CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

The Birth-place of Coverdale not known.-Is educated at Cam-

bridge, in the Monastery of the Augustins.-State of Learning

at the University.-Commencement of Reformed Doctrines.—

Cromwell, afterwards Earl of Essex, an early Patron of Cover-

dale.-Dr. Barnes, the Master of the Augustin Priory, his

Arrest.—Coverdale professes the New Tenets.-Recantation of

one Topley, in which he states that Coverdale was the means

of leading him into Heresy.--Coverdale therefore, for fear of

Persecution, determines to leave England

CHAPTER II.

Tyndal's New Testament published.-Prohibition of it by the

Bishop of London.-Writings of Sir Thos. More against it.

Halle's Account of the Burning of this Translation.-Cover-

dale goes to Antwerp, and assists Tyndal in translating the

Pentateuch.-Proceedings in England against Tyndal's New

Testament and the Writings of the Reformers.-Severe Pro-

clamation of the King against.-Bishop of Norwich desires

further Authority to suppress Heresy in his Diocese

PAGE

1

14

CHAPTER III.

Decision of the King in Council against the New Doctrines.-His

Intention to have the Scripture translated, to give to his people,

when he should see that they were fit to receive the same.—

Latimer's Letter to the King, persuading him to grant the free

use of the Bible to his Subjects.-Progress of the Reformation.—

Resolution of the Convocation of the Clergy with regard to pro-

mulgating the Scripture in English.-Arguments for and
against.-Coverdale determines to translate it.

PAGE

31

-

CHAPTER IV.

Coverdale publishes his Translation of the whole Bible.-Dedica-

tion to the King.-Uses topics most likely to have weight with

Henry.-Finds fault with the ambition of the Pope.-Extols

the Scripture.-Gives his reason for dedicating this Translation

to the King. In judging of the Language and Topics of this

Dedication, difference to be borne in mind, between the

kingly office in those days and the present.-Prologue to the

Reader.-Coverdale excuses his own insufficiency.-Explains

the different Books in the Bible.-Exhorts the Reader to ap-

proach the Scripture in a proper mind.-Date of this Bible,

apparent inconsistency of that given at the end, with the com-

mencement of the dedication

50

CHAPTER V.

Coverdale's Bible.-Whether put forth by the King's Authority or

not.-Arguments for and against.—Apparently at one time had

obtained the King's sanction.—Which afterwards was neither

confirmed nor withdrawn.-Specimen of this Translation

CHAPTER VI.

Matthew's Bible published.-Grafton's Letters to Lord Cromwel!

concerning it.-The Clergy much offended at this Edition, on

account of the Prologue and Prefatory Pieces attached to it.-

69

Coverdale superintends the printing of another Bible at Paris.—

His Letters to Lord Cromwell.-The whole Impression of the

Bible is suddenly seized on, and Coverdale himself narrowly

escapes the Inquisition.-This Bible proceeded afresh with, and

published in 1539.

PAGE

80

CHAPTER VII.

Latin and English New Testament by Coverdale 'synistrally'

printed in London.-Dedicated to King Henry.-Preface to

Reader, evidently not by Coverdale.—An authorized Copy by

Coverdale printed at Paris.-Dedicated to Lord Cromwell.—

Complains of former Edition.-But excuses the Printer on

account of his good intentions.-Preface to the Reader.- Some

of the Psalms translated into verse and published by Coverdale.

-Specimen of his Versification.

CHAPTER VIII.

Steps taken in England for the promulgation of the Scripture.-

Injunctions of Cromwell, as Vicar-General, for the setting up of

a Bible in every Parish Church.—Declaration of the King to be

read by the Curates in the Churches, that it was his Majesty's

pleasure and command, that the Bible should be sincerely taught

and openly laid forth in every Parish Church.-The Bishops

persuade the King to take measures against the importation

from abroad of Reformed Doctrines. -Act of the Six Articles.

-Fall of Cromwell.-Consequent decline of the Reformed

Party

94

106

CHAPTER IX.

Proclamation of the King, commanding the Bible to be set
up
in

the Churches, carelessly obeyed.-Complaints against the Trans-

lations of the Bible, with a view probably to have them called

in.-Act limiting the reading of the Bible to certain classes.—

The King justifies the passing of this Act in the "Erudition of

any Christian Man."-Proclamation prohibiting several Trans-

lations of the Bible, and other works of the Reformers.—

Decline of that party towards the latter end of Henry's

reign

PAGE

121

CHAPTER X.

Accession of Edward the Sixth favourable to Reformed Doc-

trines.-Coverdale, who had resided in Germany, comes over to

England.-Is made Almoner to the Dowager Queen.—Accom-

panies Lord Russell in his Expedition against the Rebels, and

preaches in the West of England.-Is made Coadjutor to the

Bishop of Exeter, and afterwards succeeds to that See.-Is

named one of the Commissioners to examine and search after

the Anabaptists and the Contemners of the Common Prayer, and

is also joined in the commission to revise the Ecclesiastical Laws.

-His faithful discharge of his Episcopal functions

CHAPTER XI.

Accession of Queen Mary.-Coverdale deprived of his Bishoprick,

and summoned before the Council.-Interposition of the King

of Denmark in his favour.-His Letters on the subject.-Cover-

dale, after much delay, permitted to depart into Denmark-

From whence he proceeds into Germany.-Is reinstated in his

former Benefice at Bergzabern.-Afterwards joins the Congre-

gation at Geneva

136

155

CHAPTER XII.

Accession of Queen Elizabeth.-Coverdale returns into England.

-Officiates at the Consecration of Archbishop Parker.-Does

not resume his Bishoprick, from Religious Scruples.—Grindal's

Letter about Coverdale not having met with due Preferment.—

He is however afterwards presented to the living of St. Magnus,

which he does not enjoy long.-His Letters to the Secretary of

State concerning his inability to pay first-fruits.-Is admitted to

the degree of Doctor of Divinity 'per gratiam,' by the Univer-

sity of Cambridge.-His Death.-Epitaph.

167

PAGE

APPENDIX.

No. I.-Letter from Coverdale to Cromwell

No. II.-A Letter from Grafton to Cromwell

No. III.-A Letter from Coverdale and Grafton to Cromwell

No. IV.

well

-

-A Letter from Coverdale, Grafton, and Grey to Crom-

. 196

. 198

No. V.-A Letter from Coverdale and Grafton to Cromwell

No. VI.-A Letter from Coverdale to Cromwell

No. VII.-Parallel Passages from the Pentateuch by Tyndal, in

1530, and the Bible by Coverdale, in 1535

No. VIII. Parallel Passages from the first printed Translations

of the New Testament, taken from the second chapters of the

Gospels according to St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St.

John

:

No. IX.-The Latin Texts of Coverdale's Testaments

199

200

. 203

: 213

No. X.-A Bibliographical List and Notices of the several Edi-

tions of Coverdale's Works

. 215

In consequence of an addition made to the List of Works, in the Appendix,

after part of the impression had been worked off, the following errata require

to be noticed.

Page 94, n. (a), for Art. 13, read Art. 15.

99, n. (e), for Art. 11, read Art. 14.

103, n. (f), for Art. 15, read Art. 18.

-(g), for Art. 11, read Art. 14.

149, n. (m), for Art. 9 and 10, read Art. 11, 12, and 13.