The translators to the reader
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The document discusses the necessity of translating the Holy Scriptures. It notes that those who undertake works to benefit the public good, especially regarding religion, often face criticism and opposition. However, King James recognized the importance of translation for increasing understanding and promoting the Church. Despite potential criticism, the Scriptures are invaluable for instruction, guidance, comfort, and salvation. Their divine origins and effects demonstrate the importance and benefits of studying the Bible.
The translators to the reader
- 1. THE TRANSLATORS TO THE READER ¶ The bestthingshave beencalumniatedEALtopromote the commongood,whetheritbe bydevising any thingourselves,orrevisingthatwhichhathbeenlabouredbyothers,deserveth certainlymuch respectandesteem,butyetfindethbutcoldentertainmentinthe world.Itiswelcomedwithsuspicion insteadof love,andwithemulationinsteadof thanks:andif there be any hole leftforcavil toenter, (andcavil,if it donot findan hole,will make one) itissure tobe misconstrued,andindangertobe condemned.Thiswilleasilybe grantedbyasmany as know story,or have any experience.Forwasthere everanythingprojected,thatsavouredanywayof newnessorrenewing,butthe same enduredmanya storm of gainsayingoropposition?A manwouldthinkthatcivility,wholesome laws,learningand eloquence,synods,andChurch-maintenance,(thatwe speakof nomore thingsof thiskind) shouldbe as safe as a sanctuary,and out of shot,as theysay,that noman wouldliftupthe heel,no,nordog move histongue againstthe motionersof them.Forbythe firstwe are distinguishedfrombrute beastsled withsensuality:bythe secondwe are bridledandrestrainedfromoutrageousbehaviour,andfrom doingof injuries,whetherbyfraudorby violence:bythe thirdwe are enabledtoinformandreform othersby the lightandfeelingthatwe have attaineduntoourselves:briefly,bythe fourth, being brought togetherto a parley face to face,we soonercompose our differences,thanby writings,which are endless:andlastly,thatthe Church be sufficientlyprovidedforissoagreeable togoodreasonand conscience,thatthose mothersare holdentobe lesscruel,thatkill theirchildrenassoon as theyare born,than those nursingfathersandmothers(wheresoevertheybe) thatwithdraw fromthemwho hang upontheirbreasts(anduponwhose breastsagainthemselvesdohangto receive the spiritualand sincere milkof the word) livelihoodandsupportfitfortheirestates.Thusitisapparent,thatthese thingswhichwe speakof are of most necessaryuse,andthereforethatnone,eitherwithoutabsurdity can speakagainstthem,or withoutnote of wickednesscanspurnagainstthem. Yet forall that, the learnedknowthatcertainworthymenhave beenbroughttountimelydeathfor none otherfault,butfor seekingtoreduce theircountrymentogoodorderand discipline:Andthatin some Commonwealsitwasmade a capital crime,once to motionthe making of a new law for the abrogatingof an old,thoughthe same were mostpernicious:Andthatcertain,whichwouldbe counted pillarsof the State,andpatternsof virtue andprudence,couldnotbe broughtfora longtime togive wayto good lettersandrefinedspeech;butbare themselvesasaverse fromthem, asfromrocks or boxesof poison:Andfourthly,thathe wasnobabe,but a great Clerk,thatgave forth,(andin writingto remainto posterity) inpassionperadventure,butyethe gave forth,Thathe had not seenanyprofitto come by any synodor meetingof the Clergy,butratherthe contrary:Andlastly,againstChurch- maintenance andallowance,insuchsortas the ambassadorsandmessengersof the greatKingof kings shouldbe furnished,itisnotunknownwhata fictionorfable (soitis esteemed,andfornobetterbythe reporterhimself,thoughsuperstitious) wasdevised:namely,Thatat such time asthe professorsand teachersof Christianityinthe Churchof Rome,thena true Church, were liberally endowed,avoice forsoothwasheardfrom heaven,saying,Now ispoisonpoureddownintothe Church,&c.Thusnot only as oft as we speak,asone saith,but alsoas oftas we doany thingof note or consequence,we subject ourselvestoeveryone’scensure, andhappyishe thatis leasttossedupontongues;forutterlytoescape
- 2. the snatch of themit isimpossible.If anymanconceitthat thisisthe lotand portionof the meanersort only,andthat princesare privilegedbytheirhighestate,he isdeceived.As,The sworddevourethaswell one as another,as itis inSamuel;nay,as the great commanderchargedhissoldiersinacertainbattle to strike at nopart of the enemy,butat the face;and as the kingof Syriacommandedhischief captains,To fightneitherwithsmall norgreat,save onlyagainstthe kingof Israel:soitis tootrue,that envystriketh mostspitefullyatthe fairest,andat the chiefest.Davidwasaworthyprince,andno man to be comparedto himfor hisfirstdeeds;andyetforas worthyan act as everhe did,evenforbringingback the ark of God insolemnity,he wasscornedandscoffedatbyhisown wife.Solomonwasgreaterthan David,thoughnotin virtue,yetinpower;andbyhis powerandwisdomhe builtatemple tothe Lord, such an one as wasthe gloryof the landof Israel,andthe wonderof the whole world.Butwasthathis magnificence likedbyall?We doubtof it. Otherwisewhydotheylayitin hisson’sdish,andcall unto himfor easingof the burden?Make,say they,the grievousservitudeof thyfather,andhissore yoke, lighter.Belike he hadchargedthemwithsome levies,andtroubledthemwithsome carriages;hereupon theyraise upa tragedy,andwishintheirheartthe temple hadneverbeenbuilt. Soharda thing it is to please all,evenwhen we please Godbest, and do seekto approve ourselvesto everyone’s conscience. ¶ The highestpersonageshave beencalumniatedIf we will descendtolatertimes,we shall findmany the like examplesof suchkind,orratherunkind,acceptance.The firstRomanEmperordidneverdoa more pleasingdeedtothe learned,normore profitable toposterity,forconservingthe recordof times intrue supputation,thanwhenhe correctedthe Calendar,andorderedthe yearaccordingtothe course of the sun:and yetthiswas imputedtohimfornoveltyandarrogancy,and procuredto himgreat obloquy.Sothe firstChristenedEmperor,(atthe leastwise,thatopenlyprofessedthe faithhimself,and allowedotherstodothe like) forstrengtheningthe empire athisgreatcharges,and providingforthe Church,as he did,gotfor hislabourthe name Pupillus,aswhowouldsay,awasteful Prince,thathad needof a guardianor overseer.Sothe bestChristenedEmperor,forthe love thathe bare unto peace, therebytoenrichbothhimself andhissubjects,andbecause he didnotseekwar,butfindit,wasjudged to be no man at arms, (thoughindeedhe excelledinfeatsof chivalry,andshewedsomuchwhenhe was provoked) andcondemnedforgivinghimself tohisease,andtohispleasure.Tobe short,the most learnedEmperorof formertimes,(atthe least,the greatestpolitician) whatthankshadhe forcuttingoff the superfluitiesof the laws,anddigestingthemintosome orderandmethod?This,that he hath been blottedbysome tobe an Epitomist,thatis,one thatextinguishedworthywhole volumes,tobringhis abridgmentsintorequest.Thisisthe measure thathathbeenrenderedtoexcellentPrincesinformer times,even,Cumbene facerent,male audire,Fortheirgooddeedstobe evil spokenof.Neitheristhere any likelihoodthat envyand malignity diedand were buriedwith the ancient.No, no, the reproofof Mosestaketh hold of most ages,Ye are risenup in your fathers’stead, an increase of sinful men. What is that that hath beendone?that which shall be done:and there isno new thing underthe sun, saith the wise man. And St Stephen,As your fathers did,so do ye. ¶ HisMajesty’sconstancy,notwithstandingcalumniation,forthe surveyof the EnglishtranslationsThis, and more to thispurpose,hisMajestythatnow reigneth(andlongandlongmay he reign,andhis offspringforever,Himself andchildrenandchildren’schildrenalways!) knew full well,accordingtothe
- 3. singularwisdomgiven untohimbyGod,andthe rare learningandexperience thathe hathattained unto;namely, That whosoeverattemptethany thing for the publick,(especiallyifitappertain to religion,and to the openingand clearingof the word of God) the same settethhimselfupona stage to be glouteduponby everyevil eye;yea,he castethhimself headlonguponpikes,tobe goredbyevery sharp tongue.Forhe that meddlethwithmen’sreligionin any part meddlethwiththeircustom, nay, with theirfreehold;and though theyfind no contentin that which theyhave, yetthey cannot abide to hear of altering.Notwithstandinghisroyal heartwasnotdauntedor discouragedforthisorthat colour, but stoodresolute,Asastatue immoveable,andananvil noteasyto be beatenintoplates,asone saith; he knewwhohad chosenhimto be a soldier,orrathera captain;and beingassuredthatthe course whichhe intendedmade muchforthe gloryof God, and the buildingupof hisChurch,he wouldnot sufferitto be brokenoff forwhatsoeverspeechesorpractices. Itdoth certainlybelongunto kings, yea, it doth speciallybelongunto them,to have care of religion,yea,to know it aright, yea,to professit zealously,yea,to promote it to the uttermost oftheir power.This istheirglorybefore all nationswhich meanwell,andthiswill bringuntothemafar most excellentweightof gloryinthe day of the Lord Jesus. For the Scripture saithnotin vain,Themthat honourme I will honour:neitherwasita vainword that Eusebiusdeliveredlongago,ThatpietytowardsGodwas the weapon,andthe onlyweapon,thatboth preservedConstantine’sperson,andavengedhimof hisenemies. ¶ THE PRAISE OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES But now what pietywithout truth? What truth, what saving truth, without the word of God?What word of God,whereofwe may be sure, withoutthe Scripture? The Scriptureswe are commandedtosearch.Johnv. 39. Isaiahviii.20. Theyare commendedthat searchedandstudiedthem.Actsxvii.11and viii.28, 29. They are reprovedthatwere unskilful inthem, or slowto believe them.Matth.xxii.29.Luke xxiv.25. Theycan make us wise untosalvation.2Tim.iii. 15. If we be ignorant, theywill instruct us; ifout of the way, they will bring us home;if out of order, they will reformus; if in heaviness,comfortus; if dull,quickenus; ifcold, inflame us. Tolle,lege;tolle, lege;Take up and read, take up and read the Scriptures,(foruntothemwas the direction) itwassaid untoSt Augustine bya supernatural voice.Whatsoeverisinthe Scriptures,believe me,saiththe same St Augustine,ishighanddivine;there isverilytruth,anda doctrine mostfitforthe refreshingand renewingof men’sminds,andtrulysotempered,thateveryone maydraw fromthence thatwhichis sufficientforhim,if he come to drawwitha devoutandpiousmind,astrue religionrequireth.ThusSt Augustine.AndStHierome,AmaScripturas,etamabitte sapientia,&c.Love the Scriptures,andwisdom will love thee.AndStCyrill againstJulian,Even boysthatare bredupin the Scriptures,become most religious,&c.Butwhatmentionwe three orfourusesof the Scripture,whereaswhatsoeveristobe believed,orpractised,orhopedfor,iscontainedinthem?orthree orfour sentencesof the Fathers, since whosoeverisworthythe name of a Father,fromChrist’stime downward,hathlikewise writtennot onlyof the riches,butalsoof the perfectionof the Scripture?Iadore the fulnessof the Scripture,saith TertullianagainstHermogenes.Andagain,toApellesanheretickof the like stamphe saith,Idonot admitthat whichthoubringestin(orconcludest) of thine own(headorstore,de tuo) withoutScripture. So St JustinMartyr before him;We mustknow by all means(saithhe) thatitis notlawful (orpossible) to learn(anything) of God or of rightpiety,save onlyoutof the Prophets,whoteachusby divine inspiration.SoStBasil afterTertullian,Itisamanifestfallingawayfromthe faith,anda faultof presumption,eithertorejectanyof those thingsthatare written,orto bringin(uponthe headof them,
- 4. ἐπεισάγειν) anyof those thingsthatare notwritten.We omitto cite to the same effectStCyrill,Bishop of Jerusaleminhis4.Cateches.StHierome againstHelvidius,StAugustinein histhirdbookagainstthe lettersof Petilian,andinverymanyotherplacesof hisworks.Alsowe forbeartodescendtolatter Fathers,because we will notwearythe reader.The Scripturesthenbeingacknowledgedtobe sofull and so perfect,howcanwe excuse ourselvesof negligence,if we donotstudythem?of curiosity,if we be not contentwiththem?Mentalkmuch of εἰρεσιώνη,how manysweetandgoodlythingsithad hanging on it;of the Philosopher’sstone,thatitturnethcopperintogold;of Cornucopia,thatit hadall things necessaryforfoodinit; of Panacesthe herb,that it wasgood forall diseases;of Catholiconthe drug, that itis insteadof all purges;of Vulcan’sarmour,thatit wasan armour of proof againstall thrustsand all blows, &c.Well,thatwhichtheyfalselyorvainlyattributedtothese forbodilygood,we mayjustly and withfull measure ascribe untothe Scripture forspiritual.Itisnotonlyan armour,but alsoa whole armouryof weapons,bothoffensive anddefensive;wherebywe maysave ourselves,andputthe enemy to flight.Itisnot an herb,buta tree,orrather a whole paradise of treesof life,whichbringforthfruit everymonth,andthe fruitthereof isformeat,and the leavesformedicine.Itisnota pot of Manna or a cruse of oil,whichwere formemoryonly,orfora meal’smeatortwo;but as it were a showerof heavenlybreadsufficientforawhole host,be itneversogreat,and as it were awhole cellarfull of oil vessels;wherebyall ournecessitiesmaybe providedfor,andourdebtsdischarged.Ina word,itis a panary of wholesome foodagainstfenowedtraditions;aphysician’sshop(StBasil callethit) of preservativesagainstpoisonedheresies;apandectof profitable lawsagainstrebelliousspirits;a treasuryof most costlyjewelsagainstbeggarlyrudiments;finally,afountainof mostpure water springingupuntoeverlastinglife.Andwhatmarvel?the originalthereof beingfromheaven,notfrom earth;the authorbeingGod,not man;the inditer,the HolySpirit,notthe witof the Apostlesor Prophets;the penmen,suchaswere sanctifiedfromthe womb,andenduedwithaprincipal portionof God’sSpirit;the matter,verity,piety,purity,uprightness;the form, God’sword,God’stestimony,God’s oracles,the wordof truth,the word of Salvation,&c.;the effects,lightof understanding,stablenessof persuasion,repentance fromdeadworks,newnessof life,holiness,peace,joyinthe HolyGhost;lastly, the endand rewardof the studythereof,fellowshipwiththe saints,participationof the heavenly nature,fruitionof aninheritance immortal,undefiled,andthatnevershall fade away: Happyis the man that delightethinthe Scripture, and thrice happy that meditatethin it day and night. ¶ TRANSLATION NECESSARY But howshall menmeditate inthatwhichtheycannotunderstand?How shall theyunderstandthatwhichiskeptclose inan unknowntongue?asitiswritten,ExceptIknowthe powerof the voice,I shall be to himthat speakethabarbarian,and he that speakethshall be abarbarian to me.The Apostle exceptethnotongue;notHebrew the ancientest,notGreekthe mostcopious,not Latin the finest.Nature taughtanatural man to confess,thatall of us inthose tongueswhichwe donot understandare plainlydeaf;we mayturnthe deaf earunto them.The Scythiancountedthe Athenian, whomhe didnot understand,barbarous:sothe Romandidthe Syrianandthe Jew:(evenStHierome himself calleththe Hebrewtonguebarbarous;belike,because itwasstrange toso many:) sothe Emperorof Constantinople calleththe Latintongue barbarous,thoughPope Nicolasdostormat it:so the Jewslongbefore Christcalledall othernationsLognasim, whichislittle betterthanbarbarous. Therefore asone complaineth thatalwaysinthe Senate of Rome there wasone orotherthat calledfor an interpreter;so,lestthe Churchbe driventothe like exigent,itisnecessarytohave translationsina
- 5. readiness.Translationitisthatopeneththe window,toletinthe light; thatbreakeththe shell,thatwe may eatthe kernel;thatputtethaside the curtain,thatwe maylookintothe most holyplace;that removeththe coverof the well,thatwe maycome bythe water; evenasJacob rolledawaythe stone fromthe mouthof the well,bywhichmeansthe flocksof Labanwere watered.Indeedwithout translationintothe vulgartongue,the unlearnedare butlike childrenatJacob’swell (whichwasdeep) withouta bucketor somethingtodrawwith:oras thatpersonmentioned byEsay,to whom whena sealedbook was deliveredwiththismotion, Read this,I pray thee,he was fainto make thisanswer, I cannot, for it is sealed. ¶ The translationof the OldTestamentoutof the Hebrew intoGreekWhile Godwouldbe knownonlyin Jacob,and have hisname great inIsrael,andin none otherplace;while the dew layonGideon’sfleece only,andall the earthbesideswasdry;thenforone and the same people,whichspake all of themthe language of Canaan,that is,Hebrew,one andthe same original inHebrew wassufficient.Butwhenthe fulnessof time drewnear,thatthe Sunof righteousness,the Sonof God,shouldcome intothe world, whomGod ordainedtobe a reconciliationthroughfaithinhisblood,notof the Jew only,butalsoof the Greek,yea,of all themthat were scatteredabroad;then,lo,itpleasedthe Lordto stirup the spiritof a Greekprince,(Greekfordescentandlanguage) evenof PtolemyPhiladelphkingof Egypt,toprocure the translatingof the bookof God outof Hebrew intoGreek. Thisisthe translationof the Seventy interpreters,commonlysocalled,whichpreparedthe wayforourSaviouramongthe Gentilesby writtenpreaching,asStJohnBaptistdidamong the Jewsbyvocal.For the Grecians,beingdesirousof learning, were notwonttosufferbooksof worthto lie mouldinginkings’libraries,buthadmanyof their servants,readyscribes,tocopythemout,and so theywere dispersedandmade common.Againthe Greektongue waswell knownandmade familiartomostinhabitantsinAsiabyreasonof the conquests that there the Grecianshad made,asalso bythe colonieswhichthithertheyhadsent.Forthe same causesalsoit waswell understoodinmanyplacesof Europe,yea,andof Africktoo.Therefore the word of God beingsetforthinGreek,becomethherebylikeacandle setupona candlestick,whichgivethlight to all that are inthe house;or like aproclamationsoundedforthinthe market-place,whichmostmen presentlytake knowledge of;andthereforethatlanguage wasfittesttocontainthe Scriptures,bothfor the firstpreachersof the Gospel to appeal untoforwitness,andforthe learnersalsoof those timesto make searchand trial by. It is certain,that that translation was not so sound and so perfect,but that it neededinmany places correction;and whohad beensosufficientforthisworkasthe Apostlesor apostolickmen?Yetitseemedgoodtothe HolyGhost and to themto take that whichtheyfound,(the same beingforthe greatestpart true and sufficient) ratherthanbymakinga new,inthat new worldand greenage of the Church,to expose themselvestomanyexceptionsandcavillations,asthoughthey made a translationtoserve theirownturn,and therefore bearingwitnesstothemselves,theirwitness not to be regarded.Thismaybe supposedtobe some cause,whythe translationof the Seventywas allowedtopassforcurrent. Notwithstanding,thoughitwascommendedgenerally,yetitdidnotfully contentthe learned,nonotof the Jews.Fornot longafter Christ,Aquilafellinhandwithanew translation,andafterhimTheodotion,andafterhimSymmachus:yea,there wasafifthanda sixth edition,the authorswhereof were notknown.These withthe Seventymade upthe Hexapla,andwere worthilyandtogreat purpose compiledtogetherbyOrigen.Howbeitthe editionof the Seventywent away withthe credit,andtherefore notonlywasplacedinthe midstbyOrigen,(forthe worthand
- 6. excellencythereof above the rest,asEpiphaniusgathereth) butalsowasused bythe GreekFathersfor the groundand foundationof theircommentaries.Yea,Epiphaniusabovenameddothattribute somuch untoit, that he holdeththe authorsthereof notonlyforinterpreters,butalsoforprophetsinsome respect:andJustinianthe Emperor,injoiningthe Jewshissubjectstouse especiallythe translationof the Seventy,rendereththisreasonthereof,Because theywere,asitwere,enlightenedwithprophetical grace. Yetfor all that, as the Egyptiansare saidof the Prophettobe men and notGod, and theirhorses fleshandnotspirit:so itis evident,(andStHierome affirmethasmuch) thatthe Seventywere interpreters,theywere not prophets. Theydid many things well,as learnedmen;but yetas menthey stumbledand fell,one while through oversight,another while throughignorance; yea, sometimes they may be notedto add to the original,and sometimesto take from it: whichmade the Apostlesto leave themmanytimes,whentheyleftthe Hebrew,andtodeliverthe sense thereofaccordingtothe truth of the word,as the Spiritgave themutterance.Thismaysuffice touchingthe Greektranslationsof the OldTestament. ¶ TRANSLATION OUT OF HEBREW AND GREEK INTO LATIN There were alsowithinafew hundredyears afterChristtranslations manyintothe Latintongue:forthistongue alsowas veryfitto conveythe law and the Gospel by,because inthose timesverymanycountriesof the West,yeaof the South,East, and North,spake or understoodLatin,beingmade provincestothe Romans.Butnow the Latintranslations were toomany to be all good,for theywere infinite;(Latini interpretesnullomodonumerari possunt, saithSt Augustine.)Again,theywerenotoutof the Hebrew fountain,(we speakof the Latintranslations of the OldTestament) butoutof the Greekstream;therefore the Greekbeingnotaltogetherclear,the Latin derivedfromitmustneedsbe muddy.ThismovedStHierome,amostlearnedFather,andthe best linguistwithoutcontroversyof hisage,orof any otherthat wentbefore him, toundertake the translatingof the OldTestamentoutof the veryfountainsthemselves;whichhe performedwiththat evidence of greatlearning,judgment,industry,andfaithfulness,thathe hathfor everboundthe Church untohim ina debtof special remembrance andthankfulness. ¶ THE TRANSLATING OF THE SCRIPTURE INTO THE VULGARTONGUES Now thoughthe Churchwere thusfurnishedwithGreekandLatintranslations,evenbefore the faithof Christwasgenerallyembraced inthe Empire:(forthe learnedknowthateveninStHierome’stime the Consul of Rome andhiswife were bothEthnicks,andabout the same time the greatestpartof the Senate also) yetforall that the godlylearnedwere notcontenttohave the Scripturesinthe language whichthemselvesunderstood, Greekand Latin,(asthe goodleperswere notcontenttofare well themselves,butacquaintedtheir neighbourswiththe store thatGodhad sent,that theyalsomightprovide forthemselves) butalsofor the behoof andedifyingof the unlearnedwhichhungeredandthirstedafterrighteousness,andhad soulsto be savedas well asthey,theyprovidedtranslationsintothe vulgarfortheircountrymen, insomuchthatmost nationsunderheavendid shortlyaftertheirconversionhear Christ speakingunto them intheir mother tongue,not by the voice of theirministeronly, but also by the writtenword translated.If any doubthereof,he maybe satisfiedbyexamplesenough,if enoughwill servethe turn. First,St Hierome saith,MultarumgentiumlinguisScripturaante translatadocetfalsaesse quæ addita sunt,&c. i.e.The Scripture beingtranslatedbefore inthe language of manynationsdothshew that those thingsthatwere added(byLucianor Hesychius) are false.SoStHierome inthatplace.The same
- 7. Hierome elsewhere affirmeththathe,the time was,hadsetforth the translationof the Seventy,Suæ linguæ hominibus;i.e.forhiscountrymenof Dalmatia.WhichwordsnotonlyErasmusdothunderstand to purport,that St Hierome translatedthe Scripture intothe Dalmatiantongue;butalsoSixtusSenensis, and AlphonsusaCastro,(thatwe speakof no more) mennot to be exceptedagainstbythemof Rome, do ingenuouslyconfessasmuch.SoSt Chrysostome,thatlivedinStHierome’stime,givethevidence withhim:The doctrine of St John(saithhe) didnotin such sort(as the Philosophers’did)vanishaway: but the Syrians,Egyptians,Indians,Persians,Ethiopians,andinfinite othernations,beingbarbarous people,translateditintotheir(mother) tongue andhave learnedtobe (true) Philosophers(he meaneth Christians).Tothismaybe addedTheodoret,asnextuntohimbothfor antiquity,andforlearning.His wordsbe these,Everycountrythat isunderthe sun isfull of these words,(of the ApostlesandProphets) and the Hebrewtongue (he meaneththe Scripturesinthe Hebrew tongue)isturnednotonlyintothe language of the Grecians,butalso of the Romans,and Egyptians,andPersians,andIndians,and Armenians,andScythians,andSauromatians,and, briefly,intoall the languagesthatanynationuseth. So he.In like mannerUlpilasisreportedbyPaulusDiaconusandIsidore,andbefore thembySozomen, to have translatedthe Scripturesintothe Gothicktongue:JohnBishopof Sevil byVasseus,tohave turnedthemintoArabickaboutthe Year of our Lord 717: Beda byCistertiensis,tohave turnedagreat part of themintoSaxon:Efnardby Trithemius,tohave abridgedthe FrenchPsalter(asBedahaddone the Hebrew) aboutthe year800; KingAluredbythe saidCistertiensis,tohave turnedthe Psalterinto Saxon:MethodiusbyAventinus(printedatIngolstad) tohave turnedthe ScripturesintoSclavonian: ValdoBishopof FrisingbyBeatusRhenanus,tohave causedaboutthat time the Gospelstobe translatedintoDutchrhyme,yetextantinthe libraryof Corbinian:Valdusbydivers,tohave turned themhimself,ortohave gottenthemturned,intoFrenchaboutthe year1160: Charlesthe fifthof that name,surnamedThe wise,tohave causedthemtobe turnedintoFrench,about200 yearsafter Valdus histime;of whichtranslationthere be manycopiesyetextant,aswitnessethBeroaldus.Muchabout that time,eveninourKingRichardthe second’sdays,JohnTrevisatranslatedthemintoEnglish,and manyEnglishBiblesinwrittenhandare yettobe seenwithdivers;translated,asitisveryprobable,in that age.So the Syriantranslationof the New Testamentisinmostlearnedmen’slibraries,of Widminstadiushissettingforth;andthe PsalterinArabickiswith many,of AugustinusNebiensis’setting forth.So Postel affirmeth,thatinhistravel he saw the Gospelsinthe Ethiopiantongue:AndAmbrose Thesiusallegeththe Psalterof the Indians,whichhe testifiethtohave beensetforthbyPotkeninSyrian characters.So that to have the Scripturesinthe mothertongue isnot a quaintconceitlatelytakenup, eitherbythe Lord Cromwell inEngland,orbythe Lord Radevile inPolony,orbythe Lord Ungnadiusin the Emperor’sdominion,buthathbeenthoughtupon,andputinpractice of old,evenfromthe first timesof the conversionof anynation;nodoubt,because itwas esteemedmostprofitable tocause faith to grow inmen’sheartsthe sooner,andto make themto be able to say withthe wordsof the Psalm,As we have heard,so we have seen. ¶ THE UNWILLINGNESSOFOUR CHIEF ADVERSARIES THAT THE SCRIPTURES SHOULD BE DIVULGED IN THE MOTHER TONGUE,&C.Nowthe Church of Rome wouldseematthe lengthtobeara motherly affectiontowardsherchildren,andtoallow themthe Scripturesintheirmothertongue:butindeeditis a gift,not deservingtobe calledagift,anunprofitable gift:theymustfirstgetalicence inwritingbefore theymay use them;andto get that,theymust approve themselvestotheirConfessor, thatis,tobe such
- 8. as are, if notfrozeninthe dregs,yetsouredwiththe leavenof theirsuperstition.Howbeititseemedtoo much to Clementthe eighththatthere shouldbe anylicence grantedtohave theminthe vulgartongue, and therefore he overrulethandfrustrateththe grantof Piusthe fourth.Somuch are theyafraidof the lightof the Scripture,(Lucifugæ Scripturarum, asTertullianspeaketh) thattheywill nottrustthe people withit,no not as itis setforthby theirownswornmen,nonot withthe licence of theirownBishopsand Inquisitors.Yea,sounwillingtheyare tocommunicate the Scripturestothe people’sunderstandingin any sort,that theyare notashamedto confessthatwe forcedthemto translate itintoEnglishagainst theirwills.Thisseemethtoargue abad cause,or a badconscience,orboth.Sure we are, that itis nothe that hath goodgold,that isafraidto bringit to the touchstone,buthe thathath the counterfeit;neither isit the true manthat shunneththe light,but the malefactor,lesthisdeedsshouldbe reproved;neither isit the plaindealingmerchantthatisunwillingtohave the weights,orthe meteyard,broughtinplace, but he that usethdeceit.Butwe will letthemalone forthisfault,andreturntotranslation. ¶ The speechesandreasons,bothof our brethren,andof our adversaries,againstthisworkManymen’s mouthshave beenopenedagoodwhile (andyetare notstopped) withspeechesaboutthe translation so longinhand,or ratherperusalsof translationsmade before:andaskwhatmay be the reason,what the necessity,of the employment.Haththe Churchbeendeceived,saythey,all thiswhile?Hathher sweetbreadbeenmingledwithleaven,hersilverwithdross,herwine withwater,hermilkwithlime? (Lacte gypsummale miscetur,saithStIrenee.) We hopedthatwe hadbeeninthe rightway,that we had had the oraclesof God delivereduntous,andthat thoughall the worldhad cause to be offended,andto complain,yetthatwe had none.Haththe nurse holdenoutthe breast,andnothingbutwindinit?Hath the breadbeendeliveredbythe Fathersof the Church,andthe same provedtobe lapidosus,asSeneca speaketh?Whatisit to handle the wordof God deceitfully,if thisbe not?Thuscertainbrethren.Also the adversariesof JudahandHierusalem, like SanballatinNehemiah,mock,aswe hear,bothat the workand workmen,saying,Whatdothese weakJews,&c.will theymake the stoneswhole againoutof the heapsof dustwhichare burnt?Althoughtheybuild,yetif afox go up,he shall evenbreakdown theirstonywall.Wastheirtranslationgoodbefore?Whydotheynow mendit?Was it notgood?Why thenwas itobtrudedtothe people?Yea,whydidthe Catholicks(meaningPopishRomanists) alwaysgo injeopardyforrefusingtogo to hearit? Nay,if itmust be translatedintoEnglish,Catholicksare fittest to do it.Theyhave learning,andtheyknow whenathingiswell,theycanmanumde tabula.We will answerthembothbriefly:andthe former,beingbrethren,thuswithStHierome,Damnamusveteres? Minime,sedpostpriorumstudiaindomoDomini quodpossumuslaboramus.Thatis,Do we condemn the ancient?Inno case: butafterthe endeavoursof themthatwere before us,we take the bestpains we can in the house of God. Asif he said,Beingprovokedbythe exampleof the learnedthatlived before mytime,Ihave thoughtitmy dutyto assay whethermytalentinthe knowledgeof the tongues may be profitable inanymeasure toGod’sChurch,lestI shouldseem tohave labouredintheminvain, and lestIshouldbe thoughtto gloryinmen(althoughancient) above thatwhichwasinthem.ThusSt Hierome maybe thoughtto speak. ¶ A satisfactiontoourbrethrenAndto the same effectsaywe,thatwe are so far off fromcondemning any of theirlaboursthat travelledbefore usinthiskind,eitherinthisland,orbeyondsea,eitherinKing Henry’stime,orKingEdward’s,(if there were anytranslation,orcorrectionof atranslation,inhistime)
- 9. or QueenElizabeth’sof everrenownedmemory,thatwe acknowledge themtohave beenraisedupof God for the buildingandfurnishingof hisChurch,andthat theydeserve tobe hadof us and of posterity ineverlastingremembrance.The judgmentof Aristotleisworthyandwell known:If Timotheushadnot been,we hadnot hadmuch sweetmusick:Butif Phrynis(Timotheushismaster) hadnotbeen,we had not hadTimotheus.Thereforeblessedbe they,andmosthonouredbe theirname,thatbreakthe ice, and give the onsetuponthatwhichhelpethforwardtothe savingof souls. Nowwhat can be more available thereto,than to deliverGod’sbookunto God’speople ina tongue which they understand? Since of an hiddentreasure,andof a fountainthatissealed,there isnoprofit,asPtolemyPhiladelph wrote to the Rabbinsor mastersof the Jews,as witnessethEpiphanius:andas St Augustine saith,A man had ratherbe withhisdogthan witha stranger(whose tongue isstrange untohim.) Yetforall that, as nothingisbegunandperfected atthe same time,andthe latterthoughtsare thoughtto be the wiser: so,if we buildingupontheirfoundationthatwentbefore us,andbeingholpenbytheirlabours,do endeavourtomake thatbetterwhichtheyleftsogood;no man,we are sure,hath cause to mislike us; they,we persuade ourselves,if theywere alive,wouldthankus.The vintage of Abiezer,thatstrake the stroke:yetthe gleaningof grapesof Ephraimwas notto be despised.See Judgesviii.2.Joashthe kingof Israel didnotsatisfyhimself till he hadsmittenthe groundthree times;andyethe offendedthe Prophet for givingoverthen.Aquila,of whomwe spake before,translatedthe Bible ascarefullyandasskilfullyas he could;and yethe thoughtgoodto go overit again,andthenit got the creditwiththe Jewstobe calledκατ᾽ἀκρίβειαν,thatis,accuratelydone,asStHierome witnesseth.How manybooksof profane learninghave beengone overagainandagain,bythe same translators,byothers? Of one and the same book of Aristotle’sEthicsthere are extant not so fewas sixor sevenseveral translations.Now ifthis cost may be bestowedupon the gourd, which affordethus a little shade,and which to day flourisheth, but to morrow is cut down; what may we bestow,nay, what ought we not to bestow,upon the vine, the fruitwhereofmaketh glad the conscience ofman, and the stem whereofabidethfor ever?And thisisthe wordof God,whichwe translate.Whatis the chaff to the wheat?saiththe Lord. Tanti vitreum,quanti verummargaritum!(saithTertullian,) if atoyof glassbe of that reckoningwithus,how oughtwe to value the true pearl?Therefore letnoman’seye be evil,becausehisMajesty’sisgood; neitherletanybe grieved,thatwe have aPrince that seekeththe increaseof the spiritual wealthof Israel;(letSanballatsandTobiahsdoso,whichtherefore dobeartheirjustreproof) butletusrather blessGodfrom the groundof ourheart forworkingthisreligiouscare inhimtohave the translationsof the Bible maturelyconsideredof andexamined.Forbythismeansitcomethto pass, thatwhatsoeveris soundalready,(andall issoundforsubstance inone or otherof our editions,andthe worstof oursfar betterthantheirauthentickVulgar) the same willshineasgoldmore brightly,beingrubbedand polished;also,if anythingbe halting,orsuperfluous,ornotso agreeable tothe original,the same may be corrected,and the truth setinplace.Andwhat can the Kingcommandto be done,that will bringhim more true honourthanthis?Andwhereincouldtheythathave beensetatwork approve theirdutyto the King,yea,theirobedience toGod,and love tohisSaints,more,thanby yieldingtheirservice,andall that iswithinthem,forthe furnishingof the work?Butbesidesall this,theywere the principal motives of it,and therefore oughtleasttoquarrel it. Forthe veryhistorical truth is, that upon the importunate petitionsofthe Puritans at hisMajesty’scoming to this crown, the conference at Hampton Court having beenappointedfor hearingtheir complaints,whenby force of reason theywere put from all other grounds,they had recourse at the last to this shift,that theycould not with good conscience
- 10. subscribe to the Communionbook, since it maintainedthe Bible as it was there translated,which was, as they said, a most corrupted translation. Andalthoughthiswasjudgedtobe buta verypoorand emptyshift,yeteven hereupondidhisMajestybeginto bethinkhimselfofthe good that might ensue by a newtranslation, and presentlyafter gave order for this translation which is now presentedunto thee.Thus much to satisfyour scrupulous brethren. ¶ Ananswerto the imputationsof ouradversariesNow tothe latterwe answer,Thatwe do not deny, nay,we affirmand avow,thatthe verymeanesttranslationof the Bible inEnglishsetforthbymenof our profession(forwe have seennone of theirsof the whole Bible asyet) containeththe wordof God, nay,is the wordof God: as the King’sspeechwhichhe utteredinParliament,beingtranslatedinto French,Dutch,Italian,andLatin,is still the King’sspeech,thoughitbe notinterpretedbyevery translatorwiththe like grace,norperadventure sofitlyforphrase,norsoexpresslyforsense,every where.Foritis confessed,thatthingsare totake theirdenominationof the greaterpart;and a natural man couldsay,Verumubi multanitentincarmine,nonegopaucisoffendormaculis,&c.A man may be counteda virtuousman,thoughhe have made manyslipsinhislife, (elsethere werenone virtuous,for, In manythingswe offendall,) alsoacomelymanandlovely,thoughhe have some wartsuponhishand; yea,not onlyfrecklesuponhisface,butalsoscars.Nocause therefore whythe wordtranslatedshould be deniedto be the word,or forbiddentobe current,notwithstandingthatsome imperfectionsand blemishesmaybe notedinthe settingforthof it.For whateverwasperfectunderthe sun,where Apostlesorapostolickmen,thatis,menenduedwithanextraordinarymeasureof God’sSpirit,and privilegedwiththe privilege of infallibility,hadnottheirhand?The Romaniststherefore inrefusingto hear,and daringto burn the wordtranslated,didnolessthandespite the Spiritof grace,fromwhom originallyitproceeded,andwhose sense andmeaning,aswell asman’sweaknesswouldenable,itdid express.Judge byanexample ortwo. Plutarchwriteth,thatafterthatRome had beenburntbythe Gauls,theyfell soontobuilditagain:but doingitinhaste,theydidnot cast the streets,norproportion the houses,insuchcomelyfashion,ashadbeenmostsightlyandconvenient.WasCatiline therefore an honestman,or a good patriot,thatsoughtto bring itto a combustion?orNeroa goodPrince,thatdid indeedsetiton fire?Soby the story of Ezra andthe prophecyof Haggai it may be gathered,thatthe temple builtbyZerubbabel afterthe returnfromBabylonwasbynomeansto be comparedto the formerbuiltbySolomon:(fortheythatrememberedthe formerweptwhentheyconsideredthe latter) notwithstandingmightthislattereitherhave beenabhorredandforsakenbythe Jews,orprofanedby the Greeks?The like we are to thinkof translations. The translationof the Seventydissentethfromthe Original inmanyplaces, neitherdothitcome near itfor perspicuity,gravity,majesty;yetwhichof the Apostlesdidcondemnit?Condemnit?Nay,theyusedit,(asitisapparent,and as St Hierome andmost learnedmendoconfess) whichtheywouldnothave done,norbytheirexample of usingof itsograce and commenditto the Church,if it had beenunworthythe appellationandname of the wordof God. Andwhereastheyurge fortheirseconddefence of theirvilifyingandabusingof the EnglishBibles,or some piecesthereof,whichtheymeetwith,forthatHereticksforsoothwere the authorsof the translations:(Heretickstheycall us by the same right that they call themselvesCatholicks,bothbeing wrong) we marvel whatdivinitytaughtthemso.We are sure Tertullianwasof anothermind:Ex personisprobamusfidem,anex fide personas?Dowe try men’sfaithbytheirpersons?We shouldtry their
- 11. personsbytheirfaith.AlsoStAugustine wasof anothermind:forhe,lightinguponcertainrulesmade by TychoniusaDonatistfor the betterunderstandingof the Word,wasnot ashamedto make use of them,yea,to insertthemintohisownbook,withgivingcommendationtothemsofar forthas they were worthytobe commended,asistobe seeninStAugustine’sthirdbookDe DoctrinaChristiana.To be short, Origen,andthe whole Churchof God forcertainhundredyears,were of anothermind:for theywere sofar from treadingunderfoot(muchmore fromburning) the translationof Aquilaa proselyte,thatis,one thathadturnedJew,of Symmachus,andTheodotion,bothEbionites,thatis,most vile hereticks,thattheyjoinedthemtogetherwiththe Hebrew original,andthe translationof the Seventy,(ashathbeenbefore signifiedoutof Epiphanius) andsetthemforthopenlytobe considered of and perusedbyall.Butwe wearythe unlearned,whoneednotknow somuch;and trouble the learned, whoknowit already. Yet before we end,we mustanswerathirdcavil and objectionof theirsagainstus,foralteringand amendingourtranslationsooft;whereintrulytheydeal hardlyandstrangelywithus.Forto whomever was itimputedfora fault(bysuch as were wise) togooverthat whichhe had done,andto amendit where he sawcause?St Augustine wasnotafraidto exhortStHierome toa Palinodiaorrecantation.The same St Augustine wasnotashamedtoretractate,we mightsay,revoke,manythingsthathad passed him,and dothevenglorythathe seethhisinfirmities.If we will be sonsof the truth,we mustconsider whatit speaketh,andtrample uponourowncredit,yea,anduponother men’stoo,if eitherbe anyway an hinderance toit.Thisto the cause.Thento the personswe say,thatof all mentheyoughtto be most silentinthiscase.Forwhat varietieshave they,andwhatalterationshave theymade,notonlyof their service books,portesses,andbreviaries,butalsoof theirLatintranslation?The service booksupposed to be made by St Ambrose (OfficiumAmbrosianum) wasagreatwhile inspecial use andrequest:but Pope Adrian,calling acouncil withthe aidof Charlesthe Emperor,abolishedit,yea,burntit,and commandedthe service bookof StGregoryuniversallytobe used.Well,OfficiumGregorianumgetsby thismeansto be in credit;butdothit continue withoutchange oraltering? No,the veryRomanservice was of two fashions;the newfashion,andthe old,the one usedinone Church,andthe otherin another;as isto be seeninPameliusaRomanisthispreface before Micrologus.The same Pamelius reportethoutof Radulphusde Rivo,thatabout the yearof our Lord 1277 Pope Nicolasthe third removedoutof the churchesof Rome the more ancientbooks(of service) andbroughtintouse the missalsof the FriersMinorites,andcommandedthemtobe observedthere;insomuchthataboutan hundredyearsafter,whenthe above namedRadulphushappenedtobe at Rome,he foundall the books to be new,of the newstamp.Neitherwasthere thischoppingandchanginginthe more ancienttimes only,butalsoof late.PiusQuintushimself confesseth, thateverybishoprickalmosthadapeculiarkind of service,mostunlike tothatwhichothershad;whichmovedhimto abolishall otherbreviaries,though neversoancient,andprivilegedandpublishedbyBishopsintheirDioceses,andtoestablishandratify that onlywhichwasof hisownsettingforthinthe year1568. Now whenthe Fatherof theirChurch,who gladlywouldheal the sore of the daughterof hispeople softlyandslightly,andmake the bestof it, findethsogreatfaultwiththemfortheiroddsand jarring;we hope the childrenhave nogreatcause to vauntof theiruniformity.Butthe difference thatappearethbetweenourtranslations,andouroften correctingof them,isthe thingthat we are speciallychargedwith; letussee therefore whetherthey themselvesbe withoutfaultthisway,(if itbe tobe counteda faultto correct) and whethertheybe fit
- 12. mento throwstonesat us: O tandemmajorparcas insane minori:Theythatare lesssoundthemselves oughtnot to objectinfirmitiestoothers. If we shouldtell themthatValla,Stapulensis,Erasmus,and Vives,foundfaultwiththeirvulgartranslation,andconsequentlywishedthe same tobe mended,ora newone to be made;theywouldanswerperadventure,thatwe producedtheirenemiesforwitnesses againstthem;albeittheywere innoothersortenemies,thanasSt Paul wasto the Galatians,fortelling themthe truth: and itwere to be wished,thattheyhaddaredto tell itthemplainlierandoftener.But whatwill theysayto this,That Pope Leothe tenthallowedErasmus’stranslationof the New Testament, so muchdifferentfromthe Vulgar,byhisapostolickletterandbull?Thatthe same LeoexhortedPagnine to translate the whole Bible,andbare whatsoeverchargeswasnecessaryforthe work? Surely,asthe Apostle reasonethtothe Hebrews,Thatif the formerLaw and Testamenthadbeensufficient,there had beennoneedof the latter:so we may say,that if the old Vulgarhadbeenat all pointsallowable,to small purpose hadlabourandcharges beenundergone aboutframingof a new.If theysay,itwas one Pope’sprivate opinion,andthathe consultedonlyhimself;thenwe are able togo furtherwiththem, and to aver,that more of theirchief menof all sorts,eventheirownTrentchampions,PaivaandVega, and theirowninquisitorHieronymusabOleastro,andtheirownBishopIsidorusClarius,andtheirown Cardinal Thomasa VioCajetan,doeithermake new translationsthemselves,orfollow new onesof othermen’smaking,ornote the Vulgarinterpreterforhalting,none of themfeartodissentfromhim, nor yetto exceptagainsthim.Andcall theythisanuniformtenorof textand judgmentaboutthe text, so manyof theirworthiesdisclaimingthe now receivedconceit?Nay,we willyetcome nearer the quick. Doth nottheirPariseditiondifferfromthe Louvain,andHentenius’sfromthemboth,andyetall of themallowedbyauthority?Nay,dothnotSixtusQuintusconfess,thatcertainCatholicks(he meaneth certainof his ownside) were insuchanhumourof translatingthe ScripturesintoLatin, thatSatan taking occasion by them, thoughthey thought of no such matter, did strive what he could, out of so uncertain and manifolda variety of translations, so to mingle all things, that nothing might seemto be leftcertain and firm in them?&c. Nay further,didnotthe same Sixtusordainbyan inviolable decree, and that withthe counsel andconsentof hisCardinals,thatthe Latineditionof the OldandNew Testament,whichthe Council of Trentwouldhave tobe authentick,isthe same withoutcontroversy whichhe thensetforth,beingdiligentlycorrectedandprintedinthe printinghouseof Vatican?Thus Sixtusinhispreface before hisBible.AndyetClementthe eighth,hisimmediate successor,published anothereditionof the Bible,containinginitinfinitedifferencesfromthatof Sixtus,andmanyof them weightyandmaterial;andyetthismustbe authentickbyall means.Whatis to have the faithof our gloriousLordJesusChristwithyeaandnay, if thisbe not? Again,whatissweetharmonyandconsent,if thisbe?Therefore,asDemaratusof CorinthadvisedagreatKing,before he talkedof the dissensions amongthe Grecians,tocompose hisdomestickbroils;(foratthattime hisqueenandhissonand heir were at deadlyfeudwithhim) soall the whilethatouradversariesdomake somany andso various editionsthemselves,anddojarso much aboutthe worth and authorityof them, theycanwithno show of equitychallenge usforchangingandcorrecting. ¶ The purpose of the Translators,withtheirnumber,furniture,care,&c.But it ishightime to leave them,andto shewinbrief whatwe proposedtoourselves,andwhatcourse we held,inthisourperusal and surveyof the Bible.Truly,goodChristianReader,we neverthought fromthe beginningthat we shouldneedto make a newtranslation, nor yet to make of a bad one a good one; (forthen the
- 13. imputationof Sixtus had beentrue insome sort, that our people had beenfedwithgall of dragons insteadof wine,with wheyinstead ofmilk;) but to make a good one better,or out of many goodones one principal goodone,notjustlytobe exceptedagainst;thathathbeenourendeavour,thatourmark. To that purpose there were manychosen,thatwere greaterin othermen’seyesthanintheirown,and that soughtthe truth ratherthan theirownpraise.Again,theycame,orwere thoughttocome,to the work,not exercendicausa,(asone saith) butexercitati,thatis,learned,nottolearn;forthe chief overseerandἐργοδιώκτηςunderhisMajesty,towhomnotonlywe,butalsoour whole Churchwas much bound,knewbyhiswisdom,whichthingalsoNazianzentaughtsolongago,that itis a preposterousordertoteachfirst,andto learnafter,yeathat τὸ ἐν πίθῳ κεραμίαν μανθάνειν,tolearn and practise together,isneithercommendableforthe workman,norsafe forthe work.Therefore such were thoughtupon,ascouldsay modestlywithStHierome,EtHebræumsermonemex parte didicimus, et inLatinopene ab ipsisincunabulis,&c.detriti sumus;Bothwe have learnedthe Hebrew tonguein part, and inthe Latin we have beenexercisedalmostfromourverycradle.St Hierome makethno mentionof the Greektongue,whereinyethe didexcel;because he translatednotthe OldTestament out of Greek,butout of Hebrew.Andinwhatsort didthese assemble?Inthe trustof theirown knowledge,orof theirsharpnessof wit,ordeepnessof judgment,asitwere inan arm of flesh?Atno hand.Theytrustedinhim thathath the keyof David,opening,andnomanshutting;theyprayedtothe Lord, the Fatherof ourLord, to the effectthatSt Augustine did;OletthyScripturesbe mypure delight; letme not be deceivedinthem,neitherletme deceivebythem.Inthisconfidence,andwith this devotion,didtheyassembletogether;nottoomany,lestone shouldtrouble another;andyetmany,lest manythingshaplymightescape them.If youask whattheyhad before them, trulyitwas the Hebrew text ofthe Old Testament,the Greekofthe New. These are the two goldenpipes,orratherconduits, wherethroughthe olive branchesemptythemselvesintothe gold.StAugustine calleththemprecedent, or original,tongues;StHierome,fountains.The same StHierome affirmeth,andGratianhathnot spared to put itintohisdecree,Thatas the creditof the old books(he meanethof the OldTestament) istobe triedbythe Hebrewvolumes;soof the New bythe Greektongue,he meanethbythe original Greek.If truth be to be triedby these tongues,thenwhence shouldatranslationbe made,butoutof them? These tonguestherefore (the Scriptures,we say,inthose tongues) we setbeforeustotranslate,being the tongueswhereinGodwaspleasedtospeaktohisChurchby hisProphetsandApostles. Neitherdid we run over the work with that posting haste that the Septuagintdid,if that be true which is reported of them,that theyfinishedit inseventytwo days; neitherwere we barredorhinderedfromgoingover it again,havingonce done it,like StHierome,if thatbe true whichhimself reporteth,thathe couldno soonerwrite anything,butpresentlyitwascaughtfrom him, andpublished,andhe couldnothave leave tomendit:neither,tobe short,were we the firstthat fell inhandwithtranslatingthe Scripture intoEnglish,andconsequentlydestituteof formerhelps,asitis writtenof Origen,thathe wasthe first ina manner,thatput hishandto write commentariesuponthe Scriptures,andthereforenomarvel if he overshothimself manytimes.Noneof these things:The workhathnot beenhuddledupinseventytwo days, but hath cost the workmen,as light as it seemeth,the pains of twice seventimesseventytwo days, and more. Matters of such weightandconsequence are tobe speededwithmaturity:forina businessof momentamanfearethnotthe blame of convenientslackness.Neitherdidwe thinkmuchto consultthe translatorsor commentators, Chaldee, Hebrew, Syrian,Greek,orLatin;no,nor the Spanish, French,Italian,orDutch; neitherdidwe disdaintorevisethatwhichwe haddone,andto bringback to
- 14. the anvil that whichwe hadhammered:buthavingandusingas great helpsaswere needful,andfearing no reproachfor slowness,norcovetingpraise forexpedition,we have atthe length,throughthe good handof the Lord uponus, broughtthe work to thatpass that yousee. ¶ Reasonsmovingusto setdiversityof sensesinthe margin,where there isgreatprobabilityforeach Some peradventure wouldhave novarietyof sensestobe setinthe margin,lestthe authorityof the Scripturesfordecidingof controversiesbythatshow of uncertaintyshouldsomewhatbe shaken.Butwe holdtheirjudgmentnottobe so soundinthis point.Forthough,Whatsoeverthingsare necessaryare manifest,asStChrysostome saith;and,asSt Augustine,Inthose thingsthatare plainlysetdowninthe Scripturesall suchmattersare foundthatconcern faith,hope,andcharity:yetforall that it cannot be dissembled,thatpartlytoexercise andwhetourwits,partlytoweanthe curiousfromloathingof them for theireverywhere plainness,partlyalsotostirupour devotiontocrave the assistance of God’sSpirit by prayer,andlastly,thatwe mightbe forwardto seekaidof our brethrenbyconference,andnever scorn those thatbe notin all respectssocomplete astheyshouldbe,beingtoseekinmanythings ourselves,ithathpleasedGodin his Divine Providence here andthere to scatter words and sentences of that difficultyand doubtfulness,notin doctrinal pointsthat concern salvation,(for in such it hath beenvouchedthat the Scriptures are plain) but inmattersof lessmoment,thatfearfulnesswould betterbeseemusthanconfidence,andif we will resolve,toresolve uponmodestywithStAugustine, (thoughnotin thissame case altogether,yetuponthe same ground) Meliusestdubitare de occultis, quamlitigare de incertis:Itisbettertomake doubt of those thingswhichare secret,thanto strive about those thingsthatare uncertain.There be manywordsinthe Scriptureswhichbe neverfoundthere but once,(havingneitherbrothernorneighbour,asthe Hebrewsspeak)sothatwe cannot be holpenby conference of places. Again,there be many rare namesof certain birds,beasts, and preciousstones, &c. concerningwhich the Hebrews themselvesare sodividedamong themselvesforjudgment,that they may seemto have definedthisor that, rather because they wouldsay something,than because they were sure ofthat which theysaid, as St Hierome somewhere saithof the Septuagint.Now insuch a case dothnot a margin dowell toadmonishthe Readertoseekfurther,andnotto conclude or dogmatize uponthisorthat peremptorily?Forasit isa faultof incredulity,todoubtof those thingsthat are evident;sotodetermineof suchthingsasthe Spiritof God hathleft(eveninthe judgmentof the judicious) questionable,canbe no lessthanpresumption.Therefore asStAugustine saith,thatvarietyof translationsisprofitableforthe findingoutof the sense of the Scriptures:sodiversityof signification and sense inthe margin,where the textisnotso clear,mustneedsdogood;yea,isnecessary,aswe are persuaded.We knowthatSixtusQuintusexpresslyforbiddeththatanyvarietyof readings of their Vulgareditionshouldbe putinthe margin;(whichthoughitbe not altogetherthe same thingtothat we have inhand, yetitlookeththatway;) butwe thinkhe hathnot all of hisownside hisfavourersforthis conceit.Theythatare wise hadrather have theirjudgmentsatlibertyindifferencesof readings,thanto be captivatedtoone,whenitmay be the other.If theywere sure thattheirhighpriesthadall lawsshut up inhisbreast,as Paul the secondbragged,and thathe were asfree from error by special privilege,as the dictatorsof Rome were made bylaw inviolable,itwere anothermatter;thenhiswordwere an oracle,hisopinionadecision.Butthe eyesof the worldare now open,Godbe thanked,andhave beena great while;theyfindthathe issubjecttothe same affectionsandinfirmitiesthatothersbe,thathis
- 15. skinispenetrable,andtherefore somuchashe proveth,notasmuch as he claimeth,theygrantand embrace. ¶ Reasonsinducingusnotto standcuriouslyuponanidentityof phrasingAnotherthingwe thinkgood to admonishthee of,gentle Reader,thatwe have nottiedourselvestoanuniformityof phrasing,orto an identityof words,assome peradventurewouldwishthatwe haddone,because theyobserve,that some learnedmensomewherehave beenasexactastheycouldthat way.Truly,that we mightnot vary fromthe sense of thatwhichwe had translatedbefore,if the wordsignifiedthe same thinginboth places,(forthere be some wordsthatbe notof the same sense everywhere) we were especiallycareful, and made a conscience,accordingtoour duty.But that we shouldexpressthe same notioninthe same particularword;as for example,if we translatethe Hebrew orGreekwordonce by‘purpose’,neverto call it ‘intent’;if one where ‘journeying’,never‘travelling’;if one where ‘think’,never‘suppose’;if one where ‘pain’,never‘ache’;if one where ‘joy’,never‘gladness’,&c.thusto mince the matter,we thought to savourmore of curiositythanwisdom, andthatrather itwouldbreedscorninthe atheist,thanbring profitto the godlyreader.Foristhe kingdomof Godbecome wordsor syllables?Whyshouldwe be in bondage tothem,if we may be free?use one precisely,whenwe mayuse anothernolessfitas commodiously? A godlyFatherinthe primitive timeshewedhimself greatlymoved,thatone of newfanglednesscalledκράββατον,σκίμπους,thoughthe differencebe littleornone;andanother reporteth,thathe was muchabusedforturning‘cucurbita’(towhichreadingthe people hadbeenused) into‘hedera’.Nowif thishappeninbettertimes,anduponsosmall occasions,we mightjustlyfearhard censure,if generallywe shouldmake verbal andunnecessarychangings.We mightalsobe charged(by scoffers) withsome unequal dealingtowardsagreatnumberof goodEnglishwords.Foras it iswritten of a certaingreatPhilosopher,thathe shouldsay,thatthose logswere happythat were made imagesto be worshipped;fortheirfellows,asgoodas they,layforblocksbehindthe fire:soif we shouldsay,asit were,untocertainwords,Standuphigher,have a place inthe Bible always;andto othersof like quality, Get ye hence,be banishedforever;we mightbe taxedperadventurewithStJameshiswords,namely, To be partial inourselves,andjudgesof evil thoughts.Addhereunto,thatnicenessinwordswasalways countedthe nextsteptotrifling;andsowas to be curiousabout namestoo:alsothat we cannot follow a betterpatternfor elocutionthanGodhimself;therefore he usingdiverswordsinhisholywrit,and indifferentlyforone thinginnature;we,if we will notbe superstitious,mayuse the same libertyinour Englishversionsoutof HebrewandGreek,forthatcopy or store that he hathgivenus. Lastly, we have on the one side avoidedthe scrupulosityof the Puritans,who leave the old Ecclesiastical words,and betake them to other, as when theyput ‘washing’ for ‘baptism’,and ‘congregation’insteadof ‘church’: as alsoon the other side we have shunnedthe obscurity of the Papists, intheir ‘azymes’, ‘tunik’,‘rational’, ‘holocausts’,‘prepuce’,‘pasche’,anda numberof such like,whereoftheirlate translation is full,and that of purpose to darken the sense,that since theymust needstranslate the Bible,yet by the language thereofit may be keptfrom beingunderstood.But we desire that the Scripture may speak like itself,asin the language of Canaan, that it may be understoodevenof the very vulgar. Many otherthingswe mightgive thee warningof,gentle Reader,if we hadnotexceededthe measure of a preface already.Itremaineththatwe commendthee toGod,and to the Spiritof hisgrace, whichis
- 16. able to buildfurtherthanwe can askor think.He removeththe scalesfromoureyes,the vail fromour hearts,openingourwitsthatwe may understandhisword,enlargingourhearts,yea,correctingour affections,thatwe maylove itabove goldandsilver,yea,thatwe maylove itto the end.Ye are brought untofountainsof livingwaterwhichye diggednot;donotcast earthintothem, withthe Philistines, neitherpreferbrokenpitsbefore them,withthe wickedJews.Othershave laboured,andyoumayenter intotheirlabours.Oreceive notsogreat thingsinvain:O despise notsogreatsalvation.Be notlike swine totreadunderfootso preciousthings,neitheryetlike dogstotearandabuse holythings.Saynot to our Saviourwiththe Gergesites,Departoutof our coasts; neitheryetwithEsausell yourbirthrightfor a messof pottage.If lightbe come intothe world,love notdarknessmore thanlight:if food,if clothing, be offered,gonotnaked,starve notyourselves.Rememberthe advice of Nazianzene,Itisagrievous thing(or dangerous) toneglectagreatfair,and to seektomake marketsafterwards: alsothe encouragementof StChrysostome,Itisaltogetherimpossible,thathe thatis sober(andwatchful) shouldat anytime be neglected:lastly,the admonitionandmenacingof StAugustine, Theythat despise God’swill invitingthem shall feel God’swill taking vengeance ofthem. It isa fearful thingtofall into the handsof the livingGod;buta blessedthingitis,andwill bringustoeverlastingblessednessinthe end,whenGodspeakethuntous,to hearken;whenhe settethhiswordbeforeus,to readit; whenhe stretchethouthishandand calleth,toanswer,Here am I,here we are to do thywill,OGod. The Lord worka care andconscience inusto know himand serve him, thatwe may be acknowledgedof himat the appearingof our Lord JESUS CHRIST,to whomwiththe Holy Ghostbe all praise andthanksgiving. Amen.