Erasmus: New Testament with Greek Text and Annotations

THE PREFACE OF DESIDERIUS ERASMUS OF ROTTERDAM TO LEO X, SUPREME PONTIFF

...men of genius, like great and wealthy Kings, send marble, ivory, gold, and gems to our Solomon Erasmus compares Pope Leo X to King Solomon, the biblical builder of the Temple, suggesting the Pope is building the spiritual Temple of the Church. for the construction of the Temple. We, humble little rulers, or rather insignificant men, strive to send whatever materials we have—even goatskins A reference to the humble offerings for the biblical Tabernacle in Exodus 35:23.—so as not to contribute nothing at all. It is indeed a cheap little gift as far as our labor is concerned, but one from which (unless my mind deceives me) no small benefit, if not much splendor, will come to the Temple of Christ—especially if it is approved by the judgment of him upon whose single nod or refusal the whole sum of human affairs depends.

For I have long seen clearly that the chief hope, and the "sacred anchor" as they say, for restoring and repairing the Christian religion, is situated in this: that all who profess Christian Philosophy original: "Christianam Philosophiam"; Erasmus used this term to describe a lived, simple faith based on the teachings of Christ rather than complex scholastic theology. throughout the world should, above all, drink in the decrees of their Founder from the Evangelical and Apostolic writings. In these, that heavenly discourse—which once came to us from the heart of the Father—still lives for us, still breathes, still acts and speaks; indeed, in my opinion, nowhere else is it more effective or present.

Furthermore, when I saw that this saving doctrine is sought far more purely and vividly from the actual veins, and drawn from the very springs, than from pools or rivulets, I have revised the whole New Testament (as they call it) according to the reliability of the Greek original. This was not done rashly or with light labor, but by calling into council many manuscripts of both languages Latin and Greek.—and not just any manuscripts, but the most ancient and the most corrected.

And because we know that in sacred matters one must proceed with reverence, we were not content with this diligence alone. We scoured all the writings of the ancient Theologians The Church Fathers, such as Jerome, Augustine, and Origen. to track down through their citations or expositions what each had read or changed. We have added our Annotations, which first teach the reader what was changed and for what reason; secondly, they explain and untie anything that is otherwise perplexed, ambiguous, or obscure; and finally, they provide obstacles against the ease of corrupting in the future what we have restored through vigils that are scarcely believable.

And yet, to speak frankly, this entire work might have seemed too humble to be dedicated to him than whom this world has nothing greater—unless it were fitting that whatever pertains to the restoration of religion should be consecrated to none other than the supreme Prince of religion and its chief defender. Nor is there any fear that you will despise this gift of ours, however small, you who represent that One who was accustomed to value offerings not by their price but by the spirit of the giver—who preferred the two small coins of the poor widow to the splendid and wealthy gifts of the rich. Do we not see daily, among the gifts of Kings radiant with gold and gems, little garlands woven from meadow flowers or garden herbs hung for the gods, which the common people, poor in substance but rich in piety, offer?

In any case, whatever it may be—great or small, playful or serious—that the field of this meager talent has produced, there is one man who can claim it all as his own by right, even if I did not dedicate it: that supreme Maecenas A "Maecenas" is a traditional term for a wealthy patron of the arts and letters. and overseer of all virtues and letters, William Warham, Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England (not only by title of honor), and a "born legate" as they say, of your Holiness. To him I owe myself entirely, however much I am, not merely the whole harvest of my studies. For he provides for his Britain what Leo provides for the world; and what the House of Medici has long been to Italy (the most fortunate of all lands for this reason), he is to his English people—given by the fates as a kind of saving covenant, so that under his leadership, all good things might sprout again and grow.

For it is as if many heroes were in one man, and a complex divinity inhabited a single breast: in a wonderful way he acts as Archbishop to the Church, Legate to the Roman See, Councilor to the King, Chancellor for justice, and Maecenas to studies. It is chiefly by his efforts that an Island already powerful in men, arms, and wealth, now also flourishes with the best laws, religion, morals, and finally with minds refined by every kind of literature, so that it can compete on equal terms with any other region.

But so that the utility of our labor might spread more widely, it seemed best to use the prestige of your name, which is sacred among all, for the public convenience of the world. This is especially true since the reason of the matter calls for it: it was beautifully fitting that this Christian Philosophy should be distributed to all mortals under the auspices of him who holds the citadel of the Christian religion. Through him, the heavenly doctrine should proceed to all men—the one through whom Christ willed us to receive whatever carries men from earth to heaven.

Indeed, what forbids this book, supported by a double recommendation, from going out into the hands of men even more fortunately and auspiciously if it be consecrated commonly to the two leading men of the whole world? Since we see that even more majesty and veneration accrue to altars and temples because they are dedicated to several saints at once. However new this may seem, let it serve the public utility. Such is the modesty and approachability of Leo, that in this respect he is no less "Great" than in those qualities by which he surpasses all the greatest by a long interval. And such is the excellence of the Archbishop in every kind of decorum, that no other colleague would more suit Leo, who is supreme in every way.

Finally, if I may be permitted to play the part of Thraso from the comedy Thraso is a "braggart soldier" character from the plays of Terence; Erasmus is being self-deprecating about his own "boasting" here. before such a great Prince: however humble my labor may appear in outward show, I trust that the attentive reader will discover somewhat more in its hidden depths than the Work displays at first glance. But lest I sin against the public good by delaying your Highness with a longer speech while you consult for the globe with constant solicitude, I shall settle the rest with the common reader. But first I pray that He, by whose providence Leo X was granted to relieve the affairs of mortals, may wish him to be for us both as long-lived as possible and most happy.