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. 3. Will you see more yet to this purpose? In the English Bible printed the yeare 1562. you reade thus: Howe* 1.1 agreeth the Temple of God with images? Can we be i∣gnorant of Satans cogitations herein, that it was translated of

purpose to delude the simple people & to make them beleue that the Apostle speaketh against sacred images in the Churches, which were then in plucking downe in Englande, when this your translation was first published in print? Whereas in very truth you know, that the Apostle here partely interpreteth him selfe to* 1.2 speake of men, as of Gods temples wherein he dwelleth, partely alludeth to Salomons Temple, which did very well agree with i∣mages (for it had the Cherubins, which were the representations of Angels, & the figures of oxen to beare up the lauatory) but with idols it could not agree: and therefore the Apostles words are these, How agreeth the Temple of God with idols?

FVLK. 3. We had neede to see more, before we be conuicted of corruption: for hitherto we haue seene no∣thing, but a folish cauill, groūded vpon the cōmon vse of the word idol in English, in which speach it is takē only for vnlawful images, although in the Greeke it signifieth as generally, as Imago in Latin, & by Tully him selfe is v∣sed for the same. But in the English Bible printed 1562. we read thus 2. Cor. 6. How agreeth the tēple of God with images? Here you can not be ignorant of Satans cogita∣tiōs, that it was translated of purpose, to make the simple people beleue, that the Apostle speaketh against sacred images in churches, which were then in plucking downe in Englande when this translation was first published in print. You are so cunning in Satans cogitations, that he hath inspired into you a manifest vntrueth: for this text was so translated, & printed nere 30. yeres before 1562. in King Henrie the eightes time, when images were not in plucking downe. And when it was printed againe 1562. which was the fifth yere of her Maiesties reigne (God be thāked) there was no neede to plucke downe images out of churches, which were pluckt downe in the first and se∣cōd yeres of her reigne. Wherfore that purpose is vainly imagined of you, for the trāslaters purpose was the same that the Apostles: to shew that the religion of God, hath nothing to do with images, made by mans deuise▪ to ho∣nor them as gods, or to honor God by them. And where

you say that the Apostle alludeth to Salomons temple, which did well agree with images, but not with idols: I answere you, Salomons tēple did not agree with images made by the deuise of man, to honour God by them, or in thē. For the Cherubins were not of mans deuise: but of Gods commaundemēt: the oxen to hold vp the laua∣tory, the pomegranats, & other ornaments, were not for any vse of religion to worship God in them, or by them, but for vse & garnishing of the house appointed by God in his law, and by direction of his spirit in Salomon. For the commaundement, Thou shalt not make to thy selfe, is no restraint vnto God, but vnto men of their owne braine, or priuate intent, to make images to serue in re∣ligion. Therefore the Apostle speaking of suche images as were forbidden by Gods lawe, is not otherwise to be vnderstoode, and no more is our translation.

Notes

• * 1.1

  2. Cor. 6.
• * 1.2

  Salomōs Tēple did vvell agree vvith images, but not vvith idols.