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…

To the second reason.

It is false. For it is not the received opinion, ¹neither is there any probability of it, considering that Jerome in the old and new Testament, both translateth otherwise then th' old interpreter, and often controlleth him. Hereof the testimony of Erasmus, (a man that had as quick a nose in Jeromes doings, as whosoever:) is notable, who flatly affirmeth that this translation is neither Cyprian's, nor Hilary's, nor Ambrose, nor Augustins, nor Jeromes; seeing ⟨p. 105⟩his reading is divers from it, and that it is ²much less, that which he corrected; seeing there be found in this which he condemneth, not only as touching the words, but also as touching the meaning. And in another place he saith, that Jerome manifestly condemneth the former translation, which we yet (for the most part) do use. Jerome (although without cause) scourgeth the old interpreter, for translating [Greek or Hebrew], Sobriety: which (saith he) should have been translated chastity. And this he doeth in two or three places. Now a man would not think, that Jerome was so un-advised, as to have given his adversary this advantage: that he might reply against him, that it was his own translation, or that which he corrected, and therefore that he was driven to a hard shift, which could not defend his cause but by denial of him self. But that this translation is not Jeromes, ³let the reader look the discourse that Munster hath made hereof. Howbeit if this were granted them which they were never able to prove: what have they gained thereby? for it ⟨p. 106⟩followeth not, that if either it were truly translated, or faithfully corrected by Jerome: that therefore it is now true, and void of corruption. The fountain of the Scriptures is so walled by the providence of God, so close sealed and covered; that by no, either negligence or malice of men, there can any such thing fall into it, to trouble the clear & sweet water thereof: but as for the writings of men, they have no such privilege, neither are they laid up in any ark of the durable wood of Cittim, but that they may be, and are corrupted, as the daily experience doth declare. Whereof it is good to hear Jeromes own testimony. I do not think, that the Lords words are to be corrected; but I go about