Page:The four Gospels - translated from the Latin Vulgate, and diligently compared with the original Greek text, being a revision of the Rhemish translation (IA TheFourGospelsTranslated).pdf/11

 TO THE HIERARCHY OF THE UNITED STATES ASSEMBLED IN THE SEVENTH PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE.

MOST REVEREND AND RIGHT REVEREND COLLEAGUES,

I venture to offer to the public a revised translation of the four Gospels, with notes directed to remove the chief difficulties that may occur in their perusal. My object is not to substitute it in public acts for the received version, but to submit it to your mature judgment and correction, and in the mean time to facilitate the study of the life of our Divine Redeemer in its only authentic records. The annotations which I have added, are for the most part selected from the holy Fathers, although occasionally I have availed myself of the researches of modern writers, unhappily estranged from Catholic communion. I cannot hope that a work which demands so much erudition and such exercise of judgment, is in every respect faultless, but I offer it as an earnest of my zeal for the correct understanding and devout study of the sacred Scriptures. These have at all times been the subject of the meditation of the prelates of the Church, and of the clergy generally, whose duty and constant endeavor it has been to refresh the faithful with the living waters drawn from these fountains of salvation.

With profound veneration and sincere attachment, I have the honor to remain,

Your devoted brother in Christ,

FRANCIS PATRICK KENRICK,

BISHOP OF PHILADELPHIA.

Philadelphia, May 1, 1849.