§15. The Scots New Testament. II. Reformation Literature in England. Vol. 3. Renascence and Reformation. The Cambridge History of English and American Literature: An Encyclopedia in Eighteen Volumes. 1907

The Cambridge History of English and American Literature in 18 Volumes (1907–21).
Volume III. Renascence and Reformation.

II. Reformation Literature in England.

§ 15. The Scots New Testament.

It may seem curious that, with this activity in producing English versions, little was thought or said of the earliest English versions. They seem to have had but little effect, although one exception must be noted, in the Scots New Testament of Murdoch Nisbet (c. 1520). This was based upon Purvey’s version, although the earlier Wyclifite version may, also, have been used: the adaptation of Luther’s preface to the New Testament (1522), and the later addition of Tindale’s prologue to Romans, indicate the use of these editions after the work had been begun. Nisbet belonged to Ayrshire, and had come under the influence of the Lollards of that district. He had not only been a fugitive for his religion, but, after his return home, had lived many years in hiding. His translation had, doubtless, been made for a help in his own ministry, but the importation into Scotland of Tindale’s translation checked its use and so possibly prevented the publication of a linguistically and historically interesting version.