TO THE ENGLISH READER.
it, to maintaine their errors. VVe had some partes in English Lib. 1. Hist. c. 47 Linvvod lib. 1.
translated by Venerable Bede: as Malmesburie witnesseth.
And Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Canturburie in a
Councel holden at Oxford, straictly ordayned, that no heretical
translation set forth by wicliffe, and his complices,
nor anie other vulgar Edition should be suffered, til it were
approued by the Ordinarie of the Diocese: alleaging S. leroms
iudgement of the difficultie & danger in translating
holie Scriptures out of one tongue into an other. And
therfore it must nedes be much more dangerous, when ignorant
people read also corrupted translations. Now since
Luther, and his folowers haue pretended, that the Catholique A calumnious suggestion of Lutheranes.
Romane faith and doctrine, should be contrarie
to Gods written word, & that the Scriptures were not suffered
in vulgar languages, lest the people should see the truth,
& vvithal these new maisters corruptly turning the Scriptures
into diuers tongues, as might best serue their owne opinions:
against this false suggestion, and practise, Catholique
Pastores haue, for one especial remedie, set forth true
and sincere Translations in most languages of the Latin
Church. But so, that people must read them with licence
of their spiritual superior, as in former times they were in
like sort limited. Such also of the Laitie, yea & of the meaner
lerned Clergie, as were permitted to read holie Scriptures,
did not presume to interprete hard places, nor high
Mysteries, much lesse to dispute and contend, but leauing
the discussion therof to the more lerned, searched rather, VVhat part of Scriptures be most conuenient for vulgar readers.
and noted the godlie and imitable examples of good life,
and so lerned more humilitie, obedience, hatred of sinne,
feare of God, zele of Religion, and other vertues. And
thus holie Scriptures may be rightly vsed in anie tongue, to
teach, to argue, to correct, to instruct in iustice, that the man of 2 Tim 3.
God may be perfect, and (as S. Paul addeth) instructed to euerie
good vvorke, when men laboure rather to be doers of Gods Jac. 1.
wil & vvord, then readers or hearers only, deceiuing themselues.
