Dangerous Errors in Several Late Printed Bibles by William Kilburne, Gent
From Textus Receptus
Dangerous Errors in Several Late Printed Bibles:
To the great scandal and corruption of sound and true Religion.
Discovered by William Kilburne, Gent.
Ex parva scintilla magnum incendium.
Principiis obsta, sero medicina paratur Cum mala per longas invaluere moras.
Printed at Finsbury, Anno 1659.
An animadversion to all good Christians of this Commonwealth, discovering (amongst many thousands of others) some pernicious erroneous and corrupt Erratas, Escapes and Faults in several impressions of the Holy Bible and Testament, within these late years, commonly vended and dispersed to the great scandal of Religion but more particular in the impressions of Henry Hills & John Field, printers; To the intent that either in reading of any such already bought or buying the like hereafter, they may be well advised, for the good of their own souls and the generations that shall succeed.
Published by William Kilburne, Gent.
Honourable and elect Christians.
The sacred Scriptures are the Crystalline Fountain, from whence all the lucid streams and rivulets of pure Religion are derived and conducted into the cisterns and receptacles of the hearts and understandings of Christians; whereby they may be directed, and instructed to lead a gracious and holy life here and prepared for, and assured of a glorious and eternal life hereafter: And what accurate diligence venerable respect the ancient Jews did and bear towards the Pentateuch, and other Divine Books of Canonical Scripture of the old Testament, in accounting the number of words syllables, nay letters thereof: And also the fedulity of Christians since the death of Christ, (through all the terrible and sanguineous persecutions of cruel tyrants,) to convey from age to age the Testament of our blessed Saviour, and Writings and Epistles of his Holy Apostles in their purity, (whereby they have been by God’s providence preserved from corruption,) should incite, and invite us, (who have received a greater illumination and Reformation, than the Jews or primitive Christians,) carefully to promulge and propagate the word of God in its intrinsical virtue, and propriety; Considering the many Heresies and false Doctrines professed in our days; And that it was the arch-policy and design of the Devil in tempting our very Saviour (as Matt. 4. 6. and Luke 4. 10, 11. compared with Psalm 91. 11. 12.) to pervert, and falsely produce the authority and parallel of the Scripture: And when as also in the primitive times one iota (the least letter of the alphabet) occasioned so great a controversy in God’s Church, under the Empire of Constantine the Great. For in the Doctrine of the everblessed Trinity, in the debates of the Nicene Council, Athanasius and the Orthodox party held, that Christ was Homoiousios, and of the same Essence of God his Father; the Arians, and Heterodox, Homoousios making him a mere Creature, and depriving him of his royal Diadem of the eternal Divinity; Which two words differ but in one letter. And we read Judges 12. 6. that the Gileadites slew of the Ephraimites 42,000 souls for not pronouncing rightly Shibboleth, and missing but in one aspiration.
You may well remember that the zeal and care of the late Bishops (especially of reverend and learned Doctor Usher) was such, that for the omission in one impression of the Bible of the negative word [not] in the seventh Commandment, the Printer was fined £2000 or £3000 in the late King’s time, as I have heard, which happened long before the late wars began: In which time through the absence of the King’s Printers, and cessation of Bible Printing at London, many erroneous English Bibles were printed in, and imported from Holland; which, being diligently compared by the late Assembly of Divines, were reported to the Parliament in 1643 to be corrupt, and dangerous to Religion; exhibiting to them these three faults only; for which the impression was suppressed and condemned to the fire, and a Prohibition made against the importation of any English Bibles for the future.
viz.:—
Gen. 36. 24. This is that Ana that found Rulers in the wilderness ... for mules.
Ruth 4. 13. The Lord gave her Corruption ... for Conception.
Luke 21. 28. Look up and lift up your heads for your Condemnation draweth nigh ... for Redemption.
This affair also occasioned the said Assembly by direction of the Parliament (as is very well known to Mr Philip Nye) &c. to propose the Bible printing to several Stationers of London; who refusing that laudable work, the same was commended to Mr William Bentley Printer in Finsbury, and his partners, who have so exactly, and commendably imprinted several volumes by Authority of Parliament in 8°. and 12°. in the years 1646, 48, 51, &c. (according to the authentic corrected Cambridge Bible, revised Mandato Regio, by the learned Doctor Ward, Doctor Goad of Hadley, Mr Boyse [Bois], Mr Mead [Mede], &c. and printed by the elaborate industry of Thomas Buck Esquire and Mr Roger Daniel folio in 1638,) that some small remainders of them yet unsold are now daily exposed at 12s. per book in quires unbound by the Stationers (for the fairness of the print, and truth of the editions) which Mr Bentley afforded heretofore at 2s. per book, or thereabouts, until he hath been unjustly obstructed by Mr Hills and Mr Field, who have endeavoured, by abusing the Authority of the State to monopolize the sole printing of Bibles to themselves since the latter end of the year 1655, and have raised the prices to excessive dear rates, to the very great scandal of Religion, and detriment of the Commonwealth:
Forasmuch as they have printed and dispersed in these late years divers Editions in several volumes under their several Names and Titles, that if you be pleased to compare and examine the same, you will find amongst many great numbers of others, verbal, literal, and in the points of distinction these gross and notorious erratas, escapes, and faults following; which I recommend to your ingenuous consideration and benevolent construction having heretofore represented some of them to his late Highness, and the most of them to the late Parliament.
1. In a Pearl Bible printed by John Field at London in 1653 in volume 24°. (very small to carry in pockets) whereof there have been near 20,000 dispersed, are these egregious faults, viz.:—
All the Dedications and Titles of David’s Psalms are wholly left out, being part of the original Text in Hebrew, and intimating the cause, and occasion of the writing and composing those Psalms, whereby the matter may be better illustrated.
John 9. 21. Or who hath opened his eyes we know not. These words are wholly omitted.
Rom. 6. 13. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of righteousness unto sin. for unrighteousness.
1 Cor. 6. 9. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall inherit the Kingdom of God? for Shall not inherit. This is the foundation of a damnable Doctrine for it hath been averred by a reverend Doctor of Divinity to several worthy persons, that many Libertines and licentious people did produce, and urge this Text from the authority of this corrupt Bible against his mild reproofs, in justification of their vicious and inordinate conversations.
2. In a small Bible in volume 12°. printed by John Field at London in 1655 whereof great numbers have been dispersed.
A catalogue of 91 notorious faults, amongst many others therein were presented by Mr Hills to Mr Security of Estate, and by him recommended to an honourable Member of the late Parliament. One whereof is 2 Cor. 13. 6. But I trust that ye shall know that we are not Reprobates. which verse is wholly omitted. 3. In another Bible in volume 12°. printed also by John Field at London in 1655 whereof great numbers have been dispersed.
Upon my reading of the six first Chapters only in St Matthew, I found 10 notable faults and have received general information from persons of worth, that the residue of the book is corespondent; which was evidenced to a Committee of Parliament, insomuch that they seized them and prohibited the sale thereof and of the former Bibles in Mr Field’s hands, as also of the ensuing Bible, which notwithstanding that restraint, he hath since divulged. 4. In a Bible in volume 12°. printed by John Field at London in 1656 you may observe these faults viz.:—
Isaiah 10. 26. Cap. 13. 3; Cap. 14. 24. Cap. 17. 8. Cap 18. 17. And the waters shall overthrow the hiding place. for overflow. Cap. 48. 19. Cap. 49. 22. and so generally through the whole old Testament. But in the new Testament be pleased to peruse these, viz.:—
Luke 23. 42, 51. Cap. 24. 24. John 1. 51. Cap. 2. 9, 10. Cap. 3. 21. Cap. 5. 2. the pool Bethsaida for Bethesda, ver. 23. As they honour their Father, for the Father Emphatically. Cap. 6. 29, 33. Cap. 7. 39. But this spake of the spirits, which they that believe on him should receive, for spirit, speaking only of the Holy Ghost, as appeareth in the fame verse. Cap. 13. 22 Cap. 14. 13, 21. And he that loveth me shall loved for shall be loved of my Father. Cap. 15. 17. These things I commanded, for command you. Cap. 17. 12. That the Scriptures might be fulfilled, for Scripture, speaking of Judas the son of perdition, and referring to Psalm 109. 8. Cap. 19. 37. Cap. 20. 25. And put my fingers, for finger. Cap. 21. 17. Acts 1. 7. Cap. 4. 15. Counsel (or advice) for Council (or a consistory). And this is often reiterated in other places. Cap. 8. 36. A very base omission, and false justification of the words to the confusion of the sense. Cap. 13. 1, 6, 26. he, for they, a gross fault. Rom. 4. 10. Cap. 6. 23. mere nonsense. 1 John 4. 20. 2 John ver. 1. Rev. 1. 1. Cap. 21. 10.
I might particularize many more, especially in the Contents; which generally are falsely perverted, and mutilated to the great impediment, and obstruction of the right understanding of the scope and text of the chapters.
5. In another Minion Bible in 8°. volume, printed by John Field at Cambridge in 1657. Which sells very much, and very dear, at least for 8s. 6d. per book. Psalm 143. 4. Therefore is my Spirit over, is wholly omitted in many that I have seen. And there are many other faults as I am well informed of very great notoriety.
6. In a Bible in 12°. volume printed at London by Hen. Hills and I. Field in Anno 1656 corrected by one Mr Robinson (a Scotch Rabbi,) and published in an advertisement by Mercurius Politicus 6 Nov. 1656 to be incomparable. And in truth I think he was not deceived, (though indeed he abused the Commonwealth;) For I am confident, if the number of the Impression was as (I am informed) 20,000 there are as many faults therein verbal, literal, and in the difference of the italic words, (to the great corruption of the Text,) and in false points of distinction: so that besides the base paper, and printing, and abridgement, and perversion of the Contents, and transposing and confounding of words, whereby it is very troublesome to be read, it is the worst of all the rest that are exposed to your view; as appeared palpably to the Parliament, whereby the sale thereof (sedente Parliamento) was inhibited, but since dispersed very much at country fairs, and markets by bookbinders and petty chapmen, being no fitting Book for sale by Stationers in London; wherein you may observe these faults, viz.:—
Gen. 1. 21. Cod. for God. and so in many other places. Cap. 7. 3. Cap. 10. 19. Cap. 15. 3. Abraham before God changed his name, for Abram. Cap. 18. 1. Cap. 27. 45. Cap. 34. 21. Cap. 46. 17. Exod. 12. 42. Cap. 16. 19. Cop. 19. 24. Cap. 26. 8. Cap. 29. 22. Cap. 40. in the Contents. A cloud cloudeth for covereth, verse 2. Lev. 3. 6. Sacrifice of left out. Cap. 7. 38. Cap. 8. 14. Cap. 10. 18. Cap. 11. 3. Cap. 13. 55. Cap. 15. 20. Cap. 22. 12. Cap. 23. 35. Num. 1. 10. Cap. 6. 14. Ram. for Lamb. Cap. 1o. 29. Cap. 17. in the Contents Kept for Left. Cap. 20. 12. Cap. 23. 15. Cap. 24. 12. Cap. 30. in the Contents Delivered for Divorced. Cap. 31. 30. Sheep for Flocks Cap. 34. 9. Out for On. Deut. 5. 29. Cap. 29. 5. waked for waxen. Cap. 34. 7. A gross fault. Joshua 3. 11. another grand one. Cap. 23. 16. Goods for Gods. Judges 9. 17. And advanced his life for adventured his life. Cap. 15. 10. Samon, for Samson. 1 Sam. 24. 9. 2 Sam. 8. 12. gross faults. 1 Kings 20. 6, 30. the like, 2 Kings 3. 2. Cap. 8. 5. The Chronicles and Ezra are generally false in the proper Names. Nehemiah 8. 17. Had the Children of Israel done so for Had not. Esther 4. 1. a gross fault. Job 4. 6. Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, the uprightness of thy ways, and thy hope? for Is not thy fear, thy confidence and the uprightness of thy ways, thy hope? The Titles of divers Psalms are falsely named. Prov. 29. 13. Yea, he shall give delight thy soul, for unto thy soul. Eccles. 1. 1. Cap. 8. 17. Yet he shall not find it, is wholly left out. In the Prophets are great numbers of verbal faults, and omissions, which I pretermit. In the Evangelists are many egregious faults, viz.:—
Luke 6. 22. Cop. 7. 43. A base squabble and nonsense. Cap. 9. 13. Loves for Loaves. Cap. 16. 17. Title of the Law for Tittle. Cap. 19. 44. John 3. 17. For God sent not his Sou into the world, for Son, ver. 21. Cap. 6. 11. Loves for Loaves. Cap. 18. 9, 36. Gross faults, and a dangerous corruption viz. If my Kingdom were of this Word for World. Acts 2. 27. Because thou wilt not leave my Oul in Hell, for Soul, &c. Cap. 9. 36. Cap. 10. 14. Cap. 21. 2. Nonsense. Cap. 24. 24. Jew for Jewess. Cap. 26. 2. Nonsense. Rom. 1. 7. Cap. 9. 23. Cap. 11. 14, 32. A gross error, viz. Concluded all in unbelief for them all, to wit, the Jews. 1 Cor. 1. 2, 14. Cap 3. 15. Cap. 9. 22. men for means. 2 Cor. 8. 9. Cap. 11. 32. Of the Damascenes, left out. 2 Thess. 2. 16. Heb. 9. 8, 15. Cap. 12. 1. 1 Pet. 2. Nonsense in the Contents. Exhorteth for Dehorteth, ver. 21. Leaving us as an example. A dangerous Error. 2 Pet. 1. 11, 19. 1 John 2. 24. Cap. 4. 10. Jude ver. 4. Rev. 9. 18. Cap. 17. 4, 14. Cap. 19. 10. Cap. 22. 17.
7. Moreover during the time of the late Parliament, great numbers of Bibles in a large 12°. volume, were imported from Holland in 1656 with this false Title (Imprinted at London by Rob. Barker, &c Anno 1638.) wherein Mr Kiffon and Mr Hills cannot be excused, (if reports be true,) being contrary to the several Acts of Parliament of 20. Sep. 1649 and 7. Jan. 1652 for regulating of Printing. Wherein are so many notorious erratas, false English, nonsense and corruptions, that in reading part of Genesis, I found 30 grand faults, as Cap. 27. 16. Mouth of his neck, for Smooth of his neck. Cap. 29. 13. She for He ran to meet him. Cap. 30. 40. Put them unto, for Put them not unto Labans Cattle. And in reading Ecclesiastes, Canticles, and the first 27 chapters of Isaiah, I found almost an hundred gross faults, which I did specify to the Parliament, and therefore them here; The very importation of the books being an offence contrary to the said Statutes and ought deservedly to be suppressed; which notwithstanding are dispersed in the Country as aforesaid.
You may also take notice of another fault discovered to me by a Reverend Minister, escaped in a 4°. Bible of John Field’s, printed at London (1648) (amongst many other faults therein). viz.:—
Psalm 105. 29. He turned their waters into blood & slew their Flesh, for Fish. And in the singing Psalms by him printed, bound up with several volumes of his Bibles, amongst others, See Psalm 67. 2. That all the earth may know the way to worldly wealth, for Godly wealth.
Having thus represented the premises to your own ocular demonstration; and considering the Curse pronounced Rev. 22. 18. 19. and other Texts of Scripture to that purpose: as also that the pious and Orthodox Ministers do generally complain against the said erroneous Bibles, I submit the whole matter to you; Praying God to inflame your hearts with a fervent love of the truth, and confirm you in the true faith of Christianity; And that it will graciously please his divine Majesty of his infinite goodness, and mercy, to bless this Commonwealth with the like dispensation of his blessed Word in our own proper dialect, and speech as it is in the original idioms, by the zeal and Patronage of his Highness, and the Parliament; And that for the private emolument of any persons, (how great soever,) the Scriptures may not be hereafter carelessly and erroneously printed, whereby to save the charges of good correction, and printing, as may be plainly proved by such Bibles, which have been printed in late years, or else (as is pretended) the profit will not countervail the charge: For (as it is credibly reported) Mr Hills & Mr. Field have several times affirmed, that they are engaged to pay £500. per Annum. to some, whose names out of respect to them I forbear to mention, over and above £100. per Annum to Mr Marchamont Needham, and his wife, out of the profits of the sale of their Bibles, deriding, insulting, and triumphing over others of the Printing Mystery, out of their confidence in their great friends and purse, as it is said, as if they lawless and free, (notwithstanding the truth of the premises and other grand enormities often committed by them,) both from offence and punishment, to the great dishonour of the Commonwealth in general, and damage of many private persons in particular.
For redress of which inconvenience, and for that I am informed by a Gentleman of eminence, that upon his own reading of one of their late printed Bibles, he hath noted and observed above 6000 faults therein, I humbly propose (out of my unfeigned respects to publick good) that the future printing of Bibles may neither be solely appropriated to Mr Hills & Mr Field on pretence of their purchasing the translated copy, made in Anno 1611° and unduly entering it lately as their private Copy, and for their sole propriety in the Stationers Register; For that is neither rational, nor political, that the State should be devested of the Patronage, and protection of the word of God, translated into English primitively at their charge, and permitted to be printed only Cum Privilegio Regali (being the national and common evidence of our Religion, and like an Elysian Flower of supremacy) and that we should make our defence thereof by and under the private and person Title of Mr Hills and Mr Field, and their assigns for perpetuity. Nor secondly that the Bible printing may be left again so loosely, and irregularly (as of late years it was and is now in design and project again) to the liberty of any persons free of the Stationers Company, or qualified to print for that then a greater mischief will ensue, than at present, as common reason will demonstrate. But thirdly that such Printers only, as have heretofore discharged themselves with the greatest care and confidence, and for the honour, and best accommodation and service of the Commonwealth either at London or Cambridge, and have also had the full approbation, and allowance of Parliament, in and for printing of Bibles, and such others as shall be thought meet (not exceeding in the whole, some competent number of able master printers) may be hereafter authorised, and permitted to print the Bible under the State’s privilege only, and not as their own private Copy, under such qualifications, and provisions for good correction, workmanship and price, as shall be expedient for the better ordering and accomplishing of such an honourable, laudable and weighty work and employment.
London 1. January 1659 Stylo Romano.
Finis
