〈◊〉 ACCOUNT OF THE TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE INTO THE LITHVANIAN TONGVE, Into which LANGUAGE the SCRIPTURES were as yet never Translated: WITH A Copy of the Testimonial Given to the TRANSLATOR, And of the Approbation of his undertaking, by several Reverend Doctors of Divinity, with the Professors of the same, and other Persons of Note, in the UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, November 15. 1659.  
OXFORD: Printed by H●●●… Hall, Printer to the University. ●●●●.   

The Translator wisheth all health and happiness to the Christian Reader.  
THere is none, I presume, of those who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, but will account that a good service done to Religion, and an acceptable work unto the Church of God, of those who employ their whole studies and endeavours for saving the souls of men, and for the propagating of the true worship of God in all places throughout the world: Since that it is our duty not only to have regard of ourselves, but we ought likewise, so fare as we are able, to endeavour the salvation of others also, and to be industrious in the promoting of it. He that doth the work of the Lord deceitfully, or having put his hand to the plough, doth through slothfulness draw it bacl again, is pronounced accursed: But a crown of eternal glory is laid up for those who have kept the faith, have brought sinners unto righteousness, and accomplished their course with cheerfulness. It is not ease or idleness, but industry and labour, is the portion of those who desire to do service in the Church of God; difficulties & dangers they must expect to meet with, the cross also, & many grievous things to be undergone, the weight whereof without the assistance of the holy spirit were insupportable. Of this Moses ●ha● faithful servant in the house of God, had much experience, when with many signs and wounders he brought the Children of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt, and did in the wilderness 〈…〉 that people to be observed the law of God published for that end on mount Sinai. He found the like in preparing and erecting the Tabernacle, the draught whereof he received from God himself, for notwithstanding the large contribution of materials to the work, yet was there need also, that Bezaleel and Aholiab the workmen of it should be furnished by God himself, with a spirit of wisdom and skill, to prepare it, and the several sorts of vessels belonging to it; whereby God, the most wise Architect of the whole Universe, would make known to us, that to the doing of God's work, the spirit and help of God is mainly necessary, which is not in the power of man to confer, but proceeds alone from the Father of lights. 'Twas the work of God to put into Solomon's heart a spirit of wisdom, which made him surpass the wisest of men; and to stir him up with cheerfulness and resolution, to undertake and accomplish the building of that famous Temple at Jerusalem: as also to incline the heart of Hiram King of Tyre, to supply wood and stones for that magnificent structure, and fit workmen for the employment; who were by God also enabled to perform the work. The same Spirit of God it was, that put it into the heart of Cyrus' King of Persia, to afford to the people of God then in captivity, a safe return to their own land. 'Tis God also that put courage into Zerubbabel and Joshua, and a spirit of alacrity into the people, to set to their whole strength for rebuilding the Temple, and not be dismayed by difficulties or dangers, and their Enemy's stratagems. And 'twas God that over ruled the spirit of Darius a heathen King, and made him by a public edict give order to the neighbouring people, to forbear demolishing the work once begun, which by divers subtleties and artifices they were endeavouring to do. Nor was it less a work of the same spirit of God, which stirred up the holy Prophets of old, who made it their business to extirpate the false worship of feigned deities, and bring the people under their charge to the true worship of God; nor would suffer themselves by the many threaten of an ungrateful world, or the many hazards that did attend the service, to be deterred from it.  
To these succeeded Christ's holy Apostles; who, notwithstanding they were looked upon as the offscouring of the world and as sheep appointed to the slaughter; though what they preached were to the Jews a stumbling-blocke, and to the Greeks foolishness; though exposed to the hatred and injuries of the world which they did undergo; yet could not be drawn off from the love of Christ, whose Church, by their ministry, was greatly enlarged, both amongst Jews, and Gentiles. And after them, the Orthodox Fathers of the Primitive Church; who faithfully transmitting to the Church the word of God, detecting hypocrites and stopping the mouths of heretics, were eminently serviceable to Christ the Prince of Glory: To whom I must add also those faithful labourers in the Lord's vineyard in these latter ages; furnished with his spirit, and taught of God; who arming themselves with Religion's buckler, have fought manfully in the cause of God against Satan and Antichrist, have vindicated the light of truth from out of darkness, have restored the learned languages and the liberal arts and sciences to their pristine splendour, nor spare any pains for the propagating of truth: To say nothing of those many others whose names are yet flourishing, who at this day by their learned writings, and good name, both at home and abroad, improve that light transmitted to them; whose modesty forbids to name them. To conclude, what ever at any time, by the holy men of God, in matter of Religion and God's worship, hath been prudently managed or successfully accomplished, 'tis all to be ascribed to divine providence. Nor can I believe, that it is without this secret and wise disposal of the divine Majesty, that myself, the meanest of those who minister to Christ or serve under him, and no ways comparable with others; have been enabled in these last times, when the day of the consummation of all things is at hand, (many signs whereof we have already seen, and many more daily discovering themselves both in heaven and in earth, so that scarce any of them remain as yet unaccomplished, save that only, foretold by Christ Math. 24. of preaching the Gospel throughout the world, a testimony to all nations, and then shall the end be,) willingly to begin, constantly to persevere in, and happily to consummate, a work of vast labour, (namely) the TRANSLATION of the BIBLE, into the LITHUANIAN TONGUE.  
For having long ago considered that several pious and learned men, since the year of our Lord 1387. (at which time Lithuania received the Christian faith, by means of that most religious King Jagello,) have hitherto in vain expected, that some body would have been raised up by God, to translate the Holy Scriptures into that tongue, (which not only in those large Territories but also in the neighbouring Countries of Livonia, Curlandia, Russia, Prussia, and in the borders of Moscovy, itself is commonly used,) I thought it my duty (having dedicated myself to the service of the Church from my youth) to furnish myself with such abilities, whereby I might be advantageous to it. Wherefore imploring the assistance and direction of Christ, (through whom we can do all things,) that a work so acceptable and signally conducing to the edification of the Church of God, may continue no longer unattempted, or be put off till the coming of Elias, or our Saviour Christ, I have adventured upon it, and my aim is not only now by this Translation (with the sum and contents of all the Historical, Dogmatic, Prophetical books, of the Gospels, Epistles and Chapters,) to be helpful to those people, who have hitherto been destitute of books in that language for the furtherance of the practice of piety, save only the Lords prayer, the Apostles Creed, the Ten Commandments, some few catechetical tracts, fragments of Gospels and Epistles, and a late Book in Quarto, set out in the year 1653. (containing only seventy eight of David's Psalms, some Hymns composed by Luther and others, the Gospels for the Lords days, with a short analysis, the History of Christ's passion, and a Catechism for the younger:) but also for their fuller knowledge of the articles of Christian religion, by faithfully translating out of the English Tongue, the Confession of faith, the Larger and Lesser Catechism, framed by the Assembly of Divines, convened by the Authority of the Parliament of England, to whom being afterwards exhibited, they were examined and approved by them, as also by the Churches of Scotland: I have a purpose shortly also by God's assistance, to turn the book of Psalms, into meeter, according to that melody, that is now in use in the Churches of this happy Island, which is easy to be learned by ordinary persons; for having skill but in three tunes, they may be able to sing all the Psalms, whereas contrariwise in the French Psalter (otherwise very excellent,) according to which almost all the Protestant Churches in Europe, have theirs composed, it comes to pass, by reason of the difficulty of the tunes, and unskilfullnes in singing, that only some of the easier Psalms are wont to be sung, even in the public Assemblies. It were to be wished, that others also in their generation, after the same manner, would endeavour, to roll away, that reproach, from the Israel of God: likewise they would do a thing very pleasing, both to God and good men, if they would compile Notes on the Bible, out of the most learned English and Dutch Annotations, (of which sort nothing hath as yet been done in several nations) or merely by their joint labour translate both of them, especially in this age, wherein Antichrist attempts an universal apostasy from the truth.  
For it is meet, that they who debarr the faithful of the free use of the Scriptures that principle of Christian faith, allowing the reading thereof to none, but Augustine's, Ambroses and Chrysostoms', should know that not one, or two alone, but many among the orthodox professers do watch for the souls of the godly, especially seeing the papists boast so much of their number. Every builder of the new Babylon hath wherewithal to defend the apostasy of Rome, and to maintain the servitude and tyranny of the Doctrine of the pope, the chief bulwark and Helena of their divinity; let Christ also have such means through the industry of his servants, who succeed in their room, who continual labour, the burden of men's unthankfullnes, and the tyranny of their enemies hath broken and enervated; by which, not only those who are already in the Lord's sheep-fold may be guarded, but also that a watch tower may be erected for such who are without it, by the light of which they may be brought into the haven of salvation, from the storms of errors and idolatry, whereby they are miserably tossed to the present hazard of their souls. This being the ground of my undertaking, God grant, that by it I may see, some at least, if not all, in my own nation converted from the darkness of humane traditions, to the true Gospel's worship, and that God would keep and continue others in the heavenly truth by the help of these labours, which I hearty wish, nothing doubting, that his divine favour who hath stirred up my heart in the carrying on of this work will not here leave me, but raise up some religious Patrons, who will judge it unfit to suffer so Christian a work to remain unpublished, considering how laudable and worthy a thing it is for pious men, out of the love of the truth, and a desire of the increase of Christ's Kingdom in this world, to use all endeavours that the Church and true religion may take root and bring forth abundant fruits in foreign nations also. And surely; if in times of the Old Testament, the building of the material Temple was pleasing to God, how much more acceptable shall we think the building of his spiritual house, whose corner Stone is Christ, on whom believers are built as living stones, will be to him. The memory of those that framed the Tabernacle is blessed, and their names also who are wont to put their helping hands to such pious works, shall not only, as others, be written in heaven, but they also shall be made pillars in the house of God, and Christ shall write on them the name of his God, and the name of the City of his God, that is new Jerusalem, which descendeth from God out of heaven and his new name, to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory for ever. Amen.   

A Copy of the Testimonial given to the Translator, and of the approbation of his undertaking, by several Reverend Doctors of Divinity, with the Professors of the same, and other Persons of Note, in the University of Oxford.  
THese are to certify any whom it may concern, That Mr. Samuel Boguslaus Chylinski, a Lithuanian, and a Member of the Protestant Churches of that Country, being employed by the Authority of their Synods there, and at their charges, into these parts for his better accomplishment, to be afterwards serviceable to those Churches; and to that purpose, specially recommended by them to the Belgic Churches and Universities, and from thence hither (as appears to us, as well from the sight of Letters Testimonial to that purpose, as by other credible informations,) but by reason of the late Wars in Poland (whereby those Churches are in a manner wholly destroyed) being left destitute of supplies from those that sent him, either for his subsistence here, or return home, hath been supported here (for the space of two whole years, and upwards) merely by the charity of such persons amongst us, as upon commiseration of his condition, have been willing voluntarily to contribute toward the relief of him, and some others in like distress. We do also testify, that, upon some special acquaintance with him, we do judge him to be a serious and godly person, deserving all good encouragement. And whereas, during the time of his abode here, he hath employed himself in Translating he whole Bible into the Lithuanian Tongue (into which Language the Scriptures were as yet never Translated) and hath now accomplished that work: We do hereby declare, That we judge the undertaking very considerable, in reference to the propagation of the Gospel in that large Country, as also in several other adjacent parts where this Tongue is vulgarly spoken. And moreover, upon our best inquiry into the matter (so far as we are able to judge) we conceive the work to have been managed with much diligence and faithfulness: So as we cannot but recommend the publication of it, as a thing very worthy of their furtherance, unto whom God hath given hearts and estates to promote the enlargement of the Kingdom of Christ.  


John Conant. Vic. Can.  
Tho: Goodwin.  
Edmund Staunton.  
Christopher Rogers.  
Thomas Barlow.  
john Owen.  
Henr: Wilkinson, Chr. Ch.  
Henr: Langley.  
John Wallis.  
Francis Johnson.  
Seth Ward.  
Robert Say.  
Th: Owen.  
Hen: Savage.  
Hen: Hickman.    
FINIS.