THE
PREFACE TO
THE READER TREATING
OF THESE THREE POINTS: OF THE
translation of Holy Scriptures into the vulgar ton-
gues, and namely into English; of the causes
why this New Testament is translated
according to the ancient vulgar Latin
text; and of the manner of transla-
ting the same.
THE holy Bible long since translated by vs into English, and the old Testament lying by vs for lack of good meanes to publish the whole in such sort as a work of so great charge and importance requireth; we haue yet through God’s goodness at length fully finished for thee (most Christian Reader) al the NEW TESTAMENT; which is the principal, most profitable, & comfortable peece of holy Writ: and, as wel for al other institution of life and doctrine, as specially for deciding the doubts of these daies, more proper and pregnant then the other part not yet printed.
Which translation we doe not for al that publish, upon erroneous opinion 1. of necessitie, that the holy Scriptures should alwayes be in our mother tongue, or 2. that they ought, or were ordained by God, to be read indifferently of al, or 3. could be easily vnderstood of euery one that readeth or heareth them in a knowen language; or 4. that they were not often, through man’s malice or infirmitie, pernicious and much hurtful to many; 5. or that we generally and absolutely deemed it more conuenient in it-self, & more agreable to God’s word and honour, or edification, of the faithful, to haue them turned into vulgar tongues, then to be kept & studied only in the Ecclesiastical learned Languages: Not for these nor any such like causes doe we translate this sacred Booke; but vpon special consideration of the present time, state, and condition of our countrie, vnto which diuers things are either necessarie, or profitable and medicinable now, that otherwise in the peace of the Church were neither much requisit, nor perchance wholy tolerable.
1. In this matter, to marke only the wisedom & moderation of holy Church and the Gouernours therof on the one side, and the indiscrete zeale of the popular, and their factious leaders, on the other, is a high point of prudence. These later, partly of simplicitie, partly of curiositie, and specially of pride & disobedience, haue made claime in this case for the common people, with plausible pretences many, but good reasons none
at al.
