An answer to a certain book, writtenAn answere to a certeine booke, written

Two reasons are alleged,¹ why you may not translate the new testament after the Greek:² first, because you think your latin Testament to be truer, then the common Greek copies now extant. Thus you tell us what you think, but reason or proof of this so absurd a thought have you none. Let me answer you, as Saint Jerome answereth Heluidius the heretic in this point,³ tibi stultissimè persuasisti Graecos codices ⟨p. 339⟩esse falsatos: Thou hast persuaded thy self most foolishly that the Greek books (of the new testament) are falsified: and why may you not as well think, that the latin testament is corrupt, as the Greek? what argument have you more for the one, then the other? But your second reason is more absurd, wherein you profess that although you had the true originals, yet could you not make in these days a better translation. Wherefore could you not? the thing is not hard if you had simple and willing minds. But now may we see by this your protestation, that whatsoever you speak against the corruption of the original books, in respect where of you will seem to prefer your common translation before them, yet although you had as true originals as ever were or could be wished, notwithstanding you would still make more account of your translation, then of them.

Twoe reasons are alledged,¹ whie you maie not translate the new testament after the Greeke:² first, because you thinke your latine Testament to be truer, then the common Greeke copies now extant. Thus you tell vs what you thinke, but reason or proofe of this so absurd a thought haue you none. Let me answere you, as Saint Ierome answereth Heluidius the heretike in this point,³ tibi stultissimè persuasisti Graecos codices ⟨p. 339⟩