First Edition.

Sacro-Sanctum Novum Testamentum Domini Jesu Christi in Hexametros versus ad verbum et genuinum sensum fideliter in Latinam linguam translatum, per J. (Bridges) Episcopum Oxon. Londini, Valent. Simsius, 1604. 4to.

"The author of this book was J. Bridges, Dean of Sarum, elected Bp. of Oxford 1603." Note by Farmer. See also Beloe's Anecdotes, vol. III. p. 78.

Græco-Barbara Novi Testamenti quæ Orienti originem debent. Selegit, congessit, notis illustravit, M. P. Cheitomæus. Amstel. apud L. Elzevirium, 1649. 18mo.

TESTAMENT, THE NEW. [The New Testament translated by William Tyndale assisted by William Roy. Coloniæ, er officina Petri Quentell, MDXXv.] 4to.

"We have given the above title to a fragment of a book consisting of thirty-one leaves only, containing "The Prologge" and part of the gospel of St. Matthew, and which may nevertheless justly be considered one of the most interesting volumes in the library, since it presents us with the only remaining portion of this first attempt to circulate the Scriptures in the English language by means of the Press.

As the date assigned is earlier by one year than has hitherto been given for the printing of the book, and as there is no title, or name attached to it, or other external evidence to prove its being the book thus designated, it will be necessary to adduce proofs thereof; we shall lay them briefly before the reader, premising, that a much more detailed and interesting account will be hereafter given to the public

by the Rev. Christopher Anderson of Edin

burgh, in his forthcoming Annals or History of the English Bible.

Before describing this book, we are able to state, that the date 1525, is fully established by the discovery of some highly important documentary evidence by Mr. Anderson, about to appear in his work; and which not only proves the fact that there were two Editions of Tyndale's New Testament, circulating in England throughout 1526, as denounced by Tunstal in November of that year, but that a third edition had actually reached England, and even his hands, before the year was ended, viz. The first edition partly printed at Cologne by Peter Quentell, of which the present fragment is all that has come down to us. The second printed at Worms probably by Schoyffer, but certainly in 1525, of which one copy perfect, excepting the title, exists in the Library of the Baptist Museum at Bristol, and another imperfect, in the Library of St. Paul's Cathedral. The third, printed at Antwerp in 1526 by Christopher of Endhoven, of which no copy is as yet positively known to exist.

The fragment commences on the recto of leaf A ij with the words "The Prologge," which Prologge contains seven leaves. On the recto of the next leaf after the Prologue follows a table of "The bokes conteyned in the newe Testament," on the St. Matthew. This cut is without any reverse of which is a large wood cut of

name or mark of the artist, but it occurs again in other books printed at Cologne, in one of which, viz. a Bible printed in the year 1527, we find other cuts evidently from the same hand, on one are the initials A.W., being the monogram of Arnold of Worms, an artist who resided at Cologne, and executed numerous works there, one of them being a long view of that city.

On the opposite page the book commences and extends from folio 11. to XXIIII. on which the fragment terminates at the 12th verse of the xxiid. Chapter of St. Matthew.

Besides the wood cut of St. Matthew, there are initial letters at the commencement of the chapters cut in wood. The type is a small german gothic exactly the same as that used in other books printed at Cologne in the early part of the sixteenth century.

The History of the printing of the book is given by Joannes Cochlæus in his "Historia de Vitis et Scriptis Martini Lutheri," under the year 1526, and is to the following purport. Cochlæus states that, he being at Cologne engaged in superintending the printing of "Opera Ruperti Abbatis Monasterii Tuitensis," and particularly his

:

Commentaria in Mattheum, at the office of Peter Quentell, was given to understand, that two Englishmen were then employed in printing a book, which was to convert the whole of England to Lutheranism that he, being desirous of knowing the secret, invited some of the printers to his lodgings, where after he had plied them with wine, he learnt that the book was the New Testament translated from Luther's version, that 2500 copies of it in 4to. size were in the press, and that the sheets as far as K were already printed off. Cochlæus, being a great opponent of Luther and his doctrines, alarmed at the danger this threatened to the catholic cause, communicated the intelligence to Herman Rinck, one of the Magistrates of Cologne, and got his authority for searching the house; but the Englishmen having in the meanwhile got intelligence of what was going on, fled away up the Rhine to Worms, taking with them the sheets of the book as far as printed.

Lewis, in his History of the translations of the Bible into English, gives the story told by Cochlæus, but as he denies his veracity, we shall give such evidence as will establish it in nearly every particular.

1. The book which Cochlæus was engaged upon was published at Cologne in the year 1526, and is remarkable as bearing in the title page the identical wood cut of St. Matthew used in this fragment, but with portions of the block cut away from the side and bottom, proving most satisfactorily the identity of place, and that the Testament must have been printed in or before the year 1526.

2. Cochlæus speaks of two persons being employed on the work, and we learn from Tyndale himself that he employed William Roy to assist him in reading the sheets.

3. Cochlæus speaks of it as being translated from Luther's version. On comparing the fragment with that version, it appears that some of the notes and a part of the "Prologge" are literally translated from it. This Prologge was subsequently printed in a separate form, and will be found with some slight alterations in the collected works of Tyndale under the title of "A pathway to Scripture."

4. But the most curious and conclusive evidence of its being the acknowledged work of Tyndale and Roy, is found in the satire by the latter author against Cardinal Wolsey "Rede me and be not wroth." In this work there is an account of the burning the New Testament by the command of Tunstal, Bp. of London, and of the reasons assigned by the Bp. in a sermon which he preached against the translation.

Alas, he sayde, Masters and frendes,
Consyder well nowe in youre myndes,

These heretikes diligently.

They saye, that commen women,
Shall assone come vnto heven,

As those that lyve perfectly.
And was that their very sayinge?
After this wyse, with oute faynynge,

In a certayne Prologe they wryte.
That a whoare, or an open synner,
By meanes of Christ our Redemer,
Whome God to repent doth incyte,
Shall soner come to saluacion,
By merites of Christis passion,

Than an ouwtarde holy lyver.

The passage here alluded to as the object of the Bishop's special notice is found in the Prologge in the following words, in which the author is discussing the merit of good works, more especially of the efficacy of monastic vows.

"Yf y live chaste, I doo hit nott to obteyne heven therby. For then shulde y doo wronge to the bloud of Christ : Christes bloud hath obteyned me that, Christes merettes have made me heyre there of. He is both dore and waye thether wardes. Nether that y loke for an hyer roume in heven, then they shall have whych live in wedlocke, other then a hoare of the stewes (yf she repent) for that were the pryde of lucifer."

5. Tunstal and Warham in their "Inhibitions to read the New Testament in English "" set forth in October and November 1526 particularly notice there being more than one edition in circulation and point out the distinction "some with glosses and some without"-the edition with the glosses evidently referring to the present fragment, since no other has been found to contain them. Neither is the passage so particularly the object of the Bishop's animadversions found in any other edi

The Gospell of S. Mathew.
The Gospell of S. Marke.
The Gospell of S. Luke.
The Gospell of S. Jhon.
The Actes of the Apostles.
Joelis II.

I will poure oute of my spryte vpon all flesshe, and youre sonnes and youre doughters shal prophesy, youre yonge men shall se visions and youre olde men shal dreame dreames.

This Title is encircled in a border, on the reverse is the Almanack (commencing 1526) followed by the Calendar, seven leaves. On the recto of the eighth leaf the text begins, the next leaf being signature A I. On the reverse of Bb b. 1. is the following colophon. Here endeth the new Testament diligently ouersene and corrected, and prynted now agayn at Antwerpe, by me wydowe of Christoffel of Endhoven. In

the yere of oure Lorde Mccccc. and XXXIIII. in August. This is followed by a Table of the Pistelys and the Gospellys after the use of Sarysbuery. Thirteen leaves. 12mo. Bl. L. B. M.

Collation. The following is the Register

on the last leaf of the Volume. "Thus shall you gather together thys boke. The fyrst the Kalender +. Ther after the Gospellis and the Actis thys wyse a-z A-H. Ther after the Pistles and the Revelacion thys wyse Aa-Xx. Aaa, Bbb, Ccc." All in eights but the last, which has only

six leaves.

"The Bibliographers have all agreed in stating that only three copies of this edition are known, viz. in St. Paul's Library, Lord Pembroke's at Wilton and at Bristol from Dr. Gifford. Dr. Cotton, very curious in his researches on this subject, assures me that, after the most diligent examination of the above three libraries, he has ascertained beyond all question that the present edition is not in any one of them, neither does he believe that any other copy than mine is to be found. It appears that when the Flemish booksellers began in August 1534 to print Tindale's English N. Testament they employed Joye to correct the Press, in doing which he made several changes in it. Tindale, dissatisfied with this, had another edition

printed at Antwerp by Emperour in November 1534, in the Preface to which he complains of the changes made by Joye in the present edition, and particularly charges him with having studiously omitted or changed the word "Resurrection" in many passages which Tindale quotes. Joye, in reply, wrote "An Apology" in the same year 1534 which is now a rare tract. The present unrivalled copy formerly belonged to Mr. Constable."

The newe Testament of oure sauyour Jesu Christ newly and dylygently translated into Englyshe with Annotacions in the Mergent to helpe the Reader to the understandynge of the Texte. Prynted in the yere of oure Lorde God MDXXXVII. With wood cuts. Fol. Bl. L.

'This is a very fine copy on yellow paper of the N. Testament. The old Testament was printed with it, and when the Bible is thus complete it is of great rarity and very high price. There is a complete copy, printed also on yellow paper, in the Bridgewater Collection, and on common paper it will be found in the Museum-the Bodleian-Lambeth and at Lord Pembroke's.

It is called Matthew's Bible, though the real editor was Rogers the first Martyr in Q. Mary's reign." MS. note.

The New Testament of oure Sauyour Jesu Christ. Faythfully translated, and lately correcte: wyth a true concordaunce in the margent, and many necessary annotacions declarynge sondry harde places conteyned in the text. Imprynted at Antwerpe by Matthew Crom. In the yeare of our Lorde MDXXXVIII. Wood cuts. 12mo. Bl. L. B. M.

Collation. The Title, Almanack, Kalender, Prologue and Prologue to St. Matthew's Gospel occupy *I-VIII. The Testament commences on A 1. and terminates on the verso of m. vIII. Then follow the Epistles of the Old Testament, occupying n I-VIII. and o1 and recto of o II. The Table commences on the verso of o II. and the summe of the Holy Scripture and colophon terminate on the verso of o VIII. Together three hundred and four leaves.

According to Dr. Cotton only three copies are known of this very rare edition of Tyndale's Testament with his Prologues. They are in the Baptist Library Bristol, St. Paul's Cathedral and Christ Church

Oxford, the last copy being imperfect. The present is quite a perfect copy and entirely original. In Father Simon's Critical History, he first ascribes this Version to Tyndale and Coverdale, and afterwards doubts whether it be not from Wickliffe's version, which was permitted by Henry VIII. during Sir T. Cromwell's life, but after his death, by the interference of the Bishops, was prohibited. The prevailing opinion however ascribes this Testament to Tyndale and Coverdale.

-

The Newe Testament in Englishe, accordynge to the translacion of the greate Bible. Londini, In officina Richardi Graftoni. Anno MDXL. Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum. 12mo. Bl. L. B. M.

Collation. On the reverse of the Title is the Almanake followed by the Kalender making four leaves. The Gospell of St. Matthew follows on Fol. 1. a 1. and the

Testament concludes thus on the reverse of Fol. 395, by mistake numbered 393, "The ende of the newe Testament." Then a Table of three leaves, and on the recto of D. d. vII. is the device of Grafton; the reverse and following leaf D. d. 8. being blank. Together four hundred and four leaves.

"This Edition, as far as I can find, is unknown to all the bibliographical writers. It is apparently unique and is in fine condition with several leaves not cut open." MS. note.

The Newe Testament in Englishe and in Latin. Novum Testamentum Anglice et Latine. Anno Dni. 1548. Thus endeth the newe Testament both in Englyshe and in Laten, of mayster Erasmus translacion, with the Pystles take out of the Olde testament. Imprynted by Wyllyam Powell, &c. 1547. 4to. Bl. L. B. M.

Imprinted, &c. 1549. At the end, Imprinted at London wythin Aldrichgate in the parisshe of Sayncte Anne and Agnes, by Wyllyam Tylle in the yeare of our Lorde God 1548. This is followed by two leaves of Table, and then, Imprynted at London by Thomas Petet. 4to. Bl. L. B. M.

Collation. The Title, Almanacke and Kalender four leaves. W. Tyndall unto the Christen Reader, and the Summe of the Gospels occupy sheet A six leaves. The Testament occupies B-Z and A a-N п in eights. The Table occupies sign. Ii. I and II. Together two hundred and eighty-two leaves.

Only one other copy seems to be known of this edition which is in Lincoln Cathedral.

The Newe Testament of oure Saueour Jesus Christ, translated by M. Wil. Tyndall, yet once agayne corrected, with newe Annotacyons, very necessary to better onderstondynge. Where vnto is added an exhortacion to the same of Erasmus Rotero. with an Engelshe Calender. And a Table necessary to fynde easly and lyghtly any story contayned in the fowre Evangelistes, and in the Actes of the Apostles, MDXLIX. 12mo. Bl. L. B. M.

Collation. The Title is in red and black, encircled by wood cuts; on the reverse the Almanac begins, which with the office

of all estates and the list of the Bokes of the Newe Testament, occupies 8 Leaves including the Title Page. Then follows Erasmus's Exhortacion 10 leaves, and W. Tindale to the Christian Reader, sheet A 8 leaves. The Testament begins on the following leaf B. 1. and concludes with the

Table where in ye shall fynd the Epystles and the Gospels after the use of Salsbury on the recto of C. c. 6. in the third Alphabet. The other signatures run in eights. It contains altogether 308 leaves, but h 1. and h 8. of the second Alphabet are reprinted.

This edition was probably printed from the third of Tyndall, 1536, as like that, it omits the clause in 1 Peter ch. 2. unto the Kyng as unto the chefe head. It differs much from the preceding edition with the date of 1549 in the Title Page and 1548 in the Colophon. This edition has separate prologues to the four Evangelists, which are not in the other edition, and this has a small addition to the Epistles at