Bibles of England. By Andrew Edgar, D.D. (Alexander Gardner.) —Dr.
Edgar, who has already made his mark by his work on " Old Church Life in Scotland," has given here to the public a very valuable "plain account for plain people of the principal versions of the Bible in English." It is divided into eight chapters. First we have "The Lollards' " or "Wyclif's Bible;" then two chapters are given to the various Bibles respectively known by the names of Tyndale, Coverdale, Matthew, Taverner, and Crumwell or Creamer. The " Breeches " Bible, which had its origin at Geneva, the " Bishops' " Bible, the Douay, Authorised and Revised Versions, are successively treated of, always with much fullness of knowledge, and always, it may be said, with fairness and candour. Dr. Edgar's view of the Revised Version is that it was a great improvement, but not final. Probably if some qualified person had the book put into his hands with instructions to transfer to the Bible of King James such corrections only as were necessary, he might easily produce a book that would meet all needs. Not the least interesting chapter is that which treats of the Douay version (as a matter of fact, it was the Old Testament that was
printed at Douay in 1609-1610 ; the New Testament had appeared at Rheims nearly thirty years before). The Bible actually in use among Roman Catholics is the Douay version, as amended by Dr. Challoner. It is indeed a strange thing that there is no English Bible that can claim anything like a formal imprimatur from the authorities of the Roman Church. When we compare this fact with recent events in France, it would appear that this Church does not approve of putting the whole Bible without explanation into the hands of all its members. As regards the Old Testament, that view is not unreasonable. Dr. Edgar deserves hearty thanks for this excellent book.
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