.

century, the design was renewed by Archbishop DANIEL, who translated the NEW TESTAMENT Out of the Greek into the Irish language. It was printed at Dublin, in 1602, in the Irish character, in 4to., at the expense of Sir William Usher clerk of the council, and the province of Connaught; and dedicated to James I.8

83

WILLIAM DANIEL, or ô DONEL, D. D. was born at Kilkenny; and was one of the first fellows of Trinity College, Dublin. He was consecrated archbishop of Tuam, in St. Patrick's Church, Dublin, (of which he was treasurer,) in August, 1609; and was, during the same year, appointed one of the privy-council. He was well acquainted with the Hebrew and Greek tongues, from the latter of which he translated the New Testament. He also translated the Liturgy out of English into Irish. He died at Tuam, July 11th, 1628, and was buried in his cathedral. 84

The Liturgy, or Book of Common Prayer, translated by Archbishop Daniel, was printed at his own expense, by J. Frankton, A. D. 1608—9: by which many of the native Irish were greatly benefited, and their conversion to the reformed religion considerably promoted. In 1623, in consequence of a report of the state of Ireland, presented to his Majesty by certain commissioners whom he had appointed, the following order was issued, among others, dated February 3rd. "We do also command, that the New Testament, and Book of Common Prayer, translated into Irish, be hereafter frequently used in the parishes of the Irishrie; and that every non-resident there do constantly keep and continue one, to read service in the Irish tongue." In 1634, a convocation met at Dublin, in which the importance of communicating the Scriptures and Liturgy to the natives, in their own tongue,

(83) Le Long, I. p. 446.

(84) Ware's Comment. of the Prelates of Ireland, p. 7. Dub. 1704, for. (85) Anderson's Memorial, p. 18.

was the subject of much debate. Dr. Bedell, bishop of Kilmore, zealously defended the propriety of favouring the Irish with vernacular translations, in which he was warmly opposed by Dr. Bramhall, bishop of Derry. Dr. Bedell, being supported by the authority of Archbishop Usher, obtained the passing of two canons, favourable to his views the first, that "where most of the people were Irish, the churchwardens should provide, at the charge of the parish, a Bible and two Common Prayer Books, in the Irish tongue :" the other, that "where the minister was an Englishman, such a clerk might be chosen as should be able to read those parts of the service, which should be appointed to be read in Irish."s

Dr. Bedell being desirous of promoting still more successfully the instruction of the people of his diocese, resolved to acquire the knowledge of the Irish tongue; and though advanced in years when he commenced the attempt, he gained so critical an acquaintance with it as not only to be able to read it, but also to compose a Grammar of it. He caused the Common Prayer in Irish, to be read every Lord's Day, in his cathedral; and engaged all his clergy to set up schools in their parishes, that the people might be taught to read and write.

The New Testament being the only part of the Scriptures hitherto published in Irish, with the exception of those passages which were inserted in the Book of Common Prayer, the venerable bishop determined to obtain a translation of the Old Testament into that language. For this purpose he endeavoured to find out some one, whose critical skill in the Irish tongue would render him a proper person to be employed in so sacred and important a work. By the advice of Primate Usher, and other eminent characters, he engaged a Mr. King, an

(86) Life of the Hon. Robert Boyle, by Birch, prefixed to his Works, vol, I. Append. p. clxxxii. Lond. 1772, 4to. Anderson's Memorial, p. 20.

Irishman by birth, a convert from popery, then about 70 years of age, whom the bishop thought worthy not only of being employed as a translator, but of being inducted into the sacred office; he therefore put him in orders, and gave him a benefice in his diocese. Mr. DENNIS SHERIDAN, another Irishman and clergyman, appears to have been an assistant also in the undertaking. The bishop personally revised the translation. After dinner or supper, he read over a chapter, and compared the Irish translation with the English, and the English with the Hebrew text, the Septuagint version, and Diodati's Italian translation, correcting the Irish wherever there appeared any mistranslation. For this revision he was eminently qualified. With the Italian he was critically acquainted, having resided at Venice, and been assisted in learning it by Paul Sarpi, the celebrated author of the History of the Council of Trent, with whom he had formed an intimate friendship: the Hebrew he had studied at the same place under Rabbi Leo, from whom he had acquired the Jewish pronunciation.

The good bishop's benevolent design of translating the Old Testament into Irish, met, however, with unexpected opposition, not only from the Catholics, but from some of the Protestant clergy, who objected against Mr. King, as ignorant and incompetent for the work; and so far influenced the earl of Strafford, and the archbishop of Canterbury, that a bold young man, named Baily, pretending a lapse of the benefice that had been conferred upon the translator, obtained an order to enter upon it. under the broad seal, though it was in the gift of the bishop. The enemies of Mr. King having dispossessed him of his benefice, endeavoured to countenance their opposition by vilifying his character, and spreading injurious reports concerning him. This led the bishop to address a firm, energetic letter, to the earl of Strafford, in his, behalf, in which he exposed the base conduct of Mr. King's

opponents, and defended him against the accusations of his enemies.

The opposition which Bishop Bedell thus experienced relative to his translation of the Old Testament into the Irish tongue, did not prevent his completing it; though it appears to have hindered its being printed during his life. The MS. was finished in 1640, and placed in the hands of Mr. Dennis Sheridan, one of the translators, by whom it was afterwards communicated to Dr. Henry Jones, bishop of Meath, who confided it to Dr. Andrew Sall, who had been formerly a Jesuit, and professor of divinity in several foreign Catholic universities, but having publicly embraced the reformed religion, afterwards obtained preferment both in England and Ireland."

The excellent WILLIAM BEDELL, D. D. was born at Black Notley, in Essex, in the year 1570. He studied at Emanuel College, Cambridge, under Dr. Chaderton ; was chosen fellow of the college, in 1593; and took his degree of B. D. in 1599. From the university he removed to St. Edmundsbury, in Suffolk; and in 1604, went to Venice, as chaplain to the ambassador, Sir Henry Wotton. After a stay of eight years, he returned to his former ministerial labours, in Suffolk, from whence he removed, about 1615, to the living of Horingsheath, to which he had been presented by Sir Thomas Jermyn, and where, without the desire of further preferment, he applied himself to his parochial duties with singular assiduity, and exemplary piety. In 1627, he was unanimously elected to the provostship of Trinity College, Dublin, which he reluctantly accepted at the command of the king, urging his own insufficiency, and the adequate provision he already enjoyed, his living producing more than £100. per annum. Two years afterwards he was raised to the united sees of Kilmore and Ardagh; (87) Burnett's Life of Bishop Bedell, pp. 117-136. Lond. 1692, 8vo. Boyle's Life by Birch, App. Works, ↳ pp. clxxxii. clxxxiii.

but desirous of enforcing by his example, the renunciation of pluralities by his clergy, he resigned Ardagh to Dr. Richardson. In the high station in which he was now placed, he conducted himself with that propriety which his private character had given reason to expect. Towards his clergy he behaved with moderation and firmness, condemning pluralities, enjoining residence, and conciliating their affections. Towards the inhabitants of his diocese, many of whom were papists, he conducted himself with prudence and mildness; encouraged the instruction of the ignorant; and promoted the circulation of the Scriptures and Liturgy, in their native tongue. This conciliatory procedure won the hearts of many of the Catholics, and in the rebellion of 1641, his palace in the county of Cavan, was the only habitation of an Englishman, that remained unviolated. At that unhappy period, numbers of the Protestants fled to the bishop for protection from the brutal rage of the rebels. These the rebel party insisted should be surrendered to them, which the benevolent prelate refusing, the respect and affection they professed to have for him, was sacrificed to the determination to seize upon those who had taken refuge under his roof, and he and his family were sent prisoners to the castle of Lochwater. He was afterwards removed to the house of Mr. Dennis Sheridan, probably the translator of the Irish Scriptures, a Protestant clergyman, who had been converted from popery, but to whom respect was shown on account of his descent from a family of rank. The hardships he had endured hastened his death, and he expired at Mr. Sheridan's, February 7th, 1641-2. He was buried in the church-yard of Kilmore, two days after his death, when his remains were accompanied to the place of interment by the rebel forces with unusual honours. His MSS., of which there was a large trunk full, fell into the hands of the Irish. Among the books carried off by them was