A replie to Iesuit Fishers answere to certain questions propou[n]ded by his most gratious Matie: King Iames By Francis White D: of Div· deane of Carlile, chaplaine to his Matie. Hereunto is annexed, a conference of the right: R:B: of St Dauids wth the same Iesuit*

IESVIT.

As for the comfort that some few want, in that they do not so perfectly vnderstand the particulars of diuine Seruice, it may by other meanes bee aboundantly supplied, [ C] without turning the publique Liturgies into innumerable vulgar languages, which would bring a mightie confusion into the Christian Church.

First, the whole Church should not be able to iudge of the Liturgie of euerie countrie, when differences arise about the Translation thereof, so diuers errours and here∣sies may creepe into particular countries, and the whole Church neuer able to take notice of them. [ D]

Secondly, particular countries could not be certaine that they haue the Scripture truely translated; for thereof they can haue no other assured proofe, but onely the Churches approbation, nor can she approoue what she doth not vn∣derstand.

Thirdly, were vulgar Translations, so many as there be languages in the world, it could not be otherwise but that some would be in many places ridiculous, incongru∣ous, [ E] and full of mistakings, to the great preiudice of soules, specially, in languages that haue no great extents, nor many learned men that naturally speakethem.

Fourthly, the Liturgies would be often changed toge∣ther

with the language, which doth much alter in euerie [ A] age, as experience sheweth.

Fiftly, in the same countrie, by reason of different dia∣lects, some prouinces vnderstand not one another. And in the island of Iaponia, as some write, there is one language for noble men, another for rustickes, another for men, an∣other for women. Into what language then should the Iaponian Liturgie be turned?

Finally, by this vulgar vse of Liturgie, the studie of [ B] the two learned languages would bee giuen ouer, and in short time come to be extinct, as we see that no antient lan∣guage now remaines in humane knowledges, but such as haue beene as it were incorporated in the publique Litur∣gies of the Church, and the common vse of learned tongues being extinct, there would follow want of meanes for Christians to meet in generall Councells, to communicate one with another in matters of Faith. Jn a word, extreame [ C] Barbarisme would be brought vpon the world.

Notes

• Turselin. in vita Za∣uerij.