such variations being, as suckers, to be pruned off, because they rob the stock of the text of its due credit and reputation. Somewhat conformable whereto pope Sixtus V. expressly forbade that any variety of readings of the vulgar edition should be put in the margin.* But on serious thoughts it will appear, that these translators, affixing the diversity of the meaning of words in the side-column, deserve commendations for their modesty and humility therein. For though, as St. Chrysostom+ observeth, Távτa тà ávaɣxaĩa dñλay "all things that are necessary to salvation are plainly set down in the Scriptures; yet, seeing there is much difficulty and doubtfulness, not in doctrinal but in matters of less importance, fearfulness did better beseem the translators than confidence, entering in such cases a caution, where words are of different acceptations.

41. Some Brethren complain for Lack of the Geneva

Annotations.

Some of the Brethren were not well pleased with this translation, suspecting it would abate the repute of that of Geneva, with their Annotations made by English exiles in that city, in the days of queen Mary, dedicated to queen Elizabeth, and printed with the general liking of the people above thirty times over. Yea, some complained, that they could not see into the sense of the Scripture for lack of the spectacles of those Geneva Annotations.. For, although a good translation is an excellent Comment on the Bible, wherein much darkness is caused by false rendering of it, and wherein many seeming riddles are read, if the words be but read, expounded if but truly rendered; yet some short exposition on the text was much desired of the people. But, to say nothing of the defects and defaults of the Geneva Annotations, (though the best in those times, which are extant in English,) those notes were so tuned to that translation alone, that they would jar with any other, and could no way be fitted to this new edition of the Bible. Leave we then these worthy men, now all of them gathered to their fathers, and gone to God, however they were requited on earth, well rewarded in heaven for their worthy work. Of whom, as also of that gracious king that employed them, we may say, "Wheresoever the Bible shall be preached or read in the whole world, there shall also this that they have done be told in memorial of them."

142. Dr. H. in Oxford causelessly inveigheth against the Geneva Notes.

13

And as, about this time, some perchance overvalued the Geneva notes, out of that especial love they bare to the authors and place

SIXTUS QUINTUS Praf. Bibl.

† On 2 Thess. ii.

whence it proceeded; so, on the other side, some without cause did slight, or rather without charity did slander the same. For in this or the next year, a doctor [Howson] in solemn assembly in the university of Oxford, publicly in his sermon at St. Mary's, accused them as guilty of misinterpretation touching the Divinity of Christ, and his Messiahship, as if symbolizing with Arians and Jews against them both; for which he was afterwards suspended by Dr. Robert Abbot, propter conciones publicas minùs orthodoxas, et offensionis plenas. But more properly hereof, God willing, hereafter in our particular History of Oxford. We will proceed to report a memorable passage in the Low Countries, not fearing to lose my way, or to be censured for a wanderer from the English church-story, whilst I have so good a guide as the pen of king James to lead me out, and bring me back again. Besides, I am afraid that this alien accident is already brought home to England, and, though only Belgic in the occasion, is too much British in the influence thereof.

SECTION IV.

TO EDWARD LLOYD, ESQUIRE.

RIVERS are not bountiful in giving, but just in restoring, their waters unto the sea, Eccles. i. 7. However, they may seem grateful also, because openly returning thither what they secretly received thence. This my Dedication unto you cannot amount to a present, but a restitution; wherein only I tender a public acknowledgment of your private courtesies conferred upon me. 1, 2. Dangerous Opinions broached by Conradus Vorstius. Reasons moving King James to oppose him. A.D. 1611. KING JAMES took into his princely care the seasonable suppression of the dangerous doctrines of Conradus Vorstius. This doctor had lived about fifteen years a minister at Steinfurt, within the territories of the counts of Tecklenburg, Bentheim, &c. The counts whereof (to observe by the way) were the first in Germany, not in dignity or dominion, but in casting-off the yoke of papacy, and ever since continuing protestants. This Vorstius had both written and received several letters from certain Samosatenian heretics in Poland, or thereabouts; and it happened that he had

handled pitch so long that at last it stuck to his fingers, and became infected therewith. Hereupon, he set forth two books, the one entitled, Tractatus Theologicus de Deo, dedicated to the landgrave of Hesse; the other, Exegesis apologetica, printed in this year, and dedicated to the states; both of them farced with many dangerous positions concerning the Deity. For, whereas it hath been the labour of the pious and learned in all ages to mount man to God, (as much as might be,) by a sacred adoration (which the more humble, the more high) of the Divine Incomprehensibleness; this wretch did seek to stoop God to man, by debasing his purity, assigning him a material body; confining his immensity, as not being everywhere; shaking his immutability, as if his will were subject to change; darkening his omnisciency, as uncertain in future contingents: with many more monstrous opinions, fitter to be remanded to hell, than committed to writing. Notwithstanding all this, the said Vorstius was chosen, by the Curators of the University of Leyden, to be their public Divinity Professor, in the place of Arminius lately deceased; and, to that end, his Excellency, and the States-General, by their letters, sent and sued to the count of Tecklenburg, and obtained of him, that Vorstius should come from Steinfurt, and become public Professor in Leyden.

It happened that his majesty of Great Britain, being this autumn in his hunting progress, did light upon and perused the aforesaid books of Vorstius. And whereas too many do but sport in their most serious employment, he was so serious amidst his sports and recreations, that, with sorrow and horror, he observed the dangerous. positions therein, determining speedily to oppose them, moved thereunto with these principal considerations. First. The glory of God; seeing this "anti-St.-John," (as his majesty terms him,)* mounting up to the heavens, belched forth such blasphemies against the Divine ineffable Essence. And was not a king on earth concerned, when the King of heaven was dethroned from his infiniteness, so far as it lay in the power of the treacherous positions of an heretic? Secondly. Charity to his next neighbours and allies. And, Lastly, a just fear of the like infection within his own dominions, considering their vicinity of situation and frequency of intercourse; many of the English youth travelling over to have their education in Leyden. And, indeed, as it hath been observed that the sin of drunkenness was first brought over into England out of the Low Countries, about the midst of the reign of queen Elizabeth ;† (before which time, neither general practice nor legal punishment of that vice in this kingdom;) so we must sadly confess, that since that * In his "Declaration against Vorstius," page 365. beth," anno 1581.

† See CAMDEN'S "Eliza

time, in a spiritual sense, many English souls have taken a cup too much of Belgic wine; whereby their heads have not only grown dizzy in matters of less moment, but their whole bodies stagger in the fundamentals of their religion.

3-5. The States entertain not the Motion of King James against Vorstius, according to just Expectation. Vorstius gives no Satisfaction in his new Declaration. King James setteth forth a Declaration against Vorstius, first written in French, since by his Leave translated into English, and amongst his other Works.

Hereupon king James presently dispatched a letter to Sir Ralph Winwood, his ambassador, resident with the States, willing and requiring him to let them to understand how infinitely he should be displeased, if such a monster as Vorstius should receive any advancement in their church. This was seconded with a large letter of his majesty's to the States, dated October 6th, to the same effect. But neither found that success which the king did earnestly desire, and might justly expect, considering the many obligations of the Crown of England on the States: "the foundation of whose commonwealth," as the ambassador told them, "was first cemented with English blood." Several reasons are assigned of their non-concurrence with the king's motion. The Curators of Leyden University conceived it a disparagement to their judgments, if, so near at hand, they could not so well examine the soundness of Vorstius's doctrine, as a foreign prince at such a distance. It would cast an aspersion of levity and inconstancy on the States, solemnly to invite a stranger unto them, and then so soon recede from their resolution. An indignity would redound to the count of Tecklenburg, to slight that which so lately they had sued from him. The opposition of Vorstius was endeavoured by a mal-contented party amongst themselves, disaffected to the actions of authority; who, distrusting their own strength, had secretly solicited his majesty of Great Britain to appear on their side; that as king James's motion herein proceeded rather from the instance of others, than his own inclination, so they gave out that he began to grow remiss in the matter, careless of the success thereof; that it would be injurious, yea, destructive to Vorstius and his family, to be fetched from his own home, where he lived with a sufficient salary, (promised better provisions from the landgrave of Hesse, to be Divinity Professor in his dominions,) now to thrust him out with his wife and children, lately settled at Leyden; that if Vorstius had formerly been faulty in unwary and offensive expressions, he had since cleared himself in a new declaration.

For, lately he set forth a book, entitled, "A Christian and modest Answer," which notwithstanding by many was condemned, as no revocation, but a repetition of his former opinions, not less pernicious, but more plausible, with sophistical qualifications. So that he was accused to aim, neither at the satisfaction of the learned, whom he had formerly offended; nor the safety of the ignorant, whom he might hereafter deceive; but merely his own security for the present. His grand evasion was this,-that what he had written before" was but probably propounded, not dogmatically delivered." But, alas! how many silly souls might easily be infected, mistaking his slanting problems for downright positions! In a word, he took not out any venom, but put in more honey into his opinions, which the corruption of man's nature would swallow with more greediness. And how dangerous it is for wit-wanton men to dance with their nice distinctions, on such mystical precipices, where slips in jest may cause deadly downfals in earnest, the Roman orator doth in part pronounce, Mala est et impia consuetudo, contra Deum disputandi, sive seriò id fit, sive simulatè.

Now king James being as little satisfied in judgment with the writings of Vorstius in his own defence, as ill pleased, in point of honour, with the doings of the States, in return to his request, gave instructions to his ambassador to make public protestation against their proceedings; which Sir Ralph Winwood, in pursuance of his master's command, most solemnly performed. Nor did his majesty's zeal stop here, with Joash king of Israel, smiting only but thrice, and then desisting; but, after his request, letter, and protestation had missed their desired effect, he wrote in French a declaration against Vorstius: a work well beseeming the "Defender of the Faith;" by which title," to use his ambassador's expression, "he did more value himself, than by the style of king of Great Britain." Once I intended to present the reader with a brief of his majesty's Declaration, till deterred with this consideration,—that although great masses of lead, tin, and meaner metals, may by the extraction of chymists be epitomized and abridged into a smaller quantity of silver, yet what is altogether gold already cannot, with>out extraordinary damage, be reduced into a smaller proportion. And seeing each word in his majesty's Declaration is so pure and precious, that it cannot be lessened without loss, we remit the reader to the same in his majesty's Works; and so take our leave of Vor(stius for the present; whose books, by the king's command, were publicly burned at St. Paul's Cross in London, and in both Duniversities.