Other Assistants to the Work
It remains for us to add a brief account of some, who are known to have assisted in different stages of the work. It has been shewn that two or three of those who were named in the King's commission, died soon after their appointment. At least two others appear to have taken their places, and therefore require our notice.
John Aglionby, D.D.
Dr. Aglionby was descended from a respectable family in Cumberland. In 1583, he became a student in Queen's College, Oxford, of which college he afterwards became a Fellow. After receiving ordination, he traveled in foreign countries; and, on his return, was made chaplain in ordinary to Queen Elizabeth, who endured no drone or dunce about her. In 1601, he was made Rector of Blechindon. In the same year, he was chosen Principal of St. Edmund's Hall, in the University of Oxford; and about the same time, he became Rector of Islip. On the accession of James I., he was appointed chaplain in ordinary to the King. Dr. Aglionby was deeply read in the fathers and the schoolmen, "an excellent linguist," and an elegant and instructive preacher. It is said of him by Anthony Wood, in his Athanæ,—"What he hath published I find not; however, the reason why I set him down here is, that he had a most considerable hand in the Translation of the New Testament, appointed by King James I., in 1604." Dr. Aglionby died at his rectory, on the sixth day of February, 1609, aged forty-three. In the chancel of his church at Islip, is a tablet erected to his memory by his widow. Thus he lived just long enough to do the best work he could have done in this world.
Leonard Hutten, D.D.
This divine was bred at Westminster School; from whence he was elected, on the score of merit, to be a student of Christ's Church, one of the Oxford colleges, in 1574. He there devoted himself, with unwearied zeal, to the pursuit of academical learning in all its branches. He took orders in due time, and became a frequent preacher. In 1599, at which time he was a Bachelor in Divinity of some eight years' standing, and also Vicar of Flower in Northamptonshire, he was installed canon of Christ's Church. He was well known as an "excellent Grecian," and an elegant scholar. He was well versed in the fathers, the schoolmen, and the learned languages, which were the favorite studies of that day; and he also investigated with care the history of his own nation. In his predilection for this last study he shewed good sense, "seeing," as an old writer has it, "history, like unto good men's charity, is, though not to end, yet to begin, at home, and thence to make its methodical progress into foreign parts." Of Dr. Hutten it is expressly stated by Wood, that "he had a hand in the translation of the Bible." He died May 17th, 1632, aged seventy-two.
Thus we close the best record, which, with very great care and research, we have been able to make, of this roll of ancient scholars. Their united labors, bestowed upon the common English version of the Bible, have produced a volume which has exerted a greater and happier influence on the world, than any other which has appeared since the original Scriptures themselves were given to mankind.