CVM huius versionis ac aeditionis authores , nobis de fide & eruditione sint probè cogniti , aliiue S. Theologiae & linguae Anglicanae peritissimi viri contestati sint , nihil in hoc opere reperiri , quod non sit Catholicae Ecclesiae doctrinae , & pietati consentaneum , vel quod vllo modo potestati ac paci ciuili repugnet , sed omnia potius veram fidem , Reip. bonum , vitaeue ac morum probitatem promouere : ex ipsorum fide censemus ista vtiliter excudi & publicari posse .

THE holy Bible long since translated by vs into English , and the old Testament lying by vs for lacke of good meanes to publish the whole in such sort as a worke of so great charge and importance requireth : we haue yet through Gods goodnes at length fully finished for thee ( most Christian reader ) all the NEW TESTAMENT , which is the principal , most profitable & comfortable peece of holy writte : and , as wel for all other institution of life and doctrine , as specially for deciding the doubtes of these daies , more propre and pregnant then the other part not yet printed .

Which translation we doe not for all that publish , Translation of the Scriptures into the vulgar tongues , not absolutely necessarie or profitable , but according to the time . vpon erroneous opinion of necessitie , that the holy Scriptures should alwaies be in our mother tonge , or that they ought , or were ordained by God , to be read indifferently of all , could be easily vnderstood of euery one that readeth or heareth them in a knowen language : or that they were not often through mans malice or infirmitie , pernicious and much hurtful to many : or that we generally and absolutely deemed it more conuenient in it self , & more agreable to Gods word and honour or edification of the faithful , to haue them turned into vulgar tonges , 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 thinges are either necessarie , or profitable and medicinable now , that otherwise in the peace of the Church were neither much requisite , nor perchance wholy tolerable .

In this matter , The Churches wisedom and moderation concerning vulgar translation . to marke onely the wisedom & moderation of holy Church and the gouernours thereof on the one side , and the indiscerete 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 and disobedience , haue made claime in this case for the common people , with plausible pretences many , but good reasons none at all . The other , * * Mat. 24 , 45 , 1 Cor. 4 , 1. to whom Christ hath giuen charge of our soules , tho dispensing of Gods mysteries and treasures ( among which holy Scripture is no smale store ) and the feeding his familie in season with foode fit for euery sort , haue neither of old nor of late , euer wholy condemned all vulgar versions of Scripture , nor haue at any time generally forbidden the faithful to reade the same : yet they haue not by publike authoritie prescribed , commaunded , or authentically euer recommended any such interpretation to be indifferently vsed of all men .

The Armenians say they haue the Psalter and some other peeces translated by S. Chrysostom into their language , The Scriptures in the vulgar languages of diuers nations . when he was banished among them : Bib. Sanct. li. 4. and George the Patriarch , Hiero , ep. 134. in writing his life , signifieth no lesse . The Saluonians affirme they haue the Scriptures in their vulgar tongue , turned by S. Hierom , and some would gather so much by his owne wordes in his epistle to Sophronius , Bib. Sanct. lib. 4. but the place in deede proueth in not . Vulpilas surely gaue the Scriptures to the Gothes in their owne tonge , and that before he was an Arrian . Auncient Catholike translations of the Bible into the Italian , Frenche , & English tongue . It is almost three hundred yeres , since Iames Archbishop of Genua , is said to haue translated the Bible into Italian . More then two hundred yeres agoe , in the daies of Charles the fifth , the Frenche king , was it put forth faithfully in Frenche , the sooner to shake out of the deceiued peoples handes , the false heretical translations of a secte called Waldenses . Li. 1 hist. Angl. c. 1. In our owne countrie , notwithstanding the Latin tonge was euer ( to vse Venerable Bedes wordes ) common to all the prouinces of the same for meditation or studie of Scriptures , and no vulgar translation commonly vsed or occupied of the multitude , yet they were extant in English euen before the troubles that Wicleffe and his folowers raised in our Church , as appeareth , as well by some peeces yet remaining , An auncient prouincial constitution in England concerning English translations . See Linwod li. 5 tit . de Magistris . as by a prouincial Constitution of Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Canturburie , in a Councel holden at Oxford . where straite prouision was made , that no heretical version set forth by Wicleffe , or his adherentes , should be suffered , nor any other in or after his time be published or permitted to be readde , being not approued and allowed by the Diócesan before : alleaging S. Hierom for the difficultie and danger of interpreting the holy Scripture out of one tonge into an other , though by learned and Catholike men . So also it is there insinuated , that neither the Translations set forth before that Heretikes time , nor other afterward being approued by the lawful Ordinaries , were euer in our countrie wholy forbidden , though they were not ( to say the truth ) in quiet and better times ( much lesse when the people were prone to alteration , heresie , or noueltie ) either hastily admitted , or ordinarily readde of the vulgar , but vsed onely , or specially , of some deuout religious and contemplatiues persons , in reuerence , secrecie , and silence , for their spiritual comforte .

Now since Luthers reuolt also , The like Catholike and vulgar translations in many countries , since Luthers time . diuers learned Catholikes , for the more speedy abolishing of a number of false and impious translations put forth by sundry sectes , and for the better preseruation or reclaime of many good soules endangered thereby , haue published the Bible in the seueral languages of almost all the principal prouinces of the Latin Church : no other bookes in the world being so pernicious as hereticall translations of the Scriptures , poisoning the people vnder colour of diuine authoritie , & not many other remedies being more soueraine against the same ( if it be vsed in order , discretion , and humilitie ) then the true , faithful , and sincere interpretation opposed therevnto .

Which causeth the holy Church not to forbid vtterly any Catholike translation , The Churches order & determination concerning the reading of Catholike translations of the Bible in vulgar tongues . though she allow not the publishing or reading of any absolutely and without exception , or limitation : knowing by her diuine and most sincere wisedom , how , where , when , and to whom these her Maisters and Spouses giftes are to be bestowed to the most good of the faithful : and therfore neither generally permitteth that which must needes doe hurt to the vnworthy , nor absolutely condemneth that which may doe much good to the worthie . Wherevpon , the order which many a wise man wished for before , was taken by the Deputies of the late famous Councel of Trent in this behalfe , Ind. lib. prohibit . regula 4. and confirmed by supreme authoritie , that the holy Scriptures , though truely and Catholikely translated into vulgar tonges , yet may not be indifferently readde of all men , nor of any other then such as haue expresse licence therevnto of their lawful Ordinaries , with good testimonie from their Curates or Confessors , that they be humble , discrete and deuout persons , and like to take much good , and no harme thereby . Which prescript , though in these daies of ours it can not be so precisely obserued , as in other times & places , where there is more due respecte of the Churches authoritie , rule , and discipline : yet , we trust all wise and godly persons will vse the matter in the meane while , with such moderation , meekenes , and subiection of hart , as the handling of so sacred a booke , the sincere senses of Gods truth therein , & the holy Canons , Councels , reason , and religion do require .

Wherein , though for due preseruation of this diuine worke from abuse and prophanation , and for the better bridling of the intolerable insolencie of proude , curious , & contentious wittes , the gouernours of the Church guided by Gods Spirit , The holy Scriptures neuer read of al persons indifferently , at their pleasure . as euer before , so also vpon more experience of the maladie of this time then before , haue taken more exacte order both for the readers and translatours in these later ages , then of old : yet we must not imagin that in the primitiue Church , either euery one that vnderstoode the learned tonges wherein the Scriptures were written , or other languages into which they were translated , might without reprehension , reade , reason , dispute , turne and tosse the Scriptures : or that our forefathers suffered euery schole-maister , scholer , or Grammarian that had a litle Greeke or Latin , straight to take in hand the holy Testament : or that the translated Bibles into the vulgar tonges , were in the handes of euery husbandman , artificer , prentice , boies , girles , mistresse , maide , man : that they were sung , plaies , alleaged , of euery tinker , tauerner , rimer , minstrel : that they were for table talke , for alebenches , for boates and barges , and for euery prophane person and companie . No , in those better times men were neither so ill , nor so curious of them selues , so to abuse the blessed booke of Christ : neither was there any such easy meanes before printing was inuented , to disperse the copies into the handes of euery man , as now there is .

They were then in Libraries , Where and in whose handes the Scriptures were in the primitiue Church . Monasteries , Colleges , Churches , in Bishops , Priests , and some other deuout principal Lay mens houses and handes : who vsed them with seare and reuerence , and specially such partes as perteined to good life and maners , not medling , but in pulpit and schooles ( and that moderately to ) with the hard and high mysteries and places of greater difficultie . The poore ploughman , could then in labouring the ground , sing the hymnes and psalmes either in knowen or vnknowen languages , How the 〈◊〉 of those daies did read them , with what humilitie and religion , and enformation of life and maners . as they heard them in the holy Church , though they could neither reade nor know the sense , meaning , and mysteries of the same . Such holy persons of both sexes , to whom S. Hierom in diuers Epistles to them , commendeth the reading and meditation of holy Scriptures , were diligent to searche all the godly histories & imitable examples of chastitie , humilitie , obedience , clemencie , pouertie , penance , renouncing the world ▪ they noted specially the places that did breede the hatred of sinne , feare of Gods iudgement , delight in spiritual cogitations : they referred them selues in all hard places , to the iudgement of the auncient fathers and their maisters in religion , neuer presuming to contend , controule , teach or talke of their owne sense and phantasie , in deepe questions of diuinitie . Then the Virgins , did meditate vpon the places and examples of chastitie , modestie and demurenesse : the maried , on coniugal faith and continencie : the parents , how to bring vp their children in faith and seare of God : the Prince , how to rule : the subiect , how to obey : the Priest , how to teach : the people , how to learne .

Then the scholer taught not his maister , The fathers sharply reprehend as an abuse , that al indifferenly should reade , expound , and talke of the Scriptures . the sheepe controuled not the Pastor , the yong student set not the Doctor to schoole , not reproued their fathers of error & ignorance . Or if any were in those better daies ( as in al times of heresie such must needes be ) that had itching eares , tikling tonges and wittes , curious and contentious disputers , hearers , and talkers rather then doers of Gods word : such the Fathers did euer sharply reprehend , counting them vnworthy and vnprofitable readers of the holy Scriptures . S. Hierom in his Epistle to Paulinus , after declaration that no handy craft is so base , nor liberall science so easy , that can be had without a maister ( which S. Augustine also affirmeth , Hiero. ep. . 103● . 6. De vtilitate cred. cap. 7. ) nor that men presume in any occupation to teach that they neuer learned , Only ( saith he ) the art of Scripture is that which euery man chalengeth : this the chatting old wife , this the doting old man , this the brabling sophister , this on euery hand , men presume to teach before they learne it . Againe , Some with poise of lofty wordes deuise of scripture matters among women : othersome ( phy vpon it ) learne of women , what to teach men , and lest that be not ynough , by facilitie of tong , or rather audacitie , teach that to others , which they vnderstand neuer a whit them selues . to say nothing of such as be of my facultie : who stepping from secular learning to holy scriptures , and able to tickle the eares of the multitude with a smothe tale , thinke all they speake , to be the Law of God . This he wrote then , when this maladie of arrogancie and presumption in diuine matters , was nothing so outragious as now it is .

S. Gregorie Nazianzene made an oration of the moderation that was to be vsed in these matters : In orat . de moderatio . in disputa . seruanda . where he saith , that some in his time thought them selues to haue all the wisedom in the world , when they could once repeat two or three wordes , and them ill couched together , out of Scriptures , but he there diuinely discourseth of the orders and differences of degrees : how in Christes mysticall body , some are ordeined to learne , some to teach : that all are not Apostles , all Doctors , all interpreters , all of tonges and knowledge , not all learned in Scriptures & diuinitie : that the people went not vp to talke with God in the mountaine , but Moyses , Aaron , & Eleazar : nor they neither , but by the difference of their callings : that they that rebell against this ordinance , are guilty of the conspiracie of Corè & his complices : that in Scripture there is both milke for babes , and meate for men , to be dispensed , not according to euery ones greedines of appetit or wilfulnes , The Scriptures must be deliuered in measure and discretion , according to eche mans neede and capacitie . but as is most meete for eche ones necessitie and capacitie : that as it is a shame for a Bishop or Priest to be vnlearned in Gods mysteries , so for the common people it is often times profitable to saluation , not to be curious , but to folow their Pastors in sinceritie & simplicitie : whereof excellently saith S. Augustine , De agone Christ . c. 33. Fidei simplicitate & sinceritate lactati , nutriamur in Christo : & cum parui sumus , maiorum cibos non appetamus . that is , Being fed with the simplicitie and sinceritie of faith , as it were with milke , so let vs be nourished in Christ : De bono perseuer . c. 16. and when we are litle ones , let vs not couet the meates of the elder sort . Who * in an other place testifieth , that the word of God can not be preached nor certaine mysteries vttered to all men alike , but are to be deliuered according to the capacitie of the hearers : 1 Cor. 3. as he proueth both * by S. Paules example , who gaue not to euery sort strong meate , but milke to many , as being not spiritual , Io. 16. but carnal and not capable : and * by our lordes also , whho spake to some plainely , and to others in parables , & affirmed that he had many things to vtter which the hearers were not able to beare .

How much more may we gather , that all thinges that be written , are not for the capacitie and diet of euery of the simple readers , but that very many mysteries of holy writte , be very far aboue their reach , & may and ought to be ( by as great reason ) deliuered them in measure & meane most meete for them ? which in deede can hardly be done , Ia orat . de modera . in disp. serua . in fine . Hiero. in prooem. con. mentar . in Ezachi . when the whole booke of the Bible lieth before euery man in his mother tonge , The Iewes law for not reading certaine bookes of holy Scripture vntil a time . to make choise of what he list . For which cause the said Gregorie Nazianzen wisheth the Christians had as good a law as the Hebrues of old had : who ( as S. Hierom also witnesseth ) tooke order among them selues that none should read the Cantica Canticorum nor certaine other pieces of hardest Scriptures , till they were thirtie yeres of age .

And truely there is no cause why men should be more loth to be ordered and moderated in this point by Gods Church and their Pastors , then they are in the vse of holy Sacraments : for which as Christ hath appointed Priestes and ministers , at whose handes we must receiue them , and not be our owne caruers : Eph. 4. so hath he giuen * vs doctors , prophetes , expounders , interpreters , teachers and preachers , to take the law and our faith at their mouthes : because our faith and religion commeth not to vs properly or principally by reading of Scriptures , Ro. 10 , 17. but ( as the Apostle saith ) by hearing of the preachers lawfully sent : though reading in order and humilitie , much confirmeth and aduanceth the same . Therfore this holy booke of the Scriptures , is called of S. Ambrose , Liber sacerdotalis , the booke of priestes , at whose handes and disposition we must take and vse it . Li. 2. ad Grat.

The wise wil not here regard what some wilful people do mutter , The popular obiections of withholding the Scriptures from the people , answered . that the Scriptures are made for all men , and that it is of enuie that the Priestes do keepe the holy booke from them . Which suggestion commeth of the same serpent * that seduced our first parents , Gen. 3. who persuaded them , that God had forbidden them that tree of knowledge , lest they should be as cunning as him self , Why the Church permitteth not euery one at their pleasure to reade the Scripture . and like vnto the Highest . No , no , the church doth it to keepe them from blind ignorant presumption , and from that which the Apostle calleth falsi nominis scientiam knowledge falsely so called : 1 Tim. 6 , 20. and not to embarre them from the true knowledge , Ro. 12 , 3. of Christ . She would haue all wise , but vsque ad sobrietatem , vnto sobrietie , as the Apostle speaketh : she knoweth the Scriptures be ordained for euery state , as meates , elements , fire , water , candle , kniues , sword , & the like : which are as needful ( most of them ) for children as old folkes , for the simple as the wise : but yet would marre all , if they were at the guiding of other then wise men , or were in the handes of euery one , for whose preseruation they be profitable . She forbiddeth not the reading of them in any language , enuieth no mans commoditie , but giueth order how to doe it to edification , and not destruction : The holy Scriptures to carnal men & Heretikes , are as pearles to swine . how to doe it without casting the holy to dogges , Mat. 7 , 6. or pearles to hogges : ( See S. Chrysost. ho. 24 in Matth , declaring these hogges & dogges to be carnal men & Heretikes , that take no good of the holy mysteries , but thereby do both hurt them selues & others : ) how to doe it agreably to the soueraine sinceritie , maiestie , & depth of Mysterie conteined in the same . She would haue the presumptuous Heretike , notwithstanding he alleage them neuer so fast , flying as it were through the whole Bible , and coting the Psalmes , Prophets , Gospels Epistles , neuer so readily for his purpose , as Vincentius Lirinensis saith such mens fashion is : Li. de prescriptionibus . yet she would according to Tertullians rule , haue such mere vsurpers quite discharged of all occupying and possession of the holy Testament , which is her old and onely right and inheritance , and belongeth not to Heretikes at all , Orig. in 2 ad Ro. whom Origen calleth Scripturarum fures , theeues of the Scriptures . She would haue the vnworthy repelled , the curious repressed , the simple measured , the learned himbled , and all sortes so to vse them or absteine from them , as is most conuenient for euery ones saluation : with this general admonition , that none can vnderstand the meaning of God in the Scriptures * * Luca 24. except Christ open their sense , and make them partakers of his holy Spirit in the vnitie of his mystical bodie : and for the rest , she committeth it to the Pastor of euery prouince and people , according to the difference of time , place , and persons , how and in what sort the reading of the Scriptures is more or lesse to be procured or permitted .

Wherein , S. Chrysostoms exhortations to the reading of holy Scriptures , and when the people is so to be exhorted . the varietie of circumstances causeth them to deale diuersly : as we see by S. Chrysostoms people of Constantinople , who were so delicate , dull , worldly , In vita Athanasij . and so much giuen to dice , cardes , specially stage-plaies or theaters ( as S. Gregorie Nazianzene witnesseth ) that the Scriptures & all holy lections of diuine things were lothsome vnto them : whereby their holy Bishop was forced * * Ho. 2 in Mat. & ho. 3 de Lazaro . et ho. 3 in 2 ad Thess. & alibi sapè . in many of his sermons to crie out against their extreme negligence and contempt of Gods word , declaring , that not onely Eremites and Religious ( as they alleaged for their excuse ) but secular men of all sortes might reade the Scriptures , and often haue more neede thereof in respect of them selues , then the other that liue in more puritie and contemplation : further insinuating , that though diuers thinges be high and hard therein , yet many godly histories , liues , examples , & precepts of life and doctrine be plaine : and finally , that when the Gentiles were so cunning and diligent to impugne their faith , it were not good for Christians to be to simple or negligent in the defense thereof . as ( in truth ) it is more requisite for a Catholike man in these daies when our Aduersaries be industrious to empeache our beleefe , to be skilful in Scriptures , then at other times when the Church had no such enemies .

To this sense said S , Chrysostom diuers thinges , S. Chrysostom maketh nothing for the popular and licentious reading of Scriptures vsed among the Protestants now a daies . not as a teacher in schole , making exact and general rules to be obserued in all places & times , but as a pulpit man , agreably to that audience & his peoples default : nor making it therfore ( as some peruersely gather of his wordes ) a thing absolutely needful for euery poore artificer to reade of studie Scriptures , nor any whit fauouring the presumptuous , curious , and contentious iangling and searching of Gods secretes , reproued by the foresaid fathers , much lesse approuing the excessiue pride and madnes of these daies , Euery simple artificer among them readeth much more the deepest & hardest question̄s of holy Scripture , then the moral partes . when euery man and woman is become not only a reader , but a teacher , controuler , and iudge of Doctors , Church , Scriptures and all : such as either contemne or easily passe ouer all the moral partes , good examples , and precepts of life ( by which as well the simple as learned might be much edified ) & only in a maner , occupie them selues in dogmatical , mystical , high , and hidden secretes of Gods counsels , as of Predestination , reprobation , election , prescience , forsaking of the Iewes , vocation of the gentiles , & other incomprehensible mysteries , 1. Tim. 6. Languishing about questions of onely saith , fiduce , new phrases and figures , 2 Tim. c. 3 euer learning , but neuer comming to knowledge , reading and tossing in pride of witte , conceit of their owne cunning , and vpon presumption of I can tell what spirit , 2 Pet. 3. such bookes specially and Epistles , as S. Peter foretold that the vnlearned and instable would depraue to their owne damnation .

They delight in none more then in the Epistle to the Romans , They presuppose no difficulties , which al the learned fathers felt to be in the Scriptures . the Cantica canticorum , the Apocalypse , which haue in them as many mysteries as wordes . they find no difficultie in the sacred booke * * Apoc. 5 , 1. clasped with seuen seales . they aske for no expositor * * Act. 8. Confess . lib. 12. cap. 14. with the holy Eunuch . they feele no such depth of Gods science in the scriptures , as S. Augustine did , when he cried our , Mira profunditas eloquiorum tuorum , mira profunditas ( Deus meus ) mira profunditas : horror est intendere in eam , horror honoris , & tremor amoris . that is , O wonderful profoundnes of thy wordes : wonderful profoundnes , my God , wonderful profoundnes : it maketh a man quake to looke on it : to quake for reuerence , and to tremble for the loue thereof . they regard not that which the same Doctor affirmeth , See ep. 3. Aug. that the depth and profunditie of wisedom , not only in the wordes of holy Scripture , but also in the matter & sense , is so wonderful , that , liue a man neuer so long , be he of neuer so high a witte , neuer so studious , neuer so seruent to attaine the knowledge thereof , yet when he endeth , Hiero , ep. 13. c. 4. he shall confesse he doth but begin . they feele not with S. Hierom , that the text hath a hard shel to be broken before we come to the kirnel . they will not stay them selues in only reading the sacred Scriptures thirtene yeres together , Ruff. Ec. hist. li. 2. c. 9. with S. Basil & S. Gergorie Nazianzene , before they expound them , nor take the care ( as they did ) neuer otherwise to interpret them , then by the vniforme consent of their forefathers and tradition Apostolike .