The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-04-30

manuscript version Of WycliLa enjoyed n wide
circulation in England forupward OF n century,
notwithstanding its condemnation by the
Council OF Constance and the fierce persecu-
ton wagcd against ts readers. To understand
tho influence Of the Wyclinltc English versions
upon the thoughts and lives of Englishmen.
wo need but TO trace the history Of the Lollards
from the age of WychIe to that of Tyndae.
Even in the closing years OF this period. during
the reign Of Henry VIII. men suffered martyr
dom Tor reading or possessing the Scriptures
in the English tongue. 1t is significant that
even Sir Thomas More. who was so warm
friend of the now learning. opposed with all
his might the circulation OF the vernacuar
Scriptures. UnQuestionaby these Wycflte
translaticns were the visible and potent links
which connected the reformation Of the four
tcenth with that of the sixteenth century.
Tho Wyclinite versions. like all previous rem
behring's OF tho whole or parts OF the Bible into
English. were not drawn directly from the
Greek and Hebrew originals. but from Latin
translation. The first tnglishman to trans
late the New Testament directly from tho Greek
was William Tyndae land even he awaited him
self of tho Latin text of Erasmus. though not
slavishyl. whose first edition was printed in
1925 at Worms. Subsequently he published n
version of a part of the Old Testament.
which he translated directly from the He
brew, and ho was engaged in completing
the work when he was arrested at Antwerp.
tried. condemned. and burned at the stake.
Even during the Imprisonment which preceded
his death he besouGht his jailers TO permit him
to have his Hebrew Bible. Hebrew grammar.
and Hebrew dictionary. in order that he might
spend his time in the study Of that language.
Touching Tyndale's photography. Mr.. Condt
points out that many OF his archaic forms
fam, 81, a ;,,r, Ian
an old English idiom. according to which the
personal pronoun as n nominative follows the
verb. as. for example. then brought they
E" this said he." and these words srake Jesus"
1t was at the University OF Cambridge that
Tyndale first met with the new Latin version
Of the New Testament by Erasmus. and was
prompted 10 essay upon his own part the work
Of translation from the Greek. 1t was here,
too. that Myles Coverdae engaged in the same
studies. but like Tyndale. he was compelled to
publish tho fruits ofhis abors on the Continent.
SO far. indeed. as the crptural books translated
by Tyndale we're concerned. Cove.da!c did little
more than revise the phraseology in a spirit
OF compromise with Romanism. AS TO the
books Of the Old Testament which Tyndale
did not live to reproduce. these were trans
lated by Coverdale. but not directly from the
original. 1t is generally believed. however.
knowledge of the Hebrew by which he
was guided at times in selecting his render
ings; but in he main his work is based
on the Swiss-German version Of Zwingli.
and the Latin version OF Pagninus. But
although Coverdale's scholastic equipment was
inferior to Tyndales, he was equally conscien-
tious No doubt has been cast on his assertion
that Il have neither wrested nor altered so
much as one word for the maintenance of any
manner of sect. but have with a clear con-
science purely and faithfully translated this
out OF five sundry interpreters. having only the
manifest truth OF the Scripture before mine
eyes" The English style of Coverdale is even
more remarkable than Tyndale's for simplicity.
energy. and rhythmic charm. With very few
changes. it is Coverdale's land not King
Jamessl version OF the Psalms which to this
day the Church Of England reads in her prayer
book.
Two years after the publication OF Coverdae's
hrst edition another Bible. that OF Thomas
Matthewe. came across the seq unheralded. but
was we'll received. OF Matthewe nothing is
known, and there Is reason to believe that the
name was an alias OF John Rogers. who was GER
tainly employed in revising and editing a Sec
ond edition of it. which. through the influence
ofCranmer and the good will OF Henry VIII. was
the first to 30 forth with the royal license. The
CE4llChl HOLts pl lLlS eulllOH WoTc stICHsIy
anti-Papal in their tendency. and the fact that
the Matthewe Bible was. in its various
features. made up largely from Tyndale's
translation gave great offence to the Romish
Bishops. In Taverners edition OF this version.
which was undertaken at tho suggestion
Of the polite Cromwell. most of RoGers's
notes were omitted. and number Of verbal
changes were introduced in the text, some
OF which have found their way into King
James's version. A special interest attaches to
Matthews's Bible because while it was largely
based upon Tyndale's translation, it became in
turn the basis Of subsequent English versions.
including al the last our present English Scrip
lures. The several links in tho chain from
Tyndale Hre traceable through Matthewe's
Bible u537) when, after revision. became the
so-calcd Great Bible Of l53940. which again
by revision became tho Bishops Biblc Of 1868
which. revised IN turn. became King James's
Bible Of 1911. There are other not unimportant
members OF the series but those mentioned
exhibit the line Of authorized Succession.
Among the editions known by the compre-
hcnsive title OF Bibles OF the Largest Volume.
the first WAS Cromwels Bible published in
London in 1889 at the instisation. and appar-
enty at the charge. ri Cromwell. Matthewe's
version was chosen Is the foundation Of the new
work, M the task OF revising and editing was
put INTO the hanQS oil LONerlae. one cEarnc-
toris,lc feature Of this edition was tho omis-
SION Of notes. and the other was the in.
serton Of numerous additions from tho Vu-
gate. Tho second edition Of the Great
Bible which appeared in 1870. is known
as Cranmer'7 who supplied the prologue in
which the translation OF the Scriptures into
English is defended Cranmer also took some
part in the revision NJ his edition. adding the
last hand and mendins 1t in divers places with
his own pen" but MyIos Covcrdale was the
chief workman uHon it. rs no had been upon
It's immediate predecessor. ami lie now intro
duccd more changes in tho portions Of the Old
Testament originally translated by himself.
Moreover. in order 10 make the version as
acceptable rs possible to Romanists he intro
duced many additional phrases or supple
mcutary clauses from the NugAtc There wore
in all seven editions Of the Great Dible. the last
issue being that OF December. 1911.
There were no new TRANSACTIONS undertaken
during the reign OF Edward VI. unless Sir
john Chekps translation OF the Gospel OF Mat
thew. which remained in manuscript till lS+3.
oop ha 80 r.gorlod ITnlar Ny~v nj coDrso