The New Testament First Published by the English College at Rheims, A. D. 1582 With Annotations, References, and an Historical PUBLISHED WITH THE APPROBATION OF HIS EMINENCE JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS Northwestern University The Joseph Schaffner Library APPROBATION OF HIS EMINENCE JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS We hereby approve of the publication by Messrs. John Murphy Co. of the The sacred volume is printed in an attractive style. I hereby endorse your publication of the "Holy Bible." It is well edited I willingly give my endorsement to your excellent reprint of the Douay Bible. COPYRIGHT, 1914, Archbishop of Boston. BY JOHN MURPHY COMPANY This Bible, reprinted from new, clear type, is an identical PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MARTIN INDULGENCES An indulgence of three hundred days is granted to all the Faithful who read the 13 December, 1898. LEO XIII. The following Letter of His Holiness PIUS THE SIXTH, to the Most Rev. ANTHONY POPE PIUS THE SIXTH BELOVED SON, Health and Apostolic Benediction. At a time that a vast number of bad books, which most grossly attack the Catholic Religion, are circulated, even among the unlearned, to the great destruction of souls, you judge exceedingly well, that the faithful should be excited to the reading of the Holy Scriptures: For these are the most abundant sources which ought to be left open to every one, to draw from them purity of morals and of doctrine, to eradi- cate the errors which are so widely disseminated in these corrupt times: This you have seasonably effected, as you declare, by publishing the Sacred Writings in the language of your country, suitable to every one's capacity: especially when you show and set forth that you have added explanatory notes, which, being extracted from the Holy Fathers, preclude every possible danger of abuse: Thus you have not swerved either from the laws of the Congregation of the Index, or from the Constitution published on this subject by BENEDICT XIV., that immortal Pope, our predecessor in the Pontificate, and formerly when We held a place near his person, our excellent Master in Ecclesi- astical learning; circumstances which We mention as honourable to Us. We therefore applaud your eminent learning, joined with your extraordinary piety, and We return you our due acknowledgment for the books you have transmitted to Us, and which when convenient, We will read over. In the meantime, as a token of our Pontifical benevolence, receive our Apostolical benediction, which to you, beloved Son, We very affectionately impart. Given at Rome, on the Calends of April, 1778, the fourth year To our Beloved Son, PHILIP BUONAMICI, Latin Secretary. [A TRANSLATION FROM THE LATIN ORIGINAL] A PRAYER BEFORE THE READING OF ANY PART OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts and minds of thy faithful servants, and in- O GOD, who by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, didst instruct the hearts of thy PREFACE This edition of the Sacred Scriptures is called the Douay Bible, since it is substantially the translation of the Latin Vulgate made toward the end of the sixteenth century by Gregory Martin of the English College of Douay, with the assistance of fellow exiles in France. The revision of Bishop Challoner in the middle of the eighteenth century and later minor changes, while adapting it to the needs of its modern readers, have not fundamentally affected its character. Its own excellent qualities and the authority of ecclesiastical superiors, continue to maintain its position as the Bible of English-speaking Catholics the world over. The present issue contains the same text as its predecessors. The principal changes in the notes are in the matter of chronology. Recent discoveries in Bible lands and study of the Bible itself have led to new conclusions about some of the dates of the events of sacred history. The conclusions herein embodied are based on the authority of the best Catholic scholars. |