History of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin, Vol. 8 (of 8)Merle d'Aubigné, J. H. (Jean Henri)
History
History of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin, Vol. 8 (of 8)
Merle d'Aubigné, J. H. (Jean Henri)
Reformation
_Enzinas_: 'The New Testament, your imperial majesty, faithfully
translated by me, and containing the Gospel history and the letters of
the apostles. I pray your majesty to recommend this work to the nation
by your approval.'
'Are you, then, the author of this book?'[129]
'No, sire, the Holy Spirit is its author. He breathed inspiration into
holy men of God, who gave to mankind in the Greek language these divine
oracles of our salvation. I, for my part, am but the feeble instrument
who has translated this book into our Spanish tongue.'
'Into Castilian?'
'Yes, your imperial majesty, into our Castilian tongue, and I pray you
to become its patron.'
'What you request shall be done, provided there be nothing in the work
open to suspicion.'
'Nothing, sire, unless the voice of God speaking from heaven, and
the redemption accomplished by his only Son, Jesus Christ, are to be
objects of suspicion to Christians.'
'Your request will be granted if the book be such as you and the
bishop say.' The emperor took the volume and entered an adjoining
apartment.
Enzinas was in amazement. The emperor to imagine that he was the author
of the New Testament, and that the Gospel could contain any thing
suspicious! He could hardly repress words which would have ill-suited
the place where he was. 'O thing unheard of!' said he within himself,
'and enough to make one shed tears of blood!'[130] Shortly afterwards,
by the bishop's advice, he returned to Antwerp.
The next day the emperor ordered the bishop of Jaen to hand over
the volume to a certain Spanish monk, a very celebrated man, fully
capable of judging of the translation, and to request him to give his
opinion on the subject. The bishop accordingly delivered the book to
this personage. Now this monk was De Soto, the confessor of Charles
V. When the prelate saw the confessor again, the latter said: 'This
book pleases me; I highly approve of it; there are only a few remarks
of little importance to make on the translation.... I should like to
see the author and speak to him about it.' Enzinas communicated the
invitation which he received to go to Brussels to some of his friends
and relations at Antwerp. 'Your return to Brussels,' said they, 'would
expose you to great danger.[131] If you wish to fall into the hands of
your enemies, go; but understand that in so doing you act with more
boldness than prudence.' 'I will go,' said he, 'to render an account of
my work, and this in spite of whatever may happen. I will omit nothing
that is useful or necessary to the advancement of the glory of God.' He
accordingly set out.
[Sidenote: ENZINAS AND DE SOTO.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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