IX. LITTLE LOUD LIARS.

I REMEMBER one in the University gave for his question, Artis compendium artis dispendium. The contracting of arts is the corrupting of them. Sure I am, the truth hereof appeareth too plainly in the pearl Bible printed at London, 1653, in the volume of twenty-four; for therein 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 the occasion of the writing and composing those Psalms, whereby the matter may be better illustrated.

The design may be good to reduce the Bible to so small a volume, partly to make it the more portable in men’s pockets, partly to bring down the price of them, that the poor people may the better compass them. But know that vilis, in the Latin tongue, in the first sense signifieth what is cheap, in the second sense what is base. The small price of the Bible hath caused the small prizing of the Bible, especially since so many damnable and pernicious mistakes have escaped therein.

I cannot omit another edition in a large 12mo. making the Book of Truth to begin with a loud lie, pretending this title:

Imprinted at London by ROBERT BARKER, etc., Anno 1638.

whereas, indeed, they were imported from Holland, 1656, and that contrary to our statutes. What can be expected from so lying a frontispiece but suitable falsehoods, wherewith it aboundeth?

O that men in power and place would take these things into their serious considerations! a caution too late to amend what is past, but early enough for the future to prevent the importing of foreign, and misprinting of homemade Bibles.