An Ecclesiastical History, Ancient and Modern, Vol 1 of 2 In Which the Rise, Progress, and Variations of Church Power, Are Considered in Their History of Europe During That Period

Excerpt from An Ecclesiastical History, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 1 of 2: In Which the Rise, Progress, and Variations of Church Power, Are Considered in Their Connexion With the State of Learning and Philosophy, and the Political History of Europe During That Period

How far justice has been done to this excellent work, in the following translation, is a point that must be left to the decision of those'who may think proper to peruse it with attention. I can say, with the strictest truth,_ that I have spared no pains to render it worthy of their gracious acceptance; and this consideration gives me_ some claim to their bandour and indulgence, for any defects they may-ifind in it. I have endeavoured to render my translation faithful, but never proposed to render it entirely literal. The style of the original is by-no means a model to imitate, in a work 'designed for general, use. Dr.~ Mosheim afl'ected brevity, and laboured to crowd maxfy things into few Words; thus 'his diction; though pure and correct, became sen-tentious and harsh, without that harmony which pleases the ear, or those transitions which make a narration flow with ease. This being the case, I have some times taken considerable liberties with my author, and_followed the spirit of his narrative without adhering strictly to the. Letter. Where, indeed, the Latin phrase appeared to me elegant, expressive,. And compatible with the English idiom, I' have constantly followed it; but, in all other cases, I have departed from it, and have often added a few sentences, to render an observa tion. More striking, a fact more clear, -a portrait more finished. Had I been translating Cicero or tacitus,'i should'not have' thought such freedom pap d'onable. The translation of a classic author, like the copy of a capital pic ture, must exhibit not only the subject'but also the manner of the original this rule, however, is not applicable to the work now under consideration.

When I entered upon this undertakingqi proposed rendering the additional notes more numerous and ample, than the reader will find them. I soon perceived that the prosecution of my original plan would rendei; this work too voluminous; and this induced me to alter my purpose The notes I have given are not, however, inconsideiable in number; I wish I could say as much with respect to their merit and importance. I would only hope that some of them will be looked upon as not altogether unnecessary.

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