exhorting them, that using a sober and modest behaviour in the reading and inquisition of the true sense of the same, they do in no wise stiffly or eagerly contend or strive one with another about the same, but refer the declaration of those places that be in controversy, to the judgment of them that be better learned."

In 1537, appeared another edition of the English Bible, in folio, with the following title:

1

Matthew's Bible.

The Bible, which is all the Holy Scripture, in which are contained the Old and New Testament, truly and purely translated into English, by Thomas Matthew. This edition is to be found in the earl of Pembroke's library, and is said to have been a second edition of Coverdale's Bible, prepared by John Rogers. It was printed somewhere abroad by Grafton, perhaps at Marsburgh, in Hessia; or at Paris; since Francis I. granted a license to him and Edward Whitchurch, to print the English Bible in that city. Of this edition Grafton presented six copies to archbishop Cranmer, and the lord Cromwell. It has been observed of this Bible, by Mr. Wanley, that "to the end of the book

of Chronicles, it is Tyndale's translation; and from thence to the end of the Apocrypha, Coverdale's; and that the whole New Testament is Tyndale's." Lewis remarks, that the prophecy of Jonas is also Tyndale's; since his prologue is prefixed, and since it is precisely the same as that in Coverdale's Bible. This Bible also obtained the royal license through the instrumentality of Cranmer, then archbishop of Canterbury. As this translation was made by several different hands, the title of Matthew seems to be fictitious. The following is a specimen of this version:

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply upon the earth, and had begot them daughters, the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair, and took unto them wives which they best liked among them all. And the Lord said, My spirit shall not alway strive with man: for they are flesh. Nevertheless, I will give them yet space.

There were tyrants in the world in those days: for, after that the children of God had gone in unto the daughters of men, and had begotten them children, the same children were the mightiest of the world, and men of renown. And when the Lord saw the wickedness of man was increased upon the earth, and that all the imagination and thoughts of

his heart was only evil continually, he repented that he had made man upon the earth, and sorrowed in his heart. And said, I will destroy mankind which I have made, from off the face of the earth, both man, beast, worm, and fowl of the air: for it repenteth me that I have made them.-(Genesis, chap. 6.)

From this specimen it will be seen, how comparatively little alteration has been made in the version now in common use.

In the year 1538, was printed the New Testament, in 4to. in Latin and English," each correspondent to the other after the vulgar text commonly called St. Jerome's, faithfully translated by Johan Hollybushe." This, however, is Coverdale's New Testament, which he permitted Hollybushe to print. The next year another edition of it was printed, and dedicated to lord Cromwell. The former edition is in St. Paul's library.

In 1539, was printed

Cranmer's, or The Great Bible,

In a large folio, with the following title: The Bible in English; that is to say, the con

tent of all the Holy Scripture, both of the Old and New Testament, truly translated after the verity of the Hebrew and Greek texts, by the diligent study of divers excellent learned men, expert in the foresaid tongues. In this edition, Matthew's Bible was revised, and various alterations and corrections made. The additions to the Hebrew and Greek originals in the Latin Vulgate, were translated, and inserted in a smaller letter than the text. A second edition of this Bible was printed either the same, or the next year, by Edward Whitchurch; and also another by Richard Taverner, "newly recognised with great diligence, after most faithful exemplars.'

The same year, 1540, was printed another edition of the English Bible in folio, by Thomas, archbishop of Canterbury, with a prologue. This is the Bible which was then appointed to the use of the churches. In May of the same year was issued a royal proclamation, by which the curates and parishioners of every parish were required, under the penalty of 40s. a month while not in possession of it, to provide themselves with a copy of the largest size of this Bible, before All Saint's Day next ensuing. The price was also set by royal authority, viz.

ten shillings unbound, and not exceeding twelve shillings well bound and clasped.

In consonance with this proclamation, Bonner, bishop of London, set up six Bibles in different places of his cathedral, with an admonition attached to the pillars, to the following effect: "That whosoever came thither to read, should prepare himself to be edified and made the better thereby; that he should join therein to his readiness to obey the king's injunctions made in that behalf; that he bring with him discretion, honest intent, charity, reverence, and quiet behaviour; that there should no such number meet together as to make a multitude; that no exposition be made thereupon, but what is declared in the book itself; and that it be not read with noise in time of divine service, nor that any disputation or contention be used at it." The priests or ministers, it seems, were not yet required to read it to the people.

The same year, 1540, another edition was printed at London, by Thomas Petyt and Robert Redman, for Thomas Berthelet, " printer unto the king's grace." A beautiful copy of this edition, printed on vellum, and finely illuminated, is in the king's library.