But if alma mater cannot claim pre-eminence in this department of literature, she can boast her eminent men. Hugh Broughton, translator of Daniel, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, and Job, in Elizabeth's reign-and eastern literature had not been much attended to long before b-was commendavit, quod ad severioris disciplinæ tam sacræ quam humanæ incrementa conducat, &c. Statutum de Poeticâ Lecturâ. Vid. Lowth de Sacrâ Hebræorum Poesi. Prelect. 2. a There is some account of Hugh Broughton, not, indeed, by one of his admirers, in Strype's Life of Archbishop Whitgift, and of his Translations in Lewis's Preface to his edition of Wickliffe's Translation of the New Testament, p. 76, &c. b Tyndal and Joye, (the latter fellow of Peter House,) translated from the original Hebrew; but Coverdale from Latin and Dutch versions. Matthew's Bible was made up of Tyndal's and Coverdale's translation. Nor was there any translation immediately from the Hebrew, but Tyndal's, during the reigns of Henry VIII. and Edward VI. Erasmus himself, who did so much by his Latin translation of the New Testament from the Greek, knew, as already observed, little or nothing of Hebrew. With respect to the BISHOP'S BIBLE, as it is called, of queen Elizabeth's reign, when Hudibras says, its aim was, t'adapt a new translation To this new faith they taught the nation; he is, at least, in part mistaken; it being not a new translation, but a revision of the old. The parts newly translated from the original Hebrew, by Broughton, were published at London in 1596, 1605, and 1606; and dedicated to her majesty's most honourable privy council: the comment on Ecclesiastes, and the Lamentations of Jeremy, to prince Henry. Elmer, Bishop of London, whom Broughton said was the best Hebrician of the bishops, prompted him to undertake a new translation of the whole Bible, and the queen ordered Sir Francis Walsingham to desire him to consider of it: and it seems Broughton did: but he had reasons for residing abroad, and the plan was never realized. In James's reign he offered his services, to unite with other learned men, in the new translation of the Bible. But, on account of the contempt with which he treated the old translation, and the bishops who had engaged in it, his services were not accepted. deeply acquainted with Hebrew and Rabbinical learning. It is sufficient to mention Walton, the editor of the Polyglot Bible, in six volumes, folio, 1650, and Lightfoot, the author of Horæ Biblicæ. Dr. Chaderton, the first master of Emmanuel College, one of the translators of King James's Bible, and Dr. Spencer, master of Bene't, author of a famous work on the Hebrew Laws, with Robert Ainsworth, a Puritan, who translated the Pentateuch from the Hebrew, were all distinguished Hebricians: so, also, were John Smith, and Joseph Mede, to the latter of whom is geneally annexed some word expressive of his celebrity. Than these two persons, the former tutor of Queen's, the latter of Christ's College, few men possessed more various learning, or have displayed in their writings so much Hebrew and Rabbinical knowledge. Simon Ockley, author of a valuable History of the Saracens, was very conversant on Arabic MSS. And, in more modern time, Mr. Green, formerly fellow of Clare Hall, very successfully gave a new translation of the poetical parts of the Old Testament. Let us not, however, say, from too filial fondness, and petty partialities, For Hebrew roots are always found HUDIBRAS. lest some German, or Oxford wag should furnish a different reading, though neither Dr. Grey, nor Dr. Nash may®. 2 I shall speak more largely of this writer in another place. b Entitled, The Conquest of Syria, Persia, and Ægypt, by the SaraThe first volume was published in 1708; nine years afterwards was printed a second volume. cens. Two Editors of Hudibras. The plain truth, is, there exist at Cambridge no importunate solicitations, and few inducements for the study of this branch of letters. The royal Hebrew professorship is but an inconsiderable endowment, 40l. a year; nor is the Arabic professorship more. They are sinecures, and obtain from alma mater, neither her lucem nor her pocula sacra; they enter not into her course of lecturing in colleges, nor are Hebrew professorships in colleges heard of now. They form no part in public examination for degrees; and no prizes are held out to occasional proficients : so that all excellence in this department has flowed from the honest zeal, and unbiassed industry of private individuals. Nor is it necessary to make any exception for the case. of the gentlemen employed in King James's translation of the Bible. They were, indeed, entertained in the different colleges, to consult and compare notes together; and provided for afterwards: but this was a temporary matter; and the reward unconnected with the University. It is, however, by no means insinuated, that our libraries are unfurnished,-they are amply furnished-with materials for these studies: to say nothing of the printed books, let us not omit to notice, there are many very valuable Hebrew and other oriental MSS. at Cambridge; two of the most ancient are in the University and Caius Col a It should, however, be added, that in some colleges, the examination for fellowships takes in a little Hebrew; but how little will do, it is unnecessary to say.. b In the Life of Joseph Mede, by Dr. Worthington, mention is made of a Hebrew professorship, founded by Sir Walter Mildmay, in Christ College, and other things called professorships, may have been founded in other colleges; but they were only a sort of private lectures, and, I believe, are now dormant. lege libraries; a very fine MS. Hebrew Bible is in Emmanuel, as well as several Arabian, and Persian, with their titles, and appropriate history, by Sir William Jones. Caius College possesses several Eastern MSS. as does, also, Jesus; and dispersed in different libraries are others, The Eastern collection in the public library was enriched by a fine cabinet of oriental MSS., given by Dr. George Lewis, and has been lately increased by Dr. Buchanan, with many curious books and MSS. in the different languages of the East Indies: a correct catalogue is now finished of all the Eastern MSS. in the University library. CHAP. VII, THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE. THIS, perhaps, might be the place for considering theological literature: but, however interesting, it would introduce more controversy, and must be more multifarious than suits our brevity: besides, theological matters will be occasionally interspersed throughout this history, and in some measure, have been anticipated already;-the less, therefore, need be introduced here; the leading theological doctrines, on which the Reformation of the sixteenth century turned, being the same as those taught by Wickliffe, in the fourteenth. These doctrines being those afterwards maintained by Calvin, in his INSTITUTIONS, concerning “the knowledge of God the Creator," and "the knowledge of God the Redeemer "," have been since called Calvinistic. For though Calvin's INSTITUTIONS Contains but little new, yet, being a judicious compilation of St. Augustine's works, so far as the doctrines of Grace, Faith, Justification, Sanctification, and Predestination go, these several points were called after him Calvinism. He became the great doctor of his age. O le grand homme ! a Institutiones, &c. lib. 1 and 2. De cognitione Dei Creatoris, et cognitione Dei Redemptoris. It should be observed, that Erasmus differed from Calvin's doctrines, of Justifying Faith, Free Will, and Predestination. Calvin's doctrines further comprehended, the three divine Persons (Hypostases) in one God, which was also the received doctrine of the Church of England. |