REASONS INDUCING US NOT TO STAND CURIOUSLY UPON AN IDENTITY OF PHRASING
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
commodiously? 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 superstitious, 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 Philistines, 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 yourselves. 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 blessedness in the end,
when God speaketh unto us, to hearken; when he setteth 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.
[updated 1/15/01]