Page:Douay Rheims Bible 1635 edition.pdf/8

TO THE ENGLISH READER Greeke, how much lesse could they, or was it reason to turne them into English? S. Augustin also yealdeth a reason, exemplifying in the words Amen and Alleluia, for the more sacred authoritie therof. Which doubtles is the cause why some name of solemne Feasts, Sacrifices, and other holie things are reserued in sacred tongs, Hebrew, Greeke, or Latin. Againe for necessitie, English not hauing a name, or sufficient terme, we either keep the word as we find it, or only turne it to our English termination, because it would otherwise require manie words in English, to signifie one word of an other tongue. In which cases, we commonly put the explication in the margent. Briefly, our Apologie is easie against English Protestants; because they also reserue some words in the original tongues, not translated into English, as Sabboath, Ephod, Pentecost, Proselyte, and some others. The sense wherof is indeed as soone learned, as if they were turned so neer as is possible into English. And why then may we not say Prepuce, Phase or Pasch, Azimes, Breads of Proposition, Holocaust, and the like? rather then as Protestants translate them, Fore-skinne, Passeouer, The feast of sweet breads, Shew breads, Burnt offerings &c. By which termes, whether they be truly translated into English or no, we wil passe ouer. Sure it is an English man is stil to seeke what they meane, as if they remained in Hebrew or Greeke. It more importeth, that nothing be wittingly and falsly translated for aduantage of doctrine in matter of faith. Wherin as we dare boldly auouch the sinceritie of this Translation, and that nothing is here either vntruly or obscurely done of purpose, in fauour of Catholike Roman Religion, so we can not but complaine, and chalenge English Protestants, for corrupting the text, contrarie to the Hebrew and Greeke, which they professe to translate, for the more shew and mainteining of their peculiar opinions against Catholikes: As is proued in the Discouerie of manifold corruptions. For example we shal put the reader in memorie of one or two. Gen. 4. v. 7. whereas (God speaking to Cain) the Hebrew words in Grammatical construction may be translated either thus Vnto thee also perteyneth the lust, & thou shalt haue dominion ouer : or thus; Also vnto thee desire shal be subiect, and thou shalt rule ouer : though the coherence of the text requireth the former, and in the Bibles printed 1552. and. 1577. Protestants did so translate it: yet in the yeare 1579. and 1603. they late