fame reproaches, from Mariana the Jefuit, and from Genebrand, tho' the Popes, Leo the X, Adrian the VI, and Clement the VII, had back'd it with their Authority.

Nor did Erafmus meet with better treat ment, upon the account of his Version of the New Teftament according to the Greek, from Martin Dorpius at Lovain; from Edward Leigh an Englishman, from James Stunica a Spaniard, and from Peter Sutor a Divine of Paris, notwithstanding it had the Approbation of Pope Leo the X, and that it had efcap'd the Cenfure even of the Spanish Inquifitors.

The Tranflations of Junius, and Tremellius, and Beza, were no better receiv'd at firft, in feveral places. Our English Divines prohibited the felling of the former, unless their Cenfure thereof was bound in with it, which bore, that it was not to be look'd upon as an exact Verfion, but as a Paraphrafe; and that the Anno tations on it were to pafs only for the Opinions of Men, where there were feveral things not to be approved. This Cenfure past at London, in the Year 1593. Beza's Verfion had much the fame fate. In fine, every one knows how the Archbishop of Paris, and the Jejuits proceeded

against

against the Gentlemen of the Port-Royal, for having dar'd to Publish a Verfion of the New Teftament according to the Greek, in the year 1667.

Nevertheless Juftice has been done at length to all thofe Verfions; and it has been acknowledg'd, that the amendments and alterations which they had made according to the Original, were not only useful, but also abfolutely neceffary. Which gives Ground to hope, that it would still be acceptable to endeavour to give a more exact Tranflation of the Bible, than any that has hitherto appear'd. And indeed it were to be Wilh'd, that those who are in Power, did imploy Men of true Learning and Solid Piety, Free from Bigottry and blind Zeal, in fo noble and neceffary a Work.

CHAR

CHAP. V.

Of the neceffity of Revising and Correting the former Tranflations, and that a Tranflation is rather to keep to the Senfe than to the Letter.

A'

LL the Jewish Versions of the Old Teftament have this Defect, that by keeping too close to the Letter of the Original, it is almost impoffible to understand them. Nay, the Generality of Chriftian Tranflators have likewife fallen into the fame fault, even with refpect to the New Teftament, which they have often made to fpeak Hebrew and Greek in their own Language, fticking fometimes by the very Etymologies of Words, without confidering, that it can be only excufable in School-boys, to Tranflate after that manner.

It must certainly be acknowledg'd, that every Language has its particular Graces and Proprieties, and that the Eaftern Tongues especially, whofe Stile the Greek of the New Teftament has in ma

my

ny places imitated, have ways of expreffing, which are relative to the Manners and Customs of the Levant, that would be Silly and Ridiculous, if they are not rendred according to the Analogy and Refemblance which they have with the Languages into which they are Translated: Because it feldom happens, that two Languages do agree in their Turn and Phrafe, and that fo a too literal Tranflation, would be fo far from expreffing the Sence of the Original, with that force and purity in which 'twas first Writ, that it would quite disfigure it, rob it of its true Ornaments, and make it speak oftentimes the quite contrary of what the Author defign'd.

1

Indeed, a literal Tranflation of the Bible might be of fome ufe to them that would learn the Hebrew, and the Language of the Synagogue, which the Authors of the New Teftament fpoke, because they render the Hebrew or Syriack Word for Word. This is the only reafon that Pagninus gives in the Preface of his Verfion, for having taken this method of Tranflating, and 'tis indeed the only pretext that can be alleag'd for it. But a Verfion fhould not propose to it self to teach its Readers the Language

of

of its Original: There are Grammars, and Dictionaries enough, appointed for that purpose: Its principal defign fhould be, to make them understand the meaning of its Authors, otherwise it will unavoidably fall into nonfenfical Rhapsodies, and give occafion for Wild and Extravagant Fancies.

verb. Dem

St. Auftin relates a remarkable Story to this purpose. He was Preaching on a certain occafion, on Mat. 11. 22. which Serm. 8.dé the Vulgar Latine renders, I confess to fes. Mast thee O Father, &c. and he had no fooner read the first Words of his Text, than his Hearers fell a beating of their Breasts according to the custom of those that confeft their Sins in his time; which gave him occafion to blame them for having taken too much notice of the Words, without confidering their meaning; telling them they were Words of Thanksgiving in this place, being exprefs'd by Our Bleffed Saviour, who had never Sin'd, and De vera confequently, had no need of Confeffion. Rel. c. so The fame Father often acknowledges, that Chriftians are indifpenfibly obliged, to inftruct themselves in the true Senfe of the Scripture Phrafes, and to bring them to ways of speaking us'd in their Mother Tongue; because all Lan

guages