teyned in the Olde and Newe Testament. Translated according to the Ebrue and Greeke, and conferred with the best translations in divers languages," 1560. In their dedication, "To the most vertuous and noble quene Elisabet," they say, concerning the manner of building the church of Christ," It is not according to man, nor after the wisdom of the flesh, but of the Spirit, and according to the word of God, whose ways are diverse from man's ways. If it was not lawful for Moses to build the material tabernacle after any other sort than God had showed him by a pattern, neither to prescribe any otherceremonies and laws than such as the Lord had expressly commanded, how can it be lawful to proceed in this spiritual building in any other way than Jesus Christ the Son of God, who is the founder, head, and chief corner-stone, hath commanded by his word? For as much as he hath established and left an order in his church, for the building up of his body, appointing some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, he signifieth that every one, according as he is placed in this body, which is his church, ought to inquire of his ministers concerning the will of the Lord, which is revealed in his word."

After the dedication, dated April 10, 1560, is an epistle "To their beloved in the Lord, the brethren of England, Scotland, and Ireland;" in which they say, "God knoweth with what fear and trembling we have, night and day, for the space of two years and more, been occupied in this work; and this we may with a good conscience protest, that we have in every point and word, according to the measure of knowledge God has given us, faithfully rendered the text, and in all hard places most sincerely expounded the same.

God is our witness that we have by all means endeavoured to set forth the purity of the word, and right sense of the Holy Ghost for the edifying of the brethren in faith and charity." But the marginal notes, or something in the dedication, having given offence to those in power, this translation was not suffered to be printed in England till the death of archbishop Parker; after which it soon passed through numerous editions.

The translators of this Bible were Coverdale, Gilby, Goodman, Whittingham, Sampson, Cole, Knox, Bodleigh and Pullain, who submitted their labonrs to the revision of the celebrated Calvin and Beza, before they sent them to the press. An impartial writer in those times, therefore, remarks on the suppression of this translation, "That if that Bible were such as

no

enemy of God could justly find fault with, then might men marvel that such a work, being so profitable, should find so much favour as not to be re-printed. If it were not faithfully translated, then let it still find as little favour as it now doth." This translation was republished in the year 1810, called "The Reformer's Bible."

Dr. Coverdale did not confine the labours of his pen to the translation of the Scriptures; but, being one of the principal reformers, and an author of great celebrity, it will be proper to notice some of his publications. Standish, a zealous Catholic, having published "A Treatise against the Protestation of Robert Barnes at the time of his death," 1540, Coverdale the same year printed a reply, entitled "A confutacion of that treatise which one John Standish made agaynste the protestacion of D. Barnes, wherein the Holy Scriptures are restored to their true understonding agayne." The dedication is "To all them that either read or hear God's holy

word, and give over themselves to live unfeignedly according to the same."

He translated and published two pieces in one duodecimo volume, without date, but probably about the period last mentioned. The former is entitled, "A faythful and moost Godlye treatyse concernynge the most sacret sacrament of the blessed body and bloude of oure Savioure Christe :" the latter is, "The order that the churche and congregacion of Chryst in Denmark and in many places, countres and cities of Germany doth use." This is dedicated by Coverdale, "To all them that honger and thyrst for the glorye of God and welthe of their neighboures;" he then adds, "It were to me a singular comforte, my ryght dear and entierly beloued brethren and systern in Jesu Chryst, yf I myght be with you my selfe continually, and communycate vnto you some parte of lytle tayst whych I have receaved of the Lorde my God for your sakes, and all the lawful wayes that I could devyse haue I soughte this great whyle to opteyne lycence of the hyer powers for the same purpose. But it wyll not be. Wherefore, though I be hydred and kepte frome you by all the meanes that Satan and hys membres can ymagen; yet shall ye haue my poore herte; yet wyl I not ceasse to wysh you good; yet wyl I doo the best for you that can, al though it be but wyth my pen."

Under the outrages of Henry and of Mary, every practicable means was employed to suppress the reformation, and to establish popery. The papal frauds and superstitions were not allowed to be examined in the light of day, and the writings of the Protestants were severely prohibited by the highest authority. Henry issued his haughty proclamation, forbidding his subjects to read, or even

to hold in their possession the New Testament by Tindal or Coverdale. The bigotted Mary suppressed all books published by the Reformers, among which were enumerated those of Luther, Calvin, Latimer, Hooper, Cranmer, and Coverdale.

The subject of this memoir was justly ranked among the most learned and venerable fathers of the Protestant Church of England; and no one was more signally instrumental in promoting the great work of the Reformation. After the slaughter of the Protestants under queen Mary, Dr. Coverdale returned once more to his native country, when he collected and published "Certayne most Godlie, Fruitful, and Comfortable Letters of True Saintes, Martyrs and Reformers," quar. 1543. In the dedication

"To the Christian

pro

Reader," he says, "In these writings, we see and behold as in a glass, not only what plentiful furniture and store of heavenly grace, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, faith, love, hope, zeal, patience, meekness, and obedience, with the worthy fruits thereof, which Almighty God bestowed upon his most dear children; but also what fatherly care he ever had for them; how his mighty hand defended them; how his vidence kept watch and ward over them; how his loving eye looked unto them; how his gracious ear heard their prayers; how he was always mindful of them, never forgot them, neither failed nor forsook them; how the arms of his mercy were stretched out to embrace them, whensoever they faithfully returned unto him; how valiant and strong in spirit, how joyful under the cross, how quiet and cheerful in trouble he made them; what victory over their enemies; what deliverance out of bonds and captivity; what health in sickness; what recovery from

plagues; what plenty from scarceness what help at all times from necessity he bestowed upon them." When Coverdale returned from Geneva, his bishopric was reserved for him, and he was repeatedly importuned to accept it; but, from his aversion to the popish habits and ceremonies retained in the church, he modestly refused. He assisted at the consecration of Archbishop Parker, at Lambeth, without pompous observances, by imposition of hands and prayer. On this occasion, he wore only a plain black gown; and, because he could not with a good conscience come up to the terms of conformity, he was neglected, and some time had no preferment.

He was a celebrated preacher, and highly esteemed and revered by persons of worth. He was frequently appointed to preach before her Majesty at Paul's Cross; and his name is classed with other celebrated divines, called "spiritual men," without perferment. His great worth, however, did not skreen him from the reproaches of his enemies, especially those of the popish party. He was many years a firm and zealous advocate of the Reformation; and he laboured to the utmost of his power, in co-operation with others, to restore the doctrine and government of the church to their primitive purity. These generous efforts exposed him to the censure of the Catholics, and of those who wished all things to continue as they were. After his second return from exile, our venerable divine was seized with the plague, from which he mercifully recovered. He was commonly called Father Coverdale; but, because of the neglect with which he was treated, and the reproach which it brought upon the ruling prelates, Bishop Grindal wrote to Secretary Cecil, recommending that some honourable preferment might be conferred upon him, declaring "If any advan

tage might be made of the Bishopric of Landaff, he would wish it to Father Coverdale, now lately recovered of the plague. Surely it is not well, that he, who was in Christ before us all, should be now in his age without stay of living. I cannot herein excuse us bishops. Somewhat I have to say for myself; for I have offered him divers things, which he thought not meet for him."

Grindal gave him the living of St. Magnus, at the Bridge-foot; but being old and poor, he petitioned Cecil and others to be released from paying the first fruits, amounting to upwards of sixty pounds. This is a copy of his letter to Cecil, as recited from the original.

"My dewtie considred in right humble wise unto your honor. Thes are in like maner to besech the same, that wheras my Lorde of London, tendryng as well myne age, as my symple labours in the Lord's harvest, hath very gentlye offred me the pastorall office and benefice of St. Magnust in London. Even so it maye please your honor to be the meanes for me to the Queen's most excellent Majestie, that in favourable consideracon, not onlie how destitute I have been ever since my bissoprick was taken fro me, and that I never had pension, annuitie, or stipand of it thes ten yeares and upward; but also how unable I am, either to paye the first fruites, or long to enjoye the sayde lyvyng, I goyng upon my grave, not able to lyve out a yeare. Her majestie at the contemplacon herof maye most graciouslye grant me the first fruites of the saide benefice, which her highnes nevertheles must nedes have agayne when I am gone. Heretofore, I praise God for it, your honor hath ever bene my speciall helpe and succor in all my rightfull sutes. If now that poore olde Myles may be provyded for, it please your honor to opteyne

this for me, I shal thynke thys ynough, to be unto me as good as a feast. Thus most humbly beseching your honor to take my boldnes in good parte, I committe you and all yours to the gracious protection of the Almightie. From London, 6 Februarie."

Coverdale wrote, at the same time, and in nearly the same words, to Archbishop Parker, and obtained a release from the burdensome first fruits; for which he returned his grateful acknowledgments to that right reverend father. His letter to Cecil, in grateful remembrance of his favour and assistance, is presented to the curious reader.

"As it hath pleased your honor, of a very charitable mocion, to further myne humble sute unto the queenes most excellent majestie for the opteyning of the firste frutes of St. Magnus; and as the same first frutes amount to the somme of £60. 16s. 10d., I humbly besech your honor, that joyning with my syngular good Lord, the lord Robert Dudley, ye wil helpe to opteyne the seynyng of the warrant which I here send unto your honor, as it is drawen by your orderly course of the courte of first fruites and tenthes. I am herin the bolder, because it hathe pleased my saide Lorde of his goodnes to sende me worde by Mr. Aldersley, that the queenes highnesse hath graunted my saide peticion allreadie. I have therfore used the counsail of my deare friend, Mr. Peter Osborne, in the draught of this wryting engroced, which as I most humbly sende here unto your honor, to be ordered by your godly and charitable wisdome, even so beseching you to contynue your accustomate favor towards me, I humbly and most hartely committe your honor and all yours to the mightie protection of God. From London the 18th of March. Your owne ever to

use and commande in Christe Jesus."

Coverdale continued in the exercise of his ministry a little more than two years; but not coming up to the terms of conformity, he was driven from his flock, and obliged to relinquish his benefice. Though laden with old age and infirmities, and torn from his people, and deprived of his living, he did not relinquish his beloved work. He still continued preaching as he found an opportunity, without conformity; and multitudes flocked to hear him. They used to send to his house on a Saturday, inquiring where he was to preach on the Sabbath, and were sure to follow him. But this offended the prelates; so the good old man was, at length, obliged to tell his friends, that he durst not any more inform them of his preaching, lest he should offend his superiors. He, nevertheless, continued preaching as long as he was able; and died a most comfortable and happy death, on January 20, 1568, aged eighty years. He was a man remarkable for piety, an indefatigable student, a great scholar, a famous preacher, a distinguished reformer, a celebrated puritan, a peaceable nonconformist, and greatly admired, and followed by persons of sound piety; but Queen Elizabeth's Act of Uniformity, and the oppressions which followed, brought his grey hairs with sorrow to the grave. His remains were honourably interred in the chancel of St. Bartholomew's church, behind the Exchange, London; when vast crowds of people attended the funeral procession. A monumental inscription was erected to his memory, of which the following is a translation:

In MEMORY

of the most reverend Father, MILES COVErdale, who died aged eighty years.

This Tomb
contains the mortal Remains of
COVERDALE,

who having finished his labours,
now lies at rest.

He was once the most faithful and

worthy Bishop of EXETER,

a man remarkable for the uprightness of his life.

He lived to exceed the age of eighty years,

having several times

been unjustly sent into banishment;
and after being tossed about, and
exposed to the various
hardships of life,

the Earth kindly received him
into her bosom.

In addition to the works already enumerated, Dr. Coverdale was author or translator of the following articles :-"1. How and whither a Christen man ought to flye the terrible plage of pestilence, a translation from Osiander, duo. 1537.-2. M. Luther's translation of the 23d Psalm, translated from the German, duo. 1537.-3. The Christen state of Matrimony, moost necessary and profitable, translated from Bullinger, oct. 1543.4. The defence of a poor Christen man, a translation, 1545.-5. The abridgment of Erasmus Enchiridion, a translation, 1545.-6. The Christen Rule, or State of all the Worlde, duo. 1547.-7. A Christen Exhortation to customable Swearers, duo. 1547.-8. The

Maner of sayenge Grace, or gyvyng Thankes to God, duo. 1547. -9. The old Fayth: an evident Probacion out of the Holy Scrypture, that Christen Fayth hath endured sins the beginyng of the Worlde, duo. 1547.-10. A. faythfull and true prognostication upon the yeare M.CCCC.XLIX. and perpetually after to the Worlde's Ende, a translation, duo. 1549. -11. A Spirituall Almanacke, duo. 1549.-12. A Godlie treatise on Justification, duo. 1579.—13. The Hope of the faithfull, declaringe breefely and clearely the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, duo. 1579.-14. The Booke of Death, or, how a Christen man oughte to behave himselfe in the danger of Death, duo. 1579.— 15. A spirituall and most precious perle, duo.-16. The Actes and Disputation in the Councill at Ravenpurge. The last five are translations.-17. Fruitful Lessons upon the Passion, Death, Resurrection, and of the sending of the Holy Ghost, quar. 1593.—18. A Concordance to the New Testament.-19. A Christian Catechism. -The version of the Psalms in the Book of Common-prayer, is taken from Coverdale's Bible. Tutbury.

B. B.

THE PASTOR'S RETROSPECT.

No. XIV.

sions of approaching dissolution. Her niece and sister were present.

shionable Female.

SOME time since I was called to attend the dying couch of a most accomplished and interesting lady, and to witness scenes calculated deeply to impress and affect the mind. At the request of a friend, I visited her the first time last Monday fortnight. She was sitting on a sofa, supported by pillows. Her appearance was not such as to excite any apprehen

asked her if she wished to see me alone. She said, this was her desire; and her relatives immediately withdrew.

I began a conversation, by requesting to know why she wished to see me, as she did not appear to be in immediate danger. She replied, that she wished to converse with me on serious subjects. I inquired as to the nature of her disorder. She told me, her com