conveyed to the ends of the earth, by the beneficent institution of Bible and Missionary Societies! It may justly be deemed surprising that so much labour, expense, and erudition, should have been employed in endeavours to accomplish a correct text of the Hebrew and Greek original Scriptures, and that men of consideration should have regarded, apparently with entire indifference, the greatest benefit that can result from these endeavours,— the correct emendation of that version, which is the sole medium of imparting the knowledge of God's word to the numberless millions who can avail themselves of no other. The exertions of Mill, Wetstein, Griesbach, Kennicott, De Rossi, &c. &c. must be judged to fail of a full reward, until the utmost practicable improvement has been made in the translation, which is to engage the attention of by far the majority of the christian world. Grammarians, lexicographers, and critics, have but ill discharged the obligations that lie upon them, while the vast stores which they have amassed are locked up in recesses, inaccessible to at least nineteen-twentieths of mankind.

The writer of this Introduction is reluctant to dismiss this subject, without adverting to the evident judgment of others, many of them far better qualified than himself to pronounce a decision on the desirableness and necessity of an emended version of the whole Bible. I shall comprise all I mean to say on this topic, in a reference to the numerous versions of individual books of the Scriptures which have issued from the press of Great Britain within the course of the last sixty or seventy years. These versions, many of which are of very great value, have proceeded from the labours of learned prelates and professors, and other eminent persons, and fully disclose the opinions which they formed in relation to this subject. I will specify but two names which are prefixed to their invaluable productions, the learned and elegant Bishop Lowth, and the not less

learned, and perhaps more acute and perspicacious Dr. George Campbell;-men than whom none have lived more competent to form sound and accurate judgments on such matters. These erudite persons have recorded, by the writing and publication of their respective versions of the prophecy of Isaiah, and the four books of the Evangelists, the deliberate convictions of their judgment respecting the practicability and usefulness of a corrected translation of the Holy Scriptures. Had I the audience of dignified Professors, of the Heads of Houses, and of learned Fellows of Colleges, I might perhaps put, with becoming deference, the inquiry,—Is it now too late to accomplish any such good work? or is it premature, from the expectation of larger and more sufficient means than are already in possession ?

Some degree of the apparent disregard which is shown to a revision and emendation of the common version, may, I beg permission to add, be traced to the exaggerated commendations of it which are so frequently promulgated: men often come to believe at length in the truth of assertions which are perpetually made, but which a thorough and candid investigation would prove to be unfounded; so that they not merely themselves acquiesce in these vulgar errors, but are prone to regard with a suspicious eye the motives of those who will not be imposed upon by allegations which they know to be destitute of equivalent support.

It occurs to me to remark here, that it some person or persons of opulence would imitate the munificence to which we are indebted for the Bridgewater Treatises, we might hope to see this important desideratum supplied. We are now amply furnished with defences against the direct attacks of scepticism and infidelity; why should we not be equally armed against the less manifest, but not much less dangerous influences, against which the multitude can be effectually

secured, only by diffusing among them the most perfect and accurate transcript of the Holy Scriptures, which the beneficence and erudition of the present times can produce? The experience of many years plainly shows, that no private efforts to produce an improved version of the Bible will succeed, so far as to give it general currency, or induce the public at large to adopt it, in preference to that which is now in use. A more decisive stamp of authority than can be impressed by one or several individuals, however learned, or in all respects qualified for the important undertaking, is essential to secure a universal, or even general reception of it. The authority, however, let it be understood, which is intended, is not that which our civil governors are able to impart. A royal charter, an order in council, or an act of parliament, is altogether without competency in this case. The temper of men, at this period, would incline them to refuse acquiescence in such a species of authority. The only authority to which Christians of all parties would bow, must be drawn from the acknowledged skill, fidelity, impartiality, and general qualifications of the persons who should engage in the execution of such a work. If some of the most distinguished members of the two Universities would form an association for this excellent purpose, and freely invite the cooperation of learned and candid individuals belonging to the several communions of Christians in the United Kingdom, all pledging themselves to a fair and impartial arrangement and distribution of labour, the object would be accomplished: the more discerning and better informed readers of the Scriptures would gladly accept the boon thus offered; and, through their agency, there is good reason to believe that the generality would gradually transfer their attention and regard to it.

I shall terminate this discourse, already too long, by observing that the Book of Psalms has been the subject of much consideration

for several past years to me; and that, had any work on this Book come into my hands, at all corresponding with the objects which I have in view, the present publication would not have been undertaken. Its design is to form a version, on the basis of the common translation, which, it is hoped, may be in some measure more perspicuous and intelligible; and to illustrate the sense, where it may appear to be needed, by short explanatory notes. A few critical observations, in support of the alterations that may be made, will be placed at the end of the volume; and an Appendix, containing three or four brief dissertations on some of the more difficult topics which are connected with the interpretation of the Psalms.

As great assistance may often be derived from a previous history of the Psalm that may be under consideration, such a history, when attainable, accompanied by a short analysis of the contents, will be prefixed to each of these sacred poems.

HACKNEY, March 1, 1837.