'Tis a book too serious and too venerable to be cursorily or slightly turned over: the reading of the scripture ought to be a temperate and premeditated act, and to which men should always add this devout preface, 'sursum corda', preparing even the body to so humble and composed a gesture and countenance as shall evidence a particular veneration and attention.

Neither is it a book for everyone to fist, but the study of select men set apart for that purpose, and whom Almighty God has been pleased to call to that office and sacred function: the wicked and ignorant grow worse by it.

'Tis, not a story to tell, but a history to revere, fear, and adore.

Are not they then pleasant men who think they have rendered this fit for the people's handling by translating it into the vulgar tongue?
Does the understanding of all therein contained only stick at words?
Shall I venture to say further, that by coming so near to understand a little, they are much wider of the whole scope than before.

A pure and simple ignorance and wholly depending upon the exposition of qualified persons, was far more learned and salutary than this vain and verbal knowledge, which has only temerity and presumption.
And I do further believe that the liberty every one has taken to disperse the sacred writ into so many idioms carries with it a great deal more of danger than utility.