Chap. ii. middle of the xviith acknowledged Bible of the English-speaking nations throughout the world simply because it is the best. A revision which embodied the ripe fruits of nearly a century of labour, and appealed to the religious instinct of century. a great Christian people, gained by its own internal character a vital authority which could never have been secured by any edict of sovereign rulers'. 1 The labours of Hugh Broughton on the English Bible ought not to be passed over without notice. This great Hebraist violently attacked the Bishops' Bible, and sketched a plan for a new version which his own arrogance was sufficient to make impracticable. He afterwards published translations of Daniel, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, and Job, and offered CHAPTER III. THE INTERNAL HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH BIBLE. Oh, if we draw a circle premature Heedless of far gain, Greedy for quick returns of profit, șure Bad is our bargain! Was it not great? did not he throw on God, (He loves the burthen)— God's task to make the heavenly period Perfect the earthen...... That low man seeks a little thing to do, Sees it and does it: This high man, with a great thing to pursue, Dies ere he knows it...... That has the world here-should he need the next, This throws himself on God, and unperplext Seeking shall find Him...... Lofty designs must close in like effects: Loftily lying, Leave him-still loftier than the world suspects, Living and dying. CHAPTER III. THE INTERNAL HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH BIBLE. SUCH in a general outline was the external history of the English Bible. We have still to inquire how it was made? with what helps? on what principles? by what laws it was modified from time to time? and how far our authorised version bears in itself the traces of its gradual formation? To some of these questions only tentative or imperfect answers can be rendered at present; yet it is something to clear the way to a fuller investigation; and when once the novelty and complication of the problems become evident, it cannot fail but that a combination of labour will achieve their complete solution. Hitherto nothing has been done systematically towards the work. A few vague surmises and hasty generalizations have gained unchallenged currency and stopped thorough search; yet when viewed simply in its literary aspect, the history of the growth of the authorised text involves a more comprehensive and subtle criticism, and is therefore filled with a deeper interest, than any similar history. Each revision stands in a definite relation to a particular position of the English Church, and may be expected to reflect its image in some degree. Moreover we possess the work at each stage of its structure and not only in its final Chap. iii. Revival of Hebrew. K |