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continued to 1792, was attached to Archbishop Newcome's view of English translations, and another reprint was brought down to 1816, and appended to a republication of Lewis. Dr. Cotton shall give his own account of the plan which he has now adopted.

comparison of any kind. With regard to the later editions, and such as are yet scarcely out of circulation, the same care did not seem to be required; for them I have not gone out of my way, but have been contented to find a single reference, which should be sufficient to verify their existence.

"The notes, with the exception of the first, are short, and few in number; for I scarcely thought it worth while to load the pages with observations transferred from Lewis, or other bibliographers; and the descriptions of some more curious editions, I have placed by themselves in the Appendix. The length of the first note may perhaps be excused by the high interest and value of the book which it describes. I should much rejoice to see a careful re.' publication of this first edition of Tyndale's Testament, with various readings from the editions of 1534 and 1536, and likewise from George Joye's edition. It would be a curious and pleasing task to trace the gradual change and improvement which took place, as new light broke in upon the minds of the translators. Pleasing also to observe how many of the earliest expressions have withstood repeated revisals of the translation, and are retained and approved at the present day. This last is

"In all of these the editions are arranged in chronological order, and in the four last, the Psalms form a separate class. I have judged both these arrangments to be most conducive to perspicuity, and as such have adopted them. With respect to the tabular or columnar form in which the preceding lists are printed, it certainly possesses some advantages in making an hasty reference to a particular edition, because not only are the dates and sizes brought together as here, but the place also, the printer, and the possessor of the volume. But in the present instance it was found that this scheme was subject to some disadvantages; especially as in many cases the number of possessors given would be considerable; and since the column containing their names could not be widened, the rest of the page would bave presented an aukward and displeasing blank. "Whatever was set down in the former lists I have conceived myself bound to retain, unless upon examination I discovered it to be erroneous: and in fact I have little doubt that several editions, cited in this tract as printed in different sizes, owe their supposed existence to the circumstance of being called folios by one, and quartos by another; octavos by one, and twelves by another. In this particular Mr. Herbert is not to be depended upon for accuracy; he himself acknowledges in his work, that he often calls octavos those volumes which are really twelves, (or more properly speaking, sixteens; for in old books the signatures run in eights much oftener than in any other number.) In seeking and noting down possessors of the earlier edi-gible after nearly three centuries had elaptions, I have bestowed some pains; and have given the names of every society or person with whom I found the more rare and cnrious articles: endeavouring always to cite, if possible, a public rather than a private repository: a permanent collection, such as the Bodleian, rather than the library of an individual. For it is interesting, and

in many cases useful, to know where such

and such a translation or remarkable edi

tion can be found ; likewise to know where a second and a third copy is to be met with, for the sake of supplying a defect, or for

a circumstance which cannot fail to strike forcibly any one who has been led to examine our earlier printed Bibles. Let any person take up the first edition of Coverdale's Bible, printed in 1535, and read from it one of the Psalms; besides the general similarity which pervades the whole,how many verses will he find of which every word is the same with those which he reads in the Prayer Book as now printed and used! Surely that rendering must have been near the truth, which repeated examination has not thought fit to alter; that language must have been well choser, which could not only maintain its ground amidst so many changes of style and taste, but could continue to be generally intelli

sed, and when almost every other composition of the same age had become enveloped in considerable obscurity. P. xii.

This recommendation cannot be better followed up than by presenting our readers with the parallel passages from eight different translations of the Bible as they are collected by Dr.Cotton in his Appendix. We select the shortest, though not the most interesting specimen. The

others are taken from Mark xiv. 1., and 1 Cor. xv. 29.

"Genesis xliii. 11, &c. Tyndale's Pentateuch, 1530. 12o. "Than their father Israel sayde unto the, yf it must needes be so now: thau do thus, take of the best frutes of the lande in youre vesselles, and bringe the man a present*, a curtesie bawlme, and a curtesie of hony, spyces and myrre, dates and almondes. And take as moch money more with you. And the money that was brought agayne in youre sackes, take it agayue with you in youre handes, peradventure it was some oversyghte.

"Take also youre brother with you, and And aryse and goo agayne to the man. God Almightie geve you mercie in the sighte of the man and send you youre other brother and also Bē Jamin, and I wilbe as a ma robbed of his childern †.

"Coverdale's Bible, 1535. fol.

"Then sayde Israel their father unto the: Yf it must nedes be so, then do this: take of the best frutes of the lande in youre sackes, and brynge the man a present: a curtesy balme, and hony, and spyces, and myrre, and dates, and almondes. Take other money with you also, and the money that was brought agayne in youre sacke mouthes, cary it agayne with you: per adventure it was an oversight. And take youre brother, get you up, and go The Allmightie agayne unto the man. God geve you mercy in the sight of ye man, that he maye let you have youre other brother, and Ben Jamin. As for me, I must be as one, that is robbed of his children.

*The articles composing Jacob's present to Joseph are thus given in two MSS. in the Bodleian; the former of which is said to be Wicliffe's translation, the second is called by Lewis the revised translation of Wicliffe.

1. "A lytle of precious liquor of sibote" "and of hony, (the margin has ginne,) & of the liquor of the tree of Storax, and of Stactes the liquor of myrrh tree, and of Therebynt, and of almondes."

2." a little of gum and of honey, and of Storax, and of myrrh, and of therebath, and of almonds."'

The margin of this last has these notes: "Storax, that is, précious gum.”› "Myrrh, that is, a bitter gum."' "Therebynte, that is, reysyns beste."' + The second edition of 1534, agrees with the first.

"Matthew's Bible. 1557. fol. "Than their father Israel sayd unto them: Yf it must ned? be so now: than do thus, take of the best frutes of the lande in youre vesselles, and brynge the mã a present, a curtesye bawlme, and a curtesye of bony, spyces & myrre, dates & almodes. And take as moche money more with you. And the money that was – brought agayne in your sackes, take it agayne with you, peradventure it was some oversyghte.

"Take also youre brother with you, & aryse & goo agayne to the ma. And God Almightie geve you mercie in the syghte of the ma and send you youre other brother and also Ben-Jamin, and I wylbe as a man robbed of his chyldren.

1

"Cranmer's Bible. 1539. fol. "And their father Israel sayd unto thē: If it must nedis be so now: than do thus. Take of the best frutes of the lade in youre vesselles, and brynge the man a present, a curtesye bawlme, and a curtesye of honey, spices and myrre, nottes & almondes. And take dubble money in youre hande. And the money that was brought agayne in youre sackes, take it agayne with you, lest peradventure it was some oversyghte.

"Take also youre brother with you, and aryse & goo agayne to the man. And God Almightie geve you mercie in the sygute of theman, yt he maye delyver you youre other brother, & this Ben Jamin, and I shalbe robbed of my chylde, as I have bene.

"Taverner's Bible. 1559. fol.

"Then theyr father Israel said unto them. Yf it must nedes be so now, then do thus, take of the best frutes of the laude in your vessels, and cary the man a present, a quantitie of bawlme, and a porcion of hony, spyces and myrre, dates and almondes. And take as moch money-more with you.' And the money that was brought agayn in your sackes, take it agayn with you, peradventure it was some oversyght.

"Take also your brother with you, and aryse and go agayne to the man. And God Almyghtye gyve you merey in the sight of the man and sende you your other brother & also Ben Jami and I wyl be as a man robbed of his children.

"Genevan Bible. 1560. 4°.

"11. Then their father Israél said unto them, If it must nedes be so nowe, do thus: take of the best frutes of the land in your vessels, and bring the man a present, a litle rosen, and a litle honie, spices and myrre, nuttes, and almondes;

“12 And take double money in your hand, and the money, that was broght againe in your sackes mouthes: carie it againe in your hand, lest it were some ouer sight.

"13. Take also your brother and arise, and go againe to the man.

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"14. And God Almightic gine you mercie in the sight of the man, that he maie deliuer you your other brother, and Beniamin: but I shal be robbed of my childe, as I haue bene.

Bishop's Bible. 1568. fol.

"11. And their father Israel sayde unto them: if it must nedes be so, nowe then do thus. Take of the best fruites of the lande in your vesselles, and bring ye man a present, a curtsie of bawme, and a curtsie of hony, spyces and mirre, nuttes and almondes.

“12. And take double money in your lande, & the money that was brought agayne in your sackes, take it agayne with you, peradventure it was some oversight.

"13. Take also your brother with you, and arise and go agayne unto the man.

"14, And God Almightie geve you mercye in the sight of the man, that he may deliver you your other brother, and [this] Beniamin; and thus I am as one that is quite robbed of his chyldren.

"Douay Bible. 1609.

11. Therfore Israel their father said to them: If it must needes be so, do that you wil: take of the best frutes of the land in your vessels, and carie to the man for presents, a courtesie of rosen, and of honey, and of incense, of mirhe,of terebinth,and of almondes. "12. Duble money also carie with you: and recaric that you founde in your sackes, lest perhaps it was done by an errour: "13. But take also your brother, and goe 14. to the man. And may God Al

mightie make him favourable unto you: and send backe with you your brother, whom he keepeth, and this Beniamin; as for me I shal be desolate without children." P. 85,

There is much new and accurate information in different parts of the volume respecting Sternhold's translation of the psalms. But as our attention will speedily be recalled to this subject, we shall reserve what Dr. Cotton has collected till we have an opportunity of reviewing the recent publication of Mr. Todd, and of exposing, with the assistance of

these adepts in antiquarian lore, the extreme ignorance and inaccuracy of writers of a different class, who have their own reasons for preferring unauthorized to authorized Psalmbooks. Three specimens, however, of the early poetical versions of the first part of the nineteenth psalm are deserving of particular notice. The first is taken from Sternhold's version, printed in 1551, probably the third edition of that writer's book, and a fair specimen of his very extraordinary talents. The second from Arch, bishop Parker's version, which was printed about 1560, and is extremely rare. The third is rendered more curious by the recent controversy respecting English hexameters, and on the whole is a very successful attempt at versification in that metre. These extracts will conclude our brief notice of a work which is highly creditable to the knowledge, taste and diligence of its author, and which will seedily find a place in every biblical library. "Psalms by Sterneholde. Ed. 1551, "Psalm xix.

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"By Abp. Parker. 4o. (about 1560.) ·

1.

"The heavens do tell how God excelth
in glory, power, and might :
The firmament: so excellent,
his handy worke endight.

2.

"For day to day: succeeding aye, doth playne his power declare: As night to night: ensuyng ryght, setteth out bys lovyng care,

3.

"No speche, or tong: to them doth long,
theyr voyce distinct not hard;
To magnifie: theyr Lord so hie,
by languages regard.

4.

"But yet theyr sound: as wordes rebound, on all the earth it strayes:

To further cost: all uttermost,

their noyse theyr maker prayse.

5.

"In them he set: the sunne so net,

E like bridegrome which proceedth:
His chamber out: as Giaunt stout,
rejoyceth hys course to spede.
6.

"His course goeth out: even round about
the heaven and back retreatth;'
From East to West: it hath no rest,

all thynge doth feele hys heate.

"Certayne Psalms by Abraham Fraunce. 1591.

"Psalm viii,

"O Prince all-puysant, ô King al-mightyly ruling,

How wōdrous be thy works, and how strange are thy proceedings?
Thou hast thy greate name with moste greate glory reposed
Over, above thoselamps, bright- burning Lamps of Olympus,
Ev'n very babes, yong babes, yong sucking babes thy triumphant
Might set foorth; to the shame of them which injury offer,
Ev'n to the shame of them which damned blasphemy utter.

"When that looke to the skies, and lyft myne eyes to the heavens,
Skies thyne owne hand-work and heavens fram'd by thy fingers;
When that I see this Sunne, that makes my sight to be seeing
And that Moone, her light, light half-darck, dayly renuing,
Sunne dayes-eye shynyng, Moone nights-light chereful apearing
When that I see sweete Starres through christal skies to be sprinckled,
Some to the first spheare fixt, some here and there to be wandryng,
And yet a constant course with due revolution endyng.
Then doe I thinck, ô Lord, what a thing is man, what a wonder?”

P.146.

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more general. The power and vigilance of Ecclesiastical officers are seen and felt; and with whatever individual inconvenience their exercise may be attended, the general effect is so beneficial that not a complaint is to be heard upon the subject. Respectable people of all classes perceive and acknowledge the propriety of inquiry and superintendance. The Church-rates are not grudged, when it is known that their application will be noticed and commented upon; and a species of acquaintance springs up between the Ordinary and the principal parishioners, of which it is difficult to exaggerate the advantages. The

eye which once becomes accustomed to survey the fabric_of Churches, and to report to the Diocesan upon their condition, will soon be induced to extend its examination into every corner of the parochial system, the ministerial functions, and the whole Ecclesiastical establishment. Clergy and Laity will reap equal benefit from close and continued inspection. Wherever there exist real causes for complaint, it will be preferred with. out hesitation, and the wrong redressed without delay. While the more common cases, those of cap tious and unfounded objections, which can receive no answer because they can be brought to no test, will be so thoroughly exposed, that they must gradually fall into disuse.

These thoughts have suggested themselves naturally to our minds, as we perused what may be called the posthumous advice of the late Archdeacon of Colchester He was requested and had promised to publish this Charge, but died before it was prepared for the press. His diligence in the discharge of his very important duties was neither his least nor his only merit. He had already effected much good, and steps towards a further improve ment were in active preparation. It is some consolation for the loss of such a man, to know that his successor is not less able than willing to tread in his steps.

perform. The origin of their office is briefly adverted to, and the gradual increase of its functions, the mode of election, and the necessity of appearing at the Archidiaconal visitation are described. The Churchwardens are reminded, in impressive language, of the sacred and binding nature of the oath by which they pledge themselves to a faithful discharge of their office; and the Archdeacon endeavours to assist them in the last by explaining its various parts. The first and perhaps the most difficult question is considered in the following passage.

"I own I feel considerable difficulty when I enter upon the subject of presentments. In times when the hierarchy was in its strength and vigour,-when the con

stitution of the Church was unenfeebled

by the empiricisms of theorists in ecclesiastical polity,-while the canon law was less restrained by the jealousies of the civil, -before the spiritual courts were paralysed by the prohibitions of the temporal,

the procedure by presentment was easy, simple, and unperplexed; and it may fairly be presumed, that the censures and penalties, which ensued on proof and cious in checking those scandals against conviction, were far from being ineffica religion, and those offences against morals, which fell more immediately under the jurisdiction of our courts. It is certain, however, that blasphemies and crimes of this description were then more seriously considered,-more unfrequently committed, more sedulously concealed from the common conversation, and less lightly espublic eye,-less flippantly spoken of in teemed in common opinion.

The Archdeacon first addresses a "It is true, the canon law, though in few remarks to the Clergy upon the but few cases uncontrolled by the interpeculiar aspect of the times in which ference of the civil, continues in this res we live, upon the effects which have pect in its former force; but having been been produced and which may be very rarely resorted to for nearly the expected from modern philosophy of it, I mean by presentment, having been, last century, and suits upon this branch and indifference, and upon the lesson as I am led to believe, though for reasons to be learned from the progress of with which I am unacquainted, rather disthe Catholic question respecting the countenanced than encouraged in the impolicy and danger of concession. higher courts, it may be said to be at He then enters upon the main busileast becoming obsolete; and whether it ness of his Charge, and submits to might be prudent or possible, advanthe consideration of the Church-Religion and the Church, to attempt, in tageous or prejudicial to the interests of wardeus elect, a statement of the duties which they are required to

the present novel spirit of the times, to revive it, appears to be a matter of very

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