Full text of "Catalogue of an exhibition of manuscripts and printed copies of the Scriptures, illustrating the history of the transmission of the Bible"

JOHN RYLANDS

OF THE

ENGLISH BIBLE

A.D. 161M911

CATALOGUE OF AN EXHIBITION
OF MANUSCRIPT AND PRINTED
COPIES OF THE SCRIPTURES
ILLUSTRATING THE HISTORY
OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE
BIBLE

Price Sixpence

THE LIBRARY

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.

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. l6l I-

MANCHESTER : AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS. LONDON :
BERNARD QUARITCH, AND SHERRATT AND HUGHES.
MCMXI

ABERDEEN :
THE UNIVERSITY PRESS

771

SRlf

URB

PREFATORY NOTE.

""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 1 1 , 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 are 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 are 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 catalogue 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, again,
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 peculiarities of many of
the editions shown. These notes will often supplement the

PREFATORY NOTE.

information contained in the introductory sketch, and vice-
versa.

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 RYLANDS LIBRARY,
25th 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 37

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, llth cent. ------ 39

7. Minuscule Greek Gospels, llth 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. - - - 43

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, 1516 ... 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.

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 WicliBte New Testament, c. A.D. 1400 - 60

3. Queen Elizabeth's Copy of the Later Wiclifite Gospels, c. A.D.

1410 61

4. Later Wicliflte 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. TINDALE, 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

xii

CONTENTS.

CASE 8. THE "BISHOPS' BIBLE," RHEMES, AND DOWAY

1. The " Bishops' Bible," 1568 83

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 ... - 1 18
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-page of the " Great Bible," 1539 78

A page of the "Genevan Bible," 1560 - - 82

A page of 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.

r*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 an 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
i

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 1 , Nos. 1 -4).

Besides the Hebrew Massoretic manuscripts there exists
another important recension of one portion of the Old

_ i i o r 1 T-L- SAMARITAN

1 estament, namely, the oamantan rentateuch. 1 his PENTA-

J 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 GREEK
in the New Testament canon. Between their comple- TEXT
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 N), 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- SEPTUAGINT
guages in which the books of the Old and New Testa- VERSION -
ment were composed, the various translations of the Bible are of
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 earliest form
of the text of the Old Testament 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 LATIN
of greatest interest by reason of its general use through-
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 SYR i AC
which there are two early forms in existence, called VER
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 of 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 ARAmic
furnish us with very early evidence as to the original TARGUris -
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 after 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 vernacu- COPT ic
lar language used in Egypt in the early centuries of VERSION -
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

I * * 1 * *1I

having given to his own countrymen, in or about the p^ ISH
year 1 382, the first complete Bible in their own tongue. PHRA5E5

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, and
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

O O * 1

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

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 date
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 after 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
English version in prose of an entire book of Scripture appears
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 1349.

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
prepared 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-

. |. . i. | ... r THE WI-

ruption in discipline, and corruption in the patronage or 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
English 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

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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 Early
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 :
" Explic* 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 language, 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 Wiclifs death was not productive of
any great development of the movement for reform. Wiclifs
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 Wiclifs 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 TH E PRINTED
circulating the Scriptures was late in entering the lists.
England was nourishing her faith on manuscript copies of Wiclifs
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 may 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

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 for 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 CREEK 05
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).

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

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," which 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 English. 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 TINDALE-S
translation of the New Testament. There is little TESTAMENT -
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

Early 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 Testament was an event of the utmost im-
portance, marking, as it did, an 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

, A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE HISTORY

Unjust Steward, in which he makes an attack upon the so-called
" spirituality," 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 shall 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-

. . TEUCH.

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 theftemerity 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 1 534 he re-issued
the "Pentateuch," and produced the revision of his, "'New Testa-
ment " (Case 6, No. 5), which was to form the basis of all the
subsequent versions, down to and including the Revision of 1 88 1 .

With this Testament Tindale's hopes began to rise 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, grammar, 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,
where 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 familiar 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, DALE'S
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. 12).

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 MATTHEWS
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. 1 3).

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, 1537, begs
him to read the book, a copy of which he sends with the letter,

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 TAYERNER-S
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 realised 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

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 THE CREAT
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. 1 ).

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,

, 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 Cover dale'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 1 553 to 1 558 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, 1555, 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

OF THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BIBLE.

his right hand was Theodore Beza. This attracted so many
Englishmen 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 English version of the Scrip-

THE GENE

tures. The first instalment of his labours was a VANT|STA-
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 up
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
Bible. It is impossible to say how many had a hand
in it. Coverdale was residing at Geneva for a time and
may have assisted, whilst a similar claim may be advanced 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

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
1 560 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 licence 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

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 1 564, it was resolved that a revised version
of the Bible, which should be " de facto " the Church's

THE

own version, should with all convenient speed be BISHOPS-
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,"

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 16 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 catholicly 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 and untruthful translations 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

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 earliest 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 Testament 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

3 1

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 .have 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, VER
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 English, 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.

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.
Each 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. 1 -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 translation. 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

, B 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 publicly sanctioned by Convocation, or by Parliament, 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
English versions. Long after 1611 the "Genevan Version"
continued to be the household Bible of a large portion of the
English 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.

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 1611,
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.

CASE I.
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.

%* Executed 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. 9 T V in. (230 mm.) high. On vellum.
17th cent.

%* The scroll-handles 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 scroll-
handles pass. It is made of expensive material, which
must not have been used for any other purpose.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

Between the sectional readings of the law in the synagogue
the scroll is closed and covered with the mantle,
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.

Megillat 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 Hi 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 another 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 disappearance 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,
prologues, etc. 8^ x 6 in. (205 x 155 mm.). On
vellum, llth cent.

* m * 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

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 pi^ar at the back of the
desk supports a mirror from which a hanging lamp
is suspended.

7. MINUSCULE GREEK GOSPELS, llth cent.

The Four Gospels in Greek. 9 x 6j in. (235 x 170 mm.).
On vellum, llth 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 dp%f) rjv o \6yos ".

8. SAMARITAN PENTATEUCH. A.D. 1211.

The Pentateuch in Samaritan. lOf x 9 in. (276 x 228
mm.). On vellum. A.D. 1211.

4 o

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. Graecorum codex Vaticanus 1209 (cod. B) 'denuo
phototypice expressus iussu et cura praesidum Byblio-
thecae Vaticanae . . . [Codices e Vaticanis select! 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 manuscripts 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. 11 T V x 8j in. (290 x 227 mm.). On vellum.
About A.D. 550.

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

CASE 2.

Heraclean form of that version. 10g x 7 T s ff in. (275 x
1S6 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 European 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 (SAIDIC) VERSION OF ST. LUKE. 7th-

8th cent.

Fragment of the Gospel of Saint Luke in the Sai'dic 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 Sai'dic or Thebaic. The Boheiric version re-
presents the dialect of Lower Egypt, from the Arabic
name of which the term itself is derived. The
Saiidic translation exhibits the dialect of Upper Egypt,
and is less polished than the other.

5. COPTIC (SAIDIC) VERSION OF JEREMIAH. 10th-

1 1 th cent.

Fragment of the Prophet Jeremiah in the Sai'dic form of the
Coptic translation. 13| x 10 T 7 ff in. (345 x 265 mm.). On
vellum. lOth-llth cent.

^ 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
Empire. 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 Gospels in Latin. With tables of Eusebian canons,
prologues, etc. 9 T 7 ^ x 7 T 9 ff 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 7fV 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.

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.

. THE FIRST PRINTED HEBREW TEXT (PSALTER).
BOLOGNA, 1477.

[Colophon], | ... i-TlDOn TTOp p t\DV p TH ION [Begin.]

-vow /D'noDrr rtsb&n rraWnrt nyi

DV
rriai r\DV ^uwri [Bologna]

Fol. ([i.e. 1477]

** The first portion of the Old Testament in Hebrew
that issued from the press; accompanied by die
commentary of Kimchi.

2. THE FIRST PRINTED HEBREW HISTORICAL
BOOKS. SONCINO, 1485.

TT nl > ' rra^n n^M^ [Begin.]
Fol. ([i.e. Soncino, 1485]

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.

Hdvra Th Kar' 'E^o^rjv Ka\,ov/j,J>a | J3t/3X,ia eta?

rpa</>% JTaXam? Te, | Kai JVea?. | Sacrae Scriptvrae
Veteris, | Novaeqve Omnia. | [Aldine device beneath
title.]

%* This is the first edition of the whole Bible in Greek
to be put into circulation. It was edited by the
father-in-law and brothers-in-law of Aldus, by whom
the press was managed after the death of Aldus.

4. THE FIRST PRINTED BIBLE. [MAINZ, 1456?]

[Begin :] Incipit epistola sancti iheronimi ad | paulinum
presbiterum de omnibus | diuine historie libris. capitulu
pmu. | [Fol. 5 recto, col. 1, text:] Incipit liber bresith que
nos genesim | . . . dicinv* | [End.,fol. 641 verso, col. 2,
line 40 :] Venio cito amen. Veni domine ihe- [ su.
Gratia dni nri ihesu cristi tu omni- | b; vobis ame. (
[Mainz; before Aug. 24, 1456.] In 2 vols. Fol.

%* This Latin Bible was amongst the first productions
of the printing-press in Europe, and the earliest
work of any size that has survived to the present
day. Eleven copies on vellum and twenty- seven on
paper, in a more or less perfect state, are said to be
known, out of an edition that may have consisted of
180 paper and 30 vellum copies.

The first copy of this Bible to attract attention was one
4 6

CASE 3.

in the library of Cardinal Mazarin, to which fact it
owes its popular name of " Mazarin " Bible. To
bibliographers it is known as the " 42-line Bible,"
from the number of lines to a printed column, a name
which serves to distinguish it from another one
printed at the same time, and styled for a similar
reason the "36-line Bible". Much has been
written about the history, and connection, of these
two Bibles without effectually dispelling the obscur-
ity that surrounds the circumstances of their produc-
tion. Neither Bible gives any definite information
as to the place of printing, the names of the printers,
or the date. The place where these two Bibles
were printed is allowed by general consent to be the
city of Mainz. With regard to the printers there
is not the same agreement, but the most probable
view is that the " 36-line Bible " was printed by
Gutenberg alone, whilst Johann Fust, to whom
Gutenberg was originally indebted for financial
assistance, and his son-in-law, Peter Schoeffer, may
be assumed to have been mainly responsible for the
"42-line Bible". For the dates when complete
copies of each Bible were in circulation, there is the
evidence in each case of a rubricated example
preserved in the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris. The
date when the rubricator of the " 36-line Bible "
finished his work was 1 46 1 , and that of the similar
note appended to the copy of the " 42-line Bible "
by Heinrich Cremer, vicar of the collegiate church
of St. Stephen at Mainz, is August 24, 1 456. It
should be mentioned that the copy of the " 42-line
Bible " on exhibition is one of those in which the
first few rubrics have been printed in colour.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

5. THE FIRST PRINTED POLYGLOT (AND GREEK)
BIBLE. ALCALA. 1514-17.

Haec tibi pentadecas tetragonon respicit illud
Hospitium petri * pauli ter quinq; dierum.
Namq; instrumetum vetus hebdoas innuit : octo
Lex noua signatur. ter quinq; receptat vtrunq;.
Arms of Cardinal Ximenes beneath the foregoing verse.]
Vetus testamentu multiplici lingua nuc j primo impres-
sum. Et imprimis ] Pentateuchus Hebraico Ore- | co
atq; Chaldaico idioma- | te. Adiucta vnicuiq; sua j
latina interpreta- | tione. | (Secuda[-Quarta] pars
Veteris testamenti He- [ braico Grecoq; idiomate nunc |
primum impressa : adiun- | eta vtriq3 sua latina | inter-
preta- | tione. | [Vol. 5.] Nouum testamentum ) grece
: latine in academia j complutensi nouiter I impressum.
| [ Vol. 6.] Vocabularium hebraicum atq; chaldai- |
cu totius veteris testamenti cu alijs tra | ctatibus prout
infra in prefatio- ] ne continetur in academia | com-
plutensi nouiter | impressum. | [Colophon, vol. 4.]
Explicit quarta et vltima pars totius veteris testameti
he | braico grecoq ; et latino idiomate nunc primu impressa
in hac preclarissima Complutensi | niuersitate. De
mandate ac sumptibus . . . | . . . Francisci Ximenez de
Cisneros ... | ... Cardinalis . . . | . . . | . . . Industrie
& solertia ... | ... Arnaldi Quillelmi de Brocario artis
impres j sorie Magistri. Anno Domini Milles [ imoqnge-
tesimo decimo se- j ptimo. mesis lulii die | decimo. |
[Colophon, vol. 5.] Ad perpetuam laudem et gloriam |
dei i domini nostri iesu christi hoc sacrosanctum opus noui
testa | menti-Z libri vite grecis latinisq; character! bus
nouiter impres j sum at; studiosissime emendatum : felici
fine absolutu est in j hac preclarissima Coplutensi vniuer-
sitate : de madato-2 | sumptibus ... | ... Fracisci Xime-
nez de Cisne ] ros . . . j ... Cardinalis . . . | . . . | . . .
industria ^-soler | tia honorabilis viri Arnaldi guiliel | mi
de Brocario artis impressorie | magistri. Anno domini Mil

4 8

CASE 3.

| lesimo qvingentesimo de- | cimo quarto. Mensis ;
ianuarij die decimo. | [Colophon, vol. 6.] Explicit
vocabulariutn hebraicum totius veteris testament! cum
oibus dictioibus chaldaicis in code veteri testa me to
cotentis : nouiter ipressu in hac preclarissima Co- |
plutensi vniuersitate. De madato ac suptibus . . . Fran
cisci | Ximenez de Cisneros . . . Cardi | nalis ... | ...
Industria & solertia honorabilis viri Arnaldi Guilielmi de

| Brocario artis impressorie Magistri. Anno Domini
Mil lesimo quin- | gentesimo decimo quinto. mensis
Marcii die decima septima. | )

Alcala : A. G. de Brocario, 1514-17. 6 vols. FoL

%* Titles within woodcut borders.

The first Polyglot Bible, printed in an edition of 600
copies at the expense of Cardinal Ximenes. The
" Complutensian Polyglot " takes its name from Com-
plutum, the Latin form of Alcala in Spain, where it
was printed. The principal editor was D. Lopez de
Zuniga. The plan of the work was conceived in
1502 in honour of the birth of the future Emperor
Charles V., but the work does not appear to have
been in general circulation until 1522. Although
the date of the printing of the last volume is 1517,
the sanction of Pope Leo X. was not obtained until
March 22, 1 520, and even then a further delay seems
to have occurred before the actual distribution of the
edition.

It is interesting to note that the celebrated passage on the
" three witnesses " (1 John v. 7, 8), which is supported
by no Greek manuscript older than the fifteenth
century, appears in the Greek text of the New
Testament.

The idea of issuing a Polyglot Bible was originally enter-
tained by the great Venetian printer Aldus, who
makes a promise in a Greek psalter published about

49 4

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

1497 of a triglot Bible, and in 1501 actually sent a
specimen page to the German humanist Conrad Celtes.

6. THE FIRST PUBLISHED GREEK TESTAMENT.
BASLE, 1516.

Novvm In | strumentu omne, diligenter ab Erasmo Rotero-
damo [ recognitum <Sc emendatum, no solum ad graecam
ueritatem, ue- | rum etiam ad multorum utriusq; linguae
codicum, eorumq;, ue- [ terum simul & emendatorum
fidem, postremo ad pro- [ batissimorum autorum cita-
tionem, emendationem | & interpretationem, praecipue.
Origenis, Chry | sostomi, Cyrilli, Vulgarij, Hieronymi,
Cy- | priani, Ambrosij, Hilarij, August!- | ni, unacuAn-
notationibus, quae | lectorem doceant, quid qua [ ratione
mutatum sit. | [9 lines.]

%* 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 " Complutensian 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

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 literas, in uulgi linguam transfusas, siue
quasi Christus tarn 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 taediu
leuet uiator. Ex his sint oia 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 truly e 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 f it be not knowne. Paraventure it were moste

, 4 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 HvTge/
yee y e first (I had almoste sayde the cheffe) to have
a litle sight in y e 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 e 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 pastyme/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.

([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.

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 |
ligentius ab Erasmo Roterodamo recognitu, erne j datum
ac translatum, no solum ad Qraecam ueritate, uerum |
etiam ad multoru utriusq; linguae codicum, eorumq;
ueteru ] simul & emedatorum fidem, postremo ad pro-
hatissimoru | autorum citationem, emedationem &
interpretatione, prae- [ cipue Origenis, Athanasii,
Nazianzeni, Chrysostomi, Cy- | rilli, Theophylacti,
Hieronymi, Cypriani, Ambrosij, Hila- j rij, Augustini,
una cu Annotationibus recognitis, ac magna j accessione
locupletatis, quae lectorem doceant, quid qua ra- [ tione
mutatu sit ... | [6 -lines.] [ Addita sunt in singulas
Apostolorum epistolas I Argumenta per Erasmvm Rot. |

([Colophon :] Basileae In Aedibvs loannis Frobenii,
| Anno Salvtis Hvmanae M.D. XIX. | 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- | mentvm Omne, Tertio lam Ac Di- | ligentius
ab Erasmo Roterodamo recogni- [ turn, non solum ad
Qraecam ueritatem, uerumetiam | ad multorum utriusq;
linguae codicum, eorumq; ue- [ terum simul & emenda-

, THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

[Basel : J. Froben,] 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 | Testamentum totum Eras j mo interpraete per eum
casti- | j^atis aliquot locis, in qui- ] bus operaru incuria,
fue- } rat erratu, adiecta et no j ua illi 9 pfatione. Nos |
de nostro numerum | adiecimus in mar | gine. |

Antuerpie per Michaelem Hille \ nium sub inter-
signio Rapi. \ ([Colophon :] | . . . M.D. XX. | )

CASE 4.

%* Title within woodcut border.

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 ffr [Within woodcut border :] ^r
Habes In Hoc Libro j prudens lector vtriusq; instrument}
nouam tranlatione | aeditam a ... Sancte pa- | gnino
lucesi ... | ... necnon & Hbrum de interpreta-
mentis hebraicorum, j arameoru, graecorumq} nomi-
num, sacris in literis con- | tentoru ... 1 [6 lines] |
. . . Habes & in libri fronte eiusdem eVtTo/xT/y |
.i. Abbreuiationem librorum historialium veteris instru
| menti, & erratorum castigationes quas quis; exacte con
| spiciens suum corrigat Hbrum, duas loannis Francisci
| Pici mirandulae . . . Epistola [sic] ad eundem, |
Hpistolam translatoris ad Clementem septimum Ponti
j ficem maximum, & proemium in quo maximis efferun
| tur laudibus sacrae literae. | 15 [Printer's device] 28 J
[Colophon :] C Veteris ac noui instrumeti noua transla-
] tio per . . . San j ctem Pagninu Lucen. nuper aedita,
explicit. | Impressa est autern Lugduni per Antonium
du Ry. calcographum diligentissimu impen | sis Fran-
cisci Turchi, & Dominici Bertici- j nium Lucesium, &
lacobi de Giuntis biblio | polae ciuis Floretini. Anno
dni. 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

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 was published in 1 542
at Lyons.

This is said to be the first printed Bible in which 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 : j . . . Hier eyndet dat prologus | Ende hier beghint
den text des eerste | boocx des bijbels gheheten. Genesis
| [Fol. 2 recto, col. i, line i :] [I]nden beghin sciep god
| hemel en aerde . . . | Etc. [Colophon, vol. i :] Delf
in hollaut | [Arms of Delft.] | Deese ieghenwoerdighe
bible mil ho | ren boecken. ende etc 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 j te delf in hollant
mitter hulpen gods | ende bij ons iacob iacobs soen en
mau | 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 j den dach der maent ianuario. |
[Printer's device.] [Begin., vol. 2 :] [D]it boeck psrali-
pomenon is een | corte weder om halinge des ou j den
testaments . . . | Etc. [Colophon, vol. 2 :] Diese ieghen-
woerdighe bible mit ho | ren boecken. ende elc boeck
mit alle j 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 j ende bij ons iacob
iacobs soen en mau | ricius yemants zoen van middel-

CASE 4.

Delft : Jacob Jacobszoen van der Meer and Mauri-
cius 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 1300.

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 j testament Et premieremet j leu-
uangile nostre seigneur [ ihucrist selon saint mahieu
[Colophon :] Cy finist lapocalipse et | samblablement le
nouueau j 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 j dit lion j

Lyons : 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. ... | Etc. [Fol. 4 recto, col. i, line 37:] [I]n dem

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

anegang geschieff got | den himel vnd die erde. warm i
Etc. [End., fol. 405 verso, col. 2, line 16:] herre ihesus
ich kum. Die genade vnsers herren ihe- | 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
[erased] 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 after the Psalms instead of at the end of
the Bible.

5. THE FIRST PRINTED ITALIAN BIBLE. VENICE,

1471.

[Begin :] Epistola De don Nicolo di Ma- ) Iherbi ueneto al
Reuerendissimo profes- | sore dela sacra Theologia
maestro Laure- j tio del ordine de sancto Francesco :
nella j Biblia uulgatizata. | [Fol. 13 recto, head-title :]
Genesis | [Col. i, text:] [N]cl Princi | pio Dio creo | II
Cielo et La terra. | Etc. [End., vol. i :] Finisse El Psalteri
| o De David | [Vol. 2, fol. 2 recto, head-title :] Prologo

CASE 4.

[Col. i] [Ijvnga La Epistola | quelli che iunge il sacerdo-
] tio . . . | Etc. [Fol. 3 verso, head-title :] Proverbii
[Col. i, text:] [L]e Parabole De Salo | mone : cioe sec-
ondo la sente | tia . . . | Etc. [Colophon :] Impresso fu
questo uolume ne lalma pa- j tria de Venecia ne glanni
di la salutifera i | carnatione del figluolo di le terno et
omni- | potete dio. j M.CCCC.LXXI. In. Kalen- | de. De.
Avgvsto. |

Venice : Vindelinus 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. |

Vuittemberg. \ [Melchior Loiter, 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.

| (Das Ander teyl des allten | Testaments mit fleyss

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

[Colophon, vol. 3 :] Gedruckt zu Nurmberg \ durch
Friderichen \ Peypus \ M.D.XXHII. | 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.
W1CLIF, CAXTON, AND FISHER.

1. PRE-WICLIFITE TRANSLATION OF THE APO-

CALYPSE, c. A.D. 1375.

Apocalypse: An English translation of a Norman version
of the Apocalypse, with an exposition interspersed.

8J x 5 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 Pour Gospels, Acts, Catholic Epistles, Epistles of St.
Paul, and Apocalypse in the earlier form of the
Wiclifite translation into English. Without pro-
Go

CASE 5.

logues. 10^ 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 English. With prologues. 6^| x 4i in.
(173 x 122 mm.). On vellum. About A.D. 1410.

%*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 pageant, 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
61

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, loorihy Queene,

For that, that words do flye, 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 hands 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

frlb tft>") ** Cone <foa? fco
nro flem/ fccutfia?6:>i I 31 na/ atfo (>\o
(one Cannon / 2tnz efrffea? e; ona?
3apftt 6? ufc rticy ooucta? fy>m/ Tllte
tfic tares of Hoc Ibctc 15 C.C.jrec 31 n&?
5c me tev&ll Tin* offrtfro 5ct6?ie
(imeo *t>! oJCe }e Ibo-.Ca? fgtlbf nt firm
SSeiti Bos? an ofi* / Ctom a|ftp8e/ Tin!)
2(at>()rtfl!t eurape /5fyw lbn i fcjnt*
fca> / Tlfy* >* 9* fc f P< / ano? i <>
mocfc <s t^t otfrr flbo n rfjat te nj t^c
tcf/7lfftg8c i ^foiit part ana; (6ct
tl t ctttgc ani>? mang tjKfc totrttr/t^et
Bj frn SCclb ana? 6Cac8 men / Cftun ft>9?
l^a( to l)io vntft Tllfno / 3* %tt
putt IB -irlitvp; IbficIV iff ) tfic not* :
lbff / (ctm ie grew / (Rome anty
tnonjc / 3n Cuwpz wgnctft nolb mofit
tfif ccpfto) Calbc anS; fhtt Ibfrtin 10 ma
ny n'ctV I'opnmc 3t no fb ibae (Qc l'Jro
(once f 'Woe /

ITy re fiDlaau-tl) thr IpC of abm ;
{am /

m ration of (bn / 3apfrt (Via* tn fbneo f
3 ctom fbutfoneey Cut of Kic gcnemciS
of cfnm llcmOrotf* mm lbf,icOt ilia? a
IbtcGea? man ana? ciitfta? in Rio Ibctfhe
Tina? fegnn to mae (fit tout of BaCi'bne
ibf)icflr ttjao gtctt ana? fjyr f 71 na? at rtjc
muBwigof rfjie tout goo cfemngro? (fie
tangagce / i f<id* ibrfc tfiat noman

of l^at tout ibae But one ma net fpccflt
ti n(F tflc Ibotta? / Ttno? tflct Ibrtc mate
down fpccfro / Sft tout tbae gtrtr / it
Ibae 5 mgtt afcufc ana? ? in Cwun7
fieppeo of frigQt / X^ie UnnCnxfi ibao
H)e fit(I man tfiot faun* malbmetipe *
{*>Catrjw/ ibBicnr enouaa? Ebng ana? ft
to&) I Xfcnne 3 totne agapnc to SAitc
ibfjicft 6aa? tfi:c (ones / tbijicri ibae
aStam / llacot ana X tnm;o?f nocM cam
3 / Cue / ana? EuhwC / oDf Se cam 5(o6
of Gtio can; &>Cam / 7t na? of bdieC ir6cc
ca ana? Ca&in / f ai^m <nm fo^? ana? n'
loug^tiee meCcfin ano? |au>/ tloib 3 ffinC
fpeSe of aBiam of Ib^om out EfeffiO? Ca ',
Cp come / fc tbeoopa? dam Coug^cct of
fiie C:o*t aa>m /TtEtamlbae met frirfi
fuC ana? ftelbe / Cc lba CvS pie oCa?

lbfx>n ^16 fh*t Ocpc/ Jfos It

neo? tpt out 8n9?comfot(ca? (
(hia? to ofcam / TIBjain ma6. .y. ~,, c c
t-co out of rtjj, Cantc ana? Spntrac ana?
aCfb fto tfie Qolbe of ff g fhtct / ano? n ;
me m to tfi Can* tfint 3 ffinC fftlbc to
tf)e / 3 PViC maEe t^e jrolbs in to mocft
jspfe / 3 fSot 6frfff <9e ana? ffinC magne
f je tfip name ana? Hjou (T>nCt fc Bfeffsa?

ctirfc tficm tfiat cutfe (fie / Tina? m (fie

ja(natB

Jbae (one of I?ntr / T6w
6aa nxic ( ftni^e f w Hot nj i^c go

vtrtif / 71 6:om Ibae C >rrr o
8e Scpatfta.' ftom l6t folia? of 71 tarn /
71 n> I'c tofif Ibitfi Rfiti (oia M i)io tbrf
ano? tee, tfle (one of ()to 6:otn ana? tfieic
mcpiw ana* 610. cnttfC ant fiiCrtauncc ano
Com m to tfie fence of Canaan ana? mm
n to tfiefaCf of Sidfcm / ) tb^icft Ibctr
^ffr jspCt Ibnicfc Ibctr n> pt st- of a i
n.ian ' 7lno?outfea? (o9r to TIGiam
3 f? gmic to tfic (6is tan* ana? to If yn
ptro /Iftnne TtSsam 618? trp r an out ;
at on Ibfiicir ft- ot* ractcfift / 71 n?
6fcffia? ana?t6an6p>?outfc:aj/7lE:am
fefitto.' aS tfir bit* tolbats? tf< (01116 /
Tina? folbc tfie Ccalbft tfi.-raf ana? fonCt
?i t)?6e ae'out fc:>? tot? ^

A PAGE OF CAXTON'S "GOLDEN LEGEND," 1483

CASE 5.

the books, and a table of lessons, etc., according to the
use of Salisbury prefixed. 15 x lOf in. (384 x 270 mm.).
On vellum. About A.D. 1430.

5. CAXTON'S "GOLDEN LEGEND". 1483.

[Begin. : Prefatory matter.] The holy i blessed doctour |
saynt lerom sayth thys aucto | ryte/ do alweye somme
good 1 Etc. Folio j [recto, head-title :] Of thaduent of
our lorde | [Col. i, text :] [T]he tyme of thaduet | or
comyng of our | Etc. [Colophon :] Thus endeth the
legende named [ in latyn legenda aurea / that is to saye

| of many other sayntes / and other hys- | toryes and
actes / as al allonge here i afore is made mencyon /
\vhichevverke ( I haue accomplisshed atthecommaun-
demente and requeste of the noble and [ puyssaunte erle /
and my special good | lord wyllyam erle of arondel /
t haue [ fynysshed it at westmestre the twenty | day
of nouembre / the yere of our lord | M / CCCC / Ixxxiij / i
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

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
| 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 | ) 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.
6 4

CASE 6.

7. BISHOP FISHER'S TRANSLATION OF THE PENI-
TENTIAL PSALMS. 1508.

Tudor badge above title.] C This treatise concernynge the
fruytfull | saynges of Dauyd the kynge I 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 j Rochester at the exortacion and
sterynge of | the moost excellente pryncesse Margarete
| countesse of Rychemout 2 Derby / % moder | to our
souerayne lorde kynge Hery the .vii.

([Colophon :] C Here endeth the exposycyon of i) .vii. psalmes.
Enpryn \ ted at London in the Jletestrete at the sygne of
y-sonne \ by wynkyn de worde. In the yere of oure lorde.
M | CCCCC.viii. .xvi. day of y moneth of luyn. The |
xxiii. yere of y reygne of our souerayne lorde kynge
He | 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].

London : \ 5 Queen Square, Bloomsbury. \ 15
February, 1871. | . . . | 4to.

65 5

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 name 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

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 some
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.]

Bristol | 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 England by Cochlaeus, and there-
fore, as it seems, to baffle 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 1 534.

This Testament was publicly and vigorously denounced
by Bishop Tunstall at Paul's Cross, London, and
burned in 1526. It was publicly burned a second
time in May, 1 530.

3. TINDALE'S PENTATEUCH. [1530-34.]

| led Exodus. | ? ? <i \ [Title :] AnPro- j loge In To

XXXV.Chapter:

apohis face.But trhche ircnt before the Lor
de to fpeak ivith him,he tokc the coueiige of
rntill he came out. And he came out and fpa*
t h Ar*'"at ke vnto the childern of Ifrael that rchich he
v-iu.w I..: is 053$ commaunded. And the childcrn of Ifrael
' faooe the face of Mofcs,that the fkynne of hi$
face fhone trith beames: but Mofcs put a co*
uer>nge vppon his face, until! he went in, to
comencoidihim.

The.xxxv. Chapter.

ANd Mofc gathered all the company
of the childern of Ifrael together, and
fa>de unto them: thcfcare the thinges trhich
the Lordc hath commaunded to doo : Sixe
dayes^e (hall roorke,but the feuenth da>e (Hal
be onto you the hol> Sabbath of the Lordes
reft:fo that tohofoeuer doth any worke there
in,fhalld>e.Moreouerye fhall k>ndleno f>re
thoroa? out all youre habitacyons apo the Sab
bath dayc.

And Moles fpake rnto all the multitude
of the childern of lirael fainge:this is the thin
gc irhich the Lorde comaudcd faynge:Geue
fro amoge you an hcueoffiringe,x>ntotheLor*
de. All thact are toill^nge in their hartes, fhall
bryngcheueoffringes vnto the Lordergolde,
f>'lcr-,bra(Te: Iacyn<flc,fcarlet,purpull,by{Tc 2d
gootes hare.'wms fk>nncs red and taxus fk>n

ncs and

A PAGE OF TINDALE'S "PENTATEUCH." 1530-34

CASE 6.

[" Marbuig : Hans Luft," 1530-34.] 8vo-

%* The titles, except that to the Prologue of Exodus, 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 : " Emprented 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. Early 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 1 525 New
Testament, and is no less important as a monument
of the English language.

4. TINDALE'S REVISED NEW TESTAMENT. 1534.

(C Imprinted at An- \ werp by Marten \ Emper-
owr. \ 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.

[Antwerp .<?] 1536. 8vo.

%* Title within woodcut border. With illustrations.
The only perfect copy known of the first edition of Tin-

gently co^recteo anti
compared tbttlj tlje

intljcmonetljof
jliouember*

TITLE-PAGE OF TINDALE'S
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.

<The para- | ble of the Wicked | Mammon. |

^Compiled in the yere | of our Lorde. M.D. I xxxvi. W. T.

i&'Imprynted at London in \ Fletestrete at the
sygne of \ the Rose Garlande by \ Willyam Cop- \
land. | M.D. xlix. |

%* 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 | iste
rulers ought to governe / | where in also (yf thou

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

([Colophon :] C At Marlborow in the lade of \ Hesse
The seconde daye of Octo | her. Anno. M.CCC.CC.xxviij/
by | me Hans luft. \ ) 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.

marborch \ In the yere of oure Lorde. j M.CCCCC.
?. XXX. | 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
| counsayll of our souerayne lorde the kyng and chaun
| celloure of hys duchy of Lancaster. Wheryn be j
treatyd dyuers maters / as of the veneracy- | on I wor-

CASE 6.

[London : W. Rastell.] ([Colophon :] C Anno domini
.M.v.C.xxxi. inense 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 1531. 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.

f A booke called in latyn En- | chiridton militis christiani /
| and in englysshe the ma- | nuell of the christen |

meruaylous pro- | fytable pre- | face. |

([Colophon :] . . . Im- \ printed at London by
wynkyn \ de worde / for lohan Byddell / \ otherwyse

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 (JOHN). "Acrs 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 lohn 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.

* ttw TefMmem , fmtfy-
fu I ly ant truly tranflatcb out

C ttyr
in to (fi

fW M.tfcat O>t moiot o
uefrpafjage,anbbt

S.paul Col

SLtttfc teoj&e ofb(H>Hm you plcn
etouAym all mtfeome tc!.

ttt net tbc bote of tt>i
outoftbymoutb-but

therm biyc *nfe nictbtc tc

TITLE-PAGE OF COVERDALE'S "BIBLE," 1535

CASE 6.

12. "COVERD ALE'S BIBLE." 1535.

{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.

[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

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 English 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
Majestic, 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 can
do so well, but it may be, from tyme to tyme amendid.
And forasmoche as the boke is dedicated unto the
76

tt fi^ toitt) fljelfeingtsmoft gtacpous

TITLE-PAGE OF MATTHEW'S "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".

1. THE GREAT BIBLE. 1539.

C Prynted by Rychard Grafton 1 \ Edward Whit-
church. ] ... | ... | 1539. | ( [Colophon :] | . . . | . . .

, THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

Fynisshed in Apryll, | Anno. M.CCCCC.xxxix. | ^ |
. . . | ) Fol.

* # * Title within woodcut border. With illustrations.

The '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 comodiously
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.

%* 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.

tjaetftofapetbtc

tcnfofalUhel)olprcn>j)tnrf,bo
ofpol6cnntiiinj)ftr(i;innit,rt
ttanOatrt atertjw Wrpt

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 agayne trans-
lated in y newer language. Wherof yet also many
copies remayne and be dayly founde."

3. "TAVERNER'S BIBLE." 1539.

Prynted at London in Fletestrete at \ the sygne of
the sonne by John Byd- \ dell, for Thomas Barthlet, \
... | ... | M.D.XXXIX. | Fol.

%* Title 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.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

4. BECKE'S REVISION OF "MATTHEW'S BIBLE".
1549.

| [4 lines.]

C Imprynted at \ London by Ihon Daye, dwelling
\ at Aldersgate and William \ Seres, dwelling in \ Peter
Golledge. \ . . . \ . . . | xvii. day of August. M.DXLIX.
| 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.]

([Colophon, beneath device :] Imprynted at London
by Rycharde lugge, dwel- \ lynge in Paules churche
yarde at thesigne of the byble. \ [4 lines.]) [1552.] 4to.

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.

At Geneva \ Printed By Conrad Badius. \ M.D.LVIL |
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 1 557 succeeded John Knox, as Pastor of the Eng-
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 Roman 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 English.

81 6

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.
t

7. THE "GENEVAN BIBLE". 1560.

The Bible J And | Holy Scriptvres j Conteyned In j The Olde
And Newe | Testament. | Translated Accor- | ding to
the Ebrue and Greke, and conferred With ] the best
translations in diuers languages. | 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.

ThcgcneracionofChrift. j,

& THE HOLT J GOSPEL

of IcfusCluiit, According to Mauhavc.

T if f *4 * tj : *.( e ?c T.
v v.

T X '''/'"''"' ... ,fC.^.<rW;;Wr

I ;-c. r ,,tl,.t *<!,:! r,,n.,.-/k.r. ,, I . . ... ., ihg

, .fifc.ni . ^W .i,,i , ,:, , ,; ., ifvrAfef i**j

" " i, lt.cr,,s:l ,.,,:'. <.-:'-. , . .' ;,;,.;,/,,,

..'.I,/: ,, I, fVtyt. r. ll* .r.Wt :'f C Murif <j*l

m i- , -'vmti/< fir'r/< :>*i..., ..i.ij.Vir of/./, onro/O"

. . . .;.,,</ ...

[ ' '..''.- . .. ," ; ;.ju..i l,t.rs nK'ntctlut ilf

,,,vn,l',M ,n l,j., ( f> '.omr

'jcfj art t.trtitd .initn . ~At>.l tltitfve vWrr ihu lW. . c e<prt

ih,n na-wiljl, ,,a,,, x il,.a tl, t il. Tt f,p t'mh, f.irt,ij,.,i Ix
. j/ i*n-utm ,j fit ('"'/J i'> fc/W /r. ^*W ('-
cl/>,*> ilifinlie^li I! mrrcjl* kojit, -iW/o/m JSl/fl/i tt/-
nfttt) timeth l/.e Gcft*l vnl IjlJmjkt ^rjt if I'll/i aft'

j And Salmon bcgarcBjoz ofiRachab. pJ?,"!JiTJ'
/W And Booz bcgate ObcJ of H.mh . And M f,, it,..'
'&f- Obedbcearelcfle. oT!i!ilJ

F And'Solomunbcga'c Roboam.AnuRo t>j-.<*
bojm bcgatt Aba. And Abia berate A';

L ji" - r,n, ,.,,), I,. I Ami ArabcgaicIofaphat.AnJ lofaphat ' *vJ*I-"-*'

SK-CK -^^,| l^f^ncof Abraham bcpa.cIoum.Ami Knbega.eOiS..' 11 tr^.
it '/rV I " ^?H lonncor Ahraham. *_ i /-\ i i.i_..i l *_JT -j ..-

Sfilv 1 *^

If rr^il wn jppoinred t

tWI^Wt ru,M J .k fi~lic ! Dtii.V

W7.V'i.'<>-V^ AA ^.^

A PAGE OF THE "GENEVAN BIBLE," 1560

CASE 8.

Holy Scriptvre, | and other things of great importance,
mete for | the godly Reader. | (.*.) | [Arms of James VI.
beneath title, between " Qod Save The King ".]

Printed In Edinbrvgh \ Be Alexander Arbuthnet)

Printer to the Kingis Maiestie, dwelling \ at ye Kirk

of feild. 1579 | . . . | . . . | (The | Newe Testament

| . . . At Edinburgh. \ t* Printed by Thomas \ Bas-

sandyne. \ M.D.LXXVI. | . . . | ) Fol.

%* With woodcuts.

The first English Bible printed in Scotland, and for thirty-
one years the only edition of the Scriptures printed
there. It is an exact reprint of the 1 561-62 Genevan,
and the first edition of that version in folio. It was
begun in 1576 by Thomas Bassandyne, the King's
printer, and finished in 1579 by his coadjutor Alex.
Arbuthnet. By order of the General Assembly
every parish in Scotland subscribed a fixed amount
before the work was undertaken. Bassandyne died
before the completion of the work. As Arbuthnet
was not engaged upon the work in the beginning his
name did not appear on the New Testament (printed
in 1576), and Bassandyne's name does not appear on
the Old Testament portion, which was the last to be
printed. It has no independent value textually.

CASE 8.
THE "BISHOPS* BIBLE," RHEMES, AND DOWAY.

1. THE "BISHOPS' BIBLE", 1568.

The. holie. Bible, [within engraved compartment] | con-
teynyng the olde | Testament and the newe. | [En-
graving beneath title.]

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

([Colophon :] Imprinted at London in povvles \
Churchyarde by Richarde lugge ... | ... | ... |
[Printer's device.] \ . . . \ . . . | ) [1568.] 2 vols. Fol.

%* The engraving beneath the title contains a portrait of
Queen Elizabeth, with a verse from Rom. i. in Latin.

The first edition of the " Bishops' Bible ". A revision of
the "Great Bible" version, undertaken by Arch-
bishop Matthew Parker, with the assistance of many
bishops and well-known Biblical scholars. Every-
thing was done to make the book attractive, it was
profusely illustrated, and embellished with question-
able taste with portraits of the Queen, Leicester,
and Burleigh.

In April, 1571, the Convocation of Canterbury ordered
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 ". But this
order met with the general fate of ecclesiastical
edicts.

The price at which this edition was sold in 1571 was
27s. 8d., or about 16 of our present money.

2. THE SECOND FOLIO "BISHOPS' BIBLE". 1572.

The. holie. Bible. | [Engraving beneath title.]

([Colophon :] & Imprinted At Lon- \ don In Powles
Churcheyarde By \ Richarde lugge . . . \ . . . 1572 |
... | [Printer's device.] | . . . | . . . | ) Fol.

* # * Title within engraved compartment.

The engraving beneath the title contains a portrait of

Queen Elizabeth, with a verse from Rom. J. in Latin.
The second folio edition of the " Bishops* Bible ". The

principal feature of this edition is its double version

Morning prayer. The P/allllCS of D

f The argument of the nYil pfalmc.

* Che firtt paimc ftrmttD to be a p.-efacc bmo the trfiDue. 7 1 ix clarttb ftwt fte iutt man
onlf Bathttir tTucfcluiticintmsteojIsc.tolxrtcOcltshttatetiollrmu.'jctifmj tlk- Litre
oCot). Is foi the bngooip man, air louglj tjc fcctnc foi a tpuc to pjofpetaiw to Ho'lOif
F DIG cnic n Dtrr mifctablc ano tt;t tcljts.

I JLtfTeo is the nian that Uiallietl) not tn
1 thecounfcllof the bngoBlv: no: ftatiDctli

in the U>ap of fnmcrs, no; fcttctt) m tlje

featt of the fcoHiefmt.
JBut his Delight ; is in the lalDc of <5oB:

anbiti oca hisiauit crcrtifeth Ijtnifclfc
. Dap ano night.

l! 3nD he fljaibt ivitr a tree plantrb " bp
: the tbatcrs fpDr,tbat torngcth foo:th her
; fruitc tn Due feafon : ano n>l)ofc icatr un"
I fherctrjnot,ro;tt>batfacur he Dottj'' it

n>illp;ofptr.
f3fo; the bnaoDly ;'in*j not fo r*'0)

tiiem ij (jut t^tp awju&t the thalTc ujfjul)

the Untibc fcattcrcrb abwDe .
I 'Clieretoc the btmoblp (hall not {&

the Tinners in tljc toujjcesanon of tljc
righteous.

foi <3oD ' ftnoftetl) tfjc ibap of tfie
ngtitcous: ano the U>ay of t{>e buaoDip
Ojallpcntlje.

gument of the. ij. pfalmc.

C 3Hcmifptrac<eSDftht<smtil.'Jcww, p:...
U:t2c be but altomtiif c taw, fo; <3oD iiattt marucrlouflp ipftMM hr m toiW ana
fima outr ,il people to the btter confufion of tns aoucrfanca. 3n etfioiititioti to fcmges
MtsiuBsMfiKto be Icarnra, foito tcrueeoo, aim Co; to rcctaitc t)iatanm COJillc:
fot Ijappp tt t!?ep tiiat trad tn hrm.

~ i \ \ /"^yoothc J^eatbtn fo furiouQp

** V V ragctoacthcr^ano U)hyco the

people imagine a Davnc tl;mg;
i 3ErjeU?ii8C5 of the ral) ftanDe top:
ant> tt)c rulers tate rounfell fogtrlicc
againft SOD, ana again;} fits annom ten.

3 "iLetDstetafee :va?tDcv;.tf)cirbonoes
afunocr: anc cad aiuav tljctctojoes
front us.

4 ^c that Dttclletrj tn rjtantn Vbpll
lattBll them to ftojnc : t|jc ILofDt U>vll
hauctlKinmocafion,

5 ITJjcn Vbvll he fpeaftt bnto trjeni in
his nwart) : ant) ht ttyll aliomt rljnn
U)ith fcarc in his fo;t cttpltafnrr.

, 6 fearina ',' euen 31 ijaue annotnttD
; i"m : tny B?na : topon mp holp hptt of
*ton.
7 3! Ujpll Dttlart the oetttt, ODD fayDt

bnto me: thouact mplbRKC, tljis cap
Jhaucbegottcnthcf.

8 SDefirr of ntc, ano 3 Vbplt gcut thff
tlicljrathenfo; thpncinDentaunce: ano
the bttennoC partcs of the rartb fo;
thppolTclTtoii.

9 Xhou flialt bjuife rljtni njtfb a roa
of iron : ant) b;caSe rhon (n pecces HUt
a potters bcUell.

ye Uingcs : be poii learntD pt Lt
tuDgts of the earth,
it ^omtpc(5oDmfrart:anBreio?ctpt

ivuijatikiiiuHii9*

n BilTe ye the fonnc left that be be an-
grpe, anb, to i yt pcnfljc ifromj fbt 10
ttap, if his Ujjaib be ntuet fo unt buiB'
leb: bUffeDarcall tbep that put runt
truflinhym.

31 (ii) 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.
fT The holie Byble, | [Woodcut beneath title.]

([Colophon :] yt Imprinted 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.

Imprinted at London by Christopher Barkar \
dwelling in Poules Churchyeard at the \ signe of the
Tigres head. \ 1576. | . . . j 8vo.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

*** With woodcut map.

The first edition of Tomson's revision of the Genevan New
Testament. The alterations resulted 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 | New Testament | Of lesvs Christ, Trans- | lated
Faithfvlly Into English, | out of the authentical Latin,
according to the best cor- | rected copies of the same,
diligently conferred with | the Greekeand other editions
in diuers languages : With | Argvments of bookes and
chapters, Annota- | tions, and other necessarie helpes,
for the better vnder- | standing of the text, and speci-
ally for the discouerie of the j Corruptions of diuers late
translations, and for [ cleering the Controversies in
religion, of these daies : j In The English College Of
Rhemes. | [15 lines.]

Printed At Rhemes, \ by lohn Fogny. \ 1582. |

. . . | 4to.

%* Title within lace border.

The first Roman Catholic version of the New Testament
printed in English.

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.

CASE 8.

6. FULKE'S REFUTATION OF THE RHEMES NEW

TESTAMENT". 1589.

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 JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

Controversies in Religion. | By the English College Of
Doway. | ... j .... |

Printed at Doway by 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
English 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.

IT Imprinted | at London by Robert \ Barker, Printer-
to the | Kings most Excellent \ Maiestie. \ Anno Dotn
1611. J Fol.

*** Title within woodcut border containing the words
" Cum Priuilegio " at the base.

THE

HOLY

BIBLE,

ContcyningtheOldTclta- ,

ilie New :

^(Vw/r Tran/latcd out of

the O; i^itull Tongues : mA with
it crracr rlr, mans ,

TITLE-PACE 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 English 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 affection, 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 cirie,"
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 | Holy | Bible, j . . .

%* Another copy of the Authorised Version, with the
reading : " She went into the citie ".

3. THE SECOND FOLIO AUTHORISED VERSION.

1613.

^Imprinted \ at London by Robert \ Barker, Printer
to the | Kings most excellent \ Maiestie. \ Anno Dom.
1613. | Fol.

* # * Title within woodcut border.

The second folio edition of the Authorised Version. The
New Testament title is dated 161 1. 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 | 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- j sties speciall
Commandement. [

Imprinted at Lon- \ don by Robert Barker \ Printer
to the Kings most Ex- \ cellent Maiestie. \ Anno 1612. |

8vo.

ztalkethwith Che

ztalkethwith Cha|

10 3UiDDlaiD,26leu"cDbctDouof
tl)e %<&&&, mp DaugDtcr : tor tljou
Daft (DctbcD mo?e KinDncflc in tl)c latter
cnDc,tDcn at the beginning, in as mnrtj
astDoufollott)CDftnctpongmen,lbDe*
tDcrpoo?c,o?rieD.

1 1 anD notu mp DaugDtcrJcarcnot,
31 VDill Doe to tDeeall tDat tljon recnte
reft : fo? all tDc t citic of mp people DoetD
utioiu , tDat thou art a Dcrtuous mo
man.

iz anD nott) it is true , tDat J am
thy neare tanfeman : DoUJbclt tDere is
a Wnfeman nearer tDen 5

t!)c momutg,
bntot^ectljcpattof a Wnfcman, rbell,
let Dim Doe tftc feinfemans part; but if
hec tt)tUnotuoet!)epai:t ofaftmfcman
to tl)ce , tftmttnll j DOC tlje pact of a
ftinfcman to thcc, astlje ?lois?g) Uuctlj:
lie Dottme Dnnil tljc momuig.

14 C3nD fljcc lavatljtsfceteljntiU

J tlje morning : anD fl>e r oCc bp btfo:c one

conlD fcnoiD another. 3nD Ijc latD , flct

tntotl)cfloo2c.

15 ^u"o Ijc faiD , 25nng ttjc !! bafle tftat

tDonljaftbpon tl)cc,anDl)olDcit. ^nD

I tt)l)en Cl)e heioc it, l)e meafurco ftire mea-

I fares of barley, anD laiDc u on fjcr : anD

Ijcttjcnt into the titie.

H 3nD ttraw fl)ce tame tofter mo-
tlier in latt), flic faiD , nabo art tliou, mp

10 31nD hecfmD, 26lcffeD be tfjouof

e 1L>KiD, mp Dauginec : tor tl)on

l)aftfiKi\jeDmo2c KinDnc (Tc in the latter

cno,tl)en at tl)c beginning, ui as much

tl)crpoo;co:nch.

u ano no UMnp Daughter, fear c not,
gi itoill Doe to thce all that tljou rcqnt^
reft : lot all tDe t titie of mp people DoetD
fenoiu, tDat thou art a feertnous iuo^
man.

. _ anD nolD it 15 true , that J am
thv neare iunfeman: Dotbbctt tDere is
a binfeman nearer then %

13 Xar \> this night, anD itftjail be m
tDe morning , tDat if he ibill prrfatme
I'nt o thee tDc par t of a Untfenian , tbell,
let Dint Doe tDe bfnfcmanspart, but if
lice iDtll not Doe tDe part of a Knifeman
tothec, then mill -31 Doe the part of a
Binfcman to thce,as tDe |L a>s> UnetD :
licDotbnebntill tDe morning.

14 anD (he lap at his feete bnnii
tDe morning: anD flje r of e bp before one
conlDftnoib another. anDDeb>D,?Let
it not be tmolben, thataiboman tame
into tDe flooje.

thou haft bponth'ec.anDholDe it. anD
ibDcn ttjeDtlDit ,DmeaCureD Die mca
fines of barlep, anD laiD it on per: anD
!ft)etbent into tDc titie.

16 anirtbhen (Dee , cametoDtt mo-
ther in lavb , fDefeiD, DdDo art tDou , m

EXCERPTS FROM THE TWO IMPRESSIONS OF THE
"AUTHORISED VERSION." 1611, SHOWING THE
"HE" AND "SHE" READINGS. IN RUTH III. 15

CASE 9.

%* Title within woodcut border.

One of the earliest octavo editions of the Authorised
Version. The error found in the version of 1611 in
Exodus xiv. 1 0, where three lines of text are repeated,
occurs in one of these, but not in the edition exhibited.

5. THE QUARTO AUTHORISED VERSION. 1612.

Imprinted at London by Robert \ Barker Printer
to the Kings [ most excellent Maiestie. \ Anno Dom.
1612. | 4to.

%* The title-page is engraved.

The first quarto edition of the Authorised Version.

6. KING JAMES'S COPY OF THE AUTHORISED

VERSION. 1616.

commandement. {

f Imprinted at London by Robert \ Barker, Printer
to the Kings \ most excellent Maiesty. 1616. ] Fol.

%* Title within a woodcut border, resembling that used
in some editions of the Bishops' Bible. The initials
C. B. (i.e. Christopher Barker), remain at the foot of
the border unmodified.

The first folio edition of the Authorised Version printed
in Roman letter.

This Bible bears the arms of King James I. on the
binding.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

7. RAINOLDS (JOHN). " SUMME OF THE CONFERENCE.
. . ." 1584.

The Svmme Of | The Conference | Betwene lohn Rainoldes
| And lohn Hart : | Torching The Head And The | Faith
Of The Chvrch. | Wherein by the way are handled
sundrie points, of the sufficiencie and [ right expounding
of the Scriptures, the ministerie of the Church, the
fun- | ction of Priesthood, the sacrifice of the Masse,
with other controuersies of | religion: but chiefly and
purposely the point of Church-gouerment, | opened in
the branches of Christes supreme soueraintie, of | Peters
pretended, the Popes vsurped, | the Princes lawfull Su-
| premacie. | Penned by lohn Rainoldes, according to
the notes set downe in | writing by them both : perused
by lohn Hart, and (after [ things supplied, & altered, as
he thought good) al = | lowed for the faithfull report of
that | which past in conference be- | twene them. |
Whereto is annexed a Treatise intitled, Six Conclusions
| Tovching The Holie Scriptvre And The | Chvrch,
written by lohn Rainoldes. | With a defense of such
thinges as Thomas Stapleton and Gregorie j Martin haue
carped at therein. | ...[... | ... |

Londini, impensis Geor, Bishop. ([Colophon:] . . . \
Printed by lohn Wolfe, for \ George Bishop. \ . . . | )
1584. 4to.

%* Rainolds, who defended the Protestant position in this
disputation with Hart, was chosen in 1 603 by the
Puritans as one of their four representatives at the
Hampton Court Conference, which opened on Jan.
1 4, 1 603-04. To him the project of a new translation
of the Bible, suggested by the Puritans, is generally
believed to be due. After the Conference had agreed
to the proposal, Rainolds himself took a leading place
amongst the scholars responsible for the preparation
of the Authorised Version.
92

CASE 10.

8. RAINOLDS (JOHN) "SEX THESES DE SACRA SCRIP-
TURA. . . ." 1602.

Londini, \ Impensis Geor. Bishop. \ 1602. | 8vo.

CASE 10.
FROM THE "AUTHORISED" TO THE "REVISED".

1 . THE " WICKED " BIBLE. 1 63 1 .

The 1 Holy Bible : j Containing The | Old Testament, | And
The New, | Newly Translated out of the Original! |
Tongues, and with the former Transla- J tions diligently
compared and reuised : By his ] Maiesties special! Com-
mandment. | Appointed to be read in Churches. |

Printed at London by Robert Barker, \ Printer to
the Kings most Excellent \ Maiestie : And by the As- \
signes of lohn Bill. \ Anno 1631. | 8vo.

%* Title within woodcut border.

This edition is known as the " Wicked Bible," in conse-
quence of a typographical error, whereby the im-
portant word " not " has been omitted from the
seventh commandment in Exod. xx. 14.

The impression, consisting of a thousand copies, was sup-
pressed, and a fine of 300 imposed upon the printers
through Archbishop Laud. Heylyn relates that
" with some part of this fine Laud causeth a fair

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

Greek character to be provided, for publishing such
manuscripts as time and industry should make ready
for the publick view ".

2. THE FIRST CAMBRIDGE EDITION OF THE

"AUTHORISED VERSION". 1638.

Printed by Tho. Buck, and Roger Daniel, Printers
to the University of Cambridge. \ (1638.) Fol.

%* The title-page is engraved.

The first large folio edition of the " Authorised Version "
printed at Cambridge.

It is not generally known that the work of revision began
so early. This edition contains evidence of careful
and extensive revision of the text, italics, and mar-
ginal readings. It remained the standard text until
the publication of the Cambridge edition of 1 762
edited by Dr. Paris.

3. THE "PARLIAMENTARY BIBLE". 1653.

London : \ Printed by John Field, Printer \ to the
Parliament of \ England. 1653. | 24mo.

%* Title within woodcut border.

Known as the " Parliamentary Bible ". It has the Com-
monwealth arms on the title-page.
It is said that upwards of 20,000 copies of this little Bible

CASE 10.

were dispersed. There were several impressions
of this edition, which is remarkable for the number
of typographical errors.

4. THE "CAMBRIDGE STANDARD EDITION".

1762.

Cambridge, \ Printed by Joseph Bentham Printer
to the University ; \ Sold by Benjamin Dod, Bookseller,
at the Bible and Key \ in Ave-Mary Lane, near St.
Paul's, London. 1762. | . . . | 4 vols. FoL

*** The " Standard edition," prepared by Dr. Thomas
Paris, of Trinity College, Cambridge. A serious
attempt was made to correct the text of the " author-
ised " version, by amending the spelling and punctua-
tion, regulating the use of italics, and removing printers'
errors. Marginal notes were received into the place
they have since occupied, and were much extended.

It is stated that only six copies were preserved from a fire
at the warehouse of the bookseller, Dod.

5. THE "OXFORD STANDARD EDITION". 1769.

Oxford, | Printed by T. Wright and W. Gill, Printers
to the University : \ And sold by R. Baldwin, and S.
Crowder, in Paternoster Row, London ; \ and by W.
Jackson, in Oxford. 1769. j ... | Fol.

, THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

%* The Oxford " Standard edition," carefully revised by
Dr. Benjamin Blayney, of Hertford College, following
the lines of Dr. Paris' Cambridge edition of 1 762.
The quarto impression of this edition is also in the
library.

6. THE FIRST ENGLISH BIBLE PRINTED IN

AMERICA. 1782.

Philadelphia : \ Printed And Sold by R. Aitken,
At Pope's \ Head, Three Doors Above The Coffee \ House,
In Market Street. \ M.D.CC.LXXXII. | (M.DCC.LXXXI.) 8vo.
* # * Probably the first complete English Bible printed in
America. The copy in the British Museum con-
tains a note in Aitken's writing, which certifies it to
be the " first copy of the first edition of the Bible
ever printed in America in the English language ".

7. THE "REVISED VERSION" OF THE NEW

TESTAMENT. 1881.

Oxford \ At The University Press \ 1881 | 8vo.
Tie first ed
Testament.

%* The first edition of the Revised Version of the New

8. THE "REVISED VERSION" OF THE BIBLE.

1885.

The | Holy Bible | Containing The | Old And New Testaments
| Translated Out Of The Original Tongues : [ Being The

CASE 10.

Version Set Forth A.D. 1611 | Compared With The Most
Ancient Authorities And Revised. | . . . | . . . | [The
Old Testament portion.]

Oxford | At The University Press \ 1885 | 8vo.

be first e<
Testament.

9. ELIZABETH FRY'S BIBLE.

The Holy Bible . . .

Edinburgh: Printed By Sir J. H. Blair and J.
Bruce, 1799. 4to.

%* The following note, in the handwriting of Richenda
Reynolds, the eldest daughter of Mrs. Fry, appears
on the front board of the Bible :

Richenda Reynolds, 1 845.

This Bible Was used daily by my beloved mother, Elizabeth
Fry, for many years, when she was at home. She
died October \3th, 1845. The marfe and comments
are all her own.

The markings referred to are of extreme interest :

Against Psalm ci., verses 1-4 :

" I will sing of mercy and judgment; unto thee, O Lord,

will I sing.
" I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. ... I

will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
" I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes . . .,"

is the note : Oh, for grace to do this, of myself I

cannot.

Against Psalm cxix., verse 53,

" Horror hath taken hold upon me, because of the wicked

that forsake thy law,"

is the note : Has often been my case.

97 7

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

Against Psalm cxix., verse 101,

" I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I

might keep thy word,"

is the note : / desire to Jo so, E. F.
Many of the markings are also of great biographical interest,

for example :
Against Psalm lx., verses 1-3,
" O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us,

thou hast been displeased ; O turn thyself to us

again. . . .
" Thou hast shewed thy people hard things ; thou hast

made us to drink the wine of astonishment,"

is the note : How applicable to my experience ! 1 1 ,

1828.

Against Isaiah i., verse 25,
" And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge

away thy dross, and take away all thy tin,"

is the note : In the midst of our trouble, \ 828.

A SELECTION OF WORKS FOR THE STUDY OF
THE ORIGINAL TEXTS AND PRINCIPAL VER-
SIONS OF THE BIBLE, WHICH MAY BE CON-
SULTED IN THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

ORIGINAL TEXTS AND EARLY VERSIONS.

GREEK. Codex T. Bezae Cantabrigiensis : Evangelia et Aposto-
lorum acta complectens quadratis literis Graeco-Latinus. . . .
Venerandae has vetustatis reliquias . . . edidit, codicis his-
toriam praefixit notasque adjecit T. Kipling. . . . Canta-
brigiae, 1 793. 2 vols. Fol.

GREEK. Bibliorum codex Sinaiticus Petropolitanus. . . . Ex
tenebris protraxit, in Europam transtulit, ad iuvandas atque
illustrandas sacras litteras edidit C. Tischendorf. Petropoli,
1862. 4 vols. 4to.

GREEK. Facsimile of the codex Alexandrinus. Old Testament.
(New Testament and Clementine epistles.) [Edited by Sir
E.M.Thompson.] [London], 1879-83. 4 vols. Fol.

GREEK. 'H IIa\.aia 4ia0rjtcr). Vetus Testamentum juxta LXX
interpretum versionem e codice omnium antiquissimo Graeco
Vaticano 1 209 (' H Nea Ai,a6r)Kij. Novum Testamentum e
codice Vaticano 1 209, nativi textus Graeci primo omnium)
phototypice repraesentatum . . . curante J. Cozza-Luzi. . . .
Romae, 1889-90. 5 vols. 4to.

GREEK. Bibliorum ss. Graecorum codex Vaticanus 1209 (cod.
B) denuo phototypice expressus iussu et cura praesidum
Bybliothecae Vaticanae. . . . [Codices e Vaticanis selecti
phototypice expressi, 4.] Mediolani, 1904-07. 4 vols.
4to.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

GREEK. British Museum. The codex Alexandrinus, Royal
ms. 1 D v-viii, in reduced photographic facsimile. New
Testament and Clementine epistles. [With an introduction
by F. G. Kenyon.] London, 1909. 4to.

GREEK. 'H IlaXaia Aia6r)Kr) Kara rovs 'EftSo/jLtftcovra.
Vetus Testamentum Graece iuxta LXX interpretes. Textum
Vaticanum Romanum emendatius edidit, argumenta et locos
Novi Testamenti parallelos notavit, omnem lectionis varie-
tatem codicum vetustissimorum Alexandrini, Ephraemi Syri,
Friderico-Augustani subiunxit, prolegomenis . . . instruxit
C. de Tischendorf . Editio septima. Prolegomena recognovit
supplementum auxit E. Nestle. Lipsiae, 1887. 2 vols. 8vo.

GREEK. The Old Testament in Greek, according to the text of
codex Vaticanus, supplemented from other uncial manuscripts,
with a critical apparatus containing the variants of the chief
ancient authorities for the text of the Septuagint. Edited by
A. E. Brooke . . . and N. McLean. . . . Cambridge,
1 906-09. 2 pts. 4to. In progress.

GREEK. Novum Testamentum Graece. Ad antiquissimos
testes denuo recensuit apparatum criticum omni studio per-
fectum apposuit commentationem isagogicam praetexuit C.
Tischendorf. Editio octava critica maior. (Prolegomena
scripsit C. R. Gregory additis curis . . . E. Abbot.)
Lipsiae [1872-]94. 3 vols in 4. 8vo.

GREEK. The New Testament in the original Greek. The text
revised by B. F. Westcott . . . and F. J. A. Hort. . . .
Text. (Introduction, appendix.) Cambridge and London,
1881. 2 vols. 8vo.

GREEK. Novum Testamentum Graece cum apparatu critico, ex
editionibus et libris manuscripts collecto, curavit E. Nestle.
Editio tertia recognita. Stuttgart, 1901. 8vo, pp. xi, 657.

GREEK. 'H Katvrj AiaOijiaj. Text with critical apparatus.
Published by the British and Foreign Bible Society in con-
nection with its centenary. [Edited by E. Nestle.] [With
maps.] London, 1904. 8vo, pp. viii, 668.

TEXTS AND VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE.

GREEK. The resultant Greek Testament, exhibiting the text in
which the majority of modern editors are agreed, and con-
taining the readings of Stephens, 1550, Lachmann, Tregelles,
Tischendorf, Lightfoot, Ellicott, Alford, Weiss, the Bale
edition, 1 880, Westcott and Hort, and the Revision Com-
mittee. By . . . R. F. Weymouth. . . . With an introduc-
tion by . . . J. J. S. Perowne . . . Bishop of Worcester.
Third edition. London, 1905. 8vo, pp. xxv, 643.

HEBREW. [The Hebrew Old Testament.] (Introduction to the
Massoretico-critical edition of the Hebrew Bible. By C. D.
Ginsburg. . . .) [With facsimiles.] London, 1894-97.
2 vols. 8vo.

GASTER (M.). Hebrew illuminated Bibles of the ninth and
tenth centuries, codices Or. Gaster, nos. 1 50 and 151, and
a Samaritan scroll of the Law of the eleventh century, codex
Or. Gaster, no. 350. Together with eight plates of fac-
similes of these manuscripts and of fragments from the Geniza
of Egypt. . . . [Reprinted from the Proceedings of the
Society of Biblical Archaeology, June, 1900.] London,
1901. Fol., pp. 52.

GlNSBURG (C. D.). A series of fifteen facsimiles of manuscripts
of the Hebrew Bible. With descriptions. . . . London,
1897. Fol.

LATIN. Nouum Testamentum Domini nostri Iesu ( Christi Latine
secundum editionem sancti Hieronymiiad codicum manuscrip-
torum fidem recensuit I. Wordsworth . . . episcopus Salis-
buriensis. In operis societatem adsumto H. I. White. . . .
Quattuor euangelia. (Actus apostolorum.) Oxonii, 1889-
1898-1905. 2 vols. 4to. In progress.

LATIN. Old Latin Biblical texts. . . . Edited by J. Words-
worth . . . (W. Sanday ... and H. J. White. . . .By
E. S. Buchanan. . . .) (With . . . facsimiles.) Oxford,
1883-1907. 5 vols. 4to. In progress.

COPTIC AND ENGLISH. The Coptic version of the New Testa-
ment in the northern dialect, otherwise called Memphitic and

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

Bohairic, with introduction, critical apparatus, and literal
English translation. [By G. H. i.e. G. Horner.] Oxfotd,
1898-1905. 4 vols. 8vo.

SVRIAC. Codex Syro-Hexaplaris Ambrosianus [containing Job
Malachi, translated from the Septuagint by Paul, Mono-
physite Bishop of Tela Mauzlath], photolithographice editus,
curante et adnotante ... A. M. Ceriani. . . . [Monu-
menta Sacra et Profana, 7.] Mediolani, 1874. Fol., pp.
140, ff. 193.

SVRIAC. [Photographicj[facsimiles of the Syriac palimpsest of the
four Gospels discovered by A. S. Lewis in the convent of
St. Catharine on Mt. Sinai in 1892.] [N.p., 1892-1902.]
5 vols. 4to.

SYRIAC AND ENGLISH. Evangelion da-mepharreshe. The
Curetonian version of the four gospels, with the readings of
the Sinai palimpsest and the early Syriac patristic evidence
edited . . . [with an English translation] by F. C. Burkitt.
. . . [With facsimiles.] Cambridge, 1904. 2 vols. 8vo.

SYRIAC AND LATIN. Tetraeuangelium sanctum juxta simplicem
Syrorum versionem ad ndem codicum, Massorae, editionum
denuo|racognitum, lectionum supellectilem quam conquisiverat
P. E. Pusey . . . Auxit . . . edidit G. H. Gwilliam . . .
Accedunt capitulorum notatio, concordiarum tabulae, translatio
Latina, annotationes. Oxonii, 1901. 4to, pp. xvi, 608.

AIDS TO THEgSTUDY OF THE ORIGINAL TEXTS AND EARLY

VERSIONS.

ADLER (E. N.). < About Hebrew manuscripts. [With facsimiles.]

London, 1905. 8vo, pp. 177.
BERGER (S.). Histoire de la Vulgate pendant les premiers siecles

du moyen age. . . . Paris, 1893. 8vo, pp. xxiv, 443.
BlRKS (T. R.). Essay on the right estimation of manuscript

evidence in the text of the New Testament. London, 1878.

8vo, pp. x, 124.

TEXTS AND VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE.

BRITISH MUSEUM. Catalogue of printed books. Bible. . . .
London, 1892-99. 4 pts. in 1 vol. 4to.

BRITISH MUSEUM. Facsimiles of Biblical manuscripts in the
British Museum. Edited by F. G. Kenyon. . . . Oxford,
1900. Fol.

BUHL (F. P. W.). Canon and text of the Old Testament. . . .
Translated by ... J. Macpherson. Edinburgh, 1892.
8vo, pp. viii, 259.

BURGON (J. W.) Dean of Chichester. The causes of the cor-
ruption of the traditional text of the holy gospels. Being the
sequel to the traditional text of the holy gospels. . . .
Arranged, completed, and edited by E. Miller. . . . Lon-
don, 1896. 8vo, pp. xiv, 290.

BURGON G- W.) Dean of Chichester. The traditional text of the
holy gospels, vindicated and established. . . . Arranged,
completed, and edited by E. Miller. . . . London, 1896.
8vo, pp. xx, 3 1 7.

BURKITT (F. C). The Old Latin and the Itala. With an
appendix containing the text of the S. Gallen palimpsest of
Jeremiah. [Texts and Studies, 4, Hi.] Cambridge, 1896.
8vo, pp. viii, 96.

CARTA (F.). Bibliotecario dell' Estense. Monumenta palaeo-
graphica sacra. Atlante paleografico-artistico compilato sui
manoscritti esposti in Torino alia Mostra d'Arte Sacra nel
MDCCCXCVIII, e pubblicato dalla R. Deputazione di
Storia Patria delle Antiche Provincie e della Lombardia, per
cura di F. Carta, C. Cipolla, e C. Frati. Torino, 1899.
Fol., pp. viii, 72.

CHAPMAN (J.). Notes on the early history of the Vulgate
gospels. Oxford, 1908. 8vo, pp. xi, 299.

CHASE (F. H.) Bishop of Ely. The Old Syriac element in the
text [of the Acts] of Codex Bezae. London, 1893. 8vo,
pp. xvi, 160.

CHASE (F. H.) Bishop of Ely. The Syro-Latin text of the
gospels. London, 1895. 8vo, pp. x, 148.

103

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

COPINGER (W. A.). The Bible and its transmission : being an
historical and bibliographical view of the Hebrew and Greek
Texts and the Greek and Latin versions of the Bible
prior to the Reformation. London, \ 897. Fol., pp. viii, 340.

CRITICISM OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. St. Margaret's lectures,

1902. By W. Sanday . . . F. G. Kenyon . . . F. C.

Burkitt . . . F. H. Chase . . . A. C. Headlam . . . j. H.

Bernard. . . . [With prefatory note by H. H. Henson.]

London, 1902, 8vo, pp. vii, 230.
DAVIDSON (S.). A treatise on Biblical criticism exhibiting a

systematic view of that science. . . . The Old Testament.

(The New Testament.) Edinburgh, 1852. 2 vols. 8vo.
DRIVER (S. R.). Notes on the Hebrew text of the books of

Samuel. With an introduction on Hebrew palaeography

and the ancient versions, and facsimiles of inscriptions. . . .

Oxford, 1890. 8vo, pp. xcvi, 296.
FIELD (F.). Notes on the translation of the New Testament :

being Otium Norvicense, pars tertia. . . . Reprinted with

additions by the author. Cambridge, \ 899. 8vo, pp. xvii.

267.
GEDEN (A. S.). Outlines of introduction to the Hebrew Bible.

[With facsimiles.] Edinburgh, [1]909. 8vo, pp. xv, 367.
GREGORY (C. R.). Canon and text of the New Testament.

[International Theological Library.] Edinburgh, 1907.

8vo, pp. vii, 540.
GREGORY (C. R.). Textkritik des Neuen Testamentes. Leipzig,

1900-09. 3 vols. 8vo.
HAMMOND (C. E.). Outlines of textual criticism applied to the

New Testament. . . . Fifth edition revised. Oxford, 1 890.

8vo, pp. viii, 164.
HARRIS (J. R.). Codex Bezae : a study of the so-called Western

text of the New Testament. [Texts and Studies, 2, i.J

Cambridge, 1891. 8vo, pp. viii, 272.
HARRIS (J. R.). The annotators of the Codex Bezae. . . . [With

facsimiles.] London, 1901. 8vo, pp. 184.

104

TEXTS AND VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE.

HARRIS Q. R.). Four lectures on the Western text of the New

Testament. London, \ 894. 8vo, pp. viii, 96.
HARRIS (J. R). Further researches into the history of the

Ferrar-group. [With facsimiles.] London, 1900. 4to, pp.

78.
HATCH (E.). Essays in Biblical Greek. Oxford, 1889. 8vo,

PP . x, 293.
HEBRAICA. Hebraica : a quarterly journal in the interests of

Semitic study. . . . [Vol. 9, pp. 47-116. History of the

printed editions of the Old Testament, together with a

description of the rabbinic and polyglot Bibles. By B. Pick

. . .] Chicago, [1893]. 8vo.
HORNE (T. H.). An introduction to the critical study and

knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. By . . . T. H. Home. . . .

Tenth edition. . . . Edited by . . . T. H. Home . . . S.

Davidson . . . and S. P. Tregelles. . . . Illustrated with

. . . facsimiles. . . . London, 1856. 4 vols. 8vo.
KENYON (F. G.). Handbook to the textual criticism of the New

Testament. . . . With . . . facsimiles. London, 1901. 8vo,

pp. x, 321.
KENYON (F. G.). Our Bible and the ancient manuscripts : being

a history of the text and its translations. . . . With . . .

facsimiles. Second edition. London, 1896. 8vo, pp. x,

255.
LAKE (K.). The text of the New Testament. [Oxford Church

Text-Books.] London, 1900. 12mo, pp. 104.
LE LONQ (J.). Bibliotheca sacra post. . . . J. Le Long et C. F.

Boerneri iteratas curas ordine disposita, emendata, suppleta.

Continuata ab A. G. Masch. Halae, 1778-90. 5pts. in

4 vols. 4to.
LE LONG (J.). Discours historique sur les principales editions

des Bibles polyglottes. . . . Paris, 1713. 8vo, pp. 552.
LOISY (A.). Histoire critique du texte et des versions de la

Bible. Par/5, 1892. Vol. 1. 8vo.

MALAN (S. C.). A plea for the received Greek text and for

105

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.
t f

the authorised version of the New Testament. . . . London,.

1869. 8vo.
MILLER (E.). A guide to the textual criticism of the New

Testament. London, 1886. 8vo, pp. xiii, 147.
NESTLE (C. E.). Introduction to the textual criticism of the

Greek New Testament. . . . Translated from the second

edition ... by W. Edie . . . and edited, with a preface,

by A. Menzies. . . . [With facsimiles.] [Theological

Translation Library, 13.] London, 1901. 8vo, pp. xvi,

351.
ORME (W.). Bibliotheca Biblica: a select list of books on

sacred literature ; with notices biographical, critical, and

bibliographical. Edinburgh, 1824. 8vo.

REGIA ACCADEMIA DEI LINCEI. Atti della R. Accademia

dei lincei, Anno CCLXXXV., 1888. Serie quarta.
Classe di scienze morali, storiche e filologiche. Volume
IV. . . . [Parte 1, pp. 5-37. Le traduzioni degli evangelii
in arabo e in etiopico. Memoria del socio I. Guidi. . . .]
Roma, 1888. 4to.

REUSS (E. W. E.). History of the Sacred Scriptures of the
New Testament. . . . Translated from the fifth . . . German
edition, with . . . bibliographical additions by E. L. Hough-
ton. . . . Edinburgh, 1884. 8vo, pp. x, 639.

ROENSCH (H.). Itala und Vulgata . das Sprachidiom der
urchristlichen Itala und der Katholischen Vulgata unter
Beriicksichtigung der romischen Volkssprache durch Beis-
piele erlautert von H. Ronsch. . . . Zweite . . . Ausgabe.
Marburg, 1875. 8vo, pp. xvi, 526.

SALMON (G.). Some thoughts on the textual criticism of the
New Testament. London, 1897. 8vo, pp. xv, 161.

SCHAFF (P.). A companion to the Greek Testament and the
English version. . . . With facsimile illustrations. . . . Lon-
don, 1883. 8vo, pp. xi, 616.

SCRIVENER (F. H. A.). A plain introduction to the criticism of
the New Testament for the use of Biblical students. . . .

106

TEXTS AND VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE.

Fourth edition, edited by ... El Miller. . . . London,
1894. 2 vols. 8vo.

SlTTERLY (C. F.). Praxis in Greek MSS. of the New Testa-
ment : the mechanical and literary processes involved in
their writing and preservation. New York, 1898. 8vo.

SMYTH (J. P.). The old documents and the new Bible: an
easy lesson for the people in Biblical criticism. London,
1890. 8vo.

STUD1A BIBLICA. Studia biblica : essays in Biblical archaeology
and criticism and kindred subjects. By members of the
University of Oxford. Oxford, 1885. 8vo, pp. viii, 263.

SWETE (H. B.). An introduction to the Old Testament in
Greek. . . . With an appendix containing the letter of
Aristeas, edited by H. St. J. Thackeray. . . . Cambridge,
1900. 8vo, pp. xi, 592.

TREGELLES (S. P.). An account of the printed text of the
Greek New Testament ; with remarks on its revision upon
critical principles. Together with a collation of the critical
texts of Griesbach, Scholz, Lachmann, and Tischendorf,
with that in common use. London, 1854. 8vo.

VINCENT (M. R.). A history of the textual criticism of the New
Testament. [New Testament Handbooks.] New York, and
London, 1899. 8vo, pp. xii, 185.

WEIR (T. H.). A short history of the Hebrew text of the Old
Testament. [With plates.] London, 1899. 8vo, pp. xv,
149.

WESTWOOD (J. O.). Palasographia sacra pictoria : being a
series of illustrations of the ancient versions of the Bible,
copied from illuminated manuscripts executed between the
fourth and sixteenth centuries. London, 1843-45. 4to.

AIDS TO THE STUDY OF LATER VERSIONS OTHER THAN

ENGLISH.

BERGER (S.). La Bible francaise au moyen age. Etude sur
les plus anciennes versions de la Bible ecrites en prose de

107

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

* langue d'oil. . . . (Appendice, Description des manuscrits.)
Paris, 1884. 8vo, pp. xvi, 450.

BlBLE. The Bible of every land : a history of the sacred Scrip-
tures in every language and dialect, into which translations
have been made. With specimen portions in their own
characters. New edition. . . . London, 1 86 1 . 4to.

BlNDSEIL (H. E.). Verzeichniss der Original-Ausgaben der
Lutherischen Uebersetzung sowohl der ganzen Bibel, als auch
grosserer und kleinererTheile und einzelner Stellen derselben,
in systematischer Ordnung. Halle, 1 84 1 . 4to.

BONNARD (J.). Les traductions de la Bible en vers francais au
moyen age. Paris, 1 884. 8vo, pp. ii, 244.

CARDIFF. FREE LIBRARIES. The Bible in Wales : a study in
the history of the Welsh people. [By J. Ballinger.] With
an introductory address [by Sir J. Williams] and a biblio-
graphy. [By J. I. Jones.] [With plates.] Lon don, 1906.
2 pts. in 1 vol. 8vo.

CARINI (I.). Le versioni della Bibbia in volgare italiano. Sam-
pie.rdare.no., 1894. 16mo, pp. 70.

EVS (W. J. VAN). Bibliographic des Bibles et des Nouveaux
Testaments en langue francaise des 15 me et 16 me siecles.
... Geneve, 1900-01. 2 pts. in 1 vol. 8vo.

HAGEMANN (J. G.). Nachricht von denen fiirnehmsten Ueber-
setzungen der heiligen Schrift in andere Sprachen nebst
deren ersten und fiirnehmsten Ausgaben. . . . Brauns-
chweig, 1750. 8vo.

LAUNE (A.). La traduction de 1'Ancien Testament de Lefevre
d'Etaples. Paris, 1895. 8vo.

LE LONG (I.). Boek-Zaal der Nederduytsche Bybels, geopent,
in een historische verhandelinge van de oversettinge der
Heyligen Schriftuure in de Nederduytsche Taale. . . .
Amsterdam, 1764. 4to.

LUTHER (M). D. Martin Luthers Werke. Kritische Gesamm-
tausgabe. [Die deutsche Bibel. (Bibliographic der Drucke
der Lutherbibel, 1 522-46.)] Weimar. 8vo.

108

TEXTS AND VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE.

PALM 0- G.). Herrn J. G. Palm . . . Historic der deutschen

Bibel-Uebersetzung. . . . M. Lutheri, von dem Jahr 1517

an bis 1534. Aus des . . . Verfassers eigener Handschrift

herausgegeben, und mit einigen Anmerkungen begleitet von

J. M. Goezen. . . . Halle, 1 772. 4to, pp. 408.
PANZER (G. W.). Entwurf einer vollstandigen Geschichte der

deutschen Bibeliibersetzung. . . . M. Luthers vom Jahr 1517

an bis 1 58 1 . Nurnberg, 1791. 8vo.
PANZER (G. W.). Versuch einer kurzen Geschichte der romisch-

catholischen deutschen Bibeliibersetzung. Nurnberg, 1781.

8vo, pp. 196.
PETAVEL-OLLIFF (E.). La Bible en France ; ou les traductions

franfaises des Saintes Ecritures. Etude historique et litteraire.

Pans, 1864. 8vo.
QUIE~VREUX (P.). La traduction du Nouveau Testament de

Lefevre d'Etaples. Paris, 1894. 8vo.
REICH ERT (O. H. E.). Die Wittenberger Bibelre vision s-kom-

missionen von 1531 bis 1541 und ihr Ertragfur die deutsche

Luther bibel. Inaugural- Dissertation. . . . Liegnitz, 1905.

8vo, pp. ii, 49.
RHESA (L J.). Geschichte der litanischen Bibel. Konigsberg,

1886. 8vo.
ROMANIA. Romania : recueil trimestriel consacre a 1'etude des

langues et des HtteYatures romanes. . . . [28 e annee, pp.

360-408, 508-567. S. Berger: Les Bibles castillanes et

portugaises.] Paris, [1899], 8vo.
ROMANIA. Romania : recueil trimestriel consacre a 1'etude des

langues et des litteratures romanes. . . . [23 e annee, pp.

358-43 1 . S. Berger : La Bible italienne au moyen age.]

Paris, [1894]. 8vo.
ROMANIA. Romania : recueil trimestriel consacre a 1'etude des

langues et des litteratures romanes. . . . [18 e annee, pp. 353-

422. S. Berger : Les Bibles prove^ales et vaudoises.

1 9 e annee, pp. 505-561 . S. Berger : Nouvelles recherches sur

les Bibles provencales et catalanes.] Paris, [1 889-90]. 8vo.

109

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

SCHINMEIER (J. A.). Versuch einer vollstandigen Geschichte
der schwedischen Bibel-Uebersetzungen und Ausgaben. . . .
Flensburg, und Leipzig, 1 777-82. 5 pts. 4to.

STRUEMPELL (G.). Die ersten Bibeliibersetzungen der Franzo-
sen im zwolften, dreizehnten und vierzehnten Jahrhundert,
mit beigefiigten Proben, und die theologischen . . . und
religiosdramatischen Werke Frankreichs aus den ersten
Perioden seiner Literatur. . . . Braunschweig, 1 872. 8vo.

THOMAS (D. R.). The life and work of Bishop Davies and
W. Salesbury ; with an account of some early translations
into Welsh of the Holy Scriptures and the Prayer book,
together with a transcript of the bishop's version of the
pastoral epistles of St. Paul from one autograph MS. at
Gwysaney. . . . With illustrations and facsimiles. Oswestry,
1902. Fol., pp. 184.

WALTHER (W.). Die deutsche Bibeliibersetzung des Mittelal-
ters. Braunschweig, 1889-92. Fol., pp. 765.

WALTHER (W.). Luthers Bibeliibersetzung Kein Plagiat.
Erlangen, 1891. 8vo, pp. 47.

AIDS TO THE STUDY OF THE ENGLISH VERSIONS.

AMERICAN COMMITTEE. Historical account of the work of

the American Committee of Revision of the authorised
English version of the Bible. Prepared from the docu-
ments and correspondence of the Committee. New York,
1885. 8vo, pp. 74.

AMERICAN COMMITTEE. Private and confidential. Document-
ary history of the American Committee on Revision. Pre-
pared by order of the Committee for the use of the members.
New York, 1885. 8vo, pp. 186.

AMERICAN COMMITTEE. Anglo-American Bible revision.
By members of the American Revision Committee. [With
an ' Introductory statement * by P. Schaff.] [Second edition.]
. . . New York : (printed for private circulation), 1 879.
8vo, pp. 192.

TEXTS AND VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE

ANDERSON (C.). The annals of the English Bible. [With
facsimiles.] London, 1845. 2 vols. 8vo.

AYRES (S. G.) and SITTERLY (C. F.). The history of the

English Bible studied by the library method. . . . New
York, [1898]. 8vo, pp. 127.

BIBLE, ENGLISH. The Holy Bible, containing the Old and
New Testaments, with the apocryphal books in the earliest
English versions made from the Latin Vulgate by J. Wycliffe
and his followers; edited by . . . J. Forshall . . . and
Sir F. Madden. . . . Oxford, 1850. 4 vols. 4to.

BIBLE, ENGLISH. The Cambridge paragraph Bible of the
authorised English version, with the text revised by a col-
lation of its early and other principal editions . . . and
a critical introduction prefixed. By . . . F. H. Scrivener.
. . . Cambridge, 1873. 3 pts. in 1 vol. 4to.

BIBLE, ENGLISH. The Holy Bible. . . . Edited with various
renderings and readings from the best authorities, by, Old
Testament . . . T. K. Cheyne . . . S. R. Driver . . .
Apocrypha . . . C. J. Ball . . . New Testament . . .
R. L. Clarke . . . W. Sanday. . . . (Authorised version
variorum reference edition.) [Third edition.] London,
[1892]. 3 pts. in 1 vol. 4to.

BlBLE, ENGLISH. The English hexapla exhibiting the six im-
portant English translations of the New Testament Scriptures,
Wiclif 1380, Tyndale 1534, Cranmer 1539, Genevan
1557, Anglo-Rhemish 1582, Authorised 1611. The
original Greek text after Scholz. . . . Preceded by a history
of English translations and translators. London, [1872]. 4to.

BIBLE, ENGLISH. The English Bible: containing the Old
Testament and the New, translated out of the original tongues
by special command of ... King James the First, and now
reprinted, with the text revised by a collation of its early and
other principal editions, and edited by . . . F. H. Scrivener.
. . . Hammersmith : The Doves Press, 1903-05. 5 vols.
Fol.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

BlBLE, ENGLISH. The first printed English New Testament.
Translated by W. Tyndale. Photo-lithographed from the
unique fragment, now in the Grenville collection, British
Museum. Edited by E. Arber. . . . [Facsimile Texts.]
London, 1871. 4to, pp. 70, 62.

BlBLE, ENGLISH. The New Testament in the Revised Version
of 1 88 1 , with fuller references. [Edited by A. W. Greenup
and J. H. Moulton.] Oxford, 1910. 8vo, pp. xxii, 634.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. Historical catalogue

of the printed editions of Holy Scripture in the library of the
British and Foreign Bible Society. Compiled by T. H.
Darlow ... and H. F. Moule. . . . London, 1903. 1 vol.
8vo. In progress.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. An index list of all

printed editions of the English Scriptures down to 1 640 in
the library of the British and Foreign Bible Society. [Com-
piled by H. F. Moule.] London, 1901. 4to, pp. 18.

BURGON (J. W.) Dean of Chichester. The revision revised.
Three articles reprinted from the 'Quarterly Review*. . .
To which is added a reply to Bishop Ellicott's pamphlet in
defence of the revisers and their Greek text of the New
Testament. . . . London, 1883. 8vo, pp. xlii, 549.

CARLETON (J. G.). The part of Rheims in the making of the
English Bible. Oxford, 1902. 8vo, pp. vii, 259.

CARR (J. W.). Uber das Verhaltnis der Wiclifitischen und der
Purvey* schen Bibeliibersetzung zur Vulgata und zu einander.
Inaugural-Dissertation. . . . [N.p., 1900?] 8vo, pp. vi, 108.

CONDIT (B.). History of the English Bible. New York, 1882.
12mo.

COOK (A. S.). The Bible and English prose style : selections
and comments. Edited with an introduction by A. S. Cook.
Boston, U.S.A., 1892. 8vo, pp. Ixx, 61.

COOK (A. S.). Biblical quotations in Old English prose writers.
London, 1898. 8vo.

COTTON (H.). Editions of the Bible and parts thereof in Eng-

TEXTS AND VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE

Hsh, from the year MDV. to MDCCCL. Second edition.
Oxford, 1852. 8vo, pp. xxx, 420.

COTTON (H.). Rhemes and Doway : an attempt to show what
has been done by Roman Catholics (or the diffusion of the
Holy Scriptures in English. Oxford, 1855. 8vo, pp. xii,
410.

CROMWELL (T.). Life and letters of T. Cromwell. By R. B.
Merriman. . . . Oxford, 1902. 2 vols. 8vo.

DAWSON (B.). Notes on translations of the New Testament.
. . . [London P 1882.] 8vo, pp. 21.

DOBSON (W. T.). History of the Bassandyne Bible, the first
printed in Scotland. With notices of the early printers of
Edinburgh. . . . With facsimiles and . . . illustrations. . . .
Edinburgh and London, 1 887. 8vo, pp. 232.

DORE (J. R.). Old Bibles : an account of the early versions of
the English Bible. Second edition. [London], 1888. 8vo,
pp. xvi, 395.

EADIE (J.). The English Bible : an external and critical history
of the various English translations of Scripture, with remarks
on the need of revising the English New Testament. Lon-
don, 1876. 2 vols. 8vo.

EDGAR (A.). The Bibles of England : a plain account for plain
people of the principal versions of the Bible in English.
London, 1889. 8vo, pp. xi, 403.

ELLIOTT (C. J.) Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol. Con-
siderations on the revision of the English version of the New
Testament. London, 1870. 8vo, pp. ix, 222.

pROUDE (J. A.). Life and letters of Erasmus : lectures delivered
at Oxford, 1893-94. London, 1894. 8vo, pp. vi,
406.

FRY (F.). A bibliographical description of the editions of the
New Testament, Tyndale's version in English. . . . London,
1878. 4to, pp. xxiii, 196.

FRY (F.). A description of the Great Bible, 1539, and the six
editions of Cranmer's Bible, 1540 and 1541, printed by

113

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

Grafton and Whitchurch ; also of the editions in large folio

of the authorized version of the Holy Scriptures, printed

in the years 1611, 1613, 1617, 1634, 1640. . . . London,

1865. Fol.
FRY (F.). The Bible by Coverdale MDXXXV. Remarks on

the titles; the year of publication; the preliminary; the

water-marks, etc. With facsimiles. London, 1867. 8vo,

pp. vii, 38.
GAIRDNER (J.) C.B. Lollardy and the reformation in England :

an historical survey. London, 1908. 2 vols. 8vo.
GARDINER 0- H.). The Bible as English literature. London,

1906. 8vo, pp. xi, 402.
GASQUET (F. A.). The old English Bible, and other essays.

London, 1897. 8vo, pp. vii, 399.
HEATON (W. J.). Our own English Bible : its translators and

their work. [Manuscript period, ending with Wiclif and

Purvey.] With fifty-six facsimiles and illustrations. London,

1905. 8vo, pp. xii, 307.
HEATON (W. J.). The Bible of the Reformation : its translators

and their work. . . . With illustrations and facsimiles.

London, 1910. 8vo, pp. xiii, 28 1 .
HEMPHILL (S.). History of the Revised version of the New

Testament. London, 1906. 8vo.
HOARE (H. W.). The evolution of the English Bible: an

historical sketch of successive versions from 1382 to 1885.

. . . London, 1902. 8vo, pp. 368.
HOLLACK (E.). Vergleichende Studien zu der Hereford-

Wiclif'schen und Purvey'schen Bibeliibersetzung und der

lateinischen Vulgata. Ein Beitrag zur altenglischen Syntax.

. . . Leipzig, 1903. 8vo, pp. 84.

MEMORIAL FOR THE BIBLE SOCIETIES IN SCOTLAND : con-
taining " Remarks on the complaint of His Majesty's printers
against the Marquis of Huntly and others ". With an ap-
pendix. ... [By John Lee.] Edinburgh, 1824. 8vo,
pp. xxxii, 256, 96.

114

TEXTS AND VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE.

LEE (J.). Additional memorial on printing and importing Bibles :
containing remarks on the answers for ... His Majesty's
printers to the petition of G. Buchan . . . and others. With
a continuation of the appendix to the former memorial. . . .
Edinburgh, 1826. 8vo, pp. 185.

LEE (J.). Remarks on the complaint of His Majesty's printers
against the Bible Societies. [By John Lee.] Edinburgh,
1824. 8vo, pp. 130, 17.

LEWIS (J.). A complete history of the several translations of the
Holy Bible and New Testament into English, both in MS.
and in print. Third edition. London, 1 8 1 8. 8vo, pp.
xvii, 415.

LlGHTFOOT (J. B.) Bishop of Durham. On a fresh revision of
the English New Testament. . . . Reprinted with an addi-
tional appendix on the last petition of the Lord's prayer. . . .
London, 1891. 8vo, pp. xxvi, 342.

LOFTIE (W. J.). A century of Bibles of the authorised version
from 161 1 to 1711 to which is added W. Kilburne's Tract
on Dangerous Errors in the late printed Bibles, 1659.
London, 1872. 8vo, pp. vi, 249.

LOVETT (R.). The printed English Bible, 1525-1885. . . .
With . . . facsimiles. [Second impression.] London,
1909. 8vo, pp. 192.

MANCHESTER. JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. The English

Bible in the John Rylands Library, 1525 to 1648. [Com-
piled by Richard Lovett.] Printed for private circulation,
1899. Fol, pp. xvi, 275.

MOMBERT (J. I.). English versions of the Bible. A handbook
with copious examples illustrating the ancestry and rela-
tionship of the several versions, and comparative tables. . . .
Second edition. London, [1890]. 8vo, pp. xxi, 509.

MOULTON (R. G.). The literary study of the Bible: an
account of the leading forms of literature represented in
the sacred writings. . . . London, 1896. 8vo, pp. xii,
533.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

MOULTON (W. F.). The history of the English Bible. Fifth
edition, revised and enlarged by his sons J. H. Moulton
and W. F. Moulton. London, [1911]. 8vo, pp. xiv,
310.

O'CALLAGHAN (E. B.). A list of editions of the Holy Scrip-
tures and parts thereof, printed in America previous to
1 860 : with introduction and bibliographical notes. A Ibany,
1861. 8vo, pp. liv, 415.

OWEN (G. L.). Notes on the history and text of our early
English Bible, and of its translation into Welsh. London,
1901. 8vo, pp. 80.

PAUES (A. C). A fourteenth-century English Biblical version.
Edited by A. C. Paues. . . . Cambridge, 1904. 8vo, pp.
Ixxxvi, 263.

PRICE (I. M.).i The ancestry of our English Bible. Phila-
delphia, 1907. 8vo.

SLATER (J. R.). The sources of Tyndale's version of the
Pentateuch. Chicago, 1906. 8vo.

SMITH (W. E.). A study of the great " She " Bible, 1613 or
1611. . . . Reprinted . . . from "The Library," January,
March, and April, 1890. London, 1890. 8vo, pp. 31.

STEVENS (H.). The Bibles in the Caxton Exhibition, 1877, or
a bibliographical description of nearly one thousand repre-
sentative Bibles in various languages chronologically arranged
from the first Bible printed by Gutenberg ... to the last
printed at Oxford in 1877. With an introduction. . . .
London, 1878. 4to, pp. 151.

STOUGHTON Q.). Our English Bible: its translations and
translators. London, [1878]. 8vo.

SWEARINGEN (G. F.). Die englische Schriftsprache bei Cover-
dale mil einem Anhang ilber ihre weitere Entwicklung in
den Bibeliibersetzungen bis zu der Authorized Version 161 1.
Berlin, 1904. 8vo, pp. 52.

TRENCH (R. C.) Archbishop of Dublin. On the authorized
version of the New Testament : in connexion with some

116

TEXTS AND VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE.

recent proposals for its revision. Second edition. . . .

London, 1 859. 8vo.
TREVELYAN (G. M.). England in the age of Wycliffe. . . .

London, 1900. 8vo, pp. xiv, 380.
WESTCOTT (B. F.). A general view of the history of the

English Bible. Third edition revised by W. Aldis Wright.

London, 1905. 8vo, pp. xx, 356.
WILSON (L.). Bibles, Testaments, Psalms, and other Books of

the Holy Scriptures in English in the collection of L. Wilson.

. . . London, 1845. 4to, pp. vii, 352.

117

PUBLICATIONS OF THE JOHN RYLANDS
LIBRARY.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY : Memorial of the inauguration, 6th
October, 1899. [Printed for private circulation.] 8vo, pp. 24.

CATALOGUE of the manuscripts, books, and bookbindings exhibited
at the opening of the John Rylands Library, Manchester,
6th October, 1899. 8vo, pp. 42. Out of print.

CATALOGUE of the printed books and manuscripts in the John
Rylands Library, Manchester. 1899. 3 vols. 4to. 31s. 6d.
net.

CATALOGUE of books in the John Rylands Library . . . printed in
England, Scotland, and Ireland, and of books in English
printed abroad, to the end of the year 1640. 1895. 4to, pp.
iii, 147. 10s. 6d. net.

THE ENGLISH BIBLE in the John Rylands Library, 1525 to 1640.
With 26 facsimiles and 39 engravings. Printed for private
circulation. 1899. Folio, pp. xvi, 275. In levant Morocco,
5 guineas net.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY : A brief description of the building
and its contents, with a descriptive list of the works exhibited
in the main library. Printed for private circulation. July
1902. 8vo, pp. 48. Out of print.

JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. . . . Johann Gutenberg and the dawn
of typography in Germany. Lecture by the Librarian, 14th
October, 1903. (Synopsis of lecture. List of works ex-
hibited ... to illustrate the work of the first typographers
in Germany. . . A selection from the works in the John
Rylands Library bearing upoa the subject.) 1903. 8vo,
pp. 15. Out of print.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY : The movement of Old Testament
scholarship in the nineteenth century. [Synopsis of] a

118

PUBLICATIONS.

lecture by Prof. A. S. Peake, ... llth November, 1903.
Some leading dates in Pentateuch criticism, 1903. 8vo, pp. 8.
Out of print.

WORKS upon the study of Greek and Latin palaeography and
diplomatic in the John Rylands Library. . . . Reprinted from
the " Quarterly Bulletin of the John Rylands Library ". 1903.
4to, pp. 16. Out of print.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. . . . Catalogue of an exhibition of
Bibles illustrating the history of the English versions from
Wiclif to the present time. Including the personal copies of
Queen Elizabeth, General Gordon, and Elizabeth Fry. 1904.
8vo, pp. 32. Out of print.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. . . . Catalogue of the manuscripts
and printed books exhibited on the occasion of the visit of
the National Council of the Evangelical Free Churches.

1905. 8vo, pp. 38. Out of print.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. ... A brief historical description
of the library and its contents, with catalogue of the selec-
tion of early printed Greek and Latin classics exhibited on
the occasion of the visit of the Classical Association. . . .

1906. 8vo, pp. 89. Illus. Is. net.

*+* Full bibliographical descriptions of the first printed
editions of the fifty principal Greek and Latin writers ; of the
first printed Greek classic (" Batrachomyomachia," 1474)
the only known copy is described.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. . . . Catalogue of an exhibition of
Bibles illustrating the history of the English versions from
Wiclif to the present time, including the personal copies of
Queen Elizabeth, Elizabeth Fry, and others. 1907. 8vo,
pp. vii, 55. Out of print.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. . . . Catalogue of the selection of
books and broadsides illustrating the early history of print-
ing exhibited on the occasion of the visit of the Federation
of Master Printers and allied trades. 1907. 8vo, pp. vi, 34.
Out of print.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. ... A brief historical description
of the library and its contents. 1907. 8vo, pp.. 53. Illus.
Out of print.

119

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. . . . Catalogue of an exhibition of
illuminated manuscripts, principally Biblical and liturgical,
on the occasion of the Church Congress. 1908. 8vo, pp.
vi, 82. 6d. net.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. . . . Catalogue of an exhibition of
original editions of the principal works of John Milton ar-
ranged in celebration of the tercentenary of his birth. 1908.
8vo, pp. 24. 6d. net.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. . . . Catalogue of an exhibition of
the works of Dante Alighieri [with list of a selection of
works on the study of Dante]. 1909. 8vo, pp. xii, 55, 6d.
net.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. . . . Catalogue of an exhibition of
original editions of the principal English classics [with list of
works for the study of English literature.]. 1910. 8vo, pp.
xvi, 86. 6d. net,

A CLASSIFIED CATALOGUE of the works on architecture and the
allied arts in the principal libraries of Manchester and
Salford, with alphabetical author list and subject index.
Edited for the Architectural Committee of Manchester by
Henry Guppy and Guthrie Vine. 1909. 8vo, pp. xxv, 310.
3s. 6d. net, or interleaved 4s. 6d. net.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY. ... An analytical catalogue of the
contents of the two editions of "An English Garner," com-
piled by Edward Arber (1877-97), and rearranged under the
editorship of Thomas Seccombe (1903-04). 1909. 8vo, pp.
viii, 221. Is. net.

BULLETIN of the John Rylands Library. Vol. I. (1903-08). 4to,
pp. 468. 6s. net.

AN ACCOUNT of a copy from the fifteenth century [now in the
John Rylands Library] of a map of the world engraved on
metal, which is preserved in Cardinal Stephen Borgia's
Museum at Velletri. By A. E. Nordenskiold (copied from
" Ymer," 1891). Stockholm, 1891. 4to, pp. 29, and facsimile
of map. 7s. 6d. net.

CATALOGUE of the Coptic manuscripts in the John Rylands Library.
By W, E. Crum. 1909. 4to, pp. xii, 273. 12 plates of fac-
similes, in collotype. 1 guinea net.

PUBLICATIONS.

* # * Many of the texts are reproduced in extenso. The col-
lection includes a series of private letters considerably older
than any in Coptic hitherto known, in addition to many MSS.
of great theological and historical interest.

CATALOGUE of the Demotic Papyri in the John Rylands Library.
With facsimiles and complete translations. By F. LI. Griffith.
1909. 3 vols. 4to.

1. Atlas of facsimiles in collotype.

2. Lithographed hand copies of the earlier documents.

3. Key-list, translations, commentaries, and indexes. 3
guineas net.

* # * This is something more than a catalogue. It includes
collotype facsimiles of the whole of the documents, with
transliterations, translations, besides introductions, very full
notes, and a glossary of Demotic, representing the most im-
portant contribution to the study of Demotic hitherto pub-
lished. The documents dealt with in these volumes cover a
period from Psammetichus, one of the latest native kings,
about 640 B.C., down to the Roman Emperor Claudius, A.D. 43.

CATALOGUE of the Greek Papyri in the John Rylands Library.
By Arthur S. Hunt. Vol. 1 : Literary texts (Nos. 1-61). 1911.
4to, pp. xii, 204. 10 plates of facsimiles in collotype.
1 guinea net.

\* The texts are reproduced in extenso. The collection
comprises many interesting Biblical, liturgical, and classical
papyri, ranging from the third century B.C. to the sixth century
A.D. Included are probably the earliest known text of the
" Nicene Creed," and one of the earliest known vellum codices,
containing a considerable fragment of the " Odyssey," pos-
sibly of the third century A.D.

CATALOGUE of the Greek Papyri in the John Rylands Library. By
Arthur S. Hunt. Vols. 2 and 3 : Non-literary documents.
In preparation.

THE JOHN RYLANDS FACSIMILES : A series of reproductions of
unique and rare books in the possession of the John Rylands
Library.
The volumes consist of minutely accurate facsimile product -

v ions of the works selected, preceded by short bibliographical
introductions.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

The issue of each work is limited to five hundred copies, of
which three hundred are offered for sale, at a price calculated
to cover the cost of reproduction.

1. PROPOSITIO JOHANNIS RUSSELL, printed by William Caxton,

circa A.D. 1476. Reproduced from the copy preserved in the
John Rylands Library. . . . With an introduction by Henry
Guppy. 1909. 8vo, pp. 36, 8. 3s. 6d. net.

\* This " proposition " is an oration, pronounced by John
Russell, Garter King of Arms, on the investiture of Charles,
Duke of Burgundy, with the Order of the Garter, in Febru-
ary, 1469, at Ghent. The tract consists of four printed
leaves, without title-page, printer's name, date, or place of
printing. It is printed in the type which is known as Caxton's
type " No. 2," but whether printed at Bruges or at West-
minster has yet to be determined.

For many years the copy now in the John Rylands Library
was considered to be unique. Indeed, until the year 1807 it
lay buried and unnoticed in the heart of a volume of manu-
scripts, with which it had evidently been bound up by mis-
take. Since then, another copy has been discovered in the
library at Holkham Hall, the seat of the Earl of Leicester.

2. A BOOKS in Englysh metre, of the Great Marchaunt man

called "Dives Pragmaticus ". . . . 1563. Reproduced in
facsimile from the copy in the John Rylands Library. With
an introduction by Percy E. Newbery ; and remarks on the
vocabulary and dialect, with a glossary by Henry C. Wyld.
1910. 4to, pp. xxxviii, 16. 5s. net.

*+* The tract here reproduced is believed to be the sole
surviving copy of a quaint little primer which had the
laudable object of instructing the young in the names of
trades, professions, ranks, and common objects of daily life
in their own tongue. The lists are rhymed, and therefore
easy to commit to memory, and they are pervaded by a
certain vein of humour.

3. A LITIL BOKE the whiche traytied and reherced many gode

thinges necessaries for the . . . Pestilence . . . made by the
. . . Bisshop of Arusiens. . . . [London], [1485?]. Repro-
duced in facsimile from the copy in the John Rylands Library.

PUBLICATIONS.

With an introduction by Guthrie Vine. 1910. 4to, pp. xxxvi,
18. 5s. net.

\* Of this little tract, consisting of nine leaves, written by
Benedict Kanuti, or Knutsson, Bishop of Vasteras, three
separate editions are known, but only one copy of each, and
an odd leaf are known to have survived.

There is no indication in any edition of the place of printing,
date, or name of printer, but they are all printed in one of the
four types employed by William de Machlinia, who printed
first in partnership with John Lettou, and afterwards alone,
in the city of London, at the time when William Caxton was
at the most active period of his career at Westminster.

123

THE TRUSTEES, GOVERNORS, AND

PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF THE

JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

TRUSTEES.

WILLIAM CARNELLEY.

SIR HERBERT HARDY COZENS-HARDY, P.C.

The Rev. CHARLES SILVESTER HORNE, M.A., M.P.

The REV. JOHN WILLIAM KIDDLE.

WILLIAM A. LINNELL.

EVAN SPICER, J.P.

STEPHEN JOSEPH TENNANT.

ADOLPHUS WILLIAM WARD, Lirr.D., LL.D.

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNORS.*

WILLIAM CARNELLEY.
T. W. RHYS DAVIDS, LL.D., PH.D.
GERARD N. FORD, J.P.
CHARLES HAROLD HERFORD,

M.A., LiTT.D.
SIR ALFRED HOPKINSON, K.C.,

B.C.L., LL.D.

SIR GEORGE WATSON MACAL-

PINE, J.P.

SIR THOMAS T. SHANN, J.P.
STEPHEN J. TENNANT.
THOMAS F. TOUT, M.A.
SIR W. H. VAUDREY, J.P.

CO-OPTATIVE GOVERNORS.*

The REV. WALTER F. ADENEY,

M.A., D.D.

SIR WILLIAM H. BAILEY, J.P.
The REV. J. W. KIDDLE.
The REV. J. T. MARSHALL, M.A.,

D.D.

The REV. JAMES HOPE MOUL-

TON, M.A., D.Lirr., D.D.
A. S. PEAKE, M.A., D.D.

The REV.ARNOLD W.H. STREULI.

The RT. REV. Bishop J. E. WELL-
DON, D.D.

The Representative and Co-optative Governors constitute the Council.
I2 4

TRUSTEES, GOVERNORS, AND OFFICERS.

HONORARY GOVERNORS.!

SIR H. HARDY COZENS-HARDY,

P.C.
The REV. A. M. FAIRBAIRN, M.A.,

D.D., LL.D.
The REV. C. SILVESTER HORNE,

M.A., M.P.
The RT. REV., The BISHOP OF

LINCOLN, D.D.

CANON H. D. RAWNSLEY, M.A.
A. W. WARD, LiTT.D., LL.D.
The LORD MAYOR OF MAN-
CHESTER.
The MAYOR OF SALFORD.

CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL

VICE-CHAIRMAN
HON. TREASURER ...
HON. SECRETARY ...

LIBRARIAN

SUB-LIBRARIAN
ASSISTANT-LIBRARIAN

SIR ALFRED HOPKINSON, K.C., B.C.L.,

LL.D.

WILLIAM CARNELLEY.
STEPHEN J. TENNANT.
The REV. J. W. KIDDLR
HENRY GUPPY, M.A.
GUTHRIE VINE, M.A.
JULIAN PEACOCK.

f Honorary Governors are not Members of the Council.

125

RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE
JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

1. The use of the Library is restricted to purposes of research

and reference, and under no pretence whatever must any
Book, Manuscript, or Map be removed from the building.

2. The Library is open to holders of Readers' Tickets daily, as

follows : Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Library will be closed on Sundays, Good Friday, Christ-
mas Day, New Year's Day, Bank Holidays, and the whole
of Whit-week

3. Persons desirous of being admitted to read in the Library
must apply in writing to the Librarian, specifying their pro-
fession or business, their place of abode and the particular
purpose for which they seek admission.*

4. Every such application must be made at least two clear days
before admission is required, which must bear the signature
and full address of a person of recognised position, whose
address can be identified from the ordinary sources of re-
ference, certifying from personal knowledge of the applicant
that he or she will make proper use of the Library.

5. If such application or recommendation be unsatisfactory, the
Librarian shall withhold admission and submit the case to
the Council of Governors for their decision.

6. The Tickets of Admission, which are available for twelve
months, are not transferable, and must be produced when
required.

* Forms of Application for Reader's Ticket may be had on application
to the Librarian.

126

RULES AND REGULATIONS.

7. No person under eighteen years of age is admissible, except
under a special order from the Council of Governors.

8. Readers may not write upon, damage, turn down the leaves,
or make any mark upon any Book, Manuscript, or Map
belonging to the Library; nor may they lay the paper on
which they are writing upon any Book, Manuscript, or Map.

9. The erasure of any mark or writing in any Book, Manu-

script, or Map is strictly prohibited.

10. No tracing shall be allowed to be made without express per-

mission of the Librarian.

1 1 . Books in the Open Reference Shelves may be consulted with-
out any formality, but after use they are to be left on the
tables instead of being replaced on the shelves.

12. Other books may be obtained by presenting to the Assistant
at the counter one of the printed application slips properly
filled up.

13. Readers before leaving the Library are required to return
to the Assistant at the counter all Books, Manuscripts, or
Maps for which they have given tickets, and must reclaim
their tickets. Readers are held responsible for such Books,
Manuscripts, or Maps so long as the tickets remain un-
cancelled.

14. Books of great value and rarity may be consulted only in
the presence of the Librarian or one of his Assistants.

15. Readers before entering the Library must deposit all wraps,
canes, umbrellas, parcels, etc., at the Porter's Lodge in the
Vestibule, and receive a check for same.

16. Conversation, loud talking, and smoking are strictly prohibited

in every part of the building.

17. Readers are not allowed in any other part of the building save
the Library without a special permit.

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY.

18. Readers and visitors to the -Library are strictly forbidden to
offer any fee or gratuity to any attendant or servant.

1.9. Any infringement of the'se Rules will render the privilege of-
admission liable to forfeiture.

20. The privilege of admission is granted upon the following con-
ditions :

(a) That it may at any time be suspended by the

Librarian.
(6) That it may at any time be withdrawn by the Council

of Governors.

21. Complaints about the service of the Library should be made
to the Librarian immediately after the occurrence^ of the
cause for complaint, and if written must be signed with
the writer's name and address.

22. All communications respecting the use of the Library must

be addressed to the Librarian.

HENRY GUPPY.

N.B. It is earnestly requested that any Reader observing
a defect in or damage to any Book, Manuscript, or
Map will point out the same to the Librarian.

ADMISSION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND VISITORS.

The general public are admitted to view the Library on
Tuesday and Friday afternoons 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. Visitors to Manchester from a distance, at
any other time when the Library is open, will be ad-
mitted for the same purpose upon application to the
Librarian.

128

1HHB-
^^^^

Angeles

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