A defense of the sincere and true translations of the holie Scriptures into the English tong against the manifolde cauils, friuolous quarels, and impudent slaunders of Gregorie Martin, one of the readers of popish diuinitie in the trayterous Seminarie of Rhemes. By William Fvlke D. in Diuinitie, and M. of Pembroke haule in Cambridge. Wherevnto is added a briefe confutation of all such quarrels & cauils, as haue bene of late vttered by diuerse papistes in their English pamphlets, against the writings of the saide William Fvlke.

MART. 50. Againe concerning the worde, Iustificati∣ons, which in the Scripture very often signifie the commaun∣dements, he saith thus, The Greeke interpreters of the Bi∣ble (meaning the Septuaginta) applieth this worde to sig∣nifie the whole Lawe of God, and therefore commonly it is wont to be translated worde for worde, Iustificatio∣nes: which interpretation therefore only I reiected, that I might take away this occasion also of cauilling against iustification by faith, and so for, iustificationes, he put∣teth constituta, Tullies worde forsooth, as he saith. Can you haue a more playne tèstimonie of his heretic all purpose?

FVLK. 50. Concerning the Greeke worde 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which Beza translateth Constitutionibus, constituti∣ons, and you confesse that in Scripture it doth very often signifie the commaundements. He sayth first, that as the whole Lawe of God is diuided into three partes, Morall,

Ceremoniall, and Iudiciall, so the Hebrewes haue three seuerall words, to expresse the seueral precepts of those lawes. For the Hebrew word which signifieth the Cere∣moniall precepts, the Greekes vse to translate 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. So the sense is, that Zacharie, and Elisabeth were iust, walking in all the Morall commaundements, and ob∣seruing the holy rites, and ceremonies, as much as con∣cerned them: but the thirde worde, which signifieth Iudgements, S. Luke doth not adde, because the exer∣cise of Iudiciall cases, did not belong vnto them, being priuate persons. After this he saith, that the Greeke Interpreters of the Bible, transferred this worde, vnto the whole lawe of God, and especially to the holy ce∣remonies: so verily, exceedingly commending the law, that it is a certaine rule of all iustice. And therefore men are wont, commonly in respect of the worde, to turne it, Iustifications. And this worde in this place, Beza in deede confesseth, that he refused to vse, for auoyding of cauillations against iustification by fayth, seeing he hath none other worde, neither woulde he for offence, seeke any newe worde, to expresse iustification by faith, whereas the worde 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in this text, Luc. 1. verse 6. signifieth not that, by which they were made iust, but the commaundements or precepts of God, by walking in which, they were declared to be iust. For by the workes of the lawe (such as Saint Luke here speaketh of) no fleshe shall be iustified before God. Therefore 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in this place, must haue an other sense, than iustifications, namely, commaundements, as you saye it is often taken, or constitutions, as Beza calleth them, which before God and the worlde, are not of suche difference, that you shoulde charge him with wilfull corruption, for translating that word con∣stitutions, which you confesse, signifieth very often, commaundements. Wherefore here appeareth no he∣reticall purpose, except you will say, that iustification by faith, which S. Paule so often, so diligently, and so pur∣posedly

doth teach, is an heresie.

Notes

• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• Luc. 1. v. 6.