Preface to the King
James Translation of 1611 |
|
Submitted by Elder
Bill Allen |
(Not Copyrighted)
Part II The Translators To The Reader
His
Majesty's Constancy, Notwithstanding Calumniation, for the
Survey of the English Translations
This,
and more to this purpose, His Majesty that now reigneth (and
long, and long may he reign, and his offspring forever,
Himself and children, and children's children always)
knew full well, according to the singular wisdom given unto
him by God, and the rare learning and experience that he
hath attained unto; namely that whosoever attempteth
anything for the public (especially if it pertain to
Religion, and to the opening and clearing of the word of
God) the same setteth himself upon a stage to be gloated
upon by every evil eye, yea, he casteth himself headlong
upon pikes, to be gored by every sharp tongue. For he that
medleth with men's Religion in any part, medleth with their
custom, nay, with their freehold; and though they find no
content in that which they have, yet they cannot abide to
hear of altering. Notwithstanding his Royal heart was not
daunted or discouraged for this or that colour, but stood
resolute, as a statue immovable, and an anvil not easy to
be beaten into plates, as one saith; he knew who had
chosen him to be a Soldier, or rather a Captain, and being
assured that the course which he intended made much for the
glory of God, and the building up of his Church, he would
not suffer it to be broken off for whatsoever speeches or
practices. It doth certainly belong unto Kings, yea, it doth
specially belong unto them, to have care of Religion, yea,
it doth specially belong unto them, to have care of
Religion, yea, to know it aright, yea, to profess it
zealously, yea to promote it to the uttermost of their
power. This is their glory before all nations which mean
well, and this will bring unto them a far most excellent
weight of glory in the day of the Lord Jesus. For the
Scripture saith not in vain, Them that honor me, I will
honor, [1 Sam 2:30] neither was it a vain word that
Eusebius delivered long ago, that piety towards God was the
weapon, and the only weapon, that both preserved
Constantine's person, and avenged him of his enemies.
The
Praise of the Holy Scriptures
But now
what piety without truth? what truth (what saving truth)
without the word of God? What word of God (whereof we may be
sure) without the Scripture? The Scriptures we are commanded
to search. John 5:39. Isa 8:20. They are commended that
searched and studied them. Acts 17:11 and 8:28,29. They are
reproved that were unskilful in them, or slow to believe
them. Matt 22:29. Luke 24:25. They can make us wise unto
salvation. 2 Tim 3:15. If we be ignorant, they will instruct
us; if out of the way, they will bring us home; if out of
order, they will reform us; if in heaviness, comfort us; if
dull, quicken us; if cold, inflame us. Tolle, lege; Tolle,
lege, Take up and read, take up and read the Scriptures,
(for unto them was the direction) it was said unto S.
Augustine by a supernatural voice. Whatsoever is in the
Scriptures, believe me, saith the same S. Augustine,
is high and divine; there is verily truth, and a doctrine
most fit for the refreshing and renewing of men's minds, and
truly so tempered, that everyone may draw from thence that
which is sufficient for him, if he come to draw with a
devout and pious mind, as true Religion requireth. Thus
S. Augustine. And S. Jerome: Ama scripturas, et amabit te
sapientia, etc. Love the Scriptures, and wisdom will
love thee. And S. Cyril against Julian; Even boys that
are bred up in the Scriptures, become most religious, etc.
But what mention we three or four uses of the Scripture,
whereas whatsoever is to be believed or practiced, or hoped
for, is contained in them? or three or four sentences of the
Fathers, since whosoever is worthy the name of a Father,
from Christ's time downward, hath likewise written not only
of the riches, but also of the perfection of the Scripture?
I adore the fulness of the Scripture, saith
Tertullian against Hermogenes. And again, to Apelles an
heretic of the like stamp, he saith; I do not admit that
which thou bringest in (or concludest) of thine own
(head or store, de tuo) without Scripture. So Saint
Justin Martyr before him; We must know by all means,
saith he, that it is not lawful (or possible) to
learn (anything) of God or of right piety, save only
out of the Prophets, who teach us by divine inspiration.
So Saint Basil after Tertullian, It is a manifest falling
way from the Faith, and a fault of presumption, either to
reject any of those things that are written, or to bring in
(upon the head of them,
epeisagein) any of those things that are not
written. We omit to cite to the same effect, S. Cyril B.
of Jerusalem in his fouth Cataches., Saint Jerome
against Helvidius, Saint Augustine in his third book against
the letters of Petilian, and in very many other places of
his works. Also we forebear to descend to later Fathers,
because we will not weary the reader. The Scriptures then
being acknowledged to be so full and so perfect, how can we
excuse ourselves of negligence, if we do not study them, of
curiosity, if we be not content with them? Men talk much of
eiresiwnh, how many
sweet and goodly things it had hanging on it; of the
Philosopher's stone, that it turneth copper into gold; of
Cornucopia, that it had all things necessary for food in
it, of Panaces the herb, that it was good for all
diseases; of Catholicon the drug, that it is instead
of all purges; of Vulcan's armor, that it was an
armor of proof against all thrusts, and all blows, etc.
Well, that which they falsely or vainly attributed to these
things for bodily good, we may justly and with full measure
ascribe unto the Scripture, for spiritual. It is not only an
armor, but also a whole armory of weapons, both offensive
and defensive; whereby we may save ourselves and put the
enemy to flight. It is not an herb, but a tree, or rather a
whole paradise of trees of life, which bring forth fruit
every month, and the fruit thereof is for meat, and the
leaves for medicine. It is not a pot of Manna, or a
cruse of oil, which were for memory only, or for a meal's
meat or two, but as it were a shower of heavenly bread
sufficient for a whole host, be it never so great; and as it
were a whole cellar full of oil vessels; whereby all our
necessities may be provided for, and our debts discharged.
In a word, it is a Panary of wholesome food, against fenowed
traditions; a Physician's shop (Saint Basil calleth it) of
preservatives against poisoned heresies; a Pandect of
profitable laws, against rebellious spirits; a treasury of
most costly jewels, against beggarly rudiments; finally a
fountain of most pure water springing up unto everlasting
life. And what marvel? The original thereof being from
heaven, not from earth; the author being God, not man; the
inditer, the holy spirit, not the wit of the Apostles or
Prophets; the Penmen such as were sanctified from the womb,
and endued with a principal portion of God's spirit; the
matter, verity, piety, purity, uprightness; the form, God's
word, God's testimony, God's oracles, the word of truth, the
word of salvation, etc.; the effects, light of
understanding, stableness of persuasion, repentance from
dead works, newness of life, holiness, peace, joy in the
holy Ghost; lastly, the end and reward of the study thereof,
fellowship with the Saints, participation of the heavenly
nature, fruition of an inheritance immortal, undefiled, and
that never shall fade away: Happy is the man that delighteth
in the Scripture, and thrice happy that meditateth in it day
and night.
NEXT►
|