Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/1611_kjv/msg-kjv.12

Text File | 1994-02-11 | 6KB | 94 lines

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             REASONS INDUCING US NOT TO STAND
          CURIOUSLY UPON AN IDENTITY OF PHRASING
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     Another things we think good to admonish thee of (gentle Reader)
that we have not tied ourselves to an uniformity of phrasing, or to
an identity of words, as some peradventure would wish that we had done,
because they observe, that some learned men somewhere, have been as
exact as they could that way.  Truly, that we might not vary from the
sense of that which we had translated before, if the word signified
that same in both places (for there be some words that be not the same
sense everywhere) we were especially careful, and made a conscience,
according to our duty.  But, that we should express the same notion
in the same particular word; as for example, if we translate the
Hebrew or Greek word once by PURPOSE, never to call it INTENT; if one
where JOURNEYING, never TRAVELING; if one where THINK, never SUPPOSE;
if one where PAIN, never ACHE; if one where JOY, never GLADNESS, etc.
Thus to mince the matter, we thought to savour more of curiosity than
wisdom, and that rather it would breed scorn in the Atheist, than
bring profit to the godly Reader.  For is the kingdom of God to become
words or syllables?  why should we be in bondage to them if we may be
free, use one precisely when we may use another no less fit, as commo-
diously?  A godly Father in the Primitive time showed himself greatly
moved, that one of newfangledness called [NOTE: Greek omitted but was
a dispute over the word for "a bed"] [Niceph. Calist. lib.8. cap.42.]
though the difference be little or none; and another reporteth that he
was much abused for turning "Cucurbita" (to which reading the people
had been used) into "Hedera". [S. Jerome in 4. Ionae. See S. Aug: epist.
10.]  Now if this happens in better times, and upon so small occasions,
we might justly fear hard censure, if generally we should make verbal
and unnecessary changings.  We might also be charged (by scoffers)
with some unequal dealing towards a great number of good English words.
For as it is written of a certain great Philosopher, that he should
say , that those logs were happy that were made images to be worshipped;
for their fellows, as good as they, lay for blocks behind the fire: so
if we should say, as it were, unto certain words, Stand up higher, have
a place in the Bible always, and to others of like quality, Get ye hence,
be banished forever, we might be taxed peradventure with S. James his
words, namely, "To be partial in ourselves and judges of evil thoughts."
Add hereunto, that niceness in words was always counted the next step to
trifling, and so was to be curious about names too: also that we cannot
follow a better pattern for elocution than God himself; therefore he
using divers words, in his holy writ, and indifferently for one thing
in nature: [see Euseb. li. 12. ex Platon.] we, if we will not be super-
stitious, may use the same liberty in our English versions out of Hebrew
and Greek, for that copy or store that he hath given us.  Lastly, we
have on the one side avoided the scrupulosity of the Puritans, who leave
the old Ecclesiastical words, and betake them to other, as when they put
WASHING for BAPTISM, and CONGREGATION instead of CHURCH: as also on the
other side we have shunned the obscurity of the Papists, in their AZIMES,
TUNIKE, RATIONAL, HOLOCAUSTS, PRAEPUCE, PASCHE, and a number of such like,
whereof their late Translation is full, and that of purpose to darken the
sense, that since they must needs translate the Bible, yet by the language
thereof, it may be kept from being understood.  But we desire that the
Scripture may speak like itself, as in the language of Canaan, that it
may be understood even of the very vulgar.

     Many other things we might give thee warning of (gentle Reader) if
we had not exceeded the measure of a Preface already.  It remaineth,
that we commend thee to God, and to the Spirit of his grace, which is
able to build further than we can ask or think.  He removeth the scales
from our eyes, the vail from our hearts, opening our wits that we may
understand his word, enlarging our hearts, yea correcting our affections,
that we may love it to the end.  Ye are brought unto fountains of living
water which ye digged not; do not cast earth into them with the Philis-
tines, neither prefer broken pits before them with the wicked Jews. [Gen
26:15. Jer 2:13.]  Others have laboured, and you may enter into their
labours; O receive not so great things in vain, O despise not so great
salvation! Be not like swine to tread under foot so precious things,
neither yet like dogs to tear and abuse holy things.  Say not to our
Saviour with the Gergesites, Depart out of our coast [Matt 8:34];
neither yet with Esau sell your birthright for a mess of pottage [Heb
12:16].  If light be come into the world, love not darkness more than
light; if food, if clothing be offered, go not naked, starve not your-
selves.  Remember the advice of Nazianzene, "It is a grievous thing"
(or dangerous) "to neglect a great fair, and to seek to make markets
afterwards:" also the encouragement of S. Chrysostom, "It is altogether
impossible, that he that is sober" (and watchful) "should at any time
be neglected:" [S. Chrysost. in epist. ad Rom. cap. 14. oral. 26.]
Lastly, the admonition and menacing of S. Augustine, "They that despise
God's will inviting them, shall feel God's will taking vengeance of
them." [S. August. ad artic. sibi falso object. Artic. 16.]  It is a
fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God; [Heb 10:31]
but a blessed thing it is, and will bring us to everlasting blessed-
ness in the end, when God speaketh unto us, to hearken; when he set-
teth his word before us, to read it; when he stretcheth out his hand
and calleth, to answer, Here am I, here we are to do thy will, O God.
The Lord work a care and conscience in us to know him and serve him,
that we may be acknowledged of him at the appearing of our Lord Jesus
Christ, to whom with the holy Ghost, be all praise and thanksgiving.
Amen.

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