NOT only the whole New Testament has been translated into French, but some Books likewise in particular. Francis de Harlay translated from the Greek the Epistle to the Romans, and added Observations to it as well Historical as Theological. This Version is accurate, accurata, says F. le Long: M. Dupin says, on the contrary, that it is rather a Paraphrase than a Translation. It was printed at Paris in 1641. M. Harlay was of the Family of the Harlays, as much to be esteemed for his Virtue as his Noble Descent. He came into the World at Paris in 1585, was made Coadjutor to Cardinal de Joyeuse in 1614, and succeeded him in the Archbishoprick of Rohan, in 1616: After having governed this Church 38 Years, he resigned it, and died in 1659, in the 68th Year of his Age. He applied himself early to Study, so that he was very young when he was made Doctor of the Sorbonne. He presided often in the Assemblies of the French Clergy. He mightily increased the Library at Roan, and made it publick. He himself wrote many Books, whereof we have a Catalogue in M. Dupin’s Tables, tom. 2. p. 2157.
John Desmaretz de Saint-Sorlin published a French Version of the Revelations, with one in Latin, and an Explanation, printed with his other Works at Paris, 1658, in fol. under the Title of Animi Deliciæ. He was a Catholick, and different from Samuel Desmaretz, who was a Calvinist, of whom we shall take notice in another Place. He whom we are speaking of was of Paris, and Brother to Roland Desmaretz. He died in 1676, at about 80 Years of Age. Christina Queen of Sweden said of him, that he lost his Time in composing Books of Devotion. Dupin has given us a Catalogue of them, in his Tables, t. 2. p. 2353, - - - 2931.
M. Bossuet, Bishop of Meaux, published likewise a Translation of the Revelations, together with an Explanation, printed at Paris in 1689, in 8vo. He was born at Dijon, in the Year 1627, where he went through his first Studies. He went afterwards to Paris in 1642, in order to study Divinity there in the College of Navarre, and was made Doctor in 1652. As soon as he was Doctor he retired to Metz, where he was a Canon, and afterwards Grand Archdeacon and Dean of himselfhis Cathedral. He then applied himself entirely to the Study of Holy Scripture and the Fathers, and particularly St. Austin. He was sent for to Paris, where he made an eminent Figure in the principal Pulpits, and at Court. Lewis XIV. pleased with his Eloquence, named him Bishop of Condom in 1669, and of Meaux in 1681. At length he died, abounding with Merit and Good Works, in 1704, at 76 Years of Age. He had a very easy Way of speaking and writing. His very Name implies all that is most exquisite in Wit, Eloquence, and Zeal for the Defence of the Faith; which Zeal appears in the fine Controversial Writings which he left behind him. M. Dupin has given us a Catalogue of them, in his Tables, tom. 2. p. 2940, and in his Bibliotheque, the 17th Century, t. 4. p. 1.