Thus far Martin Bucer; Whom where I might without injury to either part of the cause, I deny not to have epitomized: in the rest observing a well-warranted rule, not to give an Inventory of so many words, but to weigh their force. I could have added that eloquent and right Christian discourse, written by Erasmus on this Argument, not disagreeing in effect from Bucer. But this, I hope, will be enough to excuse me with the mere Englishman, to be no forger of new and loose opinions. Others may read him in his own phrase on the first to the Corinthians, and ease me who never could delight in long citations, much less in whole traductions; Whether it be natural disposition or education in me, or that my mother bore me a speaker of what God made mine own, and not a translator. There be others also whom I could reckon up, of no mean account in the Church (and Peter Martyr among the first) who are more then half our own in this controversy. But this is a providence not to be slighted, that as Bucer wrote this tractat of divorce in England and for England, so Erasmus professes he begun here among us the same subject, especially out of compassion, for the need he saw this Nation had of some charitable redress herein; and seriously exhorts others to use their best industry in the clearing of this point, wherein custom hath a greater sway then verity. That therefore which came into the mind of these two admired strangers to do for England, and in a touch of highest prudence which they took to be not yet recovered from monastic superstition, if I a native am found to have don for ⟨image 22⟩mine own Country, altogether suitably and conformly to their so large and clear understanding, yet without the lest help of theirs, I suppose that hence-forward among conscionable and judicious persons, it will no more be thought to my discredit, or at all to this Nations dishonour.
THus farre Martin Bucer; Whom where I might without injury to either part of the cause, I deny not to have epitomiz'd: in the rest observing a well-warranted rule, not to give an Inventory of so many words, but to weigh thir force. I could have added that eloquent and right Christian discours, writt'n by Erasmus on this Argument, not disagreeing in effect from Bucer. But this, I hope, will be anough to excuse me with the meer Englishman, to be no forger of new and loose opinions. Others may read him in his own phrase on the first to the Corinthians, and ease me who never could delight in long citations, much lesse in whole traductions; Whether it be natural disposition or education in me, or that my mother bore me a speaker of what God made mine own, and not a translator. There be others also whom I could reck'n up, of no mean account in the Church (and Peter Martyr among the first) who are more then half our own in this controversy. But this is a providence not to be slighted, that as Bucer wrote this tractat of divorce in England and for England, so Erasmus professes he begun heer among us the same subject, especially out of compassion, for the need he saw this Nation had of some charitable redresse heerin; and seriously exhorts others to use thir best industry in the cleering of this point, wherin custom hath a greater sway then verity. That therfore which came into the minde of these two admired strangers to doe for England, and in a touch of highest prudence which they took to be not yet recover'd from monastic superstition, if I a native am found to have don for ⟨image 22⟩mine own Country, altogether sutably and conformly to their so large and cleer understanding, yet without the lest help of theirs, I suppose that hence-forward among conscionable and ju•icious persons, it will no more be thought to my discredit, or at all to this Nations dishonor.
