In the close of 1534, or eighteen months ago, these men had petitioned in the following terms,-" That his Majesty would vouchsafe to decree! that the Scriptures should be translated into the vulgar tongue by some honest and learned men to be nominated by the King;" and now, once more, after having completely failed among themselves, nay fighting with each other over the Sacred Record, here they are, professedly, a second time petitioning the King. And what is the language they now employ? They petition, "That the King would graciously indulge unto his subjects of the laity the reading of the Bible in the English tongue;" though, as yet, according to their own showing, there was no Bible to read; and the Bishop of London has not only returned the portion of Scripture, with contempt, which has been assigned to him for revision, but he has declared that he will be no party in leading the people into error by giving them the Scriptures! Still, however, and as a Convocation, they go on, and now petition, “That a new translation might be forthwith made for that end and purpose;" that is, that the laity, under the gracious indulgence of Henry the Eighth, might read the Bible! But a new translation of it! Had these terms escaped from them unwittingly? Were they a tacit admission, or confession, that one had been made already? Were they now saying that the New Testament, which was to be England's and Scotland's own book, long after they were in their graves, was of no esteem in their eyes? Or that the volume, they had openly denounced and burnt so long, was now to be consigned to oblivion ? Was this a frown upon Coverdale's new-born attempt, of which they may have only just heard? But especially, and certainly, upon Tyndale's numerous editions, which had now driven them to such perplexity? So it seemed to Lewis, above a century ago. "By this," said he, "it appears that the clergy did not approve of the translation already made by Tyndale and (or) Coverdale, and that their attempt which they made two years (eighteen months) ago, to have the royal permission to make a new one, did not succeed." True, and we have read the history of its failure; but certainly if Cranmer had been a tool as deep and dexterous as any one man within the Convocation, he could not have contrived to place himself and his brethren before posterity, in a light or posture so little to be envied. All this, however, only lends additional interest to the volumes, which, throughout the whole year, had been issuing from the press, and coming into England, "thick and threefold," without the "gracious indulgence" of his Majesty being either asked or granted. Of these New Testaments three separate and entirely distinct editions were in quarto. Of the duodecimo or small octavo size we know of five editions; and though in these pages we adhere to those books only which have been verified, we may add that another edition, if not two, may yet be ascertained to exist. All these editions, with the exception of one, had been printed abroad in Antwerp; but that one, in several respects, may be considered as equal in importance to all the others. The size of the book, in folio; the season of its publication, the present year; but above all, the printer and the place, his Majesty's own patent printer, in London; all conspire to render the volume even still a mystery. It comes before us, unaccountably, as the top-stone of this hazardous but successful enterprise; brought into view, also, about the very time when our Translator was breathing his last, or consuming to ashes at Vilvorde. Some account of it, in particular, must not be withheld. "The Newe testament yet ones agayne corrected by W. Tyndale: And in many places ameded, where it scaped before by neglygence of the printer. Also a Kalender, and a necessary table, wherin easely and lightly may be founde any story cōteyned in ye foure Euangelystes, and in the Actes of ye apostels. Also before every pystel of S. Paul, is a prologue, very frutefull to ye reder. And after ye newe testament, foloweth the Epistels of ye olde testament. Newly printed (by Tho. Berthelet) in the yere of our lorde MDXXXVI."—in the compartment of the boys in triumph, and with a small medallion of a head laureated, supported by sphynxes; peculiar to this printing press. Collation. Prefixes, viz. Almanake for 23 years-Kalender-W. T. to the Christen Reder-a prologue into the four Euangelystes-the Offyce of all Estates, and the Bokes conteyned in the Newe Testament: 14 leaves. The Newe Testament contains folio cxcvii., but the folios run on to ccv.; then the table of the Epistles and the Gospels, in double columns, &c. But at the end we have the following distinguishing mark—“God Saue the KYNGE, AND ALL HIS WELL-WYLLERS." Words which may have been actually printing, and in London too, not far from the hour when the Translator himself, the most eminent well-willer the King ever had, was praying for him, and passing into heaven. Of this rare volume, a copy now lies before the writer. Very correctly printed, it is, perhaps, the first to be distinguished throughout for one peculiarity in its orthography, viz. the Anglo-saxon particle of negation, nat for not, and natwithstanding; which was occasionally adopted after this, as in the Latin and English edition of Redman, 1538, and of Powell, in 1547 and 1549. In all other respects, the book is an exact reprint of Tyndale's corrected edition in 1534, having his name on the title page, and his long prologue to the Romans, which, by itself, had been so often and so long condemned! The name of Thomas Berthelet as printer, it is true, is not mentioned, whether out of delicacy to the Bishops and their adherents, we cannot tell; but Ames, Herbert, and Dibdin, agree in ascribing the book to his press. It is known, indeed, by the type, and the ornamental title of the boys in triumph.134 In the Harleian Library there were two copies of this edition, one of them bound in red morocco, finely ornamented with gold.135 It is probably one of these which is now in the Bodleian at Oxford. But at such a season as this, in this style, and by the King's printer, the book, we repeat, is a mystery still. Must it not have been got up under favour of the late Queen? Such a supposition is only in harmony with her letter to Crumwell, on behalf of Mr. Harman, and with Henry's printer being the man employed. But, at all events, such was the first Sacred Volume printed on English ground.136 We, of course, cannot be supposed to have attached any 134 In Herbert's Ames, this notable book, by Berthelet, stands in strange juxta-position with two previous articles, printed by the same man. "A proclamation to avoid and abolish such English books as contain pernicious and detestable errors and heresies; made the 8th day of July, 28 of Henry VIII.," or 1536. And a Proclamation for calling in diverse books, and especially one, comprising a Sermon made by John Fisher, late Bishop of Rochester, &c. T. Berthelet excudebat. By some writers this Berthelet has been mentioned as having been Cranmer's Secretary; but this is certainly a mistake. Berthelet was the first who sustained the office of King's printer, as appointed by Henry VIII., and the second man in England having this title. His predecessor, Richard Pynson, appointed by Henry VII., seems not to have had any patent; but Berthelet's, the first in existence, is dated 22d Feb. 1530, and the Statutes, his first publication with a date, being finished before the 25th of March, bears the year 1529. He had been printing before this, and continued to do so till his death in 1555. It was not that he cared for the SCRIPTURES; so that he must have printed the New Testament at the instigation of others, who had employed him; and his daring to do so, we can ascribe to no other or inferior influence than that of the Queen. In 1530 he had printed, officially, the proclamation prohibiting the having of Holy Scripture translated into the vulgar tongues of English, French and Dutch," that is the German. And in 1546, ten years after this, he printed the proclamation which denounced "the Testament of Tyndale, and all his writings!" Proclamations, however, which were all in vain; though these circumstances only render this folio New Testament the more remarkable. Thomas Berthelet, who, from 1533 to 1535, was Secretary to Cranmer, might be a son or relative, but not the printer, as appears from Cranmer's letter to Crumwell, 1st March 1535.--“ For the honesty and service of my servant, Thomas Barthelet, I do tender his preferment, and cannot as I would gladly do for him, unless he were disposed to be a secular, which, as 1 perceive, he intendeth not. I therefore commend and present him unto you, with no less good heart and mind than ye presented him to me, and for my sake to set him to such beneficial exercise, as ye shall think meet for him."-Harl. MS., 6148, fol. 49. Accordingly, as a public notary, he was employed by Crumwell in 1536, with Layton, Bedel, and others, in visiting monasteries. There was a John Barthlet also so engaged. 135 Harl. Cat., vol. i., Nos. 156, 157. 136 A Manuel of Devotions is said to have been presented by Anne Boleyn to her maids of honour. If so, then this folio New Testament gives the surest ground for the notable expressions contained in it. "Grant us, most merciful Father, this one of the greatest gifts that ever thou gavest to mankind, the knowledge of thy holy will and glad tidings of our salvation; this great while oppressed with the tyranny of thy adversary of Rome, and his fautors, and kept close under his Latin letters; and now at length promulgate, published, and set at liberty, by the grace poured into the heart of thy supreme power, our Prince, as all King's hearts be in thy hand." Lewis has quoted this in connexion with Coverdale's Bible; but that book could not have been presented to Henry before the influence of Queen Anne was entirely gone. The Testament, on the other hand, as printed in London, may have commenced at press in the close of 1535, while all the while, in 1536, Berthelet went on! essential influence to the late Queen. But, in conclusion of this year, it ought to be remembered, that as she was now gone, and her influence at Court, whatever was its amount, had died with her; this will now render the future overruling of the King and his adherents, or of all surviving parties, only the more obvious and distinct. In Bunyan's immortal story of "the Holy War" when ear-gate was once broken up, and its bolts and bars shivered into a thousand pieces, Emmanuel himself came forward, and set his throne in it; the weapons of war were then carried within the walls, to be employed on the citadel of the heart. So, in this long and arduous contest, Wolsey and Warham, Fisher and More, with many other opponents, were now gone; but if printers within the shores of England, and near to Henry's own person, have begun thus to act, what will signify all his proclamations, or the wrath of all his official men? In truth, the day was nearly won. The printing press abroad was now busy, in a style quite unprecedented; and next year, though quite unforeseen by the King, or Crumwell, or Cranmer, the victory will be complete! They had no idea whatever, of what was awaiting them, only eight months hence. SECTION XIV. SACRED VOLUME-MYLES MEMORABLE INTRODUCTION OF THE ENTIRE WITH regard to the highest favour ever bestowed upon this kingdom, there are no years so marked and memorable as those of 1526 and 1537. The former, distinguished by the arrival and introduction of the New Testament Scriptures, printed in the native tongue; the latter, by that of the entire Sacred Volume. The former, in defiance of all the authorities; the latter, with the immediate concurrence of the King and his best advisers. The former came as Tyndale's first effort; the latter arrived as the distinct and appropriate tribute to his memory; both alike being foreign printed books. It was now above fourteen years since the design had been first formed. Up to this period, there had been more than ten years of hard fighting, in single combat, with the nation entire, from its monarch downwards; but more than twenty editions of Tyndale's translation of the New Testament had passed through the press. They had gone into a thousand unknown channels; deep, nay, indelible was the impression already made upon many minds. Latimer has informed the Convocation of his brethren, that among the people there were "many children of light;" and Fox has told them, that "the lay people knew the Holy Scriptures better than many of themselves;" but it was time that the King and all around him should be overruled. The day drew near, though they knew not of it. The Translator was gone, it is true, but his translations were safe; and not only in safe keeping, but in the press. The volume must have been preparing before he was consumed to ashes. But, at all events, the Scriptures entire, from Genesis to Revelation, will now be introduced; and his Majesty, however incensed before, or armed with power and pride still, must at once bow in assent, and all other men proceed, as it had been appointed they should. The opposition hitherto had been both loud and long; but when once the day for the arrival of the Scriptures comes, not a man must move his tongue against them. We have heard already of one translation of the Bible by Coverdale; but the death of Queen Anne had retarded its appearance in England. Henry had married Jane Seymour, after which the name of her predecessor here inserted, was no passport to royal favour. Some time, however, having once elapsed, although there be no positive proof of this book having ever been laid before the King, what is curious enough, a reprint of it had obtained favour in his eye; so that we are now prepared for a comparison of Coverdale's Bible, with that of Tyndale, edited by his surviving devoted friend John Rogers, under the name of Thomas Matthew, and imported this year. |