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MSG_KJV.07
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1994-02-11
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>>> Continued from previous message
A SATISFACTION TO OUR BRETHREN
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And to the same effect say we, that we are so far off from con-
demning any of their labors that travailed before us in this kind,
either in this land or beyond sea, either in King Henry's time, or
King Edward's (if there were any translation, or correction of a
translation in his time) or Queen Elizabeth's of ever renowned
memory, that we acknowledge them to have been raised up of God, for
the building and furnishing of his Church, and that they deserve to
be had of us and of posterity in everlasting remembrance. The judg-
ment of Aristotle is worthy and well known: "If Timotheus had not
been, we had not had much sweet music; but if Phrynis [Timotheus
his master] had not been, we had not had Timotheus." Therefore
blessed be they, and most honoured be their name, that break the
ice, and giveth onset upon that which helpeth forward to the saving
of souls. Now what can be more available thereto, than to deliver
God's book unto God's people in a tongue which they understand?
Since of a hidden treasure, and of a fountain that is sealed, there
is no profit, as Ptolemy Philadelph wrote to the Rabbins or masters
of the Jews, as witnesseth Epiphanius: [S. Epiphan. loco ante citato.]
and as S. Augustine saith; "A man had rather be with his dog than
with a stranger (whose tongue is strange unto him)." [S. Augustin.
lib. 19. de civil. Dei. c. 7.] Yet for all that, as nothing is
begun and perfected at the same time, and the later thoughts are
thought to be the wiser: so, if we building upon their foundation
that went before us, and being holpen by their labours, do endeavor
to make that better which they left so good; no man, we are sure,
hath cause to mislike us; they, we persuade ourselves, if they were
alive, would thank us. The vintage of Abienzer, that strake the
stroke: yet the gleaning of grapes of Ephraim was not to be des-
pised. See Judges 8:2. Joash the king of Israel did not satisfy
himself, till he had smitten the ground three times; and yet he
offended the Prophet, for giving over then. [2 Kings 13:18-19]
Aquila, of whom we spake before, translated the Bible as carefully,
and as skilfully as he could; and yet he thought good to go over it
again, and then it got the credit with the Jews, to be called
accurately done, as Saint Jerome witnesseth. [S. Jerome. in Ezech.
cap. 3.] How many books of profane learning have been gone over
again and again, by the same translators, by others? Of one and
the same book of Aristotle's Ethics, there are extant not so few
as six or seven several translations. Now if this cost may be
bestowed upon the gourd, which affordeth us a little shade, and
which today flourisheth, but tomorrow is cut down; what may we
bestow, nay what ought we not to bestow upon the Vine, the fruit
whereof maketh glad the conscience of man, and the stem whereof
abideth forever? And this is the word of God, which we translate.
"What is the chaff to the wheat, saith the Lord?" [Jer 23:28]
Tanti vitreum, quanti verum margaritum (saith Tertullian,) [Tertul.
ad Martyr.] if a toy of glass be of that reckoning with us, how
ought we to value the true pearl? [Jerome. ad Salvin.] Therefore
let no man's eye be evil, because his Majesty's is good; neither
let any be grieved, that we have a Prince that seeketh the increase
of the spiritual wealth of Israel (let Sanballats and Tobiahs do
so, which therefore do bear their just reproof) but let us rather
bless God from the ground of our heart, for working this religious
care in him, to have the translations of the Bible maturely con-
sidered of and examined. For by this means it cometh to pass,
that whatsoever is sound already (and all is sound for substance,
in one or other of our editions, and the worst of ours far better
than their authentic vulgar) the same will shine as gold more
brightly, being rubbed and polished; also, if anything be halting,
or superfluous, or not so agreeable to the original, the same may
be corrected, and the truth set in place. And what can the King
command to be done, that will bring him more true honour than this?
and wherein could they that have been set a work, approve their
duty to the King, yea their obedience to God, and love to his
Saints more, than by yielding their service, and all that is within
them, for the furnishing of the work? But besides all this, they
were the principal motives of it, and therefore ought least to
quarrel it: for the very Historical truth is, that upon the im-
portunate petitions of the Puritans, at his Majesty's coming to
this Crown, the Conference at Hampton Court having been appointed
for hearing their complaints: when by force of reason they were
put from other grounds, they had recourse at the last, to this
shift, that they could not with good conscience subscribe to the
Communion book, since it maintained the Bible as it was there
translated, which was as they said, a most corrupted translation.
And although this was judged to be but a very poor and empty shift;
yet even hereupon did his Majesty begin to bethink himself of the
good that might ensue by a new translation, and presently after
gave order for this Translation which is now presented unto thee.
Thus much to satisfy our scrupulous Brethren.
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