But here an other question may be proposed: Why we Why we translate the old Latin text.
translate the Latin text, rather then the Hebrew, or Greke,
which Protestantes preferre, as the fountaine tongues,
wherin holie Scriptures were first written? To this we
answer, that if in dede those first pure Editions were now More pure then the Hebrew or Greke now extant.
extant, or if such as be extant, were more pure then the Latin,
we would also preferre such fountaines before the riuers,
in whatsoeuer they should be found to disagree. But
the ancient best lerned Fathers, & Doctors of the Church, Tertulliā li. 5. cont Marcion S. Ambrose. li. 3 deSpirit. San. c. 11 S. Ieron: li. 1. con. Iouiniā.
do much complaine, and testifie to vs, that both the Hebrew
and Greke Editions are fouly corrupted by Iewes,
and Heretikes, since the Latin was truly translated out of
them, whiles they were more pure. And that the same Latin
hath bene farre better conserued from corruptions. So
that the old Vulgate Latin Edition hath bene preferred,
and vsed for most authentical aboue a thousand and three
hundered yeares. For by this verie terme S. Ierom calleth
that Version the vulgate or common, which he conferred with in 49. Isaiae.
the Hebrew of the old Testament, and with the Greke
of the New; which he also purged from faultes committed by
writers, rather amending then translating it. Though in li. 20. c. 24 mora. Epist. dedicat. ad Leandr. li. 2. Doct Christ. c. 14. lib. 6. Etymol. c. 5. & li. 1 de Diuin offic. c. 12.
regard of this amending, S. Gregorie calleth it the new versiō
of S. Ierom: who neuertheles in an other place calleth the
self same, the old Latin Edition, iudging it most worthy to be
folowed. S. Augustin calleth it the Italian. S. Isidorus witnesseth Receiued by al Churches.
that S. Ierom; version was receiued and approued by al
Christian Churches. Sophronius also a most lerned man, Turned into Greke.
seing S. Ieroms Edition so much estemed, not only of the
Latines, but also of the Grecians, turned the Psalter & Prophetes,
out of the same Latin into Greke. Of latter times
what shal we nede to recite other most lerned men? S. Bede
S. Anselme, S. Bernard, S. Thomas, S. Bonauenture, & the
rest? Who al vniformly allege this only text as authentical.
In so much that al other Latin Editions, which S. Ierom Prefat. in Iosue.
saith were in his time almost innumerable, are as it were
