Origen against Celsus : Translated from the ORIGINAL INTO ENGLISH .

By James Bellamy , Gent.

LONDON , Printed by B. Mills , and Sold by I. Robinson , at the Golden Lyon in St. Paul's Church-Yard .

THAT Translations of Learned Authors in general , especially if they be carefully undertak'n , and prudently manag'd , are of great Use to the Publick , I think , after all that has been said against 'em , no Person can reasonably deny , or ev'n call into question . For as the same Reasons which may be assign'd , for the Commendation of a Fountain of Water , may as well be brought in Praise of the Streams , which proceed from it , so far as they are properly convey'd : So I think , the very same Arguments which are us'd in Favour of any Learned Original , will equally serve , to justifie , and recommend a Translation of it , so far as it answers its principal End , in conveying to our Minds the true Sence of the Author .

And tho' I think , I may say , without the Suspicion of Vanity , that I have , in some measure employ'd my Time and Strength , in the Study of the Learned Languages , and that I highly value 'em , as the happy Vehicles of solid and useful Learning ; yet the bare Language in which a Book is writ ( let it be never so much extoll'd , as being learned , and copious , or esteem'd for its Antiquity , native Majesty , and inimitable Sweetness ) is , I confess , one of the least Things , which will ever recommend it to my Esteem , and Perusal .

For I humbly conceive , that in all our Studies we shou'd not so much nibble at Words , which are , as it were , but the Bark of the Tree of Knowledge , as aim at the Improvement of our Reason , which is a strong Reflection from the Deity , and affords abundant Matter of agreeable Entertainment , to them , who are so happy , as to be distinguish'd from the Generality of Mankind , by a wonderful Penetration of Soul . And if an Author , by his natural Capacity , and acquir'd Abilities , do's make a more than ord'nary Figure in the intellectual and learned World , is an Honour to the Age in which he flourish'd , and perhaps equally the Wonder and Envy of succeeding Ages , I think , the more Reasons may be assign'd , why he shou'd be cloath'd in the English Language , which is most familiar to us , and is allow'd by all capable Judges , to be very expressive , copious , and charming . For certainly 't is Pity , that such immense Treasures of Sence and Learning shou'd be confin'd , to those few Persons , in a comparative Sence , who happen to understand the Language in which he writes , and like the vast Mines in Peru and Mexico , serve chiefly for the Convenience , and Delight of those , who are Foreign to us , both by Blood , and by Religion .

And I have often thought , and 't is the Opinion of many Persons , who are far more capable of judging than my self , that 't wou'd conduce very much to the Honour of the BRITISH NATION , to have the Fathers of the Three First Centuries , those Heroes of Antiquity , and Pillars of the Christian Church , translated into the Language of our Country , and cloath'd in so Modern and so Charming a Dress , if it be possible , that many of both Sexes , whose Genius and Education do's not lead 'em , to the Study of Greek and Latin , may be induc'd to read 'em , and to square their Lives by those excellent Rules of Vertue , and Piety , which they have laid down , for the Conduct of Others , and of which they were in their several Ages , and are still , in some Sence , living , and highly honourable Examples .

And since , by the Policy of a Neighbouring Nation , the Language of Lewis the XIVth has already obtain'd that UNIVERSAL MONARCHY , to which he seems to aspire , and since , many excellent Translations , of which the French may justly boast , have invited and almost constrain'd , many ingenious and polite Persons , to learn and admire their Language , and so perhaps they have been unhappily and insensibly won over to their Corrupt Religion and Slavish Principles of Government , I think , 't is not a little strange , that we , who are so prone to a Phantastical Imitation of 'em , shou'd so much abound , in Vnnecessary and Trifling Originals , and give so little Encouragement , to the Translation of those Ancient Authors , whom , in Spite of all our Ignorance and Prejudice , we must acknowledge , to have been remarkable for their Learning , and whose Labours , since they were generally approv'd , and highly admir'd , in the Early and Pure Ages of the Church , and since they strangely confounded the Whole Heathen World , one wou'd think , might very well serve for our Confirmation , and delightful Entertainment . And tho' we deservedly pay a most profound Respect to the Greek and Hebrew Text of Scripture , as claiming in a strict Sense the Venerable Title of the Word of GOD , and challenging in a special Manner the Time , and Strength of those , whom God and Men have thought fit to employ , in the Explication and Defence of the Sacred Oracles ; yet 't is an extraordinary Happiness , which we in these Nations enjoy , that we have such excellent Translations of the Bible , and ev'n the common People ( who have precious and immortal Souls , as well as others , and want more Helps , for the regular and comfortable Discharge of their Duty ) are so far from being commanded by their Ministers , to avoid 'em , as being dangerous in unskillful Hands , and an imperfect Rule , both of Faith , and Manners , that they are strictly enjoyn'd , and with all imaginable Tenderness entreated , to read 'em , with the greatest Seriousness , Industry , and Pleasure .

And if we have just Cause , to return God our most humble and hearty Thanks , for raising up , and inclining some proper Persons , to undertake so important and so difficult a Work , for affording such Measures of his gracious Assistance , as were necessary , to support , and encourage 'em in it , and to bring it at last to a most honourable and happy Accomplishment , I think , the Translations of any pious , rational , and learned Authors , whose Labours have a tendency , to lead us , into the true and deep Sence of the holy Scriptures , and to furnish us with proper Weapons , to encounter the inveterate and most formidable Adversaries of the Christian Religion , must be very desireable , and attended with no small Advantages .

I confess , I am highly sensible , that Translations do frequently abound with Faults , and perhaps with such as are notorious , which should a Person undertake to justifie , he wou'd expose himself , to the Scorn , or Pity of the learned World , and to the Censure ev'n of the injudicious , and illiterate .

But this , if it be a solid Objection against bad Translations , ( which I hardly believe it is , since they may have many great Defects , and yet the Translator shou'd be esteem'd , and rewarded for his good Will to the Publick , and that Measure of Industry , and Skill in the learned Languages , which appears in his Work , tho' he deserves far less Esteem , than one , who happily accomplishes some accurate Composition , or more compleat Translation , ) I say this , if it be a solid Argument against bad Translations , wo'nt hold against such as are good , and so apparently and so highly useful , that shou'd any one exclaim against 'em , he would but betray his Folly , and provoke the Laughter , or silent Scorn , of those , who are not as remarkable Triflers as himself .

For if no Translator must appear in the World , who is not so industrious , and so correct , that he almost seems to be free , from those Faults , to which the Frailty of humane Nature renders Mankind unavoidably subject , if the Taste of Readers is so nice , as to disrellish the the most exact Translations , that are extant , by Reason of many great Defects , which insensibly creep , into the best humane Compositions , then the same Argument which is us'd against Translations , will equally overthrow the most learned and useful Originals that ever were , and ev'n the sacred Oracles of the supream and all-wise Being .

For tho' I think 't is ridiculously objected against us , by the Atheists , and Deists , that some Faults have been found , in the best Versions of the Holy Scriptures , and that the sacred Original Text it self thro' the long Tract of Time in which the Books of the Old and New Testament were committed to Writing , thro' the Ignorance , and Carelesness , and perhaps Design of some Transcribers , is liable to some few Exceptions ; yet if we must reject and despise all Translations , because some are bad , and the best imperfect , I fear , we must immediately throw up our Bibles themselves , and grope after Truth , by no better Help , than that of the dim Light of Nature .

For all the Versions of the Holy Scriptures are allow'd to be the Works of Men , who were not immediately inspir'd by the Spirit of GOD , tho' we have Reason to believe , he was pleas'd to afford 'em more than ord'nary Direction , and Influence , in an Affair which had so great a Tendency , to the Welfare of the Christian Church , and ev'n to the happy and timely Conviction and Conversion of the most hardn'd Infidels , into whose Hands the Scriptures may fall , from Time to Time , and in which they made their serious , earnest , frequent , and more solemn Addresses , to Almighty God , for all that gracious Assistance , which he saw was necessary or convenient for 'em .

All the Versions , and the Septuagint it Self , ( for correcting which , and comparing it with the Alexandrian Manuscript , the World is beholden to the Incomparably Learned , Indefatigable , and Judicious Dr. Grabe ) all the Versions , I say , were the Works of uninspir'd Persons , who were liable to many gross Defects .

Nay , the Greek and Hebrew Text of Scripture , those sacred and refreshing Fountains of living Water , have been shamefully polluted , by humane Additions and cursed Innovations , tho' God in his wise and holy Providence has preserv'd 'em , in all the Ages of the Church , so far uncorrupted in Spite , of all the Wit , Malice , and unweary'd Industry , of Men , and Devils , that they carry the lively and honourable Stamp of a divine Authority , and are still what they always were , a perfect Rule , both of Faith and Manners .

If then , we pay a more than ord'nary Deference , to the sacred Originals of the Holy Scriptures , and if the small Errors , in a comparative Sence , which are found in all the Versions that were ever extant , ought by no means to shock our religious and firm Belief of the Divine Inspiration of those sacred , and most valuable Records , then I think , 't is sufficiently evident , that Translations , in general , are of excellent and continual Use , and the Badness of some , and the Imperfections , which unavoidably attend 'em all , is no solid Argument against those which are good , or even such as are bad , if the Original was an Author who deserv'd to be translated , and so far as the Translator discovers his Affection , and does real Service to the Cause of Piety , Sence or Learning .

Another Objection that may be brought against Translations is this , that the injudicious , and illiterate shou'd not dare to intrude into those venerable Misteries of the Empire of Reason , and Learning , which some are apt to imagine , 't is their Prerogative , to consult , and to understand , and the entire Reputation and Advantage of which they think is a Debt , that ought only to be pay'd to Persons of their Character , and Distinction .

But many , who assume to themselves , the Title of Persons , who are profoundly learned , especially such whose Talent lies chiefly in torturing such Words as very seldom occur in Authors , whose Heads are living Dictionaries , or rather Libraries , the faithful but trifling Repositories of senseless Criticisms , which how great Satisfaction soever they may perhaps afford , to these eager and eternal Hunters of meer Words and Phrases , are of little use ; I say , many such Persons have a much smaller Share , of solid Reason , than they whom these Tyrants in the Empire of Learning would have to lie prostrate at their Feet .

Besides I can't for my Life conceive , why any Persons how learned so ever they may esteem themselves to be , how knowing soever they may be accounted by others , who have gon in the same tedious , if not unprofitable Track of Study , and what Skill soever they may really have , in reading uncommon and almost obliterated Characters , or comparing almost an infinite Number of Worm-eaten and voluminous Manuscripts , I say , I can't conceive , why such Persons shou'd desire , and endeavour to engross all the Learning in the World to themselves , make it serve like the Egyptian Hieroglyphicks , to amaze , but not instruct , or reform Mankind , and prevent the Generality of Men , from making Enquiries into Truth , which these fond Admirers of themselves represent , as a Thing that 's vastly beyond their Reach , and the Honour of Knowing , which ought by no means to be prostituted to 'em .

For my Part , I confess , I cou'd never justifie , nor easily extenuate the common Practice of the Popish Priests , who forbid the Laity , to read ev'n the Holy Scriptures , which ( if they are not render'd a meer Nose of Wax , by their Humane Traditions , and wrong Interpretations , ) are able , under the Influence of the Holy Spirit , to make the injudicious and illiterate , so wise as to secure the Salvation of their Souls , ( tho' not fit to dispute , or manage an Intriegue , with subtil and designing Jesuits ) and can warm their Hearts , with a much deeper Impression of the near Relation in which they stand both to GOD , and and to their Neighbour , and of those prudent Methods , which they ought to take , to perform their Duty , in the most pleasant and profitable Manner , than some , of the most learned Doctors of the Sorbon can modestly pretend to have .

And whether such Persons of Intriegue don't discover as much Ignorance , as Antichristian Pride , in taking these irregular Measures , to gain the Esteem , and command the Purses of the People , to support the Interest and raise the Reputation of the Church of Rome , which stands in Need of many pious Cheats to keep up it's Aspiring ( and yet perhaps sinking ) Hierarchy , is a Matter , that deserves to be tak'n into our serious and most deliberate Thoughts .

And tho' I firmly believe , that our Blessed Saviour has appointed an Order of Men , which shall continue , ev'n to the End of the World , to preach his Gospel , and administer his Holy Sacraments , and I earnestly desire , that my Tongue may cleave to the Roof of my Mouth , if I don't prefer 'em before Multitudes of those , who , thro' the Influence of Satan , the cursed Policy of the Church of Rome , the Disorder of their Bodies , their wretched Ignorance of the happy Settlement of the sacred Canon , or the Reputation they expect to gain , by affecting to make high Pretences , to new Light , and immediate Inspiration ; yet I am far from thinking , that the Christian Religion was design'd to feed the boundless Ambition , and in so extravagant a Manner to raise the Reputation , and support the External Grandeur of the Clergy .

And if the Scriptures shou'd be frequently and seriously consider'd by all , to whom its Precepts , Promises , and Threatnings are directed , if the designing Priests of the Church of Rome are guilty of a notorious Crime , in pretending , that the common People shou'd n't dare , to intrude into those Sacred Mysteries , that are contain'd in 'em , if they ought to lye always open for the Information and Conduct of those , who most need their Assistance , then no pious , rational , and learned Authors shou'd be deny'd the Laity , but , like the Public Service , which they pay to Almighty God , shou'd be offer'd to their Consideration , in that Language which is most familiar to 'em .

I don't affirm , that they who wou'd hinder Persons of mean Capacities , and inconsiderable , acquir'd Abilities , from enjoying the Satisfaction , and reaping the Advantage of learned Authors , are as guilty , as the Romish Priests , who deny the People , that Word which alone is able , by the Blessing of Almighty God , to make 'em holy in this World , and compleatly and eternally happy in the World to come ; tho' I think , that they , who are eminent for Learning , may , with a much better Grace , affirm , that 't is their Prerogative , to consult learned Authors , than the Popish Clergy can pretend , that the common People must be blind Votaries to the Church of Rome , that they must not understand the Language , in which their Divine Service is perform'd , and their Religion , and by consequence their Everlasting Salvation , must depend on the Qualifications , and Intention of those , who officiate for 'em .

But if 't is the Duty of the common People to read the Word of God , and to perform all their Acts of Devotion , in the Language of their Native Country , if they , who are unable , to understand the Sacred and Original Text of Scripture , shou'd have the Bible translated into a Language , that is familiar to 'em , this seems to me , to be a solid Argument , to prove , that any useful Original which they don't understand , in the Language in which the Author writ , shou'd be cloath'd in such a Dress , as may render it intelligible , and easie to 'em .

For my part , I am far from being bigotted to any ancient Authors , tho' I hope , they will be ever valu'd , in Proportion to that Vein of Sence , Learning , or Piety , which often runs , as it were , thro' the whole Body of their Discourse .

I am not such a Slave to Antiquity , as to judge it a Crime , to read the Writings of those Modern Authors , in which any Thing in its own Nature valuable , do's occur , and Sir William Temple , in his Essay upon Ancient and Modern Learning , as Ingenious and Polite a Person as he was , and as much as I am charm'd with his Writings , do's pay , I think , too great a Deference to the Ancients , and give too mean a Character of the Modern Heroes .

But whether Ancient or Late Authors do deserve the Preference , that the Encouragement of Translations shou'd be any Hindrance to the Reputation , and successful Progress ev'n of Ancient Learning , is , what I confess , after mature Deliberation , I am not able to conceive .

For as for those , who are entirely , and perhaps culpably ignorant of the Heroes of Antiquity , and have no Skill in any of the Learned Languages , 't is impossible , that Translations shou'd lessen their Esteem for those Authors , who bear the awful Stamp of very distant Periods of Time .

Nay , this is so far , from being the true State of the Case , that I do not see , 't is possible for the common People , to have any high and well-grounded Respect , for the genuine Monuments of Antiquity , but by Means of those very Translations , which they , who make the Objection , do most severely condemn .

'T is true , they may hear it reported , that the Fathers of the Primitive Church were very pious , rational , and learned Writers , but their Knowledge , or rather Opinion , is not the natural Result of their own Examination , and Judgement , and , by Consequence , the Esteem which they have , and express for 'em , must be highly irrational , or at best uncertain , and extreamly superficial .

But when any of the Ancient and Learned Authors are , as it were , rais'd from the dead , and cloath'd in a Language , which they perfectly understand , and they have carefully perus'd a Translation of 'em , by one , who , as they have Reason to believe , did perfectly understand the Language , in which the Author writ , and was Master of the Subject , and whose Fidelity they have scarce a Temptation to suspect , they then begin , to entertain a very honourable Opinion of 'em , and thank the Translator , for saving 'em the Pains , of understanding , and consulting the Original .

And as for those , who have Skill , in the learned Languages , I don't see , that a Translation of any Ancient and Considerable Authors can do 'em any real Prejudice . For certainly the Translator must be void ev'n of common Sence , and very illiterate himself , if he desires 'em to pay a greater Regard to the Translation , than they ought to pay to the Original .

This wou'd be , to prefer the Stream before the Fountain , from which it proceeds , which wou'd be monstrously absurd , and can't fairly be suppos'd , in so Judicious and Learned an Age as this . And one , who understands the Languages , is so far from being hinder'd hereby , from the Study of 'em , or discourag'd from paying 'em a due Respect , that a Translation , if it be but tolerably perform'd , is a Help to him , in consulting the Orinal , and tends , to cultivate his Skill , in the learned Language , in which the Author writ .

Besides , we must consider , that no Translator , who has common Sence , will desire , that they , who are profoundly learned , shou'd lay aside the Original , for the Sake of a Translation ; but only allow some Time , and take Pains to compare 'em , and see whether he has hit on the true Sence of the Author , and if he has really done so , the Translation must be valu'd of Course , unless the Original be esteem'd for nothing , but the Words ; which I believe , no rational Person will ever be tempted to imagine .

I shall say no more of the Benefit and Necessity of Translations in general ; but offer something concerning that Author , whom , I have , in Part , translated , with a due Regard , I hope , to the Glory of God , and the Publick Good , tho' whether I have perform'd well , or not , I must leave to the Judgment of the Learned , at whose Bar I shall think it an Honour to be arraign'd , if I have been guilty of any gross Defects , and whose Friendly Censures , I shall willingly , and ev'n thankfully undergo .