmfnnan : DotUbeit tl)ecc is a Wnfnnan nearer tUcn % 1} %nx^ tl)is lugin, anu it Cbail bt in tt^ mo2iung, tl)atifl)cci\jiU pcrfozmc Unto t!^ec tt)c pact of a binfeman , rbcu, letljim tjoe tl)c mnfcnians pact; but if t)ecU)iUnotDoctl)epact ofafemfcmau ,to tljce , tDmfttu j mt t\)t pact of a fcinfcman to tlicc, astlit fLoKj© liuctl): I lie bottjiic Dnnil tl)c mo?mng. 14 c^nt)fl)cciavatl)t£fcctebntiH tijcmozumg :anDfl)crofct)pbcfo2c one couio Huott) anotl)cc. Znn \)t laio , %ct itnot bcfenottjen, tl)at aibomancame Utfotl)cfloo?c. I 15 :aifotjtfaib,25imgtlK!!baaetl)at 'tt)oul)aftbpon tl)cc,anDl)olDctf. :^nD Vbljni (l}e liclbc it, \)t nicafucco ftjce mea- lures of baclcv, aiiD laiDc u on Ijcc : anb IjcVbcnt into tlic title. 16 :anD ibljcn a)ce tame toiler mo- tliccinlatt),fl)cfaiD , naho at tliou, mj» h.-..mhfrr^.inT>nirfninrtirrnllr!l,ltrilc ztalkcthwith Cha 10 Ztm IjeeEalb, Slefleb be tOouof tlje 1L€>ttD, nip Dauginec : tor tDon ijada^clbeomo^e binbnefTetn tf)e latter eno,t|)en at tf)e beginning, in as mart) asti)onfoUotbeDftnot pong men, tbD^ rtjetpoo;eo;cicU. 11 :Sni)noibmpbaugI)tev,feacenot, 3)lbiUi)oe totI)ee alWt t^ou tequt; ceil : fo; all tDe t citie of mp people boert) ftnotb, tl)at tDon act a bectuous voo- man. I z :^nb notb it (S ttae,tl)at 3 am chv neace binfeman: botbbctt tf)ere is a binfeman neacec tl)en % i; Xacptt)tsnigDt,anliit(l)allbein tl)e moaning , tt)at if t)e tbiU pecfoime bnto tljec tl)c pact of a btnfeman , ibcll, let Dim boc tlie binfcmanspact; but if Ijeeibill not boett)e pactofaftinfinttan totDec, t\)ti\ tbill 3 Dot tDe pact of a Hinfeman to tDee,as rt)e %iD\&w> Unetl): lie botbne bntill tDe mo;ning. 14 C^nbiDeiapatDisfeetetmtm tDe moining: anb (D e cof e bp befb;e one conlbttnoibanotDec. :9nbDe(! ■ ^: r -I'i'.c^. >--T"- •::-^:ir^j jttfg?