ised version of the Scriptures have failed in their undertaking, it was not in consequence of a paucity of learning.

That James was extremely desirous to procure a good English version of the Bible, for the use of his subjects, no man who has examined the circumstances connected with the original undertaking can doubt; and that he himself possessed a respectable knowledge of the qualities of such a version, was shewn in the conference at Hampton Court, when the project was there discussed.

There has been, as it seems to me, much useless disputation as to whether the authorised edition of the Scriptures should be considered as a new and independent translation, or as only a revision of those by which it was preceded. For the determination of this question we have all the evidence which the nature of the case admits; and to see it we have only to refer to the King's "directions" to the translators, and their "Address to the Reader." These two documents will, if I mistake not, settle the question with every reasonable man.

:

"His Majesty recommended the following rules, by them to be most carefully observed :"1. The ordinary Bible read in the church, commonly called the Bishops' Bible, to be fol

lowed and as little altered as the original will permit.-2. The names of the prophets and the holy writers, with the other names in the text, to be retained as near as may be, accordingly as they are vulgarly used.-3. The old ecclesiastical words to be kept, viz. as the word Church not to be translated Congregation, &c.—4. When any word hath divers significations, that to be kept which hath been most commonly used by the most eminent Fathers, being agreeable to the propriety of the place, and the analogy of faith.-5. The division of the chapters to be altered either not at all, or as little as may be, if necessity so require it.-6. No marginal notes at all to be affixed, but only for the explanation of the Hebrew or Greek words, which cannot, without some circumlocution, so briefly and fitly be expressed in the text.-7. Such quotations of places to be marginally set down, as shall serve for the fit reference of one scripture to another.-8. Every particular man of each company to take the same chapter or chapters; and, having translated or amended them severally by himself when he thinks good, all to meet together, confer what they have done, and agree for their part what shall stand. - 9. If any one company hath dispatched any one book in this

manner, they shall send it to the rest, to be considered of seriously and judiciously; for his Majesty is very careful in this point. —10. If any one company, upon the review of the book so sent, shall doubt or differ upon any places, to send them word thereof, note the places, and therewithal send their reasons: to which, if they consent not, the difference to be compounded at the general meeting, which is to be of the chief persons of each company, at the end of the work.-11. When any place of special obscurity is doubted of, letters to be directed by authority, to send to any learned in the land, for his judgment in such a place.-12. Letters to be sent from every bishop to the rest of his clergy, admonishing them of this translation in hand; and to move and charge as many as, being skilful in the tongues, have taken pains in that kind, to send his particular observations to the company, either at Westminster, Cambridge, or Oxford.-13. The directors in each company to be the Deans of Westminster and Chester for that place; and the King's professors in Hebrew and Greek in each University.—14. These translations to be used, when they agree better with the text than the Bishops' Bible itself, viz. Tindal's, Matthews', Coverdale's, Whitchurch's,

Geneva.-15. Besides the said directors before mentioned, three or four of the most ancient and grave divines in either of the Universities, not employed in translating, to be assigned by the Vice-Chancellor, upon conference with the rest of the heads, to be overseers of the translations, as well Hebrew as Greek, for the better observation of the fourth rule, above specified."

"

That these directions were faithfully attended to by the learned men employed in the work, is evident from their address to the reader, prefixed to the larger editions of the Bible. Thus, speaking of the earlier translators, they say,

"Therefore blessed be they, and most honoured be their name, that break the ice, and give the onset upon that which helpeth forward to the saving of souls. Now what can be more available thereto, than to deliver God's book unto God's people in a tongue which they understand? Since of an hidden treasure, and of a fountain that is sealed, there is no profit. - Yet for all that, as nothing is begun and perfected at the same time, and the latter thoughts are thought to be the wiser; so if we, building upon their foundation that went before us, and being holpen

* Fuller's Church Hist. book x. pp. 46, 47.

by their labours, do endeavour to make that better which they left so good; no man, we are sure, hath cause to mislike us; they, we persuade ourselves, if they were alive, would thank

"Therefore let no man's eye be evil, because His Majesty's is good; neither let any be grieved, that we have a prince that seeketh the increase of the spiritual wealth of Israel: but let us rather bless God from the ground of our heart, for working this religious care in him, to have the translations of the Bible maturely considered of and examined. For, by this means it cometh to pass, that whatsoever is sound already, the same will shine as gold more brightly, being rubbed and polished; also, if any thing be halting or superfluous, or not so agreeable to the original, the same may be corrected, and the truth set in place."

Having answered the objections of the Roman Catholic party, and retorted the charges preferred by them upon themselves, they remark

"But it is high time to leave them, and to shew in brief what we proposed to ourselves, and what course we held, in this our perusal and survey of the Bible. Truly, good Christian