Synodicon in Gallia reformata, or, The acts, decisions, decrees, and canons of those famous national councils of the reformed churches in France being I. a most faithful and impartial history of the rise, growth, perfection and decay of the reformation in that kingdom, with its fatal catastrophe upon the revocation of the Edict of Nants in the year 1685 : II. the confession of faith and discipline of those churches : III. a collection of speeches, letters, sacred politicks, cases of conscience, and controversies in divinity, determined and resolved by those grave assemblies : IV. many excellent expedients for preventing and healing schisms in the churches and for re-uniting the dismembred body of divided Protestants : V. the laws, government, and maintenance of their colleges, universities and ministers, together with their exercise of discipline upon delinquent ministers and church-members : VI. a record of very many illustrious events of divine providence relating to those churches : the whole collected and composed out of original manuscript acts of those renowned synods : a work never be extant in any language.

CHAP. XXX. A Letter of Monsieur du Moulin, Pastor and Professor of Sedan, sent unto the National Synod of Alanson, in the year 1637. concerning the Books of the Sieurs Amyraud and Testard.

Messieurs, and most Honoured Fathers and Brethren,

UNderstanding from good Hands, That my Pains and Labour in the Defence of the Truth, is very much blamed by persons of a contrary Perswasion; I believed, that as that Treatise Composed by me through the occasion of these new Controversies was submitted unto your Judgment, so it was my Duty to undertake my own Justification, and to wipe off those Reproaches wherewith I had been aspersed. They say that I might have done well, not to have medled with this Quarrel, and that I am a Fellow who love to be embroyl'd, and to fish in troubled Waters, and who do pre∣sumptuously

take upon me, to prescribe my own private Notions as infalli∣ble Oracles. You know, Sirs, that Messieurs Amyraud and Testard, have kindled this fire, which hath caused all this noise and hubbub; and that 'tis they who have fill'd all our Churches with those Books, which in a very ill hour, do remove the antient bounds by their new fangled Doctrines about the most important points of our Religion, and that Monsieur Amyraud hath sent forth his Book of Predestination, without ever submitting it to be examined by his Province, or so much as waiting for its Approbation by them; and that since that time, contrary to the Advice of two Provinces, and contrary to the Promise made by him unto Messieurs Vincent, and du Soul, he hath caused some certain Sermons of his, containing the very self-same Doctrine, to be Printed. It was a long time before I stirred, hoping that this Commotion would have calmed of it self, and have found none to approve it. But being well informed, That this Distemper grew worse and worse, and that this Sparkle might cause a great Conflagration, I fear∣ed, lest my Silence on such an urgent occasion, might be interpreted for want of Zeal unto the Truth, and be taken for an Approbation of their Errors. I have none, nor will I have any Quarrels with the Persons of those Gentlemen, but only with their Doctrines. It cannot be but ill re∣sented, that they should be permitted to Publish unto the World from the Press a new Doctrine, and that it should be a Crime in me to Refute it in Manuscript. I went about this Work with a great deal of Grief, having nothing that lay heavier upon my heart, or was more contrary to my Temper, than to contend with my Brethren in the Work of the Lord; especially now that my Age calls for Repose, and that I am daily waiting for my Dissolu∣tion. But I saw the Evil to be so great, and its consequences so dange∣rous, that I counted my self bound in Conscience to defend the Cause of God, and to endeavour to discover the very bottom of the Imposture, and the hidden Nature of it. I very well know that your Assembly is made up of Persons of clearer and more piercing Judgments than my self, nor would I be so presumptuous as to take upon me to be your Teacher; but in what I have done, I have satisfaction from my own Conscience, nor durst I be wanting in my Duty unto God, and the defence of his Cause. But these Gentlemen, who complain of me, were not contented to keep within these Limits. For besides the Printed Books wherein they have spread abroad their Doctrine, they have now very lately Published a Treatise against me under the Name of Monsieur Vignier, a Copy of which was sent unto the Provincial Synod of the Isle of France. And I do not question but that they have disperst them elsewhere, far and near. I am also advised, That Messieurs Amyraud and Testard, do complain very much of a little Script of mine, dictated not in the Publick School, but in my private Chamber un∣to some few Scholars, wherein I have changed their Names, one of them into Greek, and the other into Latin, which I did out of fear, lest if it should fall into the hands of any of the Romish Church, they might understand my Discourse, and learn out the Persons with whom I disputed; of which little Treatise I never Communicated a Copy unto any one. And understanding that these Gentlemen take this exchange of their Names in ill part, I have Composed another more ample and exact than the former, unto which I have set their Names, that so I might give them content. You be too Prudent not to observe that these Gentlemen do play at Tarriers with you, and whilst they amuse you with Triftes, their design is to take you off from diving into the bottom of their Doctrines, and to divert you with idle Stories of my Practice and Custom, instead of maintaining their own Cause. 'Tis but a small matter to change a French Name into Latin, if compared with what they have done in changing the very Nature

of God, of the Law, and of the Gospel. I am informed, that they make great out-cries, for that, in certain Letters written by me to Monsieur de la Millitierre, I told him they endeavoured to make a new Religion, a Hotch-potch of Popery and Cameronianism. But let me not be misappre∣hended, 'twas never in my thoughts to charge the Doctrine of Monsieur Ca∣meron, who is now at rest, with Heresy, or that he intended to Model out a new Religion: I only spake the Sence and Intention of de la Milletierre, and the mark at which he aimed. For he endeavours from the Doctrine of Monsieur Cameron, to frame a new Religion, and never speaks of him but as of an Oracle, as of a most incomparable Person. When we say that the Lutherans are equally bent, both against Popery and Calvinism, we do not thereby understand that Calvin was the Author of a new Religion. I Honour the Memory of Monsieur Cameron, and when there was need, I defended it. But yet I am truly of that mind, That he had done very well, if he had never over-turned the Order of God's Decrees, as they were Explained and Asserted by the Synod of Dort, and Approved by all the Reformed Churches of Europe, and particularly by three National Synods at home; which he had never done, if he had soberly and seriously consi∣dered the consequences of his own Tanents. For this new Method of his, is that very Foundation upon which the Arminians have built all their Doctrines. Nor can any one deny it, but that one third part at least of all Cameron's Works is spent in the Confutation of Calvin, Beza, and the rest of our most Famous Doctors. Yet notwithstanding these his Blemishes, we are not to despise those Gifts and Graces God had so plentifully bestowed upon him; and when I read his Works, I cannot find that Doctrine, which is now vented by those, who boast themselves to be his Disciples and Fol∣lowers, and cover themselves with the Shield of his Authority. I cannot find where he saith, That the distinct knowledge of Jesus Christ is not ne∣cessary to Salvation, nor that he saith, That Jesus Chrict died equally and alike for all Men; nor doth he Teach, That the Reprobates may be Saved if they will, or that God hath Counsels and Decrees which may be frustra∣ted, and shall never obtain their effect; nor farther can I find where he saith, That God hath taken away from Men their Natural Impotency to be∣lieve, and convert themselves to him; nor that he reduceth the Efficacious∣ness of the Regenerating Spirit to a variable suasion; yea I find most ex∣press Protestations to the contrary, insomuch that these Gentlemen; under pretence of Honouring, do Defame him, wronging his Name and Memory, in making him the Author and Father of these wicked Doctrines. But the most grievous Accusation of all lags yet behind, for these Gentlemen tax me for calumniating them, by attributing things unto them which they never did, spoke, nor thought. Now although this their Complaint be unjust, yet have I great reason to give thanks unto God Almighty, that they be ashamed of their own Doctrine, and that by disavowing these Points so clearly taught by them, they make Semblance as if they were about to give Peace unto the Church, which they have so very much disturbed, and that they were returning once again into the good old way. I shall be exceeding glad that your Holy Assembly may accept of their Explanations of their Sentiments, tho' they will be hard enough, and there be very little appearance of it, and that their Retractation may be taken for an Explication, that so their Ho∣nour may be secured, provided they do re-unite themselves with you; upon these conditions I would willingly suffer them to repute me a Liar, so that they might be found honest men and true. However that I may be cleared from all suspicions of being a Reproacher and Calumniator, I have extracted with very much Faithfulness, some few passages out of their Writings, which I now lay open before you, that you may Judge whether I have Calum∣niated

them, and whether such Doctrines as theirs may be endured. For my part I am of that mind, That I need not at all trouble my self about these Accusations, because that many Provincial Synods, and many Professors and Pastors of Foreign Churches and Ʋniversities do join themselves with me, in making the very self-same Complaints; and do also accuse them of those very Errors; particularly my Reverend Colleagues, the Worthy Pa∣stors and Professors in this our City of Sedan, as you will see by this Writing, unanimously Subscribed by us all, and sent unto you, which we most humbly intreat you to take into your Godly Consideration. For if you should content your selves with a meer allaying of these Controversies, and an Imposal of Silence on both Parties, you will leave the Spirits of Men in suspence, and put Error in the same Rank and Degree of Reputation with Truth; and Foreign Churches and Ʋniversities, who have been concerned for these new Notions, will take your Silence, not for a condemnation of Them, but of the Truth. Nor can you hope, that witty men, who have for divers years together, laboured with an incredible ardor to maintain and promote their Doctrines, should be kept within bounds by a poor, simple Exhortation given them in an Assembly, which is no sooner broken up, but they be freed and delivered from all fear, and will be at liberty to speak and write whatever pleaseth them. If Medicines do not cure the Sick, they make them worse, and do the more irritate and increase the Distemper, We not knowing when or whether the Lord will ever favour you again with another National Assembly, it is very needful that before your Dissolution you should make use of the most Effectual Medicines, which may be useful, and serve as a Warning and Example to Posterity, and to such as under the Shroud and Covert of new Expressions, shall attempt to bring in, and set up new Doctrines. When I consider how that your Assembly is composed of persons endowed with a singular Zeal for the Truth and Glory of God, and who are richly furnished with Learning and Prudence, and who will not suffer themselves to be surprized by little Arts and crafty Sollicita∣tions; and hearing no tidings of these Gentlemens change of Language, or that they have forsook their principal Propositions, I am full of hopes that God will give good Success unto your Deliberations, and that he will use you as effectual Instruments in his hand to corroborate and confirm our Ʋnion, and by the same means to establish Truth and Concord among us all▪ May the Lord God of Truth and Peace preside in the midst of you by his Holy Spirit, and power forth abundantly upon your Persons, and Holy Work, and Ministry his best Blessings. In him I am, most Reverend, and most Honoured Brethren,

From Sedan, April 27. 1637.

Your most Humble and most Obedient Brother and Servant, Du Moulin.

A Letter of Monsieur Diodati, Pastor and Professor in the Church and Ʋniversity of Geneva, unto Messieurs, the Pastors and Elders of the Reformed Churches of France, Assembled by Permission of the King, in the National Synod of Alanson, craving their Licence and Permission for the Printing of his Latin and French Translation of the Holy Bible, together with his Annotations upon it.

Messieurs, and most Honoured Brethren,

GOd be Praised for the meeting of your Holy Assembly, from which we promise our selves an Universal Blessing to be derived down upon all your Churches, and that your Holy Discipline will be preserved and the Union and Purity of your Churches strengthed. Having now an opportunity presented me, I make bold to communicate unto you a private Affair of mine own, which hath made a great noise in the World, and according to the diversity of mens minds, hath been entertained with various and different Censures: It is my Labour on the French Bible, on which having travailed very many years, I have at length, (by the Grace of God) finished it, and after divers Revisals of it, and Conferences about it, have brought it unto Perfection, and do now only wait for a little freedom from the strong opposition of some persons made against it, that I may publish it to the World. These Men pretend the sole Judgment of the Synod of Alez, why it may not be Printed; and therefore their keenness and contradiction cannot be removed by a less Authority, than that of another National Synod, equal to it, which may receive full information, and take full cognizance of the Cause. 'Tis very true, that this being a Labour of Pure, Innocent, and Confessed Orthodoxy, of an unreproachable Fidelity, done by a Man who never ministred the least occasion to have the sincerity of his Faith questioned, and who for many years hath given unto the publick, an Essay of his small Talent in this kind of Work, a Labour only designed and devoted for private Uses and Studies, and which being the Common Right, and the Practice of the Christian Church in all Ages and Nations, methinks it should not have met with so many Oppositions, nor be necessitated to sollicit your Assem∣bly for a Licence; especially sith that the last Translation in 1588. was not only Printed, but immediately, without passing through those forms of Trial, carried up into the Pulpits, and was really the Work of one particular person, as mine is, who in this account had no Prerogative nor Privilege above me, excepting that he was deputed thereunto by our Consistory; nor was his Labour any other than a slight Revisal of what was done before, and which he himself esteemed very little, as is well known and remembred by many persons who are yet alive in this City. I do also confess unto you, that 'tis not without some kind of apprehension, that I bring now this Affair before you, whenas it is loaden with Prejudices, and destitute of those two only means for support of its Dignity, to wit, My personal presence, and a view of the whole Body of the Work. As to the first, were I now in your Synod, I could justifie the uprightness of my Intentions, and add weight and force unto my Arguments, and an∣swer satisfactorily to all Demands and Scruples, resolve Difficulties, ac∣quit and purge my self from all sinister Opinions taken up against me. But I am utterly disabled from doing these things now, and at this distance. Moreover, the sight of the Work would, for its grandeur, have excited Pity and Commiseration for the Work-man; and his faithful∣ness and diligence therein, would have acquired some favourable respect

unto the Work it self. But my fear of losing in a long Journey that one and only Copy which I have, detaineth me from sending it; and ano∣ther unexpected accident of a very long and dangerous sickness hath far∣ther hindred me from supplying that defect, by Printing divers pieces of the Old and New Testament which I resolved to have put into your hands, as an Essay of the whole; so that I have confined my self to a small Specimen of Annotations on the Books of Ecclesiastes and Canticles, which I have chosen from among the rest because of their obscurities, and per∣plexing difficulties, both in the Original Text and Sence of it. Yet not∣withstanding these considerations, that confidence I have in my God, the Author and first mover of me to this Undertaking, and who hath ena∣bled me with his special assistance to compleat the whole, will undoubted∣ly bless me with the means to bring it forth in peace, through your great Prudence and Justice, which only from you could have obstructed it. I apply my self unto you on three accounts, first, to give you a full and faithful information of the State of this Affair. Secondly, to declare unto you the grounds of my proceedings, and to resolve and answer those Objections that have been made against me: and lastly to offer unto you a just and modest request; hoping that you will kindly receive and fully believe the true Narrative of the first, and that I also shall receive reci∣procally from you the effects of the two last, through the abundance of your Charity, and Experience had of your Prudence, and Equanimity, which is peculiar unto your Assemblies. I shall therefore tell you, That the Pro∣vidence of God having inclined me in the first years of my Theological Profession; yea, and almost from my very Youth upward, to Translate and Explain the Italian Bible, I was therein so successful, and the Blessing of God did so wonderfully follow me in it, that both Jews and Christians; yea, those of the Romish Church also, and others of all Professions, con∣ceived a very great esteem for me, and the greatest Persons of this our Age, had my Poor Labours in singular recommendation, which I men∣tion not without blushing; it is the Truth which I publish to the Glory of God only. A multitude of People received instruction by it, and were generally edified; yea, and I am credibly informed from good hands, That many persons owed their Illuminations, and sincere Conversions to it; a most blessed Fruit, which never caused any Scandal or Reproach unto my self, or to any other on my account. I was from that very time, excited by a most vehement inward impulse, to Consecrate my Studies wholly unto this self-same Work in two other Languages, the French and Latin, in which I was equally skill'd, and they were, as to their use, both alike, and as it were natural to me; and Learned Men, with whom I con∣versed, advised me unanimously hereunto, because there were very many things to be added, and amended, notwithstanding the pains and dili∣gence of our Fathers; and that I should reserve the Latin Version unto my later years, because it demanded a more Consummate Judgment. Hereupon, I resolved to begin with the French, the necessity whereof was acknowledged by the National Synod held at Montauban, in the year 1590. and afterward, by very many Persons of Note and Quality. And not hearing, nor understanding that any of those Great and Learned Divines of the French Nation, did betake themselves to expound the Texts of the Sacred Scripture, or to make Annotations on those places, which did need them, excepting professed Commentators, who could but be rarely and seldom consulted with, unless in their Ordinary Lectures; very few of your Pastors having addicted themselves this way, I therefore at first inclined to frame out some brief, and solid, and perpetual Annota∣tions, which should discover at noon-day the Treasures, and hidden Sence

of the Holy Scriptures, and dissolve the knotty difficulties, and reconcile the seeming contradictions in it, and to sum up all, should serve as a guide to the right way of understanding it, and be a Fence and Barrier against Errors, and a Preservative from Seduction. For I was taught by experience, and by the example of many great Men in all Professions, that this was the most assured, shortest, and profitable method of proficiency in all Sciences, and above all in Theology; the mind being by these brief Notes fastened, as it were, unto the Spring and Centre, and not only habi∣tuated to the comprehension of the purest, highest, and strongest Points, but also to the limitation and bounding of Conceptions and Expressions. I had not proceeded far in this Task, before I perceived my labour would be unprofitable, unless I did with the same hand revise the literal Tran∣slation of the Text, that it might be adjusted suitably to those my Anno∣tations, which according to my best Judgment, I had Religiously affixed to the Text. And because I was not furnish'd with Authority to change what was in common and publick usage; and being no ways willing to concur with others in their Glosses, which would have been soon visible and apparent to the World, when we should be compared together, and for that it was easie for me to correct what was amiss in others, and to keep at a distance, by a free dissent from them, and being much displea∣sed with the deplorable deformities and botching and patching of the Vulgar Latin, I resolved to assume unto my self that liberty used by all Interpreters, which was to form the Letter of the Text into one equal Web and Style, and into a Sence agreeable to my Explications; being herein fortified by the example of Blessed Mr. Calvin, who in his French Commentaries, hath either added himself, or suffered additions to be made by his Translators unto the Text, one Text often differing from that, which was then in common use, which yet had been so fre∣quently revised by him, that he might be well reputed the Author of it. And yet I never did thus confine my self, unless in some Contexts, and matters of lesser moment. I have made no alteration in the New Testa∣ment of the best Translation, nor in that of the Old. A second thing which I note unto you, is, That I have not at all, or very little intermeddled with those Dogmatical Passages, which Cotton the Jesuit had so Calum∣niously impugned, and accused of falshood, and were so worthily defen∣ded by our late Reverend Brother, Mr. Turretin of Blessed Memory; and I do expresly mention this, because I would remove a Bug-bear, which if imagined by the World, would affright and deter them from reading these Annotations. A third thing is, That the most remarkable Altera∣tions in my Labour, are drawn from the very Margents of our common Translation, whereof Learned Men, and skill'd in these matters, have observed, that the Margin is more sound than the Text; upon which score, the Overseer of this Work would not insert those plain, common, and edifying Glosses of Monsieur Beza, nor of other great Men, who have thrust in their own, though oftentimes very extravagant, harsh, and unedifying. I should be too tedious and troublesome, most Honoured and Dear Brethren, if that by many words I should go about to perswade you to believe, that either Avarice or Covetousness, moved me to un∣dertake this Vast and Laborious Work, or love of Novelty, or affectation of Singularity, much less had that black and malignant Vice any Influ∣ence or Power over me, viz. to Eclipse and Darken the Glory of our Renowned Fathers in the Reformation, and to arrogate it wholly to my self. I am at this time of day too near the direct line of the Sun, and so disabled from ever casting any great Shadows, or to be wrapt up in such thick Mists; nor can I believe that such an ill report, tho' I have

been sensibly afflicted with its putrid breath elsewhere, should ever blast the Credit of my Sincerity with you, which as I have it imprinted powerfully upon my Conscience before God, so is it much more easie to verifie and make it good before Men, because I have Laboured without Wages, I have Wrought without any Thanks or Favour, my Works have not gotten me any Honour. I aim'd only at this mark, to make clear and limpid this Fountain of Life; my design was to help poor and needy Souls to drink largely and comfortably of it, and to make the way of Sal∣vation plain and easie unto all; and to gather up the stones out of the Lord's Field, out of the Churches Heritage, and to cleanse the Lamps of this Golden Candlestick, and to render this strong Meat pleasant to the taste, delightful, and easie of digestion; and to Consecrate this Heavenly Manna in its pot of Gold. I have Laboured to free the reading of the Holy Scriptures from some certain and yet very common abuses, which was to read it barely without observing it, or seeking out the mind of God in it, as is the practice of idle and superstitious persons; others read it only that they may gather, as in a Garden, the Flowers of some fine Sentences, without entering into the spacious Field of Truth, where they might thrust in their Sickle, and reap a full Harvest of entire and continued Doctrines and Reasonings of the Holy Ghost, to the singular contentment and satisfaction of their Souls, and by an intent Study and Meditation of them, they might store up in the Granary of their minds, an abundance of Spiritual Provisions. I have endeavoured to make it plain and easie to the simple, so that young Scholars might be furnish'd with solid and substantial conceptions, and with lively words, and so have their Spiritual Senses exercised, of which my long and sorrowful experience hath found them destitute; and whereas they were formerly patching together the pieces and labels of Secular Wisdom and Elo∣quence, or freezing in the Studies of unedifying Questions and endless Disputes, it hath been an unspeakable Comfort to me to see how many of them, and those of the best Quality have been rouzed up at the report of my Labour, and have pursued vigorously this blessed Study, hoping for assistance and comfort by my poor Travail: I am sollicited by them from all parts, to Communicate it to them as soon as possible, and they will not, as they tell me, because they love me, leave me at rest, till I have gratified them in their demands. I have made it my business to detain them within the bounds of that uniform and unvariable Analogy of Faith, and to secure them upon the guards of Sobriety and Simplicity, and to furnish them with quick and lively Explications, and to render the Holy Scripture amiable and venerable without any loftiness of expression, and to shield it from all contempt through want of a sensible taste of its great Utility; I have scattered in all parts of this Holy Field a multitude of Fruitful Instructions, and useful for the Grace of edifying; nor have I let any corner or quarter of it lie fallow for want of a familiar exposi∣tion; yea farther, I have freed it from that false Opinion of the Vul∣gar, That it contained those sublime Mysteries which infinitely transcen∣ded their capacities, and could only be penetrated by the Learned; and that it was enough for the common people, if they paid them a blind reverence, and an Ignorant Adoration. I have vindicated it from the Reproaches and Blasphemies of Prophane and Atheistical Wretches, who charge the Sacred Scripture with unreasonable extravagances, and dull, senceless Discourses, designed on purpose to bring Men into an horrid Slavery, under the notion of Divinity. These Monsters are too too frequent in our Age, tho' they mostly lurk in dark and secret places, and are afraid to discover them∣selves openly to the World. However, that these Doctors of Lyes,

together with their sorry Sophisms, might be exposed and confounded, it was necessary to exalt God's holy Word into the Throne, and to display its meridian Light, Majesty and Glory. These were, Most Reverend Bre∣thren, my first Intentions, the successfulness of which, I must leave to be manifested by God and time, the discoverer of all things; and then the oppositions I have met with, will be largely counterpoised, and my Designs and Endeavours will meet with Praise, and favourable Accep∣tance, whenas my inflexible constancy, and indefatigable perseverance shall have brought my Work to its last perfection. I have according to your Order, applied my self unto our Magistrates to gain their Licence for its Impression, and have submitted the whole to a strict and careful Examen and Revision by Judicious and Learned Persons; but with this condition, That if after they had perused it, it were approved, or should be approved upon their amendments, I may have the liberty of Prin∣ting it. For I could not, without this restriction, handsomly consent to such an unprofitable formality, which served only as an entertainment of curiosity and discourse, and to sparkle out new Alterations: And I farther craved the benefit of two Laws in this our Commonwealth, which do not only grant a Licence for Printing, but a Privilege also against all Oc∣currences, and new Translations of the Bible, and Annotations on it, pro∣vided that they have been approved. This was plainly understood from that Judicious Approbation given unto the merit of the Work, and not an Act of Arbitrary Power, or of Absolute Will and Pleasure. To this so just a demand, and of common right, some opposed an Article of the Synod of Alez, which others endeavoured to back and re-inforce by Let∣ters begged from certain Persons of great Name and Merit, who were known to be in the same Sentiments with mine Opponents, and engaged to maintain whatever had once proceeded from them; especially they would have made this pass for granted with all the World, That this Work had been generally rejected by all your Churches, not so much for the substance of it, as for its design; and that therefore it was precisely pro∣hibited. But I made it appear, that they were very much out in their reckoning, and produced several Letters from Persons of as great Qua∣lity, and more in number, who highly approved of my Undertaking, and applauded those Essays, which had gone abroad, and earnestly insist∣ed upon its Impression. I wave that Article of the Synod of Alez, be∣cause there be just exceptions against it. This Affair was only superficially and overtly treated of in it; the Provinces came not prepared for it; yea, they had not so much as been consulted about it: I was never heard, nor any one for me; that my Labour was but then a meer Embryo, as it were in its first Conceptions; that it could neither be seen nor examined; That they took for granted on erroneous supposition, viz. That I designed to eclipse or suppress our common Translation, a thought of which ne∣ver so much as came into my mind, and if I had thought it, I could ne∣ver do it. And lastly, this pretended Judgment, under which I and my Work Laboured, had no foundation in any Law, neither Antient nor Modern, neither Canon nor Civil; and therefore this Article being defective both in matter and order of Juridical Judgment, could only be admitted as a simple prudential Counsel, subject to examination by reason and second thoughts. However our Magistrate bearing a very high respect unto your Churches, and being jealous of what does any wise relate unto you, would not in the least grant me my demand, but desire that this Affair might be put off till the meeting of another Na∣tional Synod, in which I also acquiesced, but with this protestation, That after I had paid you my Duties, informed and acquainted you with my

Reasonings, I did take it for granted, that I might freely enjoy that right, which hath been from time immemorial in the Christian Church, to wit, That it hath been permitted to all those who have the gift and fa∣culty to serve the Church in this kind of Labour, as well as in any other Theological Writings; and that in case the advantage of the Laws on this account, should be denied me here, I would seek for it in some other place, where I might accomplish my design in peace; which would be very easie for me to do, considering the great number of Friends and Favourers of my poor Labours, which God hath graciously given me. 'Twas at this Post that my Affair stuck in this City; and I hope the true Narrative I have made you of it, will discharge and free me from all pre∣judices taken up against me.

I proceed now to report those Reasons with which I have always armed and fortified my Spirit▪ against the many oppositions that have attacqued me. And I most humbly beseech you▪ to bear with me in my relating of them, because I was ever condemned upon meer prudential accounts, with∣out any consideration had of Law, Reasons, or Examples▪ which yet ought to be the ground and rule of all riglit▪ Judgment in matter of Doctrine, Conscience, Necessity, or where the great profit of the Church is con∣cerned, as it is in this now before you, in which it is not permitted to be led and byassed by any respects whatsoever. 'Tis Lawful indeed and Ex∣pedient to endeavour an Accommodation of the whole, by some fitting Temperament and Reconciliation, if such may be found; but in case it cannot be had, we must pass over my first Argument. For sith it hath been the constant practice of all Ages from the very birth of Christianity, that all Nations and Languages have not only suffered, but even carefully Collected and Embraced a Diversity of Translations of the Holy Scrip∣ture, as is evident beyond all possibility of contradiction, they having received some from Jews, others from Hereticks, attested to us by the Famous Hexapla of Origen; there is then no reason why it should be now prohibited, and that I should be▪ made the first Precedent, a new and unheard of instance and example in this old Age of the World. My second is this, That forasmuch as no considerable inconvenience hath ever risen from this Liberty, Time having suddenly suppressed the vicious and ill performed, and given Authority unto good Translations, which by their own strength could bear a Trial; and on the other hand this Liber∣ty having very much contributed to the growth of Light and Know∣ledge, and the defects of one Translation being supplied by the per∣fections of another, it is unreasonable to Judge that there should be other manner of effects now than heretofore; especially when as in this Learn∣ed Age, matters of base allay will be soon discovered, and decried; and what cannot subsist upon the lively roots of Solidity, will suddenly wither and be mowed down. Antiquity reaped much Fruit this way, as St. Augustine and divers others have witnessed; but the Christian Church in our days, hath enjoy'd it most abundantly. For the sweet Odors disperst abroad by the new Translations of the Bible in divers Languages, within these five and twenty or thirty years, is wonderful, and they have largely contributed to the Edifying, Instruction, and Confirma∣tion of Saints. The English Translation for its great Fidelity and Clear∣ness weareth a shining Crown of Glory upon its head: Those two Ger∣man ones of Piscator and Cramerus, for their Noble Qualities and Con∣ditions, are exceeding useful, and have done a great deal of good. The new Polonian, made and Printed at the instance of the Prince of Radze∣ville, is of that esteem as to allure the present King of Poland to read it, and to enamour him of it, tho' he be a Prince of a contrary Religion.

The new Dutch Translation, which is just now coming into the World, sets persons alonging for it, because of the excellency of its Work, the Number and Abilities of its Work-men, the time they have spent in the doing of it, and for the great helps the Lords States-General have afforded them to effect it. And the Old Testament which is now working off at Zurick in the purest Switzer Language, must needs be of a raised worth, by that taste we had of the New, which is already Printed. The new Spanish Translation of Cyprian de Vallera, hath produced incredible effects in Spain, no less than three thousand Copies having pene∣trated by secret ways and conveyances into the very Bowels of that Kingdom. Let others publish the Fruit of my Italian Version, both in Italy and elsewhere. If it were expedient and becoming me, I could bring forth numerous examples of it, and those also attested by persons of unstained Credit and Reputation. Now, although these Nations have their infirmities as we have ours, and as many and perverse Enemies as we have our selves; yet none of them combin'd together mutually to deprive themselves of these Divine Treasures: but using a little patience, the weak were edified and comforted, and the Adversaries confounded in their Invectives. Should any one reply, That the greater part of those Translations were framed by the Authority of Superiors, and by divers persons associated together for it, which circumstances are all wanting to this my present Version; I answer that neither the one nor the other are any thing as to the substance of the work, which may and ought to be examined according to its merit, and not according to the Titles and Appearance of Persons; because God may be pleased to bestow as great a Blessing upon the sole labour of one person singly, as upon that of many; and very many excellent Interpreters, and above all, St. Hierom was never deputed by Authority to this Work, nor had he the assistance of any Companions in it; And the deep fixed Thoughts, settled, conti∣nued Meditations, and studious Inquiries of one single person may not on∣ly equal, but also frequently surpass the latitude of many other mens thoughts, which are often-times ill-match'd, and worse digested: and to say no more, it lay not in my power to get my self deputed, nor to associate another with me unto this Work. Yea, methinks I might for this very reason deserve the more favour, especially should my Labour be suc∣cessful and take in the World, sith that I have alone born the burden of it. And as for those Authorised Deputations, I account them more hurt∣ful than profitable, unless, notwithstanding these Commissions, the Church do enjoy her full Liberty, to spend much time in a mature, and accurate examen of every one of them, before ever She be obliged to a publick Reception of any one Translation, which should She too hastily embrace, She would as suddenly fall from Her Credit. And if the first moulding be good, time will be always refining it, that so it may be finally brought forth unto publick use, and to undergo a general Trial.

The third Reason is, That forasmuch as all our Interpreters, as Calvin, and those of the year 1588. have protested in their Prefaces, that they never designed by their performances, to exclude and debarr any of their Successors from attempting such a Work as this; but rather did invite, exhort, and summon them to contribute what should be in their power for the perfection of that, which according to their Candor and Modesty they said, they had left imperfect. None will believe that they amused us with vain and illusive words, or with Complements and feigned Ci∣vilities. So then, we yield them more honour by following their Coun∣sel effectually, than if through a stupid Reverence of their persons, we should be afraid to enterprize any such matter after them.

My Fourth Reason is this, That we be now necessitated to use this li∣berty because of the great changes which have fallen out in our Vulgar Languages, by means whereof such Words, Terms and Phrases as were seem∣ly and sounded well in one Age, yet in the next following hear ill, are bar∣barous, putid, and intolerable, and cannot be employed without publick offence, and wounding of the Ears with prophaneness. We have experi∣enced enough of this in the moveableness of the French Tongue.

A Fifth Reason is this, That every Interpreter who explains a strange Author by Annotations or Commentations hath this privilege to Trans∣late the Letter of the Text according to the Sence he hath conceived, and which he giveth it. Otherwise he would be handled unjustly: You would make him put a force and violence upon his own Judgment, and cause him speak absurdly, and to turn his Explications into perpetual contradictions and confutations of himself. And on so Sacred a Subject as this, the peril and scandal would be abominable.

My Sixth is this, Forasmuch as in all Times and Languages there have been Translations of the Bible for publick use Authorised by the com∣mon Magistrate, and ordained at that time and by the Custom of the People, and of others for private use and service, from out of which bounds they never departed to check-mate the publick Authorised Tran∣slations; this self-same course may be taken with mine, which may be confined to this lower Classis and Condition, without any complaint of mine, or of any one for me. The example of the ancient Greek Church is very illustrious in this our particular case, and exceeding pat unto it. They esteemed the Translation of the Septuagint to be Divine and Pro∣phetical, and yet notwithstanding suffered several others to live, no fewer than six or eight, which had been Compiled and Collected into one Body by the Industrious Origen. The present Romish Church hath Canonized the Vulgar Latin, and yet notwithstanding, tolerates those of Vatablus, of Pagnine, of Arias Montanus, and of Isidorus Clarius, to be used in the Explication of it. And truly, Sirs, it would be a most absurd thing in us to overvalue one to the disparagement of another, we should by such rigorous actings, exercise that which we condemn in others, to Lord it absolutely over their Minds and Consciences. The Evangelical Churches in Germany, without distinction of Lutheran or Calvinist, do use in the Pul∣pits none other Translation but that of the great Luther; and yet ne∣vertheless, do not forbear consulting with Piscator, Cramerus, and Osiander, of whom they make honourable mention, without any Scandal or Con∣fusion; and the publick Discipline may take sufficient care, that all these be avoided. And I have observed this, because I would satisfie them who object, That such a diversity of Version would engender a World of disorders in our Churches, this Pastor choosing one, and that another: Whenas nothing like this hath happened in those aforenamed Churches, nor was any like it observed when the new French Translation of 1588, was brought into the publick Congregations.

My Seventh Reason is, That all prudentials must give place to the ob∣ligations of Conscience, which are the removing of Stumbling-blocks from the blind and weak, excuses from the lazy, occasions from the Ad∣versary, and the hindrances of profitting in the Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures from all. And this was the only mark at which I aimed. And it is no wise just and reasonable, that we should rest satisfied our selves, or cause others to be satisfied with the Explanation of some clearer and more substantial passages, and leave all the rest buried as it were under ground in a voluntary ignorance: but it's necessary that we should take pains to guide and bring our people into a general knowledge of the

whole, if it may be done. Because all Sacred Scripture is Divinely inspired for these very ends and purposes. And it is the will of God that those sparkling Stars of Dogmatical Passages should be as it were Enshrined, not in a vast and cloudy darkness, but in the midst of that large and ample, and clear-shining Azure of the Sacred Scripture. And this may be noted against those, who sleep in this pernicious Error, that in case any Translation do but give out all our Doctrines in their full nature, its sufficient enough for any people, tho' in its other parts it be dark, ruggid and ill done: They not considering that by these vicious qualities they drive persons from reading of the whole, or imprint upon their minds si∣nister thoughts, whereby they disdain and despise God's Holy Word, or deal something worse by it. So that they do more hurt than good, de∣stroying by this means all that they had built up by others.

My Eighth Reason is, That according to our Doctrine, it's expedient for us to keep possession of this Liberty, for fear lest that the singularity of one Translation always heard, read, and handled publickly and pri∣vately, should come at length to be Canonized, as it hath fallen out in the Church of Rome, not at first by any publick Declarations, but by custom, and length of time the Vulgar Latin hath obtained this Repu∣tation.

The Ninth Reason is, We ought to be very careful by my example, of abating their courage, who have the Gift and Will to employ themselves in this kind of Study, for fear lest they should toil and labour in vain, which is the high-way leading unto despair. And a very foolish Opinion it is, to think, that we are come to such a pitch of perfection, as if nothing among us could be bettered.

The Tenth is, That the permitting of Translations done by Faithful and Approved hands, is so far from increasing, as is pretended, an end∣less number of them, that on the contrary, it is the true means to ob∣struct and prevent it: for at last there shall come forth one which will give a stunning blow unto all the rest, as that of St. Hierom's did. Those innumerable Latin Translations shall daunt the courage of the boldest, who in so vast a Subject, shall hardly find Pasture agreeable to the Palate of their Temerity.

In the Eleventh place, Forasmuch as it's profitable and expedient, that we keep our Liberty in explaining of divers passages not essential to our Cause in our Sermons and University Lectures, it is also as much expedient that we should keep it in our literal Translations of the Bible; lest being too much captivated by one Translation, we should at last meet with all those Defects, Obscurities, and Wanderings from the Scripture-Sence, and take upon us to forge Mysteries at our own wills, which we have justly condemned in the Church of Rome.

Let me but add one Reason more to those I have already offered, That having laboured with all Faithfulness in my Calling, according to the measure of Grace received from the Lord, it is not just, that I should be hindred by your Prohibition, from making my Work publick, bcause it would be an irreparable wound unto my Honour, which would be totally oppressed and ruined by reason of those sinister Judgments, which even many of our own would pass upon me; as that I have done nothing of any worth at all; and our Enemies, with whom I have Fought and Con∣futed, would rail and bawl at me as they begin already to do it in their Preachments, that I subvert and overthrow our own Doctrine: Reproa∣ches which are not only very grievous to me now in my old Age, but also very injurious to that Degree and Station I hold in the Church of God; yea, and would redound to the Scandal and Dishonour of the Churches.

Those oppositions of the Synod of Alez, and of others since that, may be reduced to these two general Heads. 1. To the offence which would be taken by the weak. 2. To those Reproaches and Troubles we should meet withal from our Adversaries. But there is no reason that either the one or other should give a Law unto us in such matters as these are. Our Adversaries will always do their utmost in opposing our Reception of what is good; the weak will always refuse the admission and introduction of new things, tho' they were the best in the World. But I am very much amazed, when I hear that some are of that Opinion with reference to the weak, that to instruct, guide, illuminate and strengthen them, which I do throughout my whole Work, should cause, through their weak∣ness or viciousness, destruction to some of them, or be a means of stag∣gering and wandering unto others. I fear no other Scandal, but what is already given them by so many contradictions as I have met withal: And yet at last it will redound more to the prejudice of my Opposers, than of my self; because of the many requests, with which I am continually importuned from people in all parts Abroad and at Home, who cannot brook with any patience, the delaies in publishing this my Labour; nor are they so much alarm'd nor disgusted as is reported; and I am Ignorant who those weak ones be they so much stand upon; and I am apt to be∣lieve, that some men plead their Cause contrary to their minds and in∣terests; because 'tis easie to presume, they will never be so much Scan∣dalized at those flights, easiness and new sweetness they shall find in God's Word, as they may be distasted with the Difficulties and Obscurities they have so long conflicted with. And as for our Adversaries, I am out of the reach of their shot; for let them do their worst, they shall never alledge one Text in which I have varied from the substance of Doctrine, or of the Dogmatical Passages; for I have industriously deprived them of all occasion and pretext against me: nor shall they be able to wound our Cause, because the Work is of a private person, and done for private uses; unless they should discover a most shameless Malignity, to condemn that in us, the practice whereof they permit freely among themselves, viz: The liberty of private Translations, which may be retorted back upon all their Objections at any time. 'Tis now too late to have any regard to them, who would, from the suppression of my Labour, which is now Universally known, draw out long lines of Invectives, Calumnies, and false, groundless Suspicions, which they will never be able to extract from its publication. By which means, I doubt not, but with my Candor to de∣mulce their humours; and by the representing of the lively Light of God in his Holy Word, to illuminate them; and by the Celestial sweetness thereof, to allure even some of the fiercest Spirits amongst them to the good ways of God; for however they may contradict men, 'tis difficult for them to contradict the Heavenly Sweets of God's Word. Which I speak by experience of my Italian Translation: for having, where I could with a safe Conscience, followed St. Jerom, it was not unsuccessful. If this happiness might now befal me, which is not to be hoped for from our Vulgar French Translation, judged by them over partial, there is no Fear nor Worldly Respect that should weigh down with me. Some tell me the time is unseasonable; but I answer, 'Tis never out of season to do good; and to be too intent upon the times, is the right and ready way to lose all; and these times of ours, which do stupifie our Souls with the horrors of those woful events happened in them, do con∣trariwise seem the most proper for the slipping of this Labour into the World; which feareth no assault, but what may be given it in the birth. Besides, my declining years do call upon me to consider the small time

that is left me to give life unto this Fruit; unless I would have it buried together with me in my Grave, or I must let it come forth into the World all maimed and disfigured after my Decease. For all these Reasons and Considerations, most Reverend and most Honoured Brethren, I shall conclude with two most humble and earnest Petitions to you: One is, That you would not in this Affair make any Reflection upon those Sen∣timents which are now disputed in this Church; for tho' at the bottom, it cannot but have other movements than you have, yet nevertheless, it cannot subsist but under your Shadow, which if removed, it must needs fall to the ground. My other Request to you is, That you would be pleased freely to vouchsafe me what lieth in your power to do for me, which is not an Approbation of a Work never seen by you, and to de∣mand it of you, would be a very unjust thing in me, much less that you should give it with the privilege of a publick usage, which would be an exorbitant Temerity; but this only, not to condemn me, nor to hinder this first Edition, which I desire only to publish unto the World for disco∣very of Mens Opinions of it, and to be farther sifted and examined by them. By this Equanimity of yours, you will consolate me under my Travails and sore Pains, you will renew my Vigour, and raise my Spirits, and incourage me also to publish my Latin Translation at the many in∣stances and ardent desires which are made me. But in case you should be so pre-occupied as to deny me this small favour, I do now beg your par∣don, if I say, with an extreme grief that I shall lock up my self in the Cloister of my own Conscience, and rest quietly in this confidence, that this work will at last be more accepted and approved than at first: and I shall imitate St. Jerome, who out of meer respect to the Union and Charity of St. Augustine with the African Synods, resolved to displease himself for a short time, that he might afterward more happily give con∣tent unto Posterity: and according to the example of all good Servants, who even in some remarkable act of their Duty and Service, do often di∣gest with patience the disdain of their Superiors, and exceed in obedience that they may give them a more certain and better accompt of their Fi∣delity in the upshot of their Work.

I pray God, that if it be his gracious Will, I may receive from your fraternal hands, this Fruit of Peace and Consolation, and that from his Fatherly hands, you may receive his abundant and most powerful Bles∣sing upon all your Holy Deliberations and Actions. I beseech you, grant me that Honour of being avowed by you,

Geneva,May 1st. 1637.

Messieurs, and most Honoured Brethren,

Your most Humble and most Faithful Brother and Servant in the Lord DIODATI.