of a first attempt at translation, Tyndale The fierce hostility of the King and clergy says: "Count it as a thynge not havynge of England, and the public burning of so his full shape, but as it were borne afore many of Tyndale's books in May, 1530, aphys tyme, even as a thyng begunne rather pear to have checked the sale of the Scripthan fynnesshed." Between 1525 and 1530 tures. No new edition was published besix editions of Tyndale's New Testament tween the years 1530 and 1534. But Tynwere printed, three of them at Antwerp be- dale was not idle. His whole time and ening surreptitious, and containing many er- ergies were devoted to the revision of the rors. It is probable that the six editions New Testament, and to the translation of included not less than 18,000 copies; yet the remaining books of the Old. In August, the demand was so great that they were 1534, an edition of his New Testament was readily sold. The English hierarchy were published in Holland, edited by George furious. They used all the means in their Joye, a native of Bedfordshire, educated at power, by seizure and purchase, to obtain Cambridge, who made serious changes in possession of the books. Tunstall, Bishop the text, and introduced errors and corrupof London, when on his way to Cambray in tions from the Latin.* Joye's edition gave 1529, passed through Antwerp. There he great dissatisfaction to Tyndale. But in arranged with a London merchant, called November of the same year he issued a new Packington, to buy up Tyndale's Testa- and revised edition of his own, with short ments, at whatever cost, that he might burn marginal notes and Prologues to the several them at Paul's Cross. This was done. But books, chiefly compiled from those of LuPackington was obliged to pay large prices ther. It is the first edition containing the and ready money. Tyndale, before har- name of the translator. In the preface he assed with debt, contracted in a noble en- says, "Here thou hast the New Testament terprise, now found himself in possession or Covenant made wyth us of God in of a little fortune. He paid his debts, re- Christes bloude. Which I have looked vised his translation, and in due time issued over agayne (now at the last) with all dylya far larger and more accurate edition.* gence, and compared it unto the Greke, and have weded oute of it many fautes, which lacke of helpe at the begynninge and oversyght did soue therein." Every chapter bears testimony to Tyndale's industry, and conscientious desire to produce a perfect translation. He not only re-examined the Greek text with critical minuteness, but he manifestly consulted the German of Luther, and Latin of Erasmus, on all doubtful passages. He also improved the style of the English, making it in many places more vigorous and idiomatical. His marginal notes are brief, but terse and thoughtful; never failing to elucidate the word or phrase commented on. In addition to the New Testament, this volume contained a translation of the Epistles from the Old Testament and Apocrypha, read in the Church on certain days, after the use of Salisbury." These embrace a few verses from each of fourteen canonical, and three Apocryphal books; they were evidently translated from the Hebrew and Greek originals, and are characterized by all the vigour and critical acumen of Tyndale. A copy of this edition, printed on vellum, and splendidly illuminated and bound, was presented by Tyndale to Anne Boleyn, as a testimony Having completed the new Testament, Tyndale began to translate the Old. The Book of Genesis was "emprented at Marlborow, in the land of Hesse, by me, Hans Luft," on 17th January, 1530.† It was followed by Deuteronomy, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, each published separately, and having a distinct Prologue. Genesis and Numbers are in black letter; the others in Roman letter. In the following year the whole Pentateuch was published with a general preface. This was the first portion of the Old Testament translated into English out of the Original Hebrew. Tyndale appears to have been its sole author, for though he may have met both Frith and Coverdale at Hamburg, while engaged in his work, there is no evidence of their having given him any assistance. Besides, in the assembly convened at London by Bishop Warham on May 24th, 1530, the versions both of the Old Testament and the New there condemned, are distinctly said to be Tyndale's.§ After an interval of three years, Tyndale printed a version of the Book of Jonah, made from the Hebrew, which was reprinted in fac simile in 1863 by Mr. Fry. * Anderson's "Annals," i. p. 214. ↑ "Bibliothec. Grenvil.," if; Tyndale's "Works," ed. Watton, i. p. xl. One perfect copy is in the Grenville library, and there are besides several fragments, one being in the Bodleian. § Collier, iv. 140; Anderson i. 257. The book is now very rare. A perfect copy is in the Grenville collection, British Museum. † It was printed at Antwerp, by Marten Emperowr," in 12mo., with the following title-"The newe Testament dylygently corrected and compared with the Greke by Willyam Tindale." of his gratitude for the protection she af-ied Greek at Oxford and Cambridge, and forded one of his persecuted friends.* Hebrew under the Jewish Rabbins of GerIn November, 1534, Tyndale's revised many; and he studied with such success, New Testament was printed at Antwerp; that his scholarship was lauded even by his and in the same month he was basely be- bitterest enemies. Spalatin thus wrote of trayed by a man named Phillips, who had him in 1526: "Six thousand copies of the been specially sent to Antwerp for that English Testament have been printed at purpose by the King of England and his Worms. It was translated by an EnglishPopish council. Tyndale was dragged away man, who was so complete a master of seven to the castle of Vilvoord, near Brussels, languages, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Italian, where he remained a prisoner for two years. Spanish, English, French, that you would He appears to have employed the whole of fancy that whichsoever one he spoke in was that time in the work of translation and re- his mother tongue." He was entirely free vision. In 1535, a new edition of his Tes- from prejudice. He cast aside all the ectament, the last revised by himself, was clesiastical and theological glosses and dogpublished at Antwerp. It was without note mas, that had, during later ages, become or comment, but the text exhibits many im- incrusted upon the words of Scripture. He portant changes and emendations. "Some-employed a vigorous and graceful Saxon times the changes are made to secure a style and idiom. He adopted the language closer accordance with the Greek, some- of the English people that noble lantimes to gain a more vigorous or a more guage which Shakspeare has placed on a idiomatic rendering; sometimes to preserve level with the choicest literature of Greece a just uniformity; sometimes to introduce a and Rome. Throughout his whole translanew interpretation. The very minuteness tions there is the stamp of truthfulness. No of the changes is a singular testimony to the word is selected to please the ear of roydiligence with which Tyndale still laboured alty, to advance the cause of party, or to at his appointed work. Nothing seemed favour a particular dogma. With perfect trifling to him, we may believe, if only he sincerity and truth, Tyndale was able to could better seize or convey to others the say, "I call God to witness that I never meaning of one fragment of Scripture." † altered one syllable of God's Word against Tyndale's work was finished, and his noble my conscience." life was now drawing to a close. On the Before his imprisonment, Tyndale had sixth of October, 1536, he was executed in formed a close friendship and alliance with the town of Vilvoord. His last words were a man of kindred spirit—John Rogers, the worthy of the cause for which he lived, and Reformer and martyr. Rogers was edufor which he died. Standing beside the cated at Cambridge, where he was distinstake, he lifted up his hands and prayed-guished for classical scholarship. Having "Lord Jesus, open the eyes of the King of England!" Tyndale's translation, so far as it goes, is the basis of our English Bible." In it," says Westcott," the general character and mould of our whole version was definitely fixed. The labours of the next seventy-five years were devoted to improving it in detail." Any one can now see this for himself by a glance at the English Hexapla." Tyndale's sole object manifestly was to place the English reader in direct contact with the sacred writers. He had no party purpose to serve, for he belonged to no party. He was a student of God's Word, and not of the schools of human philosophy or ecclesiastical theology. He used all means of gaining a profound knowledge of Greek and Hebrew, that he might be able to go to the fountain head of Revelation. He stud It is now in the library of the British Museum, and bears the simple legend Anna Regina Anglia. It is the edition of 1534, which is printed with such care and neatness in Bagster's "English Hexapla." ↑ Westcott," History of English Bible," p. 190. taken orders, he was appointed chaplain to the company of English merchants at Antwerp. There he met Tyndale, was convinced of the errors of Rome, and became an ardent student of Scripture. He appears to have assisted Tyndale in the work of revising his translation for the press, and in the preparation of the Old Testament. The version of the Pentateuch was, as has been shown, published in 1530; that of Jonah appeared three years later; and we have evidence that Tyndale, before his death, had completed a translation from the Hebrew as far as the end of the Second Book of Chronicles. After his death, Rogers determined to prosecute the noble work, and publish a complete English Bible. His name, however, had been associated with Tyndale's, and would therefore naturally be displeasing to that section of the English people who had persecuted Tyndale; he consequently published under the feigned name of Thomas Matthew. This fact, af • Ibid., p. 42. firmed by Foxe, has been questioned; and | country. It was the first complete English it may be that Thomas Matthew was a real Bible ever printed. But the translation person, an assistant of Rogers. Be this as was not original. Coverdale was not qualiit may, the English Bible was put to press. fied for such a task; his knowledge of HeIt was made up of Tyndale's published Pen- brew appears to have been limited. He tateuch and New Testament, Tyndale's new states, with great simplicity and commendtranslation of Joshua to 2 Chronicles, and able honesty in his Dedication to the King: Coverdale's version of the remaining books "I have faithfully translated this out of five of the Old Testament. It does not appear sundry interpreters." These were probably that Rogers attempted more than a cursory -1. The German of Luther; 2. The Swissrevision of the translations already in his German of Leo Juda, published at Zurich, hands. He adopted Tyndale's latest cor- 1525-29; 3. The Latin of Sanctes Pagnirected edition of the New Testament, pub- nus; 4. The Vulgate; 5. The English lished in 1535. His object was, as stated Pentateuch, Book of Jonah, and New Tesby Westcott, "to present the earlier texts tament of Tyndale. One characteristic of in a combined form, which might furnish the Coverdale's, as compared with Tyndale's common basis of later revision."* When translation is, that it manifests a strong the printing had advanced as far as Isaiah sympathy for ecclesiastical terms, which it funds failed. Application was then made embodies freely from the Vulgate, such as to Richard Grafton and Edward Whitchurch, “ penance," "priest," "church,” “conmerchants in London, afterwards celebrated fess," &c. Another characteristic is, that as printers. They supplied the necessary smoothness and rhythm of language are money, and the book was completed. studied more than exact literality in renderThrough Grafton's influence with Cranmer ing. Some of his phrases, however, are and Crumwell, the King's licence was obtained; and in 1537, not quite a year after Tyndale's martyrdom, a complete English version of the Bible was freely distributed in this country by Royal authority. Tyndale's last prayer was answered. The title of this volume, which may be regarded as the basis of our Authorized Version, is as follows: "The Byble, which is all the Holy Scripture. In whych are contayned the Olde and Newe Testament truely and purely translated into Englysh. By Thomas Matthew. 1537. Set forth with the Kinges most gracyous licece." It is a large folio, in German type, and was printed probably either at Marburg or Hamburg. At the beginning of Isaiah, where Grafton and Whitchurch took it up, there is a new title, "The Prophetes in Englishe;" and on the next page is a large wood-cut, with the initials R. G. at the top, and E. W. at the bottom, indicating the sources from which the funds came for printing. The Dedication to King Henry and Queen Jane is subscribed with the initials T. M.; but a Preface, entitled "An Exhortation to the Study of the Holy Scripture, gathered out of the Bible," is subscribed J. R.; and at the end of the Old Testament, in very large characters, are the well-known initials, W. T. Two years previous to the publication of Matthew's Bible, and one year before Tyndale's martyrdoin, an English version, bearing the name of MILES COVERDALE, was printed at Zurich, and distributed in this * Westcott, p. 231. very happy. Coverdale followed Tyndale's version closely in the Pentateuch and New Testament, and any changes he introduced are taken either from the German or Vulgate. In his version of the prophetical books, as he had no English guide, he translated almost verbatim from the Swiss-German Bible. The title of the book states the plain truth; it is as follows: “ Biblia. The Bible, that is, the Holy Scripture of the Olde and New Testament faithfully and truly translated out of the Douche and Latyn in to Englishe," 1535. It has been stated already that in Matthew's Bible, the Old Testament books from Ezra to Malachi were taken wholly from Coverdale, and in this way Coverdale's version contributed in some degree to the formation of the text of ou present English Bible. In it, too, various renderings of difficult words and phrases are placed on the margin, and here we see the origin of that system of marginal readings or glosses, which has been so judiciously followed in the Authorized Version. Coverdale's Bible was freely admitted into England. It was dedicated to Henry VIII., and it was unquestionably sanctioned and patronized by Crumwell and Cranmer, who became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1533: but it does not appear to have received any formal royal licence. At a meeting of Convocation of the province of Canterbury, held December 19th, 1534, it was agreed to request the King to decree that a translation of the Scriptures into English should be made.* Intelligence of this • Strype's "Memorials of Cranmer," i. 35. was conveyed to Coverdale, and probably the same." Coverdale may at this time encouragement and aid were given him by have had some knowledge of Oriental lanCranmer to prosecute the work of transla-guages, or he may have had learned assisttion. After the Bible appeared and began ants; but even without a knowledge of Heto be circulated in England, it was thought brew, he might have effectively carried out prudent to print a new title-page and pro- his plan, for he had in his hands the "Comfogue, to render it more acceptable to the plutensian Polyglott," which contains a people. The new title-page was not so Latin translation of the Chaldee Parahonest as the original one, for it made no phrase, and he had also the very accurate mention of the sources of the version, and and literal version of the Old Testament by merely said "faithfully translated into Sebastian Münster, which was published at English." In 1536 an injunction was is- Basle in 1534-5. The corrections made in sued by Crumwell to the effect - "That Tyndale's Pentateuch and historical books every parson, or proprietary of any parish are chiefly after Münster; but some are church within this realm, shall on this side from the Vulgate. In the New Testament of the feast of St. Peter ad vincula (Aug. 1) Tyndale's version is considerably modified, next coming, provide a book of the whole so as to bring it into closer conformity to Bible in Latin, and also in English, and lay the Vulgate version. "An analysis of the the same in the quire for every man that will variations in the First Epistle of St. John to look and read therein."* Coverdale's may furnish a type of its general character. was the only English Bible then extant, As nearly as I can reckon there are seventyand consequently it may be regarded as the one differences between Tyndale's text first authorized version. In 1536 a new and (1534) and that of the Great Bible; of revised edition was issued, " Imprinted in these forty-three come directly from CoverSouthwarke for James Nycolson," and was dale's earlier revision (and in a great the first English Bible printed in England; measure indirectly from the Latin): sevenat the foot of the title-page are these impor- teen from the Vulgate, where Coverdale tant words "Set forth with the King's before had not followed it; the remaining most gracious licence." Though this was eleven variations are from other sources." the first Bible printed in England, it was A large number of words and short phrases, not the first sacred volume. Tyndale's New like glosses, have been introduced into the Testament was printed in London by Ber- text, especially in the New Testament, thelet in 1536.† from the Vulgate, which have no equivaThe authorities in England were not sat-lents in the original.† Some erroneous isfied with either Coverdale's or Tyndale's renderings also were adopted from the version, both of which were in circulation in 1537; consequently Crumwell and others resolved to have a new English translation prepared. Considerable obscurity exists both as to the way in which it was prepared, and the parties who originally planned, and aided in carrying out the work. Some say Rogers bore a leading part in it. It seems, however, that Coverdale was selected as editor, and Grafton as printer; and that it was commenced at the close of 1537 or early in 1538. Matthew's Bible was adopted as the basis; but the whole text was carefully, though, as will be shown, not very judiciously, revised and compared with the Hebrew and Greek. Coverdale states in letters to Crumwell how the work of revision was conducted:-"We follow," he says, **not only a standing text of the Hebrews, with the interpretation of the Chaldee and the Greek; but we set also in a private table the diversity of readings of all texts, with such annotations in another table as shall doubtless delucidate (sic) and clear same source, one of which may be mentioned, as it is unfortunately retained in our Authorized Version. It is in St. John x. 16, which Tyndale translates thus - "And other shepe I have which are not of this folde. Them also must I bringe, that they maye heare my voyce, and that ther maye be one flocke and one shepeherde." In the new Bible this was rendered, " And other shepe I have, which are not of this fold. Them also must I bring, and they shall heare my voyce, and ther shall be one fold and one shepeherde." The force of the passage is here lost by confounding the Greek words avλn, "a fold," and oiun, "a flock;" both are rendered "fold," though Tyndale was right in his translation. The reviser followed the Vulgate, which has ovile in both places. The Book of Psalms appears to have been revised with more care and success than * Westcott, p. 257. † Among the most remarkable is 1 Tim. iv. 18, where the following words are interpolated by the auctoryte of presthode;" other examples may be seen in 1 John i. 4; ii. 23; iii. 1; v.9; Matt. xxvi. A copy of this rare edition is in the Bodleian. 53; xxvii. 8; Luke xxiv. 36; Acts xv. 34, 41; Rom. Anderson, i. 549. 1. 32; James v. 3; 2 Peter i. 10; ii. 4, &c. Foxe, v. p. 167; Anderson, i. 509. THE ENGLISH BIBLE. any other part of the Bible. This did not result so much from a stricter adhesion to the Hebrew text, as from a careful study of Luther's version and the German-Swiss. Both of these versions are distinguished by a regard to the spirit more than to the mere letter and idiom of the original. Their language is smooth, flowing, and therefore often paraphrastic. So is the English version; and it is, perhaps for this reason, better adapted for chanting, and for the public services of the Church than any version which has hitherto appeared. The Psalter, as originally published in this Bible, is still retained in the Liturgy of the Established Church. their erudition." A second edition, printed in London, appeared in April, 1540, and on its title-page mention is made of Cranmer's Prologue; a third edition was published in July, and a fourth in November of the same year.* English people at this period was so great The demand for the Bible among the that it was found almost impossible to supply it. Edition after edition issued from the press. The following facts will give tures were circulated. In 1534, five edisome idea of the extent to which the Scriptions of the English New Testament were printed at Antwerp, and one of the PentaThe printing of the Bible was begun in four editions of the New Testament and teuch at Marburg. In 1535, there were Paris by royal licence; but before it was quite completed the licence was withdrawn, tions of the New Testament and one of one of the whole Bible. In 1536, ten ediand the sheets seized and condemned to the the whole Bible. In 1537, two editions of flames by the Jesuits.* Many were actu- the Bible. In 1538, seven editions of the ally burnt; but a considerable number New Testament. In 1539, four of the New were sold, as Foxe informs us, "to a hab-Testament, and four of the Bible. In erdasher to lap caps in." terwards rebought by Grafton, and in the New Testament. In most of the editions These were af- 1540, four of the Bible, and three of the end imported to England. Before the seiz- the copies were large and expensive, and ure some copies appear to have been sent yet they were bought up and read with exto Crumwell through the Bishop of Here-traordinary avidity. From the time of the ford, then Ambassador at Paris; and after much trouble Grafton succeeded in bringing over the workmen, presses, type, and paper to London, where THE GREAT BIBLE was published in April, 1539.† As first issued, there was no Prologue; but some copies have been found, which contain a Prologue written by Archbishop Cranmer in November, 1539. this seems to be that the copies printed and The explanation of completed in London, in April, were issued at once, before the Prologue was written; but afterwards, on the recovery of the sheets saved from the flames in Paris, they also were completed in London, a Prologue was prepared for them by the Archbishop, and then they were published and circulated. The Prologue is important, as containing some historical references to the early circulation of the English Bible, a defence of the policy of printing and distributing the Scriptures in the language of the people, and a strong recommendation to every man to read for himself at home; Cranmer, the Holy Spirit hath so ordered "for," says and attempered the Scriptures, that in them as well publicans, fishers, and shepherds may find their edification, as great doctors 66 *This occurred on the 17th of December, 1538. + Its title is as follows: "The Byble in Englyshe, that is to saye the content of all the holy Scripture, both of ye olde and newe testament, truly translated after the veryte of the Hebreue and Greke texts, by ye dylygent studye of dyverse excellent learned men, expert in the forsayde tonges." printing of Tyndale's New Testament in 1525 till 1542, no less than thirty-nine editions of the New Testament and fourteen of the whole Bible were issued. The effect of the circulation of the Scriptures was wonderful. People of every age, rank, and class seemed animated by an irrepressible desire to read or hear the Word of those who were able and willing to read in God. Those who had the means bought it; public had crowds of eager listeners always round them. Boys and old men, matrons, flocked to the churches, where ponderous Bibles, chained to the massive girls and pillars, lay open upon stands for the use of the public. Bishop Bonner, afterwards one of the most active of Queen Mary's persecuting agents, set up six large Bibles in St. Paul's. A still more remarkable example of prelatical inconsistency occurred in the same year. Bishop Tunstall, who had been one of the prime movers in the bonfire of Tyndale's Testaments at St. Paul's Cross, pare a new edition of the very book he had was ordered by the King, in 1540, to prehelped to burn. He did so. pleted in November, and has on the titlepage these words: It was comThe Byble in Englishe. every Church in this sayd realme to be frequented and used in 66 because he wrote the Prologue, or because he was |