Sin theoni en christoni the answer to the preface of the Rhemish Testament. By…Syn theōi en christōi the ansvvere to the preface of the Rhemish Testament. By…

but rather contrariwise, when he affirmeth that some bind themselves too much unto the words, which translations he holdeth for insufficient. Also that when the phrases are not translated, according to the custom of the ancient Latinists: although nothing be taken away from the understanding; yet they offend those which are delighted with the things, when a certain pureness is kept in the signs of the things, meaning the words. And what his judgement is in¹ this cause, he doth other where plainly and clearly set down: when he saith that the Scripture is to be declared according to the propriety of every tongue. Indeed he saith that sometime the vulgar speech is more profitable: but his reason is far different from yours. For it appeareth when he preferreth² those Barbarisms it is for the better commodity & capacity of the people to whom he spake or wrote preferring rudeness of speech; only to that pureness, which either bringeth new words to offend th' ears of the reader: or else maketh the sense doubtful or obscure. ⟨p. 86⟩In which respect he affirmeth, that to³ let his speech fall th' easilyer to th' understanding of his people, he had rather say, ossum, which is no true speech then os, which is the proper and true language. Beside that it is more evident by their barbarisms in other speeches then in the texts of Scripture: that they so speak sometime, because they met with no better, nor more choice words. Seeing therefore a good pure Latin speech, is now better understood, then th' old rotten and rusty words: there is no cause, why they should not now be abolished, if ever they had any use heretofore. And if it please the Jesuits, to confer the stile of these days, sithence the Gospel (after a long winter of ignorance) began to flower again, with the stile of those which wrote 200. years hence: we suppose that they will accord us, that there is as great difference, as was sometime between the Dorickes and th' Attics in Greece, or is now between the court and country with us, yet we think that the Jesuits ⟨p. 87⟩will not therefore, rather choose to stammer & stut with their fore-goers, then to speak clearly & purely with the present age: sure we are, that they have done their best to the contrary. Wherefore it is evident, that you can bring nothing to defend your sottish speech of hell of fire, for hell fire: