THE CASE OF WILLIAM BENTLEY, Printer at FINSBURY near LONDON, touching his Right to the Printing of BIBLES and PSALMS.  
THat in 1644. the late King's Printers (who before did solely print Bibles at London) were Delinquents in Arms, and no Impressions of Bibles then made: By means whereof the books became very scarce, and the prices very dear: Which gave occasion to the Dutch to print them beyond Seas, and import them hither; but so notoriously false, and erroneous, as that the then Assembly of Divines, taking notice thereof, and desiring to redress so great a mischief (for the better Communication of the word of God to all sorts of people in its purity) sent for the London Stationers to know at what rates they would undertake to serve the commonwealth with Bibles & Psalms, who affirmed, they could not, under 4. s. 6. d. per book in quires, and so declined the work.  
That thereupon Bentley gave over a very good trade in London, and sold above 40. l. per annum Lands of Inheritance, and for the public good did, by the favour of the Parliament, erect a Printing-house on purpose, and undertake to furnish the commonwealth with Bibles and Psalms, (better printed and corrected than any former Editions) in Octavo (with Marginal references) and in twelves, at 2. s. per book. And (finishing five considerable Impressions) did accordingly afford the same.  
That in 1649. upon the Armies advance to Ireland, Bentley supplied them with 4000 of the said books in Octavo bound up in Leather, at no more than 2. s. 4. d. per book.  
And thereupon, and for his former services, The Parliament in the Act for regulating Printing, dated 20. Sept. 1649. made an explicit Proviso, that (notwithstanding the particular Restrictions thereby made) That Act should not extend to the printing press at Finsbury, for printing Bibles and Psalms: but that it should continue to all intents and purposes, as if that Act had not been had, or made.  
That in 1650. upon the Armies advance to Scotland, Bentley furnished them with 5000 of his said books in Octavo in Quires, at no more than 20. d. per book.  
That in 1652. Robert Barker the younger, claiming a title and Interest to the sole printing of the translated Copy of the Bible, called the new Translation, endeavoured to have it confirmed to him by Act of Parliament; And to that end before the passing of the Act 7. Jan. 1652. for reviving the former Act for regulating Printing, put in a Proviso to the House: which being twice read, and after full Debate put to the question was with a Negative Vote cast out (the Parliament no ways intending to monopolise the Printing of the Bible.) And the said 7. Jan. upon reading Bentley's Petition to have a Liberty according to his Proviso in the Act 20. Sept. 1649. the Parliament passed the Act, reviving and continuing all the clauses and things of the former. As by the Records of Parliament may appear. By which Bentley's right is implicitly confirmed, both Acts being relative and connexive, and now in force as a Law.  
That Bentley provided himself with Letter and Materials for several impressions of Bibles and Psalms, above twelve months' since, to be afforded at reasonable rates, engaging himself and friends to a very great value.  
But by some irregular dealings, and upon misinformation, the Company of Stationers have been enforced the sixth of March last, to make an undue Entry in their Registry, contrary to their custom, to Henry Hills and John Field (his highness' Printers) of that Individual Copy of Barker, which the Parliament rejected, and adjudged as a Monopoly; Notwithstanding, that Bentley and others had put in their Caveats upon better grounds before hand, but never were heard, contrary to all right and equity. Whereby Hills & Field have sought to appropriate to themselves by abusing the supreme Authority, that Book, which is the common Interest, and evidence of all Christians indefinitely, and concerns the State no further than to have it well Translated, and published by a prudential securing the doing of the work by able men in that Mystery; neither ought it to be restrained to the Ceremony of an Entry as any man's private Copy, It being (Truly Translated) the Word of God and infallible truth, and not to be conceived in the qualification of men's private works, though never so Divine.  
That 7. March last, Hills and Field (pretending good service to the commonwealth) obtained Deputations to themselves from Sir John Barkstead, and Mr. Foxcroft, (his highness' Commissioners for regulating of printing) in pursuance of his highness' Instructions of 28. August 1655. only to search for, and seize all scandalous, and unlicensed books and Pamphlets: Who unlawfully, and contrary to the purport of their Deputations, abusing their power by prostituting it to their own private ends, suppress all printing of the Bible and Testament, by those who were upon the work, or bring them to unreasonable compositions with them; whereby the prices of Bibles and Testaments are very much raised: And in particular the 28. August last, Hills and Field assisted by some soldiers, and producing nothing, but the said Deputations, did carry away from Bentleys' house the Form and Materials for printing part of the New Testament, and seized the Sheets to his highness' use, as if the same were scandalous. And several times before, and since have otherwise wrongfully disturbed him; So that he, his Wife, and 7. Children being debarred of their livelihood, so advisedly provided, for by the Parliament, are likely to be utterly ruined and undone.  
That Bentleys Bibles (being for the fairness of the print, and truth of the Editions generally approved of to be the best that ever were printed) are now sold at 8. s. per book in Quires, at the least, by the booksellers: And Field hath so far advanced the prices of his Bibles, that he will get above 1500. l. in one bargain, more, than otherwise he could have done, if Bentley was not obstructed. And those singing Psalms which Bentley sold at 2. d. and 3. d. are now sold at 6. d. by the stationer's Company; to the apparent charge and loss of the people as well of the three Nations, as of all the foreign Plantations. And moreover, Bentley during the time that he printed his said Impressions, did constantly keep an able, and Judicious corrector in his House, and allowed him above 100 Marks per Annum, for his care and pains. But in 1653. Field made an Impression of the Bible and Psalms in 24o;. which for the smallness to carry in a pocket, hath sold very much: but it is so egregiously and wilfully false printed, (In which notwithstanding, Field standeth peremptorily to justify himself, upon this nugatory pretence; that because a society of Stationers having a great stock, did undersell him, he could not bear the charges of the careful, and well correcting, and printing his books) That if these Texts (amongst many hundreds of other dangerous, and pernicious faults and errors) viz. John 9.21. (wherein these words are omitted) Or who hath opened his eyes, we know not) 1 Cor. 6.9. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall inherit the Kingdom of God, Rom. 6.13. Neither yield ye your Members as instruments of righteousness unto sin, &c. Rom. 8.3. Rom. 9.29. 1 Cor. 6.15. 2 Epist. Joh. vers. 5. Rev. 22.16.) be all of them severally compared with the true, & authentic translation, Those Bibles are worthy of some remarkable distinction, to prevent the danger of the loss of many poor ignorant Souls, who ground their belief upon what they hear, or read, or of others, who being wickedly inclined, will found to themselves a Doctrine of licentiousness, by avouching a corrupted Text; The very publishing whereof shall bear a kind of allowance, and approbation of Authority, being past over in silence.  
That Hills never yet perfected, or published any Impression of the Bible; And if his knowledge and experience in the Art of printing be duly inquired into, he may perhaps upon some good grounds, be adjudged no proper qualified person for so serious Employment.  
That his highness 2. July last, upon Bentley's Petition referred his right, and matter of fact to be examined, and certified by several honourable and reverend persons: Who 10. Sept. last, after a full hearing have reported in writing their opinion, As to his right to the printing of Bibles and Psalms by virtue of the said Acts of Parliament: But (through the great affairs of the commonwealth) Bentley hath had no opportunity to present it to his highness.  
And whereas a Bill is preparing to be offered to the Parliament by Hills and Field, and the Company of Stationers, to have (according to their pretences of several proprieties) the sole power of printing Bibles and Psalms, and totally to exclude Bentley's Interest so provided for by the said Acts of Parliament. Therefore lest any thing should be done for regulating of printing in general, or particular, (being of such grand concernment to this commonwealth) to his prejudice for want of a true Information of the premises, (which he is ready to make good) Bentley doth humbly present this to your Honour; And prays your noble favour and assistance, that he may be truly represented to his highness, and the Parliament, and receive Justice, as to their wisdoms shall seem meet.