In the literature of this country, though it has been so often felt and lamented, no more observable defect exists than that there is no history of the English Bible. We do know that it is actually in use on the banks of the Ottawa and St. One is almost reminded of the sun, compared to a star of the smallest size.
One, however,—and, in the true sense of the term, as regards its influence on posterity,—by far the most eminent, has hitherto been overlooked. That the history of the English Bible has never before been viewed in this light, it is freely allowed;. If this general prevalence should prove to have been almost equally independent of the civil power, from Henry the Eighth to Charles the Second, or rather to the present time, it will altogether form the most singular fact, as such , in the annals of the kingdom.
PREFACE TO THIS EDITION
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Tyndale's Progress in the Old Testament--Persecution in England--Hindered Once More--Tunstal at Antwerp--Tyndale's Influence at Court--More, Bishops and the King, in Relation Against the Scriptures--Coverdale Sent to Hamburg--Another Edition or the fifth of the New Testament. Tyndale-Now by Sir Thomas Elyot-Still in vain-The persecution continues-Bainham- Latimer-More against Tyndale-Fryth arrives in England-In danger-In the tower-Writing there in defense of the truth and addressing the Christians in England . Cranmer—Thomas Poyntz's hard progress—Tyndale in prison—Bishops applied for a translation of the New Testament—A fruitless attempt—Fresh editions of Tyndale's translation, printed and imported this year.
Tyndale's-Coverdale's temporary success-The remarkably sudden change-Tyndale's Bible-His arrival-His reception-Bought and read-The king agrees-Grafton the pro prietor-All parties most memorably dominated-Conclusion of the first year of triumph. A reign, however brief, excepted in British history, in regard to the printing and publication of the Holy Scriptures in the language of the people. A government, however powerful in every other department, which has no real control over the choice or preference of the people of.
SCOTLAND
England, in regard to the Holy Scriptures in their mother tongue, and thus the only exception from unlimited influence. Accession of James—His strange progress through the country—His reckless opulence—Conference at Hampton Court. The consternation of the authorities in Scotland--The New Testament followed by one living voice, Patrick Hamilton--His martyrdom--Alexander Seton, the next witness, persecuted--He flees to England--The New Testament is imported.
Andrews - finally escapes by sea, from Dundee, first to France and then to Germany - His letter addressed to Janmes V.; or the Beginning of the First Regular Controversy in Great Britain. The year 1543, a memorable one-Critical state of government—remarkable sudden change—Primate of St. Andrews in prison — the parliament assembles, and by a bill and proclamation throughout Scotland, sanction the general perusal of these writings, which hall. read secretly for sixteen years—Contrary to England at this moment—Extent to which the Scriptures had been perused in Scotland—The Earl of Arran, the governor, deposes and falls under Beaton's power, now extended—Several martyrdoms by hanging, drowning, and the flames—Beaton's death—The unique history of the Scriptures in Scotland, throughout this period—Not supplied from its own local press, but by importation for more than a hundred years—The present version of the Bible becomes the only one in use throughout the kingdom.
BRITAIN
NORTH AMERICA
OR FINAL SECTION
- Constantinople;
- Alexandria;
- Antioch;
- Jerusalem
We owe the students of the fourteenth century and their school a deep debt of gratitude. We mean the translation of the entire Holy Book into the language spoken by the people. He is equally opposed to the right of private judgment and the increasing freedom of the human mind, and is now equally immersed in the state.
Surely the German nation deserves our greatest respect for the invention of a most useful art. Thus we have been particular about the capital of Italy, without forgetting the place it occupied in the world at that time, and especially later, in the sixteenth century. I am grateful for your directing me to the expression on page xxxvi, of the introduction.
EXPLANATION OF THE FAC-SIMILES
Thirty years after that, in 1274, the Eastern Emperor swears to the Roman Catholic faith and acknowledges the supremacy of the Pope; and the prelates of Greece swore allegiance to their legates. Tyndale's Testament; only there, it will be seen, the block has been cut down, two-eighths at the bottom and left side, to deprive it of the white ground below, and on the side to penetrate the angel's wing. Again, Quentell used the same block, thus cut down, in printing Rudelius's Latin Bible in 1527, at the beginning of Matthew; and at the beginning of John we have his letter Y, with which this prologue begins, which letter, in fact, first led to the discovery of what this fragment is, and where it is printed.
The first two pages of the New Testament, which were begun and finished in Worms in the same year, are exhibited here. The only existing complete copy, now at Bristol, it will be noticed, has manuscript notes neatly written in the margin by the former owner. It is hardly necessary to add that Tyndale changed the word "married" on the second page.
REIGN OF HENRY THE EIGHTH
The reading of the Scriptures in manuscript, however disagreeable to the authorities, will in the following history most clearly associate itself with the more eager perusal of the texts first entered into print. But now his method is completely different and deviates from the usual practice followed in other countries. Among the picturesque beauties of Gloucestershire there is one from the top of Stinchcomb Hill, fifteen miles south-west of the city, which.
Moving the family to Gloucestershire, as Wall as a temporary adoption of this name. The first, under Hunt's Court, Nibley, is found in the account of the hundred of Berkeley, compiled by Mr. now living in the City of London — John Roberts, Esq., Temple.
In this part of Gloucestershire there are three contiguous parishes of the same name — Old Sodbury, Chipping, viz. in the sketch already given one of these lumps can be seen on the left, but a closer view will give a better idea of the house itself. It is some relief to find that every man in the country was not of the same opinion with the reigning Chancellor.
After that, as was to be expected, the grumbling of the priests became more and more intense. Meanwhile, and on the contrary, by the advice, and with this authority, of the Bishop of London himself, Tyndale was now empowered to inquire into the situation throughout the metropolis. Yes, he was, and in this very year, one of the most powerful and magnificent characters.
The burning of the New Testament was to be the head and front of their offense.
TYNDALE LEAVES ENGLAND
On the reverse of the last is the letter "To the Reader", which occupies three pages, and then. It is to be found in this very Epistle, "To the reader," at the end of the octavo Testament. After desiring the frankness of the reader, that "the rudeness of the work does not offend him," he adds.
The first of the articles finally objected to him furnishes an important link in the following narrative. I spoke nothing but the truth out of the old doctors." At length he delivered to the cardinal six sheets in manuscript to confirm and. Asaph, already mentioned, who first informed Wolsey that the Testament was in the country and entreated him.
All the energies of the English ambassador at Lady Margaret's court must be directed to. Hoogstrate, one of Lady Margaret's Council, to whom petition was made. Was it wonderful that this little man warmed to the service of the hierarchy.
Few individuals in England were more annoyed by the spread of the writings than he. On 23 May 1527 he therefore wrote to Wolsey that he had found copies of the English New Testament, printed by. Lincoln - was so many seasons of the most determined opposition to the word of God.
He was, accordingly, and with two requests, in the Flemish language, on behalf of the English prisoners. In order of import, at least, the account of Creation and early human history in Genesis seems to have. However, he claimed to have been brought to a knowledge of the truth by reading Tyndale's "New Testament" and its subsequent publication or exposition of the Parable of the Wicked Mammon.
The safety of Tyndale was therefore now in much greater danger than it had ever been in the days of the Cardinal. Condemnation of the Scriptures, and of all that he published, would now no longer be sufficient.
