persons agreed upon for the present translation of the Bible commenced. And among his associates may be noticed Dr. Adrian Saravia, who was a profound scholar, and master of the celebrated oriental critic, Nicholas Fuller; Dr. R. Clarke, who thoroughly understood the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin: Dr. Layfield, to whose Hebrew criticisms the learned and acute Gataker often refers with confidence, and whose testimony as to skill in the Hebrew tongue, Minsheu sought and acknowledged, when he published his very valuable Guide into Tongues;" the profound Orientalist, Mr. W. Bedwell, tutor to the eminent Dr. Pocock; Dr. John Rainolds, whose memory was so extraordinary that he could readily turn to all material passages in every leaf, page, volume, or paragraph of the multitude of books which he had read, and who was "most prodigiously seen in all kinds of learning, and most excellent in all tongues;" Drs. Holland, Kilby, Miles Smith, and Richard Brett, have each left, in their published works, undoubted proofs of their critical knowledge of the Hebrew, Chaldee, Syriac, Arabic, Ethiopic, Greek, and Latin tongues; and to mention no more, Mr. John Bois, "that eminent light of learning," who, at five years of age, had read the whole Bible, and before he was six could write Hebrew in an elegant hand, and who for ten years was chief Greek lecturer in his college, beside reading lectures in Greek at four in the morning in his own chamber; and Sir Henry Savile, the celebrated editor of Chrysostom's works in Greek, in eight folio volumes, on which he expended not less than 8000l., and also founder of the professorships of astronomy and geometry at Oxford;— these will be amply sufficient to shew that the assertion we have noticed is most rash and unfounded, and that if the venerable men employed upon the authorised 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 can doubt, who has at all examined this part of the history of his reign: and that he himself possessed a respectable knowledge of the requisites of such a version, was shewn in the Hampton-court conference, when it was there discussed.

There has been a good deal of unneces

sary disputation as to whether this edition of the Scriptures should be regarded as a new and independent translation, or as only a revision of those by which it was preceded; a question which an ordinary. reader would conceive to be satisfactorily ascertained by a reference to two authentic documents on the subject -James' "Directions" to the Translators, and their "Address to the Reader."

"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 followed, 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.-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 Vicechancellor, 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." (Fuller's Church Hist. b. x. pp. 46, 47.)

That these directions were faithfully attended to, by the leaaned 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 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 us."

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."

After answering the objections which had been urged against the undertaking, by the Roman Catholics, and retorting the charges they brought against it 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 reader, we never thought from the beginning that we should need to make a new translation, nor yet to make of a bad one a good one; (for then the imputation of Sixtus had been true in some sort, that our people had been fed with gall of dragons instead of wine, with whey instead of milk;) but to make a good one better, or out of many good ones one principal good one, not justly to be excepted against; that hath been our endeavour, that our mark.

"If you ask what they [the translators] had before them, truly it was the Hebrew text of the Old Testament, the Greek of the New. These are the two golden pipes, or rather conduits, wherethrough the olive branches empty themselves into the gold. St. Augustine calleth them precedent, or original, tongues; St. Hierome, fountains. The same St. Hierome affirmeth, and Gratian hath not spared to put it into his decree, That as the credit of the old books (he meaneth of the old Testament) is to be tried by the Hebrew volumes; so of the new by the Greek tongue, he meaneth by the original Greek. If truth be to be tried by these tongues, then whence should a translation be made, but out of them? These tongues, therefore, (the Scriptures, we say, in those tongues) we set before us to translate, being the tongues wherein God was pleased to speak to his church by his prophets and apostles. Neither did we run over the work with that posting haste that the Septuagint did, if that be true which is reported of them, that they finished it in seventy-two days; neither were we barred or hindered from going over it again, having once done it, like St. Hierome, if that be true which himself re

more of the outside splendour of wealth, or be spoken of as the arbiters of taste, and the dispensers of laws, to a giddy and senseless multitude. He also draws a fearful picture of the misery which is often entailed on the votary of fashion and his family, by the wasteful expenditure of an income, which might have enabled him to live with respectability, surrounded by the comforts and elegancies of life, if he had not vainly attempted to compete with his neighbours, whose fortunes were more than double his own.

In the second part of the essay, the author examines into what is real luxury; and having shewn that it may be enjoyed afar "from the great Babel," London, he endeavours to point out the intense, lasting, and innocent pleasure arising from intellectual studies, from observations on the works of nature, from engagements in labours of love, and from a belief in, and practice of the doctrines and duties of revelation.

There are several other subjects of interest in the volume, and had the author been an adept in the art of book making, we have no doubt he might easily have expanded his volume into two respectable octavos. There is more of real thought in this book, than is generally to be met in works professedly of the didactic cast, and we therefore cordially recommend it to public notice, as the effort of no common mind, being assured that it will amply repay a careful perusal.

The profits arising from the sale of the work, are to be devoted to a charity which has been already the means of producing much good, and we are therefore certain that this will be an additional recommendation to our readers, to second the benevolent designs of the author, by purchasing his work.

THE CHRISTIAN'S SKETCH Book, in three parts, with an Appendix, containing brief outlines of Sermons, on important subjects. By J. BURNS, Second Edition, 8vo. pp. 352. Simpkin and Marshall. 4s. 6d.

THE present age is honourably distinguished by the attention which is paid to the intellectual wants of the community. There are new books on all subjects, and suited to every class of readers. The studious, the man of business, the learner and the sage, alike find their wishes gratified and their wants supplied.

But yet it has been said, that although treatises on the arts and sciences, and the lighter departments of literature abound, yet there are but few books which a christian can read with equal profit and delight. We are, however, happy to say, that this reproach is now gradually being removed. Men begin to see and acknowledge the claims of religion; and have found out, that there is no necessary connexion between vital godliness, and profound ignorance. The press now, therefore, teems with books, on subjects connected with religion, while literature has been sanctified and consecrated to the service of God. Great are the names, and mighty are the intellects, which have been and are now employed in enforcing the claims of Christianity on the attention of mankind; and this is done with a taste and elegance which rank the productions of christian authors, as literary works, with the classics of former ages. He therefore does a good service to the cause of religion, and aids those who possess no time to peruse larger works, who selects from eminently pious and eloquent writers, passages filled with instructive and agreeable matter. This service Mr. Burns has well performed in the work before us. The selections are made with considerable taste and judgment; and so arranged, as to present, not a series of detached and unconnected passages, but a system of Theology. The writings of Hall, Saurin, Wilson Chalmers, Dwight, Fletcher, are laid under contribution, and passages of eminent beauty are taken from their respective writings.

The second part of the work consists of the exemplification of the power of religion, in the lives and dying testimonies of eminent characters. Mr. Burns has inserted only such names as are preeminent in the world, and thus afforded a proof, that men of the most exalted intellectual powers, have gloried in the plan of salvation, unfolded in the gospel.

The third part consists of Anecdotes Maxims, and Select Poetry; here the conpiler has evidenced the same taste and judgment which distinguish the former parts of his work, If, therefore, variety has charms, or religion is lovely, or eloquence is admired, this book will be read with delight, for here is variety without looseness, religion without fanaticism and eloquence pleading the cause of God with

man.

PASSING EVENTS.

MR. THOMAS PARKIN, a person who has been labouring most indefatigably, for some time past to bring himself into notoriety by his low and unmeasured abuse of every thing, and every body of a respectable character, in the religious world, has just inflicted another six-penny-worth upon the public, in theshape of "The present awful state of the Churches,' which is a most harmless piece rhodomontade from beginning to end; the writer's absurdities furnishing an effectual antidote to his mischievous designs. If our readers doubt this, let them look at the following samples, which are taken at random from his pamphlet.

Proof that ministers should not live by their labours. "Had the apostle (Paul) received wages there would have been some such letter as this extant: Reverend Sir, we herewith send you a quarter's salary agreeably to our written contract with you, and shall thank you for a receipt per bearer, we are, Sir,

Respectfully, the Phillippians." Episcopalians in jeopardy.-"If national bishops are not IMPOSTORS, national churches must be the kingdom of Christ, and all dissenters from them rebels against his authority." "The declaration of the church that her bishops are appointed by divine permission, and are delegated by God, is proof of her pretension, to INSIPRATION and INFALLIBILITY."

Simony practised by dissenting ministers. "Attend to this, Christians; hear what I am saying, and don't turn your backs upon such serious matters: what substantial equivalent does your minister give your for you money? none consequently he covets your money: but if you say spiritual food, then, as he alleges he preaches by the gift of the Holy Spirit, you bargain with him for this gift, and I defy all the sophistry ever hatched in the" divinity schools" to overturn this position. Hirelings may gnash their teeth because I exhibit this picture to your view; but it will nevertheless, stare you and them in the face, and haunt you even in death, if after being thus warned, the unhallowed practice is continued."

In page 8, is a very edifying discourse about Jewish Fables," and as a proof of our author's qualifications, we presume, for compiling the "Symbolical Dictionary of Scripture," which he has anounced, he informs us that the said "Jewish Fables" were symbolical of " religious stories," that is, in Mr. Parkin's vocabulary, preaching.

Ohe! jam satis est. But this violent man promises, that if he can procure a good sule for his pamphlet, he will enlighten the world by "a cheap periodical," which is to be open to

every thing and every body that does not deny Jesus to be the root and offspring of David!!!

The abuse which Mr. Parkin has heaped upon us, in this precious morceau, has excited no feeling but that of pity towards himself; so much of it as is not absolute and naked falsehood is only one remove from it,-being founded upon gross misrepresentation.-Sic itur ad astra!

MR. ISAAC MANN, Author of "Lectures on "Ecclesiastical History and Non-conformity," has in the press, a volume of Biography, entitled MEMORIALS of CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP; which will be ready for delivery at the latter end of the month of March.

TO OUR READERS.

We must offer one general apology to our correspondents, for not having hitherto acknowledged the receipt of their several contributions, and request that they will relieve us from the obligation of so doing in future, except on the wrapper of the monthly parts, in consideration of the contracted limits of our work. We shall be most happy at all times to avail ourselves of their assistance, though we must of course exercise our own judgment as to the use we should make of their articles. To Vindex a thousand apologies are due, for the trial to which we have subjected his patience; we hope to relieve him in a very short time. We thank Scrutator for his disposition to serve us, but we say, generally, that we have no room for extracts from such published works, as are generally accessible. We had ourselves prepared for a series of original essays upon the subject to which he has called our attention, but their appearance must be delayed until we can make room for them. We may take this opportunity to state, that the "Critical Analyses of the Religious Magazines” which we proposed to undertake at the commencement of each month, has been abandoned for the present, solely for want of room.

for

Should our circulation continue to increase as it now does, we hope to find space much additional matter by enlarging the size of our work; let each of our readers assist us in effecting this, and they, not ourselves, will reap the advantages resulting from it. H. C. in our next, if possible.

We deeply commiserate the situation of "One of the old English school and new Scotch church," and to relieve him as far as we can from his present anguish of mind, we have given an order on our publisher to pay him six-pence on demand! The paper "On mildness and gentleness" shall be inserted.