THE ] [BRARY 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CAL :FORNIA 
 
 LOSANGE ES
 
 THE 
 
 SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 DEFENDED and ILLUSTRATED: 
 O R, 
 
 An E S S A Y 
 
 Humbly offcr'd towards proving the 
 
 Purity, Propriety, and true Eloquence 
 
 Of the WRITERS of the 
 
 NEW TESTAMENT 
 
 In TWO PARTS. 
 
 In the FIRST of which 
 
 Thole Dr< INL WRITERS arc vindicated jgainit the Charge 
 of barbarous LANGUAGE, falfe GREEK, and SOLECISMS. 
 
 In the S E e o N D i s {hewn, 
 
 That all the Excellencies of STYLE, and fublime Beauties of 
 LA N G u A G E and genuine E LO QJJ E N c E do abound in 
 the Sacred WRITERS of the NEW TESTAMENT. 
 
 WITH 
 In Account of their STYLE and CHARACTER, and a Repre 
 
 fentation of their Superiority, in feveral Inftances, to the beft 
 CLASSICS of GREECE and ROME. 
 
 To which are fubjom'd proper INDEXES. 
 
 By A. BLACKBALL, M. A. ~ 
 
 LONDON: Printed \>yJ.Bettenhaix, 
 
 For C. R i v i N G T o N , at the Bible and Crtnvn in Sr. Paul's 
 
 Churchyard, and W. CANTRELL Bookfeller in Derby. 
 
 M,DCC, XXV.
 
 The S A C R E D 
 
 CLASSICS 
 
 Defended and Illuftrated : 
 
 O R, 
 
 An ESSAY in Two Parts towards proving the 
 
 Purity, Propriety, and true Eloquence of the 
 
 Writers of the NEW TESTAMENT. 
 
 In which thofe Divine Writers are vindicated againft 
 
 the Charge of barbarous Language , falte 
 
 Greek, and Solecifms. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed in the Year M^DCQXXV.
 
 THE 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 N refpect to the fubject it 
 felf which I treat of, lean- 
 not pretend to prefent my 
 reader with a difcourfe en- 
 tirely new: but if the copioufnefs and 
 choice of my materials, with the 
 manner and method of my managing 
 and difpofmg of them be confiderM, 
 it may appear that there is fomething 
 new in this EfFay. 
 
 I have read the beft and moft au- 
 thentic Greek writers, with a view of 
 comparing them with the divine wri- 
 ters of the new Teftament ; by w r hich 
 I have been enabled to prove the pu- 
 rity 
 
 8 i ,v
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 rity and elegance of numerous paf- 
 fages ? which for feveral ages have by 
 eminent fcholars been condemned for 
 folecifms. 
 
 Many learned and good men, 
 whofe fentiments may not entirely 
 agree with mine in the Firft Part, 
 will, I believe, allow me to be right 
 in the Second; and in general ac- 
 knowledge the fublime eloquence and 
 noble beauties of the infpirM writers; 
 only charge me, which I humbly ac- 
 knowledge, with a very imperfedt re- 
 prefentation of them. I have done 
 my poor endeavours; and have per- 
 haps, by opening the way, done fer- 
 vice to the publick, by giving the 
 hint to fome greater and more able 
 genius, who is qualify \1 to do more 
 juftice to this glorious Jubjeft. 
 
 With modeft fcholars and Chriftians 
 the honefty of my intention and the 
 diligence of my labours will pkad for 
 
 favour-
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 favourable abatements. If any fetch 
 worthy perfon lhall think it proper to 
 correcStanyot my miftakes in public, it 
 will not be by way of haughtinefs and 
 infult, but charitable advertifement 
 and inftru&ion ; and tho' I may have 
 oppofers I ihall have no enemies; nor 
 lhall I exprefs any refentment, but 
 return my grateful acknowledgments. 
 Thro' my whole EfTay, I hope none 
 can charge me with ill manners, or 
 want of fidelity in my quotations and 
 reprefentation of things. Thofe doc- 
 trines of heavenly charity and eternal 
 truth condemn all fpigbt, envy, and 
 ill manners, and the effects of fuch 
 vile qualities, fcurrilous language and 
 railing, anddifdain ; and are infinitely 
 above all equivocation and forry 
 ileights of worldly cunning; and 
 what fome foften with the term of 
 pious, but, in plain terms, are im- 
 pious frauds, 
 
 On
 
 PR E FA C K 
 
 On the other hand, if any of thofe 
 unhappy wits, who undervalue and de- 
 fpife the language of the facred writers, 
 becaufe they don't underftand it, or 
 hate and are afraid of the doctrines it 
 expreffes, lhall attack me in a hoftile 
 manner, as I lhall be fo far from apo- 
 logizing for my felf, that I fhall own 
 and glory in fome parts of their 
 charge: fo if any thing lhall be 
 thought material, and to have the ap- 
 pearance of a rational objection, I fliall 
 endeavour to vindicate my labours 
 upon the facred and moft admirable 
 writers of the new Teftament, which 
 unworthy, tho' well-meant labours I 
 humbly fubmit to the judgment, and 
 recommend to the acceptance and pa- 
 tronage of the pious and intelligent 
 reader. 
 
 A. BLACK WALL.
 
 THE 
 
 SACRED CLASSICS 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 
 
 PART i. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 By 'way of Introduction, wherein an account is giv- 
 en of the Hebraifrns of the new Teftament; fe*ve- 
 ral mijtakes of antient and modern critics and 
 grammarians upon this head are difwverd ^ the 
 peculiarities of the facred writers, and the f re- 
 tended barlarifms or foreign words and phrafes 
 are defended) Toy Jhewing that the fame liberties 
 are taken ly the loefl and mojl accurate Greek 
 authors. 
 
 I k are (b far from denying that 
 
 there are Helraifms in the new 
 Teftament,, that we efteem it 
 a great advantage and beauty 
 to that facred book that it 
 abounds with them. 
 
 The old Teftament is the rich treafury of all 
 the fublimity of thought, moving tendernefs of 
 
 B palTion,
 
 ^ "The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 paflion, and vigorous ftrcngch of expreiTion, 
 which are to be found in all the language by 
 which mortals declare their minds. 
 
 The Hebrew is an original and eflential Ian- 
 
 c^ 
 
 guage; that borrows of none, but lends to all. 
 
 Some of the fharpefr, pagan writers, inveterate 
 
 enemies to the religion and learning of both 
 
 .Jews and Chriftians, have allowed the Hebrew 
 
 tongue to have a noble emphafis, and a clofe 
 
 and beautiful brevity 3 . The metaphors in that 
 
 admirable book are appofite and lively ; they il- 
 
 Juftrate the truths exprefled by them, and raife 
 
 the admiration of the reader. The names of 
 
 men, animals, &c. are very fignificant. One 
 
 word is often a good description, and gives you 
 
 a fatisfactory account of the chief and diftinguifh- 
 
 mg property or quality of the thing or perfbn 
 
 nam'd. 
 
 It would be no difficult matter for a man of 
 
 ^diligence and good tafte, competently skill'd in 
 
 the Hebrew and claffical learning, to prove that 
 
 the Hebrew Bible has every beauty and excellence 
 
 that can be found in all the Greek and Roman au- 
 
 a lamblichus apud Flac. Illyric. de ftylo SS. I.iterarum, 
 Traft. f. p. 45*2.. Prasftantia novi Teftamcnti non minuitur, 
 i\ dicamusl illud Hebraifmis (catere, Leufden, Philol. Heb, 
 . Spicikg. PhiloL c, 40 p. 45 5. 
 
 chors 3
 
 Defended and llluflr cited. 3 
 
 thors , and a great many more and ftronger than 
 any in all the molt admir'd daffies. 
 
 Was ever hiftory related with fiich neat plain - 
 nefs, fuch natural eloquence, and fuch a choice 
 variety of circumftances, equally probable and 
 moving, as the hiftory of the antediluvian Patri- 
 archs 5 of Abraham and his defendants; and 
 particularly ofjofefh and his brethren? Theocri- 
 tus and Virgil come nothing: near to thofe lively 
 
 o O ' 
 
 defcriptions, thofe proper and fwect companions, 
 that native delicacy of turn, and undiiTembled 
 fervency of paffion, which reign in Solomon s 
 divine paftoral. 
 
 The prevailing pailion in fiich poems is 
 defcribed above the imitation of art, and the 
 reach and genius of all other authors b . The 
 \Vife Man's Proverbs and Ecclefiaftes contain 
 a {elect variety of precepts of good and happy 
 life, derived from their true principles, by a flrong 
 genius and very elevated capacity, improv'd by a 
 thorow knowledge of mankind, and a long courfe 
 of experience. They have fuch a foperiority in 
 their fenfe and agreeable manner of expreffion, 
 that any critic would wonderfully hazard his re- 
 putation, who Ihou'd, with Julian the Apoftate, 
 prcfume to bring them into any comparifon with 
 
 b _Dr. Fiddes's Theologia Pra&ica, 
 
 B i the
 
 4 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 the dry precepts of Theognh, or the affected turns 
 and fprucenefs of the morals of Ifocrates. 
 
 The laws and commandments of the molt 
 high God are deliver'd in grave and awful terms > 
 and if compar'd either with the Attic or Roman 
 Laws,, it will immediately appear, that the firlt 
 as much excel the laft in force and (bftnefs of 
 expreffion, as they do in the wifdom of their 
 confKtution, and their fare tendency to pro- 
 mote the fmcere piety and happmefs of man- 
 kind. 
 
 The longs of Mofes and Deborah, and the 
 Pfalms, that moil precious treafury of devotion 
 and heavenly poetry, raife the foul to the highelt 
 heavens j and are infinitely more marvelous and 
 transporting than the noblelt and moil happy 
 flights of Pindar and Horace. There is nothing 
 in all the tragedians, not in Euripides himfelf, io 
 maiterly in his mourning ftrokes, that is equally 
 moving and tender with the Lamentations of the 
 Prophet Jeremy. Oh ! that my head were waters, 
 and mine eyes a fountain of tears 3 that I might weep 
 day and night C J all ye that fafs bj, behold and 
 fee, if there be any for row like mine d . The com- 
 plainant is fb very miferable, that he has no friend 
 or comforter left to open his grief toj he is 
 
 r - Jcr. ix. i, a Lamen. i, n, 
 
 forc'd
 
 Defended and Illuflrated. j 
 
 forc'd to implore the pity of ftrangers and pafTen- 
 2;ers j and then his diitrefs is fo great and vifible, 
 that he needs no words to raifc compaffion : he 
 only deilres them to look upon his diftreffed 
 Hate., and then judge whether any forrow cou'd 
 be equal to his. 'Tis a piece of fuperlative 
 beauty, and in one thought comprifes all the elo- 
 quence of mourning. " Did we ever find, fays 
 the eloquent Dr. South, (C {brrow flowing forth 
 <c in fuch a natural prevailing pathos, as in the 
 cc Lamentations of Jeremy? One would think 
 <c that every letter was wrote with a tear 5 every 
 cc word was the noife of a breaking heart ^ that 
 cf the author was a man compacted of fbrrows, 
 fc difciplin'd to grief from his infancy, one who 
 <c never breath'd but in fighs, nor (poke but in a 
 cc groan 6 ." Where did majefty ride in more 
 fplendor than in thofe defcnptions of the divine 
 power in Job? chap, xxxviii, xxxix, xl. 
 
 Can any prejudice fo far biafs any man of com- 
 mon underftanding (tho'ever (o much an enemy to 
 his own pleafure and improvement,, by having a 
 low opinion of the (acred writers] as to make it a 
 queition with him whether Jolfs natural hiftory, 
 his clefcription of the oftrichj the eagle, vultur, 
 Behemoth, Leviathan, &c. do not very much excel 
 
 c Scrm. Vol. IV, p. 31. 
 
 3 d
 
 6 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 Arijlotle, Pliny, and Elian , as well in the elo- 
 quence and grandeur of the language, as in the 
 truth of the philofophy? The Greek and Latin 
 posts have happily exerted their talents in draw- 
 'ing a fine horfe, and yet no wonder that they 
 all yield fo much to the horfe in Job ; fince the 
 Almighty and infinite mind, who created that no- 
 ble and uieful creature, has graciouily condefcend- 
 ed to entertain us with a perfect: and moil tranC- 
 porting defcription of one of the chief pieces 
 of his own workmanfhip in the animal crea- 
 tion f . 
 
 One might with pleafure enlarge upon numerous 
 instances of the fublimity and admirable beauties 
 of the old Teftament, which are above imitation, 
 and defy criticifin and cenfure. But I proceed 
 to name a few out of many vigorous Helralfms 
 In the new Teftament. To do things acceptable 
 to God is common language. To do things accept- 
 able before, or in the prefence of God, is zHelra- 
 ifm : but does it not enlarge the thought, and en- 
 liven and invigorate the expreffion ? And is it any 
 breach of the rationale of grammar, or does it 
 any ways trefpaft upon concord or government? 
 It places every ferious reader under the inrpeftion 
 and all-feeing eye of the mod Higheft 5 and 
 
 f Job xxxix. 
 
 3 therefore
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 7 
 
 therefore is apt to infpire him with a religi- 
 ous awe for that immenfe and adorable Pre- 
 fence. 
 
 That God Almighty hears prayers is an exprefli- 
 on common to all writers. That prayers afcend 
 up to heaven as a fweet-fmelling favour to 
 God, is an Hebrew form of fpeech not of left vi 
 gour, propriety, or agreeablenefs. 
 
 'Tis a beautiful allufion to the odors and fra- 
 grancies of facrifice and incenfe afcending into the 
 skies ; grateful to God Almighty as his own ap- 
 pointment ; and a proper expreffion of the duty 
 and obedience of his pious worihippers g . In 
 the Aff s of the Apoftles the prayers and almfdeeds 
 of the devout Cornelius are faid to be afcended as 
 a memorial before God ; that is, as an accept* 
 able facrifice V for in Leviticus the offering of in- 
 cenfe is call'd a memorial 11 . St. Paul calls God to 
 witnefs that he vehemently loves the Philippians in 
 the bowels of Jefus Chnft, that is with the moft 
 afFedionate tendernefs and Chriitian charity, 
 But could any words in any language reprefem 
 that love and goodnefs with fuch energy and 
 power as thefe, which affecl: both foul and body, 
 and pierce into our inmoft conftitution, which 
 raife the tenderefl fentiments of human nature^ 
 
 E Pfal. cxli. z. Ads x. 4, J1 Levir. ii. i. 
 
 and
 
 8 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 and heighten them by the ftrongeft and moil 
 (acred endearments of Chriitianity. But 'tis 
 in vain to bellow words upon any perfbn to 
 convince him of the excellence of this divine 
 paflage, who does not feel the force and pathos 
 of it 1 . 
 
 There are a great many ways of expreffion 
 which are originally Hetrazfms, but have been 
 transplanted into the Greek by the bed authors ; 
 and are now proper and genuine phrafes in the 
 Greek tongue \ tho' that be railily deny'd by ieve- 
 ral grammarians and commentators. 
 
 . 2. There was in the laft century a Eimotis 
 conteft between Pfochenius and our countryman 
 Gataker. The firft affirm'd that there were no 
 Hebraifms at all in the Greek of the new Tefta- 
 ment. But 'twas impoffible he fhould have iiic- 
 cefs in that attempt. Indeed in his book he 
 proves fbme paflages,, which had been thought by 
 many to be peculiar to the Hebrew language, to 
 be good Greek too : but he is generally too for- 
 ward and afliiming j and produces many of his 
 authorities out of low writers,, which can have 
 no rank among the genuine Clailics. Gataker 
 runs into the contrary extreme, and denies the 
 
 1 Philip, i. 8. Gen. xliii. $o. Efa. ixiii. if. 
 
 purity
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 9 
 
 purity of feveral expreflions in the new Tefta-r 
 ment, tho' they be found in the firft-rate Greek 
 authors, becaufe they are likewife ufed in the He- 
 brew Bible. Which feems to me very humour* 
 fbm and unreafbnablej becaufe different lan- 
 guages in many inftances agree in phrafeologyand 
 common ways of fpeaking; and a form of fpeech 
 in any language, which agrees with the Hebrew, 
 is fb far from defer ving to be rejected for that 
 reafbn, that 'tis more authentic and valuable, 
 as agreeing with that facred and original lan- 
 guage. 
 
 This learned man will not grant that the no- 
 bleft and beft poets do eftablifh any idiom -, and 
 fays no phrafe can be prov'd to be pure Greek, 
 only becaufe it is found in poets, tho' they be 
 the moft celebrated for purity : which is an affir- 
 mation that tends to render {bme of the nobleft 
 productions of human wit of little fervice j and 
 fbme of the greateft mafters barbarians in their 
 own language. There are indeed fbme peculi- 
 arities in the poets, fbme liberties in ranging their 
 words, and fome words which profc - writers 
 fcarce ever ufe. But the greateft part of the 
 phrafes and figures of language are common to the 
 poets and profe-writers. The plaineft andpureft. 
 of the profe authors in fome places are as dar- 
 ing in ftronc; metaphors and his;h flights, as the 
 
 o or o D j 
 
 C lofrieft
 
 - 
 
 i o The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 loftieft poets them (elves. Herodotus, Thucidider, 
 Plato, and Xenophon, a very familiar and eafy 
 writer., fometimes have as high expreffions, and 
 as much going out of the vulgar way,, as any 
 thing in the chorus of the tragedians,, or the 
 lofty franza's of Pindar. Herodotus frequently 
 ufes the Tmejis, fb rare in profe-writers ; and de- 
 lights in Homers expreffions, even when moil 
 daring. 
 
 'Av# r' sfyapov ^ fit.zscv Trafzyvy.voT 's~cc 
 sx7r?.to<ravTeg T vox in Herodotus k , nlefzy 
 in Plato 1 , n$7Pcd r r}Mfi&Toi, and oi KV 
 in Xenophon, more bold and poetical than Homers 
 fjisvex TtvtiovTsg m ^ are inflances of poetical liberties 
 not the moft daring, which are taken by thofe 
 profe-writers. There are vaft numbers of the fame 
 nature, fome few of which we may have occafi- 
 on to produce in the procedure of this work. 
 Can any equal judge, who does not condemn 
 thefe chief authors of Greece, be offended at that 
 beautiful bold expreffion of 5^. Luke, W.cfa ^ 
 dwctfisw ayTo^Qz^ftsft TW avspu, when the JJnf 
 could no longer look the form in the face ? Qectt- 
 
 k p. 4^i.l- 2.1. Her. p.p. f 1(5.1. ulr. Herod. (5. p. 33^.!. 3$-. 
 
 1 Plat. Ref. f . 372.. Ed. Maficv. 
 
 m Xcn. Cyr. exp. i. p. 17. Xen. Hell^n. 7. The critics 
 allow poetical expreflions to be prudently us'd by profe- 
 writers. AeV 7; ^pJjVv"aj avrri TTCIIO'T^ I%a\\d.r7ti ydc ri 
 x) ^evix/iv 'aroiet TIJV X?iv. Ariit. Rhct. 1. 3. c. 3.
 
 Defended and lUuftrated. 1 1 
 
 menius, a native Greek, and commentator on the 
 acred writers, feems not to relifli this noble ex- 
 prellion, but formally and coolly tells us., that 
 the word is properly apply'd to a man only. 
 
 Tis a vigorous compound word us'd by Poly- 
 liusy and in this place is iurprizingly bold and 
 agreeable j and the paflage is rais'd and ftrength- 
 en'd by two lively Profopope'ias. 'Tis the obfer- 
 vation of the great critic Demetrius Pbalerettf, that 
 {bmething of the poetic phrafe and fpirit gives 
 noblenefs and magnificence to a difcourfe". In- 
 deed there always wants both fpirlt and 'pleafint- 
 nefs in a profe-author, who is altogether inienfi- 
 ble of the charms and graces of poetry. But 
 when and how far to throw in the heightenings 
 and embellifhments of poetry is not to be learnt 
 by tumbling over fcholiafts and writers of Lexi- 
 cons, nor railing duft in libraries $ but requires a 
 delicate ear, a quick apprehenfion and great 
 ftrength and foundnefs of judgment. How 
 fmall a portion of the poetical fpirit fell to 
 the fhare of Mr. Gataker appears from all 
 his writings 5 particularly his tranilation of 
 the Greek verfes he quotes into Latin. That 
 iiiiooth line of one the politcft and iweetefV of 
 the Greek poets ,, 
 
 " Dem. Phal. in. p. 71. Theoc. Id L-+. v. 64, 
 
 C 2. nz*5sw
 
 n The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 is fo heavily fetter'd, and moves fb aukwardly in 
 this gentleman's Latin verfion, that I believe it 
 will make a very grave man fmile. 
 
 Venevam ego hue yirgp, at mulier fum jam h'mc 
 reditura p . 
 
 This digreffion, I hope, will be eafily par- 
 don'd, becaufe the ufe and pertinence of it will 
 appear in the procefs of this work. 
 
 .3. It will now be a fit preparation to the 
 following chapters tofhewthat not only this learn- 
 ed man, but feveral authors, antient and modern, 
 native Greeks, celebrated linguifts and commenta- 
 tors, have too forwardly pronounc'd many places 
 in the new Teftament to be mere Helraifms, Ara- 
 lifms, &c. which are found exactly parallel to 
 the common expreflions of the firft-rate writers 
 of old Greece ; and have boldly affirm'd many to 
 be falfe and barbarous, which upon examination 
 come up to the ftandard of primitive purity, 
 I enter upon this examination, not with the 
 leaft intention to gratify the vanity of contradict- 
 
 Gat. de ily) NT p. 131, 
 
 mg
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 1 3 
 
 ing or finding fault with great men in the com- 
 monwealth of letters, to whofe names and me- 
 mories I fhall always pay a fincere refpect and de- 
 ference. I only in this diiTertation humbly pro- 
 pofe and defign to do juftice to the {acred books, 
 and to prevent the prejudices that young fcholars 
 may receive by the authority of fbme great men, 
 againft the flyle of our Lord's Apoftles andEvan- 
 gelifts, by confuting fbme vulgar errors, and 
 wiping off fbme dirt that has been thrown upon 
 thefe precious volumes. Therefore the nature of 
 my work obliges me to make it appear, without 
 difrefpect or refle&ion, that little regard is to be 
 had to many celebrated critics on this head, who, 
 without confidering the matter deeply, and read- 
 ing the Claflics and divine writers with the view 
 of carefully comparing them together, have nia- 
 gifterially dictated to the world, that the Greek of 
 the new Teftament is either quite a new language 
 or a barbarous dialect prodigioufly different from 
 the common. Many young fcholars, taking the 
 charge of fblecifms, blemillies and barbarifms in 
 thefe (acred authors for granted, have, to their 
 great lofs and difadvantage, conceived an early 
 difouft, and have either neglected to read thole 
 ineftimable treafures of wifdom and genuine elo- 
 quence, or have read them with- a carelefs indif- 
 ference and want of tafte, 
 
 3 To
 
 14 *fke SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 To purfue my defign. I begin with the la- 
 borious gentleman we nam'd firft. 
 
 '!<$&)> tJbv q in "the Septuagint and the newTefta- 
 ment writers is a vigorous repetition after theffr- 
 ireiv dialed: ; but 'tis at the (ame time pure Greek. 
 
 Lucian has it, and 'tis quoted by Pfochenius: 
 but his adverfary fets afide Lucian 's authority ; 
 and lays he mixes many poetical phraies in his 
 ftyle, and insinuates this may be one. Or elfe 
 he rather fuppofes, that that (coffing buffoon 
 ufes it here by way of contempt and ridicule of 
 the facred phrafe. Tho' I think there is no 
 ground for thefe fuppofitions, let 'em pa(s. We 
 prove the expreffion claffical by authority fupe- 
 rior., and fuch as muft entirely filence all cavils. 
 Xsyovrsg, and sty tsyw in Herodotus*, 
 toiiilhucidiJes*, and PUV av airsXbov $%STO 
 in Plato *, are the fame repetitions expreis'd in the 
 fame manner. 
 
 But sg &XMJV ctLxifiz and fieydSel' (jLeydteg* are 
 repetitions more harfh and licentious than any I 
 have obierved in the divine writers. UgofyyTV)$ 
 is inftanced by Gataker, as ridicul'd by Lucian, as 
 
 9 Ads vii. 34. Exod. iii. 7. Gat de ftyl. N. T. pS. 
 
 r Her. Gr. 9. fop. 1. pen. 3. 219. 1. 44. 
 
 f f. 197. 1. ii. 
 
 1 Plat. Phied. p. 164. 1. 30, 31. in Divin. Dial. Cant. 
 
 v Her. Gale 3. p. zof. Her Gr. i. ip. 1. n. 
 
 ? if'
 
 Defended and llluftrated. ij 
 
 if it was not a claffical word ; and he fays not a 
 word to vindicate it w : but Herodotus often ufes 
 it, and fure the authority of fuch a noble writer 
 is enough to liipport it x . 
 
 'AP.P.2 for si y.Y] is objected againft, and 
 thought not to be pure and claffical j but Hero- 
 dotus puts it beyond all exception 7 . The chil- 
 dren or ions of Ifrael for Israelites y and ions of 
 men for men will not be allow'd by this writer 
 to be an idiotifhi of the Greek language, nor 
 juftify'd by Homer s fbns of the Greeks j becaufe, 
 fays my author, Homer is a poet, and the poetical 
 language will not eftablifh any idiom. And he 
 farther fays that no Greek author ufes fbns of men 
 for men. But Herodotus, whom moft of the 
 critics aliow to be a tolerable good Greek author, 
 fpeaks commonly in this manner, the fbns or 
 children of the Lydians, &thiofians y lonians ftand 
 barely for Lydians, ^Ethiopians, and lonians *. 
 
 The learned man feems to reje6t cc~o awbsv 'su$ 
 XZTU* in St. Mark as a form very rarely, if ever^ 
 us'd by the approv'd Claflics : but expreffions ex- 
 
 w Gat. p. 80. 
 
 x "E-nruTa tTErsi^cjTEUV TV ttrpo^/iTCts 1 TO atriov T aragfioyT^- 
 /.ax Her. Gr. <j. 5-43. 1. pen. So does Plato^ Alcibiad. z. 
 
 ) Gar. de ftyl. N. T. 104. St. Mar. ix. 8. Herod. Gr. 7.. 
 410. 1, 38. 
 
 ' Her. Gr. i . 10. 1. 33,. 3. 167. 1. 46. f , 303. 1. i r. 
 
 St. Mar. xv. 38.
 
 1 6 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 actly parallel are very commonly us'd by the bed 
 authors of Greece \ y^X? 1 Koppu rqq Yjfjisoxg ii$ 
 CTC'T' s?zi JT/ ^taAAov hg TOT?) till that time b . 
 
 Tho' it cou'd not be allow'd thztPfochenius had 
 prov'd from Euripides, that oizog for a Family or 
 Lineage was claffical Greek, yet the authority of 
 Herodotus and Demojlhenes muft carry it. &SVTS- 
 gog zTog 7/7 otxbje rz'jrr/c, he was the fecond of 
 this family. OuAaVcroj, /c obferve laws, rites 
 and cufioms is deny'd to be us'd by the ancient 
 Greeks, but againft the refifllefs authority of the 
 two foremention'd noble authors. 
 
 Herodotus having ipoken of feveral, both religi- 
 ous and civil, rites and cufioms prevailing among 
 the Per/tans, concludes, TZVTZ pey vuv XTU (pufaiff- 
 ffBTcti ' thefe things are thus obferv'd and praffiifed. 
 Demojthenes tells the Athenians, that they ought 
 to confider and weigh well what laws they enact, 
 but, when they have made Jaws, to keep and 
 obferve them . 
 
 Xcfrafij is (aid to be us'd only of the feeding 
 of biutes, and never of men, in the Claflics. 
 Lambert Bos brings {everal inftances to the con- 
 
 fc Xen. Hel. 7. p. 469. y r chin. adv. Ctef. p. 65. !. 2.. 
 Oxon. Her. Gr. 1.40. 1. 16. Plat. Alcib. z. p. iyi. Ed. 
 Hen. Sceph. 
 
 c Her. Gr. i. p. f<5. 1. 6. Demofthenes adv. Mid. p. 3^0. 
 1. f. 
 
 trar.y.
 
 Defended and Illuflrated. 1 7 
 
 trary. Plato uies it of human creatures : Bocrzoy- 
 TOLL xpgrotZpfji.evoi ti) o%svovT$ e . Tho' it muft be 
 acknowledged, that the men there defcribed aded 
 below the dignity of their nature,, and the dictates 
 of their reafon, and were totally degenerated, and 
 deeply funk into a ftate of brutality and fbttifh- 
 nefi. Tis in my thoughts a perverie and unrea- 
 fonable adherence to an hypothefis once laid 
 down, to object againft a word or phrafe in the 
 new Teilament being pure and claflical, becaufe 
 it is more us'd in the Hebrew or Syriac than the 
 Greek. When a word or conftrudion is found 
 in any good and authentic writer of old Greece* 
 nothing but otilmacy can hinder any man from 
 allowing it to be pure and proper. Gataker has 
 fix'd upon an inftance very foreign to the purpofe 
 he defign'd it for : Xs^i/ psydxyv cQofyz sx&err 
 cxv f , where he fays there is a double Helraifm- y 
 he rejoicd a joy, and then exceeding great : and 
 whatever can be {aid to the contrary, he deter- 
 mines 'em to be Helraifms or Syriafms rather 
 than Grecifms. 
 
 They were originally in the Helrew j but 'tis 
 certain they are equally proper in Greek. Con- 
 itrucldon parallel to %#f ^ e%sifqffzv may, I believe, 
 
 e Plat. Refp. 9- p. i66. 1. if. Ed. IVhfley. 
 f Si- Mar. ii, 10. Gat. dc itylo, p. if 8. 
 
 D be
 
 i8 
 
 be found in above two hundred places in four or 
 five of the chief authors of Greece. 
 
 is not worfe Greek than s&vos psyot 
 gu$ and A/fyv iir%i>fzl npufai in Herodotus k . Gro- 
 titis, Pifeator, and Caflalio tell us, that the ufe of 
 a participle for a fubftantive is a Helraijm, with- 
 out taking any notice that 'tis common in the belt 
 Greek and Roman authors. 'O weifsitjuv in St. 
 Matthew is the Tempter j (b rV Xsyovrccg and rwy 
 teyovTw are ffo Orators in Vemofthenes, and TI> 
 TUgstvyevovTuv are iT/gj and Governors in Ifocrates 1 . 
 A reverend commentator on u4ffj vii. 2 . with 
 a grave air informs his reader,, that 'tis cuftomary 
 with the Hebrews to add the word man, when it 
 imports no more than the word to which it is 
 annex'd. But the nicety of the obfervation had 
 been fpoil'd, if he had added,, and 'tis cuftomary 
 likewife in the Greek writers of the beft age and 
 merit. 'AV^WTTW fixer i>.eT in St. Matthew is as 
 good Greek as paur&Sjl' eivfyl in Homer j ctrfoy. cax- 
 in Tbucidides, avtysg ai%z?xl in Demofthenes 3 
 
 $ Xcn. Cyr. Exp. z. i. n. p. 81. 
 h Plat, de Leg. ic. p. 2.10. Csmb. 
 ' J( chin. adv. Ctef. 41. I. 13, 14. add. 
 k Gr. p. 180. I. 16. 171. 1. 39. Her. Gr. i. 21. 1. 59. 
 1 St. Mat. iv. 5. Herod. Gr. 3. 172,. 1. 39. Dem. i 
 Olyn, 4. 1. ult. adv. Mid. 41 1. 1. 38.
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. r p 
 
 *OT? in Herodotus and Xenofkon} 
 Tully has ta0 Gladiator". 
 
 Mixfu fcj iA.eydt.to in /4&r xxvi. 12,. is a H<f- 
 Iraifm, lays the learned Grotius: but the fame 
 form of fpeech in Thucidides fhews it to be Gra^., 
 7ToXtz$ y ^ pxfz<;, 5 pey d>.a<; . No form of ex 
 preffion has been cavil I'd at more by the defamers 
 of the ftyle of the new Teflament than the ufe 
 of the particle ev j and particularly put before the 
 inftrument with which any thing is done. 3 Ev <rd- 
 {jLzri {jLa-xjzigag and sv fuzxaifx are affirm'd by al- 
 moft all commentators to be a pure Helraifm. 
 
 But as this particle is us'd much with the 
 fame variety in other fignifications, fb peculiarly 
 in this we find it in the purefl claflic authors. 
 So Slat&9sifovTau sv totig X f aLV &VT&V in "fhucidides^ 
 sv (bovctit; o^Xvrai in Ariflofhanes. So that the 
 obfervation of the excellent Grotius on i Thejf. iv. 
 i 8. fv TGT$ l.Qyoiq TZTOLS' By or with thefe words 
 
 m St. Mat. xxii. i. Horn. 'IX. y . 170. Thuc. i. 41. I. 
 if. Her. Gr. p. ff 1. 1. 41. Xen. Cyr. Exp. i. 6. i. p. 41. 
 1. i. 
 
 n Tullii Ep. ad Fam. n. 2.1. 1. i. 
 
 Thucid. 4. p. 2.77, Arifloph. Aves. v. TOTI.. i ThefT. 
 iv. iS. Horn. 'IX. rt. Xern 8.7. i. 519. Weils. St. Mar. 
 vi. 7. Xen. Cyrop. i. ;. 14. p. 16. Oxon. Grcc. sv c^oXw. 
 St. Mark xiv. i. ouxsv <//'K, unjuflly, PLit. Eutbyphron. p. 6. 
 1. i. Plato has Iv iu^r,pioTaTOjf ovojua^rtv ovo/wta'^?iv, to call 'cm 
 by the moft favourable names, z Alcibiad, p. 140. Edit. Hen, 
 Steph. 
 
 D ^ comfort
 
 20 Tloe SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 comfort one another, is vain : ly, fays he upon the 
 place, is added after the Hebrew manner: the 
 purer Greeks exprefs the inftrumental caufe by the 
 
 dative alone. Homer has ~h oGSahuofou i'fauzu 
 
 i i j 
 
 I v xflowioig crwtASioig* by fans from heaven* is in Xe- 
 
 ' J J o J 
 
 nophon. 'Ev Tcolvto'yt'K, for their much fpeaking, 
 in St. Matthew, is exactly parallel'd by that pat- 
 lage in Xenophon sv TXTU ps STtaiffsv o S^defnoc^o^ 
 
 for this my matter ftrttck me. St. Mark has -h <J&w, 
 j /// 
 
 deceitfully or by treachery: Plato's sv $ixrj y jujlly, 
 exactly parallels it. Pifcator, on Revel, xviii. z. 
 affirms that sv fo%vt is put for Ivvveug by a He- 
 
 3 T 1 ' ^ ' ' ' ' irS I- 
 
 vraijm'i but f/ ^t^ TrftgecrovTai sv Ta%si in Tbuctaz- 
 des proves it pure Greek p . 
 
 The excellent Grotius, on St. Mat . v. 1 1 . af- 
 fures his reader that the dative cafe there cannot be 
 laid of the perfbns who fpoke, but muft mean 
 the perfbns fpoken to. However that place may 
 be tranflated, 'tis certain from Ihucidides that his 
 aflertion is rafh and wrong, ug $ ToT$ 7rz?.zio'i TTOI- 
 ijraTg $e$tf?wrau } as it has been declared by the anti 
 tnt poets q . 
 
 The great Cafaulon, who had a good notion 
 of the purity and propriety of the new Tefta- 
 mcnt Greek, and has illuftrated many paffages by 
 parallel claffical expreffions, fbmetimes too unad- 
 
 P Thucid, 4, p, 177, 'i Thucid. i. p. ]. y. 
 
 vifedly
 
 Defended and IttuftratecF. ^ ! 
 
 vifedly pronounces thofe to be mere Helraifms 
 which are {band Grecifms , and prov'd fb by the 
 beft authors. MeSveiv, fays this learned critic,, 
 on St. John ii. i o. according to the ufage of the 
 Hebrew, does not fignify here to le drunk > but 
 only chearful drinking within the bounds of tempe- 
 rance. It fignifies the fame in the Grecian Claf- 
 fics. Herodotus of the Perjians fays, that when 
 they have drank chearfully and freely, then they 
 debate about the mofl ferious and important 
 affairs. The word is ^S^VO-KO^SVO^ whicn often i 
 expreffes the debauchery and crime of drunkennefs, 
 but muft here be limited to an allowable indul- 
 gence*. The fame judicious fcholar is miftakeir 
 when he charges St. Luke with want of purity in 
 chap. iv. 3 . of the AHs. He will not allow r/?- 
 Yi<ng to be a claflical Greek word for a prifon$ 
 and unwarily fays, thofe who fpeak Greek with 
 more purity wou'd have us'd -tyvteyw. \Thu- 
 cidides be an author of pure Greek this cenfure is 
 wrongs if not, this controveriy is at an end. 
 He has a<rQaterdTiqv TY^YPW, the fecurejl hold or- 
 
 of confinement for pr if oner s f . 
 'Twasbecaufe that univerfal and judicious fcho- 
 lar Dr. Hickes run in with the prejudicate opini- 
 on of feveral eminent men upon this fubject, 
 
 r Her. Gr. i, f<5. 1. 7. f Thuc. 7. .i5f . 1. 14,
 
 ^^ 
 
 and had not himfelf compar'd the foreign and fa- 
 cred writers together, that he affirms noteu to be 
 Helleniftical or Hebraijing Greek, when it fignifies 
 to perform divine rites, to celebrate a fejlival, or 
 offer facrifice. Which muft in his opinion im- 
 ply that it is not pure and claflical Greek, or elfe 
 the aflertion wou'd be entirely vain and infignifi- 
 cantj becaufe every body knows 'tis frequently (b 
 us'd by the Greek tranflators of the old Teftament, 
 and the divine authors of the new; who often 
 u{e their words and phrafeology s . 
 
 But the moft approv'd and noble writers of 
 Greece commonly ufe the very fame expreflion. 
 We have woLrja-avrsg ioa in Herodotus \ xxroi yw 
 77ofy<rs fjLvg-rjtiz, he celebrated myjlerious rites, in 
 Xenopbon v , &UVLM eicoiyffocro ry 'Afrspfo, be offered 
 facrifice to Diana, mThucidides $ to which add 
 that of Herodotus, avsv yaf Sr] pdyx ov <rtyi vopog 
 ezl Svcriag 7rcLo-$xi* , 'tis not lawful for them to 
 offer facrifice without one of tbe magicians. 
 
 Thefe mflances may ferve to give young fcho- 
 lars caution not to take things upon truftj nor 
 to be too much influenced by the plaufible 
 
 s Dr. Hickes's colleflion of controverfial letters, preface, p. 
 77. St. Mat. xxvi. 1 8. Deut. xvi. i. 
 c Her. Gr. 9. fi6. 1. 18. 
 y Hcllen. i. p. 30. 
 w Thuc. 8. j-zp.l. pen. 
 * Her. Gr. i. 5-5-. ]. 27. 
 
 conjectures
 
 Defended and llfoftrated. 22 
 
 conjectures and confident affirmations of gram- 
 marians and critics. 
 
 . 4. I now proceed to {hew in different in- 
 fiances that great miftakes have been made by 
 antient and modern writers., when they have 
 magifterially determined what is not Attic Greek 
 or good Greek in general. And I think that 
 fbme captious critics never fb remarkably blun- 
 der, as when they attack the propriety and pu- 
 rity of the Greek Teftament, and prefumptuoufly 
 charge the Amanuenfes of the divine fpirit with 
 {blecifms, and breaches of the reafon and analo- 
 gy of grammar 7 . 
 
 PhrynichuS) a native Greek, and profeflbr of 
 criticifm,, declares y^vu bvgav to be barbarous 
 Greek) and, with a dicl:atorian air, requires xoVJw 
 S-Jfay to be put in place of it: which wou'd 
 fall hard upon St. Matthew, St. Luke, and St. 
 John, who all ufe this phrafe: but they are as 
 iafe as the pure and polite Xenofbon himfelf, 
 who has it in his banquet Qifavnos oe o yeXuTc- 
 r.cwq Kgxffas rr/v BvfotV'liTrs TW ^T^xyV^>ri z . The 
 Emperor Julian ridicules eteqpoffvw, as us'd by our 
 
 >' FacefTimt illi, qui ftylum noviTeftamenti non fatis Grx- 
 cum cfTe (eti;im qui fibi aliifque maxime vigilnrc videbantur) 
 fomniabant. Pufor. Grrec. Grarn. Sac. p. 
 
 '* I/acian. Solecift. p. 7-5*8 . n. i. 
 
 5 
 
 divine
 
 SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 divine authors for alms and fruits of charity to the 
 poor 5 when Callimacbus, a very elegant and po- 
 lite author of his own religion, ufes it for mercy 
 and goodnefs. And is it either an unufual or 
 faint trope to put a noble caufe for its genuine 
 erfed 3 ? 
 
 The Greek fophifts often contradict themfelves in 
 
 their own remarks and critical obfervations. Eipe- 
 
 cially Lucian^ one of the moft learned and fharp of 
 
 'em, tranfgreffes his own rules j ferioufly ufes thoie 
 
 expreilions which he condemns and feoffs at in 
 
 better authors, and runs into that abfurdity in one 
 
 place, which he expofes in another. He affirms 
 
 that (rvfyi'vopxi rivl, to be compar'd to any one, is 
 
 barbarous, which wou'd fall upon St. Paul b ; 
 
 but the drolling critic ferioufly ufes it in his Pa - 
 
 rajlte . He fatyrically reflects on puy and r^ oq y 
 
 us'd by authors far fuperior to him both in the 
 
 advantage of a better age, and fir more elevated 
 
 genius. Mwy is often us'd by Plato and Arifto- 
 
 fhanes d . ^H^' og is almoft in every page in the 
 
 divine Plato. I fliall only refer to one place, be- 
 
 caufe I propofe to prove every thing that I ad- 
 
 a Callim. Del. not. Spanhemii. 
 
 b 2. Cor. x. ii. 
 
 c Luc. Soleciti. 743. n. z. 
 
 - Plat, de Log. 10. p. 104. 1. z. Camb. Seleft.Di.il. 
 
 vance
 
 Defended and HhiftrateeL ij 
 
 vance e . The fame faroaftical writer advances a 
 nice diilinc"tion between vpflfy ?&& and vfigify 
 sig TIV<X. The firft he will have to fignify the in- 
 juring a man in his own ferfcn j the laft injuring 
 and abufing any perfon or thing in which he has 
 an inter eft or property, or that is dear to him, and 
 infults and laughs at thofe who neglect his di- 
 ftinCtion : but the ridicule returns upon the (cof- 
 fer, and the critic confounds his own diftindion, 
 Plutus complains of limon, Zfififa lie, si/s, $ e^s- 
 Qoffi, he abus'd me, and threw me out of doors . 
 
 There is no diltindtion between theie two ways 
 of expreflion in the true claffic writers, 'O-j 
 
 $f SMS 5 . 
 
 Julius Pollux, the famous author of the Ono 
 majlicon, boldly pronounces, that 'Ayw 
 is not pure Attic Greek $ it muft be ' AywV 
 xyc. But this flight obfervation is overturn'd by 
 the ufage of two excellent Attic writers, greater 
 judges and mafters of the purity and graces of 
 the Greek tongue, than all the tribe of fcholiaits 
 and rammarians j iroisTv oiymxg fixvimg xj 
 
 e Plat. Apol. Soc, 6. 1. ult. Camb. 
 { Lucian. Solccift. yfp. n. i. Timon, 81, n. 4. 
 8 Demoft. in Mid. 596. 1. 8. ante fin. Ibid. 405. I. 
 & 388. I. f.
 
 26 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 xovs in Ariftophanes*. Thucidides has both ways 
 of expreffion in the compafs of a few lines: 
 
 *Av/iJK S7T-OLSLTO OtVTobl* Y* yjUVMOC* K^ UXCTiXOe 
 
 St. Jerom, a learned and ufeful commentator, 
 but too bold a cenfurer of the (acred writers, 
 ftrikes St. Lz/fe thro' the Greek tranflators of the 
 old Teftament, when he reflects on 'em for fay- 
 ing of Abraham $ iyJJixuv dxebzvs k - y . and adds 
 this remarkable reafbnj, becaufe a good man never 
 fails. Yes, with refpecl to this world, he fails 
 and finks, when his foul leaves the mortal 
 and decay 'd body. Which is the fame expref- 
 fion with that of the great Cyrus on his death- 
 bed, who firmly believed a future ftate and 
 the eternal duration of human fouls. 'A/./.2 
 yoL,o tf$'i C'/MTZSW poi (bzwcrai r/ '^rjy^r^ Now my 
 foul begins to fail me > that is, is juil lea vino- this 
 ruinous body, and going into the ftate of immor- 
 tality^. 
 
 Oecumemus brings a raik and weak charge r.- 
 gainft St. John for the inaccuracy of liis. Greek ^ 
 and fup.por.ts it with a reafon becoming fuch 2 
 criticifm j becaufe it adds ftrength to iircnqrh, 
 and amplification to, amplification ; that is, ^be- 
 
 h Plut. 1164. i ThuciJ. 3. 207. 1. i f , 2 . ; . 
 
 k Sr. Luke xvi. 9. Gen. xxv. 8. 
 
 1 Xcn. Cyrop. 8, c. 7. p. 334. . antepenult. 
 
 eauli
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 17 
 
 ciufe (jLetfyrefw is a more expreffive and vehe- 
 ment word than fteifyvz, and more ftrongly repre- 
 {cnts to the reader the intenfenefs of the Apof tie's 
 -zeal and Chriltian charity" 1 . The propriety of 
 the word is juftiry'd by the ufage of the beft au- 
 thors. ThucidiJes forms xxHiursfos from xoc}.>.iu\- y 
 as St. John does ^st^ors^og from \j.slfyv el'ds T. 
 
 ' EiTS XS&JjUTSQV. BIS $iXXtOTW TXTtiV $OX& 
 
 . 
 
 When Homer has a mind to brand the moft 
 profligate and worthless of mortals with the deep- 
 eft mark of ignominy, and the utmolt feverity 
 of contempt,, he uies this form, 
 
 'Ov yxg syu crso ^y.l '/S^OTS^J figoToy 
 
 St. Paul very happily exprefles his tranfcen* 
 dent humility and penitent forrow, for his mil- 
 taken zeal and rage againft the name and goipel 
 or the blefled Jefus, by forming a noble compa- 
 rative from a Superlative ; spot TW faaworefu 7rdv~ 
 TUV Tw'y //w!', excellently render'd in our Eriglijh 
 translation,, to me 'who am lefs than the kajl of all 
 faints. Grotius on the place names fbme words 
 compounded much after the fame manner 5 but 
 
 m St. John Ep. 5. . 4, n Thucid. 4. i8o.l.ult. 
 
 Hom.'lx /3. 148. 
 
 E 2. it
 
 iS The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 it feems to me a beauty not to be paralled in the 
 Ckffics. Such a comprehensive word in Plato or 
 fhucidides wou'd have been pointed out,, and ad- 
 mir'd by interpreters and fcholiaits - y as the pro- 
 priety and fublimity of this is juftly admir'd and 
 eloquently celebrated by St. Chryfoftom. 
 
 I fliall only here beg leave to put in two or three 
 observations which were omitted in their proper 
 place, and then go on to another matter. 
 
 Grotius, on Rom. v. . %3Lfiv r^rr^ ev fj e&jw- 
 JULSV, remarks, tliat the preterperfect tenie is put 
 for the prefent after the Hebrew. He might have 
 {aid and after the Greek manner too. Demofthenes 
 has fVjjxs wA c.u~uy y he now Jlands Jtlewt ? . And 
 Homer : 
 
 Lucian, Suidas, Pollux, and others* affirm^ that 
 'tis falfe Greek to join a future tenfe of a verb 
 to the particles rjy., cyj. But the ufage of Homer, 
 Plato, fkucidides and Xenophon at once overthrows 
 the groundleis fancies and arbitrary determinations 
 
 P Demoft. adv. Mid. 3^8. 1, 44, 
 1 Horn. MX 7'. v. 131. 
 
 of
 
 &e fended and Ilktftrated. 29 
 
 of a thoufand fophifts and compilers of lexi- 
 cons \ 
 
 g aeutest 
 
 V ty trs Kgcc'Sfxo'i vuv ol sTriTtffeioi s . Quo- 
 tations from the other noble authors abovemen- 
 tioned the Reader may find in Gravius upon Lu- 
 cian s Solecijl \ 
 
 To conclude this, after Gr&vius has taken a 
 great deal of pains in producing and examining 
 the clashing and contradictory opinions and deter- 
 minations of the critics,, he makes this juft re- 
 mark; that no rule or determination of theirs 
 is fb firmly eftablifli d but that in fome cafe it fiiils 
 and admits exceptions v . 
 
 5 . There are, it is confefs d, feveral words* 
 and expreffions in the new Teftament not to be 
 found in any claflic author of Greece: becaufe 
 Chriftianity_, tho' it agreed in the main with the 
 
 r Lucian. Sophift. p. 75-8. n. i. 
 
 f Horn. 'IX. X'. v. 141. 'IX u. 307. 
 
 s Phu. Pho:d. in Divin.Dial. Scicft. Cantab, p. 76. 1. 7. 8. 
 
 1 P ; 7fP-. 
 
 v Grsev. in Luc. Solecift. n. z. p. 75*9. Here I add an ob- 
 fervation made by Dr. IVkitby, that Suiclas undPbavorinus fay 
 
 c^s^a) is only to excoriat?, and cT'a^a) to beat) whereas cNoco is to 
 beat at finite in N.T. St. John xviii. 2.3. and Arilloph, 
 Vefp. eAlg^fl
 
 3> The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 pure J-eewJh religion, yet in many refpeds ic 
 was a new institution, much different from and 
 iuperior to all former inflitutions and religions. 
 Therefore "'twas neceflary to frame new terms in 
 the Greek to reach the propriety and force of th~ 
 Hebrew-, and cxprefs the mo ft auguft myfleries 
 and refm'cl motels of Chriftianity, lb far exalted 
 
 above the morals of Paganism; its notions of 
 
 
 'God, and its religious rites. New names muft 
 
 be given to new things, as 'Tully apologizes for 
 his own pra6tice w . That contaminate Orator 
 and Philofopher, tho' as careful of the purity of 
 his language as any man, freely makes u(e of 
 Greek words and phrafes to adorn his noble body 
 f Latin Philofophy. The words judicioufly 
 chofen, however before unufual, muft needs be 
 proper and fatisfactory, that fully exprefi fuch ad- 
 mirable fenfc. And who can blame the language, 
 
 c * & 
 
 that is capable to under/land the philofophy t 
 Plato, the admir'd moralift and divine of the pa- 
 gan world, in his Theology, ules metaphorical ex- 
 preilions, harlher than any in the new Teftament, 
 
 - w Tul. de Nat. Deor. I. 17. p. 41. Ed. Davis. All wri- 
 rers of great genius have m;ide fome new words which have 
 been applauded and received into general life. And fhall the 
 n:w Teilament writers, fo well qualify 'd, be deny'd that pri- 
 vilege, when necefTity requir'd ic, and the words and phrafes 
 found fo wtll, and are To agreeable to the analogy of gram- 
 mar? J r . ILr, /Iri, Poet. i\ 46, &c. 
 
 i and
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 3 * 
 
 and yet not fb expreffive and appofite to his 
 purpofe. 
 
 The molting of the feathers of the foul, and 
 railing upward the eye of the mind that was deep 
 plung'd into the dirt and mire of barbarifm, found- 
 as harili and are as difbfteful as any one can pre- 
 tend that mortifying the members of the body, and 
 crucifying the flefh with its luffs and affections do 
 in the Chriitian inftitution- x '. Indeed there never 
 was any religion, but one branch of it was ablti- 
 nence from bodily indulgences, and a refilling to> 
 gratify the lower and meaner appetites of our na- 
 ture, on account of decency and purer pleafure - y . 
 of contemplation and a freer addrefs to God, the 
 fountain of all happinefs, m a6b> of devotion. 
 
 Plato is juftly prais'd for the found account he 
 gives of this refin'd and improving doctrine y , 
 But the cleared and moll fatisfaclory account of it- 
 will by a diligent and fober enquirer be found in 
 die Cbriftian philofophy, 
 
 To crucify the flefh carries greater force and' 
 propriety, than all. the heft things faid, upon that 
 iiibje6l in the pagan theology. 'Tis a very en- 
 gaging allufion and. accommodation to our Lord's: 
 exquiute pains and ignominious fufferings on the: 
 
 x Plat, dc Rep. 7. p. 132,. Ed. MafTcy. 
 y PUt. Phaedo. p. 8p, 90. Selc<9f. Diyin. Dial. 
 in fcriptis.
 
 3 1 'The S A c R E D CLASSICS 
 
 cro/s for oar fake; and repreleiits to us the ini- 
 menfe obligations he has laid upon us to be hum- 
 ble and thankful, to be pure and cautious of all 
 thoughts which may tend to withdraw our alle- 
 giance from our Saviour., to defile our nature 
 which he took upon him-, and unqualify us for the 
 falvation he has purchaled ; and enjoying the full 
 effects of his moil precious pad ions. 
 
 The remembrance of our Saviour's agonies., 
 and the (pilling his molt meritorious and preci- 
 ous blood for us men and for our (alvation, makes 
 every Chriftian's penitent iorrow for his fins 
 bleed afreili; powerfully touches all the (prints 
 of human nature j works up all its tendernefs, 
 its hopes and fears j and, in a word, is an argu- 
 ment and motive to every duty of Chriftianity, 
 which none but monfters of men and (bns of 
 perdition can refill. 
 
 6. In common morals and matters of con- 
 vert and hiitorical relation, the (acred writers ufe 
 the (ame words and exprefiions with Herodotus, 
 Thttcidides, Xenofhon, dec. and have a proper 
 and agreeable method, a beautiful plainne(s and 
 gracefulnefi of (lyle, which equal the mod cele- 
 brated authors in that language. So that the 
 ground and main fubftance of the language, the 
 words and phrafeology in general are the (ame in 
 
 the
 
 Defended and llluflrated, * ^ 
 
 the facred and foreign Claffics. But then there 
 are feveral words and phrafes (befides thofe which 
 are new for the reafons abovementioned) which 
 are not at all, or not in the fame fenfe in the old 
 Claffics of Greece. Befides that in thefe feeming 
 irregularities in the new Teflament there is no 
 violation of fyntax and the general analogy of 
 language; we are to confider, that there is not 
 
 DO 7 
 
 one good author extant, but has peculiar ways 
 with him and difficulties, which diftinguifh him 
 from all others of the fame denomination. 
 
 'ThePativmity of Livy (which moft probably 
 relates to his ftyle) and the obfblete coiiftriidtions 
 of the Attic dialect, renew'd by Thucidides, don't 
 prejudice the reputation of thofe noble,, and very 
 entertaining and improving authors in the opi- 
 nion of capable readers , nor hinder the authors 
 from being great mailers of noble fenfe and lan- 
 guage. 
 
 Some peculiar forms and idioms in fuch au- 
 thors do not diminifh their character, but encrcafe 
 the plcaiure of the reader, and gratify his curio- 
 fity they don't extinguifli, but rather enliven the 
 beauty and graces of his ftyle. 
 
 Ks$z/.zio* to woumdin the head", d&upol.oy^ 
 pzi, to give thanks* , i&w 'Iw^'yv/jv, they tfteemd 
 
 1 St. Marc, xii 4, Sr Luke ii, 3? 
 
 F fohli
 
 3 4 7fo SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 John b , yvwft'<5w c , an ox f bo putt , to begin a difcourfe \ 
 TtysvpaTi and vo'i oppos'd, sxvijfyzTe hxxiug for sic 
 dizsucrj'/qv e are, as far as I have obferved, peculiar 
 to the iacred writers. And there are a great many 
 more peculiarities which I have collected; but 
 they are (b obvious to gentlemen converfant in 
 thefe ftudies, that it is unneceflary tare to pro- 
 duce 'em. 
 
 I beg my reader's leave humbly to propofe one 
 conjedlure by putting down dyaXXidopcti as a pe- 
 culiarity in St. John, fignifying to dejire luith <ve- 
 hemence*. And this fenfe.affix'd to it_, which is 
 not ftrain'd or unnatural, will fblve what {eems 
 to me a grofs tautology in our tranilation. 'Tis 
 this, he rejoycd to fee my day) andfaw it> and was 
 glad, that is, be was glad to fee my day, andfaw it, 
 and fo was glad. Let the defpifers of the ilyle 
 of the iacred writers delight in (uch elegancies i 
 but in this figmhcation it runs eaiy and clean, 
 he earneftly wijb'd or deprd to fee my day, and faw 
 it, and rejoycd. The Perjlan, Syriac and Ara- 
 bic verfions all give it this fenfe ; and the particle 
 
 b St. Mat. xiv. f . 
 
 ' Philip, i. 12.. 
 
 d Sr. Marc. x. 24. & p.tflltn in SS. Lireris. 
 
 ' i Cor. xv. 34. 
 
 f St. John's Gofpel. viii. f<5. I cannot find that fo rejoice 
 ever (ignified to defire earnefttj in old //?/.'/v j 'tis pliin it 
 does noc in our prefent way of expreffion.
 
 Defended and Illuflrated. 3 y 
 
 I'M in the original {eems to require it g . The 
 word iignifies to re Joyce both in the Claflics and 
 Greek translators of the Bible ; and in the latter it 
 fignifies to give thanks or joyfully to praife h : here 
 only to defire earneflly, which is a very natural 
 metonimy, whereby antecedents and confequents 
 are put for each other 5 more natural than the ufing 
 aoTratffu to fignify to contend or eamejlly ftri<ve*, 
 which properly fignifies to pant or breath hard', 
 Give me leave to name a few peculiarities in the 
 claffic authors of Greece, and then we fhall pafi 
 on to another matter. 
 
 'T/3f#X to lor ay like an afs k , ououi Y&M SGCJ- 
 
 i % 5 
 
 l^oifyvTBg^ like people admiring ( y xfaewn'ys?ws, amix~ 
 tureofjoyandforrow m y Tr/*utxTo$, ft fmaH n , <fca- 
 
 mafttyeu, to difperfe or fyuander a<way , TX$O$, 
 a dead body, in Thucidides^ in other authors a'/J. 
 pulchre p . 'iJiwV^^ 1 , in Pto^ is a profe-writer in 
 oppofition to Kowryg*, dttipog JJS, 
 
 8 Gravii Annot. in Perfic. Evangel. Verfionem, p. p<J. 2 
 Col. 
 
 h Pfal. xlix. itf. 
 
 f Her. Gr. 8. 461. AcTa'juiavr' qirar&ipt asv j . 
 ' Herod. Gr. 2.6^. 1. 5-. 
 1 Xen. Cyr. Exp. 3. p. 182. 
 m Xen. Hel. 7. 464. 
 n Demof. Philip, i. p. 17. 1. 10. 
 I foe. Areop. p. 194. 
 P Thucid. i. 74.1. ulr. 
 
 r i Ev /-tsTg<u, <u? woiyiTxif) n avsu usrpa, wj irioJr/i<-. Plat 
 Plncdr. if 8,1. i. before E. 
 
 F 2.
 
 3 6 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 the way*, heu(r(t>STSgoG y a foreigner naturalizd', 
 
 - ' /re' i '- r -r - ~ 
 
 TtPWAOLioLsjentto. to lole , STtMsuwrsc for s\%x}.wrc+ 
 
 5 I ^ ^? j 
 
 accupng*) VTTQ T$V ^3> /{#T#x2eW#, lyfew ^ ta#- 
 ^fe iytf.r burnt. A great number of peculiarities 
 befide thefe might be produced out of the Greek 
 writers if there was any neceffity. Thefe may 
 {uffice to excufe the facred authors on this head, 
 who don't more difagree from the Claffics in 
 their deviations from the common and more ufu- 
 al forms of {peaking, than any one of the au- 
 thentic Claffics does from the reft. 
 
 For inftance, examine Herodotus with this view 
 and you will find fb many words and turns of 
 expreffion peculiar to himfelf, that upon this 
 confideration you may as well call his language a 
 new fpecies of Greek, and a language different 
 from Xenophon, Plato and fhutidides, as call the 
 facred language of the new Teftament Hebraizing or 
 Helleniftical Greek, or give it any other hard name, 
 which the arbitrary critics ftiall pleafe to impofe. 
 We plainly fee by comparing the peculiarities and 
 Ids ufual ways of expreffion in the facred and fo- 
 reign Claffics, that thefe latter have taken larger 
 
 c Xen.Cyr.Exp. 2. 2. 3. p. Sf. 1. f. 
 
 f Her. Gr. p. f 22. i. 36. 
 
 f Thuc. 4. 2-4p. 1. antepenult, 
 
 ' Thucid. i. 78. 1. 4. 
 
 Her. Gr. i, ip. 1. if, 
 
 liberties,
 
 Defended and lllufl rated. 57 
 
 liberties, and have made nearer approaches tofole- 
 ciim and violation of grammar than the former. 
 'Ey TV y.Yj y.s'/.s rojyri dfcvysTUTSgot ecroy~%i, lecaufe they 
 will not praffife and exercife themfehes, they will be 
 the more unskilful, i~i(pfw o*yzg rm, to gratify and 
 oblige any one*. C A/ c= ruy I3#*x2&y yj:/2i'x zol 
 vw 7rto$ r/jffi fix?} yeyoyrM, the Barcean 'women 
 will neither tajle the flejh of hogs or cows 7 . T&wry 
 ^ y.u7.}M Ty Y'^I^I Ktefco? iy-i, -f rather endine to 
 this opinion L . Kctl $ya ttpzvzy OVTLV & ozxgvosvT a~o~ 
 s-gsQsffSat, they fay there was no man that return 'J 
 without tears*. 'AAAc TiSv we ST*OV r/jv dyfyfay TYJS 
 STrtfyfJLiqg Mo TCMTZ slsyss j did you affirm otherwife, 
 than that thefe t r ojo> courage and knowledge, were 
 different*? 
 
 . 7. 'Tis further objedted againft the new" 
 Teftament writers, that their language is rough, 
 
 by adopting barbarous and foreign words and 
 ff ^ *~^ 
 
 expremons. There are not many of this fort, 
 but are equally to be defended with the old 
 Greek writers, who have many foreign words as 
 well as the facred dailies. In the times when 
 the mod eminent Greek writers flounlhed^ the 
 
 * Thuc. i, 8 1. 
 
 > Her. Gr. 4. zSi.l. if. 
 
 2 Herod. Gr. 7. p. 45- 3. 1. i. 
 
 a Xen. Cyrop. 4. if. p. 46, 
 
 b Plato, " r 
 
 Per/tan
 
 j 8 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 Perfian empire was of vail extent, and had a 
 mighty influence upon all Greece., and therefore 
 by their wars, commerce, and travels many of 
 their words became familiar in the Grecian lan- 
 guage. So, in the time of our blefTed Saviour's 
 
 O O n , 
 
 Apoftles and Evangelifts, the writers of thefe m- 
 eftimable volumes we humbly endeavour to 
 vindicate, the Roman empire had extended its 
 conquefts over the greateit part of the world 
 where Greek was fpoken ; and therefore there are 
 feveral reaifbns why they fhould take into then- 
 writings fome of the Roman words and phraies. 
 
 Thofe terms put into Greek characters were 
 very well underftood by the perfons to whom they 
 were addrefTedj and upon feveral confiderations 
 might be more pleafmg and emphatical than the 
 original words of the language. 
 
 Shall it be allow'd to Xenophon, Herodotus and 
 Thucidides freely to ufe Perfian, Egyptian, and 
 other oriental words j and can it be an unpardon- 
 able fault for St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Paul, 
 St. Luke, upon occafion to ufe Roman f or do 
 
 qs found ftronger or are purer Greek than 
 
 The infpired writers of the new Teftament 
 having all the dialects of the old Greek language 
 
 agree-
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 
 
 agreeably intermixt, the main fubftance of the 
 (acred book being inconteftably the feme, both in 
 words and phrafes, with thofe of the pureft 
 Claflics, and their peculiarities in the fignification 
 of fbme words and turn of ibme phrafes as allow- 
 able as the fame liberties taken by them, it may 
 with modefty and reafbn be affirmed that the 
 vigorous Hebraifms found in the Greek Teffca- 
 ment (their conftruftion being perfectly agree- 
 able to good grammar) give great advantage to 
 the divine writings , enrich the tongue with the 
 treafures of a new and noble dialect, and give ad- 
 ditional variety and beauty to the heavenly book. 
 Becaule there are many Hebrew or Syriac forms of 
 fpeech in the new Teftament, in expreffing the 
 rites and ceremonies of the Je<wijh religion, 
 and the relation which the Chriitian mftitution 
 bears to that ; therefore to affirm in general that 
 the language is intirely different from the claffical 
 Greek is great raflmefs., and an error which many 
 people have run into, who have very indecently 
 and unadvifedly attacked the ftyle of the holy 
 writers : I wifh Mr. Lock had not laid of all 
 the Epiftles of St Paul without guard or I muta- 
 tion : (C The terms ? lavs he, arc Greek } but the 
 fc idiom or turn of phraies mav be truly (aid ro 
 c( be Hebrew or Syriac". 
 
 c Lock's preface to AIT. and Notes on St Pxars Eri:l. 
 
 What
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 What ! is there nothing of the idiom or turn 
 of the old Greek in St. Paul? Had he learn'd 
 nothing from the pure Claffics which he had 
 read, and fb pertinently cites ? may not a large 
 collection be made out of his Eptftles of pailages 
 which have the true purity and propriety of that 
 noble language ? This learned and fagacious man 
 here implicitely followed tradition and the autho- 
 rity of writers, which he would have utterly dif- 
 avow'd and fcorn'd in other cafes. I {hall clofe 
 this chapter with a pafTage or two of Beza, who 
 fpeaks, in my opinion, with great decency and 
 judgment. cc The reafon why the Evangelifts 
 < f and Apoftles mingled Hebraifms with their 
 " Greek was not becaufe they were Hebrews, 
 ff but becaufe they difcourfed of many things de- 
 ff livered in the Hebrew learning and law; 
 fc therefore 'twas neceflary to retain many things 
 cc of that nature, left they might be thought to 
 4C introduce fome new dodrine. And I cannot 
 cc wonder that they retain'd fb many Hebraifms } 
 when many of 'em are fuch, that they cannot 
 be fo happily exprefled in any other language 5 
 or rather cannot be exprefled at all : fo that 
 unlefs they had retain'd thofe forms of expreiii- 
 on, they muft fbmetimes have invented new 
 words and phrafes, which would not have been 
 underflood, In a word, fince they were the 
 
 3 " only 
 
 fC 
 
 SI 
 C 
 ft 
 (t 
 CC 
 
 If
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 4 1 
 
 only perfons whom God was pleas'd to employ 
 to write all things neceffary for our {alvation,, 
 We mud alfo conclude that God fo guided 
 their tongues and pens that nothing fell raihly 
 from them, but that they exprefs'd all things 
 fo plainly^ properly and pertinently, that 'twas 
 impoflible for any one to ipeak of thefe things 
 With greater plainnefs and force d . 
 
 - B?~a on^fr?; x. 45, p. 4f f
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 Wherein tie f acred writers of tie new Teflament 
 are fully vindicated againjt the rajh and ground" 
 lefs charge of folecifms. 
 
 E are now come to what is 
 elteem'd the grand objection 
 and difficulty -, and hope to 
 clear the divine writers of it; 
 and that is that there are fb- 
 lecifms and abfurdities in the 
 ftyle of the new Teflament. The Greek of the ho- 
 ly Gofpels and Epiftles has been repreiented to be 
 almoft as unpolite and horrid as the Latin of the 
 fchoolmen. Only feme of the cenfurersof thefe m- 
 fpired authors have allowed St. Luke to write up to 
 rhe propriety and purity of the language, and have 
 ([ think) very partially and with want of judgment 
 heap'd exclusive praife upon him. 'Tis plain 
 this Evangelift has as many Hebrew forms of 
 fpeech (which thefe gentlemen do not allow to 
 be confident with the purity of the Greek] as any 
 writer of the new Tcftamenc. Scholars of great 
 
 4 note
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 4 3 
 
 note fay he has more 8 . St. Luke is indeed ad- 
 mirable for the natural eloquence and eafine/s of 
 his language. And don't the reft write with a 
 wonderful perfpicuity, and a very beautiful and 
 inftru&ive plainnefs ? We hope to iliew their ex 
 cellencies in a proper place. 
 
 No wonder if thefe (acred volumes have been 
 attack'd on one hand by lewd libertines., and 
 on the other by conceited critics, imce they con- 
 tain fuch pure and fpiritual doctrines, and preach 
 fuch profound humility., that at once lay ftricl: 
 reftraints upon the lufts and exorbitant appetites ,, 
 and beat down the vanity and pride oF fliort- 
 lighted and prefuming mortals. Homer had his 
 Zoilus; Thucldides was ungratefully carp'd at by a 
 celebrated author, whofe chief glory it was to 
 imitate him, even in thofe forms of expreflioii 
 which he call'd faults j who could not diiparage 
 him as a critic, nor come near him as an hifto- 
 rian b . The incomparable Tully, oneofthemoft 
 unexceptionable of all the Clailics for the fbund- 
 nefs of his fenfe and purity of his ftyle, has been 
 ridiculoufly charg'd with fblecifms by critics of 
 
 a Ego contenderim San6lum Lucam plus Hebraifmorum 
 ufurpaflb quam ullum cxterorum N. T. fcriptorum. John 
 Vorft. Philol. facra, in Simon's Tex: of N. T. c. 28. p. 331. 
 
 h Vid. Hobbe's preface to tranflatton of Thucidides. 
 
 G 2, note,
 
 44 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 note, fome of which have paid the very fame ci- 
 vilities to the infpired authors. 
 
 'Tis very pleafant to obferve the confidence 
 and pedantry of the old fcholiafls and gramma- 
 rians, Donatusy Sey^'ms, Acron and Porfhyrio^ 
 when they charge Firgil, Terence and Horace, 
 with folecifm and falfe Latin , and pronounce 
 fentence againft thofe fupreme judges and authors 
 of the correctefl language and moll admirable 
 fenfe c . The {acred writers have been us'd with 
 the fame freedom. 
 
 . z. Before we proceed it may be neceflary 
 to eftablifh the notion of a folecifm, and lay the 
 foundation of our difcourfe upon a clear and 
 found definition. 
 
 A folecifm, then, as I define it, is a vicious 
 and barbarous way of writing, contrary to the 
 eflential reafbn and rules of grammar, to the 
 concord and government of words in conftrucli- 
 on, which conftrudion is eftabliih'd and autho- 
 riz'd by the moft approv'd and beft authors in a 
 language. 
 
 St. Auguftin, a found judge of purity and elo- 
 quence, and a juft admirer of the genuine and 
 fovereign beauties of the new Teflament, has, in 
 
 c Vid. D, Prat. Gram. Part. II. p. 2pi, 4. 
 
 better
 
 Defended and Ittuftrated. 4 ^ 
 
 better and fewer words, defined it to the fame 
 fenfe. A fblecifm is when words are not ap- 
 plied and adapted to one another in that regular 
 and natural proportion in which they are apply M 
 and adopted by the antients, whofe authority is 
 decifive d . 
 
 He adds afterwards, what then is purity of lan- 
 guage, but the prefervation of the ufage of it re- 
 commended and eitabliflied by the authority of 
 the antients? 
 
 Erafmus {peaks in the fame manner : What is it, 
 fays he, to be guilty of afblecifm but to fpeak con- 
 trary to the cuilom of thofe who fpeak properly"? 
 
 Tiberius, the Rhetorician, put out with De- 
 metrius Phalereus and others by the learned Dr. 
 Gale y defines a fblecifm to be a change of the 
 common and cuftomary way of fpeech, which 
 is made without either neceility or ornament f . 
 Chartftus (quoted by the reverend and learned Dr, 
 Prat") fays, a fblecifm has words that either dif- 
 agree with each o:her, or that are inconfequent j 
 that is, a fblecifm is either a breach of concord 
 
 a De Dottrina Chriftiana, 
 
 e Eraf. Ep. 1. 13. i.p. 188. Quid enim efl foloeciflare quarn 
 pr;~erer confuetndincm recte loquenrium loqui ? 
 
 2oXcry.<c7/jios l^aXXayy) T tv t^fi Ir'V aXK' S'TE yp?f^? Iv-jut 
 srs xocr/^a rrvor. 
 
 s Grammar, Lar. part. I, zi ~ y yi'vs-faj. D-r.vcr. Phal. 114, 
 p. 12,
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 and government in grammar, or want of con- 
 lequence in reafbning. My bufinefs will be to 
 ihew that thofe paflages in the new Teftament, 
 which many eminent commentators and critics 
 have charg'd as fblecifms, that is,, falfe and vici- 
 ous Geeek, are not fb, but pure and proper,, by 
 the ready and only way, that is., by parallel ex- 
 preflions and forms of fpeech in Homer, Ana- 
 creon, Herodotus, Thucidides, Xenophon, Plato, 
 Ifocrates, Vemojlhenes, and a few other authors,, 
 which are without difpute acknowledged by all 
 icholars to be the genuine Claflics of the Greek 
 
 o 
 
 tongue. I likewife ihall endeavour, by the fame 
 incontefled authority, to clear feveral paflages 
 which I have not met with in books, but heard 
 in conversation j or that I could not be fatisfy'd 
 about, when I found 'em in the {acred books, be- 
 fore I compar'd 'em with the foreign Claflics, 
 which carry as much the appearance of fblecifni as 
 any place attack'd by Origen, Jerom, Caftalio, Pif- 
 cator, Mill, or any others that have implicitly re- 
 figned themfelves to the determination of people 
 that went before 'em. 
 
 And furely no man of found and polite let- 
 ters can be fb diimgenuous j no Chriilian, no 
 man of common juilice and honeily fb preju- 
 dic'd againft the divine writers of our Saviour's 
 Jife and dodrines as to condemn in them, the 
 
 fame
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 
 fame thing he juftifies in the old Greek authors; 
 and cenfure an expreflion in St. Paul, &c. as a 
 blemifh, which in Herodotus, dec. he marks out 
 and admires as a beauty. 
 
 Indeed the Spirit of divine wifdom directed the 
 writers infpired by him to ufe the fame noble li- 
 berties that are taken by the foreign authors, who 
 beft underftood mankind j and in the moft forci- 
 ble manner apply'd to their reafon and affections. 
 Schmidius, onAlfsxv. 2,2,. (ays to this purpofe, 
 " We ought to be religioufly cautious not to 
 " pretend fbleciims or barbarifms in the new 
 cf Teftament. We don't (b much as allow that 
 there is any appearance of folecifm. 'Tis 
 certainly great boldnefs not only to examine, 
 but to correct in grammar, the Sacred Spirit, 
 " the author of laneuao-es." As to folecifms 
 
 o o 
 
 I entirely approve and defend the affertion of this 
 learned man, and the reaibn he (iipports it 
 with h j but as to his denying that there is any ap- 
 pearance of {blecifm, I muft think he was too 
 zealous and fcrupulous without occafion. 'Tis 
 reiiftlefsly plain, that the divine writers do not 
 always confine thcmfelves to plain and common 
 
 Jl Apoftoli eutn - ftylum - cdoli fuerunt ab ipfo 
 Spiritu San6lo, quo JoClore c magiftro, quis qua:fo unquara 
 chicrtius atit mais rorie diccre otuit? Paf. Gram. Grarc, 
 
 propre ccre potut 
 Sac . (5rp, 
 
 grammar^
 
 48 'The SA'CRED CLASSICS 
 
 grammar, but often exprefs their vigorous fenti- 
 meats in the language of the figurative con- 
 ftruclion -, as all authors do, who have ftrong 
 and bright notions of things 5 who have a ful- 
 nefs of (enfe and fervour of fpirit j who are fin- 
 cerely concern'd and entirely fatisfied of the truth 
 and importance of the matters of fact affirrrfd, 
 and the doctrines recommended and prefs'd. 'Tis 
 a juft obfervation of that true critic Longmus y that 
 writers of a low fize and languiflring genius (el- 
 clom depart from the rules of vulgar grammar. 
 They want that quicknefs of apprehenfion, thofc 
 fprightly images, and that generous warmth and 
 emotion of {pirit, which are neceflary to produce 
 the fublime. But authors of rich fenfe and ele- 
 vated notion write with the unconftraint and no- 
 ble freedom of the figurative conftrudion '. 
 
 o 
 
 AfoUonius Rhodius, as the fame Longinus obferves, 
 is (crupuloufly exact in keeping up to the pre- 
 cepts of plain grammar, ieldom makes an ex- 
 curfion out of the beaten road, or a feeming 
 falfe ftep: Homer has a vehemence and fire in 
 his genius that cannot be confin'd. Therefore 
 in him, as in all fublime authors, you find 
 bold breaks and furpnzmg turns j you are per- 
 petually entertam'd with a rational vehemence, 
 
 1 Dionyf. Long. . 35*. p. ipi. 6c . 56. p. i<,6, 
 
 3 and
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 
 
 and a fucceflion of (brightly thoughts, and a 
 delightful variation of the order and contexture 
 of his words. In his free and mafterly ftyle 
 there are daring liberties and fparkling metaphors, 
 which men of clear difcernment and fteddy judg- 
 ment admire and are charm'd with-, but their 
 (plendor and majefty quite dazzle and confound 
 weak-ey'd grammarians and fcholiafts. Now 
 wou'd the moft bigotted and plodding editor 
 of this cautious and formal poet, fb gram- 
 matically accurate, prefume to compare 
 him with Homer, who difregards feveral lit- 
 tle niceties in vulgar grammar, and difdains 
 to be confin'd to an anxious and fpiritlefs regu- 
 larity \ 
 
 I cannot here omit a paflage out of an excel- 
 lent writer and critic of our own, equal to the 
 antients. " The moft exquifite words and 
 cc fineft .ftrokes of an author are thofe which 
 cc very often appear the moft doubtful and ex- 
 cc ceptionable to a man who wants a relifh.forpo- 
 cc lite learning j and they are thefe. which a four 
 undiftinguifhing critic generally attacks with 
 the greateft violence. Tully obferves that us 
 very eafy to brand or fix a mark upon what 
 cc he calls verlum ardens, or, as it may be ren- 
 
 ' Long, ubi fupra. 
 
 H dcrM
 
 '50 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 <c der'd into Etiglifl, a glowing bold exprejfion, and 
 <c to turn it into ridicule by a cold ill naturd 
 " criticifm k . 
 
 I am highly plcas'd with the account the 
 learned Beza gives of the pretended folecifms in 
 N. T. in anfwcr to the intolerable liberties 
 which Erafnus often takes with the facred wri- 
 ters. 
 
 According to which account this great man 
 does not efteem 'em to be any blemifhes of fpeech, 
 or violations of rational grammar, but really does 
 juftice to the infpired authors ; makes fhort work, 
 and gives up the caufe we are attacking. 
 
 ff I allow there is the greateft fimplicity in the 
 * f Apoftolical writings, neither do I deny that 
 " there are tranfpofitions, inconfequences, and al- 
 <f fb fbme fblecifrns. But this I call an excellence 
 cc not a fault; and from thefe tranfpofitions, 
 
 ff fblecifrns who can vindicate either 
 
 cc Demoflhenes or Homer himfelf 1 ? 
 
 If thefe feeming improprieties be real excel- 
 lencies and beauties, they have no occafion to be 
 clear 'd of them; and we only make this very 
 reafbnable demand, that the facred writers in 
 Greek may have the lame juftice with the fo- 
 reign claflical authors. 
 
 k Mr. Addifon, ] Bcza in dfts x. 46, p. 45*4. 
 
 5 This
 
 Defended and llluflrated. $ i 
 
 This learned critic and fcholar feems in fbme 
 places to have forgot this conceflion. We excufe 
 human infirmities, and wiili that fbme other 
 great fcholars and divines had any where (poke 
 with the fame temper and refpecl; to the Evan- 
 gelical and Apoftolical ftyle. 
 
 That there are any real fblecifms in the writers 
 of the new Teftament I abfblutely deny : the ap- 
 pearances of fblecifhi is' the fame in them with the 
 authentic writers of old Greece : and this Soleco- 
 pbanes, or appearance of fblecifm, always proceeds 
 from fbme one of thefe four caufes : 
 
 i . Eltipjis, or a want of a word, or words, to 
 make up the complement of the (enfe, or a 
 grammatical period. 
 
 t. Pleonafmus, or the ufing more words than 
 are flrictly neceflary barely to underftand the 
 meaning of an affirmation or propofition. 
 
 3 . Exchanging the feveral parts of fpeech, and 
 their accidents one for another, which, to people 
 of weak capacities, renders the difcourfe perplex'd 
 and difficult , but to thofe, who have heads right 
 turn d to polite literature, give high pleafiire by 
 the charming variety of ideas, and beautiful al- 
 lufions, and new relations which arife from fuel) 
 exchanges properly and judiciouflymade. 
 
 4. Prom Hyperlaton or Tranfpofition (under 
 the conduct of judgment and a true genius, 
 
 H z which
 
 5 i TToe SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 which we fuppofe of the reft) which puts 
 words out of that order , which, accdrding to 
 the rules of vulgar grammar, is moil (afe; 
 and the report of heavy and injudicious ears 
 (bunds with the eafieft fmoothnefs and har- 
 mony. 
 
 . 3 . Ellifjls or defect, in the firft-rate authors 
 often makes the language ftrong and clofe, and 
 pleafes an intelligent reader,, by leaving fomething 
 For him to fill up, and giving him room to exer- 
 cife his own thought and fagacity. 
 
 Becaufe the verb is an eflential part of a fen- 
 tence, when that cannot be fupply'd by the com- 
 mon ways of filling up the Ellipjts, it feems to 
 be as formidable an objection as any the adver- 
 faries have rais'd C O y#f Moco-rjg Iv-rcg eg 
 
 Tho' this may be made out another eafy way, by 
 fuppofing dK'/jt&s, aQzvTcz sysvsro or iiteSotye un- 
 derftood. The people being in a fufpence - 
 This Mofes // gone y vanijhea a^ay^ or we know 
 not what is become of him. 
 
 Yet if none of thofe words, or any others of 
 the fame importance cou'd be understood; we 
 defend it, and all of the fame nature in the di- 
 
 m A&s vii-40. from Exod, xxxii. i, Vid. Pfal. ciii. if. 
 
 vine
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 
 
 vine writings by the ufige of the antients, 
 which commands language 
 
 a 
 
 ov 
 
 the army being large, every city or ft ate will not loe 
 alle to quarter it n . The Hebrew Septua^int and 
 ecclefiailical writers frequently ufe the fame way 
 of expreflion. St. Clement has it particularly i Ep. 
 to Cor. p. 4 p. not. i. where the very learned edi- 
 tor of that venerable father might with equal 
 truth have call'd it claffical as Helleniflical Greek. 
 So the admirable Grotius might as well have call'd 
 it, on A$s vii. 40. aforementioned, a Greek as a 
 Hebrew form of (peech . 
 
 Sometimes a verb is omitted that is neceflary 
 to the fenfe, but 'tis very eafy and obvious to fap- 
 ply it: /? $e yuy/j Iva (bofr/JTzi rov civfya, i. e. if aw 
 or |8/57rfTW, let the woman fee or take care that Jhe 
 reverence her husband". The commentators puzzle 
 themfelves and their readers about far-fetcli'd ways 
 of folving it, making i'yz fuperfluous., &c. But 
 this is plain, and fb far from being a fault that 'tis 
 an Attic elegance : j cTra^ w^ AwV# swavSa rJ 
 
 w Thucid. 6. $61. 1. 17. Her. Gr. 4. 1. 5, 7. Xen. Cyrop. 
 p. ii. 1. ii, 13. Oxon. Greek. 
 Deut. iv. 3. Pial. xviii. 30. 
 
 P Ephef. v. 33. 6'pa, which we fuppofe here underftnod, 
 is cxp-efs'd in Pht. Gorgias. p. f n. 1. 3. before E^ 'AXX' o") 
 pi? cpa /vtri d>.Xo TJ TO yvvaTcv 3 Jt, TO ay^^^v ij T erw^et'.? 
 '"
 
 54 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 dia")(vyo{Jivog 3 take heed left you he furpris'd or 
 caught thro your modefty*. 
 
 There is an appearance of impropriety in nu- 
 merous places in the facred book, which is 
 clear'd by fupplying a word understood, and 
 juftify'd by incontelted examples of the nobleft 
 authors. 'Af%STo$ ydf jfwiv - and then xsTrofsv- 
 ju*W follows, which muft agree with yy.xg un- 
 c!erftood r . notfyfysite j TO ten AcatetoufMvfourt d.a- 
 
 That leeming want of confequence in St. 
 
 Luke ', and if it JhM hear fruit hut if not 3 
 
 cut it do^n y is an Attic elegance : r t v JJLM 'fvu- 
 
 f3 : fj q Ktiw if that attempt happily fucceed - 
 
 hut if not y they Jhould command the Mityleneans 
 to deliver their fiips, and demolijh their walls v . 
 sv Isai underftood will fill up the fenfe in both 
 thefe, and all fuch cafe. Sometimes in a long 
 period in the facred writers there is a want of 
 confequence, becaufe the laft member,, which was 
 to anfwer the precedent, and compleat the fenfe, 
 is fupprefs'dj but it is immediately fupply'd by 
 
 - q Plat. Gorgias. 489. i. Ariftoph. Ran. 1018. The- 
 moph. 2.74. 
 1 i Pet. iv. 3. 
 f Her. Gr. p. f 30. 1. i. 
 1 St. Luke xiii. 9- 
 v Thucid. 3. 149. 1. 12.. 3 JX a', i^f, 
 
 a+~\ r / 
 .1,1 /
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 55 
 
 any man who is a capable reader of any good 
 author. 
 
 So in St. Peter, if God fpared not the old 
 world, nor the cities of Sodom and Gomorra> 
 nor the angels 'which fell from their allegiance, and 
 
 high Jlations in glory. Then he paries on to 
 
 another thing, without filling up the ienfe. 
 
 'Tis very obvious and eafy from the defign 
 and argument of the Apoftle to fupply what is 
 wanting : Neither will a juft God fpare thefe moji 
 <vile and impious heretics which I have deferred. 
 Such an omiffion is frequent with the moft polite 
 and correct of Roman as well as Greek writers x . 
 
 The verb "sms or l$Y t is fbmetimes underftood., 
 which makes an agreeable change of the perfon, 
 and the turn of the difcourfe quick: And he 
 commanded him to tell no man, lout go y Jhew thyfelf 
 to the friejl 7 . That paflage in Xenofhon is exactly 
 parallel to that in St. Luke: Cyrus lad him be of 
 (rood courage, lecaufe he woud be with them in & 
 jhort timej fo that, if you fleafe, you will have 
 opportunity of feeing me T . 
 
 * i Pec. ii. 4, f . 6. 
 
 x Ariftoph. Pint. v. 465, 467, 468, 469. Tul. de Oat, 
 p. 308. not. a Ed. Pearce. Virg. ^En. J. v. 15, 14. VL 
 
 V. I 19, 12.0, HI. 
 
 y St. Luke v. 14. So A&s xvii. 5. 
 
 * Xcn. Cyrop. i. p. 18, 1. 21, 22. Ed. Oxon. Greek 
 :^ Xen, Hellen. i. p. p, 
 
 The
 
 $6 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 The pronoun, for emphafis and diflinftion, 
 is fbmetimes omitted in the facred writers: 
 livct &7reteucrofJi9at ; pij [terra pr& xiuvfe lx si $** 
 beft claffic writers have the iame omiflion : 
 STtgSTrev w FAavxwv Af'y^y, 2 >Jysig b . 
 
 Mcvov is often underftood in the writers of the 
 new Teftament : 6w sy.s $e%erou 9 aXXa TM d^o- 
 <?i}.&v?x ps c . So in Plato, Thucidides and S of ho- 
 cks 'tis omitted d . 
 
 The verb fubftantive is frequently underjftood 
 in the writings of the Evangelifts andApoftles e 5 
 and a learned commentator tells us 'tis an idiom 
 of the Helleniftical Language f . But s?i is as 
 often omitted in the beft authors of old Greece, 
 and the omiflion of it might as well have been 
 call'd a Grecifm or Latmifm as a Hellenifm*. 'Tis 
 elegantly left out in fliort quick fayings and mo- 
 ral fentences : cvz &ya&ov no&vxoifatyfy*. KQIVYI yxg 
 
 Tj TJ%/1) $ TO flsfoOV dogZTOV* 1 . CCVCcfatf fid - TO 
 I'J 7T5/52V 1 . 
 
 St. John vi. 68. 
 
 b Plat, de Repub. f . 390. 1. 14. Ed. Mafley. 
 c St. Marc. ix. 37. 
 
 d Plat. Orito. 66. 1. 26. Dial. Sel. Camb. tgyca ; /utrj 
 Thuc.8. fi6. 1. ult. Sophoc. Antigone v. 5-49. 
 e i Thef. ii. 10. i Cor. viii. 7, fcfa. 
 f Exam. Var. Lee. 86. 
 g Horn. 'IX. 0'. 2.04. 
 h Ifoc. ad Demon, p. 
 
 * Plat. Gorgias. 499. I. 5*. after C. 
 
 ? The
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 5 7 
 
 The omiflion of the little words 3v, or o hb y 
 and 2>A#, makes that paflage in St. Paul to Timo- 
 thy feem a little harfh and abrupt : ^ 
 
 to wangle and quarrel about words, which is to 
 no profit) lout to the fubver ting of the hearers k . But 
 we find the fame omiflion in authors of the 
 greateil purity-, and good critics call it a beauty 
 of the Attic dialed;: 
 
 ff9#i dvrw, ovx a%iw, Men feem to miflake about 
 the power of this God Pluto, and to fear him, which 
 is not ft and reafonalle\ 
 
 Sometimes there fecms to be a defecl: and ble- 
 miih in a difcourfe, becaufe one verb or adjedtive 
 is applied to two nouns., when the (enfe of it 
 only fuits with one ; (o that either another word 
 muil be underftood, or the fingle verb or adjec- 
 tive be taken in a double or two contrary fenfes : 
 T?te 'juixg STroTio-a KJ o-j ( 3frO';/;t m . The verb cannot 
 with equal propriety be apply 'd to both the words 
 thatfecm to be govern'dof it: {bme add ;J^xa,aiid 
 the Arabic andSyriac verfions fupply it : / have not 
 nourifid ot fed you with meat. Homer has luw &%- 
 soowzg. That want of a word in 
 
 k 2. Tim. i. 14. 
 
 1 Plat. Cracylus. 405. 1. 13. 
 
 m i Cor. iii. i. 
 
 I St. Paul
 
 TJje SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 St. Paul to St Timothy ieems as harlh as any in-- 
 ftance of figurative orammar in the new Tefta- 
 
 / 
 ment: XXV.^/T^V y^aV, &7rg%scr&xi 
 
 forbidding or commanding not to marry > [command- 
 ing] to ah/fain from meats n . The negative word 
 is put down in the former, and the affirmative 
 underllood in the latter part of the fentence. 
 The fame Ellifjis is often met with in the greateft 
 Claflics. So in Tully, when the word deny was 
 exprefs'd in the former claufe, fay or affirm muft 
 be underftood in the latter of his fentence . No 
 man aff lauds a p erf on for ff caking fo that the hear- 
 ers may underjtand what he fays j but defpifes him 
 who cannot do it. Every man muft be underftood 
 before deffifes in the laft Claufe p . 
 
 . 4. Pleonafmus, or ufing more words than 
 are ftriclly n . ceflary to make up the grammatical 
 fenfe^ is frequent in the {acred writers., and in all 
 the antient and valuable writers of Greece and 
 
 T1 i Tim. iv. 5. 
 De Orat re. 
 
 P Qui fir, Mccxnas, u: nemo quarn fibi for tern 
 Scu ratio dcdent, feu fors objeceric, ilh'i 
 Contcntus viv.u 5 iuudct divcrfa fequentes. 
 
 V/liere nemo cannot be the nominative to laudct, but cm- 
 nishomo mull bs underftood, Reafon mull fupply and nil up 
 this deficiency and departure from plain vulgar grammar, 
 [for. Sat. I.I. i, 2, ?. 
 
 i Rome,
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 59 
 
 Rome. The Pleonafm, as us'd by thefe noble au- 
 thors, is fb far from obfcuring or flattening the 
 
 o o 
 
 difcourfe, that it makes the fcnfc intelligible and 
 clear, and heightens the emphafis of the exprcflion : 
 it imprefles ideas deep in the mind , and is of pe- 
 culiar ufe to raife the value and majcily of great 
 and lofty fubjeds The repetition of the fame 
 fenfe varied by different words is not only accord- 
 ing to the cuftom of the Hebrew, which ha:; 
 
 o 
 great variety and noble beauties 5 but nature in 
 
 many inftances directs and requires repetitions > 
 and they are frequent in all languages. 
 
 boxeu is elegantly fleonajlical in St. Patil l - y 
 which is peculiarly worth notice, becaufe upon 
 it depends the emendation of an obfcure and 
 faulty rendring of that paflage of the Apoftle in 
 our EnglifJo : ij any man feems to be contentious : 
 it fhould be either, if any man is difpoid to be 
 contentious, or, agreeable to the life of the phrafe 
 in the beft claffic authors, if any man is contenti- 
 ous: So Xenofbon on efoxsi xzrfixoz Ctt.oq xuro^ y 
 lecauje be was their father s friend". 'Ev Tzig TJ- 
 
 ' ~. ' rv ' ' o. f {* ' K t.. ? ^ 
 
 xel'y in Ariftophanes is rendered, they did injuries'* 
 
 <i i Cor. xi. i<5. r Hellen. 6. p. 410. 
 
 1 Xcn. CEconom. p. 2,3. c Ariitoph. Aves. v. 15*84.
 
 60 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 Oi corny? zg zfx ly T ^ v &&My m St. Mark, as y. 
 
 zcriy xitTWy i. e. I&&V in St. Luke v . 
 
 The eloquent and judicious Archbifhop Tillotfon 
 observes that it is the manner of the Hebrews 
 to exprefs a thing both affirmatively and nega- 
 tively,, when they would (ay it with great certain- 
 ty and emphaiis w . And we may further add, 
 which vigorous form of fpeech is common in 
 the new Teftament, and the nobleft CJaffics, 
 whofe manner it is to exprefs a thing both 
 ways. 
 
 The fame thing is cxprefTed three times in St. 
 John, once negatively:, and twice affirmatively : He 
 confejfed and denied not, and confeffed- - He was fb 
 juft and modeft. as to confefs and not deny the truth j 
 and what he confefs'd was this^ that he was not 
 tbeMeJfias x . Ifpeak the truth in Chrift, I lye not 7 , 
 is a folemn and feafbnable repetition^ proper to 
 convince St. Timothy of the pious zeal and autho- 
 rity of St. Paul. Beza on this place allows it to 
 have great emphafis and fays it is an Hebrew 
 Pleonafin. To which Cafaubon replies^ and why 
 an Hebrew Pkonafm (i. e. fb as to exclude it 
 
 Y St. Mar. x. 41. St. Luke xxii. if. 
 
 w Ser. Fol. 14. p. 15*0. on Pfal. cxix. f<5. 
 
 x St. John i. 2.0 
 
 y i Tim. ii. 7. Beza and Cafaub.. on place. 
 
 i from
 
 "Defended and 11 Iterated. 61 
 
 from being chflical Greek) when the bcfi authors 
 of Greece frequently ufe it ? 
 
 St. Luke very vigorously exprefles the virulency 
 and rage of the Je<ws againft the doctrines and 
 profeflbrs of Chriltianity in that very apt and 
 lively repetition : they r xere piled with malicious 
 zealy and contradicted the things faid by Paul, con- 
 traditi'r/ig and llaffheming*. Thefe furious zealots 
 contradicted St. Paul's heavenly doclrines^ and 
 not that only., but they aggravated their obftir 
 nacy by impudence and outragious language j they 
 contradicled without reafbn and decency j they 
 added horrid blafphemy to their groundlefs contra- 
 diction. Erafmus has a fcruple upon him whether 
 the repetition be right ; but 'tis found in a great 
 majority of books j and that it is not unclamcal 
 but pure^ I iliall iliew by parallel forms of expref^ 
 (ion in the nobleft dailies j and that it is not flat 
 but emphatical, we not only prove by the fre- 
 quent Lilage of the moft noble writers in the 
 world; but appeal to the judgment of all per- 
 fons who imderftand human nature. A paffage 
 parallel to that above-mentioned in St. John we 
 have in ThucidiJes : That afterwards you may d r &ell 
 m f a f er y y our fetots* an d have the command of all. 
 
 * Aftsxiii. 4f. 
 
 Greece.
 
 6 1 The S A c R F. D CLASSICS 
 
 Greece consenting to it y not by jorce, hit voluntary^ 
 
 nvith their o- oo d affection^. 
 
 <i> .'J 
 
 Crho, in exprefling his hearty concern for his 
 clear friend Socrates, and eagerly preflmtr him to 
 make his efcape out of prifon, and Ihun ap- 
 proaching death,, runs into a repetition very na- 
 tural and moving : /ill things muft be done this 
 
 wight but if ruje delay any longer, it r &ill be 
 
 zmpcffible, and not feafible, therefore by all means 
 be perfuaded by me, and take no other resolution c . 
 If OMCOO[JLSZ<TL oMiS. in Herodotus*, and /.V-SLTO P:J* 
 :~zc in Plato e , be pure Greek, filre no confiderate 
 man will carp at iw.lzy oiy.oooy.slv and %xf%y ex^~ 
 grpocj in the E vangelift f . 
 
 Repetition of the fame word exprefTes increafe 
 
 and addition with much force in moft languages ; 
 
 i 
 .1 fray that your charity may more and more abound". 
 
 So in Xenofhon there is a repetition of /rP.^jy, 
 multitudes flill more and more pour'd in upon 
 them h . Beza's altering the reading in Si. Luke 
 
 o o 
 
 b Thucid. 6. p. 4Of. 1. 3, 4. Kal rfc dwdwi?, 'EXXccVc; 
 5Xt/o-/:r ^ j8/a, y.ar' svvctav o n s rr/'r^i]^"-- 
 
 c Cnco f4- 1. 2.. Ed. Camb. 
 
 A Herod. Gr. i. 41. 
 
 e Plato Soc. An. 8. Camb. Plato Theag. izp. Hen. 
 Steph. 
 
 f Sr. Mat. ii. 10. vii. 18. 
 
 g Phil. i. 9. 
 
 zr>,ftiv JG c-rXei'wv lartppa. Xen. Cyrop. 7. 
 
 xix. /?.,
 
 Defended and Illuflrated. 
 xix. 4. and preferring T:se<r$*y.my to T^J^-^JJV 
 
 O s 5 ' 9 S I 
 
 upon the authority of one manufcnpt and one 
 printed book, is intolerable liberty, and the rea- 
 ibn he gives weak and vain; becauie Trfcfyxpuy 
 euxfctts'.' will make a Pleonafmus That learn- 
 ed man had read fifty inftances of Pleonafmus in 
 the moil; accurate and celebrated authors. They 
 are fo common in both Roman and Greek authors, 
 that I iliall only name one out of the noble hi 
 ftorian SW/SO'STXI ~ox}.z*jcrzy7e TI^OOTO'/. 
 
 In comparatives a repetition invigorates the 
 fentence, and doubles the emphafis. \\ 7 e have 
 y.:'f/./ oy 7;e*ur<rcT.?oy in the new Teftamenr, paral- 
 lel'd in the Claflics, vg zy.suov s^ T&vzyzt y.z/.?.sy 
 
 TJ &;v uz/./.cy e/.fiiuTfo; k . Another ftrong 
 
 word ftill added gives the utmoft advantage and 
 
 i rr - 
 
 vigour to the expreliion: 7ro/-./.! u.y.}./cy ;<;~l-~oy 
 
 t? i ' ^ ~ " 
 
 is as ftrong an emphalis as any language can bear; 
 but no language can reach the glory of the fub- 
 jed the Apoftle there treats of, and the exceflive 
 happinefs which he deicnbes '. Ifocrates has the 
 very lame bold beautiful form of fpeech apply 'd. 
 to a fubjecl infinitely inferior m , 
 
 i Hcrou.Gr.f. p. 189. 1. 8. 
 
 k Sc. Mark vii. 3<S. Herod. Gr. i. p. 12. 1. 21. ibid, i. 
 
 13.1. 17- 
 
 i Philip, i. 2.], 
 
 m Hoc. Archid. n. 416. 1. ^. Ball!. Gr, irjLtf,
 
 SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 Erafmusy upon this place of the Apoftle, well 
 obfcrves that he doubles the comparative out of 
 vehemence, and to defcribe excefnve preference j 
 and adds, and that according to the idiom of the 
 Hebrew tongue. He ought either to have omit- 
 ted the latter claufe, becau/e your critics, that find 
 radt with the ftyle of the new Teftament, always 
 by it mean that it is not claffical Greek: or clic 
 he ought to have laid, and that according to the 
 
 <C? C? 
 
 manner of both the Helr&w and Greek tongues. 
 
 Repetition of a principal word in a long pe- 
 riod is often found in the bcft authors 5 and fince 
 it is excus'd in them by their capable readers, it 
 wou'd be great injuftice to reflecl: upon it as un- 
 politenefs or deformity in the iacred authors. 
 Txrci/ rsv M:-.;>^ begins a verfe in St. Luke, and 
 towards the middle TZTCV is repeated, and then 
 the Evangelift finifhes his period". 
 
 So inXenophona ledlion begins with 0^* &>; i- 
 T0" y thai after five lines, without compleatmg the 
 fenfe, and with the interpofition of other matters, 
 and a very long parenthefis, that polite writer re- 
 peats GJM L] with a change of: MIQI z~zc?y//j'.>gi>cy 
 in the beginning, into TC> xo?y.cy TZ ~z~-;v in the 
 latter part of the period '. 
 
 n Acts vii. ^f. 
 
 Xen. Cyrop. r. ;. i. p. ID . Grxc. O.con. Vid, Pl^t. 
 Thcag. p. 12,8. 1. ^, ct. 
 
 When
 
 Defended and lilufl rated. 6$ 
 
 When St. Paul and any of the other facred 
 writers have a period any way interrupted or per- 
 plex'd after this manner, fad outcries are made of 
 the unpolitenefs of the ftyle, the breach of gram- 
 mar, of inconfequence and barbariim. In the 
 claflic writers fuch liberty is excus'd and vindi- 
 cated, when all the favourable allowances fhou'd 
 be made for the ftyle of the new Teftament that 
 can be made, for reafbns which cannot equally 
 be pleaded for the others. No language can fup- 
 ply words and expreffions equivalent to the vehe- 
 mence and impetuoufhefs of the facred writers 
 fpirit, to the heavenly fublimity of the notions, 
 to the auguft myfteries, and moft blefled and 
 important morals contain'd in thofe divine com- 
 pofitions. 
 
 Sometimes one thing is exprefled as if it was 
 two , for the hope and the refurreffion of the dead, 
 that is, for the hope of the refurrettion of the dead, 
 and in the region and fhadow of death, are in- 
 fiances of this form of fpeech in the new Tefta- 
 ment p . 'Tis ufual in the Hebrew and Greek 
 tranflators of the old Teftament q : 
 
 P A6b xxiii. 6. St. Mat. iv. 16. 
 i. 14. 
 
 K And
 
 66 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 And not uncommon in the noble daffies f&J- 
 sro y^ Trfcs&'jutsTo, he facrificd and was very zea- 
 lous, that is, be very zealoufly facriftc 'd r . 
 
 Two relatives are often in Hebrew us'd for 
 one 1 ": the Septuagint often uie the fame repeti- 
 tion-, and fb do the Evangelifts and Apoftles 
 of our Lord : . But this manner of expreflion is 
 not a mere Helraifm, but is us'd by the nioft ap- 
 prov'd and pure authors o Greece , noTSfov o v E*u$ 
 xtebx y eriy fw v , em&v t u,el #;/r. 'Avrog is often 
 fuperfluous and put down when the principal 
 noun makes a compleat fenfe without it : 
 
 The pronoun cs is redundant in Herodotus in 
 a manner that appears more licentious than any 
 thing; of this nature in the new Teftament *. 
 
 o 
 
 r Herod. Gr. p. fH- ^ 3- Herod. Gr. 8. 493. Ari- 
 ftoph. Pax. v. 138. 
 
 f Pfal. i. 4. 
 
 1 Exod. iv. 17. St. Mar. vii. if. i Pet. ii. 2.4. in which 
 two places aVnfr and aura are left out.the tranfcribers vainly 
 fancying 'em to be falie Greek > and Dr. Mill pronounces i'c 
 Hebraizing Greek. 
 
 v Plat. Conviv. npi. Francofurt. 
 
 w Xen. Cyr. p. if. 1. ult. Gr. Oxon. Two pronouns 
 are redundant in Herod. Gr. p. 148. j3sXo,usvev TCV 
 TO nr\r,&@' HtX&av ulv 
 
 x T/ ff sya) Kcotov y; aurof, o T;OV ia:o'y r/s 1 as arcoyo'v&jy 
 TO, >i' crs fl TOOV <rwy T/va. Herod. Gr. 8. 493. 1. 12., 13, 14. 
 'J'he pronoun is often redundant m Latin: Virginem iftam, 
 Thaidi qua; dono data ell, fern' earn hinc civem eile ? Ter. 
 Eun. f. f. v. p, 10. 4 
 
 Plutarch
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 
 
 Plutarch juftly admires Thucidides for his clear 
 and moft marvellous reprefentation of the fatal 
 overthrow of Nicias and all his forces in Sicily. 
 In the conclufion of that dcfcription that noble 
 hiftorian makes u(e of a {elect variety of fynony- 
 mous words to exprefs with all poITible emphafis 
 that univerfal and remedilefs mifchief. 
 
 In all refpeffs they were entirely defeated, and 
 they fuffered no fmall mifchief in any particular: 
 lut they were cut off with an un'merfal dejlruttion, 
 loth army and fleet 5 there was nothing but what 
 periftd*. 
 
 Several pafiages will, in the (econd part, be 
 produc'd out of the (acred writers, which claim a 
 luperiority over the nobleft places in Greek and 
 Latin Claffics. At prefent I cannot but think 
 that the variety and emphafis of thofe elegant 
 and fublime repetitions of St. Paul to the Epbe- 
 fans z are at 1 call equal to that celebrated paflage. 
 The beft tranilation muft do injury to the great 
 original. But that conclufion of the Apoitle, 
 
 , & / S V r. , r. ~ , J C 
 
 ?.(q -notvac, ra$ ysvszs TZ ziMos TW> Gtiwuv denes any 
 vcrfion to come any thing near ; and commands 
 our wonder. 
 
 Thucid. 7. p. 468' > 
 Ephef. in. 10, ii, 
 
 K r The
 
 6 8 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 The {acred writers often ufe repetitions for 
 rcaions fupcrior to any that can be given for the 
 ale of them in foreign authors. The word was 
 with God } and was in the beginning with God y is 
 a repetition that divines judge was intended by 
 theApoftle to confute the impudence ofCerinthus, 
 who aflerted that the Demiurgus or Creator was 
 eitrang'd or feparated from God. 
 
 cc Nothing, {ays an excellent divine and 
 champion of Chriitianity, (C can be more di- 
 " redly level'd agamft that doctrine than this 
 <c aflertion of St Johns, that the Word, who was 
 fc the Creator of the world, was from the beginning) 
 <c or always with God a , 
 
 'Tis {aid of the MeiTiah by St. John, that he 
 made all things y and without him was not made any 
 thing that was madej where the bleffc Apoftle lays 
 down this eflential truth both ways, firft by way 
 of affirmation, and then by negation, to give this 
 fundamental article the utmoft {auction, and ex- 
 clude all poiTibility of juft exception. The eter- 
 nal Word created all worlds and their inhabitants : 
 we are not to except any part of the creation, not 
 the invisible things above, angels, principalities, 
 powers j which the heretics pretended to diftin- 
 
 a Dr. Waterland's fecond fermon on the divinity of our 
 Saviour, p. 13, 14. 
 
 guifli
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 
 
 guifli from this lower creation : for they ftupidly 
 pretended that the upper and lower world had 
 not the fame author b . 
 
 .5. Hyperlaton, or the tranfpofition of words 
 and members of periods out of the common order 
 and Situation, may give an uneven and rugged 
 found to the untun'd ear and judgment of plodding 
 fcholiafts and mere drudges in grammar: but 
 thofe feeming embarafments and harilinefles of lan- 
 guage often reprefent the things defcrib'd with a 
 correspondent found and full efYeclij and agreeably 
 diverfify the ftyle; and entertain a judicious ear 
 that wou'd be offended with a ftyle over-polifh'd, 
 
 b Dr. Pfaterland's fecond fermon on the divinity of our 
 Saviour, p. 46, 47. " After the Arrian controverfy arofe, 
 44 the Catholicks made good ufe of this latter part of this 
 44 text efpecially, which is fa very expreffive and emphati- 
 4C cal. The Arrian principle is, that the Son was the firft 
 44 thing that God had ever made-, and that God made him 
 4 < immediately by himfelf, without the intervention of any 
 44 other perfon. Againft this the Catholicks pleaded that 
 44 nothing was made without the intervention of the Son, 
 44 the Apoftle having emphatically declared, that without 
 44 him was not any thing made that was made. There was 
 44 therefore nothing made immediately by the Father with- 
 44 out the intervention and concurrence of the Son. Con- 
 44 fequently the Son was not made at all, fince it is abfurd 
 44 to imagine that he interven'd or concur'd to the making 
 4C himfelf} which would be the fame as to fay, that he ex- 
 a ifted before he exifted, or vws prior to himfelf. 
 
 4. and
 
 70 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 and gliding with a perpetual imoothnefs, and un- 
 interrupted current. 
 
 Flowery meadows,, open champains ftretcht 
 out into a large extent, clear gently flowing ri- 
 vers, and regular rows of trees, planted and 
 prun'd with art and exactneis are very charming 
 and delightful. But falls of water, wears and 
 rapid ftreams, that murmur loud, that tofs looie 
 Hones, and dalli againft little broken rocks, 
 threa tning precipices and rugged mountains co- 
 vered with trees flourifliins; in their wild 
 
 o 
 
 wafts, and green bullies growing out of the 
 clefts of the crags, dreis up a landfcape in its full 
 beauties, and con fum mate the charms of the 
 profpect.. A flyle that imitates the different ap- 
 pearances of nature, and, as fome exprefs it, its 
 beautiful irregularities, which I wou'd rather call 
 its beautiful varieties, entertains the mind and 
 imagination with a mod; grateful variety of fen- 
 fations and reflections - y and gratifies the curiofity 
 of human nature with a perpetual fucceflion of 
 new-riling fcenes and frefh pleafures. 
 
 That place in St. John\ y^ vusi's TO %?i<r'jt,z 
 o s?:%(37 XT? z'j~z lv v'ju'y tji^si is perplex'd and 
 put out of the plain order, but cannot be faid 
 to be more harfh or mifplac'd than that tranf- 
 
 c i John ii. 2^ 
 
 pofition
 
 Defended and lllufirated. 71 
 
 pofition in Herodotus : "AAAo TI YI tefa'tTzi ro h^ 
 
 rsy spol xiv&vw o peyigog*. 
 
 That tranfpofition in St. Matth&w ties TM TV- 
 YI TCV xutyov, % ><%?.&, %J ffrjSTcew may feem 
 a little unufual and irregular, but we have the 
 fame in Homer : oijjuuyij TS ^ eu%&)}.ij TTS- 
 }.eravfyv 'OAP.-jWwv rt ^ ots.vuMw c , where there 
 is no room to objedl that the inverfion of the 
 natural order was occasioned by the necemty of 
 the verfe, becauie either way that is equally (e- 
 cur'd. The natural pofition of the fifth verfe 
 of St. Paul's epiftle to Philemon fhould have been 
 thus: Hearing of thy love to aU faints, and the 
 faith which thou hajl in our Lord Jefus Chrijf. 
 Our tranilators improperly retain'd the tranipo- 
 fition^ which will not be endured in Englijh, but 
 fuch conftrudion is allowable in Greek) and 
 us'd by the nobleft authors. That oDemofthenef 
 is entangled much after the fame manner, and 
 cannot be tranflated into Engtijh, preferving the 
 order of the words. 'Ch >j.ev sflol xxrz'&ucw 01 
 
 Sometimes the words are not tranfpos'd or en- 
 tangled, but an epithet is transfer'd by a meto- 
 
 a Her. Gr. i. 4f. 1. 4. Thucid. 7. 417. 1. antepenult.' 
 c St. Mat. xii. ZL. Horn. 'IX. o v . 4fo. Aio 
 'Tir TO ct'jro a ) uctpTttV80'iv QTI TSTO &^pa Iv raTr 
 Ariitot. Meini". iixercit. tac. p. 2,1$, 
 
 nymy
 
 'The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 nymy from the moil proper word to one that 
 appears lefi (b j but is dependent upon it, and 
 related in fenfe. 
 
 So in St. Luke TTfotrunov d-jrz Yp TTCSSVOUMOV li$ 
 'lefws&'jjfa for nofwopgviSy which is paralleled by 
 that in Herodotus, CUTS onluv SXTSXTZI agtfioy $sy 
 for agYjfav*. The Lat'mes fbmetimes take the 
 fame liberties, efpecially the poets : Ufuspurfura- 
 vum Jidere clarior 5 . Met&y y.^cg rz (3u t u,$ for 
 /Sw//cV [JLi'&jo$ jJLYjXsog makes the fentence ftrong 
 and compadj and gives an agreeable change to 
 the conftructioiT, but is inferior to that vigorous 
 inverfion TrcVwy G-7rv?i$uy 7f>jfjfUfjLstrot xtMorpxTuv, 
 for Tto(rstG (r-i;*iz ntJJfSiG yJ.xcry.zTuy, which en- 
 larges and ennobles the expreffion h . There is a 
 beautiful paffage in Plato, which refembles this in 
 the infpired writer, and is turn'd after the Hebrew 
 manner, whereby fubftantives are put for adjec- 
 tives, xyTratffrluv sy 
 
 The learned Grotius conjectures that ev&$ is 
 tranfpos'din St. Matthew* 9 civs fit) evbvg for i>bv$ 
 Yj, as foon as he had gone up> and juftifies the 
 
 f St. Luke ix. f^. 
 
 8 Hor. Ode 3. i. v. 42. 
 
 h Hcrodot. St. Mark viii. 10. 
 
 ' Plat, de Leg. i. p. <5zf. Ed. Ser. 6c Hen, Sreph, 
 
 k St. Mat. iii. 1 6, 
 
 phraic
 
 Defended and llluflr cited. 73 
 
 phrafe by authorities out of ALfehylus and Avi- 
 Jlotle: to which I add a parallel inftance out of a 
 very pure author : STrsity e fysSq ra^a, as foon 
 as ever be was elected 1 . So upon this fuppofiti- 
 on our tranflation fhould run; After Jefus 'was 
 baptized, as foon as he came up out of the water : 
 the heavens were opened, &c. To (ay our Savi- 
 our immediately came out of the water after he 
 was baptiz'd, feems to be a low circumftance of 
 (mall importance or ufe: but take it the other 
 way, and it very clearly and gratefully introduces 
 the account of the following glorious appearance, 
 and awful atteftation from heaven of our Savi- 
 our's intimate relation and dearnefs to the Lord 
 of eternity. 
 
 St. Paul makes a noble repetition and interrup- 
 tion in his ftyle, out of a generous eagernefi and 
 impatience to exprefs his fervent charity and gra- 
 titude to good One/if horusy for bravely (landing 
 up for the crofs of Chrift, and him(el cur 
 Lord's glorious prifoner and champion 5 when 
 other timorous profeflbrs meanly deierted him in 
 the time of his diftrefs and danger. 
 
 The Apoftle begins with a prayer for the good 
 man's family : The Lord grant mercy to the houfe 
 of Onciiphorus^for he often refrejhed me> and was 
 
 1 Xcn. Cyrop. i. f . 6. p. 30. lin. pag. 10. 
 
 L not
 
 74 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 fiot afhamd of my chain : lout being in Rome very 
 carefully fought me y and found me out. Then the 
 facred writer flops his period, and fufpends his 
 fentence., to repeat his acknowledgments and 
 prayer with renew'd fervour and gratitude : (The 
 Lord grant that he may find mercy from the Lord 
 in that day] and in how many inftances he mini- 
 Jlred to me in Ephefas you very well know m . 
 
 Read over the choiceft authors of Greece and 
 Rome, and; among their many parenthefes and 
 tranipofitions of ftyle, you will fcarce ever find 
 one brought in a manner fb pathetic and lively ; 
 nor for a reafon fb fubftantial and unexception- 
 able. 
 
 C. There is often great appearance of irregu- 
 larity in the exchange of nouns and verbs, words 
 and their accidents one for another,, which may 
 ftartle and confound people of a low tafte and 
 genius 5 but yield an agreeable variety and enter- 
 tainment to judicious and capable readers of the 
 nobleft authors. By this various changing and 
 forting of the words which compofe language, 
 there arife infinite numbers of new and pleafing 
 ideas j the ftores and riches of fpeech are multi- 
 ply 'd 5 you fee things in all their poflures and 
 
 m 2 Tim. i. 1(5, 17, 18. 
 
 i rela-
 
 Defended and lllufirated. 
 relations, in all their variety of drefs and co- 
 louring. 
 
 The principal noun is put for the pronoun 
 which ufes to (land for it to vary the expreffion, 
 and prevent the too frequent repetition of it. 
 When the Lord knew that the Pharifees heard that 
 Jefus made and baftixd more difciples than John . 
 The noble orator of Athens {peaks in the fame 
 manner of himfelf: No loody here makes any men- 
 tion of DemoftheneSj no one charges me 'with any 
 crime. Plato, in one of his dialogues, intro- 
 duces Euthyfhro thus {peaking of himfelf: Euthy- 
 phro ivoud not excel vulgar mortals, if I did 
 not ferfeftly under fland all thefe things ? . 
 
 A fubftantive is often us'd by the {acred writers 
 of the new Teftament for an adjective, which 
 the {chcolmen call putting the abitract. for the 
 concrete ; and it is a compad and vigorous way of 
 expreflioir, originally Hebrew : ecrovrau ya* exzbxi 
 yjusfxi &>.i'4/* % but it is far from being a barba- 
 riim or repugnancy to pure Greek : voy.u psy yz* 
 TCLXVTZ and t'Jb'xt/ pugix sivzi rzvra, thefe 
 
 John iv. i. 
 
 p Dem. de Cor. fo. 1. 7, per Foulks & Friend Sop. i ip. 
 1. p. Plat. Euthyph. f 1. i. 'EysrsKXtro 6 K^oTcro? Iwctgurav 
 ra y^f'gi^) TfciTsJiiTcu tiitr: Osp^ai K^oTuO 3 . HeroU. Gr. 
 i. :<).\. ult. Herod. Gr. 7- p-43i. 1. 51, 
 
 4 St. Mark xiii. ip. 
 
 L z
 
 7 6 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 things fe em d to he folly*. The putting one fenfe 
 for another fometimes may (bund harih to over- 
 nice ears j but 'tis common in the beft authors, fa- 
 cred and foreign. 57? fee corruption and tafle death 
 in our divine writers will not by capable judges be 
 condemn'd as improper and unclailical, who read 
 and approve thofe liberties in the nobleft Claf- 
 fics : fc)#ra/, $#.c, wV x^Acy o$si 3 fee, my friend, 
 how fragrant it fmelh r l 'EwatfovTee <7ify*iw, in He- 
 rodotus, is feeling of weapons, being vulnerable, 
 tho' the original fignification of the word is to 
 hear'. Kw(p<?V is put for cu.cti.cq in the new Tefta- 
 ment v : we have xvfjum w(pu in Homer, and^r- 
 do verier e in Juvenal"". 
 
 As fine a writer and (bund critic as any we 
 have, juftly pronounces the tranfition in the au- 
 thor he comments upon, from the ienfe of 
 hearing to that of feeing, to be an elegancy x . 
 
 There is a remarkable exchange of one pronoun 
 for another of a different perfon in St. Matthew 
 xxiii. 37. TTfos #KT?J!^ the fame as sxurw for 
 ffsavTyy : on which the learned Grotius obftrves, 
 <f 'Tis an expreflion of the eaflern people, who 
 
 r Thucid. 6. 3f7. 1. penult. Thucid. f. 316. 1. f. 
 f Theoc. i. v. 149. 
 c Herod. Gr. 3. 170. 1. penult. 
 " ^ St. Mat. ix. 33. 
 
 w Horn. 'IX. '. v. 16. Juven. Sat. 13. v. 194. 
 x Dr. Potter on Lycophron. v. 2.^. p. 138. 
 
 i " join
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 
 join words or pronouns of the third perfbn 
 to the firfl and fecond perfon after a pronoun 
 relative or a participle, which one may ob- 
 ferve in many pailages of the Hebrews, Syrians, 
 <f and Arabians .' The great man fhou'd have 
 added, and the fame form of fpeech is ufed by 
 the old and pureft Grecians. px?.ei ^ bu y ^ 
 fyopybJjvatj x] %gij<rGur&aiT eavrS TfCTru 7 . 
 
 The article o is fet for a pronoun relative., y 
 xsivy.cy/j, this perfuapon y in the iacred writers : to 
 which that place in Thucidides exactly corre- 
 fponds, sv TcTc Trg&Toi cs 'A&qvcffoi, among thefe 
 the Athenians fajl z . 
 
 Lewis Cafe I/us, on St. Mark ix. 1 3 . in vain 
 therefore oblerveSj that TO for TZTO may pafi ui 
 verfej but in plain profe is fcarce to be en- 
 dur'd. 
 
 \Vords of comparifon are fometimes fb exchang- 
 ed and boldly exprefs'd in (acred writers,, that raili 
 critics have not forborn to charge 'em with unal- 
 lowable and unparallel'd liberties. How juftly we 
 fhall now examine. The fuperlative in St. John 
 Hands for the comparative 3 : T^JT^ y.z, before me. 
 The politeft and mod accurate Claffics write in 
 
 y ^Lfchin. adv. Cref. p8. v. 5. Vid. Plat. Alcib. l- 14?- 
 1. 2.8. -urpc? rrlv taura /jiriT^a, to you?' own ?nothtr. 
 * Galm. v.8. I 'hucid. r p. 4 v, 8. 
 a Si. J-.hn i. if. 
 
 the
 
 78 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 the fame manner: teivoTccros CXJ^K TZVTU 
 you out-did your f elf in thefe matters*. The com- 
 parative is put for fuperlative in St. Matthew: 
 fAixf o-re*o$ for &x%i<ro$ : ComAnacreon: yofr-jexto- 
 Tsgov ce TFXVTUV*. Plato has the poiitive for the 
 fuperlative : 7r#Ww> #&A/c d . The divine writers 
 vary the comparative, and .by addition of another 
 word give it ftrength and vehemence : tyo oy ,^r=- 
 goi 'JTrff wg Quros in St. Luke, which is agreeable 
 ro the ufage of the Septuagint^ xgsi'trtrov TO s'/.sog & 
 '*>* fyM.$*. And the moil accurate authors 
 among the Greeks and Romans have parallel forms 
 of expreflion : birw v/ Tjexmq TT^O steubsafys fy z,?- 
 ~z$-oTs0w f : Virgil has 
 
 - fcelere ante alios immanior omnes g . 
 
 To exprefs any thing fuperlatively excellent or 
 great, the Hebrews lay, 'tis great or excellent to or 
 before God: Which noble manner of fpeech 
 the new Tefbment writers imitate. St. Luke 
 has xfiioc TU &f h , vfzvioy y 'cacv, frodigioufly - y 
 TL Ssuv $%$%}.[*%, a rare and exquifite piece. ^70- 
 TI'$ TO peys&oS) of a wonderful po-uu- 
 
 b Xen. Mem.Soc. i. ^. 46. p. 2.7. Wells 
 
 c St. Mac. xi. ii. xviii. i. Anac. OJ. 46. v. TJT. 
 Barnes. 
 
 d Plat. Gorg. 472,. 1. 4. before the end. 
 
 e Su. Luke xvi. 8. Pial. Ixii. 4. Gnibe Gcp. in our tranf- 
 lation, 65. 4. f Herod. Gr. i. 15. 1. 43. 
 
 n Acts vn. 10. Jonah iii. 3. 
 
 er
 
 Defended and llluftraied. 79 
 
 er and face, in the claflic authors feem to bear 
 ibme refemblance to this Hebrew beauty '. 
 
 The Evangelifts and Apo fries after the Greek 
 tranflators promiicuoufly ufe nouns of number j 
 they put one for the firfl j ^ tro^druv for ?rf orn? k . 
 which is called a Hebrew phrafe, but 'tis claflical, 
 and good Greek too : xyijg psyxSve T 
 for Trevrs G~&XU.UV *. 7#i^d/ has 
 
 fexta cervice feratur 
 
 It appears by this,, that the famous Jewijb hi- 
 ftorian JofephushzA not read, or not minded, thofe 
 paflages in Herodatus and leveral others, which 
 might be produced out of other Greek authors j, 
 when he affirmed that this manner of expreffion 
 was a pure Hebrew Idiom, and formally promifed 
 to give peculiar reafbns for it n . 
 
 One great occafion of rallily cenfuring and im- 
 properly tranflacing the new Teftament has been 
 not taking notice that a verbal adjective or par- 
 ticiple is us'd for any part of fpcech or fpecies of 
 word in language, and more particularly and fre- 
 cj uen tly for a verb: K^rr^ 5-yw 5;/w> for si'%py 
 
 1 Ariiloph. Ran. 795. Theoc. Id, r. Plat. Gorg. 
 K f. Civitas magnet Deo. Jonrc iii. 2, i. c. pcrquam maxima 
 Hinc ScGri^ci, Aax.icAa.'/jtova c^uty, & iimiliu iniinita: 8c Ln- 
 tini dicunt, Homo divind fide; divina me rite; divino ingenio 
 prsditus, Buxtorf the Hebrew Grammar, p. $61. 
 
 * St. Mat. xxviii. i. J Her.Gr. z. iz6.& i. 19. 1. p, 
 
 ""Juvenal Sit, i. v. <5f, " Antiquities T, i. 
 
 or
 
 $0 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 or ty %w 9 , for eiu,l is oft underftood, more 
 rarely put down. Txro yx$ s^s yiworxoyrsh for 
 this you know*: oinveg egyx d-sfe^dy^ci surl\ 
 "Tis much us'd in Hebrew \ butPifcator and others 
 call it a Helraifniy always meaning exclusively, 
 i. e. that the form of expreilion is not pure and 
 proper in the Greek tongue. But 'tis a very grofs 
 error tho' delivered down by a very long tradi- 
 tion : TLeifsio'QfJLGu * dyu Slxfyutefftruv IY^ eiftyqy y 
 I will endeavour to keep the peace r . 
 
 Our tranflatorsj for want of obferving this, 
 have, according to their verfion, (everal times 
 made unavoidable fblecifins in the (acred original : 
 I befeech you, brethren, that ye walk worthy of the 
 evocation hy which you are calld, 6cc. forbearing 
 one another f . 
 
 By which conftrution xve^o^svoi muft necefla- 
 rily agree with vuzc, which would break thro' all 
 rule, and be an irreconcilable fblecifm. But all 
 is right if we put a flop at the end of the fir ft 
 verie j or rather, to make it more cafy and natu- 
 ral, after TrgxoTqToe, with hngfuffering forbear one 
 another in love-, and tranflatc <7-z^ii^T?c, earnefl- 
 ly endeavour, which conftr action is juftify'd by 
 the frequent ufe of the beft authors of Greece. 
 
 Philip, iii. 4. P Ephcf. v. f. 
 
 1 Her. Gv. 2. pi. 1. 4. r Dem. de Cor. fo. 1 6. 
 f Ephef. iv. i, z, 5. 
 
 And
 
 Defended and llluftrated. g i 
 
 And the obfervation of Grotius on this place, 
 that St. "Paul regards the fenfe more than the 
 
 o 
 
 bare words, and their grammatical conftr action 
 in many paflages might have been as well apply 'd 
 to Homer, Herodotus, or Thucidides. O ur tranfla- 
 tion fuppofes a barbarifin in Colofftans iii. i6\ 
 But turn it thus, Let the 'word of Chrift dwell in 
 you richly in all wifJom: Teach and admomjh one 
 another, &c. and every thing is clear and regular. 
 Many other places might be named, but I pro- 
 pofe to confider the chief of them in the Dif 
 fertation I have under hand upon the wrong di- 
 viilon of chapters and verfesin the new Teftament, 
 and the faulty tranflation of thofe ineftimable 
 writers, which either tend to pervert the (enie., 
 or tarnifh the beauty of the admirable originals : 
 Which, with another Diflertation upon the Sep- 
 tuagint, and the advantages of ftudying it in or- 
 der to have a better notion of the fenfe, and taftc 
 of the beauties of the Greek Teftament, will make 
 up the third and laft Part of this Work : Which 
 I hope to publifh a little time after thefe two Parts- 
 have (een the world j and, if that can be expect- 
 ed, have been receiv'd with favour. From what 
 has been (aid it may appear that the learned and 
 admirable Dr. Hammond is miflaken, when upon 
 his review of his annotations upon Gal. ii. he de- 
 clares, that the two places abovemention'd arc 
 
 M not
 
 8i 'The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 not reconcileable with Syntaxis: "Af/sTo 
 for %ufxv 9 the Argives marctid s . That is as bold 
 a conftru&ion in St. John as any to be found in 
 the new Teftament. 'Ovfcle ^ SToXf&z TV 
 sfyrdazi aurov, siSojss c . It may be (blv'd by r 
 Tecy or sl'fyfftzv, and is exactly parallel'd by that pat 
 fage in Thucidides v . ^vgaxxcrioig ri, %ufiftsi%Qig x%]z- 
 Trbrfas xx oX(y/) eysvsro ouvrs$ which cannot 
 be accounted for or fblv'd any way but by allow- 
 ing ofuvres in the Greek claflical language to be 
 tantamount to sV^wv, or %<rav ogwrsc. Thofe 
 two paflages in Thucidides and Plato are very (iir- 
 prizing and uncommon, snl TW n^^^svot r^ 
 *%$*$) $ avTol QfiM Pto&P$M 3 topunijh our enemies, 
 and at the fame time f weferve our fehes w . 
 
 TTSV'JJTUV, Tijv OE Trtepiuv, olxSvrae sv TW 
 
 aii eTri&tevovTae aX'XyXoic. To which x let me add, 
 out of Ifocrates y , 
 
 where sv TW TL^^^SVOI olxxvTxg im- 
 mediately depending on nteo-i'uy and ev6vfJuqQgfIxe> 
 cannot be fo eafily refblv'd, as the foremen tion'd 
 inftances, for a very obvious reafbn; and carry 
 more appearance of difficulty and fblecifin than 
 
 s Thucid. f. 331. I. if, 16. r St. John xxi. 12. 
 
 vThucid. 7. 4^7. 1. 12, 14. w Thucid. 1.66. 16, 17. 
 
 "Plat. Ref. 8. p. ffi. ed. Ser. & Steph. 1. 34, 35-, 36. 
 y Ifoc. Plat. 175*. 1. 10. near beginning ofOrat. 
 
 any
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 83 
 
 any pafla^e in the whole new Teftament. And 
 if thefe phrafes be allow 'd, the authority of theie 
 three eloquent and flouriiliing authors ofoldGreece 
 muft for ever filcnce all objections upon this head 
 againft the (acred Claffics; if not, then there is 
 no ftandard of pure Greek at all j and all language, 
 and every author is alike. 
 
 Caftalio makes a very cold and aukward com- 
 plement to the divine writer of the Revelation j 
 and firfl imagines him to be guilty of a fblecifm, 
 and then formally makes an apology for him. 
 
 In his note on AfocaL i. 4. he thus accofls his 
 reader : As to the folecifm (fuch as prefently fol- 
 lows otTtc 'iqffS X^<ry o fjidtrjc) dorit be concern d y 
 fuch things are often found in Paul. Learn mo- 
 rals from the good, and language from the eloquent. 
 All capable readers who are not mov'd with the 
 appearances of (blecifin in the noble authors late- 
 ly produc'd, will not be difturb'd at #T<? rS o uv y 
 HI o y t V) % ?XopM$ ' which are not greater diffi- 
 culties or deviations from plain grammar than 
 thofe and numerous other pafTages in the fublim- 
 eft authors. Grotius and other critics give a fur- 
 ther reafbn why thefe nominatives were not va- 
 ry'd j they emphatically reprefent and exprefs the 
 everlafting veracity and invanablcnefs of God, 
 and the unchangeable majefty of Chrift in the 
 teftimony of his Gofpcl , and the glory of his 
 kindom. M z The
 
 8 4 The S A c R F. D C L A s s i c s 
 
 The nominative cafe for the vocative may as 
 well give fome people offence^ as fbme things as 
 little difficult have done. St. Luke has /) -xzi'g s~si~ 
 gu z j and 'tis not only found in the Scptuagint 
 and writers of the new Teftament, but 'tis an At- 
 
 tic elegance : o Q&qgeug OTG$ 'AioW.ofagog zz i~;~ 
 \ Both cafe and number are fometimes 
 
 chang'dj S^S^STS P.acVy.s b , ax&sre /.s^g C 3 TO 
 istrsrw SXGK'OS snecrSe c . 
 
 Variation of cafe and change of conduction 
 has rais'd fcruples in fome over-wife critics with 
 rcfpecl; to the purity of the new Teftament jftyle. 
 The learn'd and judicious editor of St. Clement 
 
 has retain'd an old reading of that Father againil 
 
 i 
 the correction of Junius and Bois, who were of^ 
 
 fended at a change of conftruction which they 
 did not efleem to be confiftent with the genuine 
 purity of the clailic Greek * : And he fays 'tis ufual 
 with the facred writers of theGofpel, whofe man- 
 ner of expreflion this venerable Father comes near. 
 'Tis very right, this form of fpeech is common 
 both in the Septuagint and new Teftament writers. 
 '' ' y/jy =V vSevog f . 
 
 2 St. Lukcviii. f4- a Plat. Conv.Ed. Francofurt. p. 1 174. 
 b Apoc. c x^riftoph. Acha. 9pp. a Thucid. i. 1 3^. 
 
 1. ip. f Mr. Worton in St. Clement, c. 30. p. i^f. n. L, 
 f Job xxvi. 7. 8 St. Luke i. ff , 
 
 But
 
 Defended and llluftrated, $ j 
 
 But 'tis equally common in the belt Claflics y & 
 
 {JLY]X.'dg TS 7TA& , ^ ZTTOfLU (bvXttXTjg*. Whether tllC 
 
 reading in St. Luke ' be di>r/j x4?%* to agree with 
 [jirjTf!, or ccjTfi yyigct before fy underftooa, makes 
 no manner of difference in the fenfe, or ftrucliure, 
 or found of the words, or variation in the old 
 manufcripts written without accents , or diftine- 
 tion of verfes, in capitals. But if we take it the 
 laft way, as found in fbme very good books, it 
 is pure and clear, and parallel'd by the noble hi- 
 dorian , Bxtfivoi ci T? auryj 
 
 and xat.cv ir t ucc, fo near in St. Paul, cannot be 
 efteem'd more an inaccuracy, than vsxg MTW ytv~ 
 <rbzt,. and Aoycv ysvuvrai, fo clofe together in 
 Plato \ To conclude, there is not (b bold a tran- 
 fition from cafe to cafe in all the Greek Teftament, 
 and which (eems fb contrary to grammar, as that 
 in Herodotus \ Ovis avrog y{0rpiw clog it tgou z*- 
 XsMy XT? afaov xtevz xfafiuv m , It has been the 
 doctrine of the generality of grammarians that the 
 ^enitive is the only cafe that can be put abfblute ; 
 
 h Thucid. 6. 3pp. 1. i. vid. etiam Thucid. f. 331. 1- I 3 J. 
 Sr. Luke ix. i. Plat. Ref. f . 390. 1. pen. Ed. Mafley. He- 
 rod. i. i. 1. if, 1 6. Thucid. 7. 466. 1. 14. 
 
 ' St. Luke vii. n. k Herod. 4. if6. 1. 17, 18. vid. 
 
 St. Luke i. f f . Pifcator pretends 'tis a violation of Syntax, 
 
 1 Heb. vi. 4, f . Plat. Ref. 7. 148, 1. 4, (5. 
 
 m Her. Gr. 4. itff. 1. 31, 33. 
 
 that
 
 8<S 
 
 that is, that implies a confequence, or (bmething 
 that has happen'd, or will liappen upon fuch a 
 (uppofition. But this conftruction is often put 
 in the accufative., and fometimes in the dative, or 
 rather ablative. 
 
 This one obfervation will clear many paflages 
 of the new Teftament from the charge or irregu- 
 larity and violation of grammar ; and account for 
 feveral various readings occafion'd by the igno- 
 rance and preemption of copyifts. ' 
 CCJTOV sic, oTxov cl a$tf\cd eirygUTuv aturw n . 
 
 when thefe things were determined and accompli fid, 
 the armies march'd . I\-J^EV at cev 9 when no- 
 thing was determined, which is follow'd by a va- 
 riation of the conftruclion, VLIX]^T eTFiyevopevrje p . 
 The excellent Grotius himfelf feems not throughly 
 to have confider'd this 5 and therefore he approves 
 of eflsQevlos our*, a variation of reading fupport- 
 ed by little authority,, in St. Luke q ,, only to pre- 
 vent the repetition and imaginary fuperfluity of 
 ill the lacred text. KalajSabft ^ OLVTU duo rS 
 is by fome efteem'd a Pleonafmus, but is more 
 naturally folv'd this way, and that paflage in He- 
 rodotus exactly anfwers it, p.yj S'/.^CL cs TOLCL j3z- 
 
 n St. Mark ix. 18. Xen. Hellen. 3. p. 
 
 p Thucid. 4. 284. 1. i<5. q A&s vii. ii. 
 
 3
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 87 
 
 S7rl TO feftrvov wrong fMrsffdett vtyt h rd olxicc r . 
 'Tis a rule among grammarians that Aptotes, 
 or nouns that admit no variation in their ending, 
 except proper names and adjectives, are of the 
 neuter gender. Then zod ^iz would fall under 
 cenfure s ; but the old obfervation is overturn'd, 
 and the {acred writer defended by Hejiod's 
 
 os 
 
 may feem to violate the reafbn of grammar to 
 thofe who fuperrtitioufly adhere to that pretended 
 rule. Here w# may be underftood as it is often 
 in the Septuagint, Tiotycreig $vo %efxei[jL x?vax ro- 
 gsvla. Sometimes they put a mafculine adjedlive 
 to it, xsfu&lfjt, ex\siwv\e$ rz$ Tflegvyag w . By the 
 (ame word tfiot Jofephus calls the Cherubims. 
 
 The neuter gender is us'd inftead of the mafcu- 
 line in {acred writers of the new'Teftament, nteTov 
 'iwa, greater than Jonas of our blefTed Saviour x . 
 'Tis frequently and elegantly (b us'd by the beft 
 claflic authors, when they {peak of perfons, rsc 
 >.oi7r% <rjy$ie%sififyv, they kill'd the reft of the Per- 
 fians y : oXiyoy fy TO KiTsvoy ^gpoxedrst $ QoSisfjLevoy 
 vy feme few there 'were that lelievd Her- 
 
 r St. Mat. viii. i. Herod. Gr. 6. 349. 1. 8. Thucid. 4. 
 167.1. 17, 18. Xen. Hellen. p. ifi. 
 
 s Apoc. ix. n. e %7 a ^ ijjix. 
 
 v Hcb. ix. f. w Exod. xxv. 18, ip, 20. 
 
 x St. Mat. xii. 41. * Her. Gr. ix. 5-47. 1. 31. 
 
 mocrarcs
 
 88 
 
 mocrates, and fear d the event*. Uxi&m, neuter 
 plural, is common in Plato for a Icy lelovd. Ho~ 
 race fpeaks after the fame manner in his praife of 
 Auguftus \ 
 
 ftzga Kvf& sysvsro ocurri is {aid by feveral to be 
 a Helraifm, and put for TTO b , but the conftruc- 
 tion and fenfe will be equally natural and found, 
 if we refer it to xeQxlyj ywlotq ^ as Ttteophylaft , 
 Grotiusy and Erafmus do. M/av yTwafuj** one 
 thing have I deprd, is brought as a parallel cafe 
 out of the Greek verfion of the old Teftament c : 
 But 'tis very common for the adjective to agree 
 with a fubfhntive underflood and included in the 
 fenfe of the verb,, play o&~Ypn yryjffsifjatjv being the 
 expreilion at length. So in fctfto'ijau 7roX/.z$ in 
 St. Luke 7r>.rj<yz is underftood^ that anies out of 
 the fignification of the verb d . Parallels to which 
 are frequent in the nobleft Claffics : gw/lgiZelo rj-~c- 
 
 That change of number in St. Paul to St. Timo- 
 o 
 
 oi&zpev in one part of the period, and ei$ti. 9 
 
 7 Thucid. 6. 370. 1. antepenult. & penult. 
 
 a Nil oriturum alias, nil ortum tale fatentes. Hor. Ep. 2. 
 I. 17. b St. Mat. xxi. 42. 
 
 c Pfal.xxvi. 7. in the Septuagint. 
 
 cc atmioriv (tlav lyco airs/aat. 3 Kings ii. i<5, 20. as the 
 Septuagint diitinguifhes it. a Luke xii. 47. 
 
 Anltoph. Nub. p58. Xen. Cyr. Exp. p. 315-. 
 
 refer 'd
 
 Defended and Illufir cited. 8p 
 
 refer'd to die fame perfbn, in another,, may feem 
 abrupt and unaccountable to people not well 
 vers'd in the Clailics f : But it is much more eafily 
 fblv'd than fever al paflages of this nature in the 
 nobleft authors. 
 
 Helen ) in Euripides, (ays of herfelf, *&$ y <Jix2&, 
 *W -Ste'vw, to^we-Sto g . It might very well Hand 
 for oTfay according to Grot'ius, who lays 'tis fre* 
 quent with the Hebrews to ufe a participle for a 
 verb of the prefent tenfe, which they want : but 
 the preter tenfe is put for it j fb the participle is 
 not us'd for that reafbn; neither is it a pure He- 
 Iraifm j 'tis common in all the befl Greek authors ; 
 we have undeniable inftances above. As to the 
 change of number-, that is as bold in Tully as 
 any can be met with in a good author: Mihi 
 quidem, neque fueris noUs, &c. To me, when I was 
 a boy h . 'Tis ea(y to clear the fenfe of iPet. iii. i. 
 but not fb to fblve the difficulty in conftrudion ; 
 $evTf#y tTtizc^) vplv yfzQtt, ev cm;* The Em- 
 peror Antonine has a place exactly parallel; but 
 we don't come fo low for authority'. We have 
 a paflage in Plato that is as bold, and fully comes 
 up to that of the Apoflle: TOWJTW (tvw 
 Iv avSUTroit; 
 
 f i Tim. i. 8, 9. g Troad. 5)04. 
 
 h Tullii Offic. i. p. 57, 58. Ed. CockmanOxon. 1716. 
 
 1 Cap. 4. 1. z. l Plat. Rel". 6, 20. 1. antepca. & pen, 
 
 N Their
 
 j>o The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 There is an appearance of violation of gram- 
 mar in St. Luke, sysvsTo J fisrz T8$ t.oyx 
 
 'Tis not impoffible to produce an inftance out 
 of a noble Claffic, of a verb fingular put to a 
 noun plural, not of the neuter gender : Ms>.iyz- 
 gvsg vpvoi fcsguv ccfxatl Aoyuv TBM.STXI, m . There is a 
 conflrudUon exa6Hy the fame in Herodotus: Izi 
 $ (tsrajrv TYIS TS Tco&aiys TT&IOG J rS vyx I*K\& 
 ezhoi*. This way of expreffion in St. Luke may 
 be (bl v'd by underftanding %foyo$ j which is fre- 
 quently fuppreft in the nobleft Claflics. 'AAA' 
 
 dTTU TTOMZl YjVLSeOtt Qt,Q) - SViXXTS (TUV TO'i'g &SCT$) 
 
 as oisifYiiJLa may be, in the paflage of Herodotus? 
 quoted. 
 
 In that paflage of St. Luke, Kal w 'lu<rrj(f) ^ q 
 Wr/tf MTU SzvfJLxfyvTs?, ?jv is put for '/JTM by a 
 iyncope of the Beottans. So Hefody himfelf a 
 Beotian, ufes it: r/j$ o' rr-> Tgiig xsSz/.y.M* . 
 
 is us'd for both parents bySt.P^/ q ; (b 
 , mEtiripides, is put for Admetus and his 
 Queen". And, what is much bolder, Antigone) in 
 Sof hocks, fpeaks of herfelf in the plural number and 
 
 ! St. Luke ix. z8. Pind.ir. Ol. n. v. f. 
 
 Hcroc'. Gr. i. 10. I. i^, 14. 
 
 Xcn. C'yr, Exp:d. 3. 2. <?. p. ij-o. Wells. 
 
 ! ." Sr. Luke ii. ^. Hcfiod. Theog. 32.1. 
 
 ^ Heb. xi. 23, ' r Eurip. Alccfu 130. 
 
 4 mafculinc
 
 Defended and llluflrated. $\ 
 
 rnafculine gender: (b does Medea in Euripides** 
 We have in Herodotus 3vo &sx$ fjisytxteg YlsiSu j^ 
 'Avafozfy/. Now who can doubt but tetrwrsc, 
 in AHs ix. 3 7. may ftand for a woman or women, 
 if any one think that decency wou'd not allow, 
 men to perform the office there mentioned ? 
 
 A quick tranfition from one number to ano- 
 ther has been efteem'd an impropriety to people 
 who have not confider'd the pathos and empna- 
 fis of it j nor been acquainted with the authors 
 of the fublimeft {endmentSj and pureft language 
 amongft the ancients. The word *yv\y in St. Paul 
 toltmothy v includes the whole fexj and the change 
 of the number in (JLSivu<riv is natural : 
 agrees with yjrij by plain grammar, and 
 by figurative grammar witn navai yvvzlte$ which 
 is included in ywr,, and tantamount to that word 
 in fenfe. Xenofhon delights in this tranfition j r^ 
 cs rig TXTW Ti TtagaSaivy fyi^iccg avToTg STrsQstrav w . ^ 
 craufOTtoiig dvrjf, zg fr/j ^ eTrxive? TO Trt-.rfiog*. 
 
 Tranfition from plural to fingular adds ftrength 
 to the difcourfe ; and applies clofe to every parti- 
 cular what is of general concern. 'Tis common 
 
 1 Sophoc. Antig. v. 338. Eurip. Alceflis 383. Med. 1241. 
 r Herod. Gr. 8. 4pf. 1. 33. v I Tim. ii. if. 
 
 w Xen. Cyrop. p. 4. 1. 14. Oxon. nil Greek. 
 ; Plat. Ref. 8. 181. 1. 16, 17. Thcog. v. 4fp, 460. See 
 Sept Job xxxvi. 7, 
 
 N 2. in.
 
 91 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 in the infpir'd Hebrew writers, and their Greek 
 
 translators y . 
 
 So in the divine writers of the new Teflament 
 this fudden change of numb > frequently us'd, 
 and always for a Throng reafon ^t. Jerom is high- 
 ly offended at St. Paul for palling from vufy ol 
 wvevfJialixol xalx/K^sls to trxovuv c-;xviw t uij ^ ffv 7tsi~ 
 $oi.cY,q z * Te that are fpiritual reftore a brother over- 
 taken in a faulty conpdering thy felf, lefl thou alfo 
 be tempted. And gathers from this place, that 
 St. Paul, when he {aid that he was rude or unskil- 
 ful in ipeecli, cou'd mean it in no other fenfe, 
 than that he was a foleciit ,, and ignorant of the 
 Greek language. But that this paflage is pure 
 Greek may be gather'd from what we have already 
 laid $ and fliall prefentlybe prov'd by parallel chan- 
 ges and tranfiaons in the moil vigorous and elo- 
 quent authors of Greece. In the mean time we 
 may confider what Erafmus and other critics have 
 (aid upon this paflage : That this change m the na- 
 ture of the thing is here more judicious, more pref- 
 fingy And pertinent to St. Paul V purpofe. Had he 
 iliid, considering your fehes } lefl ye alfo he tempted y 
 it would have been more harfii and ofFenfive to 
 t!ut body of Chriftians : and this great preacher 
 v s fcs all gentle and healing exprefilons to thofe 
 
 D-. 5 i::cr. vi. i, i. >- Gal. vi. 
 
 weaker
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 
 weaker Chriftians whom he endeavours to correct 
 and improve. By this abruptnefi and tranfition 
 the Apoftle more effectually addrefles himfelf to 
 every man's conference, he prefles it clofe and 
 home i awakens his reader, and gives every indi- 
 vidual Chriftian an intereft and concern in the 
 danger and duty a . We have the like tranfition 
 in Xenofhon^ ~A$A# TT/OV^KS Totiq no teeny , 
 
 A collective noun, tho'in grammar of the fin- 
 gular number, and neuter or feminine gender, 
 may have adjectives join'd to it of that number 
 and gender of which the perfbns are, which are 
 included in thefenfej o 0%A<?? 5V^ ? o JJL^ yifrucrxuy 
 TOV vofjioy- exMaloigctlQi slei c ' which is not more dif- 
 ficult than "O%A0 $foi%Sij Ttvog rag vzvg 
 -=$ d . In St. Luke we have TrXr^cg geo 
 alvxfiw Toy Ssov, where dyfsX^y or fbme equiva- 
 lent word mnft be contained in rgstliag zocwlv e . So 
 
 * Flaccius Illyricu? de ftylo- S3. Literamm. Trab. f. p, 
 467, 468. Erafm, in loc. 
 
 h Xen. Hellen. p. zof. Plutarch Confolat. ad Apol. p 6'z, 
 Bibl, if 74. Greek. Galat. iv. f, tf, 7, 8. 
 
 c St. John vii. 49. d Xen. Hel. i. ij. 
 
 e St. Luke ii. 1, 
 
 Pars arduus altis 
 
 Pulverulentus cquis furit 
 
 in Virgil is a greater liberty than ever I faw in any other 
 auihor. Virg. ^En, VII, y, (114.5 
 
 in
 
 SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 in Thucidides we have Trefiwsffi psgog Tl 
 OTrolsi^Svlstf ( , y&ixh$ efffygcttifffievci, which oflFended 
 the famous Laurentlus Valla g , is exactly the fame 
 as eel 7totei$ dfrfatav vavcroflef in a noble claffic h . 
 lewfa |uS ? ~.-ixiv u$M 9 where the relative refers 
 to a tantamount word included in Tswist, is pa- 
 rallel'd by that pafTage in Thucidides, TZ rsiy XOL\OC- 
 Safiotg sg TO <, gcfloTTsSbv '. There is in Thucidides a 
 harflier change, and more exceffive liberty upon 
 this head than any in the (acred writers k , where 
 Kstevffofltxs depends only upon Nay Sa&aijuvim in 
 the text 5 which muft have relation to wQfUTrxe 
 the men or fafjengers fuppos'd to be on board the 
 (hip. That in Plato is bold, but what is frequent 
 in all the belt authors of Greece j XTS & X^/TTW XT* 
 Ipzy.svcv ewyy %?%$ nsti&utd dvs^slai ., rz fexz X5- 
 gstla STOI pi<rrj(rx<rL, where ZTCI muft have rela- 
 tion to fizffitets prefigured and underftood in x.e- 
 p\y.. This change is anfwer'd for before in nu- 
 merous inftances : I fliall only add one out of the 
 pure and polite Xenophon : Yvuvri TO SsTov OTI 
 
 where #;JrtfV muft agree with the 
 
 f Thucid.y. 4^3. 1. 17, 18. Ibid. <5. 595*. 1. 7. 
 8 Dr. Prat's Gram. parr. II. 164. 
 h Xen. Mem. of Soc. 2,, 5. p. 85. 
 ' Gal. iv. i p. Thucid. 4. 2,13. 1. n. Vid. Deuteron. 
 vxviii. 37- k Thucid. 6. 370. 1. tf, 7. 
 
 1 Plat. Phjedr, p. 139. Ed. Steph. 
 
 cqui-
 
 Defended and llluflratett. 
 
 equivalent word Sex? included and contained in 
 the word 9s7ov m . Ignorance of figurative gram- 
 mar, and the allowable liberties taken by the fob- 
 limeft authors., has occafion'd weak people to run 
 into erroneous and heretical opinions. We have 
 this paflage in St. John: kiao}.c$ fyevzyg ^ nxl'/jg 
 avTx that is, T8 4/aJ&$ included and fully com- 
 pris'd in the fenfe of i^jr/jV. The Devil was a 
 liar, and the father or author of lying". Epi- 
 fhanius in his Panxrium has five or fix times this 
 groundlefs and ridiculous addition, * c TnaC^f CCJTZ 
 '4ssvrsj<; yjy ' whence fbme unftable and weak Chri- 
 itians imbibed that flupid error, that the Devil 
 had a father, 'who was a liar. Nonnus the poe-" 
 tical paraphraft of St. John follows this abfurd 
 reading . In Thucidides there are feveral paral- 
 lels 5 I fliall name one that fully and unavoidably 
 reaches the point: 57 uzX^ovTsg xo/.sufosw yj s 
 U\JTU TI c'/i owes, that is, in TTC/.^W included in 
 the fio-nifi cation of notewjo-sw*. 
 
 d? 
 
 The fame reference to a word underftood, and 
 collected out of the fenfe of fbme word exprefs'd 
 and going before, is often found in the facred 
 authors of the old and new Teflamenc, and in 
 
 m Apocal. 17. 16. Xcn. Mem, Soc. p. fo, 
 n St. John viii. 44. 
 
 P Thucid. i. 13. 1. 
 
 all
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 all the nobleft dailies. 'O TroifactG avrd in St. 
 Paul' 1 cannot agree with any word before ex- 
 prefs'd, but has reference to ivlzXfjiizla T No'/**?, 
 or fbme equivalent word included in the fenfe. 
 So in ThucidideSy xadisycriv iavlov sg xgiffiv roTs @u- 
 hofisvoi? Tcsgl IXUTUV ihsfysi*'' where, as the fcho- 
 liaft obferves, y^Fo^^xruv mull be underftood. 
 
 So in ArzftophaneSy TTO^OI TrtelSn itovegol aol- 
 
 mq ccjiz ffvto%dfteyot s %g9JiMc]a is underftood. In 
 all thefe cafes fome word muft be underftood 
 which is gather xl out of the defign of the dit 
 courfe, and the nature of the fubjedt the author is 
 
 treating;. 
 
 o 
 
 111 St. Matthew 7rd?,i$ is underftood in T 
 *Iefo<re}Mjji&. So in Pirgil uvle in that place Pr<e- 
 uefle fub iff a. Some critics are offended with 
 i$uy agreeing with msvux in St. Mark l , but with- 
 out reafon: SoufjLuv the fame with xvs3y.a here, 
 may be fuppos'd to agree with it, according to 
 the elegance of figurative conftruction. B^fO^c 
 tyegovlct TO%OV u is the fame in the polite and clear 
 Anacreon, (bev S atyoeQij % HI^YI 
 
 a . Rom. x. f. Thucid. i, 71. 1. ult. 
 
 f Ariftoph. Plut. foi, foi. Vid. Pfal. xxxviii. Sept.vulg. 
 3P- 7- >)craup/^e(j ^ yi\>to<rmi rlvi awdyii aura. 
 ' r St. Mat. u. 3. Virg. JEn. VIII. v. 5-61. St. Mark ix. a?, 
 
 v Anac. Od. 3. v. 41, 41. p, 8, Barnes,
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 97 
 
 w . So in the noble orator, tuxgy, ^ 
 xsfyotty - efytyXuQug * 
 There is a fhew of confufion and difficulty in 
 the {acred writers, by reafon of the various altera- 
 tions and tranfpofitions of the antecedent and re- 
 lative : But that is no more an objection againfl 
 the purity and pleafantnefs of their language, than 
 the fame (eeming irregularities are againft the ftyle 
 of the moft valuable authors of Greece and Italy. 
 The greateft difficulty upon this head is that in the 
 A$s r ? ayovTsg no/ u %svi&&ufJLv Mva&oovi for xyov- 
 regMitdtruvat -KOL^ w Mvdcruvi, dec. which repetitions 
 are {bmetimes found in the cleareft and pureft 
 authors, more particularly in Cofor. In St. 
 Paul vTryxxvars eig ov itot^s^vyrs TVTTOV Mxyyq is 
 for TU'TW Ji^xp^tf eis ov rv^ov 7r&f$Q&tfls*. So, in 
 St. Paul's epiftle to Philemon, t ux TSMX 
 
 wou'd be at length 
 ov*Ovij<rifMv\ There are innumerable 
 parallel places in the claffic writers. We {hall, 
 to vouch our affeveration, produce a few decifive 
 and certain. In Herodotus ty&dy is fupprefi'd in 
 that paflage si a(pl sn 
 
 w Xen. Cyrop. 7. 3. p. 415. Wells. 
 
 * Demoft. in Mid. 401. 1. 13, 14. after C. 
 
 r A6ts xxi. 16. z Rom. vi. 17. 
 
 Philemon f. 10. b Her. Gr. 7. p. 419. 1. 30. 
 
 O So
 
 7The SACRED CLASSICS 
 So 'largixvj in the divine Plato r\v vuv oyj 
 
 TTSl 
 
 The putting verbs of different {pecies, and 
 their circumftances and manners of fignifving: 
 
 r i r 
 
 one for another, is io common in the new Telia- 
 ment that it wou'd be endlefs to produce inftances 
 of them all. I have {elected fbme of thefe 
 changes, which (eem moft difficult and furprifmg 
 to people not throughly vers'd in thefe ftudies^ 
 out of the (acred writers, and parallel'd them out 
 of the moft valuable ClaiUcs of Greece. 
 
 By a metonymy any one fpecies of a verb 
 may be put for another, as to {peak in general for 
 to adrift) command, dijjuade, &c. 
 
 So, in St. Matthew, sine* is command-, {b, in, 
 Thucidides, etnoyrsfr commanding to annoy the ene- 
 my, &c e . On which the judicious editor has 
 this remark very pertinent to our purpofe. 
 
 f f Amongft other words and forms of ipeech 
 " which are Eilfly thought utterly abhorrent to 
 <f the genius of the Greek language, we meet 
 (< with EiTTsl':-', (ignifying to command. The ufe 
 cc of which is common with Thucidides, who 
 <c had no acquaintance with the Hebrew, from 
 f( which this is imagin'd to be deriv'd. 
 
 t; Plat.' Gorgias p. 44p, 4^0. d St. Mat. iv. 3. 
 
 Thucid, 7. 419, 1. i. not. a. 
 
 3 What
 
 Defended and Illuflrated. 99 
 
 What a man endeavours to do, or commands 
 to be done by this ftrong and comprehenfive way 
 of expreflion, he is (aid to do ; what he difluades 
 or advifes againft, he is laid not to fuffer to be 
 done j what lie offers, to give; and what he pro- 
 mifes,, to perform. In this fenfe Herod fays, I fo- 
 teaJeJ John*. So, mXenopbon, o fictTiXtvg due- 
 rsfjivsi MTU vfjv xsfyxtojvy the king cut off bis head 1 , 
 01 sx el'uv yaufJLa%fyv dfrsserSai, they diffuaded 'em 
 from the thought of, and f reparation of a fea-fght h . 
 Things promis'd and offer'd are faid to be adu- 
 ally given in Herodotus: dig fjuxtyg rd bfopsyx $e- 
 xscr&stiy that you may learn to accept of things offered 
 to you 1 . 
 
 To hear, in thefacred Claffics, is to obey*-, fb 
 'tis frequently in the old Greek ClafTics : x IVMZ.- 
 ovltov $s TUV MiTb/wziw, 'when the Mityleneans 
 would not obey 1 - y Aaxsfaipdywi $s xxug r/xxov y the 
 Lacedemonians did not comply 'with their de- 
 mands m . 
 
 The retaining the figurative way too clofely, 
 has render'd our tranllation of the Bible in fbme 
 
 f Sc. Mark vi. i5. 
 
 Xen. Hellen. 3. 175-. Dem. adv. Mid. 410. 1. 2. after B. 
 h Her. Gr. 7. 416. ). 7. 
 
 ; Her. Gr. 9. f f 1. 1. i. Vid. etiam Her. Gr. p. rro. 1. I- 
 & Demoft. adv. Mid. 410. 1. z. after. B. 
 
 k Ads iv. 19. i Thucid. 5. ifo.l, i. 
 
 m Herod, i. 61. 1. p. vid. Thucid. 3. i 62,. 1. 6. 
 
 O 3. places
 
 ico The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 places a little perplex'd. Tou Jhall le fold, and 
 none Jhall buy you, in Deuteronomy, had been 
 better translated, to prevent the offence of or- 
 dinary people, you Jhall le fet to fale, and none 
 Jhall buy you". To which form of expreflion 
 that in Herodotus is exactly conformable, ETTS&V- 
 {jL'/jG's 7'/j<; ")(&otv$Qg ri, avify KfoffsXStov uveero, he had 
 a gv 'eat fancy for the cloak, and came and bought it y 
 that is, asked the price, and offered money for it". 
 
 St. John, in his firft Epiftle, chap. ii. v. i<T. 
 commends the Chriftians he addrefles, for their 
 knowledge and ftrength in Chriftianity ; tells 'em 
 they had a holy unction whereby they had over- 
 come the evil one, and aflures them that he writes 
 to them to caution 'em a^ainft the artifices of 
 
 o 
 
 antichriftian and lewd heretics, wickedly in- 
 duitrious to propagate their pernicious opinions. 
 Yet in ver. ^ 6 . according to our vernon, he 
 fuppofts 'em to be already deceived and; drawn 
 aude by thofe impious importers: Thefe things 
 have I written to you concerning thofe that deceive 
 you$ which in my humble opinion is harfh and 
 Severe, and {bmething repugnant to the com- 
 mendations beftowed upon them j therefore I 
 fubmit to better judgment, whether the paflage 
 might not better be render 'd, according to the 
 
 n Dcuteron. xxviii. 68. Her. Gr. 3. 114. 1. 8. 
 
 figurative
 
 Defended and lltuftrated. \ o i 
 
 figurative forms mention'd above > I have writ- 
 ten thefe things to you , concerning thofe who endea- 
 vour to deceive you. 
 
 Verbs neuter or intranfitive often acquire a new 
 fignification, and become tranfitive ; and fo in- 
 troduce a new and different conflrudion. A vail 
 number of critics and commentators have agreed 
 to call this an Hebraifm j and contrary to the geni- 
 us and purity of the old Greek language, Gataker 
 and Grotius make it a Hebraifm, and in (lance 
 SfiapSsuu, which, in its firft fignification, is to 
 triumph over a defeated enemy y but in (acred wri- 
 ters is to caufe another per f on to triumph p . 
 
 Mr. L ock too rafhly advances a notion on this 
 head;, which cannot at all be defended : " The 
 " cuftom or familiarity of which the Hebrew 
 <c and Syriac tongues do {bmetimes (b far in- 
 cf fluence the expreflion in thefe epiflles, that 
 <( one may obferve the force of the Hebrew con- 
 (< jugations, particularly that of Hiphil, given to 
 cc Greek verbs, in a way unknown to the Grecians 
 Cf themfelvesV 
 
 But tho' Mr. Locky as a philofbpher, pretends 
 to be a Free-Thinker , and fcorns the flavery of fol - 
 lowing any guide, or being addi&ed to any feel 
 or party 5 yet it will prefently appear that as a 
 
 P 2, Cor. ii. 14. Vid. i . Sam. viii. 12.. 
 
 q Mr. Lock's Pref. to Commcn. on St. Paul's Epiftle p. 4. 1 
 
 critic
 
 ioi The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 critic he implicitly embraced the vulgarly receiv'd 
 notion, and walk'd in the old beaten path. The 
 Hebrews uie the preter tenfe of what we call the 
 indicative mood for all other tenfes except the fu- 
 ture, and imperative,, and infinitive moods, and 
 have no potential mood at all ; therefore there is 
 a perpetual change of moods and tenfe one for 
 another : And the Greeks,, tho' they have all the 
 tenfe and moods wanting in the Hebrew 3 and 
 the addition of (bme tenfe which even the Romans 
 have not ; yet for variety they change their moods 
 and tenfe in a manner as bold and (urprifing to 
 people,, that have not compar'd the iacred and fo- 
 reign Claffics, as the Hebrew writers themfelves. 
 Vain is the obfovation of Hentenius : We mnft, 
 (ays he , olferve that the Evangelifts and Apoftles 
 leing native Hebrews, in this matter, as well as 
 many others, follow d the Hebrew idiom, whereby 
 they frequently exprefs the prefent tenfe, which they 
 have not of their own, or the future by the preter 
 tenfe r . I now proceed to prove what I advance 
 upon this head. 'Avx)sM& in St. Matthew figni- 
 fies to arife in one place, and to caufe to arife in 
 ..another s . 
 
 The 
 
 r In Pere Sim. Hiftoire Critique du Text du N. T. 
 c. z6. p. 311. 
 
 5 St. Mat. iv. 1 5, and v. 45-. One might, fays the great 
 Cafaufon on this latter place, produce a great many fuch in- 
 
 ftances
 
 Defended and Illuflrated. 103 
 
 The general fignification of avfcyyu in both fa- 
 cred and foreign Claflics is to rife$ but 'tis fome- 
 times in both to caufe to rife, or raife. l\al eyu 
 CL>ct<?r](Tti aasrov. So in Homer, &sfjuv awrfireig*. 'Ec 
 'idtifjuyy anenqtw 3 they revolted, or went off to 
 Ithome ; and evteov $s Mfc/flov ug an 0^0-0 flsc y they 
 faitd to Miletus in order to folicit them to a revolt V 
 moftly is to le in hafte , but crTrsvtrzi TOV 
 in Herodotus, is to haften or put forward the 
 marriage w . 
 
 Verbs adlive reciprocal are us'd for paflive, 
 ) he wasjtrengtherid. So in Plato, si$ fair- 
 L/IS^X^S is changd into an ariftocracy, rS 
 ffvfldpvovloe, the time being accomplifid, in 
 Herodotus, and sfycrucravlsG voig zXXoig for s^taudsilsg^ 
 in Thucidides x . As to the change of verbs from 
 intranfitive to tranfitive, 'tis common in Latin as 
 well as Greek. 
 
 fiances in the facred Greek looks. The noble critic ought to 
 have given us all the ttuth, and have added, as well as in ths 
 purefl Claffics of old Greece. 
 
 c St. John vi. f4- Horn. 'IX. w. ffi. 
 
 v A6rs ix. ip. Thucid. i. ftf. p. 8. 477. v. n. Vid. 
 Dcuteron. vii. 4. 
 
 w Her. Gr. 3. 2.13. 1. 2,2,. Efther vi. v. 14. 
 
 ;< A6tsxiv. 19. Plat. Ref. 8. 180. 1. p. Her. Gr. f, ^co, 
 !. penult. Thucid. 6. 400. 1. 6. 
 
 So/tA
 
 ro-4 3^ e SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 Soils flia lucos 
 
 Ajjiduo refonat cantu. 
 
 Viro;. ^n. 7. v. 1 1, 1 2.. 
 
 o 
 
 refonat plangoribus <ether. 
 . 4. v. 66%. 
 
 In precepts of morality, commands, andfbrne- 
 times in plain narrations, the Hebrews ufe the infi- 
 nitive for the imperative mood ^ and Co do the di- 
 vine authors of the new Teftament, xau'fsw p?ix 
 Xpuaofluv y and 'tis as common in Thucidides, He- 
 rodotus y dec. t) s pot sxl wp "EMa^K rgoflsv- 
 strQzi z . 2i) psfloi %ffv%oG tuzi xsflsMuv eg r/jv rs- 
 UVTZ \ Thefc authorities fb full and plain, are 
 fufficient to vindicate this form of fpeech upon 
 any occafion from the unneceflary (cruple of Gr^- 
 <vius^ who tells us that the infinitive put for the 
 imperative is ufual with poets and lawgivers j but 
 he doubts whether it be not barbarous in com- 
 mon plain profe b . 
 
 There is in St. Luke a variation of mood in 
 the fame claufe, and upon the fame fubjecT: with- 
 out any vifible neceflity, which may to fbme peo- 
 ple be a little furprifing: pv}$sv ai'fsls 
 
 i Rom. xii. if. 2 Her. Gr. 5. in. 1. 44. 
 
 a Her. Gr. 4. 174. ad fin. Her. Gr. 7. 449. 1. 44. 
 b Ad Solecilt. Luciani p. 7$f . not. i. ad fin. 
 
 3
 
 Defended and Illufirated. IQJ 
 
 cvo yitumq %eiy c . There are many changes as 
 bold and furprifing in claffic authors : 'Ayftterai 
 on fidxY) TS ysfovs, ) wxwfv ol fjielz TIavtratyisa d . 
 
 The indicative mood in mo ft of its tenfes is 
 (b commonly put for the potential mood in the 
 beft authors of Greece , that I fliou'd not have 
 produc'd one inftance had not I found (bme peo- 
 ple to be offended with the exchange, and Grotiw 
 himfelf to call it a Helraifm e . El yz li'mvccv, i* 
 av rov Kvgiov 7%$ fofyjs $%'J*upst.v ' ar' e?iv xrs w~ 
 Ttols 'j?Egus yevqlxi in Plato, is, as to the expret 
 (ion, exactly parallel with St. Mark, yefas, ^J 
 py ytvtflxi g . CCVTW myafr si t u.*j NMo<rfx]og em- 
 l.ves, $ie(pQeif<xv OLV, they had kiltd them, if Ni- 
 coftratus bad not refrain d 'em h : el pyj tfv xro$ xz- 
 xoTcoioq, -ax otv croi TragsfoomfJisv aurov 1 , we would 
 not have deliver d him to thee. The indicative 
 future is put for the imperative mood, or rather 
 (ubj unlive that exprefTes the imperative, TS'TC/C 
 dgxeffQwofieia k , let us be content. Vain is that 
 various reading stg%effiq(ruiJLe9a t fince the other is 
 
 c St. Luke Jx. 3. d Her. Gr. p. f 5 f. 1. 4. 
 
 e Grot, on Ephef. v. if. ( i Cor. ii. 8. St. John. iv. 10. 
 J xaTWgOawranj vo"'ga'cr: ja av ra. aX.yc>a argofl-tOetrav. Thucid. 
 7. 4f4. 1, if. g Plat. Phsedrus 2.60. 1. ult. St. Mark. xiii. 
 ip. Both moods are join'd together in the fame fignification 
 in that place: a'rs y-Jyciu? av art aVaova/jtat r'avo/gta. Demofl. 
 Mid. 411, 1. C. * Thucid. 3. 191. 1. 17. 
 
 1 St. John xviii. 50. k i Tim. vi. 8.
 
 106 77je SACRED CLASSICS 
 pure and amounts to the fame fenfe. e l>si> & v 
 TUV otW-juy fofcicrmtoi effscfle, Be you inftr utters of 
 the reft 1 . For si sy ru cc%tz\u Sega7rev<ret, 'whether 
 he would heal on the fahhath, in St. Luke m , Ssgx- 
 Ttevtry is found in fbme books j which alteration 
 was made by fbme little pert tranfcriber, who 
 was jealous that the true reading was not pure 
 Greek : 'si Slfixfat avrov o rcgyixg n , whether Gorgias 
 woud teach him, in Plato, is parallel : So el py xjTr/ 
 snipeXrjcrelai, unlefe J&e her felf would take care, in 
 Xenophon . 
 
 The firft aorift for prefent tenfe is common in 
 the facred Greek writers j but a cenfure paffc upon 
 this form of fpeaking wou'd betray want of read- 
 ing and obfervation in the critic ; this ufage is fb 
 common in the beft Claflics of Greece, and here 
 as in other cafes, of Rome too. 
 
 This change of tenfe ferves generally to exprefs 
 a cuftom or frequency of ading, fbmetimes that 
 a thing is fhort-liv'd and fbon paffes away. 'E?r2 
 TYJS TNLucr&us xzfefyzz sxsiturzv, they jit or ufe to fit 
 on Mofes feat p : MSTstf.e yz? o "H/.isc, for as foon 
 as the fun rifes q . Plato (peaking of wickednefs, 
 
 %> . * ' v "' ', 
 
 S, 7?QVY)0Qy Tl TCOiEl OJ TCfGCTsyS^STOy Kj TIs.S'JTsJV JAOV 
 
 -, it does prejudice to whatever it 
 
 Ph:. Gonviv. p. i ipo. Francof. in St. Luke vi. 7. 
 P.'g. 481. 1. D. Xen, CX-con. p. 70. 
 
 St. M;U. xxiii. z, s Sr. James i. 1 1, 
 
 adheres*
 
 Defended and lllufir cited. 107 
 and at lajl totally difjbl-ves and defrays it r . 
 
 So dTfSTTSfJt^ev evQvc rfa (p.gxazc, immediately remands 
 her to prifon *. The firft aorift is likewise us'd for 
 preterpluperfecl; tenfe; ore hetecrsy o 'lyrSg Trdvlzs 
 
 V ' / t ' \ N V 111] 
 
 rj' w /i ^ o ^'/'/^/^ T"^ T"^' /1 ^* ** / ^T (O 2 / 'y V W^^J- ^T^ f}^^f fafi r)/7 /7 
 
 heard many reproachful fay ings, he drew his fword 
 upon Mafiftes u . In St. y^w xi. 2,. it feems moft 
 natural to take zXefyGurct in this fenfe, Mary OD/?/^ 
 ^^/ formerly anointed our llejjed Saviour y and to 
 conclude it to have relation to a noted ftory which 
 is deliver'd by St. Luke w . Tis not probable that 
 the Evangelift fhou'd relate a ftory by way of pre- 
 vention, which was in a fhort time to be repeated 
 with fuch various and lively circumftances x . Such 
 a fhort hint cou'd neither give light to the hifto- 
 ry, nor fatisfa&ion to the reader j who was fo 
 {peedily to be entertain'd with an admirable ac- 
 count of that office of piety in this good woman. 
 Let the aorift have its full force and meaning as 
 above, and the reafon plainly appears why Betha- 
 ny is call'd the town cf Mary and Martha, and 
 
 r Plat. Refp. 10. 311. 1. antepenult. 
 
 s Plat. Gorgias fif . 1. 8. vid. Ifoc. ad Demon, p. 1. 1. 8, 9, 
 Bafil. Graec. Plutarch nup. Prsec. 85. 1. 3. after B. Horn, 
 'IX. I'. 180. Virg. Geor. r,v. 330, 331. 
 
 r St. Mat. xxvi. i. u Her, Gr. f4$>. L *. 
 
 v St. Luke vii. 37. 
 
 x St. John xii. 3. Vid. Dr. Ligktfovt on St. John xi, :.. 
 p. f8o, Eng. Works 1684, 
 
 P 2 nor
 
 io8 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 not of Lazants j why they gave our Saviour no- 
 tice of their brother's ficknefs with fb much free- 
 dom and familiarity , and why our Saviour ho- 
 nours the devout and generous family with fuch 
 peculiar tendernefs,, and diftinftion of friend- 
 ihip y . 
 
 The prefent tenfe is put for the future, and 
 join'd with it when both refer to the fame time; 
 and this change in the {acred writers expreiles 
 {peed and {uddennefs , and aiTurance of the cer- 
 tainty of the thing j of which the very expreffion 
 it {elf gives you a reprefentation and image : /- 
 "Xpij.zi PCI T&%V ^ xivtfcru z ' ^y, svQi>$ atyyvu ctvrov ztf 
 UTTSIUI *' Mx*Tv?i' and xsxgafev in the {ame claufe 
 
 t j j 5 
 
 is cenfur'd by Erajmus as an innovation in St. 
 John b , but is in the oldeft and beft authors : 2ra- 
 
 yei'fu fAH TtgocrSxhXei $ &% sT>.s, he invades Stagi- 
 rus, lut took it not c . 'AvstSstfyu in St. 'John is for 
 dva^tjcrofJLOti 9 I flail in a few --weeks alfcond d : otfupt 
 is for JiuVw, in Herodotus: %v& uv Tol %gwoy ^ %$- 
 yvfov Ji'^tt/, for which civilities I will give you an 
 immenfe fum of gold and jilver\ 
 
 y Vid. Lightfoot ut fupra. * Revel, ii. f . 
 
 J Plat. Apol. Soc. p. if. 1. if. Camb. In DemMenes 
 we have both mood and tcnfe chang'd : XT* cpu'yoi;/ a-j STC 
 a7ragva,a'j ^ Mid. 411. 1. C. 
 
 b St. John i. if. c Thucid. f. zp^. 1. penult. 
 
 4i St. John xx. 17. e Hcr.^Gr. 3. 2.14, 1. 40. 
 
 - j The
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 109 
 
 The preterimperfeft tenfe for the prefent tenfe 
 is rare but claflical : ovrog ?v ov SITTOV, this is he of 
 whom Ijfoke { . tfeTy ITCTTOV navv ffndvioy rjv, 'tis rare 
 to fee a horfe *Perfia B . On the contrary, fome- 
 times the prefent tenfc ftands for the preterimper- 
 fect. So in Galatians og&onoSSffi for ' ofSc7rc&$y h > 
 feeing that they did not walk uprightly, si dvrew 
 7teigyr]vai q&ehrjffe si n oOwiS peTS%iiGri l 9 if he Toad a 
 mind to try 'em whether they had any courage. Kc- 
 \afylLwxcy in St. Peter, is for xofaur&yffofASviis*, J^- 
 $ovTotc 9 mThucidiJesy is (OT Stiff ovrots 1 : So in He- 
 rodotus we have Qsov rov ovx ovoXctfyfievog VTT 
 s t uiu m , a God not to le nanid, or which Jhall not le 
 named, ly me on this occasion. 
 
 That exchange in Revelation iv. <?, i o. feerns 
 as harfli as any in the newTeftamentj OT&V $tiff%<rt 
 TCC $x $ozM) when the living creatures give glory, 
 and honour and thanks to him that fat on the throne, 
 who liveth for ever and ever". Grotius calls it an 
 
 f St. John i. if. 8 Xen. Cyr. p. 1 1. Oxon. Grace, 
 
 h Gal. ii. 14- 
 
 1 Her. Gr. 9. fi6. 1. 3. Vid. Xen. Cyr. Exped. ^, i 
 if. p. 82. k i Pet. ii. p. Vid. Gal.ii. n. Ad's xxi, 
 
 1 Thucid. 3. iff. 1. antepenult. 
 
 m Her. Gr. 2. 159. 1-8. 
 
 n I took the liberty to render this word w# Dr. H*# 
 by living creatures, and I wifh I could have ren- J fee ' was 
 ' 
 
 der'd ic'by a better word. I think our .tranfla- harfflneff and 
 tion is very improper. 'Tis always in it ren- indecency of 
 der'd Bcafts-) which Jwcv does not primarily fig- our tranflati- 
 
 nifv -,
 
 no The SACRED CLASSICS 
 Hetraifm, whereby the future is put for all other 
 tenfes. But 'tis pmt Greek according to the u(age 
 of the beft authors: e& wv xxSicrwiv cl Usfcrzi 
 on which the Perfians ft or uje to ft 
 
 There is a quick tranfition from one perfbn to 
 another in the feventh chapter to the Romans, 
 *ver. 4. where the Apoftle addreffes to the Roman 
 Chriftians, and then confidering all the difciples 
 of our Lord as one body and fbciety of true 
 believers, he joins himfelf to 'em, and (peaks in 
 common: My brethren, ye alfo are hecome dead to 
 the lawy that ye Jhould be married to another y to 
 him who is raifed from the dead 3 that we Jhoud 
 tring forth fruit unto God. 
 
 Upon which place Mr. Lock has this obferva- 
 tion : " St. Paul having all along from the begin- 
 " ning of the chapter^ and even in this very ftn- 
 ff tence, faid Te, here^ with neglect of grammar, 
 
 " on a fudden changes it into We. I fuppofe 
 
 <j to prels the argument ftronger^ by iliewing 
 
 on, and ren- n ify ; and 'tis certain that now it conveys 
 ders the word low idea and is i nto i cra bl y harfh to be ap- 
 
 Irving creatures. .,, r . ,/.. ri 
 
 ply d to the taints and dignitaries of hea- 
 
 Xen. Hel. 4. p. ip8. 
 
 i fc himfelf
 
 "Defended and llluflrated. m 
 
 " himfelf to be in the fame circumftances and 
 " concern with them, he being a Jew as well 
 c < as thofe he fpoke to. 
 
 This neglect of grammar (as this ingenious 
 gentleman calls it) expreffes the prudence and 
 dextrous addrefs of the Apoftle with great ad van- 
 tage 5 by familiarly uniting himfelf to 'em he 
 gains their affections,, and engages their attention j 
 and fuch changes as this enforce an exhortation ; 
 and give an agreeable variety to the liyle. 
 
 Upon that exhortation of St. Paul, Let us 
 walk decently as in the day, 'not in revelling* and 
 drunken meetings, Sec. but put ye on the Lord Jefus 
 Chrijl*. St Chryfojlom obferves, that St. Paul did 
 not fay, walk ye, but let us walk, that he might 
 prevent offence j that he might make his reproof 
 more eafy, and his exhortation more perfuafive 
 and effectual: which beauty in ftyle and pru> 
 dent manner of application and addrefs this faith- 
 ful interpreter and happy follower of the facred 
 writers imitates in his addrefs to his own audience. 
 
 Let us therefore fiake off this mifchievous Jleep 
 
 For if that day furfrife us Jleeping, eternal death 
 
 will fucceed. Does it now feem to le bright 
 
 day, dont we all imagine that we are awake and 
 
 P- Rom. xiii, 13. Vid. Dr. Bull. Har, Apof. z. p. 62. $. i^
 
 in The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 fober? yet we are all like per fans flee f ing andfnoring 
 in dead of night. 
 
 If this tranfition from one perfbn to another, 
 for fuch weighty caufes and ftrong reafbns, be a 
 neglect of grammar, the critics muft at leaft ex- 
 cufe it, becaufe 'tis frequent, and admir d as em- 
 phatical and a beauty in Homer and Firgil, in Xe- 
 wophon and Plato, and all the fublimeft writers in 
 both the languages. Agamemnon makes an ab- 
 rupt change of the perfbn in his eager fpeech to 
 the 
 
 ore 
 OTTOT ev tiAvu y.svscajss ouaarSs q . 
 
 Xenopboft, in his fpeech to the angry foldiers 
 about to plunder Byzantium, ufes great addrefs, 
 firft ipeaking to them about their juft refentment, 
 which he approv'd ; and then when he fuppofes 
 things harfli and fuch as he could not approve, 
 Ipeaking of himfelf as one of their number, (b 
 taking the propereft method to allay their rage, 
 and divert 'em from their fatal refblutions : That 
 you are angry, Gentlemen Soldiers, and judge float 
 you have 'very unjujt and barbarous ufage in that 
 you are deluded, I do not wonder. But if we 
 
 i Horn. 3 I\. $>'. v. up, 130. Vid. Plat. Gorg. fO}.!. 3, 
 before D. Vid. Dr. ffhitby on tttw iii. 3. 
 
 i flould
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. \ \ j 
 
 Jhoutt gratify our pafjion, and punijh the Lacede- 
 monians, for that cheat, and plunder a city which 
 has committed no faulty conftder ferioujly what will 
 Joe the conferences r . 
 
 7. Change of the particles, or the lefter in 
 vary'd words, that add to the fignification of 
 nouns and verbs, and ferve to make conftruc~tion 
 eafy and plain, and the connection of the ieveral 
 parts natural and graceful ^ and the variety of 
 their fignifications, with their omiffion and feem- 
 ing fuperfluity in fome places in the new Tefta- 
 ment, has by many fcrupulous and formal inter- 
 preters been thought to perplex and depreciate the 
 (acred ftyle. But thefe changes and varieties are 
 by more able judges pronounc'd to be the beau- 
 ties and graces of the language; and they are jufti- 
 fy'd in their opinion by the ufage of the chief 
 mailers of noble ftyle and compofitionj who take 
 the iame liberties, and often greater than the Apo- 
 ftles and Evangehfts of our Lord. 
 
 The particle y#f generally (erves to draw an in- 
 ference, or give a reafbn of fbmething before ad- 
 vanc'd. But in eao-ernefs and vehemence of con- 
 
 o 
 
 r Xen. Cyr. Exp. 7. i. itf. p. 385. By thefe and feveral 
 more inftances it appears, that Dr. Ligbtfoofs obfervation is 
 not juft, That change of perfons in grammatical con- 
 ftruction is ufual in the Hebrews eloquence and. rhetorick. 
 Dv. Lightfoot Har. on 4. Evang. p. 45-1. 
 
 ccn?
 
 ii4 ?% e SACRED CLASSICS 
 cern 'tis us'd abruptly by the fpcakcr in the very 
 entrance of his difcourfe 5 which very naturally 
 paints his furprize and confufion. So the Town- 
 clerk of Ephefus coming with difturbance and ea- 
 ger haile begins "Avfyss 7 E&not, -rig yz* l~lv 
 a'^^TTcg f j Dennis of Phocis 3 in Herodotus, begins 
 his fpeech in the fame abrupt manner, proceeding 
 from a like difturbance and furprize, 'E?r2 
 T^g dxpjg s%STai qpTv rx Ttgfiypxroiy wfyse 
 
 This particle inAffs viii. 3 p. is only an exple- 
 tive and us'd as Jf or ty often are. Our Englijh 
 tranflation is right, and the notion of Gvotws 
 ieems a little forc'd : He faw him no more becaufe 
 he went on his road, and Philip 'was carried ano- 
 ther way. 'Tis frequently fuperfitious in the old 
 Greek writers : C^ITAQ^^ & TX ie^o^ r/is yao ruv 
 r;c Usf(7uy y upon the taking of the wall a Per- 
 jian, not knowing Crxius, advancd to kill hzm v . 
 
 The fame particle in the facred writers clofes a 
 (entence with a firm clofenefs and a grateful (bund 
 t:o the ear-, ^ a^ylsotV ii~o'^ sQ^w'io */%* "', So 
 the old Claflicsj % 
 
 1 Acts xi x. ^f. 
 
 1 Her. Gr. 5. 335-, I. u Plat. Conv, 1188. Frnncof 
 ' Her. Or. i. 5^.1.4. Vid, ./Efchin. in Ctef. 141. 1.8. 
 Oxon. w St. Mark xvi. 8. St. John xiii 13. 
 
 >: (>;rop 8. yi- Wei's. Jfocrates ad Demon p. 10. 1. f.
 
 Defended and llluflrated. \\$ 
 
 Aid has a variety of fignifications in the facred 
 writers parallel to thofe in the Claflics., which 
 being confider'd and compared may be of life to 
 interpret and ilhiftrate feveral paflages in the new, 
 Teftament. 
 
 A/2 with an accufative inflead of a genitive fig* 
 nifies by or thro' , K#ycJ $ fox TOV ~cc\ztc<, I live 
 thro the Father 9 he eflentially communicates life and 
 divinity y . Plato in his tenth book of la\vs has 
 the fame conftruction 5 hz TSXWi by art* : fox rzc 
 Xf^x? 7^ TifiMTXi y.cvxC) they are only honour d by 
 good men*. Aid rarely fignifies m> $icl co&c, in 
 glory) glorious 13 j CM (lo% y in fear c . It fignifies the 
 
 /"* * t\^ *^* C " s * i Is ^ */ 
 
 ipace or time, oix TOIUV Yjusguv oixofofMjffto) m three 
 days time I will luild it up d ; sysvsTo $, 
 
 Grotius affirms that el for on is an impropriety 
 in the Greek language f ; I wifli that very learned 
 man had not affirm'd fb rafhly : Then that faying 
 of divine infpiration will be foleciftical : TY axis-ov 
 xflbeToti 7tx0 vyuv, Si o Qsoq vsxgxg sysigsi ; why is it 
 judgd incredible by you y that God raifes the dead? 
 But 'tis juflify'd againft all objection by authority, 
 that when produc'd, muft be inconteftable and 
 
 > St. John vi. 57. 
 
 ''- Plat, de Leg. 10. ip5. 1. i<5, 17. 197. 1.14, if. Camb. 
 
 3 Ariftoph. Pint. ^3. Eccici". fpp. b 2, Cor. xi. 
 
 c Thucid. 6. ^9- 1. 3. d St. Mark xiv. fb\ 
 
 * Her. Gr. 7, 4 p. 1. y. f On Ads xxvi. 8. 
 
 2. decifive
 
 n(5 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 decifive. ^Ef chines fays of his adverlary Demojlhe- 
 neS) xx oiyz7.$. el y$ $M7]y frefiu/tsv, he that is author 
 of fo many mifchiefs is not content that he is come 
 
 3 / Tig is put for sV/ h , and implies no manner 
 of doubt 5 ex e%&iv el rif TI eyto eouv.z, f whatfoe<ver 
 I have given to any perfon, let him ha've it '. The 
 ignorance of this caus'd a trifling copyift to put 
 in og xv for sxy rig in St. John k . Eig is elegant- 
 ly fuperfluous in St. Matthew: sTv/floy zi$ TY>V xs~ 
 avT$ l . So 'tis in the noble hiftorian : rJ- 
 sg $e sg TQV bugwx m . It is peculiarly put for 
 l in Afts, AS/^ &eysi elg XVTOV n . So in JEfchi- 
 oy elg kvflwQewg Trofarstxy , a prophecy 
 TKpon or concerning the adminiftration of Demofthe- 
 nes. So in fhucidides, el'g TS yvyafaxg ^ Trcti'^xg KJ 
 $eg TtXTftoxg -ngotyeeopeya, things ufually faid upon 
 *wi<ves and children , and the religion of the coun- 
 try*. 
 
 is peculiarly us'd in St. Peter , -/.arx Toy 
 v^ag uyiovy in imitation of that holy One 
 
 Adv. Ctef. 88. 1. n. Vid. etiam p. 129. 1. 9. 6c De- 
 nioft. dc Cor. 140. 1. i. h Ephef 4. 29. 
 
 ' Xen. Cyrop. 4. 16. p. 46. Wells. 
 k St.Johnviii. fi. Robert. Steph. MSS. z. 
 1 27. 30. m Herod. Gr.p. f 17. L 18. ibid, i.pi.l. 3 = 
 a Afts ii. 25-. -/Efchin, adv. Ccef. 83. 1, f. 
 Thucid. 7, 4ffl. ii. 
 
 'who
 
 Defended and llluflrated. \\j 
 who calfd you p , which is mark'd down by Vata- 
 llus for a Helraifm. Xenophon has exactly the 
 fame form of ipeech : TIUUUBVOZ VTTO oyvLx xzrx 
 TOV TtdiSfx "Afrtova, honoured by the people as bis fa- 
 ther 'was q . 
 
 This little particle in the firft Epiiile to the Co- 
 rinthians is render 'd of or concerning, which is 
 agreeable to the Syriac and Arabic veriions. Gro~ 
 tins would have it againji God, to his dillionour : 
 There is no occafion, the other way it amounts 
 to the fame. Xenophon fays, TT# psv $yj Y.XVOC 
 xdvTM e'xpiJLsv heysiV) thefe things <zue can fay of all 
 the Perfians r . 
 
 Kara tips gay TratfOTFtxfattrixS, in tloe day of tempta- 
 tion*, is anfwer'd by that in a foreign Claflic, 
 mra ?ov mrd Kgolacv xpovov, in the time of Crce~ 
 fus \ That is a fignification a little unufual in 
 the Epiftle to the Galatians : "cig mr o^aX^g 77*0- 
 eygdfyy % before <whofe eyes Jefus Chrift has leen 
 evidently fet forth. Arijtophanes has it in the 
 lame fenfe and conftru6tion : Ivx crol HQCT o&Qc&jLv 
 
 is us'd by way of cjueftion in St. Mark*,, 
 which Grotius fays ought to be number 'd among 
 
 P i Pet. i. if. i Xcn. Hel. z. pi. Wells. 
 
 r i Cor. xv. if. Xen. Cyrop. I. 3. i<5. p. 10. I. 4. Ox, 
 Grec. s Ht-b. iii. 8. c Herod. Gr. i. z6. 1. 6. 
 
 v Gal. iii. i. w Ran. 6^9. vid. Sept. Dcuter. i, 30, 
 
 Mark ix. i, zS. 
 
 the
 
 n8 ffje SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 the Hebraifms of that Evangelift. But I think it 
 may be prov'd true Greek by the authority of two 
 elegant and authentic Grecians. C O 
 
 on z X?V ?y X s f f y Gobryas ask'd him why he 
 did 'not ufe his hand y . 
 
 "Or/ is often pleonaftical in the (acred writers, 
 as CTI szv y.y.Tzyivtt(rx.Yj YIUM Y] xagMa, on [/.Si'fyv ezl 
 <~)scg z . Some manufcripts and verfions leave the 
 laft OTI out, and Harry Stephens wou'd have sn 
 inftead of it. But the nobleft Claffics ufe this 
 particle pleonaftically., when it feems as harfh and 
 unneceflary as here : O'J^; CTI uwcg o K^~u> w rjtrj- 
 yys. .YJ-J aD.ct ^ cl Qfaci \ 
 
 Among the numerous fignificatioRS of the par- 
 ticle Tf <?r, I will name two out of the facred wri- 
 ters of the new Teftameiit which are rare and un- 
 common, and parallel them out of the nobleft 
 Claffics : Haog T/JV cr/Jytoxagtizy vptov, 'with refpeff 
 to the ob/lmacy of your temper 3 and hardnefs of 
 your heart*. l\gig wy r^ c^u TZVTW, with refpeff 
 to this rvijion, &c. Hgog TY^ vperefxe aur/jgia$ 
 d , this tends to your health. 'Eyw cs ^ TO, 
 Tfog r)y,uy cvT<z 3 I fee well enougli that 
 mojl things are with us e . 
 
 >' Her. Gr. 5. ipi. ]. 40. So driflopbancs Plut. v. 19. 
 
 2 I John iii. zo. *Xen. Mem. Soc. i.e. 1.8. p. 12.7. vid. 
 Plat. Gorg. 4<Jp. 1 . 3 1. b Mark x. f . c Her. Gr. i . i f . 1. 3 f . 
 
 a Ads xxvii. 34. e Thucid. 4. 120. 1. 2. So -ar^y rrTi 
 i ij. fit fas c?cr,s rd'Si) tbefe things don't tend to your repu 
 Thucid. 3. 182. 1. 16".
 
 Defended and llluftrated. \ \ y 
 
 N#2 is not only a particle of affent and affir- 
 mation, but of entreating and praying : vxl Trgcg 
 TM bew, I entreat you by our Gods, is both in 
 Euripides and Ariftophanes* . 'Tis fb us'd in the 
 epiftle to Philemon : vzl ovzipw crx ao&.&s s ; which 
 fenfe, methinks, is mod fuitable to that paflags 
 in St. Mark, where the Syrophenician woman 
 entreats our Saviour to heal her daughter : I le~ 
 
 C) 
 
 feech thee, O Lord, ha<ve mercy upon me ! for fha 
 the bread does properly belong to the children j yet 
 even the dogs have feme of the crumbs that fall up- 
 on the ground^, 
 
 QVTW fbmetimes fignifies for this reafon or 
 caufe y as, in St. John, Jefus being weary d with 
 his journey, TU$ exa&efero l , he came to the well, 
 and fate down, as he was thirjly and fatigud, 
 without curiovjly chufing a place. The Athenians 
 having a mind to bring Alcibiades upon his tryal, 
 and put him to death , fb fend a Salaminiau Jhip in- 
 to Sicily to fetch him k . 
 
 Ov< , in St. Matthew, vii. 12,. feems to be 
 pleonaiHcal, (tho a great man endeavours to 
 m:ke a dependence betwixt this verfe and thofe 
 immediately preceding) and to be no note of in 
 
 f Medea 1177. Ariftoph. Nub. 782. 8 Ver 20, 
 
 Mark vii. 28. 'John iv. 6. 
 
 . . . 
 
 k Thucid. 6. 584. 1. n. TZTs/Li-Trscnu yrw. vid. Herod Gr. i.f, 
 13. Subhacpinujacentcsfictemere.Hor.Od. 1. 1 1. v. 13, 14,. 
 
 fcrcncc
 
 txo The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 fcrence drawn from the foregoing words, only 
 a rranfition to a new precept of morality. 
 
 The parallel place is St. Luke vi. 31. oT<r$z y 
 en x< ol cixsTWy &c. you know that fervants often 
 whifper ftich things into the ears of children ! . The 
 Syriac, Arabic , and Perjian verfions of the new 
 Teftament leave out the particle of inference. 
 
 The particle $s is pleonaftical in Affs xi. 17, 
 and we may believe for that reafbn is not found 
 in feveral manufcripts and verfions ; but being in 
 the major part it ought to be retain'd in the text, 
 efpecially fince 'tis pleonaftical in the moil au- 
 thentic and noble writers : r/v ^ ^ s^y y -TJ o? 
 ru y.zyu Z.y.s*$: y but if he have not ears faffofe 
 that you fleef with Smerdis the Ma^us m . 
 
 A/^ is by St. Paul us'd by way of inference or 
 drawing a conclufion from what went before : 
 For ye are bought with a price, therefore glorify God 
 with your hody , and with your fpirit , which are 
 God's \ 
 
 Some ignorant fcribe efteeming it difagreeable 
 to the humour of the Greek language., ftruck out 
 or,, and put Htz in the room, others improv'd up- 
 on the blunder, and made that zgzTs. This par- 
 ticle has the fame ufe in Plato's apology : I will 
 
 1 Plat. Ref. 8. 172. 1. 3. See Her. Gr. 9. ^46. 1. f . 
 m Her. Gr. 3. 187. 1. 41. See alfo Xen. Hel. 3. p. 210, 
 Wells. n i Cor. vi. 20. 
 
 endeavour
 
 Defended and llluflrated. \ i i 
 
 endeavour to jhew you 'what has brought me into 
 
 this name and (carnal, axxsTe or * therefore loeav 
 j * * j 
 
 me . 
 
 The obfervation of fbme of the particular iifes* 
 of ml will ferve to rectify many paffages in the fa 
 cred writers -, to clear their (enfe, and difcover 
 their beauties. In the Epiflle to the Ephejians it 
 (ignifies efpecially or particularly, For all faints, 
 and for me p . So in Demofthenes, You ought to be 
 "zealous and vigorous in carrying on the war, if ever, 
 no-iv efpecially chearjully fupplying money q . 
 
 Kzl is fuperfluous or pleonaftical in many pla- 
 ces; Keel ore entyo'tyiKV tfueg&i. j ex}.yjQq TO 'ovo- 
 IJLOC CCUTZ r . 'Tis fb often in Plato, and Xenophon, 
 and Demojthenes: liagd rs TM aX^uv ^ o'/j ^ pd/ira 
 
 .%3 "TiaffOC Ttf VO t U.C@TZ . 
 
 This particle is adverfative in facred writers of 
 the new Teftament. This is wonderful that you 
 Inow not ^whence he is, and yet he has, or altho* 
 he has of end my eyes \ So 'tis us'd in Thucidides 
 
 Plat. Apol. Soc. 7. 1. z$. Camb. P Ephef. vi. ip. 
 
 ^ Dem. Olyn. i. p. 2. 1. f. vid. Plat. Euthyphr. 8. 1. z. 
 poft C. Thucid. i. j-p. 1. i<5. r Luke ii. 21. 
 
 f Plat.^de Leg. 10. p. ipf. 1. antepenult. Camb. 2^?o^ov c^'6'rc 
 rooVa lw, KJ %\i@> la^vtrc. Xen. Cyr. Ex. I. I. 10. p. 75. 
 
 "Wells Xen. Hellen. f. p. zj6. Ac~b i. 10. And in the 
 
 Hebrew often is disjunctive and muft be renderd or, as Gen 
 xxvi. n. Whofoever jhall touch this man and bis wife Anu s 
 Plato himfelf fo ufes it 5 tin lyw ^ Fo^y.'a;, ivbetber I or Gor- 
 gias. Plat. Gorg. 461, c John ix. 30, 
 
 R and
 
 111 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 and Plato: Zrzyeifu ngoirSdXtei, ^ xx. sT>.s, he in- 
 waded Stagirus, but, or, yet did not tale it \ Y^cd 
 is often interrogative, and very aptly exprefFes a 
 vehement concern, admiration, or iiirprize. K^' 
 n$ 'Svvaereu owQijvoa^ who then can be favd*? So 
 in Demojlhenes and Plato 5 K#/ n ty^o-sTS u zvtysg 
 hxarai 'what will ye fay, O ye judges ? what fair 
 and flaujibJe excufe will you le able to make*'? 
 
 "Ox?, fignifying when or whereas, is found in 
 2 Pet. ii. i i . but I think fcarce in any other place 
 of the new Teftament. The belt Claflics ufe it 
 in the fame fen(e j c?/r yz? s^s<ri sv vg-sfu - - zyu- 
 
 vicrsteQzi for when hereafter there might be an 
 
 opportunity to engage, &c. y . 
 
 . 8. The obfervations already made, if pro- 
 perly apply'd, will almoft folve all thofe objecti- 
 ons which Dr. 'Mill and others of his foitiment 
 have made againft the ftyle of the divine writers 
 of the new Teftament. But becaufe that learned 
 and laborious fcholar is very pofitive and confi- 
 dent, that the new Teftament is in many places 
 defil'd with foleciiiiis and falfe Greek, I fhall mo- 
 deftly and with deference to the memory of that 
 
 v Thucid. f. i5>3- 1. penult. w M:\rkx. 16. See iCor. ii. 2. 
 x Dcmof. Mid. 390. 1. 2. See Plat. Theretc:. 188. after 
 D. 1)1 d. Hen. Steph. Preface to hh G; ceb Tcfiamcnt. p. 2.1. 
 >" Thucid. 8. 481. I. 18. Xen. Cyrop. p. 5-19. 
 
 2 worthy
 
 Defended and lllufirated. \ 2 $ 
 
 worthy Gentleman, examine the inftances he pro- 
 duces in the twenty firft page of his Prolegomena. 
 The objections are principally taken out of St. 
 Johns Go(pel, which yet is allow 'd lefs liable to 
 exceptions than the other (acred writers. But 
 before I enter upon this examination, I prefeiit 
 my reader with a pafTage very much to our pur - 
 pofe, out of the {choliaft of Thucidides, who 
 feems to be a Chriftian, and as capable a judge 
 both of the (acred and foreign Claffics, of the 
 beauty and propriety of their ftyle, as Dwnyjius 
 Alexandrine, whofe judgment the Dodor fol* 
 lows, when he falls foul upon the ftyle of the 
 facred books ; but regards it as little as any man 
 in other matters, and eipecially when he (peaks 
 favourably of the divine language of the new Te- 
 ftament. f c Thucidides ought here, (ays the fcho- 
 ff Jiaft, to have (aid (b and (b, according to the 
 <c plain and common way j but being an in venter 
 <c of new conftruclion, and skilful in the old^r- 
 " tic dialed, he did not do it. 
 
 C Many fuch conftrudions you will find in. 
 the Divine, which tho(e people who do not 
 underftand refled upon, and imagine that great 
 man to be guilty of (blecifms V Where by the 
 Vi<vme I am (atisfy'd the (choliaft meant St. John 
 
 1 Thucid. 5. p. 1 66. n. 18, 
 
 R 2 the 
 
 cc 
 
 cc
 
 124 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 the Apoftle, who had that title by way of emi- 
 nence a , and whofe writings , especially the Afa- 
 calypfe, are charg'd with (blecifms by antient and 
 modern critics. St. Gregory Nazianzen was in- 
 deed in latter times calFd the Divine in a lower 
 fenfe b > but was never, that I can learn, accus'd 
 of barbarous Greek, and foleciims. A found and 
 able critic ives this character of this Father. 
 
 o 
 
 Cf St. Gregory of Nazianzum is a great matter in 
 ff the art of pcriuafion \ he explains him(clf in 
 ff few words, and with force in refpecl; to the 
 " fenfe > and with great delicacy in regard to his 
 (c expreffions c ." Tne Doctor begins to introduce 
 his inftatices of falfe Greek and folecifms with an 
 air of aflurance, in my humble opinion, not be- 
 coming. " That the writer of the Revelation 
 <c fometimes writes bad Greek , and is guilty of 
 <( fblecifins is too plain to be deny'd. 
 
 (( But are not moft of the other writers of the 
 f ' new Teftament fo too? and even he, who for 
 <c the elegance and purity of his language is here 
 <c fb much celebrated by Dionyfus^ I mean, John 
 f the Evangeliftj 
 
 * Ongcn. in. S Johan. i. r. Suidas in voce, 
 
 b Dr. Cave Hillor. Lirer. in Gregorio Nazianzrno. p. ipp 
 
 c Pcrc Simon Hilh Crit. des principaux Onnment. du nou- 
 
 veau Telt. chap. 8. p. up. vid. Nauvellc Mechode Grecqus 
 
 Preface p. 41. 
 
 \Y 7 hat
 
 JDefendtd and llktftrated. \ i j 
 
 What expreffions are thofe, I pray you ? o y 
 
 e'c 7<?y xotocov TV 1:0.100^ y and -XOLYTOC. s&oxev ev T,- 
 ysiol a'uTx d . This learned Gentleman might he 
 
 - 5 O 
 
 led into this firft miftake by the authority ofGro- 
 tmsy who on AHs vii. 45 . fays 'tis frequent with 
 the Hellenics to exchange t > and sic $ becaufe the 
 Hebrews for both thefe particles put the prefix 
 Beth. But 'tis very common with the old Greeks, 
 who knew nothing of Hdsraifms., or Helleniftical 
 language, to put sis for &'*, and sv for iV.;. In 
 Herodotus we have ^Lustfog ifyy.zvcg eg rov p&fftfjjl'ov 
 Smerdis fitting en a royal throne" : and in 
 j IXETOLI xaQstyftewi sg TO 'H^.lc'^ fuppli- 
 c ants fitting in the temple ^Juno f . So on the 
 contrary, GmoretSweG oTtMtag sv r?j 2.tzs/.ic-, about 
 to fend heavy armd men into Sicily 5 upon which 
 place of fhucidides the judicious and learned Dr. 
 Hudfon truly (ays, 'tis a w r ay of expreffion fre- 
 quently us'd by this author g . Xenophon ufes it 
 too, ol [ASV avTUv sv TV TTZTzuti s~(7o: , fome of them 
 fell into the river h . That paflage in St. John\ 
 Gofpel, o & 1 )/ iju.eic xsxuTridxare is next marked out: 
 The firft iignification of the word is to labour or 
 
 a John viii. }, if. e Herod. Gr. 184. 1. ancepenulr. 
 
 I Thucid. i. if. 1. 6. g Thucid. j. 42.;. 1. p. not. b. 
 
 II Xen. Heller. 5. p. 174. Wellr. Scpr. Hal. Grabe \r t 
 ^fchin. adv. Gtcl. 51. 1. i, 5. Oxon. Eurip. Oreitcs 131; 
 The /.// authors imitate this mariner of ex.preflion, i','.\v v/e 
 efle in tantum bwkicw. Tcr. Eunuch, z. z. circa mej Sic-n, 
 
 tte
 
 116 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 loe fatigud, and the objection muft be that the 
 fenfe is alter'd, and that it becomes tranfitive, and 
 fignifies to labour about, or work upon. But fuch 
 changes of the fignification of verbs is perpetual 
 in the belt authors \ and this little quibble is fully 
 confuted above l . 
 
 KtfTfteawfy sv IY, xolVfdSrjtfqt, for slg xetopr l 
 %*y, is an u (clefs repetition,, being the fame with 
 JFV %eifi above. The next paflage impeach'd is that 
 T<?Tf ufe yehyctey 'when came you hither? There can 
 be no objection here but againft yihvat fignifying 
 to come. But we have it in that fignification in 
 feveral of the beft authors , eg T*JV Arlutijv 
 to come into Attica k : 'Zeviotg Trafsysv&ro el$ 
 Xenias came to Sardis ! . Tr^ dffljjv o, n 
 vpi:y is attack'd as an impropriety, where the ob- 
 jection can only be levell'd at ryv afxw, fignify- 
 ing at the frft, or from the beginning. But the 
 fame word in the lame fignification is found in 
 
 o 
 
 the moft authentic Greek writers : O/ dfx#v e^Msg 
 e EAA)?wy, the Greeks that came frft m . If the ar- 
 ticle t be requir'd Ifocrates 'will fuffly it : on TTJV 
 fjLev dfxfiy slg rov xotefjicv x&T<ry<rav n , in the begin- 
 ning they were engagd in the <war. 
 
 1 Pag. 85. k Her. G. f. ^17. 1. 5. 
 
 1 Xen. Exp. Cyr. i, 2, 3. p. 7. Wells. 
 m Her. Gr. p. fio. 1. 22,. " Ifoc. Panegyr. p. if 2. I. u. 
 Bafil. Greek vid, Plat. Gorg. 478. inter C. & D.
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 117- 
 
 ct'jfjLxs-oy is rank'd among the num- 
 ber of vicious phrafes ; which, I think, can for 
 no other reafon be charged as faulty Greek, but 
 as Savvey is put for //#, which is anfwer'd 
 above p . But I fliall throw in another paflage or 
 two which abundantly clear it. To avfyuTceiov XO;JL- 
 Tw&r, and in the fame author we have T s t u.u J}#- 
 -fsxel' fYjg 'OAvftTna'4/F Seuffag, my ff Undid appear- 
 ance at the Olympic games q . At/w ?; TOV xoV^o:-, 
 /y^y r<? /fe worldy is rank'cl amongft folecifms ; 
 which is clear'd by Herodotus r ; o/ beoxfoTroi aTiyf- 
 ysl.cv eg rov $%[*&', the augurs reported thefe things 
 to the people : And by Xenophon, TM A^^ywv rl<; 
 fi&yfsJAsi si$ TO rgdrsvpa f . 
 
 r/ Ea?c TTOTS rr/v fyufflv tffluv ai^ic.j how long Jo 
 you keep our mind in doubt or fujpence ? is {aid to 
 be falfe Greek. If we could not find xigu in 
 exactly the lame fenfe in a Claflic, that wou'd 
 only be a peculiarity, and cou'd not be falfe Greek 
 or fblecifm. But we have a parallel place in an 
 admirable Greek author, who is indeed much low- 
 er in time, but little inferior in merit to the no- 
 ble authors which we chiefly make ule of : 
 
 John ix. 30. P f 9, See. 
 
 q Thucid. f. 331. I- 14. Thucid. 8. 377. 1. i3. 
 r Herod. Gale 7. 418. 1. }f. John viii. z6. 
 f Xen. Cyr. Exp. 7, i. p. p. 380.
 
 1 2 8 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 USVYJS T%S 'E}.}.^; v , Greece being in fufpence and 
 
 doubtful expectation cf the iffite. 
 
 tyuyslTs fjis G &cz(r/.a/.og is.charg'd with impro- 
 priety. The difficulty might be refblvd by lay- 
 ing that o GiczT/.x}.o$ is put for MatrAxl.e 3 of 
 which variation we have produced inftances. Bur 
 common grammar would have inform'd this Gen- 
 tleman, that words put rs^'M^Sy or for them- 
 (elves, are neuter and invariable. We have a pa- 
 rallel place in Demetrius Phalereus, a judicious au/- 
 
 Qi TO w 
 
 is charg'd as falfe Greek by the Doctor j I {iippofe 
 becaufe Grotms had pronounc'd T^V to be a He- 
 foaifm for ~&7i\ \\M is govern'd of zz~z y and 
 includes mankind j and therefore avTcl's compleat- 
 ly anfwers it in fenfe. A copyift produc'd by 
 Robert Stephens was fearful the Greek was not true, 
 and therefore officioufly puts in a-Jr^. But the 
 (acred books need no iuch remedies, KXTZ is 
 
 v Plutarch. Dernoflh. p. 8f 5. paulo ante fin. Francof. 
 apud Hered. Wecheli. John x. 2.4. 
 
 w C. ip. p. zt, St. Chryfoftom an elegant pure writer has 
 ^ TO |u'\ov \fyco, ^ 6 xagTros 1 , I Thef. 4 Ethic, p. zoo. But 
 1 do not produce him as authority, only believe he wou'd 
 not have us'd it, if it had not been pure. The Latins ufe it fo. 
 
 j&tas fi fecitnus aurea nomen 
 
 Hor. Od. 2. 10. v. 7, 8. 
 * John xvii. z. 
 
 very
 
 Defended and llluflrated. up 
 
 very frequently underftood in the pureft ClafTics 
 T% rs #/./.#, as in other refpeffs 7 . How common 
 fuch changes of gender and number are we have 
 fufficiently {hewn upon the head of collective 
 nouns, and {hall only add another inftance out of 
 Thucididesy becaufe 'tis (b fully pertinent : To 
 
 u ?/ Qw y they came in a fmall veffel \ is 
 put down in the black lift of folecifms. I can- 
 not guefs how this obj'edlion is grounded^ unlefs 
 the pretended fault be that sv is underftood. But 
 Herodotus ufes it fb in the fame cafe : llo 
 
 m 
 Jhifs dejtroyd them . 
 
 In the firft Epiftle of St. John there is a change 
 of gender^ which is efteem'd to be a violation ot 
 grammar, and the purity of the Greek language, 
 by Dr. Mill. 'EvTtf.ijv o sch %*.-/$ e$ c , o relates to 
 ygYifia underftood^ and nothing is more common 
 in the beft authors than fuch variations. TaV 
 coiz o vpety Tole SKO^'ITS . 
 
 TTOTSOV XX. Yfi** 
 
 y Herod. Gr. p. fiS. l.n. 7 - Thucid. .86. 1. 15, 14,1 y. 
 
 a John. xxi. 8. b Her. Gr. 8. foi. 1. 15. 
 
 c i John ii. 8. d Xen. Cyrop. i. 3. 9. p. 14. 1. f. 
 
 c Thucid. 3. 108. 1. 10. On Thucid. I. 67. 1. 6. His 
 fcholiaft obferves that he delights in this variation. Vid. 
 Plat. Gor^ t *s p. 461. 1. uk.
 
 1 3 o The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 The fame heinous charge is brought againft 
 another paflage in the fame Epiftle : znqvei % curst 
 
 SCJTU &~i"i' J -> ? auct/lxvxpi f If we take #'JTW 
 
 and ziJLot/iXW<ri to relate to the fame fubjecl:, it is 
 a very natural transition from fingular to plural. 
 Then the divine writer firft fays, that God will 
 give pardon and life to one Jinner ; after he en- 
 larges the expreffion, and extends the pardon to 
 all finners in the fame condition, and equally ob- 
 }ecl:s of mercy. If we take the words in the fenfe 
 that our tranflation gives them, and Dr. Mill ap- 
 proves, it is this, God will grant to the charitable 
 petitioner life and pardon for his fallen brethren, if 
 they have not Jin d to death. And afjustfloiywi will 
 very well bear this conftrudion both in divinity 
 and grammar. So the dative is us'd in Vemofthe- 
 nes , i}/ijQitrfMi o/.cv ygxfysv u.ci } the whole decree 
 that was written for me , for my fake and advan- 
 tage g . 
 
 Dr. Mill was fo flrongly pofTefs'd with the no- 
 tion of falfe Greek and fbleciims in the new Tefta- 
 ment, that he was willing to admit a various read- 
 ing into the text, and contended for it being au- 
 thentic, purely becaufe, as he thought, it made 
 
 e language fbleciftical and abfurd. 
 
 f i Ep. v. 1 6. Demof. de Coron, p. 74. ]. z. Ox.
 
 Defended and Illufi rated. \ 3 i 
 
 I fliall only here give one inftance where this 
 learned man, upon a very {lender authority, puts 
 up a various reading as the undoubted original, 
 which in my humble opinion fpoils both the fenfe 
 and grammar of the lacrcd writer. J Tis in the 
 Revelation of St. John c. li. r v. 2.4. where he ftrikes 
 out fcj and reads -JiV & ?.s~u /.OLTISIC. If 7.si~oli 
 agrees with *JuiV, as here it unavoidably mull, 
 'twill make a folecifin, and be (uch a violation ot 
 prammar, as is no where elfc to be found in the 
 
 C) 
 
 lacred or foreign Claffics. It will then be vuCt'y 
 
 O ' 
 
 00-01 ZY. s^xcri The Doctor (ays vpTy cannot have 
 refpecl: to the Biihop of Thy at ir a and the followers 
 of his falfe dodtrine (he had addrefs'd them before) 
 but to the reft, who in the apoftacy of others, 
 had preferv'd themfelves upright and faithful h . 
 
 But the Doctor, I believe, equally injures the 
 Bifhop by charging him with falfe do<lrine, and 
 the (acred text by charging it with falie Greek. The 
 Bifhop is blam'd for his indulgence and connivance 
 (it cannot amount to a toleration) at the woman 
 Jezebel \ or as fbme read it, his wife Jezebel. That 
 may be want of chriftian care and courage, but 
 cannot come up to falfe dodtrine. He is above 
 commended by his great mafter for his works, his 
 love, his miniftry, his faith, patience, &c. l So 
 
 h Dr. Mill Prolog, p. 1 10, 1 1 r. > Rev. ii. 2. 
 
 S 2, that
 
 1 3 1 The S A c R E D CLASSICS 
 
 that you and the reft ~ - f ecms to be addreft to the 
 Bifhop , Prieftsj and other private Chriftians of 
 the diocefe, who in a regular communion with 
 their Bifhop had in a great apoftacy adher'd to the 
 orthodox faith and found principles. 
 
 'Ey TTxefyoi?. itizt', which this learned man cavils 
 at, is neither barbanfm nor (bled (in j only a word 
 us'd in due conftruction of grammar, but in a 
 different (enfe from what it is in other Greek au- 
 thors. Such liberties are often taken by the moft 
 noble writers, and we have given account already 
 of fiich peculiarities: o hofog o s^og z %ufsT ev vy,Ty k > 
 my 'word does not take place in you y is anfwer'd in 
 the fame manner. There is an objection again ft 
 epol xptMTe l y but the cafe is right, o yzg (3zFi?:sji' 
 XP^uQslt m y and the word founds as well as ^.^Vt, 
 only the conjugation is chang'd according to the 
 cuftom of old Greece. 
 
 'Tis common with the beft Claffics to ufe a 
 verb in two conjugations of the contracts j fbme- 
 timcs they do in all. &fcbines has dn^M, the 
 more common word is dny^u n . Tbucidides ufes 
 smQvfJLou , the more common word is emQvfJLsu . 
 Xenofhon in the fame paragraph has xxlsw/jwcrsy 
 and w/jyusv p . And fliall a noble writer, and an 
 
 ' John vii. 4. k John viii. 37. ] John vii. 2,3. 
 
 Ho. i\' a. n yEfchin. adv. Ccef. ijf. 1. ult, 
 
 Thucid.6. 363. Liz. P Cyr. Exp. 7. 4. 8. p. 417. 
 
 3 injfir'4
 
 Defended and lllufirated. i 33- 
 
 *nfpird nolle writer be call'd a fblecift and barba- 
 rian, for giving a new turn to a word fb agreeable 
 to the analogy and genius of the Greek tongue ? 
 Indeed in that paffage of St. John, sv TZTU i$odffGq 
 
 7r?~'/j? y.u I'v z %&f7[ov 7cc/:jy Qsftfls % 'hoi has a pecu- 
 liar and ftran^e nVnification : But it can but be 
 eiteenVd a peculiarity and neither treipafles a- 
 ;ainft. the government or concord of grammar. 
 
 O O e^ 
 
 And 'tis eafy to produce a hundred inftances out 
 of the firft-rate authors of Greece, who take liber- 
 ties in alterins; the fio-nification of w r ords, and the 
 common conftrudion , as great as the ule of woe, 
 in this fenfe amounts to. Homer ufes this particle 
 in a great variety of fenfes ; that in the feventh ///- 
 ad v. 3 5 3 . is an u(e of this little word which is,, 
 
 1 believe, very peculiar 5 I'voc prj pefypsv wJt, unlefs 
 *we Jhall a$ after this manner. 
 
 . 9. Out of a great number of places in the 
 new Teflament which I have heard or read ob- 
 jected againil, or which my (elf thought as great 
 difficulties as any have been produc'd., I prefent 
 the reader with a few. 
 
 'A~f;//, 'tis fufficient, is but found once in all 
 the new Teffoment. Several -critics give it a dif- 
 ferent fenfe from our tranilation. Anacreon has 
 
 1 John xv. 8.
 
 1 3 4 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 it in the fame: aW^f;* S/,/T;J yx? ckmfa, 'tis 
 enough, for I already fee her'. 'Ev yz^fl ?x u y 
 to be with child y feem'd to me peculiar to the 
 Greek tranflators of the old teftanient, and the 
 {acred writers of the new, 'till I found it in one 
 of the nobleft authors of Greece: iu.~vj:yJ!rat oury 
 kv ystrfi %&rr) f . On before an infinitive mood 
 in St. Luke feems a little bold: bsugu on {JLSTZ 
 i>j3fu$ [*.&jtv sa-so-^xt roy 7T/.5v \ I think there 
 is a parallel place in Euripides : that in Plato is cer- 
 tain and full : sixov on TTPUTOV syJ %$vat 
 Q/jVxi Kar SULX.-JTW v . In that palTage pijfyy $ 
 in the new Tcftament, and theSeptuagint 
 fignifies the breaking out of the voice 'with eager 
 joy and vehemence, and exactly exprefles the He- 
 tmw word in Efaias, and Quvqy mult be under- 
 ftood. 
 
 Quvyjv is exprefs'd after the verb in Job, in Philo, 
 and in Herodotus: 'cwxc, rig ainsw fyuvijy $%zg I^TTW 
 TS KJ xzxS epfa%s tywrjv. Her. Gr. i . p. 35. 
 
 in St. Matthew* is the (anie with 
 and oppos'd to yvri j whereas 'tis generally in the 
 
 r Anac. Od. 2.8. v. 415. Ed. Barn. Mark xiv. 41. 
 ^ Mar. i. 18. Exod. xxi. 2.1. Herod. Gale ;if. 1. 37. 
 
 * A&s xxvii. 10. v Plat, de Leg. p. 8p2. prope 
 fin. Ed. Ser. & Steph. w Galar. iv. 17. Efaias liv. i. 
 
 * Herod, Gale. p. jzf, 1. 37, y Mat. xix. 10. 
 
 beft
 
 Defended and llluftrated. i 3 y 
 
 beft writers us'd to ind ude both {exes, all human 
 race : Herodotus ufes it for yibij z . Some pert 
 tranfcriber, jealous that it was not pure Greek, or 
 fearing that left learned readers might miftake, 
 very officioufly put dvfyog into the text. The word 
 is fo us'd in one of the nobleft Claffics : ToJy IB 
 
 they carry d out all the men that 'were unferwiceaUe 
 for 'war 'with the women and children. In St. Paul's 
 firft Epiftle to the Thefalonians b that confirmation 
 COV\OL si$ ypze feems a breach of a common gram- 
 mar rule both in Greek and Latin: but it is jufti- 
 fy'd by the fame conflruclion in the beft Claffics : 
 Tc&gstS&vcti TXTQV sis vficxG, to deliver over this man to 
 you> is in Demojihenes c j SvrxTqf ~aj dvfyl sxfefc- 
 pew, is in Xenofhon d . 
 
 'ETriQwetav rr/g Mtyc, in St. Paul, fhou'd not 
 offend any critic ., becaufe 'tis a more nervous 
 and noble way of {peaking than e-xifyMsiocv sv$otz~ 
 TCXTW e , and is clamcal, nnce Arijtotle himfelf in 
 his third book of politics has cl Kvgici-Tij$ foyd.usuc, 
 for [jietibx SvvoLusvo!, as a noble critic and found 
 divine obferves to us in his note upon a parallel 
 
 7 - n^qadi'^cvrc rs TOV av$0cp7rav y^ Ic^txovro rev FIj/Vf gcrc; - 
 Her. Gr. i. 2.3. 1. 10. 
 
 a Thucid. i. 88. 1. 8. SoSal/tifli Homines adfciviflc dici- 
 tur, muliercs ctiam aliquot. Bel. Car, p. M. Ed. Elz, 1674 
 
 b i ThciT. iv. 8. * Dcmoft. adv. Midian. 5 8f. ). ^ 
 
 poft. C, ci Cyr. Expcd. p, 191. Wells. r Tiros ii. 13 
 
 3 expreffion
 
 .i 3 6 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 expreflion in Lyccfhron ', where that great man 
 (ays, (f Hence are rhofe perfbns confuted, who 
 " call thcjfe and the like expreflions of the new 
 C( Teilanient Hetratfms, that is excluilvely, fb as 
 (( not at the iame time to allow them to be pure 
 Greek. 
 
 l\zdi?z';c iv ~Y, r.rt.si feem'd to me peculiar to 
 St. "Luke '') before I read the Greek Cl allies with 
 n view of comparing them with the facred writers 
 .of our Lord's Goipel. I have found it in feveral 
 good authors. We have in Demojlhenes Trfscr&i? 
 
 re- 
 
 Jiding or fettling their abode in Samos, they kept 
 Ionia from revolting ', X^ ft ^> ocnl xzfiTcc, in St. 
 John, perplex'd all the commentators^ till it was 
 obferv'd that the particle x>fjl did not retain its ufu- 
 al fignification in this place. 
 
 Grace for gracej founds very harilily j and, as I 
 humbly conceive , will Icarce be made fenie. But 
 'tis natural and eafy, if taken in the lenlein which 
 it is us'd by Theognis, a very pure and Attic wri- 
 ter : fcfys fxvT xwv Oiviaq k , and thon fendejt me 
 
 f Bp. Potter on v. 318. p. 139. 8 Luke xxiv. 49. 
 
 h Demoft. de Cor. xxiv. 1. 10. i Her. Gr. foi. J. f. 
 
 ante fin. See alfo Herod. Gr. 7. ^pi. 1. 33. Tally has the 
 fame expreflion: Nos Corcyrx non federemm. Epift. ad Fam. 
 z(5. <5. p. f ii, Ed. Gracvii. k Thcog. v. 344. 
 
 cala-
 
 Defended and Illufirated. 137 
 calamities upon calamities. So in the Gofpel of 
 his Son, God Almighty vouchfaf'd mankind va- 
 riety of blefTings, abundant grace., and multiply 'd 
 mercies. 
 
 That in St.jfude, xgostpfaevcre raW? 1 , according 
 to our tranflation, he prophefyd ofthefe men, wou'd 
 be for 7r=?l T8TUV, which, I believe,, wou'd be an 
 unexampled conftru&ion. But if we render it, 
 he frofhefyd agamjl thefe men, that is, he de- 
 nounc'd the vengeance of God againft fuch pro 
 fane notions, as thofe profligate people embrac'd, 
 and fuch lewd and debauch'd lives as they led, 
 the fenfe will run clear, and the conftruclion be 
 regular. This cafe is us'd in the beft dailies to 
 exprefs opposition and confutation. Thucidides 
 for example has it in this fenfe : eysvsro ^ $ sv 
 2^' ( u5<j e7ravz?<X(nG VTTO r% or^x roTg frjvctToig m , the 
 commons of Samos made an infurreffion againjl the 
 great men. 
 
 St. Luke ufes x$pa inftead of the common 
 word ^YUJLOLTZ for money n , which is rarely found 
 in any Greek author. I think there is a paflage 
 in Herodotus that comes very near it: 'Eyw 
 
 1 Ver. 14. m Thucid. 8. p. 478. I. antepen. Ss 
 
 'tisus'd in St. Mat. xxiii. 31. and in St. James v. 5. where 
 ?;; |urt0Tu/ov u/juv is render'd well by our rranflators /^r ^ /?,/?;'- 
 f/v^ againft you^ agreeably to all the Q; iciuai verirons. 
 iv. 17. 
 
 T. 
 ^ %. I* V*
 
 138 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 fjisy 7T0A5W xfeyog %$&&?<%) I will not fell this cloak 
 for any money or price . 'EyrsOQev ^ irrsvQey in the 
 laft chapter of St. Johns Revelation and fecond 
 verfe is., I doubt not, the genuine reading, tho' 
 we find eyTSvQsiy x oMslftey in feme MSS. We 
 have the fame phrafe in St. Johns Gofpel where 
 there is no various reading at all p . But I mttft 
 deny that it is a pure Hebraifm, becaufe ex- 
 adtly the fame repetition in this cafe is us'd by 
 the pureft authors of Greece as well as the Sep- 
 tuagint: "EvQz y^ syQz is allow'd equivalent to- 
 7vdsy y^ syrsvfcy, and to be as much a Hebraifm, 
 and Homer ufes that repetition frequently" 1 . So 
 Xenofhon has syfey $ eyQ& a tantamount phrafe: 
 s $BV IJLS y yz? coy '/jv V7rsgv$fl}}& 9 sv9sy $'s i:o~siucg r . 
 This manner of expreflion is not only pure 
 Greek, but good Latin: Firgil and Ovid have 
 ir ;; 
 
 n Her. Gr. 3. 2.14. 1. u. p John xix. iS\ 
 
 > 'vSa H. svOa TroTWvrai ayaXXc/^-cvai -Trl?^'} :-an. 
 
 3 J\. 3'. v. 461, 
 
 5o v. 47 <7. 
 
 t/HXOj/jtscv r;9 /t, sySse. 
 
 ' Xen. Cyr. Exp. p. 18. Weils. Svi in Cyrop. 7. p, i<5~ 
 ;, 2, Gi'KC. Oxon. /ay) /3aXoJ7(v svOsv^svSrV. 
 
 Hinc arquc hinc va(la: rupes 
 
 ./En. i. v. 161. 
 
 l!!ic froena jaccnc, illic temor.e revulfus 
 
 Axis ! Metam. i.v. 3i<5- 
 
 4 The
 
 "Defended and llluflrated. 
 
 The particles ^ and <J aniwer one another ge- 
 nerally in the new Teftament writers, as they do 
 in the old dailies of Greece. Butfome times when 
 fjisv is in the firll member of a period, fs is omit- 
 ted in the next, which anfwers it j as in AHs iii. 
 2, i . which Beza obferves is ieldom found in good 
 Greek authors. But 'tis found fb often as to juf- 
 tifie the purity of it j and clear it from either be- 
 ing a folecifm in the opinion of many critics, or 
 a cilicifin, as Erasmus tells us St. Jerom calls it in 
 St. Paul'. We have in Herodotus 
 
 f is often omitted in Pindar, particularly in 
 that paffage, exsi pv dtveu liolxy, [tsv igctyotig erci- 
 [jLov 'faxw y %aifovTX rs tevfaig Tcav&oxoLg . And 
 'tis the obfervation of that fa^acious critic Deme- 
 
 o 
 
 trtus Phakreus, that to be fcrupuloufly exa6t in. 
 always making thefe two particles anfwer one 
 another is a mark of a little and trifling genius *. 
 
 . 10. I fhall now put an end to this long 
 chapter, after I have anrwered a few objections 
 againft the Greek of St. John in his Revelation. 
 
 r Erafmus on i Cor. xi. 6. v Herod. Gr. 1.43.1.15. 
 
 w Pindar. 'OX. 4, v. 13, if. x Dem. Phal. c. j$. 
 
 p. 38. I admire that AriftotU fhou'd make the omiffion of 
 o A i to anfwer ju?v a breach of good language, which he does 
 in the third book of his Rhetoric. 
 
 T 2 The
 
 140 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 The famous Denny s Biftxop of Alexandria, tho' 
 he allows the purity of St. Johns ftyle in the 
 Gofpel and Epiftles, is pofitive there is falfe Greek 
 and folecifm in the Apocalypfe. Dr. Mill cannot 
 come up to him in his firft opinion, but eagerly 
 ftrikes in with the latter, not being able to pare 
 with his favourite notion of falfe Greek) and ab- 
 furd language in the books dictated by the all-wife 
 Spirit of perfuajion and reafon y . 
 
 'ATTC Td Q &y fc} o fy )$ o if^o^syo^ are the attri- 
 butes of the great God our Saviour put rs-^ny^Cy 
 and would lofe much of their grandeur and ma- 
 jefty, if they were in the leaft alter'd : fince they 
 are defied to defcribe that ever-adorable Perfbn, 
 who is the fame y eft er day 3 to day, and for ever. 
 But if any one fhou'd be fo perverfe not to allow 
 this folution, we can juflify it another way by 
 parallel places in the nobleft daffies \ After this 
 xirc ']'/j(rz Xf/e^ o pagTvg o TT^O; cannot be any 
 difficulty, zrog or cc fd maybe eafily underftood^ 
 
 j' Here 1 think it not improper to produce the opinion 
 or" rhe excellent Ktifrer, \vho judiciouily rejefts all thofe 
 jpafTges from being various readings, which are entangled 
 with any contradiction, produce an ahfurd ienfe, or are ib 
 corrupted, as to produce any monllrous word or folecifm, 
 >uis enim /h^.-e mentis fcriptor. contradittionibtM* i'el Cent en- 
 
 ****-* m .-I* * j 
 
 tns abf'urdi;, vet vocabulis rnonjlrofis, & folecifmis urationem 
 f'j>dtit? Picf. to Dr. A//7/'s Greek Teihment p.' i. 
 
 * Vid. J i$. 
 
 as
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 141 
 
 as it mufl be in many places of the nobleft ClaC- 
 fics. 'O wxwv is a nominative cafe without a 
 verb, which is fully accounted for above. 
 
 'Actew for /SA&Vjw or ?.v t u,ai'yo[jLsti y apply'd to 
 the inanimate creation, is a lively Profopeia, and 
 every man of (bund understanding in thefe mat- 
 ters will allow both its force and propriety. The 
 beft Greek authors ufe it fo, particularly Thucidides : 
 TYJV y/jy ir^ UXctrai'tix py ddixsTv, to do no damage 
 to the territory of Platea. 
 
 yiifaoideg %iMd$tov teyovrsg may be either 
 fblv'd under the collective noun, or may be put 
 for steyov, which is refiftlefly aniwer'd above. 
 I fhall, to what I have produc'd above, add a 
 parallel place which I am now reading in the Fa- 
 ther and Prince of Greek hiftory: AsMsfixipoyiuv 
 fyap&vuv swat dydOqfia - - xx. ogQug teyovrsg a . 
 
 In the next verfe to this nj/ ^iffjuc may natu- 
 rally be governed of KCCTX underftood, as we 
 have fhew'd in parallel places above: and figni- 
 fies all the orders of being that are properly ca- 
 pable of praidng and adoring the fbvereign Lord 
 and Benefactor of all. And teyovrctg agrees 
 in fenfe with afyhxg and ayfyuxxg included in 
 ) being the two ranks and orders, into 
 
 a Apoc. i. 4, f, iii. n. vi. 6. Thucid. 2. p. iij% 
 Apoc. v. n, ii. Herod, i. p, ip, 1, z6, zj. Ed. Gron. 
 
 which
 
 SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 which we commonly divide the rational cre- 
 ation. 
 
 The change of cafe in Revelation xviii. 1 1, 
 \z, 13. is agreeable to what we have faid up- 
 on this fubjed in its proper place j the accu- 
 fatives are governed of ayogdfyi, and the geni- 
 tives of yopoi,' and this variation of the founds 
 prevents this long period from being harfli and 
 diftaftful to the ear. 
 
 CHAP.
 
 C/*-^*^^r/S^^rys^v*('^^*Y>-^*y>.^^y*^^4/7N^ "X^A/ 
 
 XsfA. AtA. At A^ - \tAs V^A^i .*J v> ^vs^ ^*-*^ w* w ^Jw ^t *^ ^?%3 ivJ%> "^ %> ^5^^ -^^S 
 S/TPv "VVV^ ^/'\ < '*/'* > V / "V6\^ \ x * > V / VCv vTV v^*^^ VVv^S/'V s / 1 ' s/ s v v^ "x^tfV^ \ / 'ft v "v' Vi N v y \, / 5'\r 
 , J v**%A iA^w\ -^^^u *^v^^ j t",^*Aj tA^Ajt-Sx^-^; i.\^^As ^^* >A.^/o i/^s-'-j -"\/~s/jcv\^j '- \*^V'3 t^^^\***^ : 'O'-j 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Wherein fever al pajfages and exprejjions, which are 
 looked upon Toy fome as hlemijhes and faults in the 
 f acred writers, are provd to he proper and agree- 
 able ^ and Jhewn to he exactly parallel to pajfages 
 in the mojt noble and vigorous majters of Jtyle. 
 
 words in the divine wri- 
 
 ters are thought to be too weak 
 
 i T i i 
 
 to bear that weight, and impor- 
 
 err ill r i 
 
 tance or lenie winch they arc de* 
 
 fign'd to exprefs. Every man of fenfe knows 
 that fometimes leiTening expreilions convey the 
 meaning of the thing to the mind with as much 
 advantage^ as words or ftronger (bund and mean- 
 ing, as they furprize the perfons they are addrefs'd 
 to^ excite his cunoficy to coniider or the matter, 
 and occahon variety of reflections. \Vhen God 
 fays., I will not hold him guiltlefs, which taketb my 
 Name in vain : The manner of the expreilion -car- 
 ries no lefs Loiemnity and awe with it than if his 
 eternal Majefty had {aid, I \vill feverely puniili 
 him which taketh m Name in vain. This a\vful
 
 144 75& SACRED CLASSICS 
 phrafe gives rife to our meditations upon the At- 
 tributes i and particularly, the juftice of the So- 
 vereign Lord and Judge of all ; puts us upon deep- 
 ly confidering the heinouineft of the crime for 
 which infblent mortals fhall be found guilty at the 
 bar of God j and what will be the confequence 
 of the irreversible fentence 
 
 In the Epiflle to the Hebrews the divine writer 
 ufes a word which leems not to be fufficiently ex- 
 preffive of the danger and horror of the thing he. 
 is fpeaking of : For that will be unprofitable to you, 
 that is, as the context requires, extremely bad and 
 fatal a . 
 
 A vigorous ClafTic ufes zOvfiQofoc, which pro- 
 perly fignifies unprofitable or inconvenient, to ex- 
 prefs a dreadful misfortune, no lefs than lofing a 
 fea-fight, and the deftrudion which attends it b . 
 
 "A%tff/ in its firft and general fignification is 
 unpleafant, difagreeable j but is us'd by as great a 
 matter of language as any in Greece, in the de- 
 fcription of the deepen: calamity that can hap- 
 pen c . 
 
 The great Longinus cenfures Herodotus for weak- 
 ning his noble defcription by too fbft a word j but 
 Mr. k Fevre defends the hiftorian againft the critic 
 
 'AXucriTjXk, Heb. xiii. 17. b Thucid. 2. 140. 1. z, 
 
 Kj TO ri\& cr(pi lyivjTO a^a^f, Her. Gr. 8. 464. 1. 1 1, 
 
 4 by
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 14$ 
 
 by the example of vigorous authors 3 and efpe- 
 cially Homer, who ufes dswi)?, efteem'd a word 
 of low fignification , to exprefs the outrageous 
 infolence and barbarity of Achilles in ignomini- 
 ouily dragging the body of the brave He&or at his 
 chariot-wheels d . And who will fay that Homer 
 was either at a lols for words, or made an ill 
 choice ? 
 
 'Af yoV in the (acred writer * is tranflated idle, 
 For every idle word men Jfeak tlney fhall give an 
 account in the day adjudgment. Which has rais'd 
 fcruples in the minds of (bme Chriftians , as it 
 our gracious God wou'd with feverity exact an ac- 
 count of every word not carefully weigh'd, every 
 little failure or impertinence of fpeech. Idleneis 
 is the odious parent of fb many and great mit 
 chiefs, that I think it will make up a black cha- 
 racter, wherever 'tis apply'd. St. Chryfoftom did 
 not think xcyc$ a weak word. Idle, (ays he, that 
 is, what is not to the furpofe, void of reafon, ly~ 
 ing, calumny and backbiting. Some critical gen- 
 tlemen imagining the word not to be ftrong c- 
 nough, have been fo complaifant to put in one 
 they vainly imagin'd more proper and expreflive ; 
 which is TF 
 
 X. ^. V, ^9f . aei". n 
 not. Longm. 113. Ed. Tollii. e Mat. xii. 56. See Sr 
 
 Chryfoftom on the place. ( Vid, D, Mill in loc. 
 
 U
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 vain or empty, in Sophocles, fignifi.es 
 vile and lewd\ in Herodotus y abufi<ve, injurious. 
 The unfruitful 'works of darknefs in the noble (acred 
 writer g , are thofe lewd and nefarious actions 
 whereby men fhamefully contradid their own rea- 
 fbn and judgment , madly rebel againft Omni- 
 potence j and plunge themfelves into ruin and 
 damnation. 
 
 In the noble Pindar h , d%e$eict 9 unprofitablenefs y 
 exprefTes that remarkable vengeance and utter ex- 
 cinon^ with which the offended Deity fbmetimes 
 punifhes incorrigible Atheifts and blasphemers. 
 
 'EvIfaTrstix, I think, is generally taken for fa- 
 cetioufnefs and a f leaf ant turn of wit. St. Paul 
 ufes it for that licentioumefs of ipeech which tret 
 palfes againft religion and good manners ': which 
 no man ufes or admires but who has an unfbund 
 judgment and vicious tafte. v Effcy ^ snog SVT?Z- 
 /rtvvcy, in Pindar y is an aclion and word of fcur- 
 rilityand lewdnefs k : and that noble writer had pie- 
 ty to be fenfible of the crime^ and a genius to find 
 a word proper to exprefs it. 
 
 ToT? axa^TTOif T ffMOT^j Ephef. v% ii. 
 Pind/Od. oX .1. 84, 8y. 
 1 Ephcf. v. 4. The Oriental verlions render it well by fiur- 
 r:lit\. and fcojjing aiufoe iwrds. 
 
 . Pydi. Od. 4. i8f, i8<5. 
 
 ^. Vain
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 
 
 i. Vain is the criticifm of feveral antient and 
 modern commentators and grammarians that #/.#- 
 }.<xfa in St. Mark) and 0A0Ai/$u in the Septuagint 
 are us d improperly ft? 7#0#r72 <*W bewail, contra 
 ry to the ufage of thofe writers they complement 
 with the title of purer and more eloquent authors 
 of Greek. 'Tis common to find the fame word 
 us'd in two contrary fenfes in the mod celebrated 
 and eloquent CLflics. 
 
 The word up/su for the moft part is taken by 
 the Clailics to fignify finging or celebrating the 
 praifes of their Gods and heroes [ : But we find it in 
 Plato and Euripides in the contrary fenfe, to dif- 
 praife and undervalue m . 
 
 MiMg and pu<rQxxo$oo'fa properly and originally 
 fignify a due recompence for virtue and good actions : 
 The latter of thefe words is us'd by the divine 
 writer to the Hebrews n for the punijhment of difo~ 
 ledience and ^ickednefs. M/^oV is taken in this 
 (enfe of the Apoftle by Herodotus and Thucidides. 
 The former fpeaking of the fons of a Thracian 
 King lofing their eyes for their difobedience to 
 their father's command, concludes the relation 
 TCIXTCV fjufftw ?ASbv, this reward thefe 
 
 1 Find. Nem.Od. f. v. 46. m Plat. Refp. 1.8. 1. i5. 
 
 Ed. Mafiey. vid. Plat. Ep. 3. p. 311. Ed, Ser. &; Stcph. 
 n Heb. ii. 2. 
 
 U i men
 
 148 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 men receivd . Ksffobu generally is to gain profit 
 and advantage in common and {acred Claffics. 
 In St Luke the fignification is quite chang'd, and 
 is to he exposed to danger , and fall into mifchief*. 
 
 We find xx*7rxy.zi , a word perfectly fynony- 
 
 mous, taken in the fame double and contrary fig- 
 
 nification in the great Plato. When the mind is 
 
 free from tumult, it reaps the pleafures proper to it 
 
 felf, the trueft and fncerejl that can le q . And, 
 
 Does not fuch a man, who cannot govern himfelf y 
 
 lut affeffis to tyrannize over mankind, reap more 
 
 mifchiefs lefides thefe r f 
 
 Zsuvcg is a word that bears as noble a fignifi- 
 cation as any in the Greek language. It expreffes 
 what is decent and graceful, what is worthy of 
 praife, venerable and augufr. in the poets and 
 profe-writers. But inlfocrates, a writer of great 
 purity and elegance of language,, it mull in one 
 place fignify morofe and fulfenly or proudly re- 
 fervd*. 
 
 . 5 . Sometimes we find words in the (acred 
 writers of the new Teftament, which feem to ex- 
 prcls more than they are intended for. In St. 
 
 Her. Or. 8 . 497. 1. 38. ibid. 3 . 1 6f . 1. 3 3 . p A6h xxvii. 2 r . 
 
 1 Plat. Refp, 9. 170. 1. 6. r Plar. Refp. 9. Z48. 1. ip. 
 
 y) crs/xvc?, Ifoc. ad Demon, p. p. ip. Jid. Grace. Batil. 
 
 Jude
 
 Defended and llluft rated; 
 
 Jude ciiwfe TrvfcG ferns to fignifie thofe 
 
 of fire and brimftone upon Sodom and Gomorrah, 
 
 which were not quenched till they had utterly laid 
 
 wafte and deftroy'd the country and inhabitants. 
 
 God made that terrible judgment an image of 
 
 the laft conflagration; and imprefTed upon the 
 
 very face of all that country indelible marks of 
 
 divine vengeance. 'Aftoos properly fignifies eter- 
 
 nal, but in Thucidides is ufed in a limited and 
 
 lower fenfe. "O-SteJ> at hoy fJUff&oQot&y U7rdg%siv v , 
 
 From whence he expeded a perpetual falary, 
 
 that is_, one during his life. The Latins call 
 
 great and high benefits immortal obliations w - 
 
 o 
 
 in Plato, fignifies only lafling, and 
 is found in comparifbn x . 
 
 'ATroMviMtt, fignifies very often no more than 
 to die, or to fuffer great troubles and miferies j tho' 
 from fiich exprellions in the new Teftament fbme 
 patrons of loofe and atheiftical principles wou'd 
 infer that there are no future punilhments of 
 wicked men, but that upon death they are en- 
 tirely annihilated. The claflic authors take this 
 and the fynonymous words for a flate of great 
 trouble and perplexity j but never in this fenfe 
 
 r Jude vcr. 7. v Thucid. 6. 363. 1. 18. 
 
 w Tullii Ep.ad Fam. 6c Oratio Pod Redkum facpius 
 x "ArXavra icr^UfOTtgJV >t, a-^avarcuTf^v. Plat. Ph^J. 
 i. 2.6, Camb. 
 
 that
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 that Latitudinarians wifli it might be taken in> 
 but can never prove that it is. Herodotus has 
 dvoMufAsveg for a perfon departed this life, and liv- 
 ing in happinefs in another: OVTS aTFoSvijcnteiv euvrys 
 
 VOfrflfeffl, <-' .::* TS TOV dTToMVfJLSVOV TTQtfa 'Z.OLfJLQXfyv 
 
 oxifjLova y , they do not fappofe that they who die are 
 finally extinff y lout that the perfon that departs this 
 life gees to their God Zamolxis. We have in Xe~ 
 nophon &xo /&}. i ru <f)0Sy z . So diru^ofjL^v $v<nqvo 
 xy.sT sly.\ $y in Euripides a . 'Tis very common in 
 this fenfe likewife in Latin authors b . So deflru* 
 ction and perdition in facred writers only exprefs 
 incurable defpair and endlefs miferies 5 becaufe 
 that eternal deftrudion is declar'd thro' the whole 
 new Teftament to be only a iiate of extreme 
 fufferings, and the fliarpeft fenfe of guilt and 
 divine vengeance 5 and not lofs of being, or an- 
 nihilation c . 
 
 4. Denny s of Halicarnajjus and numbers of 
 fcholiafts and editors are pofitive that in good 
 profc there ought never to be an entire verfe. 
 The facred writers then muft fall under their cen- 
 
 y Herod. Gr. 4. ifz. 1. 3. 2 Xen. Cyrop. 6. p. 341. 
 
 3 Hecub. 683. b Uc vidi, ut perii ! Virg. 
 
 Tacitus Annal. 6. p. 2,03. Ed. Elzevir. 1634. Dii me Deieque 
 pejus pcrdanr, quam perire quotidie fentio. 
 
 r J Tim. vi. 9 2. Pet. iii.y. Mark ix. 44. Mat. xxv-46. 
 
 fare
 
 Defended and llluflrated. \ j \ 
 
 fure. St. Barnes in a very fublime paflage has one 
 heroic verfe, and the words immediately following 
 with a (mall alteration will make another d . The 
 couplet will run thus . 
 
 $3 (rig daty ^ KM S 
 
 #TT<? 
 
 And confidering both the language and the 
 it will be no very eafy matter to produce two lines 
 much better. There is a compleat elegiac verfe 
 in St. Paul's noble Epiftle to the Hebrews e . 
 
 The beft foreign Claffics,, much {iiperior both 
 in judgment and composition to critics, who 
 make (uch groundlefs aiTertions, and impofe fuch 
 arbitrary rules on mankind, (bmetimes have whole 
 verfes in their profe writings, Xenofhon has 
 
 'Tis the fame in the Latin authors g . 
 
 Rhiming, or a clofe and near repetition of the 
 fame found is reckon'cl a fault in compofition, 
 and grates the ears offender and nice critics. The 
 
 a James i. 17. e Kaj a rj $w<i y~r t v l 
 
 Heb. xii. 2(5. So has Plutarch A?roSy. Reg. 5c Due. p. 1 1 1, 
 10 line from end. Greek. Bafii. if 74. 
 
 KyjpuVlejv ori ^ yetrova^gy^ov ^. 
 f Xen. Cyrop. 8. 452. Grseco lat. Weils, 
 Tacitus in beginning of Annals: 
 
 - Urbcra Romam in principio reges habuere. 
 
 4 divine
 
 15* The SACRED CLASSICS 
 divine writers have a few inftances of this - y and 
 they are as often us'd in the mod admir'd foreign 
 authors. And I hope the philologers will not 
 excufe them in one, and condemn them in the 
 other. TwuffKOftsw tij dyzftmcrxofievy h is not more 
 unpardonable in St. Paul, than sx a%w&TUTe8 9 
 xGcxo%vvT()Tgx de in Thutidides '. 
 
 The repetition of three or four words related in 
 their original and found are {bmetimes to be met 
 withal in the {acred and common Claffics. If 
 (bw/)-j xiQ:fj}$v xiQxfifyvruv ev Totig xiQagaig avruy in 
 St. John k , and dtreSsTe dcrsSsiag <XUTMV uv YjcreZ'/ipav 
 dfjuzgrutol avegsi'g l in St. Jude y found difagreeable 
 and grating to an over-curious ear 5 the fame of- 
 fence mull be taken at r&Jug cdsl Teterag TS/uviSyog 
 TsXeog MTug yiTvsTxi in the fublime Plato m j and at 
 that paflage in the clean* and polite Xenophon"; 
 ol iraiosg d'AXoyrsg Tag Sixctg fozzfag hxzfypsvzg sSoxav 
 [jLxvQdvsiv cMzicr/jT?. That repetition in Plato is 
 one of the molt clean and agreeable that I have 
 obferv'd in any Claflic 5 pwxww Tim K 
 
 Trig %x eiaopi x^Xov elotvui 
 
 . But no repetition of words of the fame 
 
 h z Cor. iii. 2. ' Thucid. 6. 391. 1. penult, vid, 
 
 Virg. Mn. 4. 5-41. Horn. 'IX. //. zpd. Sw/xara^ ^^'juia'la. 
 Xen. Cyrop. i. paul. ante fin. k jRevel. xiv. z. 
 
 1 Jude ^. if. m Phxd. 145). 1. 28, 19. Ed. Ser. 
 
 &Sccph. n Cyrop. lib. 8. p. 358.!. 18, 19. Grxc. 
 
 Oxon. Pla:. Gorgias 4fp. lin. 2. ante E. 
 
 4 original
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. \ j 3 
 
 original and found is any where to be met with, 
 that has fuch ftrength of fenfe and delicacy of 
 turn as that of St. Paul to the Romans p . M?J 
 
 sg TO cru- 
 
 no tranflation can reach the beauties of 
 it. The harmony in the order and ftru&ure of 
 the words is grateful, the repetition and oppofi- 
 tion in the latter part is fprightly and furprizing ; 
 and the moral comprehended in the whole found 
 and edifying. 
 
 . 5. Repetitions of precepts and morals is 
 often found in the facred writers q , and is defign'd 
 to waken mens attention 5 and by repeated 
 ftrokes to imprefs thoie important truths deeper 
 in their minds* Readers of any laudable curio- 
 fity and hopefulnefs of temper will carefully con- 
 fider a doctrine and the confequences of it, 
 which is by the divine Spirit of wifflom fb often 
 and ib vehemently inculcated. Grotius, on 
 i Theff. v. 5, &c. obferves to his reader, <c See 
 <c how often the Apoftle repeats the fame thing, 
 ff that, by praifmg the Chriftians, he may incite 
 Cf and encourage them. 
 
 The foundeft and politeft moralifts in the hea- 
 then world are full of repetitions of their rules 
 of condudt, and precepts of piety and morality ; 
 
 n Rom. xii. 3. ^ Philip, ii. ^. Ephef. vi. f, 5, 7. 
 
 X and
 
 cj4 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 and particularly Tully, in his juftly admir'd Office f, 
 one of the moil elaborate, found, and ufeful of 
 all the writings of that excellent man. Look 
 into the fifth lection of the third book r , where 
 the philofopher is upon that important point, 
 that juftice is inviolably to be obferv'd, and that a, 
 wife and good man will rather fuffer poverty, pain, 
 and death, than fordidly draw profit to himfelf 
 by doing injury to his neighbour: and you'll find 
 the fame doctrine repeated for almoft three pages 
 together, in an elegant variety and moving ve- 
 hemence of expreflion. 
 
 . 6. Some metaphorical expreflions in the 
 new Teftament have been thought to have been 
 overftrain'd and harih by fome gentlemen, not in- 
 timately converiant with the noblefl Claflics - y and 
 that have not view'd things and perfons in their fe- 
 veral pofitions and numerous relations one to ano- 
 ther : when really the paffages, which incompetent 
 judges pronounce faulty, require learning and 
 judgment not to defend 'em, but to open and fet 
 off their vigorous meaning, and genuine beauties. 
 
 "Ezv pufwdfj TO z?.og f , if the fait }>e infatuated 
 is a trope very ftrong , and not in the lead 
 
 agreeable 
 
 c> 
 
 r Cockman. Tul. OiTic. p. 151, 151, 155. 
 f Mat. v. 15. Luke xiv. ^4. Plato abounds in bold me- 
 Uphon, which, I bciicvc ? v.-ill be allow'd to be bcaucifu! 
 
 and
 
 Defended and Ittuftrated. ijj 
 agreeable to a true tafte. The Syriac verfion ren- 
 ders it infatuated ; the other verfions mitigate the, 
 teeming harihnefs of that bold word. 
 
 The relation and ground of the trope is obvi- 
 ous j if fait has loft its feafoning quality and fliarp- 
 neft,, 'tis of all things the moft infipid and entire- 
 ly ufelefi : as a man who has loft the u(e of his 
 reafbn is a mere corpfe, and nuifance to the earth, 
 Girding up the loins of your mind : is a ftrong ex- 
 preflion, and a daring application and transfer- 
 ring of the qualities of the body to the mind, or 
 a communication of idioms, as Divines call it. 
 The propriety of which proceeds from the clofe 
 and near relation of an organiz'd body, and im- 
 mortal fpirit in their aftonifhing union to make 
 up one man. And thofe bold phrafes, 
 Tsg rS vox StiyetrQau ryv ipu^Jy, and eteuSsffy 
 nswxoTSs in the claflic authors are parallel \ 
 
 Erafmus pays one of his ufual complements to 
 St. James and others of the facred writers, when 
 he cenfures that expreflion efafSTfeiw Trgotruxx w as 
 
 and emphatical j tho they are more harih and catechreftical 
 than any in the new Teftament : fome initances have been 
 produc'd already, 1 fhall only, out of great numbers, add one 
 fpeaking of a cowardly General : he fays of him, OTTO /jt0je 
 T <poC vaurijt. Leg. i. p. 639. 
 
 1 i Pet. i. 13. v Her. Gr. 6, $?f. 1. 3f. Xen, 
 
 Cyrop. i. p. 7. 1. 10, ii. Grasc. Oxon. Demof. de Cor 
 i<Sp. 4. Oxon. KOJ^OTS^V t<yt in Sc. John iv. fi 
 
 * James i. 11. 
 
 X ^
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 har/h. Herbs and flowers are the gayeft beauties 
 of the lower creation : and , beautiful face, gay 
 appearance, &c. afcrib'd to 'em, founds to me 
 neither with harftmefs nor impropriety. I hope 
 at leaft 'tis not harfher than afcribing a brow or a 
 breaft to a mountain 5 we find the firft in Hero- 
 dotus x , to which a paffage in St. Luke is exadly 
 parallel y : the fecond is in Xenophon z , and is 
 bolder than any thing of that nature, which we 
 find in the divine writers of the new Teftament. 
 
 .7. The facred writers are not always felici- 
 tous to avoid fame feeming inconfiftency that 
 may be cleared by common fenfe and candor; 
 and the allowances that are made by all perfbns, 
 who are not addided to cavil and prejudice. 
 In that paflage to the Romans a , Thanks be to God 
 that ye <were fervants ofjtn y lout now ye have obey- 
 ed, &c. is juft the fame as Thanks be to God, 
 that you, 'who 'were fervants of Jin, now have 
 obeyed, dec. This way of expreflion is called 
 a Hebraifm, but is not unufual in the Greek and 
 Roman Claflics of the firft rank. To yz? axoxiv- 
 tivvevsw 7tfo$ dv$gtoit%g dTzovsvoyfJihxg Trgog sKsfvuv 
 %v sn % itgoq 9 AQqva(uv b 3 is literally thus, 
 
 Her. Gr. 4. z8i. 1. 4, <J. Y Luke iv. 2p. 
 
 Xen. Cyr. Exp. p. ipf. Wells. Rom. vi. 17. 
 
 Thucid. 7. 465-. 1. p. 
 
 3
 
 Defended and llhiflrated. 157 
 
 To run any risk againft defferate men was no long- 
 er more (or, as Holies) fo much for their advan- 
 tage, as that of the Athenians. But according to 
 the true fenfe and defign of the author 'tis thus : 
 To run any hazard ly then fighting men defperate y 
 who in a little time ivoud certainly fall into their 
 bands, 'was not at all for the advantage of the 
 Syracufans, hut their enemies the Athenians^ as 
 giving them a frejh chance and opportunity to reco- 
 ver their lojl affairs. So in that paflage of Tully c > 
 Nee lilidini potius luxuriaque, quam liberalitati & 
 leneficentia par eat, there's no comparifon intended 
 which way of living fliou'd be prefer'd; but 
 luxury and extravagance are abfolutely con- 
 demn'd. 
 
 St. Paul to the Corinthians d wonderfully ex- 
 prefles the generous zeal and forwardnefs that the 
 Macedonian Chriflians iliew'd in doing good and 
 contributing to the relief of their diTtreffed bre- 
 thren, which he does in terms that {bme little 
 fbphifls would pretend to cavil at. For of them" 
 felves 'were they willing, according to their foiu- 
 er (I hear 'em witnefs} yea and above their power. 
 The Prince of Greek orators delivers himfelf in the 
 
 c Tull. Off. i. See Luke xviii. 14. Xen. Hcllcn. 7- 
 456. Wells, vid, Tullii Epiit. Fam. 6. 6. p. 16-2.. 1. 7, 8, 
 Ed. Grrevii. 
 
 a 2. Cor. viii. 3. Kara cV^a.uiv xl UTT?^ c /v 
 
 !am<
 
 158 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 fame vigorous manner cc I have perform'd all 
 fC thefe things with juftice, and care, and great 
 " labour, and induftry above my power e . That 
 (eeming inconfiftency in St. Matthew and St. 
 Mark*, as, to him that has not, even that which 
 he has, Jhall he taken from him, is entirely recon- 
 cil'd by a parallel place in St. Luke 1 , by that 
 equitable conftruction, and thofe fair allowances 
 that ought to be made to all good authors. We 
 have the fame appearance of impropriety in the 
 moft difcerning and moft exalted writers among 
 the Claffics h . ' 
 
 In fhort, great writers, fecure of the noble- 
 nefs and importance of their fenfe, and the ma- 
 fterly beauties of their language in general, are 
 not always anxious to avoid a little deviation 
 from common grammar, or a fmall feeming in- 
 coherence 5 when little critics cannot judge or 
 difcover either a beauty or material faulty but 
 betray their ignorance and groveling temper in 
 rigoroufly infifting upon the minuteft matters 
 
 * Dem. de Cor. 1 16 1. pen. ^jXoTro^oor uVs 
 
 * Mat. xxv. 2p. Mark iv. 25-. or oux 
 ttffiffircu air ceuT. 
 
 Lukeviii. 18. ^ os av fxq t^jj, ^ 8 cToxet 
 h Juven. Sat. j.r. 208, iop. 
 
 Nil habuit Codrus & tamen illud 
 Pcrdidit infelix nil 
 
 Her. Gr. i.zp. 1. zi. 
 
 mere
 
 Defended and Ilhtftrated. 159 
 
 mere trifles, and often condemning that for a 
 fault which is really an excellence. People that 
 cannot fupply fuch defects as we have mention'd, 
 and readily excufe and iblve fuch feeming in- 
 coherences,, have not, I don't fay candor but, 
 tafle and ilrength of genius to make 'em capa- 
 ble readers of any good authors. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 BY what we have hitherto obferv'd, I promife 
 to my felf that I have made good the affir- 
 mation of the learned Falricius 1 , ana a great many 
 other very eminent and judicious (cholars, That 
 there are fewer mere Hebraifms in the books of the 
 new Teftament than feveral famous men wou'd 
 have 5 and no folecifms at all. 'Tis probable that 
 it may be thought by {bme, that fbme things I 
 have obferv'd, are too little and inconfiderable. 
 But I don't pretend that complete mafters in 
 thefe ftudies are to be entertain'd after this poor 
 manner j I write chiefly for the ufe of younger 
 (cholars, and others who may want fuch helps, til! 
 
 ' FabrScii Bibliothec. Groec. lib. f . c. f . p. 124. 
 
 time
 
 1 60 Tie SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 time and induftry fhali advance 'em to farther 
 perfection : and I believe I have put nothina 
 down that is entirely ufelcis and foreign to the 
 purpofe. 
 
 Other Gentlemen are indolent, and entirely 
 unconcern'd whether the icyle of the new Telta- 
 ment be free from (blecifms or no. We are, fay 
 they, fatisfy'd and afTur'd that the holy writers 
 were influenc'd and diredled by the holy Spirit > 
 and that the fenfe of the (acred text is very im- 
 portant and noble > and we are not concern'd 
 whether the language be pure Greek or not. Now 
 for this reafbn that the holy writers were under 
 the influence and direction of the Spirit of infi- 
 nite wiflom, who does all his wondrous works 
 in proportion, harmony, and beauty, I am fully 
 perfuaded he wou'd not fuffer improprieties, and 
 violations of the true and natural reafon and ana- 
 logy of grammar to be in writings dictated by 
 himfelf, and defign'd for the inftruction and plea- 
 fure of mankind to the end of the world. If 
 we confider God, fays an excellent perfbn, as the 
 Creator of our fouls, and fb likelieft to know the 
 frame, and fprings, and nature of his own work- 
 manfhip we ihall make but little difficulty to 
 believe that in the book written for, and addrefs'd 
 to men, he hath employ'd proper language, and 
 genuine natural eloquence, the moft powerful 
 
 and
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 161 
 
 and appropriated mean to work upon 'em. But 
 fblecifm and abfurd language give an offence and 
 diiguft to all people of judgment and good (en(e? 
 and are not appropriate means to work and pre- 
 vail upon human minds. The notion of folecifm 
 is by all means to be remov'd from the infpif'd 
 penmen, becaufe it hinders young fcholars from 
 ftudying that book of fuch inefiimable ule and 
 value with that chearful application and pleafure 
 which are neceilary to make 'em tolerable mailers 
 of its language and fen(e. When people have con- 
 ceiv'd a prejudice againft the (acred writers, it ei- 
 ther entirely takes 'em off from the ftudy of 'env 
 or if they be oblig'd to read 'em, they do it with' 
 reluftance and averfion 5 and aim at no greater 
 knowledge than will qualify 'em to undergo an 
 eafy examination, in order to get a livelihood and 
 worldly profit by a profeflion, to which fuch 
 people are generally a di (honour and {candal. 'Tis 
 impoffible to defend our religion againft the in- 
 fults and fophiftry of fubtil Heretics, or to be a 
 Divine of any confiderable value, without a good 
 and intimate acquaintance with the (acred text. 
 
 The notion of folecifms, &c. has given (bmc 
 conceited wits and (hallow rhetoricians a contempt 
 of thofe ineftimable books. 
 
 A worthy Cardinal durft not read the Bible for 
 fear of (poiling his fine Ciceronian ftyle, and has 
 
 Y the
 
 161 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 the horrid aflurance openly to condemn and de- 
 fpife St. Paul's Epiftles j and calls 'em by a forry 
 diminutive word which expreffes the greateft wan- 
 tonnefs of contempt, and fcurrility k . 'Tis eafy 
 to name two chapters in the new Teftament, even 
 confider'd as a common book, that have more 
 (enfe and genuine beauty of language than all 
 Benibus's fix books of Familiar Letters. Tho' I 
 think it wou'd be an abfurd thing to put natural 
 eloquence, fublimity offenfe, and the beautiful 
 graces of clear and eafy language, upon any com- 
 parifbn with a pedantic ollentation of learning, 
 trifles dreft up in ffcudied periods ; and a flavifh 
 imitation, or rather a ridiculous aping ofTulIy. 
 Dr. South's fatyr upon fuch infblence and profii- 
 nefs is juft : cc He who faid he wou'd not read 
 <f the Scriptures for fear of {poilmg his ftyle fliew'd 
 4 ( himfelf as much a blockhead as an Atheift ; and 
 * c to have as (mall a guft of the elegancies of ex- 
 *' c preffion, as of the facrednefs of the matter f ." 
 How many conceited fcholiafts and tranfcribers, 
 having gotten the whimfical notion of (blecifin 
 
 k Bcmbus cpiftolas cmncs S. Pauli pakm condemnavit, 
 eafque dcflexoin conrumeliam vocabulo Epiftolaccms elt aulis 
 appt'ilarej cum amico autor efTet, ne illas attingeret; vel ii 
 coepiflet legere, de manibus abjiccrcc (1 elegant iam fcribendi 
 & eloquentiam adamaret. ScipioGentilis in Epift. ad Philem. 
 inter Maj. Grit. p. 4010. 
 
 A Dr. South Scrm, Vol. IV. p. 31, 51. 
 
 4 into
 
 Defended and llluflrated* 163 
 
 into their head, with intolerable boldneft have 
 corre&ed the facred text, and given us their own 
 Ipurious amendments for the genuine original; 
 and fb have encumber d it with an enormous heap 
 of various readings ? Ogxx is put for cftcy even 
 by Theoftylaffi himfelf in Zacharies hymn m : and 
 Pifcator fays, it being plainly in appofition with 
 &at9qxqs before, muft either be fa, or it will be 
 an irregularity and breach of fyntax. But what 
 if it be governed of ;m# fo often underflood in 
 the facred writers of the new Teftament and the 
 old Claflics of Greece ? The fenfe and grammar 
 are as effectually fecur'd, as by that bold correcti- 
 on made by Theophylaff without any authority. 
 
 The pure original reading in the laft chapter of St. 
 Luke's Gofpel dfQzusvoy n is in a few books chang'd 
 into df%ct[tsvuv 9 which reading has been approv'd 
 by a few critics, who did not confider that this 
 cafe is as pure Greek -, and is frequently us'd, tho' 
 not fb commonly, as the genitive in thefe forts 
 of conftruftion. Which we have prov'd above, 
 and here add the following inftances. 
 
 sv u 
 
 dvr5 sv 
 
 TUTO 7ra6eTv y 'where Hefiod the poet isfaid to leflain 
 
 m Luke i. 71, 72. n A6ls xxiv-47- 
 
 Xen. Cyrop. f. p. 5*. p. 313. Wells. 
 
 Y i ly
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 loy the inhabitants, it being told him Toy the oracle that 
 this Jhould happen to him in Nemea p . That place 
 iiiAffs, [LOiX^z yvucTJy cs oyrx*, has been very per- 
 plexing to (bme critics and tranfcribers j who did 
 not confider how common this conftru&ion is in 
 the pureft and moft authentic writers : feme have 
 put in fi'JwV, and fbme ^r/*?v^, which the rea- 
 der plainly fees are interpolations, when he confi- 
 ders the reafbn of their addition, and obferves in 
 
 what a great majority of manufcripts the genuine 
 
 j- r j 
 
 reading is round. 
 
 In St. Luke r ciifyyt&og is in fome few manu- 
 (cripts, verfions, and fathers chang'd into a/v2?w* 
 Jiwr, which change was made out of fear left an 
 adjective for an adverb was not claffical Greek. 
 But that is a common elegance in both Greek and 
 Roman authors. I fhall only give two inftances iti 
 one page near together in Herodotus f . 
 
 The opinion of falfe Greek and barbarous lan- 
 guage in the new Teftament has given offence to 
 many polite gentlemen, great readers and admi- 
 rers of the claflical writers. If that was onc.fi 
 happily remov'd, and the facred book skilfully 
 
 P Thucid. 3. 103. 1. 17. See Herod. Gr. 9. fi<5. I. 10. 
 * A6b xxvi. 3. r Luke xxi. 51. 
 
 { *Afffj.tvc: !<po/Ty, they 'willingly went. 'O Ar,Voy.jr ^v 7rc.o<r 
 \2cio Travlo? avcApor, ^ TrgoCaXXojU.sv', ^ aivso/xsv-, U!^; 2;^- 
 loujlyput up and applauded. Her, Gr. i, p. 41. 1. ip, 41. 
 
 3 divided
 
 Defended and llluftrated. itfj 
 
 divided into proper chapters and feclions, Co as to 
 fhevv the full connection both of the periods and 
 the reasoning of the difcourfe (which the prefent 
 divifions much perplex and break off) gentlemen 
 of judgment and ingenuity might be prevail'd on 
 to read thofe ineftimable authors; and would 
 {bon admire and love both the beautiful proprie- 
 ty of the language, and the fublimity and noble- 
 nefs of the fenfe. Then a good opinion of the 
 ityle would bring 'em to confider the fbundnefs 
 of the moral, and the majefly and purity of the 
 myfteries of the Gofpel. The pleafure and dili- 
 2;ence of readino- thofe divine authors wou'd be 
 
 O O 
 
 rais'd and heighten'd by the confederation of the 
 near concern and intereft they themfelves had in 
 their mofl important and awful contents ; and a 
 joyful profpe6l of that infinite happinefs which 
 is fb faithfully promifed, demonftrated by fuel) 
 clear proofs, and defcrib'd with fuch fublimity 
 and grandeur in that incomparable book. 
 
 Tie End of the Firft Part.
 
 The S A C K B D 
 
 CLASSICS 
 
 Defended and Illuftrated ; 
 
 O R, 
 
 An ESS AY humbly offer'd towards proving the 
 
 Purity, Propriety, and true Eloquence of the 
 
 Writers of the NEW TESTAMENT. 
 
 PART SECOND, 
 
 In which is {hewn that ail the Excellencies of Style, and 
 fublime Beauties of Language and genuine Elo- 
 quence do abound in the facred Writers of 
 the NEW TESTAMENT: 
 
 With an Account of their Style and Character, and a Repre- 
 
 fentation of their Superiority in feveral Inftances to the 
 
 beft CLASSICS of GREECE and ROME. 
 
 By A B LACKWALL, M. A. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed in the Year M.DCQXXV.
 
 THE 
 
 SACRED CLASSICS 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 
 
 
 PART II. C H A P. I. 
 
 Shall beg leave here to repeat 
 what I advanc'd in the firft Part, 
 that the main fubftance and 
 groundwork of the language of 
 the Gofpels and Epiftles is in- 
 oonteflably the {ame with that of the old authen- 
 tic Grecians^ their narrative and morals are ex- 
 preis'd in parallel terms , and in equal exa&neft 
 of grammatical concord and government. 
 
 Z In
 
 j/o The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 In fliort, the language is the Came, excepting 
 when the rites of the Jewifli, and new revelations 
 of theChriftian Religion requir'd new terms j and 
 where the ulage ofHelreiv modes of fpeech, and 
 allufions to the oriental cuftoms exprefs'd the 
 thing with more vigour, and advantage and (a- 
 tisfadion of the people to whom the Gofpel was 
 to be addrefi'd and preach'd. Even in the He- 
 Iraifms and peculiarities of the new Teftament as 
 good a regard has been had to the general analogy 
 and true propriety of grammar, as in the pureft 
 and fublimeft writings, which make up the ftan- 
 dard of the Greek language. 
 
 'Tis very remarkable that thofe Helratfms are 
 us'd by the writers of the new Teftament which 
 are us'd by Plato, Herodotus, &c. as fubflantives 
 inftead of adjectives, a nominative cafe without 
 any verb, repetitions of the lame word, that look 
 very like tautologies 5 and other modes of ipeech 
 that we have above fliew'd to be common to the 
 Hebrew and Greek languages : but other Helrew 
 forms of expreffion, tho' fcarce bolder or harfher 
 than thefe, are not us'd by the facred writers 3 I 
 believe becaufc they wou'cj have been real fole- 
 cifms , and violation of the analogy and cuftom 
 of the Greek andRowan language, as never admit- 
 ted into it, nor us'd by their approv'd and prin- 
 cipal writers. The relative ajher is frequently 
 2 fupprefs'd
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 
 
 fopprefs'd in Reived ', as the relative 'who or which 
 is in Englijh. In regimen of nouns the govern- 
 ing noun is alter'd, not the governed b . The ad~ 
 jedive and the fubftantive are of different genders 
 and numbers c . The verb fbmetimes does not a- 
 gree with the proper nominative cafe, but is of 
 the fame number with the oblique cafe in the 
 claufe d . And feveral other Helraifms there are that 
 are repugnant to the ufage of the Greek language, 
 and never us'd by the divine writers in Greek. 
 
 I much wonder at that formal remark of a very 
 learned man on Affs v. 3 o. ff St. Luke being a 
 cc fcholar, ufes many words purely Greek." Why 
 don't St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Paul, St. John ufe 
 many words and phrafes purely Greek ? Is that to 
 be doubted by any one that ever read them ? Has 
 not that excellent critic himfelf given numerous 
 inftances of it ; and prov'd it by parallel inftanccs 
 out of the beft authors ? 
 
 &. In this chapter I lay before the young 
 feholar fome remarkable paflages, precepts of mo- 
 rality, companions and proverbial fayings in the 
 
 Pfal. li. 10. b Prov. xxiv. if. Job xxxiv. 18. 
 
 c i Sam. ii. 4. Ifa. xvi. 18. d Jerem. x. 2,2. Jobxxix. 
 
 10. Haggai ii. 8. Vid. Buxtorf. Thefaur.!Grammat. Linguae 
 Sand. Heb. in Syntaxi. Vid. etiam Bithncr. Inftit. Linguae 
 Sandse ad calcem Lyr^e Prophetic^ cap. p, Vid, Proverb, 
 xxviii. i. 
 
 Z i facred
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 facred writers, which are us'd in the molt lofty 
 and noble foreign writers. And the reafbn I draw 
 this parallel is, only to iliew the wifdom and con- 
 defcention of the Divine Spirit, in directing the 
 Evangelifts and Apoftles to ufe thofe cuftomary 
 and well-known modes and forms of fpeech which 
 are found in thole writers, which are generally 
 and juftly admir'd for their agreeable and preva- 
 lent manner of applying to the reafon and affedi- 
 ons of mankind. The hand of God in the old 
 and new Teftament expreffes his providence and 
 pov/er e : In which fenfe it is taken by the noble 
 Pindar : Qsz ovy TT#A#U f , a haven of Crete that 
 lyeth towards the Southweft, &c. is a low tranfla- 
 tion, and takes away the profopope'ia and vigour 
 of the original j and is not more plain or in- 
 telligible than the literal rendring of it a ha- 
 ven which Jooketh towards the North weft, dec. The 
 nobleft Claffics have the fame form A fromon* 
 Tory of Salamis looking towards Megara g . 
 
 Ariftophanes iays of Juno , whom the pao-an 
 world fuppos'd to be that Deity which prefided 
 over the nuptial rites, that Jhe keeps the keys of 
 
 * Pfal. xcv. 4.xlv. 6. Luke i. 66. f Pindar. O 1 . 10. v. zf. 
 
 Afts xxvii. n. Thucid. z. 141. 1. 8. So in Xen. Cy- 
 rop. 8. f. 2,. 317. -ur^s ECO. ^XlTrsffav T>JV crx^v/fv. Spedlant: in 
 Ssptemtrjones 6c Oacntem folem. Cxwr. Comcien. i lib. p. 
 4. Variorum. 
 
 marrave
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 173 
 
 marriage h . The facred writer, to fhew the inte- 
 refl and fbvereign power our Saviour has in the 
 future ftate, fays that he has the keys of hell and 
 faradife '. Plato fpeaking of perfbns fit to prefide 
 in a well-conftituted government , fays, they are 
 rich, not in gold., hit in that wherein a happy man 
 ftould be rich, a good and prudent life k . Which 
 is much to the fame fenfe with that noble exhor- 
 tation of St. Paul to wealthy men, that they do 
 acJs of charity, and le rich in good works \ 
 
 'Tis the opinion of fbme learned men , that 
 the holy Jefus, the moft tender and dutiful Son 
 that ever was born, when he call'd his mother 
 plainly woman , declar'd againfl thofe idolatrous 
 honours which he forefaw wou'd be paid her in 
 latter ages, which is no improbable guefs. Bur 
 in the more plain and unceremonious times it was 
 a title apply'd to Ladies of the greateft quality and 
 merit by people of the greateft humanity and ex- 
 alnefs of behaviour. So Cyrus the great fays to 
 the Queen of the Armenians, 'AA/.2 crv u yjwi m : 
 and fervants addrefs'd Qiieens and their miftrefles 
 in the fame language n . 
 
 t, Thefmoph. 58 f. i Apoc. i, 1 8, 
 
 k Piat. Rcip. 7. 99. 1.4, f, 6, ] i Tim. vi. 17. a'ya- 
 
 Cc?ey'v, < rXTv cv xaXcT? spyoi?. m Xen. Cyrop. p. 103, 
 
 1. 4. ante fin. Gr. Ox. n Sophoc. Tracliinia: v, 1^4. 
 
 To
 
 t/4 Tke SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 To hunger and thirft after right eoufnefs, or the 
 f attractions of true religion^ is an admirable meta- 
 phor, beautifully bold and flrong . 
 
 Both the Greek and Roman Claffics take delight 
 in it. c Some tempers, {ays Xenopbon ? , nolefs 
 cc hunger after praife than others after meats and 
 fc drinks." "QVTUG eyw <ft;iw yx0(tleo'ai vvuv. Co 
 
 ' /W 3 ~ 1 J J 
 
 I thirft y am vehemently dejirous to oblige you*. 
 Thirft ing after thofe arts, of which I ffeak, I have 
 had a fmall tafte r . That paflage in Plato : $%K~ 
 vo~bcti TS Yy ^.ot r /p^jci scrSisiv aAA^Aa s , to loite one 
 another like fierce wild leajls, and fghting to de- 
 vour one another y are juft the (ame Words with 
 thofe of the great Apoille : 'Ef & # AA>?A* fizMere 
 
 / * ^ t \ 1 / 5 ~ 
 
 ^ XXTSff&lSTS fi}.~T y fitf V7TO aAA^AWV bVOfatoStfTS C : 
 
 only here they are cleaner and ftronger; turn'd 
 and finilli'd into a completer fenfe ana moral. 
 
 Proverbial expreflions are generally very figni- 
 ficant, and contain much fenfe in few words, 
 as refulting from the long obfervation and con- 
 ftant experience of mankind. In the ninth 
 chapter of the, Atts 1 * there is a proverb that comes 
 
 Mat. V. 6. ; o# /jc?9* oo-Ji? auro T/Ojjo- 
 
 T. K. St. Chryf. in loc. P Xen. CEcon. p. pj*. Wells. 
 
 1 Xen. Cyrop. 4. 2.61. 1, penult. Wells. 
 r Tull. de Orat. 3. p. 313. Ed. Pearce. 
 
 s Plat. Ref. 9. 174. ad fin. Ed. Maflcy. c Gal. v. if. 
 
 v A6bs ix. f. Sy.X>i^v CTCJ wgos y.ivl^, XaxD/^ew 
 
 from
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 175 
 from the mouth of the worlds Saviour, en- 
 thron'd in fiipreme majefty$ by which he checks 
 the madnefs of Saul, bidding defiance to him, 
 and exercifing impotent malice and blind hoftility 
 againft his moft bleffed and invincible name and 
 Gofpel. 
 
 The fame proverb is us'd by JEfchylus, Euripi- 
 des, and Terence ; and the noble Pindar has it to 
 the fame purpofe of expreffing the madnefs of 
 murmuring againft, and pretending to refifl the 
 power and pleafure of the great God w : Phy- 
 ficlan heal thyfelf*, is parallel'd by the noble trage- 
 dian JEfchylus*. 
 
 Our blefTed Saviour's addrefs to Jerufalem is 
 very moving and pathetical in St. Matthew, and 
 is improv'd and heightened by a very natural and 
 clear companion: O Jerufalem, Jerufalem! thou 
 that killejl the prophets, and ftoneft thofe who are 
 fent to thee, how often woud I have gather d thy 
 children together as a hen gathereth her chickens, 
 andyewoudnot? [What a melting exprobration, 
 (to ufe the eloquent words of a great man) what 
 vigour and winning compaflion, what a relenting 
 
 w Pindar. Pyth. z, v, 175. * Luke iv, 25, 
 
 >" Kaxos ^ iar^r o v co,r ris 1? voccv 
 riscroov aGu/jteiV, ^ crauTov s'x s^etf. 
 Eupeiv oTro/stf ^a^ccKOif fVi^(^. 
 
 Prometheus. 
 
 ftrain
 
 176 7%e SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 ftrain of tendernefs is there in this charitable re- 
 proof of the great Inftrudor and Saviour of 
 fouls z i Euripides and Sophocles a beautifully and 
 appofitely ufe the (ame comparifoir, by which all 
 the diligence of care^ tendernefs of companion, and 
 readinefs of protection are happily exprefs'd. 
 
 Two elegant and very appofite comparifons 
 are join'd together in the firft Epiftle to theTbeffa- 
 lonians b more forcibly and fully to reprefent the 
 fuddennefs of our Saviour's coming to judgment; 
 and the verbs are of the prefent time to make the 
 defcription more affecting and awful: The day 
 comes fuddenly, as a thief in the night upon peo- 
 ple buried in fleet), utterly amazd and confounded at 
 that difmal feafon, in that unarm d and helplefs 
 pojlure Ruin andfnal deftruffiion feizes the impe- 
 mtent unprepardj as the pangs of childbirth come 
 upon a woman laughing, eating, and thinking of 
 nothing lefs than that hour. The great Homer often 
 gives you two or three fine comparifons pretty 
 
 7 - Mat. xxiii. 37. Dr. South Scrtn. Vol. V. p. 
 s Euripid. Troad. 745*, 746. 
 
 Nscocrci wVet Trlsguyaj <77rt'lva>y s/jta'?. 
 'Ot S^' H^y.Xetoj TraTc^sf f xoOTTrTsgss' 
 ,2c)^w vsoorfcff. Here, furens. 
 
 That paflage in James iii. f. 'I^ oX/yov -576^ X/x/jv 
 eita7i r i&. is parallel to that of Pindar. Pyth. od. 5. 
 
 FTcXXav r'o^ci TTUO svcr ffTrsf/uaT' svOtfgov aiVwcrij) uXav. 
 b i ThefT. v. z, 3. aV./Cj? { V.wv. Sr, Chryf. in loc. 
 
 clofe
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 177 
 
 clofe together upon the fame fubject, to fet it 
 off with variety of ornaments, to give you a de- 
 lightful view of it on all fides ; and entertain you 
 with the unexhaufted flores and riches of his ge- 
 nius c . 
 
 The comparifon betwixt gold leing tryd and 
 purified ly the fre, and the genuinefs of chriftian 
 faith and piety by afflictions and fevere troubles is 
 quick and clean ; gracefully infinuated, without 
 the formality of bringing it in by the common 
 marks and notices of companion in that noble 
 paflage of St. Peter \ 
 
 . 3. An excellent collection of morals may 
 be drawn out of the claffical authors, much re- 
 fembling the (acred writers both in fenfe and 
 language. 
 
 The brave refblution of Socrates > to do bis duty 
 in the utmojl danger, exprefi'd with that native fim- 
 plicity and undaunted courage which innocence 
 and goodnefs infpire, is much the fame in words 
 and meaning as that noble declaration of the 
 Apoftles before the corrupt rulers of the Jews . 
 
 c Horn. IX. 3'. ver. 4f f. ad v. 484. d i Pet. i. 7. 
 
 c 'Tjua'f, co avc/Y? 'AOifjvcaci, acrTra^o/jtoa ^ (piXco, Ttreicrc/jtoa j 
 r iaj /JtaXXcv y| J,aTv. Plat. Soc. Ap. If. 1. 7, 8. Camb. 
 
 ts. A6ls V. 2,p. 
 
 A a it
 
 178 7%e SACRED CLASS ic s 
 
 Had Homer exprefs'd that line in the firft Iliad 
 *v. 11 8. in the angular number 
 
 Qs lirmeQvrw zte T ex}.vsv 
 
 it had been found morality , and exactly the fame 
 in verfe as that divine maxim of the Evangelift in 
 profe: if any man le a worjhipper of God, and 
 doth his will) him he heareth*. 
 
 We mujl, {ays Plato, thus judge of a righteous 
 man, that whether he le in poverty or fcknefs, or 
 any other apparent evils, they 'will turn to his advan - 
 iage living or dying g . What a near refemblance 
 is there between this noble pallage of the philo- 
 iopher, and that exalted triumph of the Apoftle : 
 I am perfuaded that neither death, nor life, nor an- 
 gels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things pre- 
 fent, nor things to come, &c. Jhall be able to fepa- 
 rate us from the love of God, which is in Chrifl 
 Jefus our Lord - ay.d we know that all things 
 work together for good to them who love God'\ 
 
 God refifts or fets himfelf in hoftility againft 
 proud men, is an important maxim of morality,. 
 ilrongly exprefs'd, and frequently inculcated both 
 m the old and new Teftament 1 . We have the 
 fame moral in Pindar beautifullye xprefs'd, tho' 
 
 f John ix. 31. 8 Plat. Ref. p. L 334. 1. f, 6, 7. 
 
 h Romans viii. 38, 39, 18. 
 
 * Job xxii. zp, Prov. iii. 34, Jam, iv. 6, 
 
 in
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 179 
 
 in a manner inferior to that of our facred wri- 
 
 ters k . 
 
 There is a found paffcge of morality in Tully, 
 Plutarch, and Plato, importing that nothing buc 
 the body and its lufts and appetites kindle {edi- 
 tions, quarrels and war in the world', which ex- 
 actly correiponds with two parallel paiTages in St. 
 James and St. Peter m . But the thought is more 
 
 */ o 
 
 enlarg'd, the manner of the expreffion more live- 
 ly and emphatic (befides the vehemence of a 
 preffing interrogation and the addition of a vigo- 
 rous metaphor) in the Apoftles than the Philo- 
 fbphers: Whence are 'wars and fightings among jl 
 you f are they not hence, even from your lufts that 
 f war in your members ? fays St. James j and St. Pe- 
 ter exhorts his Chriftians as pilgrims and ftr angers 
 to alftainfrom carnal lufts, which <war again/I the 
 foul. 
 
 That is a fine paflage of (bund morality and 
 generous charity, rais'd above moft of the Pagan 
 moralifts before Chriftianity, in an epiftle of the 
 famous Pliny": I ivou'd have him who is truly 
 to give to his country, kinfmen, friends, I 
 
 k Pindar. Pyth. z. v. 94, pf, 96. 
 
 1 Kai ^S' TtrsiXljusr, ^ raVa?, ^ pca'^af feo^sv d\\o . 
 ' TO crw/jta, ^ ou a?ro rs'ra sTTtOu/jt/oa. Plat. Phiedon. 10. p. 
 88. Camb. m Jam. iv. i. i Pet. ii. II. 
 
 n Epift. p. 30. p. 2,39. Ed. Hearne. 
 
 A z mean
 
 180 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 mean poor friends , not as thofe who give chiefly to 
 thofe perfons, 'who are mofl able ta give again. 
 How near in fenfe and words to St. Luke in one 
 part ? How much inferior in the encouragement 
 to this charity which the Saviour of the world has 
 given and tranfmitted to us by the pen of his 
 Evangelifl ? But when thou makejl a feaft call the 
 poor, the maimd, the lame, the Mind, and thou Jhalt 
 be lie (fed; lecaufe they cannot recomfenfe thee: a 
 vecompenfe flail be made to thee in the RefurrecJion 
 ofthejujl . The Apoftle St. Peter fees off the 
 moil amiable graces and becoming ornaments of 
 chriftian women in the mofl beautiful drefs of 
 language, which is much fuperior to thole places 
 in EfiSetus and Plutarch, &c. that the critics and 
 commentators produce as parallel or refemblmg p , 
 neither gold, nor emerald, nor purple give grace and 
 ornament to a woman; lut all thofe things <which 
 dearly exprefs and fet off her gravity. exat con- 
 duB, modefly q . 
 
 The Apoftle fpeaks to the fame purpofe$ but 
 excels any thing laid by the Claflks and. Philofo- 
 
 Luke xiv. i ?, 14. I efteem 7*0 here as an expletive and 
 the !cnie runs clearer ib. The Arabic and Perfian vcriions 
 drop ir. 
 
 P E^i&et. cap.. 61. Grot, in Luke xiv. 1.4. and i Tim ii. 9. 
 
 4 Pi at arch, Precept., conjug. p. 8<5. Bafil. 1 5*74. circs it as 
 a laying of Crates : KCT/^IOJT^^V ' r j -oroicV Tayrnjv
 
 Defended cwd llluftratecL i & i 
 
 pliers on this head in the extent and fublimity of 
 his thought, and the vigorous figures and empha- 
 fis of his language : o xfjTfloe r^g xagftag wQfwrofr 
 f> TW afyQafrip TV TTfasog $ffv%fe TrvsvpaToc, o <rfr 
 svumov TZ 6^5 Ti'olmsXsg r . Every man of genius 
 will admire this at firft view j and the nearer and 
 more attentively he views, the more he will Hill: 
 admire. But who dare promife an adequate and 
 full tranflation into any other language ? How 
 mull all the ihort-liv'd beauties, the fhapes, fea- 
 tures, and moft elegant and rich ornaments of 
 the mortal body, which attract the eyes and ad- 
 miration of vain mortals, fide away and lofe their 
 charm and luftrc, when compared with the hea- 
 venly graces of a pious and regular temper 5 the 
 incorruptible ornaments and beauties of the foul . 
 which are ever amiable and of high value in the 
 eye of God the fbvereign Judge of what is good 
 and beautiful? Can any man ihew me a precepn 
 amongil the moft folid and celebrated mailers of 
 morality io uieful and divine as to the fenfe, (o 
 cleanly compact, and beautifully turn'd as to die 
 expreffion., as that (acred direction, Be not over* 
 come of evil, hit overcome e r oil with good ' ? This 
 is a noble (train of chriftian courage, prudence, 
 
 r I Per. iii. 4.. { M-^ v.'/.cu >Tji! 7^ x.a>;i;'j a/.Xa V'K 
 
 Iv TtS ay9w TO xay.j,'-;. Rom. Jiii. y. Ls!r. Vid. St. Ghryfolt, 
 in loc. 
 
 and
 
 i i The SACRED CLASSICS 
 and sjoodnefs that: nothing in Epiltetus, Plutarck> 
 or Ant ovine can vye with. The moralifts and he- 
 rocs of the pap-an world cou'd not write or ad to 
 
 I O 
 
 the height of this. 
 
 Some of the pagan moralifts, efpecially Plato \ 
 have (poken very nobly of a brave man that repu- 
 tably undergoes fcvere trials and cruel fuffenngs 
 
 for the lake of religion, and the o-ood of his conn- 
 
 ~ - ^ 
 
 try 5 and fears death Ids than an unjuft action, 
 or villainous compliance. 
 
 As to the Stoics preferring their wife man in his 
 fuffenngs to their Sovereign Jupiter) it is rank 
 profanenef s ; and their pretence that he is as happy 
 upon the rack and in the mod exquifite tortures, 
 as on a bed of down in perfect health, is an ab- 
 furd and unnatural rant. The chriftian moralifts 
 follow nature and reafbn 5 and the Son of God 
 improving them : They allow us to grieve as men y 
 but require us as CTortftians not to defpair, or in- 
 temperately grieve and perverfely complain 5 but 
 
 c Plat. Refpub. 2. where he gives as lively a defcription 
 of the perfon, qualifications, life and death of the Divine Man 
 he fpeaks of, as if he copy'd the fifty third chapter of Ifaiah. 
 He fays that this perfon mufl be poor, and void of all recom- 
 mendation but virtue alone. Th.it a wicked world would 
 not bear his inftructions and reproof j and therefore within 
 three or four years after he began to preach he fhou'd be per- 
 fecuted, imprifon'd, fcotirg'd, and at lad put to a cruel death. 
 This is not the only prophecy of the Meflmh in Plato. 
 rid. Mr. Lefley Truth of Chrijl 16*1. Plat. Alclb. z. p. J fo. 
 
 whenever
 
 I)ef ended and llluftrated. \ g > 
 
 whenever we fufTer to be patient and courageous : 
 but when we fuffer for religion and conference, to 
 count our fufferings as our valuable privileges - y 
 and to rejoice in 'em as the matter or our chief 
 glory and triumph. Our divine writers fir excel 
 all others upon this topic 5 exprefs the triumphs 
 of a chriftian fufferer in more exalted terms of 
 ilrong eloquence 5 and lay down more prevalent 
 reafbns and motives for glorying in the crofs of 
 Chrift, and for joy in fuffering for the caufe, and 
 after the example of Jefus, than any other fcheme 
 of religion can bear. 
 
 o 
 
 How admirable and aftonifhing are the expref- 
 flons of the A pottles on this head, especially St. 
 Paul) who fees off the joy he took in his fuffenngs 
 in magnificent ftrains of eloquence. 'Tis his dar- 
 iing topic j and great critics obferve, that as all 
 his writings are excellent, fo efpccially thofe which 
 were lent from Rome, while he was in chains for 
 the Gofpel v . 
 
 What a mod amiable and extraordinary mix- 
 
 rare of chantv, courage and faith in God do we 
 * *^ 
 
 find in that noble profeffion and exultation of St. 
 Paul I No, tho 1 te facrificd upon the oblation and 
 fervice of your faith > I rejoice and congratulate 
 
 To EpbefiatiS) PtJ/I:/>f>ia;H, C objjians, to Philemon^ to 
 Timothy. 
 
 10U:
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 you, all; on the fame account do ye rejoice) and con- 
 gratulate me w . What great occafion has the good 
 man to rejoice, and fb preffingly to urge hisChri- 
 ftians to rejoice with him ? Did he expect fame, 
 riches, preferment, fecular triumphs, empire ? 
 Nothing but difgraces, ftripes, the confinement 
 of a prifbn, the fword of a tyrant, and the bloo- 
 dy crown of martyrdom. We have in the fifth 
 chapter to the Romans x an accurate enumeration 
 of the feveral bleilings which crown the brave 
 champion of the crols which is a very eafy and 
 beautiful gradation rifing to the height of happi- 
 nefs, and making up a very agreeable and corn- 
 pleat period. 
 
 The Apoftle encourages his Philipfians not to 
 be difturb'd or daunted at the malicious profecu- 
 nous of the enemies of their Lord's Crofs, by a 
 reafbn which is ftrongly conclufive upon the chri- 
 ilian fcheme, but fills upon the pagan, which is 
 exprefs'd in a ftrong Pleonafmus : Becaufcfor Chrijl 
 to you is given not only to believe on him, but to 
 fuffer for him Y . Given is not fully expreffive of 
 the original word, which is, the free grace and 
 favour is kejlowd. God does not only permit or 
 order by his general providence, but he confers 
 
 w Philip, ii. 17, 1 8. * Ron. v. 1, 5, 4, j-. 
 
 )' Philip, i. 19. ixagiSrr,. vid. S:. Chryibft. in loc. & 
 Or,u. 2.. on St. Paul, p. 37, 38. Tom. 8. Savil. 
 
 upon
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 18 j 
 
 upon you peculiar kindnefs and mercy ^ does you 
 unfpeakable honour by admitting you to {iiffer for 
 his Son's bleffed name and caufc. 
 
 Thofe marvellous paflages of the fame divine 
 author wou'd be extravagances and raving hyper- 
 boles from any mouth or pen., but a Chriftian's. 
 I therefore take fleafure in infirmities, in reproaches, 
 in neceffities, in perfections, in diflrejfes for Chrift's 
 
 fake. Tou ha<ve been followers of us and of our 
 
 Lord, having receivd the word in much affliction, 
 with the joy of the holy Ghoft \ In the mouths of 
 thofe who are acquainted with that great myftery of 
 godlinefs, God manifejled in theflejh, and who have 
 a part and portion in the inheritance of the faints 
 pur chafed by his merits , who brought life and im- 
 mortality to light by his Gofpel; thefe grand expre 
 fions are the words of truth and fbbernefs. 
 
 And thefe men, whom the world defpis'd, but 
 were not worthy of them, not only talk'd great 
 things as preachers and writers ; but aded great 
 things as heroes and champions of the Lordjefus^ 
 and his Gofpel. When the Apoftles were di 
 grac'd and abus'd by the Jewifli magiftrates, they 
 return from that wicked! council rejoycing that 
 they were thought worthy admitted to the ho- 
 nour of {Suffering difgrace, as their enemies falfely 
 
 * I Cor xii. 10. i ThefT i. 6, 
 
 B b efteem'd
 
 i Q 6 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 efteem'd it, for the fake of fuch an adorable name 
 and caufe a . 
 
 When St. Paul and Silas were cruelly beaten 
 and imprifon'd for the teftimony of Jefus, the 
 conficleration of the caufe and Mafter they fuffer'd 
 for fill'd 'em with joy in a dungeon, and gave them 
 fongs in the night. Their bodies were cut with 
 deep and cruel ftripes 5 their fouls were refrefh'd 
 and ravifh'd with divine confblations $ and when 
 their feet were faften'd in the flocks, their hearts 
 were enlarg'd with heavenly pleafure j and their 
 tongues with infpir'd eloquence broke out into 
 hymns of praife b . So juft is the pious remark 
 of St. Chryfoftom, To faffer for Chrift is fweeter 
 than all consolation c . 
 
 'Tis aftonifhing and above the powers of un- 
 aflilted nature in fuch deep and tormenting fuffer- 
 ings (as the primitive Chriftians fuffer'd) to give 
 all the undiffembl'd expreffions of a mofl exqui- 
 fite and triumphant joy. But as the behaviour 
 and courage of the noble champions of the Crofs 
 was extraordinary j fb were their motives and en- 
 
 ' a A6ts v. 41. The two words are ftrong and exprefs the 
 thing with great happinefs and beauty not to be come near 
 in a tranflation : xaT^iwOriffav drt[ji.ac$r}vu- 
 
 b Afts xvi. 2f, c On Ephef. iv. Horn. 8. p. 809. 
 
 couragements^
 
 Defended and IHufirated. \ 87 
 
 couragements , their trail/porting hopes and all- 
 fufficient affiflances d . 
 
 Cou'd the fervants and difciples think it hard 
 to follow their moll gracious Lord and Matter, 
 who has fbvereign intereft in heaven, and all the 
 preferments of eternity at his difpofal ? who has 
 promifed he will confer 'em on all Chriftians, 
 whofe names are in the book of life, who are 
 fellow-citizens with the faints, and domeftics of 
 God? 
 
 That Divine Lover and Saviour of fouls lias 
 made faithful promifes, and given tmcontefted 
 proofs that he has both power and goodnefs to 
 inflate all Chriftians that live to him, and dare 
 dye for him, in all the inconceivable glories and 
 high eternal prerogatives, which belong to the 
 members of his body, of his flefti, and of his 
 bones. They fhall all receive the adoption of 
 fbns : be no more regarded as fervants, but as fbns 
 of God, and heirs of heaven. 
 
 d How great and tranfporting muft St. Stephen's inward 
 joy and fatisfaction be, when it gave heavenly beauty and 
 majefty to his countenance? 'Twas the goodnefs of his caufe, 
 and the fight of his Saviour at the right hand of his eternal 
 Father, that made hinifo undaunted, fo full of joy even in ex- 
 pectation of a cruel lentence and bloody execution ; that his 
 race appeav'd as the face of an Angel to all the fpectators : 
 aJrov aVavTE? etc/^ov TO Tr^ocrcoTrcv OWTS wVei wpo- 
 A6ts vi. if. 
 
 B b i CHAP.
 
 i88 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 QQC6QCOQCOQCGOOPQGQQCQOC QOQQQQ 
 
 CHAP. II 
 
 Wherein the leauty and excellence of the new Tefta- 
 ment is flew d from the agreeable mixture of far- 
 ticks and expletives (commonly fo calf a 1 ) the va- 
 riety of the dialers fparingly and gracefully feat- 
 terd abroad^ nolle epithets, Jingle and compound 
 words, Jhorter pajjages, elegant and Jlrong. 
 
 <& <!&SiQlftlfci.C:f45?A'7/ T T ' If 1 
 
 . i T/^^^Sjl Here is great delicacy and grace 
 in the regular fituation and join- 
 ing together the particles or little 
 words, which ferve for the con- 
 nexion of the fenfe and the argument 5 for a 
 quick and clear tranfition from one part of the 
 difcourfe to another j for the Irnoothing, ftrength- 
 ning, abating, or raifing the found, according as 
 the nature of the fubjed requires. 
 
 They are in a difcourfe, like the joints and li- 
 gaments in a human body : which are abfolutely 
 neceflary for the ftrength, eafe, comely propor- 
 tion, and activity of it. And here by the way, 
 I cannot but much queflion thofe gendernens 
 skill in thefc matters, who cenfure Homer, and 
 
 fbmc
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 189 
 
 feme others for negligence and incorrectnefs., in 
 ufing fuch a multitude of what they call fuper- 
 fluous and infignificant words. 
 
 Homer very well knew the ufe and fignificancy 
 of thefe particles, or elfe 'tis plain he did not want 
 words 3 but was always able to fill up his verfes 
 in the nobleft manner. Never man had greater 
 fluency and command in his own tongue : his 
 own works comprehend all the beauties, and moil 
 of the beft words in the Greek language. 
 
 But if it be a fault in Homer, 'tis fb, and a 
 greater one in the beft and purefl profe -writers, 
 who ufe as great a variety of thefe little words as 
 Homer himfelf 3 j becatife, as we exped: more in 
 fome cafes from the poets,, fb we allow 'em great- 
 er liberties in others. The holy writers have an 
 agreeable variety of them : #~w yz* /? MvxffQe, CCXA. 
 irs STL vyy Mvztrfe b . The particles here properly 
 plac'd make a quick and vigorous turn. There 
 feems to be a profufion and lavifhnefs of the par- 
 ticles in fbme places of the nobleft Claffics c -, yet 
 we cannot but believe,, that tho' they did not con- 
 
 a Herod. Gr. 6. 335*. 1. p, IO. ^ c^n X8cr!fl 19 etXXoi nycywv1 
 cj/^Vnxa/ 6cc. b i Cor. iii. 2. 
 
 L Her. Gr. 6. 33 f. 1. p, 10. There is a very emphatical 
 continu'd repetition of the articles in that paiTage in the Reve- 
 lation ^ cap. xix. ver. if. CWTCK traret T Xr,vov T ^Ujm- ^ r 
 op^-ti r * ttravTox^aToa^ where ^ is omnted in many 
 books. 
 
 tnbutf
 
 1 90 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 tribute to ftrength or emphafis, yet at lead they 
 gave {bme ornament and harmony to the fen- 
 tence. Otherwife thofe great mailers wou'd not 
 have ns'd 'em in fuch quantities,, nor their hear- 
 ers and readers have born 'em in that fine and har- 
 monious language. Whatever beauty or grace- 
 ful nefs may be in the multiply 'd repetition of the 
 article in Herodotus, in thofe paffages --o &$ rog T 
 wai$og T<i brjTog T TlsfPixxsQ and gTreigutevv Txg 
 Kgs&rjT%g TO (xi'noy TS TrctfswTog KOLYJ& d : No man 
 of judgment in thefe things but will, I believe, 
 think the article repeated as much to the purpofe, 
 and with as good a grace in thofe paflages of the 
 divine writers, li) si o Xgirog o yog TZ Qsx TX 
 and og ewiQurey sv $ei$ rS Sfovx T% psyz- 
 sv Tdg gxvoT$ e . Are not the words ftrong- 
 er and nobler, and the found more agreeably di~ 
 verfify'd ? does not the fublimity and importance 
 of the fubject much more require and deferve the 
 emphafis of the article ? 
 
 Negative particles multiply'd deny a thing with 
 vehemence, and exprefs the incongruity, or im- 
 poffibility of it. So they are conltantly us'd in 
 the foreign Claflics. And the facred daffies like- 
 put together feveral negatives which are em- 
 
 d Herod. Gr. 8. f04- p. 
 
 e John vi. 69. v. Apoc. Heb. viii. i 
 
 3 phatical
 
 Defended and Illuftrateet. 191 
 
 phatical as to the {enfe 3 and give an agreeable 
 found and turn to the period f . 
 
 In the original of that paflage , I aw'// never 
 leave tloee nor forfake thee , there are five nega- 
 tives, which is a great beauty not fufficiently pre- 
 ferv'd in any verfion-, which are defign'd to ex- 
 prefs the doctrine contained in the words in the 
 Fulled: and moft comfortable manner; and to give 
 good men an entire dependance on the veracity 
 and gracious promiie of God j and the ftrongeft 
 aflurance that he will never upon any occafion 
 leave or forfake them g . 
 
 . i. The facred writers for the moft part make 
 u(e of the common QIC Attic dialed, which is clean 
 and neatly compact : but you find all the other 
 dialects (catter'd abroad, fb as to give a very a^ree- 
 able variety. Some peculiarities in the Attic dia- 
 led, which are by critics efteem'd elegancies and 
 beauties of language, are found very fcafbnably 
 us d in the new Teftament. 
 
 According to this dialed: adjectives in oc, are all 
 common. So we have cvfeg xsTf%$ in the new 
 Teftament h , and tytMcw fisZzicv and 
 
 ^ f Markxiv. if. Luke xix. if, 13, 7-3. lv 
 
 a >i ^v VSTTW Vgif x6//jisv. Vid. Sept. Dciu. i. 57. Xen'. 
 
 Cyrop. i. 4. i. p. 17, 8 Heb. xiii. f. ,^ ffY] a ' V w, 
 
 h I Tim, ii, 8>
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 in Thucidides l . Inftanccs out of 
 all the 2##V authors might be produc'd in great 
 numbers but 'tis unnecefTary. 
 
 There is an elegancy in this dialed:, when theao 
 cufative is us'd for the nominative, which is pretty 
 frequent and very agreeable in the facred as well as 
 foreign Greek writers. 'ifrovTsg ryvMafizv on Tz%tu$ 
 avsg-ri KJ $}$) that is, on MX? fa T<x%(t)$dve<rq k t So 
 in Plato, Yvtto-eToti 'Hcrfofov on TW cm yv votyog \ 
 
 We have feveral inftances of the Ionic dialed 
 in the divine writers ^ XXTZ eogrw in St. Luke is 
 Ionic according to the ufage of Herodotus, exr/rloy 
 S7rl s $!**$%$ m . This dialect ufes the incontraded 
 termination both in nouns and verbs. So St. John 
 has 7rfYf T&JV ofeuv n . We have the Doric in St. 
 Luke, Boppz , and in St, John, frucry a-jTols fyw 
 ctiwioy p which paffage of St. John has by a great 
 man been charg'd as a folecifin , but 'tis ill ground- 
 ed : Theocritus the great mafter of that dialed has 
 
 s Thucid. 5." if 2. 1. 7. 6. 362. 1. i. 
 
 k johnxi.2i. See Mark 1.24. Xen. Cyrop. 6. $pz. Wells. 
 Xen.Cyrop.S.y. 3. p. 552.Ox.Grxc. Herod. Gr. 1.66. 1.4,5-. 
 
 1 Plat.Ref. f. $68. port. med. The fame elegance is found 
 in the pureft Roman Claffics. Rcm frumentariam ut fatis com- 
 mode fupportari pofTet, timere dicebant. Caef. Com. de Bel. 
 Qal. i . p. 42. Ed. var. 
 
 m Luke xxiii. 17. Her. Gr. 6. $64. 1. 20. 
 
 * Apoc. vi. if. Luke xiii. 2p. 
 
 P John xvii. 2. Aei/xa/ytt fjc>j c^n' o-s xaKoarspai avg/ c^afcnj. 
 Idyl. 27. v, 21. 
 
 2 the
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 195 
 
 the fame word. We have the JEolic dialed in 
 St. Matthew, St. Luke, and St. Paul q . v Hv for 
 in St. Luke is the Boeotian dialed:, and fb 
 in St. Paul r . The poetical dialed is fre- 
 quently met with in the (acred writers j and 'tis 
 us'd by the bed profe writers of old Greece ^ and 
 it enlivens and adorns the ftyle. "Hury for %y is 
 poetical, but us'd by Plutarch f . kis&i&awun in 
 St. 'John is like SlStiffopsv in Homer. "ATS? is a 
 poetical prepofition in the (acred writer r , ol for 
 CWT is us'd by Xenofhon and Herodotus v . I thought 
 it proper to give a few inftances of the agreeable 
 variety of the dialects in the new Teftament- any 
 one that wou'd have more may be (atisfy'd in 
 Pafors Lexicon, and his (acred Greek Grammar of 
 the new Teftament of our Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 
 . 3 . A ftrong fmgle word, or an apt expreC- 
 five epithet, has often the light and force of a 
 full definition. The words of the new Teftament 
 have noble emphafis in their fignification , and 
 
 i Mat. xiii. if. Luke vi. n. Ephef. v. 14. 
 
 r Luke ii. 23. Romans iii. i 5. 
 
 f "EXaf ov aw et' 'AX^av^p^KlW' P'utavch. Apotheg. Reg. 
 p. 108, 1. 13. a fine. Bafil. if74- "H/anv feems ro come of 
 s/xou as scr/jicw, and is us'd by Euripides^ Demoftbems, and 
 other good authors, syw 3 sregJcTYis Jx. /jc>iv TEKVCOV. See Nou- 
 velle Methode Grecque. p. 17^. Ed. Par. i6pd. 
 
 Luke xxii. 6. v Xen. Exp. Cyr. p. o. Wells. He- 
 
 rod. Gn i. 41. 1. f. ante fin. 
 
 C c compre-
 
 1 94 'The SACRED CLASSICS 
 comprehenfion of fenfe : I {hall here only produce 
 a few inftances, becaufe I fhall thro' this whole 
 difcourfe make feveral fuch observations. When 
 the malicious Jews came to Berea to exafperate 
 the people againft St. Paul, the {acred writer ufes 
 the moil fignificant and appofite word in lan- 
 guage to defcribe the boifterous rage and mifchie- 
 vous confequences of popular tumults. 2#/-Jw w 
 is to Jlir the fea to the bottom with a violent ftorm y 
 which cafleth up mire and dirt. The noife and 
 outrage of a feditious people is often compar'd to 
 the fury of a ftorm, and the roaring and rufhing 
 of huge waters. And in the old Teftament, that 
 great treafiiry of all the fublimityand magnificence 
 of thought and language, it is exprefs'd to be the 
 fole privilege of the Almighty to reftrain the rage 
 of the waves,, and the unrulinefs of the people x . 
 
 How admirably is that goodmeafure and juftice, 
 and thofe generous returns of gratitude and good 
 offices, which Chriftians are to make to one ano- 
 ther, dreft up in thofe moft appofite and felecl: 
 epithets: Msffov xxhov, Tcsxieo-fievov y^ (rscra/.svpsyoy, 
 v7rsfS)i^vvofii/ov 9 Meafure juft and fair, preft to 
 
 make it clofe : fhaken* and after all ways to make it 
 j ' j j / 
 
 w A<5ls xvii. 13. x Who ftilletb the raging of the fea 9 
 
 and the noife of its waves^ and the madnefs of the people ', Pfal. 
 Ixv. 7. Ixxxix. p. cvii. 19. Job xxxviii. n. Pfal. civ. 7. 
 
 foKd
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 195 
 
 folid and compact, Jtill running over y . A'JTW TU 
 ftSTfu ) lul'ov 7 , is ^ found and bonejl precept in. 
 Hejiod$ but not to be compar'd with the ftilnefs 
 and vigour of this divine paflage. 
 
 The Apoflle to the Hebrews in the fourth chap- 
 ter a defcribes the Divine Majefty of the Aoyo$ or 
 Son of God in a manner very fublime, that makes 
 deep impreflion upon every pious and intelligent 
 reader, and raifcs awe and admiration. Thofe 
 two noble words in particular, yvpoi ^ TeTgz- 
 o"Xy} urfjLhx contain a moil vigorous metaphor and 
 graceful allufion to the cuftom in facrificing of 
 taking off the skin from the victim, and cutting 
 it open, whereby all the vitals and inward con- 
 ftitution are laid open to full view. No words 
 in language cou'd be fb proper and emphatical as 
 thefe two j naked is what has no cover without, 
 and open what has no concealment within. 
 
 What our tranflation in Romans xii. 1 3 . ren- 
 ders given to hofpitality, in the original fignifies 
 more ftrongly follow after, or purfue hofpitaUty, 
 Imitate the Saviour of the world, go about doing 
 good, and feeking out opportunities of obliging 
 mankind. Stay not till occalions of beneficence 
 
 y I. like vi. 38. 2 'E^yaxJ r,,u I. v. 347. Illud Hcfio- 
 
 Jeum Inudatur u doftis, quod ciidcm mcnfura reddere juber, 
 oua accepcris, aut ctiam cumttlatiore, fi poflis. Cicer. de clar. 
 ;r.Uoribi!S. * Urb iv. 13 
 
 C c i offer
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 offer themfelves. Not only receive poor vifitants, 
 and diftrefs'd and fatigu'd travellers with a flow- 
 ing and generous hofpitality^ but purfue and fol- 
 low after thofe who have paft by your houfe ; 
 bring 'em back, furprize 'em with unexpected 
 bounty ; refrefh and furnifli 'em with fuitable and 
 {eafonable fupplies b . 
 
 St. Peter in a very ftrong and excellent word 
 very happily exprelfes the fecurity that all fincere 
 Chriftians have of being preferv^d fafe, to the glo- 
 rious coming of our Lord Jefus, from their ghoft- 
 ly enemies j and to be inflated in the joys and ho- 
 nours of a bleffed immortality : rxg h Swapst 0f5 
 (pfUfvpewg % who are guarded and f referred ly the 
 power and providence of God as in an impregnable 
 
 zarifon. Can any violence or ftratagem of the 
 
 ** f L r 
 
 enemy overpower or furprize them who are un- 
 
 der the protection of an Almighty hand, and un- 
 der the vigilant obfervation, and moil gracious 
 regards of an all-feeing eye c c B 
 
 Aa T^ Trofvsi'ag d is in the judgment of the befl 
 critics put in the plural number to obviate the 
 cavils of Free-thinkers, who pretend that forni- 
 
 b Vid. St. Chryfof. in loe. c i Pet. i. f . 
 
 cc Add St. James iii. 17. How fully, how beautifully is 
 ^The ivifdom that com.es from above dreft up and fet off", by that 
 admirable variety of proper epithets ! dyvn, ^*]vixyj, 
 rif, fjisjj) iXtss 1 y^ xa^Trwv ayaOcuv, 
 *. d i Cor. vii, 2. 
 
 catioa
 
 Defended and 11 foft rated. 15*7 
 
 cation is no fin. For in this number the word 
 is emphaticalj all forts and inftances of impurity 
 and carnal lewdnefs are included in it. 
 
 Homers expreilions of warriors breathing out 
 vigour and courage are juftly admir'd by the cri- 
 tics : and is that of St. Paul's breathing- out threats 
 
 o 
 
 and murder againft the Chriftians an inferior or 
 lefs vigorous beauty of fpeech ? The rage and 
 bloody cruelty of a perfecuting fpirit cou'd not be 
 better exprei^'d than by faying he breath' d out threats 
 and Daughter ; nor the lamentable effects of a bar- 
 barous and cruel zeal than by the words us'd ill 
 this chapter and the Epiftle to the Galatians. A/WKW 
 in the latter place has an allufion to the eager- 
 ne{s of a victorious army purfuing a routed and 
 flying enemy, to cut 'em all off and deftroy 'em. 
 The other word properly fignifies to lay <wajte, 
 and fack a town taken by Jlorm , when the victor 
 in heat of blood and revenge violates all the de- 
 cencies,, diftinctions and tendernefs of human na- 
 ture j where all manner of outrage and barbarities 
 are committed with impunity and greedinefs d d . 
 
 WVSCVTS ^ouct 1 sw^ in /ut7rva)V 
 
 ^ sTcv.j Acts ix. i. The pafFage in Gal. i. i Ji is full and ani- 
 mated , and cou'd not have been expreiVd in more proper 
 and emphatical words : y.uV %jrspCoX^J IcftW.ev T I/txXrjj/av iS 
 
 yv ourljj .. 
 
 . 4, The
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 .4. The Greeks are peculiarly happy in their 
 compound words. Two or three beautiful words 
 in this noble language naturally and eafily incor- 
 porate together to make one elegant and very ex- 
 prcffive word. This compofition multiplies the 
 ftores and beauties of that language j and enables 
 the writers toexprefsthemfelves with compadneis, 
 variety and magnificence fuperior to mod langua- 
 ges that mankind fpeak e . 
 
 *Hv $'s 'Hfw'Jtys SvpcfixxM Tv?>oi$ a ftrong word 
 both in found and (Signification / Herod made war 
 
 c? 
 
 upon the Tyrians in his heart y and bore hoflile in- 
 dinations towards them { . But that haughty-fpi- 
 rited and tyrannous mortal was immediately pu~ 
 nifti'd with the ignominy and tortures of a mod 
 odious and insupportable difeafe j which is ex- 
 prefs'd in proper words, harfti-founding and fuit- 
 able to the direful occafion ysyo l ueyce mutwofyulog 
 ^s&vzsvy he exfird being devour d by vermin g . 
 
 The word ckroxMa&Mfa h , which our tranilators 
 well render earneji expectation, fignifies, to lift up 
 our heady and Jf retch our felves out as far as pojfl- 
 lle to hear fomething agreeable and of great impor- 
 
 TO criw^'iTcv 0'jcj.ci ojt TzroixiXfav riva CH t* 
 
 ,uy > 'j KJ [J.ct. v cvjjTcijia'j nv, 
 { Ads xn. lo. g A&s xii. 15. 
 
 h Rom. viii. ip. V. i Pet. iii. 8. Can the cxtenfivenefs and 
 fervor of goodncfs and charity be expreis'd in happier words? 
 
 tance
 
 "Defended and llluflratecl. 
 tance j to gain tie frft appearance and glimpfe of a 
 friend that has long loeen abfent ; to gain the ken of 
 a <vejfel at fea that has feme precious freight that *&> 
 have a concern tn> or carries feme pafjenger very 
 dear to us. Tis hard, if not impollibie, to reach 
 the force of it in any language. Xenophon ' and 
 Herodotus k u(e it xatfxfoHrjtroitTa iij; (*%%?]* ?/ ~fc~ 
 STXI , with eagernefs and impatience waiting the 
 event of the latteL 
 
 In that pafTage of St. Paul, -x%oq TO sv<7%spov ^ 
 svTTfdtrsfyov TW K^/w d7r6i<r7ra$"ug y in order to de- 
 cency, and a clofe andjfriff adherence to God with- 
 out dijlraffion the compound words are very 
 beautiful , and ilrongly expreffive : and St. Jerom 
 obferves that it was omitted in many of the Latin 
 books, becaufe of the difficulty of tranflating it 
 any thing equal to the noblenefs and vigour of the 
 admirable original. 
 
 By thofe emphatical compound words, &>.#- 
 yuyu and vxumdfy} m , apply'd to mortifying and 
 bringing under bodily appetites, we receive jufl 
 
 j Xcn. Memor. Soc. p. 149. Wells. k Herod. Gr. 7. 
 
 p, 454. 1. 21. J I Cor. vii. 35-. Grotius takes the various 
 reading ctnra'gsc/^v inftead of coTr^'crfo^^v in the greater num- 
 ber of books, fad. Erafmum & Grot. in. he. Plutarch has 
 : lie word a7rg/aira?ov to lignify^ clofe application to ftudy, and 
 retirement from the world j and all things that divert a man's 
 Mind from contemplation and the ftudy of 'virtue. Plutarch. 
 
 P- 310. ra rCor. ix. 27. 
 
 notions
 
 loo The SACRED CLASSICS 
 notions of that abftinence, and thofe wholefbme 
 levcritics which the Chriftian inftitution requires, 
 and reafon dictates to us as neceflary to allay our 
 violent pailion to the pleafures of this world j and 
 to refine our temper, and raife our affections to 
 heaven. The firft fignifies to conquer an ene- 
 my, and carry him captive with us in chains j the 
 other is an allufion to the bruifes and blacknefs of 
 eyes which the boxers give one another contend- 
 ing for victory in the publick games Here a ce- 
 lebrated critic will needs indulge his humour of 
 
 o 
 
 alteration and conjecture, and puts in VTr 
 without competent authority n . He makes 
 cus's exchange, parts with a reading of genuine 
 value and noble fignification , for one or much 
 weaker found and feebler meaning j and that not 
 fupported by books fufficient either in number or 
 value. 
 
 St. James to teach Chriftians what a guard they 
 ought to have upon that unruly member the tongue, 
 ufes a ftrons; word form'd by the fame regular and 
 
 O JO 
 
 beautiful way of compoution : p^A/yaywyw , 
 which is, to keep in and check the extravagancy of 
 the tongue with all the rejlraints of resolution, pru- 
 dence, and Chrijlianity j as fiery and high-mettled 
 
 n Vid. Heinf. in loc. 
 James iii. 2.. 
 
 horfes
 
 Defended and lllufi rated. 201 
 
 horfes are kept in by the ftrongeft curb and rein, 
 and the utmoft skill and dexterity of the rider. 
 
 The obedience and faithfulnefs of fervants to 
 their mailers is by St. Paul in the Epiftles to the 
 Ephefians and ColoJJians fettled upon the firm eft 
 foundation ; and dcliver'd in ftrong and fubftan- 
 tial words, which fill and entertain the ear with 
 the eafinefs and vigour of the compofition, and 
 convey to the mind a clear and noble idea of the 
 duty defcrib'd. Servants obey your majlers , not 
 with eye-fervices as men-fleafers. Don't ferve 'em, 
 only when under their eye and in fear of their 
 dirpleafure ; but out of a principle, that will alle- 
 viate the trouble of your condition, and raife the 
 merit of your fervices, fincerity of heart and con- 
 fcience of duty, and obedience to the Sovereign 
 Lord of all j and the molt wife and gracious dif- 
 pofer of your felvcs and all your affairs. There 
 is a more natural and clean coalition in the com- 
 pound words in the Greek than any other lan- 
 guage. Our tranflation, tho' ftrong and good, 
 yet for this reafon and others, finks much below 
 the great original p . 
 
 A celebrated critic on Ephef. vi. G. q makes a 
 
 P Col. iii. 12. Ephef. ri. 6. Myj cv o?SaXjuc7'*X'cy^ cJf avO^j- 
 Tra'^ec-xci) aXX' cv aTrXornrj y.a^ias <p>y/^vc{ 7- ov. 
 
 4 H.ibct imerdum voces elt-^nntcr compofitas Paul us, qua* 
 Ics funt hie dux o9aX/xcc? A sXet'a & avO^Tra'gsc-y.oi Grot. 
 
 D d flint
 
 ^oz The SACRED CLASSICS 
 faint and low complement, when he lays, Paul 
 hasfometimes 'words elegantly compounded. Had the 
 excellent writer {aid, St. Paul has often words ve- 
 ry elegantly compounded and nobly fignificant, 
 it wou d have been but juftice to the Apoftle, and 
 no difparagement to the skill and fagacity of the 
 critic. 
 
 The facred writers are full of the moil expref- 
 five and beautiful compound words. I forbear 
 enlarging on (everal places vigorous and appofite 
 as thole I have product only refer the reader to 
 a few that I have mark'd below r . 
 
 $. 5 . Before we come to fhew the ftrength and 
 beauties of fbme larger paflages of the new Tefta- 
 -ment, I think it not improper to {elect a few of 
 the fhorter out of great numbers. 
 
 When St. Paul declares of himfelf that he was 
 mad again ft the Chriftians, Ttsgi'fcrug ey.- 
 xvTGts', cou'd the outrageous zeal and 
 fiercenefs of the perfecutor., or the pious indigna- 
 tion and forrow of the penitent afterward have 
 been expreis d with a more forcible and comprc- 
 
 v ACTS vii. fl. xv;ii. 14. 2 Tinn. ii. if. aiafw7rug TO ^a- 
 ^,^;ji4 rd5t. 2. Tim. i. 6. ra r &/]Codw avs.^wTru^eiVo. Xcr. 
 He.icn. f. P. 345*. Wells, i Cor. vi. 14. Colofl". ii. 4. Choice 
 cnithcts and vigorous compound words are happily united in 
 :.iW j'lorioin valTje, i Tim. i <*, 6. i Acts xxvi. n. 
 
 he n five
 
 Defended at id llhiftrated^ 203 
 
 henfive brevity ? Chriftian charity mull not only 
 be lincere, but intenfe and fervent j which we 
 learn from the great St. Paul in the molt perfua- 
 five and exalted manner; r/j (btia^Qiv. elg z/:/y r 
 tee QAofogyoi c . The beauty of this fine paifage 
 as much exceeds thofe moil celebrated in the fo- 
 reign Claflics, as Chriftianity improves the good- 
 neiS, and heightens the endearments of nature. 
 In the Gofpel we have new motives and examples 
 of charity , and emphatical expreilions of it 5 
 which were not known to the world before God 
 was manifefted in the fleft. Cou'd the goodnefs 
 and gracious condefcention of the Almighty be 
 let off in a more wonderful and engaging man- 
 ner than it is in the divine Epilile to the He- 
 brews ? 
 
 In the day that I took hold of their hand to bring 
 them out of Egypt v . The Father of fpirits to en- 
 dear himfelf to mankind, and more effectually to 
 encourage our hopes and dependance on his gra- 
 cioumefs and truth, accommodates himfelf to our 
 infirmities ; and (peaks to us in language that we 
 underftand with moft eafe,, and hearken to with 
 moft pleafiire and fatisfaction. Our heavenly Fa- 
 ther addreffes and applies to us in language that 
 
 r Rom. xii. 10. OJ yS' c A n //ovcv (p/jcri avuTrcnp^TOV avca ffir, -r 
 dyd^jjj) d\\& ^ Q^nrsTa/jtsvloi -^ ^sgjula) ^ 2|a7r'jfqv 3 S. CJhry- 
 loit. in loc. v Hcb. viii. y. 
 
 D d 2. natu-
 
 104 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 naturally flows from that moft dear relation, that 
 of a parent being the moft quickly and anxioufly 
 tender, and the moft fmcerely and deeply affedi- 
 onate of all relations betwixt rational crea- 
 tures. 
 
 When Homer has made a pompous description 
 of his Jupiter fitting in majefty on the top of 
 mount Ida w , how are all his bright and fparkling 
 exprelTions obfcur'd and extinguiilied, if fet in 
 comparifbn with that very fhort but fuperlatively 
 glorious defcription of the Lord and Heir of 
 all things, vfyqloTSfo; TUV &f%mv*i which feems 
 to be derived from that ;reat original in the 
 
 D O 
 
 Pfalmsy a paflage of the divined poetry and fub- 
 limity y . The Lord is high above all nations, and his 
 glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the Lord 
 our God y who d^elleth on high ? Who humbleth him- 
 felf to behold the things that are in heaven and 
 in the earth ? 
 
 That God ivotid fulfil all the benevolence of his 
 Goodnefs, TTXCXV svfoxixy T'/j$ uyctiuvjvY,^, is the 
 fhorteft, and moft charming, and emphatical re- 
 prefentation that is any where to be found of that 
 immenfe gracioufnefs and adorable benignity, 
 which no words or thoughts can fully cxprefs.^ 
 
 * Horn. 'IX 6'. v. 41, ficc. * Hcb. vii. 2.6. 
 y Pfal cxiii. 4, f, 6. Vid. Hammond on the Place.. 
 
 * 2. ThclF. i. ii. 
 
 1 but
 
 Defended and lllufir cited. 205 
 
 but was never fb happily and (b fully exprefs'd 
 as here. 
 
 God is the Saviour of all men, efpecially of 
 believers', is a beautiful fentence of vigorous 
 ftrength and clean comprehend ve brevity. That 
 
 ever-blefTed Bein^ is kind and good to the un- 
 
 o o ., 
 
 grateful and wicked. He protects thole by his 
 providence, who deny itj and feeds wretches 
 with his bounty, who turn it into wantonnefs 
 and occafions of profane abu(c. He lays his 
 hand upon thoughtlefs wretches that are taking 
 deiperate iteps to their own ruin ^ and plucks 'em 
 back when they are jtift falling from a precipice. 
 The eternal Majefty waits with wonderful lorr^- 
 jfufFering and goodnefs for the reformation of 
 
 ~ c> 
 
 lewd and obftmate mortals 5 emphatically expo- 
 ftulates with 'em, and condefcends to entreat and 
 befeech 'em to become wile, and qualify them- 
 f elves for his infinite mercies in language that at 
 once caufes admiration, gratitude, joy, fear and 
 trembling in every intelligent and pious reader, 
 
 All the loftieft flights of Pagan theology and elo- 
 quence on this head are low and fluttering to the 
 inconceivable fubl unity of thofe moft marvellous 
 paflages in the old and new Tefhment writers. 
 
 c'067v,f ura'vrcov a.vl("cJ7ruv ; ua'/.i-a urij^y. I Tim. 
 
 IV 1C
 
 *o6 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 As I live, faith the Lord God, I have no fleafure 
 in the death of the wicked: lut that the wicked 
 man turn from his way and live. Turn ye, turn 
 ye from your evil ways \ for why will ye die, 
 houfe of Iirael b ?. God was in Chrijl reconciling 
 
 the World to himfelf Now then we are am- 
 
 lajfadors for Chrift, as tho God did lefeech you by 
 us, we fray you in Chrift's ftead he ye reconciled to 
 God c . But God is efpecially the Saviour of thofe 
 who believe. He is their immortal Friend and 
 Saviour ; treats them with peculiar care and ten- 
 dernefs; turns the troubles and fufferings of this 
 life to their advantage, and makes their enemies 
 their benefactors : he bleffes them with peace and 
 fatisfaction, fills them with joy in believing, and 
 ftrong hopes of his future mercies : he has pro- 
 mifcd to be their God and guide to death j and 
 after to receive them to himfelfj and to be their 
 exceeding great reward. 
 
 b Ezek. xxxiii. u. xviii. 23. 
 
 c zCor. v. ip, no. St. Chryfoflom greatly admires the cha- 
 rity of thefc paflages, and enters into an accurate examina- 
 tion of their various and vigorous beauties. 
 
 Xoyov, 
 
 CHAP.
 
 Defended and llluftratecL 
 
 207 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Wherein an Account is given of the genuine natural 
 
 eloquence and excellencies of the f acred writers of 
 
 the new Teftament in general, with fame olfer- 
 
 *vations of antient and modern authors upon their 
 
 flyle. 
 
 confider- 
 
 able writers that are pofleis'd 
 of the old notion and tradi- 
 tionary fancy of improper 
 Greek, folecifms and harfli 
 
 language in feme places of the 
 1.1 . 
 new Teftament, who yet in the main have been 
 
 oblio-ed, by the refiftlefs evidence of truth to ac- 
 knowledge the true eloquence, and genuine beau- 
 ties and graces of the ftyle of the divine writers. 
 
 Gataker tells us, that it is fir from him to 
 charge the venerable Amanuenfes of the Holy 
 Spirit with unpolitencls, fordid bafenefs or burba- 
 i ifiii j and readily allows, that with appearance of 
 (olccimis (which are molt common in the beiu 
 authors of the world in all languages) 
 
 4 
 
 m- 
 
 (pir : d
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 fpir'd writers have gravity, majefty,* vehemence, 
 perfpicuity and beauty d . 
 
 Piscatory Beza, Ca/lalio, Erafmtts, and a great 
 many others have in feme places fpoken with 
 high and juft admiration and tranfport of the 
 graces and perfections of their language. We 
 have already heard what Bexa meant by the fb- 
 lecifms pretended to be in the new Teilament ; 
 and how little they are in his opinion to the pre- 
 judice of that {acred book. Let us hear him as 
 to the ftyle of the new Teftament in other re- 
 fpects, efpecially of the Fpiilles of St. Paul: 
 Speaking of the plainnefs and fimplicity of his 
 language, " I am fo far, fays he, from blaming 
 cc that, that I cannot fufficiently admire it. Yet 
 f< when St. Paul has a mind to thunder, I do not 
 f f fee what can be imagined more ftrono; and ve- 
 
 o o 
 
 <f hement. To produce one example out of ma- 
 
 < c ny, let the fpeech which he made to the 
 
 " church of Efhefus be read; who can read it 
 
 <c without tears ? What (hall we (ay of him when 
 
 <c he defcribes the engagement betwixt the flefli 
 
 <c and the {pint? when he earneftly befeeches 
 
 <c the PMipfians? when he expofes the vain 
 
 ' eloquence of the Corinthians? when he tefti- 
 
 * f fies his love to his countrymen ? then what 
 
 d Gar. de fty 1 . N. T. p. 89. 
 
 cf gravity
 
 Defended and llluft rated. 209 
 
 ** gravity is there in John? what freedom and 
 f c majefty appears in Peter e ? 
 
 <c Nor do I {peak this only of the jfenfe and 
 Cc things themfelves, but of the words and way 
 ff of expreflion, &c. 
 
 Erafmus tells us, that the language of the Apo- 
 ftles is not only unpolite and rugged, bat imper- 
 fect, confus'd, and fbmetimes has fblecilms in it 1 ', 
 And after, as if he intended to fave other people 
 the trouble of anfwering his bold aflertions, he 
 adds : A fimplicity of language pleas'd the Holy 
 Spirit, but pure and incorrupt, and free from 
 thoie inconveniencies which ufc to hinder the un- 
 derftanding the things or doctrines deliver'd. Now 
 how fuch language, as this critic pronounces that 
 of the infpir'd writers of the new Teftament to 
 be, can have a pure and incorrupt fimplicity, and 
 anfwer the dedgn of the eternal Spirit of reafon 
 and perfuafion in making ic eafy and intelligible 
 to mankind, muft be referred to the determine- 
 
 c Beza in A6t. x. 46. p. 4f4- 
 
 f That you may lee I don't aggravate, I have put down 
 the civilities that great man pays to the infpir'd writers in his 
 own words: Outfit at ApoftoUrum fcrmo mn f'olum fit ir/tpc- 
 litus 6? tncGttditus, verum etlam imperfect us, leYturbaius, ali- 
 quvties plane folcc if/an s? On Acts x. 38. This in modern 
 Englifli wou'd br, The flyle of the new Teftament is bafe^ vul- 
 gar, idiotic, full of barbarifms^ fokcifws and abfurdities. V'id. 
 Bcz. in loc. viz. A6ts x. 38. 
 
 E e
 
 210 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 tion of common fenfe. The learned critic 
 proceeds: " The Greet: interpreters labour and 
 cc fweat over thefe writers, when Vemo/lhenes and 
 " Plato were eafy and perfpicuous to them. 
 
 The anfwer to this is ready : A great part of 
 the new Teftament is much eafier than Demojthe- 
 fies and Plato; and the difficulties in that moft 
 noble book chiefly arife not from the language, 
 but the fublime myfteries and dodlrines contain'd 
 in it. 
 
 And what pains fbever a man (pends in flu- 
 dying thofe meftimable volumes, as a modeft 
 fcholar and found Chriitian, not as a fupercilious 
 critic and caviller, will be fully reeompenfed with 
 exalted fatisfaction and blefled improvements, 
 both in knowledge and virtue. He goes on: 
 Cf How often does Origen complain that Paul 
 <C wants the purity of the Greek language? 
 <f How often is he offended at his tranfponti- 
 <c ons, want of confcquence, and ambiguous 
 <f expreflions? The Apoltles learn'd their Greek 
 <c not from the orations of Demojthenes y but 
 <c from the talk of the vulgar." As to Origen s 
 complaints we inall (peak a word in its proper 
 place. But if. either he or this author was of- 
 fended with St. Paul for his tranfpolitions, &c. 
 he muft be offended with Demojlbenes, Thucidides, 
 and all. the fublimeft authors that ever writ, in 
 
 whom
 
 Defended and Illuftratect. u i 
 
 whom" you find the fame departures from plain 
 grammar, the fame noble liberties. 
 
 Some of the facred writers were., we believe,, 
 acquainted with the beft authors of Greece; and 
 don't underfland how any of them cou'd learn 
 Greek from the vulgar. They mtift be f irniili'd 
 with the language of foreign countries before they 
 were qualify 'd to preach the Gofpel to them. 
 But they had an initructor infinitely fuperior to 
 all teachers upon earth,, high or low. How- 
 ever the great critics and writers of antiquity do 
 not fb much undervalue the fpeech of the gene- 
 rality of the people. cc Altho', fays the incom- 
 parable Tul/y, cf in other matters, that chiefly ex- 
 cc eels which is farthefl remov'd from the under- 
 <c (landing and apprehenfion of the unskilful; 
 cc yet, in fpeaking, 'tis the greateft fault fcorn- 
 cf fully to go off from the vulgar kind of fpeech, 
 <c and the cuflom of common fenfe g . 
 
 As to HelraifmSy fbme foreign words and 
 phrafes, and fbme peculiarities in the facred wri- 
 ters, we have given fbme account already, and 
 believe they cannot prejudice any perfbns of found 
 judgment and ingenuity. The Hebrew and ori- 
 ental forms of fpeech, befides the reafbns and 
 neceflity of 'em in other refpeds, will certainly 
 
 Tull. de Orat. i. p. 6. Ed. Pcarcc. 
 
 E e z heighten
 
 in The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 heighten the pleafure of fuch readers j becaufe 
 they add variety and majefty to the divine book. 
 
 The other foreign words, and phrafes, and pe- 
 culiarities are not very many j and will not be ob- 
 jefted againft by impartial gentlemen. There 
 -tire (bme foreign words., and peculiar phrafes and 
 exprefiions as bold and hard to be reconcil'd to 
 the reafbn and analogy of grammar in the befb 
 authors of the pureft age of Greece. 
 
 .2,. Now that there is true natural eloquence, 
 various beauties, and fublime excellencies in the 
 (acred writers of the new Teftament, will,. I hope, 
 be clearly and fully iliewn in the fequel of this 
 EfTay. 
 
 To prove the eloquence of theTacred writers., 
 we are to confider that there are two forts of elo- 
 quence. The one only fo call'd and efteem'd by 
 people of weak judgment and vicious tafte., empty 
 ibphifts and rhetoricians j which confifts of over- 
 labour d and poliilid periods, gawdy embclliih- 
 ments, artificial tranfitions, words that found big 
 and figniry little, formal figures ; an aftecled 
 fpruceneis, and excefhve delicacy of ftyle. This 
 affectation and formality the (acred writers are ut- 
 ter ftranecrs to, This is a vain and childiih elc- 
 
 c^ 
 
 quence dcfpis'd and rejected by all the great and 
 wife men among the Greeks and Romans. Ifocra -
 
 Defended and llluftr cited. 21 j 
 
 r . tho' pure and clean in his language, is not of 
 cq-uj value with the other genuine daffies 5 be- 
 ci.ufe he is too felicitous about polifhing and even- 
 ing his periods; and is more remarkable for an 
 emoty elegance and artificial turn of words, than 
 for noble and vigorous thoughts h . 
 
 This falfe-natn'd and counterfeit eloquence the 
 great Socrates difavows in the very expreffion of 
 St. Peter It does not become me to appear before 
 you at this age, like a looy y affectedly turning and la- 
 louring words '. Yet tho' he diiavows the tinkling 
 ftyle and falfe eloquence of fophifhy, he was a 
 great matter of true natural eloquence \ if we will 
 take the judgment of the antients, particularly of 
 Cicero himfelf, as great a judge and example of 
 eloquence as Greece or Rome can produce. cc He 
 cc was, fays that found critic, by the testimony 
 fc of all the learned, and the judgment of all 
 fc Greece , to whatfoever he tuni'd his genius,. 
 cc without difpute the chief of all their orators 
 " and philofophers in prudence and iliarpnels, in. 
 
 h Tull. de Oat. 3. p. J4 1 - 
 
 j TiKdr n t c-jri Xcys;, w>,arcr >,r/' 9 Pl.it. A-H. Sec. p. i,. 
 Ed. Cam!), i.s an artificial^ ddiijivc, pl.utjible falfe ivord or 
 fpsech. So the orienuil tranilicors of the new Teftarnent 
 tranQite it in St. Peter. So the gre-'.r. PLito takes it : G; ij.,1 
 nr>-.a>-a'V as;~,\ G'VTW; ^tXccctcj. So.phifLi-. p. Li6-. 1. f. ante D, 
 VU. Si. ChrYibft.in Si, johan, Prch P. fdi. 
 
 cc plcafantnefs,
 
 ti4 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 c pleafantnefs and clofe and quick difcernment: 
 
 " in eloquence, variety,, and copioumefs k . 
 
 The great St. Paul, when he tells the Corinthians 
 that he came not to them in excellency of fpeecb 
 or wifdom, only rejects the vain philofophy and 
 fophiftical eloquence of the Pagan world j and 
 fuch methods of fating himfelf off, as the intru- 
 ders and filfe Apoftles us'd, who made a party 
 againft him. On which words this is St. Chryfo- 
 ftoms paraphrafe ic I came not to you framing 
 " fyllogifms, or falfe and captious reafonings ! . 
 
 2.. True native eloquence confifts in proper 
 and perfpicuous words, in ufeful and found fenfe, 
 in clear and convincing reafon j in fhort, in fuch 
 a ftyle and manner of fpeaking as is proper and 
 fuitable to the fubjecl: ; and fuch as is apt to teach, 
 to affect, and perfuade m . 
 
 Of this the {acred writers, and particularly St, 
 Paul, fo rudely attack'd by fome critics, were great 
 mafters. St. Paul did not pretend to conquer the 
 fophiftry, power and prejudices of Jews and Pa- 
 gans by any wifdom or eloquence merely human : 
 He had the power of miracles , the afliftance of 
 the eternal Spirit of reafon and perfuafion , that 
 enabled him to conquer all oppofition, and ex~ 
 
 k Tull. dc Orr.t. 30f, 305. l i Cor. ii. i. 2 
 
 srXUjwv q ao^iffij-ara. m Tull. de Orac. 
 
 tend
 
 Defended and llluftr cited. 2 1 j 
 
 tend the triumphs of the Crofs thro' the whole 
 world. Yet thefe divine gifts and graces did not 
 fuperfede his own natural or acquir'd abilities. 
 He did not labour after the beauties of language 
 and eloquence, but they naturally attended and 
 accompanied the fervor and wrfflom of his fpi- 
 rit, As we believe neither he nor the other 
 infpir'd writers ftudy'd or labour'd their periods ; 
 yet we find in their writings periods as full, as 
 noble, as agreeably diverfify d as any Greece or 
 Rome can produce. When the great Apoflle fays 
 of himfelf that he was rude in fpeech", in my opi- 
 nion he {peaks not of his writings, but his di 
 courfe and preaching, when he prov'd every thing 
 by a miracle. Rude in fpeech is one that {peaks 
 plain language, like a private and ordinary per- 
 fbnj and fuch language muft be us'd to the per- 
 Tons he was to addreis. 
 
 <f But by this, (ays the great and judicious Dr. 
 Stillwgfcet , " the Apoftle does riot reject man- 
 cc ly and majeitic eloquence ; for that were to 
 " renounce the bell life of fpeech to the corn-in- 
 '* ang and perluading mankind. He only aicribcs 
 
 * 2, Cor. xi. <5. Volume of Sermons IV. p. 461, 
 
 462. Paulus Giaeci penc (ermonis fuit imperitus. Hieron, 
 Atqui de Paulo non ita judicarunt Athena: ipfsc. Ncque 
 Portias Feftus quod barbarc minis c obfcurc loqueretur. 
 Beza in Afta Apoft. x. 45.
 
 tfC 
 
 cc 
 
 <c 
 
 zi6 Tloe SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 * c the fuccefs of his preaching not to his own un- 
 ailifted abilities, or mere human methods of 
 perfuadingj but to the bleilmg of God,, and 
 the demonstration of miracles giving full pow- 
 er and efficacy to his words. For tho' the A- 
 * c poftle has no ftudied turns nor affected caden- 
 fc ces, and does not ftridJy obferve (no true ge- 
 <c nius does) the rhetoricians rules in the nice 
 <c placing of his w T ords 5 yet there is great figm - 
 xc ficancy in his words, height in his expreflion, 
 <c force in his reafonings, and when occafion is, 
 <c a very artificial and engaging way of mfmua- 
 fc ting into the mind of his hearers. Witnefs 
 fc his fpeech at Athens on the occaf Jon of the in- 
 <c fcription on the altar to the unknown God 3 
 tff and before A griff a and Fejlus, &c. 
 
 This conceflion of St. Paul is by {bme thought 
 to be ironical, as fevcral pafTages in this Epiftle 
 and others mufl be. As atyfoGvyq in the firft veHe 
 cannot be put farther than for the necefTityofa 
 modefh defence of liimfelf p . According to the 
 notion of the excellent Dr. Bull q , St. Paul in this 
 place does not {peak of his ftyle or the character 
 of his language but rather owns himfelf to be 
 
 _^ cJ O ^ 
 
 an indifferent ipeaker by reafon of fbme bodily 
 infirmity, which render'd his perfbn lefs graceful, 
 
 P Vid. /.c:(* on p'acc. i Cor. iv. 8. vid.Chryfoft. in Ice. 
 '] S^irnonn and D.icouru.^ Vol. I. p. zo^, 104. 
 
 * A
 
 Defended and llluft rated. 2 1 7 
 
 and his ipeech and delivery lefs acceptable. He 
 reprefents the (chifmatical Corinthians and their de- 
 ceivers as fcornfully iniiilting him, that his bodily 
 prefence was weak,, and his ipeech contemptible 1 ": 
 Tho' the malice and impudence of the falfe pre- 
 tenders cou'd not hinder 'em from acknowledg- 
 ing that his letters were weighty and powerful f . 
 
 And tho' it fhou'd be allow'd (which is not rea- 
 fonable) that St. P^/fpeaks of his ftyle and man- 
 ner of writing, 'tis the opinion of the belt and 
 greateil number of commentators, and many of 
 them alfb poffefs'd and prejudic'd with the notion 
 of fbJecifms in the new Teftament, that die im- 
 pudence of ralfe Apoftles cou'd not but own, 
 what the modcfly of the true Apoftle and faith- 
 ful iervant oJefits Cbrift fuppreiles and conceals, 
 Beza (peaks very fully upon this text : <( Whai 
 cc was St. Pan! ignorant of ipeaking and mute, 
 (C as Jerom fuppofes : No ; I rather follow the 
 cc opinion of Chryfoftom and the moll learn'd of 
 cr the Grecian^) and indeed reafbn it (elf. Tho' 
 cc he did not want the natural and o-enuinc orna- 
 <( ments of vigorous eloquence, yet I acknow- 
 cc ledge he wou'd not make ufe of the lophiftical 
 tf arts of falfe rhetoric. It beimi his intention to 
 
 o 
 
 *' c carry mcns minds to Cbrift by the power of 
 
 r 'A^;vr;r, ivfii"f"ti) weak or (i 
 1 Al ]J. ^',T;:>.W ~1.".:< i u '.{, I
 
 i 1 8 'The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 cc the Spirit j not to allure 'em by fawning fpeech- 
 fc es after the manner of flatterers. But when I 
 " more nearly view the nature and character of 
 if his language, I find no grandeur of fpecch 
 <c m Plato himfelf like to him, as often as he 
 cc pleales to thunder out the myltcnes of God ; 
 fc no vehemence in Demofthenes equal to him, 
 " when he propofes to terrify mens minds with 
 u the fear of divine judgments or to warn them, 
 c< and draw 'em to the contemplation of God's 
 <f goodnefs, or to exhort 'cm to the duties of pie- 
 IC ty and charity. In a word, I can find no me- 
 *'*" thod of teaching more exact even in Arifloth 
 *' and Galen, tho' very excellent jiiafters. 
 
 C( The letters written by St. Paul, fays P if cat or, 
 c< prove him to be ciulu'd with a certain natural 
 11 or rather divine eloquence j tho' he dcfignedly 
 " abftains from the varniili of falfe and unnatural 
 t4 rhetoric. 
 
 Dr. Wloitly\&.s this remark upon the place - 
 iC This cannot refer to his want of eloquence or 
 " rhetorical artifice in his compofitions 5 for this 
 u fcems equally wanting in the Epiftles of St. Pe- 
 <f ter and St. James j it therefore mull refer to 
 * c iome imperfection in his Ipeech, which they, 
 Cf the falfe Apoftlcs, had not." \Ve agree with 
 this learned Gentleman that none of the Apoftles 
 regarded rhetorical artifice in their compofitions.; 
 
 ^ .and
 
 De ''fended and llluflrated. ^\^ 
 
 and hope he will agree with us., that he W T ho can- 
 not fee true and genuine eloquence in the apo- 
 ftolical writings is unqualify 5 d to be a critic. For 
 tho' the Doctor has made eloquence and rheto- 
 rical artifice equivalent expreflions, 'tis certain 
 they are different things, and one may be where 
 the other is not. 
 
 In purfuance of what we have before advanc'd, 
 'tis not unufual in the beft orators to conceal or 
 Icflcn their own eloquence, in order to inimuate 
 what they fay with more force and advantage. 
 Indeed nothing can be more noble and eloquent 
 than that very chapter where St. Paul (peaks of 
 the rudenefs of his fpeech, (C Being forc'd, lays 
 the great St. Auguftm, C( for the preferving his 
 (( authority, and preventing the pervcriion of 
 ft the Corinthians, to extol himfelf in that place 
 <c where he declares the folly of fb doing - -in or- 
 ft dinary cafes and without neceflity with what 
 cc eloquence and wifdom doth he perform it r 
 
 The {acred writers are earneft and fervent : 
 they fpcak of things within their knowledge, 
 are thoroughly acquainted with, and zcaloufly 
 concern'd in the importance of the great things 
 they deliver. Thcfe good difpofitions and qua 
 iirications produce a ftylej natural, unaffected and 
 lively;, which is admirably fitted to convince and 
 inflame the readers. For he that hears or reads 
 
 F f i <a?/7/
 
 no Tloe S A c K K D C i A ^ s i c s 
 
 ly/// wtfiw fe effectually inflamed) unlefs the difcourje 
 
 come to him fervent and gloiving '. 
 
 The ilyle of theGofpel is even, clear, and uni- 
 form-, has all the excellencies which Tally and 
 great authors after him require to the confum- 
 mation of an hiftorian: the order is regular, the 
 didtion pure, pleafant., iliort and noble, 
 
 Our blefTed Saviour, in his fermon upon the 
 mount., delivered himfelf with the utmoft digni- 
 ty and authority, in terms perfectly becoming 
 the great teacher and lawgiver of mankind. His 
 method is plain and natural ; his expreflions con- 
 cife and clear ; and the diction beautiful and ma- 
 jeftic. That Divine Perfbn fpoke to the wonder 
 of his hearers with full authority and aiTurance, 
 and with a mighty power and conviction. It 
 may not be improper or difagreeable to hear the 
 learned and judicious MY. Reading (peak upon this 
 (abject in different words much to the fame pur- 
 pofe v . 
 
 <f This whole fermon was fb fubftantial and 
 cc momentous^ deliver'd with fb much plain- 
 ff nefs and perfpicuity., and with fuch majefty 
 Cf and authority, fb different from the formal 
 cc and uncdifying ledures of the Scribes., that 
 
 c Tull. Orator. i6z. 1. 14, Ncc unquam is, qui audircr, 
 inccaderctLir, nit! ardens ad eum pcrveniret Oratio, 
 " Mr, Readings Life of Chrift, p. 151, 13-3. 
 
 it
 
 <c 
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 22,1 
 
 it had a wonderful influence upon the people ^ 
 they were aftonilh'd at it. 
 Cf That admirable difcourfe in St. John> 
 f( whereby our Saviour took leave of his Apo- 
 fc ftles, fays a great Man, expreffes fb much 
 ec wifclom and goodnefs, fuch care and concern- 
 cc ment for his poor difciples to fupport their 
 fpirits when he fliou'd be gone,, that he teems 
 only to take care to comfort them, and takes 
 no notice of his own approaching agonies." 
 In that farewel difcourfe the chief myfteries, 
 cc doctrines and mod ibvereign confolations of 
 Chriftianity are in one view, and in the moil 
 {atisfa&ory, moving and emphatical manner 
 repreiented and laid before us : never was ma* 
 jefty and divine power expreffed in terms of 
 greater magnificence and loftinefs , nor infinite 
 goodnefs and compaffion defcrib'd in words fo 
 cc encouraging, in language of iiach gracious 
 fc and adorable condefcentioli w . 
 
 w As is the majefty of thofe divine difcouvfes, fo is the 
 mercy of them. One great end of our Saviour's declaration 
 of his fovereign majefty and intereft both in heaven and earth, 
 in fuch variety of noble and full terms, feems to be the 
 more effectually to adminifter ftrong confolations to his for- 
 rowful difciples j to encourage their entire dependence upon 
 his protection, and their expectation of all happinefs from 
 his_inHnite power and goodnefs, 
 
 tc 
 
 cc 
 
 1
 
 cc 
 ( 
 
 ft 
 
 it 
 
 7%e SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 " I am very confident, fays a polite and 
 found critic, Cf whoever reads the Gofpels with 
 an heart as much prepar'd in favour of them, 
 as when he fits down to Wrgil or Homer) will 
 find no paflagc there which is not told with 
 more natural force than any epifbde in either 
 cf of thofc wits,, who were the chief of mere 
 " mankind 34 . 
 
 The canonical letters of the Apoftles are gene- 
 rally written in an cafy, pleafant and familiar 
 ityle, very proper toinftrud:, move and engage, 
 'Tis highly entertaining and inftructive to both 
 the learned and the pious reader to obferve, that 
 in many pafTages the plainefl and moft unlearn'd 
 of the facred college are., by the noblenefs of 
 their fubjeclj, and the affiflance and infpiration 
 of their divine Director, rais'd to a furprizing 
 grandeur and fublimity of ftyle : and that even 
 the plain fifherman St. Peter, without the advan- 
 tage of learning and polite education, is fbme- 
 times equal in the marvellous and majejlic to the 
 learned fcholar of Gamaliel, and great Doffor of 
 the Gentiles. Thefe ineftimable writings have 
 equal plainnefs and power j are fuited to the 
 capacities of the weakeft , as well as the convic- 
 tion of the wifeit. They have ftrong fenfe in 
 
 x Guardian Vol. I. N 2.1. p. 8f. 
 
 common
 
 'Defended and Illuflrated. 213 
 
 common words ; and plainnefs with fublimity. 
 They have no unnatural rants, no rwelling words 
 of vanity 5 but the amiable, great and noble fim- 
 plicity of language reigns in them; and they 
 always give their reader an imdifguis'd and mov- 
 ing defcription of all the fentiments of man's 
 heart. 
 
 The facred writers are, as we hinted before, 
 fmcerc good men, entirely poffefs'd with their 
 fubjecl:, fully perfuaded of its truth, and vehe- 
 mently affecled with its infinite importance : 
 Therefore their language is proper and emphati- 
 cal, the natural rcfult and product of fuch found 
 principles 5 inch an impartial regard for truth, 
 fuch love and reverence for the majeity of God, 
 and fuch unfeigned good-will to mankind y . And 
 
 o o 
 
 certainly the fublime notions, myfteries, and mo- 
 rals of the new Teftament, with the immenfe va- 
 riety of the hiftorical narration exprefs'd in a plain 
 unaffected ftyle, and a graceful and beautiful iim- 
 plicity, with the appearance of iome little confti- 
 fion, folecifms, and negled of grammar (as feme 
 judge) will give greater pleafure and improve- 
 ment to men of tafte and genius j and better de- 
 Icrvc the title of eloquence with capable judges :) 
 
 > Peclus eft enim quod difertos fac : r, ^-cvis mentis, Quin- 
 ail. Inflit, or, 10. p. 6of, 
 
 char.
 
 124 Tloe SACRED CLASSICS 
 than all the tedious exactnefs, meafur'd periods, 
 and fpruce embelliiliments of low and conceited 
 writers, who are rather fcrupulous than judicious, 
 who are deficient in fenfe, andfuperfluous in words. 
 Nature and reafbn confirm this : and the ereat 
 
 o 
 
 men or all ages and countries have been of this 
 fentiment, and will be for ever. 
 
 Longinus in effect throughout his whole book 
 tells you, that the great and immortal wits of an- 
 tiquity rais'd their reputation, and charm'd and 
 conquer'd mankind by the greatnefs and fublimity 
 of their thoughts ; which made 'em often over- 
 look leffer matters, and defpife a fcrupulous accu- 
 racy z . 
 
 Demetrius Phalereus fays, Cf Too much accura- 
 cy is a mark of a low genius : That a Itrong 
 paffion will only admit of plain and unaffect- 
 ed language 5 and that too much fcruple and 
 labour about the equal meafure of the feveral 
 members of a period, and the oppositions be- 
 " ing perpetually preferv'd, checks the vehemence 
 cc of the thought, and enfeebles the difcourfe \ 
 
 o 
 
 Tully tells us, " That words and expreffions are 
 cc always in his judgment fufficiently adorn 'd, if 
 cc they be fuch, that they feem to proceed from 
 cc the fubjedl and nature of the thing it felf b . 
 
 7 Longin. de Sublim. c. 33, 54, ^f. p. 180, &c. 
 a Demet. Phaler. c. 17. p. 2.3. b Tull. deOrar. p. 176. 
 
 4 Let 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc
 
 ft 
 cc 
 
 i < 
 a 
 
 i 
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 215 
 
 Let us hear a noble fcholar and critic of our 
 own. Cf It is certainly a fault in oratory to be 
 curious in the choice of words; a bold pe- 
 riod, tho' agamft rule, will pleafe more than 
 to be always in phrafe ; and a decent negli- 
 gence is often a beauty in expreffion, as well 
 as drefs$ whereas by being over correct, or al- 
 ways flourishing, our periods become either too 
 " lufcious or too {tiff V " Whoever looks into 
 " the laws of the Golpel, lays the learned Bifhop 
 Kidder d , " may (bon difcern that it is a blefTed 
 cc inftitution, It is full of weighty principles, 
 (C of divine and heavenly precepts, of the moil 
 cc endearing and pathetic motives to obedience. 
 cc It hath nothing trifling in it, but is fraught 
 cc with a wifdom that is divine; and is plac'd 
 <c above the contempt and icorn of men. It com- 
 -"' mends it lelf to the conferences of all that are 
 cc ingenuous and inquifitive : and no man will 
 " (peak evil of it, but a fool that underftands it 
 fc not, or the debauch'd (inner who is condemn- 
 '" c ed by its precepts, and denounc'd acrainft by its 
 cc fevereft menaces." The crreat Picus Mirandu- 
 
 <D 
 
 lanns {peaks with excellent judgment in his letter 
 ro Hermolaus Barbarus, fc The holy (cripturc, lay 
 
 c Baker"?, Reflex, on Learning, Chap. 4 p.' f i, T- 1 -- 
 4 Dcmonitrat. of Mcifias, P. i, p. ifc.
 
 1 2 6 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 he, cc is not only capable of perfuading and mo- 
 cc ving ; but it conftrams, it drives, it forces. 
 " The words of the law feem to be rude and bar- 
 <( barousj but they are powerful, full of life and 
 rc fire, piercing the moft fecret recefles of the 
 (c foul 5 and transform the whole man by a mar- 
 rc velous change." ff 'Tis knpoflible, {ays the 
 excellent Du Pin, who cites this author, cc to form 
 4C a lighter judgment of the ftyle of holy {crip- 
 " ture y and this opinion is much more becom- 
 t ing not only a Chriftian but alfo a wife man, 
 " than that of fome grammarians, who have had 
 4< fb little fenfe, as to de{pife the ftyle of the holy 
 cc fcripture, and diffuade Chriftians from reading 
 " it for fear of corrupting their ftyle ; whereas 
 <c nothing can be more proper to form and 
 <( elevate the mind, and give it a true tafte of 
 (c eloquence than the facred writings V I finifli 
 this chapter with an admirable paflage out of Mr. 
 Lefley f j <c The heathen orators have admir'd the 
 " fublime of the ftyle of our {captures. No 
 sc writing in the world comes near it, even with 
 <c all the difad vantage of our tranflation, which 
 
 o 
 
 < being oblig'd to be literal muft lofe much of 
 
 f 
 ''.the beauty of it." After this great man has 
 
 Du Pin Can. of O. and N. Teft, B. i. Ch. 10. Sec. r. 
 p. 2.69. Eng. Tranf. London i<5pp. f Demonftration of 
 
 Chriftianity, p. 1^3, if 4. 
 
 3 very-
 
 Defended and lilitftraied. 117 
 
 very juftly prais'd the plainneis and fuccindnefs 
 of the hiftorical part, the melody or the Pfalms, 
 the inftrtttSion of the Proverbs, and the majefty 
 of the Prophets, he is traniportcd with a pious and 
 juft admiration of that eafy (weetnefs which is fo 
 charming, fb prevalent in the new Teftamtnt. 
 <c Where, fays he, the glory of heaven is (et forth 
 " in a grave and moving expreffion> which yet 
 < f reaches not the height of the fubje6i -, not like 
 rc the flights of rhetoric, which fet out fimM 
 
 o 
 
 <c matters in great words. But the holy fcriptures 
 " touch the heart j raiie expectation, confirm- our 
 cc hope 5 ftrengthen our faith 5 give peace of con* 
 cc fcience and joy in the holy Ghoit, which is.ii> 
 cf expreffible," I fubjoin to this juft and admi^ 
 rable account of this great 1 man of the noblenefs 
 
 o 
 
 and natural eloquence of the facred writers in ge- 
 neral, an account of a particular paflage in St. Luke 
 by a very found and judicious critic, which I al- 
 ways read with pleadire, only inferior to that which 
 the divine original oives me. 'Tis the account of 
 
 c> , O 
 
 the manner of our Saviour's joining with two 
 difciples on the way to Emmaus, as an ordinary 
 traveller, and taking the privilege as fuch to en- 
 quire of them what occalion'd a (adnefs in their 
 countenances, &c. 
 
 C( Their wonder, fays he, that any man fb 
 " near Jerusalem iliou'd be a ftraiagcr to what 
 
 * o 
 
 G e i had
 
 .12,8 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 <( had pafs'd there j their acknowledgment to one 
 (C they met accidentally that they had believed in 
 (C this prophet-, and that now the third day af- 
 c ter his death they were in doubt as to their 
 " pleafing hope, which occafioned the heavinefs 
 '" he took notice of; are all reprefented in a 
 <f ftyle which men of letters call the great and 
 cf noble fimplicity. The attention of the difci- 
 fc pies, when he expounded the fcriptures con- 
 Cf cerning himfelf, his offering to take his leave 
 fc of them, their fondnefs of his flay, and the 
 cc manifeflation of the great gueft whom they 
 t had entertain'd, while he was yet at meat with 
 them, are all incidents which wonderfully pleafe 
 " the imagination of a chriftian reader j and give 
 (C to him fbmethingof that touch of mind which 
 " the brethren felt, when they faid one to ano- 
 cf ther, Did not our hearts burn within us <while he 
 <c talked to us ly the <way y arid while he opened to 
 cc us the fcriftures * f 
 
 * Guardian Vol.1. N u. 
 
 CHAP,
 
 Defended and Illufl rated. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 Wherein a fuller account is given of the judgment 
 of the fathers, and particularly of the Greek fa- 
 thers, upon the flyle and eloquence of the facred 
 'writers of the new Tejlament. 
 
 J riOSllSin O W f ar tne Gree & fathers were 
 
 judges of the ftyle of the new 
 Teftament I do not pretend to 
 difpute. That the fecred wri- 
 ters ihun'd all {crapulous and 
 artful composition of words, and what the Scrip- 
 tures call the wiidom of men j and that divine 
 providence accommodated the language of fcrip- 
 ture not only to the learned among the Greeks, 
 but to the idiotifm of the multitude, and that 
 the forcible eloquence of their (andity, and the 
 loftinefs ot their thoughts and fentiments excus'd 
 and made up the want of elegance in their words, 
 and the (implicityor lowncis of their ftyle in fbmc 
 places, we fhall readily allow ; and believe it can- 
 not contradid: any thing we have affirmed, nor 
 do the Icaft prejudice to the iacred caufe we are 
 
 humbly
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 humbly defending. To affirm that the language 
 of the new Teftament is fometimes idiotical, is 
 to fay nothing in this difpute, becaufe we grant 
 it; and people of different fentiments from us 
 can make no advantage of it : the language of 
 the fublimcft authors of Greece is, upon occafion, 
 idiotical and vulgar. 
 
 o 
 
 To affirm 'tis bafe and full of barbarisms 
 founds a little harfli to a Chriftian ear : but bold- 
 ly to affirm 'tis abiurd is abominable, and what 
 neither God nor man can bear. Can any word 
 be apply d to thofe holy writings dictated and di- 
 rected by the eternal Spirit of wifdom and per- 
 fuafion, which perpetually, and in all good au- 
 thors bears a bad and odious fenfe ? And if it ever 
 be taken in a good one I will give up this caufe 
 for ever. 
 
 That we may the better understand what were 
 the fentiments of the fathers concerning; the ftvle 
 
 O J 
 
 of the new Teftament, and how far we ought 
 
 o 
 
 to rely upon their judgment, thefc following 
 things may be confidered. 
 
 i. Thofe fathers, who in Ibme places have 
 written that the (acred authors were not eloquent, 
 and that the ftyle of the holy fcriptures was iome- 
 times -idiotical and low, cou'd not (peak of natural 
 and true eloquence. They meant that the lac red 
 writers did not affect rhetorical flouri{hes 5 and, the 
 
 vain
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 231 
 
 vain pomp and childifli decorations of fophiftry. 
 Not one father ever affirm'd that there was no 
 eloquence in the facred books ; or that the fim- 
 plicity and plainnefs of thofe admirable writings 
 were mean and contemptible. No j entirely on 
 the contrary they acknowledge them to have an 
 inimitable majefty and grandeur very confident 
 with, and improv'd by iuch a natural and beau- 
 tiful fimpJicity*. 
 
 z. Many of the Greek fathers were unacquaint- 
 ed with the Hebrew language ; and therefore the 
 oriental phrafes, the Helraifms and Syriafms fb 
 often found in the new Teftament gave them of- 
 fence, and were look d upon by them as blemifhcs 
 of the Greek and plain folecifms. But Hebraifms 
 and folecifms are, by the acknowledgment of our 
 adversaries, quite different things. Father Simon 
 is entirely with us in this; cc One may further 
 sc obferve, fays he b , that if the antient church 
 cc writers had und&c&oodhevre-'uj as well as Greek, 
 < f they would not have found the ilyle of the fa- 
 (( cred books (b barbarous as (bine of them have 
 " believed." And (peaking particularly of the 
 unaccountable boldneis of St. Jeronis cenfures of 
 the facred writers: cf I am, Ciys that learned 
 
 Vid. Du Pin. Hifl. of Can. of O. and N.T. D. i.C. 10. 
 '- Hiii Crit. dii Tcit, due novcau Teit. c. 2.6. p. 3 if. 
 
 critic,
 
 2,3* The SACKED CLASSICS 
 
 critic, u aftoniflied, that St. Jerom, who was 
 cc mafter of the two languages,, has not rather 
 fC taken this method to explain what appear'cl 
 cf fingular in their llyle (/'. e. to {hew the He- 
 cr braifms] than to ace ufe the divine writers of 
 tf folecifms and barbarifins. 
 
 3 . 'Tis plain that the fathers often make con- 
 ceffions, as to the lownefs and meannefs of the 
 facred writers in their ftyle^ which go much too 
 far, that they may the more prevalently fet off 
 the piety, zeal, and indefatigable diligence of the 
 preachers and writers, and more gloriouily mag- 
 nify the power and majefly of God, which To 
 wonderfully accompanied and profpered their mi- 
 niftry j and accomplished fuch mighty works by 
 fuch weak inftruments. 
 
 The primitive Chriflians, in their dilputes 
 with their Pagan adveriaries, generally dropt the 
 eloquence of the firft preachers and writers of our 
 holy religion : not that they gave up even that, 
 or belie v'd there was no true eloquence in them j 
 but they put the caufe upon its fupreme dignity 
 and merit, the fanclity and purity of the doctrine, 
 the demonitration of miracles, the fpeedy victo- 
 ry and large triumphs which thofe defpis'd preach- 
 ers and doctrines made over all the prejudice, 
 power,, wit, learning and malice of the whole 
 World, 'Tis upon this foot that St. Chryfoftom 
 
 ? exhorts
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 233 
 
 exhorts Chriftians freely to own that the Apoftlcs 
 were ignorant or unlearned, fuch an accusation 
 being not any reflexion on them,, but their praifc 
 and glory. St. Chryfoftom reproves a private 
 Chriftian for pretending to difputc with a Pagan, 
 and preferring the eloquence of St. Paul to that of 
 Plato, became he ought to have flood to the plain 
 and refiftlefs proofs or the divine power and au- 
 thority of our Saviour and his Gofpel, which 
 conquered all the oppofition of earth and hell. 
 Common Chriftians are feldom much acquainted 
 with ftyle and criticifm$ and 'tis not proper for 
 them to enter into difputes of that nature, they 
 having not learning and abilities to manage 
 'cm 5 and the beft caufe may be expos'd and fuf- 
 fer by the ignorance and too forward zeal of an 
 incompetent defender. 
 
 Had this learned Either himfelf been pleas'd 
 
 to engage in the forcmentioned difpute, I believe 
 
 111 
 no Pagan opponent upon earth cou 'd have gain'd 
 
 much advantage , or prov'd that the philolbpher 
 had any mighty iuperiority over the Apoftle. 
 For there is not one beauty or grace of genuine 
 and rational manly eloquence, but he produces 
 and admires in the divine writings of the great 
 St. Paul. Therefore, when the fame father lays, 
 there's no vehemence of oratory in this victori- 
 ous preacher, that he iliews no ftrength and force 
 
 H h o
 
 134 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 of words, but ail the contrary 5 St. Paul being, 
 continues he, illiterate or ignorant to the utrnoit 
 degree ot ignorance : if his orations upon St. 
 Paul be allow'd genuine, and the Either at all 
 confident with him(elf, thcie lowering expreffi- 
 ons muft be meant of the noiie and vain blufter 
 of fophiiHcal and falfe eloquence 5 fuch as the 
 greateft and bell writers and judges of all ages 
 have rejected and defpis'd. 
 
 That St. Paul did not want true and natural 
 eloquence was St. Chrjfojloms opinion, declar'd 
 in a thoudnd places. When the objection is made 
 in the fourth book of the Pvieftbood y that St. Paul 
 himfelf feem'd to neglect eloquence, and declares 
 that he was rude in fpeecb, the rather anfwers, that 
 many people calTd to holy orders indulg'd thenv 
 f elves in neglecting the proper means to attain 
 true learning, becauie they miilook the great 
 Apoftle, not being able to fearch out the depth of 
 his meaning, nor to underfbnd the fenfc of his 
 words : cc St. Paul indeed diiavow'd and had no 
 <c occafion for the fuperfluous ornaments, for 
 * c the jingling and fophiftry of profane elo- 
 4C - quence% but he cou'd with redftlefs force and 
 
 . 
 ae S. Paulo Vol. VIII. Hen. Savile p. 4f. 
 
 ^ Tvlv rfft r^5?v >.oycov rspO^eiav' r an^/sj'V,' rfj" s 
 / lurir/jicy. Ds SACCJ'. 4. p. 1865 1 88, Camb. 1711. 
 
 vchc
 
 cc 
 (f 
 
 (C 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 cc 
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 1 3 y 
 
 cf vehemence vindicate the doctrines of truth. 
 f< And let no man, to excule his own idlenels, 
 ff prelume to delpoil the blelTed Saint of thac 
 ff greateft of ornaments and higheft of prailes. 
 cc Whence, I pray, did he confound the Jews 
 <c at Damafcits y when he had not yet begun 
 (C to work miracles ? how did he baffle the 
 Greeks ? and why was he lent to Tarfus ? was 
 not that after he mightily prevail'd by eloquence 
 and prell 'em lo clofe, that when they cou'd 
 not bear the dilgrace of being conquer'd, they 
 were enrag'd and provoked to murder him ? 
 
 Nor can any man fay that St. Paid was in 
 <c high admiration with the multitudes for the 
 (C glory of his miracles ; and that thole who en- 
 cc gag'd him were conquered by his luperior 
 reputation : for hitherto he had only con- 
 quered by his eloquence. Againft thole per- 
 fons who began to fet up Judaifm in An- 
 tioch, by what means did he engage and con- 
 " tend? did the famous Areopagite of that molt 
 fuperititious city, together with his wife, ad- 
 here to him upon any motive but thac 
 of his preaching ? When therefore it ap- 
 " tf pears, that before he worked miracles, and 
 (C in the midil of his miracles, he uledmuch elo- 
 cf qncncc5 how then will men dare to call him 
 f( rude> ;'^:. : 7/;, \vho was excellently admir'd for 
 
 H h 2, his
 
 1 3 6 T%? SACREDCLASSICS 
 
 Cf his disputing and preaching ? For what reafon 
 cc did thcLycaonians (uppoie him to be Mercury? 
 <c for that Barnabas and he were efteemed to be 
 " Gods, was to be afcnb'd to their miracles ; that 
 (( he was efteem'd Mercury, was not from the mi- 
 ff racks but his eloquence 6 . Wherein had this 
 f c bleffed man the advantage of all the Apoftles ? 
 < c whence comes it that he is celebrated all over 
 :c the world ? whence is it that he is exceffively 
 admir'd above all, not only by us,, but by 
 Jews and Gentiles? is it not from the excel- 
 lency of his epiftles j thofe admirable epiftles 
 fill'd with divine wifdom? 
 Any one that looks into this learned and eloquent 
 father's commentaries and diicouries upon St. Paul's 
 writings, will find that there's not one beauty of 
 llyle or grace of found eloquence recommended 
 by any ojood critic,, or pradtifed by any noble au- 
 thor, but what he frequently remarks and ad- 
 mires in that mfpir'd writer. He gives you in- 
 numerable inftances of that great and marvellous 
 man's prudence and judgment,, the dexterity of 
 
 <c 
 
 cc 
 
 -,:,cv "y^drr.t yJ) xsar- 1 sv/x.a rtS >,oy:.j. St. Chryfoit. cJe 
 Sricerd.i. 4* 188, 190. Cantab, i-'ii. 'Tis plain from the 
 context th'tt V'y{^ and /Jycr; here lignify true nerfuafive elc- 
 
 :, as they do in the bdl Creek writers: d\\d 
 \oyxv ; on the account of his fla^tencs p Dcmolt. Mid. v 
 
 \ 
 
 his
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 
 
 his addrefs, and infinuation into the Eivour and 
 good opinion of thofe to whom he (ends his let- 
 ters, in order to do them the moil important 
 fcr vices, and engage them to confult their own 
 true intereft and happinefs in doing much good f . 
 How often does he admire his accuracy in the 
 choice of the moil nobly-ftrong and expreilive 
 words 5 his fharpnefs and vivacity ; the beautiful 
 vehemence and pathos of his ftyle j the fuitable- 
 nefs of his expreilions to peribns and things 5 his 
 moving condefcenfion and refiftlefs power of per- 
 fuafionj his juft confequences, and the clofeneis 
 and conviction of his reafonings ? 
 
 After St. Chryfoflom has admir'd and fet out the 
 ftrength and beauty of the expreilion in that no- 
 ble pailage, Rom. viii. 5 5. he concludes w^jth thofe 
 very remarkable and lively words, u St. Paul runs 
 cf over an immenie ocean of dangers and repre- 
 4C ients all things terrible to mankind in one em- 
 
 o 
 
 cc phatical word." After he has accurately iliew'd 
 the winning addreis, and conquering tendernefs, 
 the eloquence and innumerable graces of the Epi- 
 file to Philemon in the twentieth verfe, he cries out 
 
 ap%tra.i, I Cor. 
 
 XV. I, 2,. p. 45/4. T-'.r -trapxtviw-s;? ,w^ lyx.aj/vi.'wv c" v -rrciet ^%- 
 ^(x. -ars G"jjJiT<i>s. Phil. i:. 12.. p. 4f. Philemon 16. p. 418, 
 4ip. i Cor. xv. 13. P. fOp. r Cor. xv. 8 498. ;;J iln. 
 Rom xli. 2., 17)-. Ephef, iv IT, 
 
 in
 
 138 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 in admiration and traniport, C( What ftone wou'd 
 " not thefe words have mollify 'd ; what wild beaft 
 <c wou'd not they have tamed !'' Wemuftalmoft 
 tranfcnbe this great man's works, if we were to 
 give a full account of all the encomiums he be- 
 llows upon the noble eloquence and incompara- 
 ble graces of St. Paul. I {hall only refer my rea- 
 der to a few paflages below g , and to the great 
 author himfelf. 
 
 Origen takes notice of ibleciims (as he calls 'em) 
 in the facred writings of the old and new Telia- 
 inent; and defires the readers of thofe ineftima- 
 ble books not to take offence at 'em. But what 
 are thofe fbleciims ? Exchange of perfbns, fudden 
 traniition from one number to another, with a 
 leemino; violation of common grammar. But 
 
 c? c? 
 
 they are really beauties in ftyle j and the great man 
 himfelf gives the reafbn of thofe changes; and we 
 have in the firft part of this work juftiry'd thefe 
 
 8 M<&' vir?^oXP;'f ^ tEreXX*K 
 Rom. viii. 32.. p. 118. I Cor. iv. y p. 314, }if. Rom. v. 
 f. p. 67. 2. Cor. xi. l^l. p- 666. ( Qf^y -nrwr -nravra^s ras 
 HT. Ou ^ ttTrj /asracA/oWs /aovov, d\\d jy^) cV-sJ/j- 
 s nr^ts-acS'E) aXXa /^) axrss f 'fl? a'^i IXfiVrs, aXXa 
 c. Rom. xii. I!, p. 181. Ef&^r ircor a^a. cruX- 
 &c. I Cor. xv. n. p. 5-05. 
 Eloquentiam Pauli multis merito ce'iebrar. Chryfoitomus 
 Phoiius Ep. i6f. Hieronymus item, nc de aliis dicam, & 
 Eulcbius III. 4 Hilir. eum vocans -nra'vTwv ov u-a^cDcdbo' c'luu- 
 ToJTttTcv Xc'yoov vcn/xatr/ TS ixavsoTarcv ysycvora. Fabricii Biblio- 
 rhec.Gri.-cc. Lib. 4. cr.p. f. p. ifi. 
 
 4 liberties
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 239 
 
 liberties by parallel places, out of the moil valua- 
 ble daffies h . When Ce Ifus and others of his opi- 
 nion and party charge the writers of the new Te~ 
 ftament with lownels and meannefs of ftyle, they 
 mean there are not in them thofe gawdy decora- 
 tions and ornaments of fophiftical language fb 
 much admir'd and practis'd in thofe times : when 
 florid declamation and a jingling and ftudy'doppo- 
 fition of words, and arrangement of periods had 
 almoft driven good fenfe and found natural elo- 
 quence out of the world. Origen fays, that the 
 defign of the Difciples of Jefus and the publifhers 
 of Chriftianity was to ferve and convert mankind, 
 and therefore it moll anfwer'd their end and cha- 
 ritable defign to ufc common and plain language, 
 which the learn'd and unlearn'd wou'cl under- 
 ftand. 
 
 <c Our Prophets, Jefus and his Apoitles conh 
 cf der'd and had regard to that manner of Ian- 
 
 not on ^y exprefs'd the truth, but 
 f<r was powerful and proper to engage the multi- 
 (C tude. That all at lad being converted and 
 ' c brought over, they might gladly receive thofe 
 ct myfteries, which were contam'd in expreffions 
 (f that appcar'd or were elteem'd to be low and 
 i{ vulgar. Upon that grand cxpreflion of St.PW, 
 
 Vul. Part I. p. y i, fi, i\"c
 
 7^<? SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 {peak wifdom among them that are per- 
 <e fed:,, the wifclom of God in a myftery j even 
 cf the hidden wifdom which God ordain'd before 
 cc the world to our glory, he difcourfes thus : 
 <c We thus apply our ielves to thofe who are of 
 cc the opinion of Cslftts. Had Paul no notion 
 c< of excellent wifdom, when he promis'd he 
 Cf wou'd fpeak wifdom among the perfect? But 
 if he (Celfus) according to his ufual affurance 
 iliall fay, that Paul had no wiidom when he 
 pretended to thefe things, we will make this 
 reply : Do you explain the epiilles of him 
 <c that faid thefc things, and when you have 
 deeply confider'd the meaning' of every word 
 in 'em (for example in thofe to the Ephejians, 
 Coloffians > Theffalonians , Philippians, and Ro- 
 mans] fliew me thefe two things, both that 
 
 o 
 
 4f you underfland the dilcourfes of St. Paul, and 
 < c that you can prove 'em weak and foolifh. But 
 <c if he apply himfelf with attention to the read- 
 <c ing of them, I am well fatisfy'd that he will ei- 
 cc ther admire the underftandinp; of that excel- 
 
 o 
 
 lent man that exprefles grand fenfe in plain 
 
 and common language ; or if he does not ad- 
 
 -.*-'' ^ 
 
 mire it, lie himfelf will appear ridiculous '. 
 ''Orig.contraCeif. 1. 3, p. 112, Ed, Spencer. Cantab. 1 577. 
 
 When
 
 Defended and lllmfiralecl. 
 
 When St. Paul (ays, My fpeech and my preach- 
 ing was not 'with enticing words of mans wifdom, 
 
 he does not undervalue his own realbning and 
 
 o 
 
 ftyle, only diGivows the fubtilties of the pagan 
 pliilofophy, and their fophiftical oratory 5 but 
 fhews that no arguments or language can avail to 
 reform and bring human fouls to the love of God 
 and a true fenfe of their duty without divine af 
 fiflance and inipiration. So Origen dire&ly takes 
 it. <f The divine Word here affirms, that what 
 cc is fpoken is not fufficient (altho' in it felf true 
 cc and proper to perfiiade) to reach the foul of 
 * c man 5 unlefs power be given from God to the 
 cc fpeaker, and grace fhine out in the expreflion 
 * c which is communicated from heaven to thofe 
 <c who fpeak with force and efficacy V This 
 very learned man might have fhewn to his infblent 
 adverfary examples ot other ftyles befides the plain 
 and vulgar in the writers of the new Teftament 
 (as we fliall hereafter fully prove) j but as he took 
 but little care of his own ftyle., he was content 
 to admire the good fenfe, the plain and perfpi- 
 .oious language, and the mighty power of per- 
 fuafion which are in every page of thofe divine 
 authors ; without either endeavouring to clear 'em 
 of the imputation of fblecifms., or regarding thofe 
 
 k Orig. cont. Celf. 1. 6. p. 2.^ 
 
 I i
 
 SACRED CLASSICS 
 numerous /ublime graces and fbvereign beauties 
 of ftyle which any fair and capable critic muft 
 difcover, and admire in theie invaluable compo- 
 fitions. As to the idiotical or common ftyle., 
 provided there be no mixture or vile and fordid 
 words in it (which none will prefume to (ay there 
 is in the divine books) we have in fbme meafure 
 already iliew'd that to be no juil objection againft 
 the language of the new Teftament $ and, before 
 we finifh this chapter, {hall endeavour farther to 
 prove it. 
 
 St. Aujim in his admirable book of the Chri- 
 ftian Doctrine, as likewiie in other places, judi- 
 cioufly difcovers and illuftrates the eloquence and 
 beauties of the new Teftament ftyle. And the 
 caufej we humbly defend, has more advantage 
 from this teftimony, than difadvantage from the 
 (evere fpeeches and bold cenfures of St. Jerom : 
 Becaufe St. Aujlin is confident with himfelf, pro- 
 duces numerous grand figures, and fublime pafTa- 
 ges out of the new Teftament , which by the rules 
 of found criticifm and reafbn he demonftrates to 
 be truly eloquent and beautiful. St. Jerom fome- 
 times gives a very low and mean character of St. 
 Paul's ftyle, and tells you, that that great Apoftle 
 was very defective in the Greek tongue, wherein 
 he cou'd not fufficiently exprefs his conceptions 
 in a way becoming the majefty of his fenfe and 
 
 the
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 243 
 
 the matter he deliver'd ; nor tranfmit the elegan- 
 cy of his native tongue into another language : 
 That hence he became obfcure and intricate ; that 
 his fyntax was fcarce tolerable j and he was often 
 guilty of fblecifms: and therefore 'twas not the 
 humility of this divine writer, but the truth of the 
 rhino; that made him fay, That he came not with the 
 excellency of fpeech, but 'with the power of God 1 . 
 
 But this venerable father is not always in this 
 fevere temper 5 but fbmetimes vehemently cele- 
 brates the grandeur, propriety, and noble graces 
 of St. Paul's language. cc He cries him up, fays 
 the excellent Dr. Cave, (whofe words I ufe be- 
 caufe my own wou'd not be fb good) <c as a great 
 cc matter of composition, that as oft as he heard 
 <c him, he feem'd to hear not words but thunder j 
 cc that in all his citations he made ufe of the moft 
 cc prudent artifices, ufing fimple words, and 
 cf which feem'd to carry nothing but plainnefs 
 <f along with them j but which way fbever a man 
 cc turn'd, breathed force and thunder : He feems 
 cc entangled in his caufe, but catches all that 
 ff comes near him 5 turns his back as if intending 
 Cf to fly, when 'tis only that he may overcome m . 
 who admires the father for his varie- 
 
 1 Fid. Cave's Life of St. Paul, p. 117. f Ed. 1684. 
 m Cave's Life of St. Paul^ p. 1 17. Vid. ejufd. Hiftor. Lk- 
 tcr, in voce Hieronymus, p, iip, 2.2.0. Lond. 1688. 
 
 I i i ty,
 
 244 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 ty, the weight of his fentences, the clofenefs and 
 quicknefs of his argumentations, and his elo- 
 quence, which in fome refpedts he prefers to what 
 of Cicero himielf, will not be fuppos'd to fpeak 
 any thing to the difadvantage of a favourite au- 
 thor whom he himielf publilh'd j but only what 
 plain truth oblig'd him to fay On that cele- 
 brated place fb much infilled upon by thoie who 
 undervalue the ftyle of the facred writers, ^ Cor. 
 xi. 6. the editor gives this account of his author. 
 
 O i 
 
 f< Jerom is various upon this fubjcct, in many 
 (C places condemning St. Paul as ignorant of the 
 (C more elegant Greek -- That fbmetimes he ufes 
 ( certain words peculiar to his own country Ci- 
 " licia, and does not anfwer the conjunction y.sv 
 with its correfpondent Jf . Moreover that in 
 fbme paflages he is troublefbme by the wind- 
 ings and turnings of his tranfpofitions ^ and 
 fbmetimes leaves his period and fenfeunfinifh'd. 
 c< Again at other times he declaims on the con- 
 " trary fide, driving them far off (as profane per- 
 " fons) who fuppoie that St. Paul fpoke of him- 
 felf here in any way but that of irony, or fup- 
 pofmg without granting 5 fince he very well un~ 
 derflood all the proprieties of language, and was 
 " a perfect mafter of all the turns of argument n . 
 
 As 
 
 n Rurfus alias in diverfum declamat, procul fubmovens 
 
 cos, qui putant Puulum hoc ex animo dixifle ( -j ^ \
 
 foe fended and llluflrated* 24 r 
 
 As to the per-pUxity of the tranlpofitions, and 
 the inconfequence of fome periods, with the ie - 
 paration of the particles pe y and 3? we have al- 
 ready fjpoken to that matter. Whereas St. Paul 
 us'd (bmetirnes ftrange Greek words, and pectin 
 liar to Cilicia, we have (aid fomething j but for 
 the farther vindication of the facred author we 
 iliall produce a pailage out of St. Jerom himfelfy 
 who tells us that we are not to wonder if the Apo- 
 ftle fometimes ufes words according to the cu- 
 flom of the province in which he was born and 
 educated 3 and j unifies him by the (ame lib.erty 
 taken by Virgil ', one of the moft judicious and 
 accurate of the foreign authors., and the prince of 
 Latin poetry . 
 
 . i. Before we end this chapter, I fhall Ipeak 
 a word of the idiotical iVylc, which is by feme 
 look'd upon as a fault in the facred writers : but 
 that plain, common and familiar ftylc, without % 
 contemptible lownefi and fordid indecency, whiclv 
 
 ftS Xcyoj, a'XX' T yvwa) cum omnes fermonis proprietates 
 p'ulchic tenuerit, omnes argumcntorum ftrophas ad unguena 
 call tier it. 
 
 Multa funt verba quibus juxta morem urbis c proyincio: 
 fuce familiarius Apoftolus utitur. 
 
 Nee hoc miremur in Apoitoio, fi utarur cjus lingua: ccn= 
 fuecudine, in qua natus eft c nutritus , cum Virgilius ai:er 
 Horaerus apud nos patrice fuie fequens confuetudinem fcckra- 
 turn frigus appeilat. Hicron. ad Algaf qu. 10. 
 
 ), reigns
 
 "The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 reigns in the facred writers, efpecially in the holy 
 Evangelifts, is to be efteem'd as a great excellence, 
 and can never be too much admir'd. The plain- 
 eft and moft common w r ords are fluted to all ca- 
 pacities-, and generally make the difcourfe moft 
 uleful and acceptable to all readers of found judg- 
 ment. Language too metaphorical, and floria, 
 is not generally fo well and readily underftood by 
 the unlearn'd 5 and 'tis by judicious fcholars e- 
 fteem'd to proceed from the oftentation and vani- 
 ty of the writer, and his defign and ambition to 
 be applauded j and therefore it lofes much of the 
 power of perfuafion, which ought to be in all 
 difcourfe and writing. 
 
 Longinus tells you that the idiotical phrafe is 
 fbmetimes far more expreflive and fignificant than 
 artificial drefs ; for 'tis immediately known from 
 common life : and what is ufual and common, is 
 for that reafbn more credible p . The moft eafy, 
 plain and common words properly put together 
 in a difcourfe are capable of fuftaining the utmoft 
 fublimity, grandeur, and majefty of thought. 
 Anacreon has innumerable beauties, and a great 
 many fublime paflages exprefs'd in all fimplicity of 
 ftyle, and the moft common, eafy, and plain 
 words that are to be found in the Greek language. 
 
 P Longin. Sec. 31. p. 168. Sec. 3$. p. 214, &c. 
 
 St. Je.
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 147 
 
 Sr. Jerom (peaking of the Jimplicity and purity of 
 the Apoftle's words , which he oppoies to a dit 
 courfe painted and dawbed with the falfe orna- 
 ments of rhetorical artifice, concludes pure plain- 
 nefs to be no hindrance of grandeur and true elo- 
 quence 3 cc For, fays he to Paula and Eujlochium, 
 <c you will fee as much majefty and comprehen- 
 " fivenefs of true wifHom in thefe, as there Was 
 arrogance and vanity in the learned of the hea- 
 then world q . 
 
 i Apoftolicorum fimplicitate 6c puritate verborum 
 oratio rhetorics artis fucata mendacio videritis tancam 
 majeftatem & latitudinem in his verx fuifle fapientise, quanta 
 in feculi literatis arrogantia 6c vanitas fuic, Hier, in tell, lib. 
 Com. ad Galatas Proemium. 
 
 CHAP,
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 therein is fhe*wn that alljjyles in perfection are to 
 le found in the facred writers of the new Tejta- 
 mentj and fajfages are producd excelling any in 
 the Greek and Roman Claffics on every head. 
 
 Clear and plain ftyle is pecu- 
 liarly adapted to edify and in- 
 ftrud mankind, and is often 
 very proper to exprefs the fub- 
 limeftfentiments. 'Tis a beau- 
 tiful eafmefs and lively perfpicuity of ftyle that 
 reigns in the new Teftament j and especially the 
 jtacred hiftorians : who are fliort and perfpicuous ; 
 plain and majcftic ; underfloodwith ea(e and plea- 
 lure by the plained and moil; vulgar reader , and 
 jread with eager pleafure and admiration by men 
 of the greateft learning and ftrongeft abilities. 
 This } uft notion has poffeft the true critics of all 
 ages. 
 
 fc The Cicred and heavenly oracles, fays an 
 .eloquent father, cc fmce they were fpoken and 
 
 fc written
 
 cc 
 cc 
 
 (C 
 
 cc 
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 249 
 
 " written for the advantage of mankind in gc- 
 cc neral, are temper 'd with peripicuity ; fo chat 
 cc ordinary people, who attend the meaner em- 
 ployments of life, receive great advantage by 
 their plainnefs j and in a moment learn what 
 is becoming, juil, and profitable r . 
 
 In the evangelical preachings, (ays another, 
 cc the beauty of truth flikies out (o clear and pure, 
 " that it illuminates the mind, while it flows in- 
 fc to the fouls of pious men like light. 
 
 " Thewifdom and croodnefs of the Divine Law- 
 
 o ^ 
 
 cc giver deliver'd the doctrines of eternal life in 
 plain and common words and wonderful per- 
 ipicuity of ffylc$ that mean and illiterate peo- 
 ple, who have equal concern in the contents of 
 thofe ineftimable writings with the profoundelt 
 cc fcholars, may learn their duty, and be encou- 
 <c rag'd to obedience by the infinite advantages 
 cc there clearly and Itrongly propos'd to 'em , nei 
 cf ther has Providence neglected the learned and 
 cc the wife : that plain and eafy ilyle often expref- 
 fc fes fuch noble fentiments and treafures of divine 
 cc wifdom, as command the clofeit, attention, and 
 fc moft awful admiration of the moll elevated 
 <f minds f . 
 
 r Ifidor. Pelcufiot. apud Suicer. i. p. 7 
 ViJ. Suicer. Thcf. in voce 
 
 Kk A
 
 i$o The SACKED CLASSICS 
 
 An excellent author of our own has juftly ob- 
 ierv'd to us, that a pure and noble fimplicity is 
 no where in fuch perfection as in the facrcd Scri- 
 pture, and his author Homer '. 
 
 When the (acred hiftorians give an account of 
 our Lord's heavenly diicourfes and works of won- 
 der, we have 'em represented with fuch evidence 
 and energy, that with cafe and pleafure we readily 
 imbibe the doclrincs, and iee the miracles and 
 their aftonifhing circumflances in the ftrongeft 
 light, in the moil open and entertaining view \ 
 
 The hiilory of the man poffefs'd with Legion 
 is defcrib'd by the Evangel ills in {uch lively and 
 glowing colours, fuch a clear propriety of expre 
 lion, that the attentive reader has all that glorious 
 
 3 
 
 Icene of wonder and aitomiliment full in his eye 
 and mind, and feels in his breait a perpetual and 
 quick fucceilion of different paflions, which keep 
 up his concern and attention. 
 
 Who is not fhocked with horror and trembling: 
 
 o 
 
 at the firlt appearance of the raging Demoniac, 
 who was (b fierce, that no chains or fetters cou'd 
 hold him ; and (b mifchievous that he turn'd the 
 
 place he haunted into a detirt i 
 
 ji 
 
 i Mr. Pop's Prcfiice to flower. 
 
 '"' Magna vlnus ell, res dc quibus loquimur, chrc, arquc 
 -;;t cerni vidcantur, enunciirc. Qu.in. Tnilir. or. 8. p. 4f 3. D 
 Cibfon. Ed. Ox. 
 
 .But
 
 Upended and UlujiratecL i j .r 
 
 But then how agreeably are your thoughts re~ 
 iievVi ? what an exultation and triumph of joy 
 iuccecds, when you fee the dreadful poffcil crea- 
 ture proftrate at the feet of the mild and humble 
 Tcfu.s j and the man's infernal tormentors acknow- 
 ledging our Lord to have fbvereign command over 
 all the powers of hell and darknefs ] 
 
 Then with what religious awe, reverence and 
 tenderncfs of devotion do we view the mild Savi- 
 our of human race commanding the infernal Le- 
 gion to quit their poiTeffion of the miferable fuf- 
 ferer! With what iincere goodwill and charity does 
 every chriftian reader congratulate the poor man's 
 happy deliverance ? With what plcafure does he 
 lee him fitting at the feet of his great Deliverer 
 decently cloatnd, ferene and reftor'd to perfect 
 fbundnefi of mind ? Next our compaflion for the 
 man is mov'd, when he is afraid of parting from 
 Jefus -, and fervently prays that he may attend his 
 lacred perfon, fearing, 'tis probable^ left when he 
 left his good benefactor, his old tormentors wou'J 
 again ailault him. In the conclufion we are en- 
 tirely fatisfy'd, admire and adore the wifHom and 
 o-oodnefs of our blefled Saviour, who at once dc^ 
 
 o 
 
 liver'd the poor man from all his fears, by giving 
 him a commiffion to preach to his acquaintance 
 and neighbours thofc heavenly doctrines which 
 deftroy the intcreft of the Devil , and fecurc all 
 
 K k 2. that
 
 5 1 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 that believe and practife them from the power and 
 malice of all the apoftate fpirits of darknefs u . 
 
 The whole narrative of Lazarus is adorn'd with 
 a great number of the molt moving and lively cir~ 
 cumftances j which are to the mind as the moft 
 beautiful and diverfify'd landscape to the eye. 'Tis 
 a mafterpiece and great pattern of genuine fenfe 
 and eloquence. There is a peculiar pomp and 
 Iblemnity in the account of this miracle, which 
 was immediately preparatory to that of our Sa- 
 viour's raifing himfelf the third day after his mira- 
 culous fubmiilion to death and the grave. 
 
 Our Saviour's flay two days after the mefTage and 
 pathetical addreis of the mourning filters., Lord, 
 be whom thou lo r oefl is Jick kept 'em a little lon- 
 ger in fufpence and grief; but it fhew'd his perfect 
 wifdom and goodnefs, as it made the wonderful 
 work more remarkable and conducive to the con- 
 viction of the fpectators. 
 
 If the Son of God had immediately gone and 
 recover'd Lazarus of his (icknefs , the miracle 
 wou'd not have had fo many witnefles, nor have 
 been entirely free from objections, which at leaft 
 wou'd have leflen'd it : But to raiie a perfbn four 
 days dead, ofTenfive and rcduc'd to corruption, 
 was a {urprize of unutterable joy to his friends 5 
 
 w Vid. Mat, viii. 2.8. Mark v. i. Luke viii. 2.6. 
 
 remov'd
 
 Defended and llhtjl rated. 
 
 remov'd all poffible fufpicion of confederacy j fi- 
 lenc'd the peeviihnefs of cavilling, and triumph'd 
 over all the obftinacy and impudence of preju- 
 dice. 
 
 How amiable is the modefty andwifdom of our 
 meek Saviour, when he (ays, Lazarus is ajleep, 
 and I go to awake km ! He was not pleas'd to lay, 
 Lazarus is dead, and I go to raife him up to pre- 
 vent any appearance of vanity and oftentation. 
 Great words are an improper introduction to 
 fuch aftonifliing actions They fufficiently {hew 
 and magnify thcmfelves. With what mildnefs 
 and compailionate condefcenfion does the Saviour 
 of the world bear the peevifhnefs and infirmities 
 of his Apoftles, and cure the miftakes of Martha, 
 cheriihing her weak faith., and by fteps railing her 
 to the acknowledgment of his Divinity ! 
 
 What a iolemn concern, what tendernefs of de- 
 votion pofleiTes every Chriftian heart when he at- 
 tends the ever-adorable friend of mankind to the 
 place where Lazarus lay, among the mourning 
 
 'Jews and his difconfolate friends, the IiofpitabJe 
 ./ i 
 
 Martha and the devout Mary / 
 
 He, who had all the tendernefs and goodnefi, 
 \vkhout the Emits of- human nature, he condoles 
 and (ympathiics with the diflreft mourner* with 
 
 all the inward concern , and outward cxorci'hon 
 
 ' i 
 
 of Lindiflcmblcd rrici. He r ^as troiiUdL zruand 
 
 ~
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 in fpirit, and wept. After this, one cannot but 
 pity the wcaknefs of thole orthodox Chriftians, 
 who were offended at a paflagc parallel to this in 
 St. Luke v/ , and wou'd have it itruck out of the 
 Canon as a dillionour to our Blefled Saviour, as 
 Eptphanius relates the thing x . How meanly do 
 we think of the affected formality, and unnatural 
 unconcern of the Stoics, when we read of the 
 wifeft and divined Pcrion that ever appear 'd in 
 the world 'EdzxfVffey o 'iqirSs ? This ipoils all 
 the pointed and fmart layings of Seneca upon the 
 unconcern and courage of his wife man j and 
 makes us in love with that faying of the fatyrift 
 (b full of good nature and s;ood fenie : 
 
 D O 
 
 Lachrymte nojlri pars optima fenfus y . 
 
 But after we have been highly pleas'd and en- 
 tertain'd with our Saviour's moll genuine expref- 
 fions of friendfliip, tendernefs, and generous com- 
 pallion, with what wonder and devout awe are we 
 itruck when we hear that royal and godlike com- 
 mand, Lazarus y come forth I With what furprize 
 and amazement do we view the aftonifli'd prifbner 
 of the grave in his funeral attire ftart up at that 
 voice which all nature obeys I Before Jeliis ex- 
 
 w Chap.xix. 41. * Vid. D. Mill in loc. & D. Whitby 
 Ex. Var. Lee. Millii p. 8. >' Juven. Sat. if. v. 131. 
 
 prefi'd
 
 Defended and llluftr cited. 255 
 
 prefs'd all the tendernefs of the moil generous , 
 and prudence of the wifeft of men : Here he 
 claims his full authority; (peaks and acts with the 
 majefty of the God of Gods,, and declares himfelf 
 the Reinrrection, the Life,, and the Truth. 
 
 Father Simon z is in my opinion guilty of ican- 
 dalous bigottry, when he ipeaks againft the per- 
 fpicuity of the facred writers j and charges the 
 whole body of reform'd Chriftians with unbe- 
 coming and injurious notions of them upon tciK- 
 monies which we reject with as much indignation 
 as the Church of Rome ; thofe of bold and con- 
 ceited Socmians -, even when they attack thofe pla- 
 ces which affert the molt elTential and facred arti- 
 cles. George Enjedon Ipeaks with an miufferable 
 licentioufhefs and fcornful difdain of a writer di- 
 vinely inlpir'c}, fam'd for his familiarity and clear- 
 nefs of ftyle. Cf If, lays this precious com- 
 mentator,, ff a conciie abrupt obfcurity, incon- 
 <c iiftent with it felr] and made up of allegories, 
 <c is to be call'd fublimity of ipeech^ I own John 
 (C to be fublime : for there is icarce one difcourfe 
 u of Chnft which is not altoo-ethcr allegorical, 
 
 o o 
 
 <f and very hard to be undcritood.' Gagneius an- 
 other writer of that ipint is remarkably impudent,, 
 especially in that cxpreiTion - - / jhall not a little 
 
 * Hilloire Critique da N. T. c, 16. p, 3 ID*
 
 TToe SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 glory ) ijlfoall be found to give fame light to PaulV 
 darknefs ; a darknefs, as fome think, induftrioujly 
 offered. 
 
 Mind the modefty and moderation of: the ene- 
 mies of (bund Chrillianity i Let any of the fol- 
 lowers of thefe worthy interpreters of the Gofpel, 
 and champions of Chriiliamty fpeak worfe., if 
 they can, of the ambiguous oracles of the father 
 of lies. 
 
 Thefe fair-dealing gentlemen firft difg;uife the 
 
 O O t? 
 
 (acred writers, and turn them into a harfh allege- 
 
 o 
 
 ry by eluding the exprefs testimonies and proofs 
 of our Saviour's eternal Divinity j and then charge 
 them with that obfcurity and inconfiftency which 
 is plainly coniequent upon that (enfe which their 
 heretical interpretations force upon 'cm. They 
 outrage the divine \vriters in a double capacity : 
 firft they debafe their fenfe as theologues and com- 
 mentators 5 and then carp at and vilify their lan- 
 guage as grammarians and critics. 
 
 But are there no difcourfes of our Saviour re- 
 lated by his beloved Difciple that are not alle- 
 gorical and very difficult to be underftood ? \Vhat 
 may we think of his difcourfes to the woman 
 of Samaria) and many other inhabitants^ which 
 converted them to die belief that He was the 
 MeJJias ? 
 
 Oi
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 257 
 
 Or of that difcourfe, which he had with the 
 Jews related in the fifth chapter,, wherein he not 
 only affirms that he works jointly with the Father, 
 but that he and the Father were one ? which the 
 Jews took to be (b plain an aiTertion of his divine 
 generation and equality with the Father, that they 
 took up ftones to deftroy him as a blafphemer. 
 
 The longefl difcourfe we have recorded by Su 
 John, is that molt pathetical application of our 
 Saviour to his Apoftles and Difciples, and hen 
 venly prayer to his Father for them and all Chn- 
 ftians to the end of the world. Where he in- 
 forms their underitandmgs and cheers their hearts^ 
 with doctrines of the utmoft dignity and impor- 
 tance, and promi(es of manfions of eternal reft 
 and ineftimable preferments in the kingdom of 
 heaven, which he was going to merit,, and pre- 
 pare for 'em, in terms fb plain and fatisfa6tory, 
 that the Difciples joyfully cry out, Now fpeakcji 
 thou flaintyy and ufefl no f arable a . 
 
 Does the other bold Socinlan mean that Goci, 
 who infpir'd the blefled St. Paul,, directed him to 
 ufe language affedtedly obfcure ? To what purpofe 
 then did he appoint him to publifh the Gofpel to 
 the world? Or did St. Paul write of his own head., 
 and out of vanity and (milter aims affe6t dark and 
 
 - St. T^.hn C'i;p. xiv, xv, xvi, xvii. 
 
 L 1 unin-
 
 258 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 unintelligible language? Such interpreters of the 
 Gofpel would a6t more fairly if they follow'd the 
 examples of their predeceffors of famous memo- 
 ry, Ebion, Cer'mthus, &c. in ftriking the books 
 and paffages, which they don't approve, out of 
 the Canon, than allow 'em to be divinely infpir'd, 
 and yet treat 'em with fuch infolent freedom, as 
 to force a meaning out of them contrary to their 
 exprels words in defiance of all the realbn of gram- 
 mar, and judgment of common lenle, 
 
 I cannot better conclude this lection than with 
 this beautiful and judicious reflection of Dr. F/W- 
 des b . cc In this character of plainneis if we con- 
 " lider along with it, the form and dignity of 
 <c expremon, leveral writings of the old Tefta- 
 " ment, and in a manner all the writings of the 
 < new, exceed whatever has been at any time 
 <f publifFd by prophane authors. How infipid 
 <c are all the flowing elegancies of Plato , the 
 Imooth tho' elaborate periods of Cicero, and 
 the pointed aphorifms of Seneca, in comparifon 
 only of thole beauties which ftrike us in the 
 fimple narration of the interview Jofeph had 
 with his brethren at the time of his difcovcring 
 him lei f to them , and in that of the parable of 
 the prodigal fan. There is fuch clearnefs and 
 
 b Theologn Specular, p. 2.30. 
 
 (C evidence 
 
 cc 
 <f 
 <c 
 cc 
 
 <c
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 2 ^ 
 
 fc evidence in the narrations of the Evangelifts , 
 ( that they feem not only to fpeak, but prefent 
 ff things to our eyes. 
 
 We are concern'd and mov'd, as if we were at- 
 tendants on our Saviour ; were hearers of his words 
 of divine truth, and eye-witneffes of his works or 
 wonder and almighty goodnefs. 
 
 . i. We come now to mention fome inflances 
 of the ftrong ftyle (in which the new Teftament 
 abounds) which confifts in fblid vigorous thought 
 drefs'd up in forcible expreffionj in few weighty 
 words containing much fenfe$ or in many words 
 to amplify a thing which has fo much grandeur 
 in it, and is accompany'd with fb many noble 
 circumftances , that it cannot be reach'd in a 
 few. 
 
 When St. Paul to the Coloffiaus finds occafion 
 to exprefs his own zealous endeavours, labours 
 and fufferings in publiflnng the laving myftery of 
 the Gofpel, and to magnify the grace of God 
 that gave fuccefs to his labours of love, he uies 
 great variety of good words, unites feveral empha- 
 tical terms, which give all poflible ftrength to the 
 fnbjcctj fb grand in the original, that they can- 
 not admit an adequate tranflation c . 'Tis not 
 
 c Col off. i. i i . 'Ev -srcicr, o'vuzuct t?MiaiJ.viJ.*vci Y^l ro y.py.r:s 
 
 *, y ~ (, T ^ 
 
 r -\.'f i . cat* T& j c\. '. , 
 
 L 1 i inferior
 
 160 7%e SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 inferior to that Pkonafmus in Thucidides, which is 
 very noble and vigorous 'Tis agreed upon an al- 
 liance "between Sparta and Athens, that the Athe- 
 nians Jhall affijl the Lacedemonians in the moft vi- 
 gorous manner they Jhall be able, according to the 
 uttermojl of their power d . 
 
 With what nervous eloquence and feledl: varie* 
 ty of expreffions does the great Apoftle defcribe 
 the weaknefs of thofe unfteddy Chnitians that are 
 deluded by juggling deceivers ; and fet off the.vilr- 
 lany and enfharing flights of thofe fubtil impo- 
 flors ? e He calls them infants, unfteddy and tri- 
 fling, compares 'em to iliips without ballaft, toft 
 by the waves, and the {port of winds. Then the 
 villany of heretical deceivers is exprefs'd in a man- 
 ner inimitable 5 in, fiich ftrong words as will not 
 bear a full and clofe translation. Our Englijh 
 tranflators have done the firfr part well, but have 
 fiil'd and funk in the latter - - It may be para- 
 phras'd to this purpofe That we may no longer 
 be infants, toiled with waves,, and whirl 'd about 
 with every wind of dofcrine, by the cheating 
 flight of men, by craft and doubling, according 
 to the artifice and fubtil methods of impofture. 
 
 a Thucid. f. aor. I. I, z. T/uoTra) CTTC.'W civ c^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 TO 
 
 Ephcl. iv. 14. '; T/5' Kv&a r f%S avfl 
 TI'V t aOcc' A 'c'.'; r^r TXav/:r, 
 
 The
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 2<r 
 
 The mercy and goodnefi of God in /paring 
 and accepting returning iinners, and his juft and 
 terrible feventy upon hard rebels and final impe- 
 nitents cannot be exprefs'd with a nobler em- 
 phafiSj nor in a manner more ftrong and mov- 
 ing than by the great Apoflle to the Romans. 
 Or defpifeft thou, O man, the Riches of God's good- 
 nefs, and forbearance, and long- Buffering, not 
 knowing, not considering, that the goodnefs of God 
 leadeth thee to repentance : But ly thy hardnefs and 
 impenitent heart treafureft up unto thy felf wrath 
 againft the day of wrath, and of the revelation or 
 appearance, and of the righteous judgment of God { ? 
 
 Here is a {elect variety of admirable words , 
 7r?:dTQ$ rr/g XgyroTtfroe y^ ?'//? ^o-yj^q ^ T$J? fiaxfo- 
 &jy.:'a? TV 0t5 ' where the critics tell us that the 
 firft word fig-nifies the infinite goodnefs and se- 
 
 _ , o o o 
 
 nerofity of the divine nature, whereby he is in- 
 clm'd to do good to his creatures,, to pity and 
 relieve. The iecond cxpreiles his offers of mer- 
 cy upon repentance , and the notices and warn- 
 ings iinners have to amend. Tlie third is his 
 bearing the manners of bold Iinners. waiting lone: 
 
 o o o 
 
 f Philo admirably expreflcs this goocincfs, and very agree- 
 ably to the fulncfs and magnificence of fcsipture phrafe : 
 \:7t7'EcCcXri TO ^.y'rs r 1 ayaOornr^ =. Bene thefaurus ira; 
 opponirur diviuis bonitatis. '/ illicir, manu ducit, &r,j<Mi~- 
 <-y coy?)':, habcmus apuci Plurarchum. Vid,.Pooli Synopfin 
 ni Joe. Rom. ii. 4, f . 
 
 I
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 <' 
 
 for their reformation, and from year to year de- 
 ferring to give the final ftroke of vengeance. In 
 what an apt oppofition do riches of divine good- 
 nefs, and treafures of wrath to come and divine 
 juftice ftand to one another ? What a proper mo- 
 tive is the one to lead any temper that has the 
 lead ingenuity, to repentance, and to work up- 
 on the hopes of mankind? How proper the other 
 to rowze up the folemn reflections of bold fin- 
 ners, and work in 'em refblution of fubmiffion 
 to God, and leading a good life, in order to a- 
 void falling into his hands, who is a confuming 
 fire, and being plung'd into the deeped damna- 
 tion ? 
 
 That omnipotent power by which our Savi- 
 our's human body was rais'd from the dead is ad- 
 mirably fet forth by the ApoiHewith fuch a flrong 
 cmphafis, and in fb high an exaggeration of cx- 
 pre (lions as is fcarce to be pirallcla in any author. 
 
 I {hall tranfcribe the original, becaufc our tranfla- 
 
 c? 
 
 tion in this place, and we may almoft add, all 
 others, comes far jliort of it 5 and I think we need 
 not doubt, with Bifhop Pearfon, that our lan- 
 guage will fcarce reach it, but may be well affur'd, 
 that it never can : K#2 TL ro v-.?~z/3>cy vJycQcc r/jg 
 VTZ wrx r/jy e^eysix-j ra xearcxg ?>;V 
 
 Here arc cvszw.c. and Icy^ two words 
 
 to
 
 Defended and Illuflrated. 263 
 
 EO exprefs power, and that the power of God 5 
 and then to ftrengthen the expreffion, psysQo? is 
 added to the one, and xf%To$ to the other. And 
 as if this was not fufficient there is TO VTTSfSxfoov 
 fjisys$o$ TJjz SlivxfJLSuc 9 and evsgysia r5 y.fZTZc, and 
 all this quickned with an active verb rp evs'oywft ' 
 All which the blefled Father fet on work, all 
 which he actuated by railing Chrift from the 
 dead * 
 
 . 3 . We have in the (acred writers feveral in- 
 fiances of ftrong flyle fharpen'd with a juft feve- 
 rity againil bold blafphemers, and enemies to our 
 Saviour's Crofs. 
 
 Whence we learn that 'tis a vain pretence, that 
 only gentle and loft expreffions are to be apply'd 
 to people that renounce good principles, and cor- 
 rupt the Gofpel. The holy Ghoft, who knew 
 what is in the heart of man, commands the mi- 
 nifters of Jefus Chrift to rebuke harden'd finners 
 with fliarpnefs and (evcrity. Reprove, rebuke, 
 exhort with all long-fuffevmg and doctrine h . Rebuke 
 'em Jharffa that they may be found in the faith '. 
 
 s Ephcf. i. Ip, 10. ViJ. Bifliop Pear fan on the Creed, p> 
 H9* quarto ed. Biihop Kidder Dem. of Meflias Part i. For 
 More inftanccs of this ityle in the new Tcllament fee I PCL. 
 ui. 17. iv. 4. i Pet. iii. 17, &cc. h 2. Tim. iv. 5. 
 
 * Titus i. i^. 'Tis ftfong^ in the original, l\^yy.i^-.orc^^ 
 rvith (i cutting Jewrity,,. 
 
 i Oar
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 Our Lord's great forerunner, and our ord him- 
 felf, the meek eft perfbn upon earth,, fever eJy ex- 
 pos'd the hypocrify and malice of the Scribes and 
 Pharifces, and call'd 'em a generation of vipers. 
 St. Paul very tartly and eagerly reprimands the 
 (orcerer Elymas for endeavouring to hinder the 
 converfion of the Ood Proconlul to the faith k . 
 
 r T 
 
 Some pcrfons are of a ilavifti temper, and not to 
 be reclaimed or worked upon without a charitable 
 cagernefs and vehemence. Some are fb ftupid and 
 fecure as not to be convinced or awaken'd without 
 expofing and inveighing againft their guilt, and 
 expreflmg their danger in all the terrors and loud- 
 eft thunder of eloquence. 
 
 No words cou'd with more propriety and force 
 xeprefent the madnefs of debaucht and blaipheming 
 heretics than that noble place of St. Jude l ; no- 
 thing in God's creation befides have fupply'd Co 
 proper a metaphor to exprefs the ungovernable 
 infolence and filthy converfation of thcfe infidels, 
 as that unruly element which roars, and rages, 
 and foams out mire and dirt to the ilioars. Ad- 
 mirable is the allufion betwixt the agitation of this 
 
 o 
 
 .boilterous element, and the zeal and furious pat- 
 fions of thofe vile impoftors, which foam out in- 
 to datable language, {welling words of vanity, 
 
 k Acls xiii. 10. Ver. 1 ,
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 
 
 and cxpreffions of the moft deteftable lewdnefs 
 No paraphrafe can reach that glorious text: Kt>- 
 
 rag iavruv a/'- 
 
 With what cutting feverity and becoming zeal 
 does the great Apoftle to the Philipfians n inveigh 
 againft the profligate lewdnefs and infatuation of 
 deceivers,, that renounced Chrift and all morality ? 
 And tho' juftice and a regard to the honour of 
 the Gofpel, and the fecurity of Chriftians yet un- 
 corrupted engaged this faithful champiom of the 
 Crofs to treat thefe wretches with fuch iliarpnefs, 
 and to foretel their miferable end, to excite them 
 (if poflible) to a fpeedy repentance ; and to warn 
 Chriftians from adhering to fuch blind guides, 
 and walking with them in the road of damnation 5 
 yet what tendernefs and bowels of companion are 
 mixt with his juft indignation and denunciations 
 of wrath ! 
 
 Many men walk, of ^whom I have often told you, 
 and even now tell you weeping, that thev are the 
 enemies of the Crofs of Chrijl : J^hofe end is deftru- 
 ftion, whofe god is their belly, and their glory in 
 their flame, &c. The Apoftle here, like an up- 
 
 m *E?ra(pg/JovT?, as Grotius reads, but 'tis lira^^ovra in 
 moft books. There is no difference in fcnfe or grammar, 
 That great man juttly admires its emphafis and beauty Ho, 
 >.. f, p. 140, 141. H Philip, iii. 18, 19, 
 
 M m nsht
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 right and compaffionate judge, when he is obliged 
 to pronounce the fatal (entence againft an incor- 
 rigible offender, yet does it with reluctance - y with 
 forrow in his heart, and tears in his eyes. 
 
 The defcription of the artifices and treacherous 
 insinuations of falfe teachers, and the inconftancy 
 of their fottiih and lewd difciples, in the fecond 
 Epift. to St. Timothy is admirably ftrong*, and laflies 
 thofe enemies to mankind with a juft ieverity . 
 What a complication of villany is reprefented to 
 us in that variety of ftrong epithets which com- 
 pofe the character of thefe monfters in the begin- 
 ning of the chapter ? It fills a modeft and vir- 
 tuous reader with horror and grief, that men 
 iliou'd be fo enormoully wicked : And what is an 
 aggravation of their multiply'd villanies, is that 
 the impudent wretches wou'd cover 'em with a 
 difguife and cloke of fanctity ? .. They creep into 
 houfes, clandeftinely fearch and intrude into the 
 fecrets of families, that they may get an abfolute 
 tyranny over the confciences and eftates of thofe 
 they deceive. And who are thofe people, that 
 are deceived by 'em? They are excellently defcrib'd 
 by a diminutive word q , which denotes inconftan- 
 cy> folly and kwdnefs : which with the other fe- 
 
 iTim. iii. P Ver. f.
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 
 
 ledt particulars of their character give us juft idea 
 of their profligate temper, and miferable ftate. 
 
 They are laden with fins, and carry 'd away 
 With divers lulls, under the terrors of guilt, yet 
 ftill continue unreform'd, and gratify their (can- 
 dalous appetites : Always learning, endeavouring 
 to find reft by new doctrines which encourage 
 wickednefs, and {both 'em with full affurances of 
 heaven and happinefs, provided they will but im- 
 plicitly follow, and liberally reward their treache- 
 rous teachers. And therefore thefe unfettled loofc 
 people never come to the knowledge of the truth, 
 but rowl from one abfurd doctrine and heretical 
 notion to another ; till they fink at laft into the 
 devouring gulph of profanenefs, and blafphemy, 
 and inveterate malice againft Chriftianity. 
 
 . 4. The (acred writers of the new Teftament 
 abound with inftances of a tender, delicate and 
 moving ftyle : by which I mean fentiments of fin- 
 cere benevolence and charity exprefs d in language 
 natural and pathetic ; which wins the heart, and 
 affects the reader with the moft tender and pleat 
 ing emotions. But to communicate this to my 
 reader, I {hall rather prefcnt him with examples 
 than be nice and laborious about definitions : fince 
 the words themfelves appear to the beft advan- 
 tage, and he that judicioufly ftudies their beauties 
 
 M in i will
 
 268 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 will be {atisfy'd that they have divine charms and 
 excellencies above the rules of the greateft critics^ 
 and examples of the nobleft foreign writers, 
 
 How moving is the Apoille's tendernefs to his 
 Theffalonians* I how vehement his concern for their 
 iteddinefs in the faith, and their conftant progrefs 
 in the ways of immortal bleffednefs i We now live 
 if you fland fajl in the Lord. Tour departing from 
 the faith) and falling from fo great a fal c uation > 
 which infinite goodnefs avert , woud Toe a Jinking 
 grief to me y and embitter all enjoyments in this 
 world ) 'when our belovd Timothy brought me the 
 *very glad tidings of your faith and charity f , I was 
 fully comforted for all my affliction and dijlrefs : 
 when you are in favour with God, and fafe in your 
 deareft interejls, then only is life to me a blejjlng. 
 
 The Apoftle's aftedion for the fouls that he 
 labour'd to convert and fave is in the fecond chap- 
 ter of this Epillle 1 (if it be poffible) exprefs'd 
 in more forcible vehemence,, and a greater variety 
 of proper words. Tis a paffage equally patheti- 
 cal and noble. How feelingly does this truly re- 
 wer end father in Go d complain of being abfent 
 
 r I TliefT. iii. 8. OuV. ?r? 
 
 ?v. aXXa wjt-v St. Chriolt. in loc 
 
 Ti,aoO{ ct'ayrsXtc'a/jtsvs jf/jiTv T Zt7/Viv ^ T ayaTrZcu u'jutouv. 
 1 Ver. if, ipj 10. 
 
 from
 
 Defended and llluft rated. 
 
 from his beloved children in Chrift u ! How ear- 
 neftly does he wiili to fee 'em face to face ! What 
 a beautiful repetition he ufes, what a felecl; at 
 femblage of words near ally'd in fignification to 
 exprefs the thing with more vehemence Trtfic- 
 
 O TrcffUTrov vjiuv i'y sv 
 
 How affurcdly does this faithful patter 
 appeal to his charge, whether they were not fatit 
 fy'd by experience of his vigilant care, and affec- 
 tionate concern for them ! For what is our hope, 
 or joy, or crown of glorying ? are not even ye in 
 the f re fence of our Lord Jefus Chrift at his coming ? 
 And to conclude with ilill more vehemence and 
 endearing expreflipns of goodnefs, he pofitively 
 and iblemnly aflerts, what before he propos'd in a 
 preiling interrogation : For, certainly, ye are our 
 glory and joy. 
 
 Not far from the beginning of this fame chap- 
 
 ter v , how fincere and flowing; is the benevolence 
 -* o 
 
 and charity of the good Apoftle, how inimitably- 
 endearing and delicate is his fine manner of ex- 
 preiTing it? 'lusifo^svot is a beautiful poetical word 
 which exprefles the moft warm and paffionate de- 
 fire. We were mild among you, as a nurfe chert fhes 
 her own children. We have fought for no temporal 
 
 visvTSS ac v -urors /jiyrwgsg warf^ ys 6 ( aa. 
 f o/,TCt>'v avsjUJ^avTO zp-oGoVj fi^ujj^wav Jei^cu ij-oppc- 
 ovra TZ UMJ'^ f 'wty -oroC'cv. Chryf, v Vcr. 7, <S, 9, icx
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 , or worldly applaufe in preaching the 
 everlajling Gofpel to you 5 and doing our mofl zea- 
 lous endeavours to contribute to the foliation of 
 thofe fouls and bodies redeem d by the blood of the 
 Son of God. We have labour d with all manner of 
 diligence, and run thro all manner of troubles, out 
 of pure charity and affection to you^ upon the gene- 
 rous motives of Chriftianity. I have been tender of 
 you, as the kindeft mother is to the dear infant at 
 her breajls. Does foe love and cherifo her child out 
 of ojlentation or profpeEt of gain ? No, foe is influ- 
 cncd by fuperior and nobler motives j foe is led by 
 the rejiftlefs benevolence of nature, and the ineffable 
 endearments of parental affe&ion. The Apoftle ftill 
 proceeds in the mod moving declarations of his 
 charity : We being affectionately dejirous of you were 
 'willing to have imparted to you not the Gofpel of 
 God only, but alfo our own fouls : One the moft 
 precious thing in the world to impart, the other 
 the moll: difficult. Well might the primitive per- 
 fecutorSj from thele paflages, and the correipon- 
 dent practice of the firft and heft profeffors of 
 our religion, cry out in admiration : how thefe 
 Chriftians love one another ! when this {pint of 
 chriftian charity univerfally prevail'd. 
 
 Which generous fpirit cannot be adequately re- 
 prefented in any words but was never better 
 eonvey'd in any language , nor more beautifully 
 
 and
 
 Defended and lUuft rated. ij\ 
 
 and ftrongly exprefs'd than in that truly admira- 
 ble pafTage of St. Peter-) which comprises both a 
 lively description o and an earneft exhortation 
 to chriftian charity. There you fee that virtue 
 dreft up in all its amiable features and divine gra- 
 ces of fmcerity, difmterefted generofity, purity x 
 fervour, and intenfenefs of affection. There like- 
 wife you fee the heavenly original of this divine 
 grace j it proceeds from the purification of the 
 foul by obedience to the refining truths of the 
 Gofpel $ and the powerful operations of the infi- 
 nite Spirit of perfuafion and reafbn, love and 
 Goodnefs. T# 
 
 . Juft is the remark of the very learned and 
 eloquent Dr. South w on i Cor. xi. 1 9. \Vith what 
 a true and tender paflion does the Apoftle lay forth 
 his fatherly care and concern for all the Churches 
 of Chrift ? Who is weak, and I am not weak ? oyia 
 is offended, and I burn not I Than which words 
 nothing doubtlefs cou'dhaveiflu'd from the tongue 
 or heart of man more endearing, more pifthetical* 
 and affectionate. 
 
 The Epiftle of St. Paul to Philemon is admira- 
 
 v i Pet. i. ii. Vol. f. of Ser. on Luke xxi. if. 
 
 P- 4^7- 
 
 ble
 
 17 1 7& SACRED CLASSICS 
 ble for the tender fentiments of humanity flowing 
 almoftin every word-, for the grateful fimplicity 
 and familiar eafinefs of the ftyle j for the ftrength 
 of its reafoning, the delicacy of the turn, and the 
 prudence of its conduct and addreft. After the 
 ialutation, the divine writer infinuates into his 
 friend's affe&ions by juftly praifing his (teddy 
 faith in Chrift, and generous charity to all Chri- 
 ftians$ and this was a fure method to obtain what 
 he was going to clefire. To put a generous man 
 in mind of his former bounties and charitable of- 
 fices, naturally encourages him to repeat the plea- 
 fure of doing good, and obliging numbers. He 
 but juft mentions his authority to command as a 
 prime minilter of Chriftj and modeftly hints to 
 Philemon his obligation to a perfbn, whole con- 
 vert he was. But with what engaging condef- 
 cenhon does he drop the confederations of autho- 
 rity and obligation j and chufes rather to entreat 
 as a friend, than to command as an Apoille ! 
 Who could refill the moving entreaties of St. Paul, 
 a name fb glorious and dear to the world for his 
 
 o 
 
 converdon of a conliderable 'part of it j And St. 
 Paul the elder, now grown old in his labours of 
 charity and indefatigable endeavours to oblige and 
 Cive mankind ! And what goes farther ftill, St. Paul 
 now aprifoner ofJefusCbrift, an undaunted cham- 
 pion of the Crofs, in confinement and chains for 
 
 x this
 
 Defended and llluftratecl, 27 ^ 
 
 this adorable caufe, and afpiring after the confum- 
 mation -of Chriftian honour and happmefs, the 
 crown of martyrdom ! 
 
 Cou'd that fervour of charity to a flranger, that 
 humility and condefcenfion to a fugitive Have fail 
 of prevailing upon Philemon a relation to St. Paul's 
 convert-, when the great Apoftle, as we faid, a 
 flranger to him., efpoufes his caufe with fuch 
 warmth ; and pleads for the hopeful convert with 
 all the hearty and flowing tendernefs of a pa* 
 rent ? 
 
 I entreat thee for my fon, whom I have begotten 
 in my bonds Receive him, that is, mine own bow- 
 els j not now as a fervant, lout above a fervant $ 
 
 a brother belov'd If he have wrong d thee, or 
 
 oweth thee ought) put it to my account If thou 
 
 count me therefore a partner, receive him as my felf, 
 
 1 lefeech thee, brother, let me have joy of thee 
 
 in the Lord: refrejh my bowels in the Lord. The 
 fathers juftly obferve that here the companion of 
 the Apoftle is fb tender., the charity fb undiffem- 
 bled and generous, that it wou'd melt down the 
 mofl obdurate heart. 
 
 I fliall not enlarge on any more beautiful pat 
 fages in the latter part of the new Teflament in 
 this kind and way of flyle , only refer to a few in 
 the margin out of the Epiftles x , and juft mention 
 
 x Philip, ii. 26, 27. 2, Cor. vii. 3. Phil ii, f, i 
 
 N n tome
 
 1 7 4 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 fbme inilances of our blefled Saviour's oreat con- 
 
 \3 
 
 defcenfion, charity and mildncis exprcfs'd in moil 
 render and moving language. 
 
 Our Lord in his (bvereign Majefty upon the 
 rhronc of his glory, exercifing judicature on the 
 whole rational creation, expreffes wonderful con- 
 defcenfion and goodnefs to his humble Difciples ; 
 applauds and magnifies their charity and labours 
 of love. 
 
 How gracious,, how glorious is that addrefs to 
 
 the happy people on his right hand Come ye 
 
 llejjed of my Father , inherit the kingdom prepared 
 for you from the foundation of the 'world I For I 'was 
 an hungry, and ye gave me meat, thirjty, and ye 
 gave me drink, &c. y . When the righteous in 
 great humility and reverence put off the commen- 
 dation Lord, 'when did <we fee thee hungry and 
 
 fed thee, or thirjly and gave thee drink, &c. our 
 Lord relieves their mode/ty, and acknowledges 
 their charity to his poor faints and fervants in a 
 manner infinitely gracious and condefcending. 
 Verily I fay unto you, inafmuch as ye have done it 
 unto one of the leaft of thefe my brethren, ye have 
 done it unto me. This coniideration that the Sa- 
 viour and Judge of the world regards the little 
 iervices that Chriftians do one another, as if done 
 
 ? Mat. xxv, 34, $f, 40, 
 
 to
 
 Defended and Ilhtftraled. 275- 
 
 to his own facred perfbn in his flate of humilia- 
 tion is their grand fupport and confblation in their 
 fufferings, guards innocence in a profperous ftatc, 
 and adorns and heightens all its felicities and en- 
 
 o 
 
 joymentsj is an eternal obligation to gratitude 
 and a prevalent motive to the nobleft charity, to 
 the moft chearful diligence and devotion in the 
 happy fervice of fuch a Mafter. 
 
 As the mild Saviour of the world was very 
 good and gracious in his behaviour to all perfons 
 he was pleas'd to converfe with, and who apply'd 
 to him j fo he exprefTes a particular regard and 
 oracioufhels to thole, who moil want and deferve 
 
 C!5 
 
 compaffion, innocent young children. His words, 
 behaviour, and actions were fiiitable to the bene- 
 volent inclinations of his divine mind ; and em- 
 phatically expreflive of tender affection and good- 
 nefs to thofc growing hopes of the Church, ami- 
 able for their humility and innocence, for the 
 
 grateful dawning of reafbn and religion in them ; 
 
 f /* 
 
 for the engaging fimplicity of their manners, and 
 
 their unaffected (weetnefs and lincerity. St. Mat- 
 [hew, St. Mark and St. Luke give us feveral ex- 
 cellent paflagcs to this purpofe^ but St. Mark is 
 
 more full than both the other EvaiiLrelifts 7 '. When 
 
 o 
 
 N n 2. our 
 
 7 Mat. xviii. j|, 4, f. l<\ike xviii. if. Mirk x. i ;, 14, if. 
 
 Our Saviour's diileafure nt his Oifciplc? .is expifii'd m a 
 
 ftrong
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 our Saviour's difciples check'd and put back 
 perfons who brought their children for the blef- 
 Sing of this divine prophet, he was difpleas'd ac 
 their officioufneis, and with concern and eager- 
 nefs repeats it to 'em,, that they fuffer little chil- 
 dren to come to him, and not to forbid or hinder 
 'em in the leaft He kindly took 'em in his arms 
 embrac'd and bleffed them, recommending 'em 
 to the imitation of all his difciples, and alluring 
 them that none could embrace the Gofpel, nor 
 be an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven, but 
 thofe who are of the Sweet disposition, and have 
 the innocence, Sincerity, and freedom from ma- 
 lice, which are eminent in young children. 
 
 . 5. There are innumerable paSTages in the 
 facred writers of the new Tefbment which arife 
 to the utmoft degree of fublimity : And we may 
 obServe that in the divine authors the words are 
 ennobled by the vigour and brightnefi of the fenie 
 contrary to the manner of many other authors , 
 where the diction and ornaments of Speech chiefly 
 contribute to the fublimity. The fublime is a juSt, 
 
 ftrong word n'yava'xTyjj-s, he conceiv'd indignation againft 'em 9 
 whicn (till more emphatically fhews his tcnderncfs for the 
 dear children. St. Cbry^Jlom enumerates the amiable qualities 
 of young children: TY'V a'^sXaav, ^ TO aVXacov, ^ raTrovcv. 
 
 wv T 3 ^/ -ura. r :-] xaOa^u' /? "^'-J^'O TB -uraj^/sjj r^Tr XsKvarri" 
 
 B fjiv>icrjHax. In St. Mat. p. 398. 
 
 grand
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 277 
 
 grand and marvellous Thought. It {hikes like 
 lightning with a conquering and refifhlefs flame. 
 It appears beautiful either in the plainer figurative 
 ftylej it admits all the ornaments of language 5 
 yet needs none of 'em j but commands and tri- 
 umphs in its own native majefty. The true fub- 
 iime will bear tranflation into all languages, and 
 will be great and furprifing in all languages, 
 and to all perfbns of underftanding and judg- 
 ment, notwithstanding the difference of their 
 country, education, intereft and party. It car- 
 ries all before it by its own ftrength^ and 
 does not (b much raife perfuafion in the hear- 
 er or reader, as throw him into an extafyj 
 and tranfport him out of himfelf. We admire 
 it at firft without confidering; and upon mature 
 confederation we are convinc'd that we can ne- 
 ver admire it too much. It defies opposition, 
 envy and time ; and is infinitely advanced above, 
 cavil and criticifin*. 
 
 The poor leper in St. Matthew had a juft no- 
 tion that Jefus was a divine perfbn under that veil 
 and difguife of humility, that he put on during his 
 abode upon this earth 5 adores him as Lord of all 
 power -, and applies to him in his own (acred perfbn 
 for deliverance. Ifthou vilt thou canft make me clean* 
 
 a Longin. de Sublim. c. i. p. 6, Ed. Tollis. St. Auguft. 
 de Dcct.Chr. Lib. 4. c. 2.0. p. 33. Ed. Colon, 
 
 Z
 
 278 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 Jefus did not correcl: his (applicant as attributing 
 too much to him, but receiv'd his adoration j and 
 fhew'd he infinitely deferv'd it by anrwering and 
 acting with the power and goodnefs of the Crea- 
 tor and Saviour of all. St. Chryfoftom, that ex- 
 cellent writer and found critic, judicioufly admires 
 and fets forth the force and majeftyof thisexpreffi- 
 on, Iou/7/, be thou clean ! t'Aw Ko8ctgfo$Yrri is parallel 
 to that grand original, fb celebrated and admir'd 
 by Longmus himfelf, TSV^^TU (pug. I ow//, le 
 thou clean, fpoken by Chrift to the leper, was the 
 voice not of man but God j who Jpake and it 
 'was done -, who commanded and it came to 
 pafs b . 
 
 The grandeft and moil majeftic figures in 
 Longmus come nothing near to the fublimity of 
 that awful addrefs of the bleffed Jefus, when he 
 chides the iea, and huflies its boifterous waves 
 into an immediate calm. 2 tuna, Trt&ipuo-o. 
 The waters heard that voice which commanded 
 univerfal nature into being. They funk at his 
 command who has the fole privilege of faying to 
 that unruly element, hitherto fliall thou go and 
 no farther 5 here {hall thy proud waves be 
 ftop'd c . 
 
 fc Cap. viii. v. 3. Mr. Salwey Viiltation Sermon, p. 30. 
 f St. Mark iv. 99. 
 
 4- The
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 279 
 
 The facred Claffics are more noble and fublime 
 upon any fubjed: than the other Claffics 5 but never 
 do the Greek and Latin authors look fb out of 
 countenance upon the comparifon, as when the 
 difcourfe is upon God and divine fubjecb. No 
 human wit cou'd difcover the myfteries of heaven., 
 or difcourfe on 'em with an adequate and proper 
 majelly of language. 
 
 Pindar, who fpeaks of divine perfbns and 
 things with as much reverence and emphafis as 
 any writer in the pagan world, fays of God, that 
 he can catch the eagle on the wing, and outftrip 
 the fea- dolphin. Which is a pretty thought 
 and neatly drefs'dj but how trifling and infigni- 
 ficant if compar'd with that fblid and glorious 
 piece of fublime God who quickens the dead, 
 and calls things that are not as things that are d / 
 
 All the lofty defcriptions of the glory and daz- 
 ling drefs of the inferior Gods, and the meflcngers 
 of Jupiter and Juno are nothing comparable to 
 that majeftic defcription of the angel who de- 
 fcended from heaven to wait upon his Lord's tri- 
 umphant refurredion, tho' it is made up of a 
 very few words, and thofe as plain as any in the 
 language : His countenance was like lightning, and 
 his raiment white as fnow e . 
 
 d Pyth, i, v, zp. Rom. iv, 17. e St. Mat, xxviii. ^ 4
 
 180 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 There is feme refemblance in two or three par- 
 ticulars betwixt a noble paflage of Sophocles and 
 one in St. Paul to St. Timothy. In the firft, among 
 other fine expreffions, the chorus addreffes Jupiter 
 in thofe beautiful terms : 
 
 o strew 
 
 The facred writer gives the majefty of God the 
 titles of o fJixxagioG ^ y.ovog ovvoc^r^ o [tovo$ e%uy 
 dQavatn'asv, (tyuq oixuv aTTfoffrroy. Move; in both 
 places raifts the character which the Apoftle gives 
 infinitely fuperior to dy y*ug X?wu dwxsris The 
 Angels and minifters of God (who are lefs than 
 the leaft drop compar'd to that immenfe ocean of 
 ef Fence and eternity) are equal to the Jupiter of 
 Sophocles y they dorit grow old ly time. But the 
 only potentate, 'who only has immortality, is the 
 incommunicable prerogative of the King of Kings, 
 and Lord of Lords, the Father of men and angels *. 
 And to pofTefs the pureft light of Olympus is no 
 way comparable to inhabiting light unapproach- 
 able. 
 
 Sophoc. Antigone v. 6n, 6\i, Ed. Hen. Steph. p. 
 238. i Tim. vi. if. 
 
 The
 
 'Defended and Illuft rated. 181 
 
 The defcription of the majefty of Jupiter in 
 the firft Iliad has, as Mr. Pope juill.y obferves, 
 iomething as grand and venerable as any thing 
 cither in the theology or poetry of the pagans. 
 Nothing in the Claflics is fiiperior to the origi- 
 nal ; nor was any paiTage in any author ever bet- 
 ter translated than this by the great man above- 
 mentioned \ 
 
 Set Homers fublime, adorn'd with all the 
 pomp of good words, heighten'd with all the 
 loftincfs or. grand and raviihing numbers, and 
 place St. Johns defcription of the appearance of 
 the judge ot the world near to it, only exprefs'd 
 in a few plain and vulgar words, and adorn'd 
 with its own native Simplicity; and all the bright- 
 ,nefs of the poet will vanifli and be quite abiorpt 
 by the dazling and rapturous glory of the Apo- 
 ftlc. What is bendine of fable brows, fbakins of 
 
 c? O 
 
 ambrofial curls, and Olympus trembling to the 
 center, to the heaven and the earth flying away 
 
 o * 
 
 H 
 
 He fpoke, and awful bends his fable brows-, 
 Shakes 'his ambrofial curb, and gives the nod ; 
 The (lamp of fate, and (auction of :hc God : 
 3 iigh heaven with trembling the dread iignal took, 
 And all Olympus to the center ihook, 
 
 rvw. 68;. 
 
 O (.) bctorr
 
 * 8 i The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 before the face of the Son of God? I (ay no more ; 
 To enlarge upon and pretend to illultrate this 
 pafiagc woiul be preiumption, as well as bit la- 
 bour. Oy xno TTfGtru-*!* styvysv y r /j? ^ o vgSKio$ i.s 
 Ib plain, that it does not need, Ib majeftic and 
 grand, that it difdains commentary and para* 
 phrafe h . 
 
 That paflagc of St. Paul, in his fecond Epiftlc 
 to the Corinthians, is a confummate piece of fub~ 
 limity, having both grandeur and mexpreiTible 
 elevation in its thought j true emphahs and mag- 
 nificence in its language, and the nobleft n-imi^ 
 bers and harmony in its contexture or compofi- 
 tion '\ Never were the feme number of words 
 more happily and harmonioufly plac'd together. 
 Turn them into any feet that prolody can bear, 
 and they mull fall into excellent and well-found- 
 ing numbers. The long and iliort (yllables are 
 perfeclly well mixt and duly temper 'd if you mea- 
 fiire them. Thus. %%$ vxeg @o?:/jy eis---j-eo*3~ 
 }:/jy xiwtsv tz*oe co'^'/jcy the numbers will be 
 grand and noble. Every one fees how exaLt and 
 beautiful the oppofition is betwixt afflicliion 
 want, diigrace and pains j, and glory which in 
 the facrcd language is every thing honourable, 
 great and defirable 5 and between the prefent light 
 
 xx. n. ' Cap, iv. IT, 18.
 
 Defended and Illujlrated. 
 
 'affliction for a moment $ and tie far more exceeding 
 and eternal weight of glory. 
 
 Upon this paflage a lliarp Commentator fays, 
 cc What an influence St. Paul's Hebrew had upon 
 fc his Greek is every where vifible. Kalod in He- 
 <c lre r cj fignifies to be heavy and to be glorious $ 
 ff St. Paul in the Greek joins 'cm, and fays 'weight 
 tc f ^l r y> And does not the Helraifm add 
 ilrength and beauty to the phrafe ? Is it any tret 
 pafs againft propriety of language, and rational 
 grammar to put together an afTemblage of agree- 
 able ideas to envigorate the ftyle, and clear the 
 fenfe? The antient and modern tranflators fweat 
 and labour to render this paflage, are forced to ufc 
 irregular cxpreflions, and words and phrafes which 
 exceed all companion . Their efforts, tho' lauda- 
 ble, have very little effect, they fink infinitely 
 below the aftonifhing original k . 
 
 The plcafiire which the learned and devout rea- 
 der receives from the brightneis of the metaphor, 
 the harmony of the conduction, and the exa6l- 
 nefs of the beautiful oppofition is entirely fwal- 
 low'd up by the fublimity of the thought. 
 
 ; Mire fupra raodum. Eraf. Supra rnodam in fublimitatc 
 r ulg. Lut. Cultalio is languid tind poor ivitb all his politenefs^ 
 
 \ r 
 
 >.nd ;s much outdone by ibe Syriac and Arabic wrjions ; e/ps- 
 >;;aliy the lallcr, wbiJ) is rentier" d tbtt; in ibc Latin. Nam le- 
 vicas triditia: nolb - ;u ftihiti remporis modo emincntiflmio at- 
 one Urgifllmo ^pcrarur r.obis pondus gloii;c xternum. 
 
 <) o I
 
 2 .S 4 The S A CUED C L A s s i cs 
 
 -KS^c/ii'j tic, i'Tr/?c//;> almis'* fizgcc Scfyjfy take him 
 off from confiderinc the lefler beauties. He is 
 
 c? ^ 
 
 agitated with variety of devout paflions j his heart 
 beats., and he Jlicds tears : He believes and won- 
 ders j his joy and gratitude are mixt with fear and 
 trembling 5 that God thro' his dear and eternal 
 Son fhou'd be fb gracious to human race laps'd 
 into wickednels and rebellion, as to prepare for 
 "cm iuch inimeniity of honour and happinels as 
 no words or thoughts can reach. Here inven- 
 tion is confounded, and eloquence (truck dumb. 
 In the moft celebrated trifles of earth 'tis eafy to 
 over magnify, and ufe hyperboles j but in the 
 glories of heaven there is no place, no poflibility 
 for hyperbole. Pals from one ftrength and lofti- 
 ncfs of language to another j ipeak with the 
 tongues of angels and menj go thro' all the moil 
 triumphant topics of amplification, and you mull 
 itill tor ever fall iliort of the infinite oreatnefs and 
 
 ^j 1 
 
 dienity of the thins:. 'Tis inconceivable, inut- 
 
 ^i , ^7 
 
 terablc joy and happinefs, eternal admiration and 
 rapture '. 
 
 Upon the account of this noble paflage and 
 
 innumerable more of the hio;hell grandeur and 
 
 00 
 
 (ublimity in the facred Evangelifts and Apoftlcs, 
 
 Vide Rom. xiii. Hcb. iv. 12, 15. Apocal. xix. 1 1^ 12, ad 
 
 i". Apocal. i. i}. ad ip. 2 Cor. iii 18. Col. ii, 5?, 10. 
 
 I cam
 
 Defended and Illuftraled. 285 
 
 I cannot but wonder and be ferry for that un- 
 guarded expreilion of a great man. cc We fhall 
 ff find nothing in facred fcriptures fb fublime in 
 Cf it felf, but it is reach'd and lometimes over- 
 cc topped by the fublimity of the expreflionv" 
 Tho' I entirely agree with the fame learned and 
 excellent perfon, that in facred fcriptures there 
 are the higheft things exprefs'd in the highefl 
 and nobleft language, that ever was addreft to 
 
 O D 
 
 mortals m , 
 
 . 6. We have obferv'd before, and think ID 
 not improper to repeat^ that to be nice and affec- 
 ted in turning and polifhing periods ^ and over 
 curious in artificially ranging figures, and fitting 
 'em off in gawdy decorations and finery., is the 
 employment of a fbphift, and mere declaimer. 
 This was always efteem'd below the great genius's 
 of all ages j much more muft it be fb with refpecl 
 to thoie writers who were adled by the Spirit of 
 infinite Wifflom -, and therefore fpoke and wrote 
 with that force and majeflyj that prevalent perfua- 
 iion and exaclnefs of decorum that never men fboke 
 or writ. There is nothing of affedlation or fupcr- 
 flnous ornament in the facred books 5 whatever 
 we find there is natural 5 and a graceful and noble 
 
 ^ Dr. South Ser, Vol. IV. p. 30. Suibc_ inft rutted. 
 
 4 fimpli-
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 iimplicity adorns the periods. The Apoftles did 
 not nicely mcafure their fentences, nor ftudy fi- 
 gures and artful competition ; they ipoke from 
 their heart, and their noble and animated icnri- 
 ments fill'd out their expreilions, and <2;avc en- 
 largement and dignity to their ftyle. 
 
 We have already produc'd feveral examples of 
 beauties in all ftyles, which are likewife mftances 
 of vigorous and clean compodtion : but iliall now 
 (elect, a few examples upon this head not before 
 mentioned 5 but fliall firft fay a word of compod- 
 tion. Compaction is fuch a regular and proper 
 uniting and placing of good words together in 
 members and periods, as makes the difcourfe 
 ftrong and graceful. 'Tis like the connexion of 
 the feveral parts of a healthful and vigorous hu- 
 man body, when the vitals are found, the limbs 
 clean, and well-proportion'd, and fit to perform 
 all the animal fuinftions. To (ay nothing of the 
 beautiful metaphors and noble agoniftical terms 
 which we find in the fix firft verfes of the twelfth 
 chapter to the Hebrews, they are compos'd of firm 
 feet and choice numbers, of as much vigor and 
 dignity as the felettcft inftances produc'd and laid 
 open by the critic of Halicarnajjus n . 
 
 n i Ns^^ /jtapTu'acov as Homer's vt$& -ar^i'v cTxcv ^n5s|utvci 
 tr-^'vra. 1 T^^/^ouv r a7 j cQx.',aJVcv y'-^Tv aycJva a'f^y.cfitS'fiTty 
 
 From
 
 Defended and llhtflratect. 287 
 
 From the twelfth verfe of the fixth chapter of 
 the firit Epiitle to St. Timothy to the end we have 
 an admirable piece of eloquence and clean com~ 
 pofition, made up of the belt-founding and hap- 
 pily-iignificant words emphatically expreffing ve- 
 ry fblid and fublime thoughts,, which is naturally 
 and eafily divided into four periods as good and 
 full as any in Tully or Demojihenes . Wou'd you 
 entertain your felf with the choice delicacies oi 
 (weet and harmonious ftructure, diligently read 
 that divine lecture of morality in the twelfth 
 chapter to the Romans. There the members of 
 the periods anfwer one another with a very agree- 
 able variety of fentiments and chriftian doctrines 
 delivered in a few pure and proper words 5 and 
 a wonderful imoothnefs and equality of numbers 
 without nicety or affectation,, eader t\\3.\\Ifocrates 3 
 rapid and vehement as Demofthenes. The great 
 eloquence of this chapter, and its quick and accu- 
 rate turns the excellent critic St. Auftin admires 5 
 and after him Erafmusj who lays in conclufion of 
 his juft encomium, that no muiic can be (weeter. 
 That fine pafTagc of the Apoille to the Thefjak- 
 mans p is as admirable for the purity of its moral, 
 
 The firft from ver. n to 1 5. The fccond from ver. 13 
 to 17. The third from ver. 17 to 2.0. The fourth from ver. 
 2.0 to the end. P i Ep. ch. v. y. 14. Ilia.^ciy.aXs/xsv 3 u,a^V 
 duit^sl-) vsOsTf-iV* rar aT^'y.Tas 1 , wap^ujOeTcS's rs'j oXiIc^'J^tfrj- 
 Q3 r t 'i%tc&i r a's^svwv; fXAX^Qu/jifiitTS -ur^jj? wa'v r as - . 
 
 and
 
 a '8 -8 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 and diffufivcnefs of its charitable meaning 5 as 
 for the elegancy and force of its words., and the 
 delicate turn of its ftruthire. The union of the 
 words within each comma or ftop, and their 
 mutual relation and afliftance is exquisitely pro- 
 per and natural. The noble period runs on with 
 ilrength and finoothnefi, and ends clofe and full : 
 both the ear and judgment are fatisfy'd. Let a 
 man of difcernment and tafte in thcfe matters di- 
 ligently read thcfe palTages feleded out of the la- 
 cred writers 3 with thofe fet down below q , and 
 numerous others which he himielf will readily 
 obferve, and he will receive the higheft enter- 
 tainment that the mind can have from true oran- 
 
 C/ 
 
 xleur of thought, and noblenefs of expreilion ; 
 from a bold and free conftrudtion, and the har- 
 mony of the (weeteft and heft-founding num- 
 bers. 
 
 Tollius the editor of Lvnginus obferves., that in 
 the very beginning of the learned and accurate 
 Epiftle to the Hebrews, there are three Paons of 
 the fourth kind a rapid and jftrong foot with 
 a long iyllable after every one of them, to be a 
 further itay and fupport to them 5 while by theie 
 ileps the writer afcends into heaven. 
 
 <; Ephef. iii. i8 ip, 10, -r iPet. iii. 16, 17, 18. 
 
 Then
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 189 
 
 Then with great truth he tells us, that this 
 mod eloquent Epiftle at lead equals all the fub- 
 limity of the heathen writers. Which Epiftle, fays 
 he, I can prove not to be Paul's by this one ar- 
 gument r . That Gentleman had a ftrange dent 
 at arguing, if he cou'd prove St. Paul not to be 
 the author of a piece, becaufe it was eloquent 
 and fublime. In my poor judgment I fhou'd ra- 
 ther think it wou'd prove juft the contrary. Did 
 not St. Paul write the Epiftles to the Romans, the 
 Corinthians^ Ephejians, Pbilippians, Coloffians, &c. 
 And are there no fublime and eloquent paffages in 
 thofe writings - y no thoughts noble and grand, no 
 numbers ftrong and vigorous as his Paons with 
 their lyllables attending them ? Was not St. Paul 
 a considerable fcholar j was not he admir'd by 
 /Igrippa and Eeftus for his learning ; and ador'd 
 by the Lycaonians for his eloquence ? Had not he 
 abundant meafures of the holy Spirit , was not he 
 carried up into Paradife, and did not he hear the 
 conversion of the bleft I And were not all thefc 
 advantages of education, divine inspiration, and 
 heavenly difcourle capable of ennobling his con- 
 ceptions and elevating his mind upon any occa- 
 fion and (iibjcft that required it, to think, and write., 
 and fpeak with grandeur and fublimity ? 
 
 \*i'.i. Tellium in Longin, p, 2,17. not. ?.z, 
 -* P p We
 
 ?po T%e SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 We have produced feveral places, iliall take no- 
 nce of a few more before this work be rinifh'd, 
 and are able to produce a great many more, out 
 of the writings of this eloquent and divine au- 
 thor, which entirely expofe and baffle this editor's 
 prefumptuous and ridiculous affertion. There 
 is great judgment in placing the emphatical word 
 or words, on which the ftrefs of the fcntence de- 
 pends, in inch a fituation, as moil agreeably to 
 furprize and ftrike the reader or hearer. Thofe 
 words of St. Paul are well plac'd, and very pa- 
 thetical and moving I would to God, that not 
 only you y king Agrippa, fait alfo all that hear me 
 this day > 'were both almojl and altogether fuch as 
 I am, excepting thefe bonds. Thefe words clofe 
 the difcourle with wonderful grace; furprize the 
 hearers with an agreeable civility , and imprefs 
 upon 'em a ftrong opinion of the Ipeaker's fin- 
 cerity, chanty, and benevolence to mankind. Had 
 nzfezTog rw Jt'^uwy TaVw> been plac'd any where 
 elfe, the patheticalnefs, grace and dignity of the 
 fcntence had been much abated f . 
 
 No man will think that this is inferior to that 
 milage in Thucidides, fb much admir'd by Uiony- 
 
 .1 \ , N , J r s 
 
 fius of HalicamaJJus : T^tf^ IE hsMeSzip 
 c";. T ;- He juftly obferves, that if 
 
 : Acts xxv f, 2.p,
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 191 
 
 via and Y] y.ovv sl-ls had been feparated by the 
 interpofition of the other part of the fentence, 
 it wou'd not have retain'd the fame grace and 
 vigour c . 
 
 'Tis the obfervation of the learned Scipio Gen- 
 tills on the feventh verfe of the Epiftle to Phi- 
 lemony that the word brother, clofmg the fentencej 
 contributes much to its pathos and effect upon the 
 mind of Philemon. There is a tendernefs and 
 endearing familiarity in the addrefs proper for per- 
 fuafion , and that endearing term being us'd the 
 lafl by St. Pau^ before he directly addrefTes his re- 
 < : juefl to him on behalf of poor Onefimus, it cou'd 
 icarce fail of moving the good man's tendereft paf- 
 fions v . Tho' feveral very fine and regular pe- 
 riods are found in the Apoflles and Evangelifts , 
 they were never fludy'd or anxioufly fought after ; 
 but naturally flow'd from the fervour of their fpi- 
 rit, and the noblenefs and fublime excellencies of 
 their doctrine and fubject, And this is agreeable 
 
 1 De ftructura p. f8. per Upton M o-xori;,' o/a:xa>,l- 
 r^.vT^ ? TO ^ai^u^Tov sw $C>K. I Pet. ii.p. is a noble paflagc 
 in feveral refpeb, and 1 think (fws clofes the period with moil 
 advantage. v Magnum tsra'9' habet in line periodi hujus 
 
 pofita vox 'Ac^Xfcs. Quod non haberer, aut certe efiet hebe- 
 tior oratio, fl in principio vel medio collocata eflet. Scip. Gen- 
 til in loc. p. 4009. Major. Grit. The obfervation of a great 
 crilic is to our purpofe noirflixov -j o^eivcryfl' ^ ^ TO &m rt- 
 
 O ceiVOTttcvi auavjtvov cv 
 
 Dcmct Phaler, 
 
 P p ^ CO
 
 29 1 'The SACRED CLASSICS 
 ro the obfervations of the founded critics,, and the 
 practice of the noblcft and mod valuable writers ^ 
 as we have fliewn with rcfpcdt to other ornaments 
 of fpcech. (jjuintilian blames fome people for neg- 
 lecting the ienie by too much ftudying the ftruo 
 ture and ornaments of words 5 ff which they lay 
 
 fc they do for the fake of the iirace and decoration 
 * o 
 
 <c of their diicourfe. 
 
 That indeed, (ays this great matter, is beautiful, 
 but when it naturally follows, not when 'tis affected. 
 The language of the facred writers is iometimcs not 
 
 o o 
 
 to be reduced to periods j but difdains confinement., 
 and extends it {elf to a noble and boundlels liber- 
 ty. But then the great matters among the Greek 
 and Latin ClafEcs have not agreed as to the length 
 of periods, or the number of the members which 
 compofe them 5 eipeciallywithrefpe<5t tohittoriaiis 
 and all other writers in profe except the orators. 
 'Tis the general doctrine that a period cannot have 
 above four members : But in fyfrintiliatis judg- 
 ment it admits frequently more j and tho' the fame 
 learned critic will not allow one member to make 
 a period 3 yet one may comprehend as full and vi- 
 gorous a fenie as two or more 5 and then it amounts 
 to the lame thing, by what name {beverwecallit w . 
 
 Thefe 
 
 lv Habet periodus membra minimum <luo. Mcdius numerus 
 
 videtur quatuor: fed red pit frequciucr ^c plura-, Inftir. Orat. 
 
 1 ! 
 
 lib.
 
 Defended and lllujlrated. 
 
 Thcfe finall fentences are frequently intcrmixt with 
 the larger in the facred writers of the new Tefla- 
 ment, and nobleft foreign Claflics : and as they 
 are neceilary in fbme cafes, as in precepts, &c. 
 Co they contribute to the plcafure of the reader by 
 adding a grateful variety to the difcourfe. 
 
 Herodotus and Thucidides take the fame liberty, 
 and as little regard nice and florid periods as St. 
 Paul and the other divine writers: tho' in their 
 writings you may find periods as round and finooth 
 as in Ifocrates himielf. The greatnefs of their ge- 
 nius and fpirit rais'd 'em above the care and anxi- 
 ety of feeking after and labouring for fuperfluous 
 ornaments : and yet there is an infinite and per- 
 petual variety in their noble and moil entertaining 
 works, that you will find every fine turn and eve- 
 ry grace of language, and even the lefler beauties 
 fcitter'd abroad in their immortal writings. Art- 
 
 o 
 
 ftotle charges Herodotus with the loofe or unperio- 
 dical way of writing; which, he lays, is implex- 
 lint, becaufc it has no end or bounds x . Which 
 cannot hold with refpecl: to Herodotus. One may 
 appeal to any competent reader, whether both 
 his hiftory and language , notwithftanding its 
 
 lib. 9. c. 4. p. f f4 driftotk allows that one member mnv 
 make up a period, which he calls fimplc: l~l<(yjoS ! & ji, n c /A 
 c;/ y/jJXojf, [ j a^iXnr. 'A^aXyf j Xtyco /jtoyqxwXov. Rhetor. 3. 
 cap. y. x Rhet. 5. C. 9- 
 
 loofneis
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 loofhefs and neglect of formal periods, don't give 
 him a perpetual entertainment. We are fo far 
 from being difpleas'd that he does not end his 
 periods, prefcrib'd within the bounds and rules of 
 grammarians,, that we go on with expectation of 
 frefh pleafure, and almoft wifli that he wou'd ne- 
 ver end his hiftory. 
 
 I conclude this chapter with a judicious paiTage 
 of an admirable critic y . cc For my part, (ays he, 
 (i I think that neither the whole difcourfe fhou'd 
 cc be bound and confin'd to periods, as the ftyle 
 fc of Gorgias$ nor be altogether loofe and uncon- 
 C fin'd as the antients : but that it fhou'd rather 
 f f have a mixture of both. For fb it will be at 
 cc the feme time both ftudy'd and fimple 5 and 
 <f pleafiire and fweetnefs will refult from both 
 <c theie characters. And ib it will neither be too 
 <c coarfe and vulgar, nor too affected and fophit 
 f ; tical. 
 
 y Dem. Phal. c. if. p. 13, 
 
 CHAP."
 
 Defended and llhft rated. 
 
 COC&O-CQOC.QOCQOPQOCOOCQOC QOCOOQ 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 Containing a jhort account of fome of the beautiful 
 and fuUime tropes and figures in the ne r u Tefta- 
 ment. 
 
 N G o D'S word we have nor only a 
 body of religion, (ays a great man, 
 but alfo a fyilem of the belt rhetoric. 
 Figures are genuine expreilions of the 
 pailions, which powerfully excite men to adl, and 
 exert their abilities towards the procuring their 
 own good and happinefs. They unfeignedly ex- 
 preis all the fentiments of human minds, and lay 
 'em open with vigour and advantage. The (acred 
 writers of the new Teftament abound with thefe 
 beauties j and they are the voice of nature, and 
 the interpretation of the thoughts. Sublimity of 
 {entiment and good fenfe accompany "em, and ani- 
 mate 'em with lire and fpirit ^ therefore it cannot 
 be againft fuch figures and eloquence that the re- 
 markable paflage of Mr. Lock a muft be under- 
 
 a Huni-in LJnderdanding B. 3. c. TO. p. 418. fol. 
 
 4 flood ;
 
 7% e SACRED CLASSICS 
 itood ; becaufe tho' they move the paffiontf (which 
 are planted in us to enliven the foul to exert its 
 powers with vigour) yet they don't miflead the 
 judgment, nor mfinuate wrong, but right ideas. 
 Ctherwife Mr. Lock himfelf wou'd not nave us'd 
 fo many lively tropes, fo many figurative (peeches 
 and allufions in language > or as he calls 'cm, fi- 
 gurative application or words. And if all figu- 
 rative application of words be perfect cheat, and 
 therefore in all that pretend to inform or inftrucl: 
 wholly to be avoided, 'tis impoflible to vindicate 
 the facred Scriptures, which are compos'd at once 
 to convince the judgment, and move the pafli- 
 ons , and abound with figurative fpecches, as he 
 himfelf very well knew, having writ commenta- 
 ries on thole parts of 'em which have the greateft 
 abundance of lively figures. 
 
 This fagacious man therefore, when he decries 
 rhetoric and figurative fpcech, means the vanity 
 and impertinence of unnatural and painted orna- 
 ments j of playing upon founds and fyllables to 
 the neglect and injury of the fenfe, and deluding 
 with artificial and forc'd eloquence. 
 
 In this fenfe likewife might we take that afTer- 
 
 tion of the famous Bifhop Burnet y that the Apo- 
 
 flies have no rhetoric $ but that he farther affirms, 
 
 that they yfe no lively fgures b , which is an affir- 
 
 b Difcourfe on truth of Ch. Rel. p. <5<5, 67. 
 
 4 mation
 
 'Defended and lllnftralecL 297 
 
 rnation unaccountably bold and fliocking from 
 io learn'd and intelligent a perfon. Did that great 
 Billiop at that time fix any determinate meaning 
 to the words lively figures ? Or did he ever atten- 
 tively confider Rom. viii. i Cor. xv. 2. Cor. iv, vi, 
 x, xi., xii, &c.? 
 
 To which may be added innumerable pafla^es 
 that are fet off in the mole fp rightly and grand 
 figures. So far is that observation from the lealt 
 appearance of truth 3 that there are more lively 
 and natural figures in the old and new Teftament, 
 
 o 
 
 than in any book written in any language read or 
 fpoken under the fun. 
 
 The juftice and vengeance which fhall finally 
 overtake and deftroy vile propagators of heretical 
 notions, who have fear'd conlciencts and repro- 
 bate minds, is by St. Peter reprefentcd in an aw- 
 ful Profopdpeia as an Angel of judgment or grim 
 fury watching all the motions of the daring offen- 
 ders j ptirfiung their fteps, and aiming the uner- 
 rino; blow of dellrucrion at them. l-VMs iud<r~ 
 
 O -' -' r> 
 
 went now of a long time Ihigretb not , and their 
 damnation (lumlreth not \ 
 
 After the fame divine author had in his firil 
 V.piftlc exhorted (ervants to fiibmiflion to their 
 
 1 2. Pet. ii, ;. This vigorous anr; nr.imitcj v. r av of fpecch 
 ^ us'd in the old Teftamcnt and cbilic amhon. Poll c^uiten: 
 5 a!ct ana cun. Hor. IT.il w/. v. u, i;, 
 
 Q v] niallcrs,
 
 298 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 mailers,, and an humble refignation to the will of 
 God, who was pleas'd to place them in thofe low 
 and trotiblefome ftations in this world 3 he re~ 
 prefents to them both for their imitation and en- 
 couragement, the aftoniiliing humility of the Son 
 of the moft High and Lofty One, who inhabits 
 eternity j r xho being in the form of God, took upon 
 him tie nature of a fervant, &c. The digreilioii 
 is very natural and admirable : The good man's 
 foul leaves his firft fubjecl:, paffes on to a nobler 
 topic (which yet has an alliance and relation to it) 
 and lallics out into a loftier and diviner contem- 
 plation d . 
 
 Our Saviour had a ; grateful and eencrous ienfe 
 
 c 1 O 
 
 oi: any rcfpect paid to him on earth ; of any la- 
 bour of love and duty pcrforni'd to his (acred, 
 pcrfon. How obligingly does he defend the de- 
 vout woman againft the covetous pretences of the 
 uaytor : and applaud her zeal and pious refpect 
 ro himiclr^ to Simon his entertainer., who was fur- 
 pnz'J at the Difciplc's unaccountable aclion.. 
 { iov\ r delicate is the thought, how accurate the 
 turn, how charming and emphancal the oppofi- 
 rion thro' the whole difcourfe \ Simon, feeft thoit 
 f !<:s ~^ow nut I came into tby houfe and tbou gave ft 
 IRC "io ~xatw to ?uv \cet\ hut fie has -jjafit r,iy feet 
 
 i Pet ii iS, &,; 
 
 with
 
 Defended and llkiflralecl. 299 
 
 4w'rf ber tears, and vip'd 'em with the hairs of her 
 bead : Thou gavtft me no kifs , but fie, face ;Jjc 
 came h?, bath not ceased to kifs my feet : Thou baft 
 not anointed mine bead with common oyl ; but tins 
 ^oman hath anointed my feet with precious and rich 
 ointment e . 
 
 The Scribes and Pharifees in oar Saviour's time 
 were a vile generation of men,, who by ianctify'd 
 looks and femblancc of extraordinary devotion 
 endeavour'd to conceal a moil hateful baicnefs, 
 ravenous co vetoumefij and profanenefi of temper. 
 
 That divine pcrfon was pleas'd to reprove and 
 cxpofe thefe hypocritical wretches. And cou'd 
 any thing cut 'em with juflcr icvcrity than that 
 vigorous .companion wherein our Lord relembles 
 them to w-hited fcfuhher s ^ which arc handfbmly 
 built and much adorn'd on the outfide j but with- 
 in arc full of dead mcns bones., and the moft nau~ 
 icons and fliockiiig filthinefs ? 
 
 How magnificently are the happy privileges of 
 Chriftians thro' Jcfus let forth in that noble exul- 
 tation of the Apoitlc ff ! Firlt there is a full and 
 
 e Luke vii. 44, Sec. eft pcrpetua avris-^/a, mulier ilia la- 
 rhrymis Chriili pedcs abluit j Simon quidem aqua. : Ilia afll- 
 dua eft in pedibus Chriili ofculandisj Simon ne uno quideir- 
 oris ofculo Chriftum excepit : Ilia precioib uugusnto non 
 caput tantum, fed 6c pedes perfundit i ilic nc capuc quidem 
 mero oleoj quod perfuncl'oriiv amicitix fuerac. Maldonat- 
 
 f Matt, xxiii. 17. ff i Cor. iii. ;i, 11, i;. i Cor. iv 
 
 Q q z vehement 
 
 ^^ 1
 
 300 "The S A c R E D CLASSICS 
 vehement enumeration of particulars, and then 
 noble gradation which rife up to the heaven of. 
 heavens, and terminates in the blciTed God him- 
 felf. For dll things are yours: whether Paul, or 
 A polios, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death > 
 or things prefenf, or things to come : all are yours 5 
 and ye are Chrifis ; and Chrifl is God's. 
 
 That pafiage of St. Paul to the Efhejlans s is 
 equally to be admir'd for the fublimity of its fenfe, 
 and the beauty and variety of its charming figures, 
 and excellencies of lan^ua^e. Allufion is made 
 
 O o 
 
 to the things of nature and art, efpifyfjisvci $ T,=- 
 St-fi?.iti{jrJ'jc! y rooted and grounded. Then by a 
 bold and beautiful metaphor the dimenfions of 
 material lubitances are rais'd above their native 
 ligmfication \ and ennobled by being apply 'd to 
 the myitencs of religion. The goodnefs of God 
 in his clear Son Jefus has its breadth, --it extends 
 to all mankind ; its length, it reaches to all 
 ages its height and depth, he raiies mankind 
 from the lowcit abyfs of mifery and clefpair to the 
 hjgheft eminencies of happineis and glory. \Vherc 
 'tis remarkable, that tho' the dirneniions of bo- 
 dies are but three, the iacred author adds a fourth, 
 height, whereby he more emphatically cxprclTes 
 the ^reatnefs, the ma jelly., the abfolute and en- 
 
 ' Kphef. iii. i8 r \<j- 
 
 arc
 
 "Defended and llluftratedf. 301 
 tire perfection, and the immenfe charity of that 
 wonderful work of our redemption ; or in the 
 better words of the infpir'd writer, the mfearch- 
 able riches of the love of Chrijl. The knowledge 
 of w T hich paffes all other knowledge both in its 
 own immenfe greatnefs, and the grand concern 
 mankind has in it j and can never be fo perfectly 
 known by created underftandings , as that they 
 fhall either fully comprehend, or duly value flich 
 an adorable myitery and infinite blefling. 
 
 All St. Paul's, difcourfe in the ilxth chapter of 
 the fecond Epiftle to the Corinthians is wonder- 
 fully rapid and fervent 5 it runs into emphatic 
 repetitions, ftirprifing oppofitions, and a great 
 variety of the moil lively and moving figures. 
 Both in this place and one parallel to it in the 
 eleventh chapter, St. Paul gives inch an account 
 of his labours and fufferings for the Goipcl, that 
 it raifes both terror and companion in every Chri- 
 ftian mind. 
 
 What noble amplifications does he ufe, what 
 variety of forcible expremons, and marvellous cir- 
 ctimftances, to exprefs the power of Jefus work- 
 ing effednally by his meannefi, and triumphing 
 over the pride, malice, and confederacies of earth 
 and hell by the humble and defpis'd doctrine of 
 his Crofs'r As unknown, and yet ^ell known, as 
 dywgj- Mid behold ~j:e live ; as chajlerid, and not 
 
 4
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 as forrowful, yet always rejoicing-, as poor, 
 yet making many rich} as having nothing, and yet 
 fo/effing all things h . 
 
 Thcie noble oppositions , and beautiful appa- 
 rent contradictions reprefent to us the true genius 
 and glorious advantages of the Golpel, and how 
 far its fentiments are liiperior to the maxims of 
 worldly craft and policy. 
 
 This lofty eloquence in the mod forcible man- 
 ner fhews us the little value of things which men 
 of worldly views alone fb eagerly court and meet 
 (antly purfue, if we regard the affirmation and 
 experience of divinely infpir'd perfbns. And how 
 full of comfort and joyful hopes a Chnflian is 
 in his moil afflicted condition for the fake of his 
 Saviour j and how bleffedly afTur'd that the pro- 
 tnifes of the Gofpel are infallibly fure as they arc 
 infinitely valuable ? When wretches of ungodly 
 paflionsj who have only hope in this life, look 
 upon the troubles that are fuffer'd for a good con- 
 Icience and the love of Jefus as the moil frightful 
 
 M 
 
 *> Ver. 10. 'A ou'oVTsr. sV. Vs OU'VTS? .acvcv a'XXa -arT- 
 
 ro cir/; */.?. T rcviw rcwrr.s 1 cc-j ysvcir av r /;, c> >) 
 V e/rzcvTcov c^er;a)'y, ^ei.^sov rf ^apa y/vsratj St. Chryfot. in 
 loc. With what proper \vords, and itrength of turn, with 
 what graceful boldnels and noblenefs is that oppofition and 
 ieemin contradiction exrcfs'd I 2 Cor. viii. z. cv arc>,/v' ^o- 
 
 eming contradiction exprcfs' 
 xi.ar, ^>J-\|xwf r. Tj^jareia T^ *)/c>j>'d; 
 
 sa/TJ l7r?Mixrdc7:; 1 e/r T TTASTCV r 
 
 evils,
 
 'Defended and llluflrated. 303 
 
 evils, and unaccountable folly 5 and the crown of 
 future glory and ineftimable rewards of immorta- 
 lity as the reveries of a heated fiuicy., and the vain 
 wiflics and dreams of fiiperftition. At laft the 
 Apoftle, as carried into an eeftaiy, applies to the 
 Corinthians in that fine apoftrophe, fo vehement, 
 fb full of charity and the tendered; affection ! O 
 ye Corinthians ! our mouth is opend unto you, our 
 heart is enlargd. Te are not Jlraitned in us, lout ye 
 are Jlraitned in your own bowels. Now for a re- 
 commence in the fame (by way of return and reward 
 for my paternal affection for you] I fpeak as unto 
 my children, be ye alfo enlargd \ 
 
 The parable or allegory of the prodigal ion is 
 as remarkable and beautiful as any of thofe which 
 were deliver'd by our bleffed Saviour j and cannot 
 be parallel'd by any of the apologues or allegorical 
 writings of the heathen authors k . 'Tis adorn Yl 
 and beautify 'd with the molt glowing colours ^ 
 and charming fimilitudes. 
 
 'Tis carried on and conducted with admirable 
 wifdom, and proportion in the parts as well as 
 
 Ver. n, iz, 13. Elucct in verbis prcecedentibus mira. 
 qurcdam c?ci-jlrr,s, quam obfervavit Auguftinus, Li'j. dc Doc- 
 trina Chriitiana Corpus, inquit, variis prematur anguilus 
 licet, vis tainen amoris, &; confidentia mentis benc mihi con- 
 ii'iiu, & os mihi patefacit, 6c cor dilatat ad vos exhortandos 
 ] v ,u;itcr & fufcipiendos. Vid. i Cor. iv. 8, 9. Rom. v z, }. 
 "- St. Luke ch. xv. 
 
 the
 
 304 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 the whole \ and there is ib exact a relation be- 
 tween the things reprefented, and the reprefenta- 
 tions of them, that the moil elevated underftand- 
 ing will admire, and the loweft capacity difcover 
 the excellent and moil ufeful moral that lies un- 
 der fb thin and fine a veil '. 
 
 We have here with full evidence and even ocu- 
 lar demonftration reprefented to us the miieries 
 and fatal coniequences of riot and a vicious courie 
 of life. But after our deep concern for the de- 
 bauchery and coniequent miieries of the prodigal, 
 how pleafing is it to every chriilian charitable 
 mind to iee the firil dawning of good ienfe and 
 reformation in the youncr man 1 How heartily and 
 with what good reaibn does every good man re- 
 joice at that unfeigned repentance , and thofe 
 pious reiblutions , which occafion joy even in 
 heaven 1 
 
 And then , what an inimitable defcription we 
 have of paternal affection and tenderneis ! The 
 moil powerful and conquering paflions of human 
 nature are drawn with that admirable skill, as to 
 equal life it fclf. With what ea^er attention and 
 pleafure do we read and confider the readineis oi 
 rhe good parent to receive his long-undutiful ion 
 
 1 Tc 2^ot iJ.-j L j'Si'j T* a.\r$k? e/ux^uVIeiv TS? /jtsv avcn'rs? v-cCla^w- 
 viv v'x, \x , TsV ;j (nrs^cu^f ^iXcireretv avayx.a'^4- Gregor. ex 
 brillultio in S. Mar. c, xin. v. 9. 
 
 in
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 305 
 
 In deplorable circumftances, melting into tears of 
 pious grief and remorfe \ and the exuberance of 
 his goodnefs to the young man upon his humble 
 fubmiflion. The forrowful convert upon his re- 
 turn to his father's houfe propofes to himfelf a 
 form of acknowledgment and fubmiflion to his 
 offended father Father, I have find againjl hea- 
 ven and in thy fight $ and am no more worthy to be 
 called thy fon : make me as one of thy hired fer- 
 vants m . And yet when he falls upon his knees 
 before his venerable parent, he does not repeat all 
 this confeffion out. And what may be the rea- 
 fbn of that ? He was interrupted by the embraces 
 and endearments of his gracious father n , whole 
 goodnefs prevented his petitions, granted him 
 pardon, and admitted him into favour, before he 
 cou'd repeat a very fhort form of words, in which 
 he pray'd for it. 
 
 But no enlargement or paraphrafe can come 
 any thing near the great original. Hut when he 
 <was yet a great 'way off, his father fa^ him, and 
 and had compaffion, and ran, and fell on his neck 
 and kijjed lrim. And with what condefcenfion 
 and aftonifhing goodnefs does this gracious pa- 
 rent bear with the peevilhnefs, and cure the envy 
 
 m Ver. 1 8, 19. n Cur non omnia dixit quaz propo* 
 
 fiterat? Prohibitus cfl patris ofculis 6c ca:teris amoris officiis 
 pluva dicere. Maldormt. in loc, Ver. 20, 
 
 R r of
 
 306 7%e SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 of the elder fon ; as well as he pardon'd the rebel- 
 lion, and accepted the return and fubmiffion of 
 the younger p . Before I pafs on to other inflan- 
 ces of ftrong and beautiful figures in the new Te- 
 ftament, I fhall oblige my reader with a curious 
 paflage out of Dr. Fiddes concerning this allego- 
 rical way of fpeech q . Cf At other times our Lord, 
 Cf according to a method of teaching, which had 
 Cf much obtain'd among the eaftern nations, de- 
 " liver 'd his difcourfes in parables, or fenfible 
 cc images and reprefentations of fuch things , 
 f f which if they really did not at any time hap- 
 cf pen in facl:, yet might naturally be fuppo/d 
 Cf to have happen'd. By this means men became 
 <c more defirous of hearing his heavenly doctrine, 
 cf and were inftru&ed by it, at once, after a more 
 Cf eafy and edifying manner. 
 
 f f Even perfbns who think regularly, or have 
 accuftom'd themfelves to a ftricl: and metaphy- 
 fical way of reafoning, find that figurative or 
 metaphorical expreflions, provided they repre- 
 lent the thing they ftand for in a clear and full 
 light j are generally the moft fignificant and 
 affecting. Now a parable is little more than 
 
 Cf 
 
 (C 
 
 cc 
 <c 
 c 
 
 crcipra? app^TSj w -sr^ovorar <po^jXrj ^ T a/ 
 ^ Hf c/Vx,oucv oxoXax^jas. xl T i?a.fJJpov s/x. dtyqx 
 
 ny^ - y ^ r - Fiddes Theologia Spccula- 
 
 tva, p. 150. 
 
 " that
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 307 
 
 <c that figure of fpeech which we call a metaphor, 
 cf drawn out into greater length, and embellifht 
 cc with variety of proper incidents." Thus far 
 this ingenious and judicious Gentleman. Indeed 
 the way of writing by parables and fimilitudes is 
 in many refpects very valuable, and proper to in- 
 fluence the minds, and fix the attentions of man- 
 kind. It is taken from fenfible tilings 5 and nar- 
 rations in the parabolical way eafily imprint them- 
 (elves on the mind, and therefore both learned 
 and ignorant men may be inftrucled. Tis like- 
 wife a pleafure, and very agreeable entertainment 
 to contemplate how the fenfible parable agrees 
 with the fpiritual things, and divine inftrudions 
 which are thereby figur'd and intended r . 
 
 The eighth chapter to the Romans is a noble 
 piece of divine eloquence, full of the fublime 
 myfteries of Chriftianity, adorn'd and ftrength- 
 en'd with the moil emphatical and beautiful fi- 
 gures. From the tenth to the twentieth verfe 
 there is a perpetual variation of perfbn. He tells 
 'em of their high privileges in having the Spirit 
 of God inhabiting and infpiring them, which 
 
 * Fid. Bifhcp Patrick Preface to Canticles^ p. 4, f. The 
 new Teitament is very full of ftrong and beautiful allegories 
 I refer my readers to a few. St. Matt. xi. 18, 29, 30. S: 
 Luke xvni. xvi. vcr. 19. ad finem. 2 Cor. x. 4, f, 6. Ephcf, 
 vi. 11. ad 1 8. 
 
 R r z wou'd
 
 308 T/oe SACRFD CLASSICS 
 
 wou'd be their prefent fecurity againft the enemies 
 of their lalvation, and a precious pledge of a 
 happy refurredlion of the body, and immortali- 
 ty f . In the next verfe he joins himfelf in the 
 exhortation, and equal concern he had in leading 
 that good and chriltian life, which {uch precious 
 promifes and privileges require ; which makes ad- 
 vice more eafy and acceptable. Therefore, bre- 
 thren, we are debtors, not to the flejk, to live after 
 the flejh c . Having thus encourag'd and prepar'd 
 them, he alters the manner of his fpeech, and 
 immediately addrefles to 'em, and preiTes 'em to 
 purity of life , and chriftian mortification with 
 boldnefs and a charitable vehemence. For if ye 
 live after the flejh ye ft all die $ hut if through the 
 Spirit ye mortify the deeds of the body, ye Jhall live v . 
 How wonderfully does the eloquent and devout 
 A pottle enlarge upon the ineftimable bleflmg and 
 honour that he and all found Chriftians enjoy 'd 
 thro' the counfcl and comfort of that divine Spirit, 
 which inhabits the chafle minds and bodies of 
 Chriftians as acceptable temples ? How noble is 
 that amplification, how exact, how charming the 
 oppofition / The Spirit it f elf beareth witnefs 'with 
 our fpirit 3 that we are the children of God$ and if 
 children, then heirs : heirs of God, and joint heirs 
 
 r Ver. 10, 11. r Ver. n. v ' Ver, 13. 
 
 with
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 309 
 
 Chrijl : Iffole that we fuffer wifh him, that 
 iue may be alfo glorify d with him w . Whether we 
 take the nineteenth and following verfes to be 
 meant of the reft of mankind befides thoie who 
 had embrac'd the faith of Chrift ^ or of the in- 
 animate creation, to which the actions and paA 
 fions of the rational are by the belt authors with 
 great vigour and vehemence apply'dj the expre 
 lion is proper and very fignificanr, the metaphor 
 clear and fprightly. But if they be apply 'd to 
 the latter ( which in my opinion avoids feveral 
 difficulties attending the other interpretation) 'tis 
 the nobleft Profofofeia in the world. So great is 
 the falvation purchas'd by Chrift, fo infinite the 
 glory of the refurrecrion., and the enjoyments and 
 triumphs of the future flare, that even the ina- 
 nimate world is defcrib'd as an order of rational 
 beings, lifting up their heads with eager expecta- 
 tions of that glorious day, and hoping to fliare 
 in the joys which will attend the renovation of 
 all things j and to be admitted into the full and 
 moft glorious liberty of the ions of God ".. 
 
 Ver. i<5, 17. x A7rcx#jtc n ox/aj eru?-{vact and 
 
 are as good words in this cafe as this noble language can 
 afford j and carry very pertinent alluGons and glowing meta- 
 phors in 'em. Mr. Lock puts the twentieth verfe in a paren- 
 thefis, and makes ITT' i/.Tr/^r in the beginning of the lift de- 
 pend upon aTrsxc^eToi, the laft word in the nineteenth, 
 which, I think, u> very natural, and clears the difficulty, 
 which few of the commentators before cou'd clear, 
 
 i In
 
 3 1 o The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 In the twenty ninth and two next verfes all the 
 fteps and methods in which the goodnefi and wit 
 dom of God trains mankind up to the full en- 
 joyment of the falvation purchas'd by Jefus Chrift, 
 are reprefented in a natural and rnoft charming 
 gradation, which raifes up all good Chnftians to 
 the higheft preferments and inward glories of hea- 
 ven. Whom he foreknew, them he appointed to he 
 x conform d to the image of his Sony and <wbom he ap- 
 pointed) them he alfo call'd ; and 'whom he calld, 
 them he alfo juflify d - y and whom he jujlifyd y them 
 he alfo glorify d. Then from the consideration of 
 
 thefe immenfe favours conferr'd on sood Chri- 
 
 fj 
 
 ftians, the Apoftle draws a conclufion in the form 
 of a vigorous interrogation. What Jhall we then 
 fay to thefe things ? We need no further affurance, 
 no ftronger arguments for patience under our 
 fufferings for the Gofpelj and waiting with joy- 
 ful hope of our happinefs in the completion of 
 all the promifes and confummation of all the blef- 
 fings defigii'd for us. If God he for us y who can 
 Joe againft us ? We are fecur'd of the friendihip 
 and protection of God, which will effectually 
 guard us againft fear and danger, and render all 
 the malice and efforts of enemies on earth and in 
 hell impotent and ineffectual. And does not this 
 divine author in the next verfe further affure all 
 Chnftians of their happy intereft in the Father of 
 
 3 heaven,
 
 Defended and llluft rated. 311 
 
 heaven, and the certainty of their fupply of all 
 things really good for them, from his care and 
 bounty, by the moft convincing and endearing 
 argument that ever was us'd , or can be apply a 
 and addrefs'd to creatures capable of being per- 
 fiiaded and oblig'd ? He that fpared not his own 
 Son, lout deliver d him up for us all, how jhall he 
 not with him alfo give us freely all things ? A way 
 of reafoning that at once convinces the judgment, 
 and captivates the heart: That raife all the ten- 
 der and devout paflions that can work in an hu- 
 man foul ; and is a refiftlefs motive to the firmed 
 hope, moft flowing gratitude, - - to all the du- 
 ties and graces of Chriftianity x . There is a great 
 emphafis in the words fpard not his own Son, 
 which cannot with any propriety be apply'd to 
 any mere man, or moft glorious creature what- 
 ever. His own fbn is by way of eminence and 
 diftindion from thofe who were ions of God by 
 adoption, and the grace of his own natural Son : 
 and the Father not {paring him, fuppofes an an- 
 tecedent relation of the higheft kindnefs and moft 
 iacred endearment. Then the facred writer with 
 
 Vcr. 3 2,. Kou ptsO' >sr<?o\flf ^ nrcXXrjV &t}jLirYir@ J r Xs 
 t'va aJry oyc/W^lax T ayaTria; cvvor^ov srooT)? dy 
 TO ^ T c^/s t| /jt/i ^Vac9j, aXXa ^ cn^avou, ^ 
 c.tc^vou ^ corsXcov, ^ ayvcu/jtovcv, ^ 1^9/^v ^ |3Xacr(p>j- 
 v. Vid. plura auiea apud Chryfoi. in loc. 
 
 cr rear 
 
 -D
 
 5ii The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 great rapidity and fervour of fpirit proceeds to a 
 great variety of triumphant interrogations, which 
 imply full affurance that nothing can {eparate Chri- 
 ftians from the love of Chrift their Saviour. Who 
 fiall f eparate us from the love of Chrift ? Shall tri- 
 bulation) or dijlrefs) or perfection, or famine, or 
 vakednefs, or peril) orfword? What can be added 
 to this felecl: enumeration of temporal evils, or 
 things terrible in this world ? 
 
 So far are all things dreadful to human nature 
 from being able to alienate us from our Saviour, 
 that in all of 'em we more than conquer " ] \ a vi- 
 gorous word of noble affurance comprifing the 
 (enfe of a full period. 'Tis well explain'd by 
 Dr. Whltly on the place : cc For we not only bear, 
 cc but glory in our tribulations, Rom. v. 3 . We 
 cc are in deaths often, but ftill deliver'd from 
 cc death, 2, Cor. i. 10. And as the fufferings of 
 * f Chrift abound towards us, fo alfb doth our 
 ff confolation under them abound thro' Chrift. 
 
 To conclude this moft divine and rapturous 
 portion of Scripture, St. Paul expreffes our una- 
 lienable and eternal intereft in the merits and 
 goodnefs of our blefled Sa\ iour in the affirmative 
 way, by mentioning every thing that might be 
 
 Xenophon after the fame form has xTDp^ougtv, Cyr. Exp. 
 
 a dan- 
 
 p. 1 1. Ox. Grec.
 
 Defended and IHuftrated. 5 1 3 
 
 a danger or temptation: And when he has enu- 
 merated all things that poflibly might tend to 
 withdraw us from our duty, and ruin us in the 
 favour of our immortal friend, by a very elo- 
 quent and fervent redundance of fpeech, he adds, 
 or any other creature, any other thing or being 
 in univerfal nature. What ftedfaftncfs of faith, 
 what joyfulnefs of hope, what confcioufnefs of 
 integrity, what rapturous flights of divine love 
 are here exprefs'd in the moft exalted fuitable elo- 
 quence? c For I am perfuadecl that neither [fear 
 cc of] death, nor [hope of] life, nor angels of 
 Satan, nor princes, nor potentates, nor fuf- 
 ferings prefent, nor fufferings to come, nor 
 heights of preferment, nor depth of difgrace, 
 cf nor any other creature or thing, fliall be able 
 ' c to {eparate us from the love of God in Chnf t 
 cc Jefus our Lord y . 
 
 We have in the fifteenth chapter of the firft, 
 Epiftle to the Corinthians the fulleft account of the 
 refurredion of the dead that the whole Scriptures 
 afford plainly defcrib'd, ftrongly prov'd j enno- 
 bled with the moft auguft myfterics and grand 
 
 y Vid. Dr. Hickes^ and after him Dr. Wbitby I confefs 
 the paraphrafe on the words has crampt the rapidity of the 
 fcntcnce : But always expeft that my reader that loves and 
 underitands the Greek fliou'd read it in the original, where 
 the words found better and are more fignificant, the numbers 
 more harmonious, and the turn more round and delicate. 
 
 S f lentimcnts ; 
 
 Ct" 
 1C 
 
 cc
 
 314 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 fentiments 5 and adorn'd with all the beauty of 
 compofition, choice of words, vigour, variety, 
 and magnificence of figures. 
 
 Tis like the richeft and moft delicious paradife 
 in the world, that flourilhes with every beauty 
 which the earth, under the moft favourable influ- 
 ences of the heavens, can produce j and all the 
 rich and falutary fruits which can regale the palate., 
 and 'prefer ve the health of mankind. As to the 
 figures, which are the leaft beauties of this noble 
 difcourfe, they are more numerous and lively than 
 in any piece of eloquence of equal length in any 
 language. Here you have the metaphor with all 
 its fprightlinefs and clear allufion *. The Profo- 
 pofe'ia or creation of a perfbn with all its furprize 
 and wonder 3 : Interrogation with its moft prefling 
 vehemence and rapidity b : Amplification, with its 
 unexhaufted ftores, and entertaining variety": 
 Repetition, with all its emphafis, quicknefs of 
 turn, and charm of harmony d : The Epiphonema- 
 or concluding remark, with all its foimdnefs of 
 ienfe and fagacity, all its dexterity and happinefs 
 of application 6 . The great Apoftle's- entrance upon 
 
 2 Ver. 41, &c. a Vcr. f^. b Vcr. 19, &c. 
 c ' Vcr. 31. Kou *^o ^3 M'^fjv O./POS "Trcalw TTCIC.ITCU T otvfyo'iv* 
 CITTSV an x.jyo r iu;db'c f (^y, ir^crfO/iy.sv, CTI -ara'crav co^v, ra ( OTI x.aG 3 
 ra r on xivc^uuydb'w /^cvov, (pr.o-j, d.K\d dOTo9vr|(rxG>. 
 l. in ioc, a Vcr. 43, &c. f 3, &c. = Vcr. uic. 
 
 i his
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 315 
 
 Kis fubjeft and addrefs to his converts, who began 
 to waver, is very prudent and engaging, iet off in 
 the choiceft words and moll perfuafive expreiTi 
 ons. He tells them that he declares no other Go 
 {pel to them than what they receiv'd, flood in, 
 and fliou'd be (av'd by, if they periever'd in the 
 (bund faith. You receiv'd it not only by words, 
 but actions, figns and wonders \ it was deliver'd 
 to you as a depofitum, or facred pledge, which 
 ought to be kept inviolable and undiminifh'd $ 
 becaufe 'tis of infinite value, and a very ftricl; ac- 
 count muft be given of it at the lad day. When 
 the good man magnifies his own labours, to keep 
 up his credit againft a fa&ion in this Church, who 
 endeavour'd to blemifh it, and defeat his miniftry, 
 he takes off the offence of (elf-commendation by 
 the humbled and fincereft acknowledgments of 
 
 o 
 
 his former faults 5 by taking all the lhame of his 
 bigottry and fpight to Chriftianity upon himfelf^ 
 and by afcribing his preeminence above others, 
 and his glorious fucceis in preaching the Gofpel, 
 which before he laid wafte, to the mighty powci 
 and free-grace of God. 
 
 Then the noble champion of Chriftianity pro* 
 duces his variety of ftrong reafbns to eftabliili this 
 fundamental doctrine of it, upon which all our 
 precious hopes reft 5 which the Devil attacks with 
 all his engines, and is the grand fubjecl of the 
 
 S f z feoffs
 
 $16 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 feoffs and ridicule of the Corinthian and other pa- 
 gan philofophers , infpir'd and deluded by that 
 malicious importer. What a clofe chain and 
 connexion of arguments make up this very learn'd 
 and elaborate difcouHe ? How do reafons upon 
 reafbns arife 5 and one beauty and wonder clofe- 
 ly fucceed another f ! There is full fatisfaftion in 
 the ftrength of his reafbnins;, and perpetual plea- 
 
 C* C? A 1 
 
 (lire in the variety of it. " The Apoftle, {ays a 
 learned and eloquent writer * on this fubjecl; , 
 cc with a refiftlefs force and conviction proves, 
 " what was utterly abhorrent to the heathen phi- 
 fc lofbphers 5 that filth and rottennefs are the pre- 
 " parations to glory j and duft and aihes the ieed- 
 cc plots of immortality. What ftrong, what 
 <c joyous affurance does he give us that our grave 
 S( will not fo much be the conclufion as the in- 
 <f terruption of our lives; a iliort interval be- 
 <c tween the prefent and the future ^ and a pat 
 
 cc facrc to convey us from this life to one of glo- 
 
 11- 
 
 ry and eternal enjoyment i 
 
 With v/hat becoming ferioufhefi and {blemnity 
 does the great man introduce his difcovery of the 
 moft fublime and important myfteries that ever 
 were reveal'd to angels or men i In what an awful 
 manner he raifcs their attention and reverence ! 
 
 f 'TTroOjo-iv \fnro(3ftr4 craws^wr av,ui^y's. Sr. Chryf. OH. V. fO- 
 8 Di. South, SX.T. Vol. IV. p. 2.363 2.5-7, 
 1
 
 Defended and Illuflrated. 317 
 
 No-iu this I fay, brethren, that fleJJj and blood can- 
 not inherit the kingdom of heaven. Behold! I Jhew 
 you a myftery. How many fublime and glorious 
 doctrines does this illuminated man dif cover in 
 one breath! The order of the refurrection : Thofe 
 who die in Chriil fhall rife next to their mailer j 
 by virtue of whofe reftirrection they rife to eter- 
 nal blifs. The end of Chrift's mediatorial king- 
 dom : The agility, brightnefs, and glory of cele- 
 flial or refurredion-bodies. The different degrees 
 of glory in perfbns differently quahfy'd. That 
 fbme Chriilians ihall furvive at the day of judg- 
 ment, and undergo a change equivalent to death, 
 and be transform'd in an inflant into unutterable 
 brightnefs and dignity. Thofe awful expreflions, 
 otyQzXtjLZ h TYJ sc^rrj craATr/yf/, 
 oL vsxfd sysfQijtrwrxi HtyQagToi, ) 
 Qx h , ilrike every attentive reader 
 with furprize and trembling. 
 
 Towards the clofe the Apoflle, having prepar'd 
 the way and gain'd authority by a firm and refill- 
 left chain of arguments, exhorts his Corinthians to 
 fuitable faith and practice with a noble earneil- 
 nels ; and reproves them with a charitable feverity. 
 Awake to righteoitfnefs Awake and be fober (ib 
 the emphatical word ^y/^sfe fignifies) for it looks 
 like drunkennefs and dillraclion in any one by in- 
 
 h Vcr. 5-1. 
 
 fidelity
 
 $i% The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 .fidelity and vice to extinguish fuch glorious hopes, 
 "fuch joyous expectations, which are only fupport- 
 cd by this gfand article of the refurredtion. 
 
 In purfiiance of his molt rational and refiftlefi 
 diicourfe St. Paul in the fervour of his fpirit, and 
 firmnefs of his faith, breaks out into a fong of 
 victory and triumph over death and the grave , 
 by him defcnb'd as dreadful tyrants, arm'd, and 
 long victorious over human race. He reprefents 
 the monfters as already fubdu'd, and treads on the 
 necks of thofc univerfal conquerors. l Then he 
 pailes on to adore our blefled Deliverer, the great 
 Captain of our (alvation, and raife a trophy of 
 gratitude to the Lord of hofts, the only giver of 
 all victory, the Refurrection and the Life; who 
 has brought immortality to light by his Gofpel, 
 and triumph'd over hell and death, even upon 
 the Crofs. 
 
 Then how juft, how moving and emphatica! 
 is the practical conclufion from this doctrine ? 
 Wherefore my loelo^ved brethren, be ye Jtedfajl, un- 
 mowable ; where we have two ftrong words to the 
 fame fenfe to exprefi the importance of the doc- 
 trine, and increafe the vehemence of the exhorta- 
 tion. Always aloundm? in the work of the Lord. 
 
 J o 
 
 E; r/jj 
 
 ^, O^CDV iJVy] cJr ysvHj 
 
 - r. /.. Sc. Chrlof. in. ,'oc. 
 
 He
 
 Defended and Ifluftrated* 319 
 
 He did not barely fay, working, or doing the 
 work of the Lord, but abounding in it k ; govern- 
 ing your own fouls and bodies by an unblame- 
 able conduct, a pure and ftrid difcipline; ferv- 
 ing God with fincerity and fervency of fpirit, and 
 promoting the interefts of mankind with indefa- 
 tigable diligence and unceafing labours of love. 
 What labour can be a trouble, nay what labour 
 can be otherwife than the higheft pleafure to him,. 
 who is aflur'd that his Saviour will change his vile 
 body, that it may he like unto his own glorious loody y 
 will give him perfect consummation and blifs both 
 in body and foul, and beftow on him the ineftima- 
 ble reward of an immortal life of the fweetefl and 
 mojt happy enjoyments?. 
 
 K O-Jx. eiTSV-, s^ya^/ji^oj TO a' 
 s.lStyXffias curb "sroicaijfyt, ^ TA 
 f. in. loc. 
 
 CHAP:.'.
 
 310 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 Wherein a fhovt account is given of the character 
 and fyle of the federal writers of the new Te- 
 fament. 
 
 HE facred writers of the new Tc 
 {lament were men of found under- 
 {landing and inflexible uprightnefs- 
 fully aflur'd of the truth and im- 
 portance of thofe doctrines which 
 they publilh'd to mankind, and ventur'd all things 
 dear in the view of worldly men,, for their pro- 
 pagation, tho' they were ridicul'd, hated, and per- 
 lecuted to death. They were not afliam'd to be 
 Confers, nor afraid to be Martyrs for a caufe 
 openly defpis'd and undervalu'd, but {ecretly fear'd 
 by all the powers upon earth. Thofe vile things 
 of which the Apoftles and other Chriftians were 
 accus'd, were nothing but the monftrous fictions 
 of malice greedily {wallow 'd down by the ftupid 
 credulity of a brutal rabble j invtdioufly chared j 
 but not belicv'd by men of fenfe, tho' zealots for 
 
 the
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 321 
 
 the old pagan fuperftition. Julian, the mod 
 fharp and mbtil adverfary of the chriftian caufc, 
 admires the chriftian priefts for their diligence k , 
 and the chriftian people for their abftinence, good- 
 nefi and univerfal charity ; and recommends to the 
 imitation of his own priefts and people all thofc 
 excellent virtues and duties which the Chriftian s 
 praclis'd to the juft admiration, and unfpeakablc 
 advantage of mankind. And then how candid 
 and impartial are thefe divine authors in their re 
 lations ? They make no fcruple to acknowledge 
 their own faults, and thofe of their deareft friends, 
 St. Matthew calls himfelf the Publican , tho' he 
 very well knew how odious that profeilion and 
 name was to his countrymen d\zjews. St. Mark 
 is fb far from concealing the fhameful lapfe and 
 denial of St. Peter his dear tutor and mafter, that 
 he (ets it down with fbme fad circumftances and 
 aggravations, which St. Luke and St. John take 
 no notice of. Only St. Matthews relation is as 
 full and circumftantial, which feems not to have 
 been obierv'd by fome learned men ! . 
 
 St. Paul condemns and deplores his own ficrcc- 
 nefs againft Chriftianity w r ith all the iincerity of 
 penitencej profoundnefs and contrition ofhumi- 
 
 k Vid. Plin. Ep. 10.97. Eufcb. Eccl. Hift. 4. 8, 9. Eufeb. 
 in vita Conftannni z. fo, f i. ] Mat. xxvi. 69, cc 
 
 Mark xiv. 67, cxc. Dr. Cave's Life of St. Mark ^ p. 2,2,2 
 Dr. Jenkins Real", of Chriit. Part i. p. 280. 
 
 T t [itv.;
 
 3 2 z The SACRED CLASSICS 
 lity, propriety and emphafis of expreffion . St, 
 Chryfoftom equal ro any one either in the chriftian 
 or pagan world for both writing and judging well, 
 juftly admires him for this, as he does for innu- 
 merable other excellencies n . 
 
 The feeming differences between the facred 
 writers are reconcil'd after the fame manner that 
 Appearances of contradictions moftly are, which 
 are found in the noble Greek and Latin hifto- 
 rians. The Jewijb and Roman cuftoms, the man- 
 ners of the orientals with their rites and ceremo- 
 nies are to be ftudied j the various {ignification 
 of words to be adjufled j literal and figurative 
 expreflions to be carefully diftinguifh'd : and when 
 the difcourfe is of the divine attributes, and God's 
 providential dealings with mankind, allowances 
 in reafbn and found fenfe mull be granted to thofe 
 aftonifhing condefcenfions of language which his 
 gracious Majefty is pleas'd to make to our weak 
 capacities 5 to encourage our faith, and raife our 
 gratitude to our eternal friend and benefactor. 
 Many learned writers have fuccefsfully employ 'd 
 their great abilities in clearing thefe difficulties , 
 
 m i Cor. xv. 8, 9. i Tim. i. i 3. 
 
 v ysi/otr* av ^ ^uffls j ma*'i\j tram rcT? 
 jiis 1 pn/>cacn. S. Chryf. in i Cor xv. 10. 
 
 3
 
 Defended and llhtflrated. 32,3 
 
 and fliewing an excellent harmony in the relations 
 of the divine liflorians . 
 
 There is fuch a concurrence in the Evafige- 
 lifts as fhews their veracity and agreement 5 and 
 fiich a variety as fhews there was no combiha 
 tion. Their variety ftrengthens rather than weak 
 ens their credibility, for had they by fecret com 
 pad: agreed to put off a lye and cheat upon the 
 world, they wou'd have avoided this variety of re 
 lation j which to fome people, might be fuppos'd, 
 wou'd render their whole relation mfpeded p . And 
 cou'd fuch men as thefe eafily want a natural and 
 genuine eloquence, who were fb honeft and good, 
 mch mafters of their fubjectj fb throughly poffeft 
 of thofe fublime and important truths which they 
 fb firmly believ'd and entirely loved ; by which 
 they conducted, and for which they ventur'd their 
 lives? We have before obferv'd of Tully, (j)mnti- 
 Han, and other mafters, that they ftricUy infift 
 on a perfon being a virtuous and good man, in 
 order to be a true and found orator. Particular- 
 ly the latter of the two nam'd fays, ff That a good 
 (C man will never want handfom language; and, 
 cc whatever is fpoken honeftly, is fpoken elo- 
 
 Authors excellent this way are Sr, Chryfojlom^ Great 
 
 critics, Si.Jerotffi Dr. Hammond, Dr, H'hitby^ Dr. Ligbtfoct^ 
 Bilhop Kiddcr'?, Demonftration of the Mclli;ih three parts 
 
 P Vid. AVer's Dem. ofMefliah, Part If. jv izc. 
 
 T t 2, <c qucntly.
 
 314 ?% e SACRED CLASSICS 
 " quentlyV \Vemayobferve of the reft of the 
 divine writers, what the excellent Dr. More does 
 peculiarly of St. Paul T : cc 'Trs out of the power 
 <c of man to reach that unaffected fervor, thofe 
 <f natural yet unexpected exprelTions of high and 
 <c ferious zealj that exuberance of weighty fenfe 
 <c and matter (welling out, I had almofl (aid, 
 " beyond the bounds of logical coherence : that 
 -" vigorous pailion and elevation of (pint, that 
 <( cannot be iufpeded of human artifice : So that 
 <c we cannot but be affur'd, that he who wrote 
 cc thefe Epiftles was throughly poiTefs'd and tran- 
 <c {ported with the belief of the. truth and grand 
 rc concernment of the things he wrote. 
 
 I fhall juft fpeak one word of the method of 
 the facred writers, and conclude this chapter with 
 a fliort eflay on their ftyle. The method of the 
 divine writers is neither precisely Uriel: and formal 
 according to common logic, which wou'd be be- 
 low the majefty of fuch extraordinary authors - y 
 nor fo negligent as to give any diftra&ion to the 
 reader, or hinder his pleafure or improvement. 
 The divine hiftorians generally obferve the order 
 of time, and if fbmetnnes they anticipate a rela- 
 tion, in order to lay all that relates to one fub/e6t 
 
 ^ Quin. Inftir. Or. 12. I. p. 677. r Myftery of Godli- 
 iifs. ffid. Plato in Gorgias and R$-pub. B. VII. c. 10, 
 
 together
 
 Defended and llluflratecL 325 
 together and in one view f , 'tis what the beft and 
 moft accurate foreign hiftorians do. And all the 
 difficulties which arife from this,, or any teeming; 
 irregularity, are by a common genius and appli- 
 cation fbon to be accounted for and clear'd. 
 
 The reflections and morals in the (acred books 
 are beautiful and excellent,, naturally refulting from 
 the grand myfteries and doctrines which the di- 
 vine writer has enlarg'd upon in the former parts 
 of his difcourfe. But thofe divine maxims and 
 precepts of chriilian life, as Mr. Prior fays of the 
 Proverbs of Solomon", are as a great treafure heap'd 
 up together in a confus'd magnificence above all 
 order. 
 
 Mr. Boyle gives us a large and excellent account 
 of the method of the holy Evangelifts and Apo- 
 (lies, which I think too long to transcribe, but 
 refer my reader to it v . I conclude this l with a 
 noble observation of the learn'd and judicious Bi- 
 ihop G a fir ell : cc Had the Scriptures, fays that 
 ff excellent Prelate, exhibited religion to us in 
 that regular form and method to which other 
 writers have reduc'd it, there wou'd, to me at 
 leaft, have been wanting one great proof of 
 the authority of thofe writings- ; which being 
 
 f Fid. Mr. Reading Lifc-of Cluift, p. 109. 
 
 ' Prior's Preface to Solomon on the vanity of the work*, 
 
 v Style of the holy Scriptures, p. ff, 5*6, cc, 
 
 \ ff penrul 
 
 cc 

 
 $16 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 " penn'd at different times, and upon different 
 <c occafions, and containing in them a great va - 
 < c riety of wonderful events,, furprifing characters 
 " of men, wife rules of life, and new unheard 
 tf of dodrines, all mixt together with an unu- 
 ff fual fimplicity and gravity of narration, do, in 
 tf the very frame and compofure of them, carry 
 f c the marks of their divine original u . 
 
 St. Matthew has all the characters of a good 
 hiftorian, truth and impartiality, clearnefs of nar- 
 ration, propriety and gravity of language, order 
 of time well obferv'd. 
 
 The two next Evangelifts often borrow his ve- 
 ry words and forms of expreffion on the fame 
 fubjedj and yet then the variety of their contex- 
 ture, and diipofition of their clifcourfe, diverfifies 
 their manner fb far that they are authors of a dif- 
 ferent ftyle. St. Matthew is efleem'd by fbme 
 low and idiotical in language ; St. Mark fbme- 
 thing fuperior to him , St. Luke fir the mofl elo- 
 quent. For my part 'tis true I can find fome dif- 
 ference, but not fb extraordinary as many ima- 
 gine. They all ufe fignificant and proper words, 
 and a flyle clean, perfpicuous, and unaffected. 
 St. Luke is fbmetimes a little more florid : often 
 there appears to me near a perfect equality j and 
 
 11 Preface to Chriilian Inftitutes, p. 2.- 
 
 fbmetimes
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 317 
 
 fbmetimes the advantage even in language lies on 
 the fide of St. Matthew and St. Mark. 
 
 Whoever compares our Saviour's parable of the 
 wife builder laying his foundation upon a rock, 
 and the fooliih man building upon the fand, will 
 find the former little inferior to the latter in the 
 purity and livelinefs of his defcription w . So in 
 the hiflory of Legeon, the parable of the ungrate- 
 ful and cruel husbandman, and the narrative of 
 the glorious transfiguration, and in all the other 
 parallel difcourfes and parables they are amiably 
 perfpicuous, vigorous, and bright j and 'tis hard 
 to judge which has the preeminence x . One has 
 a circumftance not taken notice of by the others j. 
 lay 'em all together, and the reader has a charm- 
 ing variety and high entertainment both as to the 
 language, the great things related, and their won- 
 drous and furprifing circum fiances. St. Matthew 
 is grave without formality or ftiffnefs j plain with 
 dignity 5 and agreeably copious and full in his re- 
 lation of our Lord's moft divine difcourfes and 
 healing works of wonder. 
 
 St. Mark follows the fleps of St. Matthew, and 
 fbmetimes interprets and explains him '. Like 
 
 w Mat. vii. 24, cc. Luke vi. 48, &c. x i Lrgron, 
 
 Mark v. Luke viii. Mat. viii. 2, Husbandmen, M-ir. xx ; 
 Mark xii. Luke xx. 3 Transfiguration, Mat.xvii. Mark ix 
 Luke ix. > Divus M ,rcus ita legit veftigia Mitrhrcij ut 
 
 f.epc ci prxftct interprctis vicem. Grot, in S. Ma:, xxviii. i, 
 
 his
 
 32.8 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 his great mailer St. Peter he has a comprehenfive, 
 clear and beautiful brevity. His flyie comes up 
 to what the nobleft critics demand of an hiftorian, 
 that his ftyle be majeftic, and grave, as well as 
 fimple and unaffe&ed His narration fhou'd be 
 animated, fliort and clear ; and fo as often to out- 
 run the impatience of the reader z . He (bme- 
 times ufes the repetition of words of the fame 
 original, and like found, which, as we have 
 above {hewn, the moft vigorous authors do : He- 
 does it fparingly, and whenever he does it, to me 
 it appears very graceful and becoming a . This 
 divine writer, notwithstanding his brevity, makes 
 ieveral noble reflections, and brings in many cu- 
 rious remarks and circumitances, which are omit- 
 ted by the other Evangelifts. 
 
 After our Saviour's defcent from the Mount, 
 where he was transfigured, when his face fhone 
 as the fun, and his garments became white as the 
 light, all the multitude was aftonifli'd, St. Mark 
 obierves to us. At what? At the icattcr'd rays 
 of glory that (till remain'd in his face after the 
 moft wonderful transfiguration. This circum- 
 itance neglected by the other Evangelists all the 
 oriental verfions take notice of: They were amaz'd, 
 fear'd and admir'd b . 
 
 2 Nihil in hiftoria pura 6t illuftri brevitate dulcius, Tull. 
 Mark xiii. i. xii. 25. b Mark ix, if. 
 
 This
 
 Defended and lllitfl rated. 3 19 
 
 Tills Evangel ifl comprifcs our Saviour's tempta- 
 tion in a very few words j and then adds a moil 
 choice and excellent remark He r ojas with the 
 wild beajls y and the Angels of God minijlred unto 
 him c , The defien of which is to fliew, that 
 
 o 
 
 goodnefs and innocence makes a man fafe and 
 happy in all conditions. A good man is under 
 the care and protection of his heavenly Father, 
 fecurely guarded by his holy Angels in the moft 
 difmal and forlorn place. His remark that when 
 Herodias's daughter had confulted her mother 
 
 o 
 
 what flic fhoua ask of the tyrant fhe came back 
 rJ0/ws y.=Tz ?7r%sr,r, immediately with hajle and ea- 
 gernefi, with the bloody demand* fo contrary to 
 the tendernefs of the (ex, and unfeafonable to the 
 fcftivity of the day beautifully iliews what an 
 exact agreement there was between the barbarous 
 
 o 
 
 temper of the mother and daughter ; and ftrong- 
 ]y paints the fiercenefs ot their malice, and the 
 impatience of their thiril for the blood of the 
 righteous Baptift d . 
 
 In fliort, the Gofpel of St. Mjrk, confidering 
 tlie copioufiiefs and majefty of the fubjecl, the 
 variety of great actions, and their furprifing cir- 
 rumftances, the number of found morals and cu - 
 rious remarks compris'd in it, is the fhorteft and 
 
 Mark i. 1 5. - Mark vi, if. 
 
 r u cleat-eft,
 
 330 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 cleared, the mod marvellous and fatis factory hi- 
 llory in the whole world. 
 
 St. Luke is pure, copious and flowing in his; 
 language, and has a wonderful and mod enter- 
 taining variety of lelecl: circumdances in his nar- 
 ration of our Saviour's divine actions. He ac- 
 quaints us with numerous paflages of the evan- 
 gelical hidory not related by any other Evangelift. 
 St. Irenaus particularly mentions many parables., 
 relations, accounts of times and perfbns omitted 
 by all the red e . Both in his Goipel and apofto- 
 Ucal a6ls he is accurate and neat, clear and flow-- 
 ing with a natural and eaiy grace > his dyle is ad- 
 mirably accommodated to the defign of hiftory 
 The narrative of the Affs of the Apodles is per- 
 fpicuous and noble ; the difcourfes inferred cm- 
 phatical, eloquent and fublime. He is judly ap- 
 plauded for his politeneis and elegance by (bine 
 critics j who feem to magnify him in order to 
 depreciate tke red of the Evangelidsj when yet 
 'tis plain he has as many Hebraifms and peculia- 
 rities as any one of them 5 which they are charg'd. 
 with as faults and blemiflies of dyle. 'Tis a ftrange 
 
 e S.. Ircn. 3. 14. p. 2-Jf. Ed. Grabe. Plurimos r.6tus Do- 
 mini per huiic didicimus. And p. i]6. after great variery of 
 inlcances w hereby St. Luke enriches the evangelical hiltory., 
 the father adds, E: alia muka flint qiuc inveniri polTliiit a folo 
 Luca did a cdc. 
 
 complement
 
 Defended and Illuflrated. 331 
 
 complement that Grotius paffes upon this noble 
 author: Luke, as being afcholar> ufes 'many words 
 purely Greek f . Why don't the reft of the divine 
 authors, tho' no {cholars, ufe many words purely 
 Greek? But this we {poke of before. 
 
 St. Luke's ftyle has a good deal of refemblance 
 with that of his great mailer St. Paul, and like 
 him he had" a learned and liberal education. I 
 believe he had been very converfant with the belt 
 claflic authors; many of his words and expreflions 
 are exactly parallel to theirs g . 
 
 The ftyle and character of St. John is grave 
 and fimple, fhort and perfpicuous. What the 
 Wifeman fays of the commandment of God com- 
 par'd to a fliarp (word it touch* d the heaven, lut 
 flood upon the earth h , may be apply 'd to the writ- 
 ing of this great Apoftle, Evangelift, and Pro- 
 phet. As to his language, it is plain and fome- 
 timcs low, but he reaches to the heaven of hea- 
 vens in the fublimity of his notions. cc Who- 
 >** ever, (ays St. Cyril of Alexandria quoted by the 
 
 f Afts v. 30. Vid. Bczam in Act. Ap. x. 46. 
 
 8 'J^u^s 1 Xruos- in St. Luke xv. 14. is the fame as 
 eriTc^a'ii in Herod. I. 40. 1. 2,. So droC'a'XXov fj.^^ 
 St. Luke xv. 1 2.. is the fame as r x^aaTWv TO o^nC'a'X 
 Herod. Gr. 4. if 8. line 17. /*' was mention'd before -o 
 xcXa^XrCTJ Tsracnv 4vw5?v. St. Jjtkc i. "(. tra^xo/'.yOrx.arct rcT^ 
 ^(Ojty.uac-tv clfa^JsV. Dem. de Cor. io/. I. 7. Wifdom 
 
 oF Solomon xviii. i(5. 
 
 U u t learned
 
 3 3 2. Tkc SACRED C L A s s i c s 
 
 learned CKY ', <c looks into the fublimity of his. 
 f( notions., the iliarpncls of his reafbnsj and the 
 cc quick inferences of his difcourfes, conftantly 
 " iucceeding and following one upon another, 
 (( in uft needs confeis that his Goipel exceeds all 
 wc admiration. 
 
 Dennis of Alexandria allows St. Johns Gofpe! 
 and firft Epiftle to be not only pure and free from 
 the leaft folecifm, barbarifm, or other bleniiili of 
 ipeccli, but to be very eloquent in all his compo- 
 fition, and to have from God the sifts both of 
 
 o 
 
 found knowledge, and good language: But that 
 
 o o o o 
 
 the Revelation has nothing like either of 'em, no re- 
 femblance in flyle, no fy liable in common vith 'em, 
 is a very harfh and unaccountable cenfure ; and 
 fiiews, even in the judgment of Dr. Mill y that 
 criticism was not that good man's chief excel- 
 lency k . 
 
 The venerable plarnncfs, the majeftic gravity 
 and beautiful fimplicity of this writer will always 
 by men of judgment be valu'd above all the pomp 
 of artificial eloquence, and the gawdy ornaments 
 of fophiftry, and the declamatory ftyle ! . 
 
 1 Life of St. Jobn, p. i6f. k Vid. Eufeb. Eccl. Hifr, 
 
 I'.b.VII. cap. if. p. i7<S. Valef. Vid. D. Mill Proleg. p. 19, 
 ~~r -I. Ou ^ x/iuTrov p^/jiarcov, fc'a'i Xs|oor y.c/jtTrcv, Jc's 
 
 ov x.ccr/jtov cruju^Hw o-yc ( u=ja Tr/ vo* 
 ,0 rajjra. qti\cffO$ia. d^r a. ??.<;*) cc >..),' iW-jjJ a;j.a%ov 
 
 St. Chryf, in S:. fonun, Evaiu T . Horn. z. p. f6-i. 
 
 This
 
 "Defended and IlluJlratecL 33* 
 
 This infpir'd writer has frequent repetitions to 
 prefs his important doctrines with more clofenefs 
 and vehemence. 
 
 He often takes one thing two ways, both in 
 the affirmative and negative. He that hath the- 
 
 o 
 
 Son y hath life j and he that hath not the Son, hath 
 not life. This part of his character., 'tis hop'd, 
 may efcape the fevere animadverfion of the critics, 
 becaufe the politefb and nobleft writers of Greece 
 life the lame repetitions m . 
 
 This glorious Gofpel compleats the evangelical 
 hiftory, and enriches it with feveral moft heaven- 
 ly difcourfes and miracles of the world's Saviour,, 
 not recorded by any of the three divine writers 
 before him. The five firffc chapters give an ac- 
 count of his works of wonder before the BaptifYs 
 imprisonment. He enlarges upon the eternal 
 existence of our Saviour , and gives us a moil 
 
 edifying and delightful account of his converia- 
 
 i 
 tion for many days upon earth with his Apoftles 
 
 and feledt Difciples after his victorious and trium- 
 phant refurrection. 
 
 The ftyle and terms, the {pirit and fentimcnts 
 of his two laft letters., are not only alike, but 
 often the very lame as in the firft. Every line is 
 
 m Xen. Cyrop. i. p. p, Placo de Repnb- p. zo6. I. 3, 4. 
 
 Ed. Can, 
 
 4
 
 334 T% e SACRED CLASSICS 
 animated with the fpirit of unfeigned chanty, re- 
 commended in divers ways, and by various rea- 
 Ibns ; which is the peculiar character of this tc- 
 lovd Difciple , and the great glory of Chriftia- 
 nity n . 
 
 The Revelation is writ much in the fame flyle 
 with the Gofpel and Epiftles, and entertains and 
 inftrub the reader with variety of chriftian mo- 
 rals and fublime myfteries. From this noble book 
 may be drawn refiftlefs proofs of our Saviour's 
 eternal exiilence; the incommunicable attributes 
 of eternity and infinite power are there plainly 
 and directly apply'd to Jefus the Son of God . 
 
 'Tis in vain to look for more lofty defcriptions 
 or majeftic images than you find in this (acred 
 book. Cou'd the acclamations and halleluiahs of 
 God's houfhold be expreft with more propriety 
 and magnificence than by the fhouts of vaft mul- 
 titudes, the roaring of many waters, and the 
 dreadful found of the loudeft and ftron^eft thun- 
 
 o 
 
 ders p ? And how tranlporting an entertainment 
 muft it be to the bleft to have all the ftrength of 
 
 o 
 
 found temper 'd with all its fvveetnefs and harmo* 
 
 * Vid. Du Pin Can. of N. T, Scr. 1 1. p. 76, 77. 
 
 Apoc. i. T, Sec. x. r. xii. r, z, 3, 4. 
 
 P r ir ^owLui o^Xs orc/^Xa", ^ a? $&-jljj oVaruv tirc).>.ayj ^ 
 tor ^wvLo) ft^yjTfy -nrcXXwy Xtyovrwy 'AXV.Xsta. Apoc. xix. 6. 
 Vid. Apoc. xiv. 2,, 3. 
 
 ny 
 
 *
 
 Defended and Ittuftrated. 335: 
 
 ny, perfectly fuited to their celeftial ear, and moft 
 exalted tafte! The defcription of the Son of 
 God in the nineteenth chapter from ver. i r . to 
 17. is in all the pomp and grandeur of language, 
 V7e have every circumftance and particular that is 
 moil proper to expreft power and juftice, maje- 
 fty and goodnefs 5 to raife admiration, and high 
 pleafure corrected with awe. 
 
 St. Jerom {ays of the Revelation, Cf It has as 
 cc many myfteries as words : I (aid too little. In 
 ff -every word there is variety of lenfes, and the 
 " excellency of the book is above all praife q . 
 
 We have already had feveral occa/ions to (peak 
 of the great St. Paul-, and what can be faid wor- 
 
 o * 
 
 thy of him ? How iliall we begin, or where Hull 
 we end? 
 
 Shall we admire this noble preacher and cham- 
 pion of the Crofs for his perfect knowledge of 
 religion; for the copioufnefs and variety of his 
 itylej for the loftinefs of his thought ; for the 
 dexterity of his addreis j for the wonderful extent 
 of his genius ; or the more- admirable comprc- 
 henfion of his charity? He has every charm of 
 eloquence in his writings 5 and, when there's oc- 
 cafion, {hews himfelf mailer of every ftyle* 
 
 i ApocalypGs Johannis rot habct Gcramenta, quot verbrj, 
 Paiuitj dixi. In iingulis verbis mukipliccs latent itmliigemKu j 
 & pro rnerito voluminis laus omnis inferior cil. Ep. ad PauH.-i, 
 
 4 TllOiC
 
 3 3 f *fbe SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 Thofe tranipofitions, embarraflments, and, as 
 feme people call them, inconfequenccs , which 
 are found in fome of his Epiftles 5 proceed 3 as 
 St. Irenaus jnftly obferves, from the quicknefs of 
 his arguings, the fluency of his language, and the 
 divine zeal and impetuoufnefs of his ipirit r . 
 
 Thofc places, which incompetent judges efteem 
 faulty and {bleciftical, are generally ibme of his 
 noblefl and fublimeft pafTages j and proceed from 
 his vehemence, great skill in the old Teftament, 
 the plenty and vivacity of his thoughts. \Y 7 e have 
 parallel'd forms of ipecch in the nobleft Greek and 
 Roman authors j and they are fb far from being 
 prejudicial or difagreeable to a capable reader, that 
 they only raife his cnriofity, and fliarpen his dili- 
 gence j which will always be rewarded with difco- 
 veries of beauties, and improvement in the mod 
 admirable and ufeful notions f . Sometimes St. 
 Paul drops in the objections of others, and gives 
 his anfoers without any change in the fcheme of 
 his language to give notice, as Mr. Lock juftly 
 obferves. And the greater!: mailers in the two 
 
 r S. Ircn. 5. 7. 2.10, in. Dr. Ca-ve's Life of St. Pau1 9 
 117, 1 1 8. Hiftoria Literar. Vol. I. p. 8. 
 f Vid. Suiccr. Thefaur. in vnce r^a(f/j, p. 7P<5. "nrt 3 
 fC'aTov >J^swv n vcy'cnw ex ry v.ar axoX9/av 
 rif, KJ ciovet ^/a/oax-T/jp cvaj'wj'tss ara'S^f. Tlxfig, fats 
 
 oa^-uVi 2| r v^C^T^" ri {j.'.ij.r&i: cm r ^ ^uV:W> ' 
 
 . Dion. Longin. bee. zi. p. 13^, 140.
 
 Defended and llhtfirated. 337 
 
 nobleft languages in the world often do the fame ; 
 particularly Demoftheves , Tully y Horace, Ana- 
 creon. 
 
 cc If any one has thought St. Paul a loofc wri- 
 / ter, it was only bccauie he was a loofe reader. 
 f< He that takes notice of St. Pauls defign, iliall 
 cc find that there is (carce a word or expreflion 
 fc that he makes ufe of but with relation and 
 Cf tendency to his prefent main purpofe \ The 
 Epiftles of St. Paul, I {peak the i'enle of a great 
 critic u , are inftruclive and learn'd, periualive and 
 noble j his expreilion is grave and lofty, uncon- 
 ftrain'd and methodical, (ententious and full of 
 moving figures. With what winning charity 
 and mildnefs does he temper his rebukes and re- 
 proofs ? The vehemence and force of his di 
 courfe has a happy and equal mixture of prudence 
 and pleafiirej and when he moil exerts his au- 
 thority,, he always molt expreffes his humility. 
 
 " Had not St. Paul y (ays a very eloquent and 
 learned Gentleman, cc been a man of learning 
 cc and skill in the art and methods of rhetoric, 
 f found reafbning and natural eloquence y he 
 C cou'd not have fuited fuch appoute exhorta- 
 5* tions to fuch different forts of men 3 as he 
 
 c Mr. Lock on i Cor. i. 10. 6: Du Pin. on Can. of 
 
 N. T. 2* Part, p. p8. 
 
 X x Cf had
 
 33$ The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 4c had to deal with, with (o much dexterity w . 
 
 Grotlus lays of St. Paul that he was learned r 
 not in the law only, but the traditions which 
 more openly taught the refurrection and good 
 things of a future life. That he knew the He- 
 JWoi;, Syrlacy Greek and Latin tongues ; and that 
 lie had read their poets x . All this is true and 
 jufl : But a great many more excellencies mud 
 enter into St. Paul's character. We have made a 
 little eilay towards his character, efpecially as a 
 writer; but 'tis plain that his merit is fuperior to 
 whatever can be laid. Excellent is the obiervation. 
 of St. Gregory the Great on our divine author, 
 which fliall conclude this lection. When St. Paul 
 fpeaks to God, or of God y he raifes himfelf and his 
 reader to heaven hy the fullimeji contemplations. 
 
 Erafmus pailes a bold cenfure upon St. James s 
 when he fays, that the Epiftlc under his name 
 does not altogether cxprefs the apoftolical gravity 
 and majefty y . Had that great man read and judg'ci 
 with impartiality and deliberation, he might have 
 found, what very learn'd and judicious Gentle- 
 men 1 have thought they have found in this divins 
 
 * Dr. South^ Scribe inftructed, Vol IV. Serm. p. 38. 
 21 Grot, in Act. xxvi. 2.4. >' On St. James v. at the end 
 2 Du Pin Hid. Can. of N. T. Part'lf. p. 74. Libber, 
 as well as Erafmus^ once fpoke (lightly of ibis (acred piece 
 of Canon, but had the good fenfe and humility afterwards to 
 retract it. jo. Albert. Fabricii Biblioth, Grace. 1.4. c. f. p. irfrt. 
 
 Epiftlc,
 
 Defended and Wuftrctted. 339 
 
 Epiftle, vigorous and expreffive words,, a beauti- 
 ful fimplicity, lively figures., natural and engaging 
 thoughts, and (olid eloquence altogether worthy 
 of an apoftolical pen. 
 
 Is there to be found a more vigorous and beau- 
 tiful defer iption of the mifchiefs and malignity of 
 an unbridled tongue than in the third chapter ? 
 Nothing upon the fubject, that I have feen, comes 
 up to the propriety and vigour of its {Ingle and 
 compound words, the livelinefs of the metaphor, 
 the variety of its all uf ions and illustrations., the 
 quicknefs of the turns, and the fitnefs and force 
 of its companions 3 . Is there not wonderful em- 
 phafis and eloquence in that fublimc defcription 
 of the bountiful and immutable nature of the 
 bleffed God. b Every good and perfect gift /> 
 from above } from the Father of lights: Salutary 
 gifts don't, as ftupid heretics pretend, proceed 
 from the ftars, but far above all worlds, from 
 the Father of all the heavenly inhabitants, and 
 Creator of all the heavenly bodies, with whom 
 there is no vartablenefs or Jhadow of turning. The 
 terms are exactly proper and aftronomical, accord- 
 ing to the appearances of things, and the com- 
 mon notions of mankind. Upon this appear- 
 ance and received opinion the fun, the prince of 
 
 a Vcr. 2, to 15. b Cap. i. i-. 
 
 X x z die
 
 ! 40 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 the planetary heavens, has his parallaxes or chan- 
 ges, appears different in the Eaft, in his me- 
 ridian height,, and decline to the Weft. He has 
 his annual departures from us, which are the fbl- 
 ilices or -rfc-xl ; according to thele departures he 
 cafts different fliades. But God is the' unchange- 
 able Sun that does not rife or fet, come nearer to, 
 or go farther from any part or fpace of the uni- 
 verfej an eternal unapproachable light", without 
 any variation, cclipfc, or mixture of fliade. 
 
 St. Peters llyle exprefles the noble vehemence 
 and fervor of his {pint, the full knowledge he had 
 of Chriftiamty, and the ftrong- affufance he had 
 of the truth and certainty of his doctrine j and he 
 writes with the authority of the firft man in the 
 college of the Apoftles. He writes with that quick- 
 neis and rapidity of ftyle, with that noble neglect 
 of fomc of the formal confequences and nicety of 
 grammar, ftill preierving its true reafbn and na- 
 tural analogy (which arc always marks of a fub- 
 lime genius) that you can (carce perceive the pati- 
 fes of his difcourfe, and diftindion of his periods' 1 . 
 
 The 
 
 c Vid. Harmon. Apof. i 3 D. Bull, where that judicious author 
 truly explains, and juilly admires that lofty pafHige, Hunc er- 
 rorem dc fatal! vi atlrorum mircl elegant id perftringit cc. 
 Tandem elegant! huic fermoni finem imponic &c. p. 101, lOi. 
 
 d The critic of Halicarnaffus fpeaking of the Itrong and 
 noble ilyle which he calls auilere, fays, 'Tis oXtycs-juJQ^cr/a^, 
 " cv orcXXoTs" csrcrriy.n f aV.oXbS/ai 5 yix.(>a v
 
 Defended and lllufl rated. 341 
 The great Jofeph Scaliger calls St. Peters firft Epi- 
 ftle majeilic, and I hope he was more judicious 
 than to exclude the fecond, tho* he did not name it. 
 
 A noble majefty and becoming freedom is what 
 diftinguiilies St. Peter ; a devout and judicious 
 perfon canriot read him without fblemn attention, 
 and awful concern. The conflagration of this 
 lower world;, and future judgment of Angels and 
 men, in the third chapter of the fecond Epiftle, 
 is defcnb'd in fuch ftrong and terrible terms, fuch 
 awful circum fiances, that in the description we 
 fee the planetary heavens and this our earth wrap'd 
 up with devouring flames j hear the groans of an 
 expiring world, and the craflies of nature tum- 
 bling into univerfal ruin e . 
 
 And what a folemn and moving Epiphonema 
 or practical inference is that! Since therefore all 
 thefe things muft loe difjblvd, 'what manner of per- 
 fon s ought ye to le in holy confer fat ion and godli- 
 nefs - - in all parts of holy and chriftian life, - - in 
 all inftances of juftice and charity f . cc The mean- 
 tc eft foul, and loweft imagination, fays an in- 
 genious man s , fc cannot think of that time., and 
 , tc the awful defcnptions we meet with of it in 
 
 fjcsyaXo(pq?v Sec. Dion. Halicar. de (Iru6rura, Oiv.t. c, ^i. 
 p. iT6. v^id. ibid, plura vere aurea in hanc fententiam. 
 e 2. Pet. iii. 8. to n. f Ver. 1 1. c 'v dyicas dwrgyfauis 
 
 ^ cwsCciwr. Mr. Sewers Life of Mr. John Phillip^ p. 17. 
 
 4. 4i ' this
 
 $ 4 i Tloe SACRED CLASSICS 
 f< this place, and feveral others of holy Writ, with- 
 <f out the grcateft emotion and deepeft imprcfli- 
 c> ' ons. 
 
 I cannot with fome critics find any great diffe- 
 rence betwixt the ftyle of the firft and (ccond E- 
 piftles ; 'tis to me no more than we find in the 
 ilyle of the fame perfbns at different times. There 
 is much the fame energy and clear brevity 3 the 
 fame rapid run of language, and the lame com- 
 manding majefty in them both. Take 'em to- 
 gether, and they are admirable for fignificant epi- 
 thets and ftrong compound words h $ for beauti- 
 ful and iprightly figures ', adorable and fublime 
 doctrines k j pure and heavenly morals exprefs'd 
 in a chafte, lively, and graceful ftyle l . 
 
 St.Jude, (ays Origen, writ an Epiftle in few 
 lines indeed, but full of vigorous expreffions of 
 heavenly grace m . He briefly and ftrongly repre- 
 fents the deteftable do&ines and pradices of the 
 impure Gnoftics and followers of Simon Magus, 
 and reproves thofe profligate perverters of (bund 
 principles and patrons of lewdnefs, (which are 
 
 h i Pet. iii. 8. i. 4. z Pet. iii. 4, 8, 14. ' i Pet. ii. 3. 
 
 z Pet. ii. 3. i. f. k I Pet. i. 12.. iii. ip, zz, z Pet. iii, 
 
 TO, 13. l i Pet. iii. p, 10, ii. i. zz. iii. i, z, 5, 4. 2, Pet. 
 i. 10, n. iii. 14, If, 17, 18. m 'IyVa? ft lypu-Lvj vm- 
 
 i. Mr. tyottotfs Preface to Clem. Romanus^ p. 107. 
 
 4 .gene-
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 343 
 
 generally tlje fame perfons) with a jufl indigna- 
 tion and feverity i And at the fame time exhorts 
 all found Chriftians, with a genuine apoftolical 
 charity., to have tender compailion for theft de- 
 luded wretches; and vigorously to endeavour to 
 reclaim 'em from the ways of hell , and pluck 
 them as brands out of the fire n . 
 
 The Apoftle takes the fenfe, and frequently the 
 words of St. Peters iecond chapter of his fecond 
 Epifcle; fomeiimcs he leaves out (ome of St. Pe- 
 ters words , fometimes he enlarges and gives a 
 
 different turn to the thought p . 
 
 o 
 
 Both the divine writers are very near akin in 
 fubjeft, ftyle, vehemence, and juft indignation 
 againft impudence and lewdnels, again/1 iniidious 
 underminers of chaftity, and debauchers ofbund 
 principles. They anrwer one another in the new 
 Teftament, as the prophecy of Oladiab and pare 
 of the [orry ninth chapter of Jeremiah do in the 
 
 There are no nobler amplifications in any au- 
 thor than in theie two divine writers, when they 
 defcribe the numerous villanies of the Gnoftics 
 in a variety of inftances ; which they fevcrely 
 brand, emphatically expoie, and yet happily cx- 
 
 " Jude ^. 15. As v.ar^cTY.T^ nfrcr \s^c^-/.y. } Judc 
 
 1(5. i Pec. ii. iS. P Jude 10. z Pet. ii. i i . 
 
 a - Jeremiah Proph. xlix, From vcr. 14. 
 
 pr 
 
 rcfs
 
 344 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 prels in all the cleaftnefi and chaflaty of lan- 
 guage r . 
 
 * By Gnoftics we may underftand all mlfcreants who in the 
 firft times of the Church diflionour'd our holy religion by their 
 antichriftian notions and mofl vile and lewd practices. Thofe 
 abandon'd wretches, whom the Apoftles ftigmatize, were hor- 
 ridly fcandalous for their ravenous avarice, their infatiable lufts, 
 their blafphemotis impudence, and relentlcfs hardnefs of heart, 
 and ftedfaft obftinacy of temper. Which are defcrib'd with 
 all the flrength and vigour of clean and marvellous eloquence. 
 To give a proper and juft account of the various beauties of 
 thefe two glorious chapters wou'd take up a large difcourfr, 
 and require all the Dull and fagacity of criticifm. I refer my 
 reader to the paflages following. With what ftrong expreffion, 
 adequate allufions^ lively figures, and noble vehemence are 
 their covetous and vile practices to bring in filthy lucre de- 
 fcrib'd in i. Pet. ii. 3. Jude n, 16! Their infatiable lufts in 
 Z Pet. ii. 10, .14. Jude 4, 8 ! Their odious impudence and 
 mad blafphemies in z Pet. ii. 10! Their horrid wickednefs 
 in general, and the infupportable vengeance that mud at laft 
 overtake and fink them into ruin in 2, Pet. ii. 1,3, n, 17. 
 Jude 4* 10, 12, 13! 
 
 CHAP.
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 
 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 Wherein an account is given of federal advantages 
 'which the facred 'writers of the new Tejlament 
 have over the foreign Claffics. 
 
 HE facred authors have innumerable 
 advantages from the dignity of their 
 fubjecl:, and the grand confluences 
 of their doctrines ; as well as their au- 
 thority and awful addrefs, and their charity and 
 condefcending goodnefs in delivering their narra- 
 tives and precepts. 
 
 But thofe which are moll to our prefent pur- 
 pofe are the particulars following. 
 
 The decency and clearnefs of their expreffions., 
 when there is occafion to mention the neceflities 
 or crimes of mankind. The charming and moft 
 edifying variety of their matter., ftyle and expre 
 fion. The deep fenie and glorious fignifi cation 
 of their language. The admirable and moft ufe- 
 ful moral contain'd in the myftenes of the Go- 
 ipeli and with the cleared and moft convincing 
 reafon inferred and heighten'd from them. 
 
 Y y . i . The
 
 3 4 ^ ?^ SACKED CLASSICS 
 
 . i . The Spirit of God is a Spirit of unfpot- 
 ted purity 5 and therefore in the 'old Teilament 
 thofe things., which if exprefs'd too broad and 
 plain might be offenfive and {hocking, are ex- 
 prefs'd with all poiTible decency and deannefs of 
 concealment. The new Teftament writers, which 
 imitate and copy all the excellencies and beauties 
 of the old, have in this cafe us'd wife caution and 
 amiable delicacy. 
 
 Many of the pagan moralifts have fpoken well 
 upon this fubjecl: of decency, and Tully is admi- 
 rable upon it. In his Offices he (peaks to this 
 purpofe f : That Providence has had a regard to 
 the fliape and frame of human body, and has put 
 thofe parts in open view that have an agreeable 
 and graceful appearance ; but has cover'd and con- 
 ceal'd the parts appointed for the neceiiities of 
 mankind, which cou'd not fo decently be ex- 
 pos'd to view. Which wife care of Providence 
 in the {truct-ure of an human body, the mo- 
 deity of mankind has diligently imitated. Let 
 us therefore follow nature, and the conduit and 
 behaviour of virtuous and modeft perfbns ; and 
 iliun every adion, geflure, and word, which may 
 iliock the tendereft modefty, and be offenfive to 
 
 f Lib. i. cup. 35-. p, 61, 61. Ed. Cockman. 
 
 a chafte
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 347 
 
 a chafte eye and ear. But too many of the 
 heathen writers and moralifts have fail'd in 
 this point : All one (eel: of the grave and (b- 
 lemn Stoics c . Juvenal, tho' in the main very 
 found and moral in his notions, in many places 
 does not at all {pare the modelty, or regard the 
 honour of human nature : but while he de- 
 claims and inveighs againft lewdnefi and villa- 
 nous actions , is guilty cf grofs indecencies of 
 language 5 and opens to the reader fuch fhock- 
 ing fcenes as ought to have been conceal 'd in 
 the blacked darknefs. But when the facred wri- 
 ters correct and chaftife the lewdnefs of vile and 
 profligate wretches., they do it with a juil feveri-> 
 ty,, horror and grief mix'd together. All is chafte 
 and clean j no word us'd that can offend the ten- 
 dered ear, or difcompofe the trued lover of puri- 
 ty. St. Paul particularly with great wifdom and 
 addrefs unites two things which feem contradicto- 
 ry-, he gives his reader a juft abhorrence of vile 
 and deteitable practices by reprefenting them in a 
 lively manner; and yet preferves an irreproacha- 
 ble gravity, an inviolate and amiable chalHty and 
 decency of expreilion v . Good critics always re- 
 quire this decency and regard to the modeily of 
 
 1 Tullii Offic. v Ro. i. 24, 2.6, 17. How clean and 
 
 chafte is that expreflion, dv<j. 
 
 Y y i human
 
 348 Tie SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 human nature in their orator. The judicious^r/- 
 Jlotle particularly requires, that impious and lewd 
 things , often necefiary to be mention'd, be al- 
 ways fpoken with horror and caution u . 
 
 . i. There is in the facred writers of the new 
 Teftament fuch an agreeable and inftructive va- 
 riety of fiirprizing and important hiflories and 
 narrations, fublime doctrines, and flyles that muft 
 highly entertain and improve any man that is not 
 indifpos'd by vice and brutality to relilh the things, 
 or by ignorance to underftand the language. In 
 the precepts and commands there is a venerable 
 and majeftic brevity j in fupplications, entreaties, 
 and lamentation the periods are larger, and the 
 ftyle more flowing and diffufive. The narration 
 is clear j the ftronger paffions are exprefs'd with 
 maj'efty and terror, the gentler and fofter affecti- 
 ons in the fmootheft and moft moving terms : 
 
 o 
 and all this agreeable to nature, and the rules of 
 
 the oreatefl: mafters v , tho' in a manner much ex- 
 
 o 
 
 celling their bell: compactions. 
 
 dffin (potius a 
 Xsyv. Ar. Rhen. 5. 0.7. 
 
 Quic quid prcccipies cfto brevis. Hor. Ar. Poet. To u 
 vmrdoseiv cruxirc/xov ^ 3,o^^u. To jj [XT(^'eiV ^ax^jv, ^ TO 
 p<%. Dem. Phal, p. 6.
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 
 
 The new and old Teftament are one book j 
 and the nobleft, moft admirable and initruclive 
 book in the whole world. The old Teftament 
 is the firft volume, and the new Teftament the 
 fecond and laft. There is a wonderful harmony 
 and agreement between the two facred volumes. 
 In the firft we have the type and fhadow, in the 
 fecond the antitype and fubftance: What in the 
 firft volume is prophecy, in the laft is hiftory and 
 matter of fact : which at once clears all the obfcu- 
 nties and difficulties of the prophecies; and lets 
 us know the reafbn why they were exprefs'd m 
 obfcure terms x . In the old Teftament we have 
 the moft extenfivc and entertaining hiftorv that 
 
 O J 
 
 ever was compris'd in any language : The admi- 
 rable account of the creation, deilrutlion and re- 
 newal of the world j the antiquities of the orien- 
 tals j the {iirp riling adventures and lor tunes of 
 the greateft perions and families upon earth j the 
 ftate of: the jeiuijh people , the miracles in Egypt -, 
 the wildernefs and Red Sea ^ the fublimity of the 
 moft rapturous hymns and poems j the wifdom 
 
 * The Gofpei is the bed comment upon the Law, and the 
 Law is the bed cxpofitor of the Gofpci. They nre like a pair 
 of indentures, they anfwer in every part: Their harmony is 
 wonderful, and is of it ielf a conviction : No human contri- 
 vance cou'd have reach'd ir. There is a divine majeily ard 
 forefighc in the anfwer of ovcrv ceremony and type to i;s 
 completion. Mr. Lcjlie's Meihods \vitii the Jews, p. 7^ . 
 
 and.
 
 5jo The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 and ufefulnefs of the belt, fhorteft, and moft ele- 
 gant precepts of conduct and happy life, &c. 
 will give the mod delightful entertainment,, the 
 trucft iatisfaclion and improvement to every ca- 
 pable intelligent reader. In the new Teflament 
 we have the completion of proprieties, beautiful 
 allufions to the cuiloms and hiflones of the old, 
 with many of their animated phrafes and exprei- 
 iions j which enrich the {tores of the Greek lan- 
 guage, and add emphafis and ftrcngth to it. We 
 have the miracles of the birth,, life,, fufferings, and 
 higheft exaltation of God incarnate 5 and have a 
 faithful and molt marvellous and ravifhing account 
 of thofe manfions of heavenly glory and eternal 
 happineis j which thro' his infinite condefcenfion 
 and love,, we have a fure right and indefeafible 
 title to. One cannot look into any part of the 
 facred writers of the new Teftament but there are 
 new dodrines and miracles related in the nobleft 
 and moft engagine manner : or if the fame mat- 
 
 O D D 
 
 ter be repeated 'tis in a new way j and we are en- 
 tertain'd and inftrucled with delightful circum- 
 
 o 
 
 ftances and divine remarks upon our bleffed Lord's 
 works of wonder, and words of wifflom and eter- 
 nal life. 
 
 The grand defign of infinite wiflom and good- 
 
 ncfi to train up mankind to a likenejfs to God, 
 
 and raife him to heavenly happineis, is in this 
 
 i {acred
 
 Defended and Illuflrated. 35-1 
 
 {acred book tranladed in all the proper methods 
 and ways of addrefs that can convince the reafon, 
 or move the affections of rational creatures. By- 
 precepts and laws enforc'd by the greateft rewards 
 and punifhments ; by well-attefted relations the 
 nioft furprifing, and of the utmoft confequence 
 to mankind 5 by the fublimity of prophetical 
 fchemes and awful images j by the iiiunuation of 
 lively parables,, and the found inftrudlion of the 
 plaineit and molt convincing diicouries and fer- 
 mons that ever man ipoke : By the familiarity of 
 a letter in which at once you have itrong argu- 
 ment, tendernefs of goodwill ., and fublimity of 
 thought and expreilion. 
 
 To what we have in ieveral places (aid before 
 to this purpofe, we fhall add a few remarks upon 
 this head of the furprifing and inltr active variety 
 in the new Tefiament writers. Take the firft 
 chapter of St. Mark, how many wonderful things 
 are compris'd in a few lines ! How quick does 
 the reader pais from one divine moral, one won- 
 derful narrative to another! yet all is Co clear and 
 regular, that the furprifing relations and inftruc- 
 tions do not crowd upon you and diftracl: your 
 attention 5 but are preicnted to you in an order- 
 ly fucceflion 5 fb that your plcaiure is not fuf 
 pcnded 5 but you attend v/ith conftant wonder,. 
 and liften to your perpetual gratification and im- 
 provement.
 
 3 j i The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 provemcnt. There is a moft charming variety 
 of divine doctrines and miracles in the (ixth, fe- 
 venth and eighth chapters of St. Luke. How 
 ftrong and noble is the moral of the iixth chapter ! 
 The Son of God with convincing arguments 
 
 proves it a duty to do good on the Jewifl) fab- 
 bath., againft the fupcrftitious and abfurd notions 
 of the Phariiees ; and confirms his healing and 
 bleiled doctrines by the miraculous reftoration of 
 the poor man's withered hand to its firft vigour 
 and frefrmeis. Then the great Hio-h-Prieft and 
 
 o o 
 
 Saviour of our fouls after a day {pent in the 
 offices of exemplary piety 3 and moft generous 
 charity, retires in the evening to a mountain and 
 ipends a whole night in prayer before he ordain'd 
 his Apoldes to the holy function and important 
 bufmefs of publilliing his Gofpel, and taking the 
 care of precious fouls. 
 
 How pleafmgly are the thoughts entertain'd 
 with the contemplation of the Saviour of the 
 world, fitting enccmpafs'd with innumerable peo- 
 ple, diipenfing health and falvation to fouls and 
 bodies ! with what confolations and motives does 
 he encourage his Difciples to bear poverty, (corn, 
 and the moft barbarous ufage in their travels for 
 
 o 
 
 the converfion of nations, and their charitable 
 labours to do infinite ood to mankind ? And 
 
 r> 
 
 with what vehemence and charitable fcveriry does 
 
 he
 
 Defended and llluft rated. 3^3 
 
 he exprcTs the miferable condition of worldly men, 
 who abound in plenty and are diflolv'd in ea(e ; 
 who are oftended at our Saviour's humiliation?, 
 and are afhani'd or afraid of the doctrine of his 
 Crofs l Then the great Teacher lent from God 
 
 o 
 
 pafles on to new precepts and exhortations far 
 more exalted than any doctrines taught in the 
 ichools of Pagan or J-'e-iviJJj morality. How mo- 
 vingly docs he prefs the duty of forgiveneis of iiir 
 juries., and fervent charity to the moil; inveterate 
 enemies ! which, if it fully influenc'd human 
 fouls,, wou'd effectually efhblifli the peace and 
 honour of focietyj wou'd moft vehemently raife 
 mens minds to a divine resemblance, and give 
 'em (Irons afluranccs that they were the genuine 
 
 t> /, \D 
 
 and acceptable Diiciples of Jefus Chrift. 
 
 After variety of other divine precepts and ob- 
 fervations for the inftruclion and caution of his 
 Difciplcs-and Million aries., the chapter is conclud- 
 ed., and all the foregoing morals let off and en- 
 liveivd by a molt' forcible and appofitc compa- 
 rifbn. 
 
 No landicape upon canh can entertain the eye" 
 with a greater variety of delightful objects than 
 the fevcnth and eighth chapters of this Evange- 
 lift do the mind with wondrous actions 5 in 
 which power and goodnefs are equally conceni'd; 
 where miracles and morals arc happily intcrfpcrs'd 
 
 Z 7 for
 
 354 Tb e SACRED CLASSICS 
 for the full edification and pleafure of the intel- 
 ligent and devout reader. Firfl we are charm'd 
 with the pious and prudent addrefs of the Centu- 
 rion to our Lord for the recovery of his dying 
 fervant ; and his heroic faith, which he, who 
 knows the {ecrets of all hearts, extremely approves 
 and applauds. Who can forbear being deeply 
 mov'd at the contrition and humiliation of the 
 penitent woman, who kifs'd our Saviour's feet, 
 wafh'd 'em with her tears, and wip'd 'em with 
 the hair of her head ! Here are fuch marks of 
 religious fbrrow and a thoro 3 reformation, as 
 wou'd move the moil rigid difciplinarian to com- 
 paffion. The Son of God gives her his abfolu- 
 tion, defends her againft the (pightful and hypo- 
 critical cavils of the Pharifees -, and exprefles the 
 higheft approbation of her pious zeal and duty. 
 The danger of the ftorm, the confufion and ter- 
 ror of the Apoftles, our Saviour's commanding 
 the winds and feas with godlike majefty, and re- 
 proving his Difciples want of faith with gracious 
 mildnefs, the fiercenefs of the man poflefsd with 
 Legeon, the fury of the fiends driving the herds 
 headlong down a precipice into the fea, the ter- 
 ror and confufion of the brutal inhabitants of the 
 neighbouring countries, are great Icenes of afto- 
 niihment and wonder 5 but have been fpoken to, 
 ( fbmc of them at leaft ) before. After our Sa- 
 
 3 viour
 
 Defended and llluft rated. 3 y j 
 
 viour had cur'd the Centurion's (ervant, he goes 
 to Na'in y to meet there an opportunity of doing 
 a gracious and moft {eafbnable miracle. A wi- 
 dow's only (on was carry'd in his coffin $ our Lord 
 met the mournful proceffion, commanded the 
 funeral to be ftopp'd \ went to the difconfolate 
 widow, bad her ceafe to mourn, and by his divine 
 power turn'd her mourning into fuch joy, as 'tis 
 impoilible for any body to exprefs, or imagine, 
 but one in her condition. 
 
 As this moft divine friend of human race was 
 going to raife the daughter of Jairus, a woman, 
 incurably ill, and undone in her fortune by ex- 
 pcnccs laid out towards her recovery, takes the 
 opportunity to touch his garment in the crowd. 
 According to her faith her trial fucceeded : She 
 immediately feels health and (bundnefs diffus'd 
 thro' her whole conftitution : But her joy for her 
 fpeedy and compleat recovery was checked by her 
 fear of the penalties of the law againft thofe who 
 iliou'd prefume to go in publick during the time 
 of their uncleannefs y . But our Saviour encou- 
 rages her faith, and obliges her to own the mira- 
 cle j to publiih her faith to be an example to 
 the people 5 and his divine power, to induce 'em 
 to become obedient difciples and fubje&s of the 
 
 y Vid. Leviticus xv. 
 
 Z z i only
 
 } 5 6 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 only Meflias of human race. This one mftance 
 may fcrve for a rcprefcntation of our Lord's whole 
 life upon earth; which had no vacancies or em- 
 pty {paces 5 but was all fill'd up with the waft 
 heavenly exercifes and healing Bonders. But when 
 fefus arriv'd at the ruler's houie, as fbon as he 
 had ipokcn that word of fovereign powder and 
 authority , Damfel artfe , with what unutterable 
 rranfport wou'd the mourning parents receive 
 their dear child from the dead ? What folemn re- 
 verence, what awful gratitude to their divine be- 
 nefactor,, wou'd pofiefs their over-joy *d fouls 1 
 What adoration and wonder and fear mixt with 
 joy wou'd fuccecd the rude laughter and fcorn of 
 thofe who derided our Lord I 
 
 He gave a refiftlefs proof, that with refpect to 
 his power, which extended to all perfons and all 
 dates, the damfcl was not dead, but flcpt. 
 
 All thefe admirable accounts of our Saviours 
 infinite power and goodncfs have not only a 
 choice copioufnefs of very valuable reflections and 
 morals mixt and mtcrlpcrfl; by the Evangelift, fo 
 as to diverdfy ; the facred hiftory with all the moil 
 agreeable and improving ways of addreiling hu- 
 man minds 5 but from the miracles and narra- 
 tion it ielf naturally arife great numbers of the 
 moil entertaining and profitable obfervations and 
 remarks. 
 
 From
 
 Defended and llluflratecl. 3 j 7 
 From the circumftances of the great fads we 
 learn the fublimeft dodrrines 5 and the miracles, 
 which confirm the truth of Chriftianity, infer 
 and lay open to a thoughtful reader rhofe vene- 
 rable myfteries and heavenly truths which are the 
 glory and dignity of it. How many ftrong proofs 
 have we of our Redeemer's almighty power and 
 eternal divinity in thefe three chapters : 'Tis hence 
 plain that he knew the hearts and fecret thoughts 
 of men, which is always appropriated to the di- 
 vine Omniscience. Thou, even thou only kno-uoejl 
 the hearts of the children of men' 1 '. He in his own 
 name and by his own authority calms the ft onus, 
 and rage of the winds and feas a ; pardons fins, 
 and commands the dead to arife b . From the 
 terror of the infernal fpirits, and their {applica- 
 tions to him not to torment them before their 
 time, we learn that there is a great abyfs to which 
 evil Spirits are not yet confin'dj a ftate of rcme- 
 dilcfs mifery and full punifliment referv d for the 
 rebel-angels at the judgment of the lafl day\ 
 
 2 Luke vi.8. i Kings viii. 39. a How noble and 
 
 majeftic, and fall of fpirir, is the cxpreiTion, ?7r^'/jt/i7t TcJavt- 
 /a&) ^ T$ y./.-j^cuvi rS u'jV.r ; ^>, be chid the 'wln.l and flurm? - 
 j/uke viii. 14. 'Tis in the old Teftament apply'd to God 
 alone, 'ATTO B^rn,uiiiTa 0-5" $<&cnuc TO. U^.XT, Pfal. ciii, 
 according to Sepcuaginr, ver. 7. b Luke vii. 48, 14. 
 
 ' Luke viii. 51. St. Jade vcr. 6. 
 
 In
 
 ^ 5 8 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 In the cafe ofjairuss daughter we learn that 
 the human foul does not die with the body, but 
 may lubiift in a feparate fbte : and that Jedis is 
 the Lord and giver of life, and has {bvereign 
 
 O <3 
 
 power over all fouls and in all worlds. He has 
 the keys of hell and paradife, and of ens and none 
 fluts, and fiuts and none opens d . 
 
 . 3, There is a deep meaning and copious 
 fenfe in the (acred writers of the new Teftament ; 
 which you will in vain feck for in the moft ju- 
 dicious and clofe writers of the heathen world. 
 There are many beautiful references to the ftupen- 
 dious providences related in the old Teftament -, 
 allufions to the laws, (acrifices, and rites of the 
 Jewijh church and nation, and to the cuftoms ci- 
 vil and religious of other eaftern people j which 
 are furprifingly agreeable and nobly emphatical. 
 Numerous paflages have a retrofpecl: to the hifto- 
 ry of ancient times 5 and many a profpecl: towards 
 the coming ages and ftates of Chriftianity$ which 
 are not now underftood in their full extent and 
 fignificancy -, but will be open'd for the inftruc- 
 tion and wonder of Chriftians nearer to the day 
 of judgment. 
 
 a Luke viii. f4, ff. Apoc. iii. 7. Upon this fe&ion of the 
 variety of facred writers lee an excellent paflage out of Dr. 
 Knighfs Preface to his fermons on theDivinity of our Saviour 
 and the holy Ghoft, p. 2, 3. 
 
 Divinely-
 
 Defended and llluflrated. 359 
 
 Divinely-infpir'd writers, according to the great 
 Perulams obfervation , ought not altogether to 
 be expounded after the fame manner that human 
 compofitions are. The (carets of hearts and fuc- 
 ceilion of times are only known to the immortal 
 King, and only wife God who infpir'd thefe au- 
 thors : therefore fmce the precepts and dictates of 
 infinite wifdom were addrefs'd to the hearts of 
 men, and comprehend the viciflitudes of all ages 
 with a certain forefight of all contradictions, he- 
 refies, and different ftates of the Church, they 
 are to be interpreted according to this latitude. 
 When we come to know thefe compleat treafures 
 of divine eloquence and wifHom to more perfec- 
 tion, how fhall we admire them j what incompa- 
 rable inftruction and fatisfadlion fhall we receive 
 from them ? How valuable does that paffage of 
 St. Paul about the paper and parchments, ridicul'd 
 by fbme fhallow wretches, and wrefted to an he- 
 retical fenfe by others, appear from the juft inter- 
 pretation of it, and the valuable inferences drawn 
 from it by the excellent Bifhop Bull f ? 
 
 In the beginning of Chriitianity the value of 
 that obfervation of the Evangelift, Jefus frayed 
 the third time, faying the fame words, mip-ht not 
 
 e Inftauratio rmgm, 1. 4. p. 475-. f Sermon on zTim 
 iv. 15.
 
 360 'The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 be Co fully imderftood : but the maclneis and 
 
 Fide of latccr ases have open'd its full fimiifican- 
 i i r T-I 1 r r r 
 
 cy and empnaiis. The dehgn or it ieems to be 
 to encourage modeft and found Chriftlans in the 
 life of venerable and eftablifh'd forms of prayer, 
 that are more ufeful and valuable, as Come other 
 bleilmgs are, for being common and us'd every 
 day -, and likewise to. confute hot -headed fedlaries, 
 who naufeate all forms of prayer, even that moft 
 divine one of our Saviour, priding themfclv.es and 
 entertaining their deluded followers with their 
 own raw and extempore efrufions f . 
 
 In diat grand defcription of the Son of God 
 in St. Paul's admirable Epiftle to the Colqfftans g , 
 'tis not only exprefs'd in the loftieft terms and 
 molt, triumphant manner, that all things 'were 
 created by him in heaven and earth, <vijible and' in- 
 wifibh} but after an enumeration of the nobleft 
 of all the beings in the univerfe, 'tis added, all 
 things ^uuere created by him and for him. Which 
 was added by divine wifdom to confute the blaf- 
 phemics of heredcs, who deny our Saviour's eter- 
 nal Divinity. 
 
 f Mar. xxvi. 44. g CololT. i. if, itf, IT, 18, ip. Our 
 
 Saviour and his Apoftlcs exprcily call the elemcnrs bread and 
 wine after the confecnuion is perform'd; for 'tis certain the 
 elements are not to be cat or drank till they be confccrated ; 
 .and thai we are not partakers of the elements till we eat or 
 drink 'em , whereas the Apoftle fays 'tis bread even after or at 
 the participation, i Cor.x. 17. xi. 2.6. Mark xiv. if. D. Bennct. 
 
 4 Thefe
 
 Defended and llluftr cited. 
 
 Thefe fubtil depravers of (bund Christianity 
 pretend that the Son in making the world was 
 us'd only in the quality of a fervant or inftru- 
 ment h : For upon this fenfc how true (bever it 
 might be that all things were created by him, 
 yet it cou'd not poflibly be true that all thino-s 
 were created for him too : Since he for whom 
 all things were made is true God omnipotent and 
 eternal. For God made all things for himfelf 1 . In 
 the eleventh chapter of the Epiftle to the Romans 
 there is as concife and magnificent a defcription 
 of God the Father as any where in the facred 
 writings : For of him, and thro him, and to him 
 are all things k . Every part of which defcaption 
 is fully and frequently apply'd to the Son of God's 
 love and bofbm. 
 
 * Vid. Dr. Stanhope Ep. and Gofp. Vol. I. p. rj-p. That 
 learned man has given us a very noble explication of that ma- 
 ieftic chara&er of the Son of God : of wv dTrowyaa-^a ? eMfijc 
 (a-S ZErar^jf) ^ ^a^^T^ ? vzroraVgwr OK?T x. T. \. On which, 
 he clearly fhews the ritnefs and divine propriety of thefe 
 words to exprefs the unity of nature and diftindion of perfon 
 betwixt 'em, ibid. p. 160, 161, 162.. Prov. xvi. 4. 
 
 k Vr. 36. 'Ej OW'T ^ eAi* owiw, ^ f OWTOV T -oravra, are a 
 noble and full character of the true and eternal God , the 
 Creator and Lord, Benefactor and Preferver of the univerfe, 
 And are thefe expreilions apply'd to the Son blcfled for ever 
 of lefler force and majefty ? T oravra Ji oJ-rS, ^ r UUTOV ex- 
 rifixc, ^ owror Iff ^^ -nra'vTwv, ^ rd tsravra ov oJ-n^ o-ujuf 
 Col. i. id, 17. Heb. i. 3, 10, 12.. John xiv. p. xii. 
 Phil. ii. ^, 6cc. i Cor, viii. 6". 
 
 Aa a
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 The great accuracy us'd in the Goipel-expref- 
 fions of the holy Ghoft defending upon our blet 
 fed Saviour at his baptifm., obviates at once a 
 great blunder in a Socinian objection, and expo- 
 ks the idolatry and folly of thofe people who 
 paint the holy Ghoft like a dove \ Grammar 
 and plain fenfe ilicw that the words have no rela- 
 tion to the bodily fhape, but the motion of the 
 dove, ffufJLccriKto si'fei rivel itsi^s^&v 3 descending as 
 a dove does, leifurely and hovering, otherwife it 
 muft have been 7tfi<regoi$ m . 
 
 In all the wondrous fights at Horeb there was 
 no appearance of God. The Jews faw many 
 other limilitudes, as fire^ {moke, &c. but were 
 to make no refemblance of God from any thing 
 they law 5 and the fowls of the air are particularly 
 mentioned n . 
 
 1 Mat. iii. 16. Luke iii. 23. m Fid. Mr. LeJIefs third 
 Socinian dialogue, p. ip. Dr. Scot gives the fame account 
 of this glorious defcent with his ufual found fenfe and noble 
 eloquence. " The holy Ghoft, as St. Luke tells us, defcended 
 " on our Saviour in a bodily form or appearance, which St. 
 " Matthew thus exprefles, The Spirit of God defcended like 
 " a dove and lighted upon him 5 not as if he defcended in 
 " the form of a dove, but, as it feems moft probable, he af- 
 " fum'd a body of light or fire, and therein came down from 
 u above j jurt as a dove with its wings fpread forth is ob- 
 " ferv'd to do, and gathering about our Saviour's head crown'd 
 " it with a vifible glory, Mediator, c. 7. p. no. 
 
 n Deut. iv. ii, 17. 
 
 4. All
 
 Defended and llluftr cited. 3 63 
 
 . 4. All the myfleries of the new Teflament 
 are pure and noble, auguft and becoming the 
 majefty of the God of Gods : not like the Pagan 
 myfteries and ceremonies > which like fbme of 
 their temples were pompous and irately on the 
 outfide, but within contain 'd nothing but fbme 
 vile and contemptible creature. Lewdnefs, or 
 foppery at beil were at the bottom of all their 
 {hew and folemnity : .and generally thofe who 
 were initiated into the {acred rites and nearer fer- 
 vices of their Gods, were much more profane and 
 wicked than thoie who were commanded to de- 
 part from their temples for being fo in their no- 
 tion. The venerable myfteries of the incarna- 
 tion, the {acred Trinity., the refurrection and glo- 
 rification of human bodies, are not vain {pecu- 
 lations to amufe the fancy-, but are the eiTential 
 doctrines and fundamentals of the pureft religion 
 in the world 5 that are gracioufly defign'd and di- 
 rectly tend to improve the underitanding and re- 
 ctify the will 3 to raife gratitude, and all duty and 
 devout affections to God. They have a certain 
 and full influence on the prefent and future hap- 
 pineis of mankind. Tis obfervable that in the 
 Epiftles that treat moil fully and magnificently of 
 the fublime doctrines and awful objects of our 
 faith, there is always in the conclufion a choice 
 
 A a a z collection
 
 SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 collection of morak and found precepts of pure 
 life -, which, are the true confluences of tnofe 
 mod lofty and venerable truths and effentials of 
 the chriftian creed . 
 
 Thofe awful and venerable fecrets, which the 
 Angels defire to look into, as we fhall fee more 
 fully hereafter, are by Free-thinkers and profane 
 pretenders to philofophy made to be no fecrets 
 at all 5 and fb the majefty of the thoughts of the 
 facred writers , and the propriety and noblenefs* 
 of their language are debas'd, and comparatively 
 funk into meannefs and contempt : the goodnefe 
 of God the Father, and the condefcenfion of our 
 Saviour in redeeming human race, are depredated 
 and infinitely undervalu'd \ and by confluence, 
 the obligations of mankind to love, obedience,, 
 and gratitude for infinite mercies are horridly 
 weaken'd and leffen'd. Ill principles and hereti- 
 cal depravations of the Gofpel myfteries naturally 
 tend to vice and corruption of manners. But iF 
 Jefus Chrift, according to the plain language, the 
 
 whole contexture and deficni of the facred books 
 
 o 
 
 be true, natural^ eternal God without any quib- 
 ble or evafion, then how adorable is the love of 
 God the Father,, who fpar'd not his own Son for 
 our falvation- ? how infinitely great and obliga-- 
 
 Vid, Ep. to ColofT, Ephef. Hebrews, &c. 
 
 torv
 
 Defended and Illuftrated. 
 
 tory the condefcenfion of God the Son who took 
 our nature, and fuffer'd for us ? how flupendous 
 the charity and grace of God the holy Ghoil who 
 infpires Chriftians with a due fenfe of this great 
 falvation ; and with qualifications to entitle us ta 
 it, and make us capable fully and with eternal 
 fatisfadion to enjoy it p ? 
 
 Mr. Lock is pleas'd to obferve that St. Paul is 
 in pain, and labours for words to exprefs the 
 myfteries of the Gofpel. And fo he might well 
 be upon the foot of the old and found dodtrine 
 of our Redeemer being true eternal God5 then 
 no language that mortals can underftand or utter 
 can reach the magnificence and infinite glories 
 
 o 
 
 of that myftery : But if the my fiery of the Go- 
 fpel lies only in Jefus being only an exalted crea- 
 ture, and great prophet ; and all the divine tri- 
 umphs, rapturous exultations and praifes of St. 
 Paul rife no higher than to the mercy vouch- 
 faf'd to the Gentiles to fhare with the Jews in 
 the privileges of the Gofpel j and have no rela- 
 tion to the great myftery of godlinefs, God ma* 
 nifefted in the flefh, but rather exclude and deny 
 that, according to this Gentleman's interpretation 
 
 ? Fid. omninb Bifhop 7!y/w's Life of hcly Jefus 2 . Part 
 Sec, j, p, i<5, 6*
 
 $66 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 againft it in fome places % and filence in all the 
 reft -, then the great Apoftle has overdone his 
 fiibjecl: ; has been dangeroufly bold in applying 
 the fiiblimeft and incommunicable titles and at- 
 tributes of God .blefled for ever to a mere crea- 
 ture. 
 
 i One of the cleared and ftrongeft proofs of our Saviour's 
 eternal Divinity, Rom.'ix. v. is daringly fet aiide, ftriptof all 
 its grandeur and fublimity, and turn'd into a low and odd 
 fenfej of whom is Chrift as to the flefii^ ivho is over all, God 
 blejjed for ever^ Amen* He (Mr. Lock) zealoujjy follows the 
 blunder of Erafmus^ and contrary to the natural fenfe and 
 ufage of that phrafe among the Hebrew^ the interpretation 
 of almoft all the fathers, with unnatural force and wire-draw- 
 ing racks it into this diflorted form Of whom was Chrift, 
 who is over all. God be blefled for ever, Amen. He fays 
 not a fyllable to excule this mod horrid perverfion. V, Whit- 
 by, Hammond, St. Chryfoftoru. 
 
 CON-
 
 Defended and llluft rated. $67 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 I Am fenfible that there are innumerable noble 
 and beautiful paffages in the new Teftament 
 which I have not mention'd, and been far from let- 
 ting forth thofe in their belt, light and full advantage, 
 which I have mention'd $ and indeed no man can do 
 that 5 tho' I doubt not we have many learn'd and 
 judicious men, who arc better qualify'd for fucb 
 a great work than I am. But I am in hopes that 
 what I have done on the fubjccl: will contribute 
 fbmething to the illuftration of the facred book, 
 and the honour of Chriftianity. That was the 
 thing I ail along aim'd at j and the fenie of my 
 integrity and honeft intentions will diffidently 
 comfort and fupport me under the pcevifhnefs and 
 prejudices of Come friends,, who are regardlefs of 
 the language of the divine writers ; and the rancour 
 
 O c> 
 
 and malice of enemies,, who hate and ridicule the 
 doctrines. I muft defire the friends of this facred 
 book to read it carefully and ftudy it in the origi- 
 nal i and to efteem it as an immenfe treafurc of 
 learning., that requires all their abilities, and all 
 their reading. In order to illuftratc and explain 
 this heavenly book there is occafion for a good 
 skill in the Jewijh , Greek ^ and Roman hiltones 
 
 and
 
 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 
 and antiquities^ a readinefs in theclaflic authors, 
 and the Greek interpreters of the old Teftamentj 
 and a competent knowledge of the Hebrew Ian- 
 guage. To which mufl be added chronology and 
 geography. Scarce any part of learning but will 
 be of fbme ufe and advantage in the ftudy of thefe 
 divine writers. The pleafure and improvement 
 of a clofe and regular ftudy of the new Teftament, 
 all along compar'd with the old y will be greater 
 than we our (elves cou'd have imagined before we 
 Jet upon it. Befides the pleafure and agreeable- 
 nefs of fuch an employment, 'tis of the utmoft 
 importance and moil abfblute neceffity for us all 
 to ftudy the infpir'd book in order to practice. In 
 it is the grand charter of our eternal happinefs. 
 What a noble employment, what raviftiing fatis- 
 faction muft it be to fee there our fure title to the 
 heavenly inheritance, and have before our eyes in 
 
 Elain and legible characters infallible directions 
 ow to avoid the lofs or forfeiture of it ! The 
 (iiblime myfteries and doctrines here deliver *d are 
 the rnoft auguft and venerable truths that ever were 
 reveal'd to mankind $ that {hew us the dignity of 
 our own nature, in order to teach us purity and 
 a generous contempt of trifles, and difHain of vile 
 and little a&ions \ and reprefent to us the infinite 
 generofity and magnificence of the divine nature, 
 in order to entertain our contemplations and raife 
 
 z our
 
 Defended and llluftrated. 369 
 
 our wonder and gratitude to the higheft pitch. 
 The terrors there denounced againft ail unbelievers 
 
 o 
 
 and wicked defpifers of the divine majefty and au- 
 thority of our Saviour are flrong and awful mo- 
 tives to all reafbnable people to fly from the wrath 
 to come, and take care not to neglect fo great a 
 falvation. The precious promifcs of the Gofpel, 
 as they are demonftrations of the infinite gene- 
 rofity and mercy of God, fo they are to men the 
 immoveable baiis and fupport of their faith and 
 all their joyous hopes of immortality. This is the 
 book by which our lives muft here be regulated, 
 and be examin'd, in order to our full abfolution, 
 at the lajl day. This is the book that makes all 
 who duly ftudy it Jearn'd and happy ; wife to fal- 
 vation. The temptations and fuggeftions of the 
 Devil are check'd and conquer'd by the facred text. 
 Our Saviour fhews us the great value and excel- 
 lency of the holy Scriptures, when out of them 
 he draws arguments to confound the infernal fo- 
 phifter q . 
 
 And as the ever-venerable myfteries and refining; 
 doctrines of the Gofpel raife men to heaven and 
 happinefs j fo 'tis highly probable the ftudy of 'em 
 ihall be one part of the entertainment of blefled 
 fpirits : What glorious {cenes will then open, 
 
 q Mat. iv. 4, 7, 10. 
 
 B b b whew
 
 370 The SACRED CLASSICS 
 when we (hall fee face to face, and know as we 
 are known ! when we fliall underftand the mani- 
 fold wifHom and grace of God in his conduct of 
 the great myilery of our redemption ! How will 
 the illuminated fpirits of juft men made perfect 
 be charm'd with the propriety and divine pathos, 
 be aftonifh 'd at the fublime ienfe and myftery that 
 were compriz'd in the plaineft and commonefl 
 \vords and expreffions, which dry and preiumptu- 
 ous critics have cavill'd at, as idiotical, low, &c. ? 
 When Moies and Elias, fays the great Mr. Boyle, 
 left their local not real heaven, and appear d in glory 
 to confer fe with our transfigurd Saviour on the mount , 
 the ir difcourfe 'was not of the government of kingdoms, 
 ike engagement of great armies, conquejls and revo- 
 lutions, of empire $ thofe are the folemn trifles that a- 
 mufe mortals : But they difcourfe upon the chief fub- 
 jeiJ of the infpir'd look the deceafe ivhich-hejkwd 
 accompHjh at Jerufalem j thofe meritorious pajpons, 
 that miraculous death , that were to redeem and fave 
 a whole world r . The dignitaries of heaven are 
 defcrib'd by St. J^ohn as finging the fbng of Mofes 
 and the tamb, and, paying their adorations in the 
 words of the facred writers/. 
 
 St. Peter 
 
 T Fid. Mr^Boyk ftyle of H. S. zitf, 117. Rev. xv. 3. 
 
 f Exod. xv. Mofis canticum applicatum Chrifto & rebus 
 Chrilli. Compare $v ^, 4. of St. John's Apocalypfe with Exod. 
 
 xv. 1 1, &c. Pfal. cxlv. 17. ffa. Ixvi. 25. Jsr. x. 7. And 
 
 cou'd
 
 Defended and llltiftrated. 371 
 
 St* Peter represents this matter in a very glori- 
 ous piece of fublime ; slg a srf$vpi8<rt,v ayfo-w Tttxf&r 
 xityaiy *which things the Angels dejtre to look info*. 
 Learned men take this expreflion to be a beautiful 
 allufion to the golden chenibims looking towards 
 the mercy-feat v . It very property fignifies to pry 
 narrowly into thofe glorious revelations y to ftoop 
 dowm arid look earned! y y as St. John into our 
 Saviour's fepulcher w j o* elfc to bo\V tfiemfelves 
 in adoration of fo great a myftery. 'Tis certadit 
 that pride was the condemnation of the Devil ; 
 and 'tis argued iritaar fak ptcibability that his pride 
 was provok'd by his foreknowledge of our Savi- 
 our's incarnation. The offence of the Croft is 
 certainly the ruin 6f haughty fpiri-ts, who are 
 teftipted by the apofliaoe Arigels 3 arid follow their 
 example in endeavouring to ddftroy in the minds 
 of men that fundamental article of our faith x . 
 But thofe good Spirits,, who(e nature and excel- 
 lencies fo far trankrend ours, think this adorable 
 inftance of the divinefl charity and humiliation 
 worthy their bowing as well as defire to look into. 
 The Angels which preferv'd their allegiance,, and 
 
 cou'd the devotions of the triumphant Church be exprefs'J 
 fo properly, fo fublimely, as in thoughts and terms dictated by 
 the eternal Spirit? i Pet. i. it. v Exod. xx. 18, 19, 2.0. 
 Myfterium hoc cernui venerantur angeli. w John xx. f. 
 
 Mr Lejlcyy Dial. i. p. 140. x Fid. Mr. Lejley uti prius. 
 
 Bbbz ftations
 
 SACRED CLASSICS, Sec. 
 illations in glory, willingly fubmitted to adore the 
 humanity join'd in one perfbn with the Godhead 7 . 
 Submit did I fay ? They glory 'd in it with all 
 their powers. It was their moft natural fervice, 
 the moft ftupendous and noble demonftration of 
 divine love, which will occafion the eternal feli- 
 city and preferment of human race, and be the 
 unexhaufted fubjecl: of the wonder and joyful 
 praifcs of all the glorify 'd fervants and fbns of 
 God. 
 
 Now to the ever-llefied and adorable Trinity, 
 God the Father y God the Son, and God the holy 
 Ghoft, three Perfons and one eternal Divinity y 
 te afcriVd ly the Church militant and trium* 
 phant, all majefty, dominion^ worjhip, praife 
 and glory. Amen. 
 
 y Mr. Lejlefs Hid. of Herefy and Sin, p. 781. Mr. Norn's 
 Rel. and Rca. Pare I. Con. 8. Sec. i-i. p. 8p. Jenkins Reaf. 
 Part I. p. 318, jap. 
 
 THE END,
 
 INDEX 
 
 T O T H E 
 
 FIRST PART. 
 
 A 
 
 Bl&tive cafe of con* 
 
 frequence, common- 
 ly caWd abfolute, 
 86 
 
 Abftra6t for con- 
 crete, 7f 
 Accufative cafe of confidence ^ 
 commonly call d absolute y 86 
 A&sii. if. 116 
 
 . i v. 3 . defended again ft Ca- 
 
 faubon, 2.1 
 
 iv. I p. pp 
 
 . iv. 27. 137 
 
 vii. 2. 18 
 
 vii. 34. 14 
 
 vii. 40. f2 
 
 viii. 39, 1 14 
 
 -x. 4. 7 
 
 xi. 17. 120 
 
 xxi. i6> 9 
 
 
 
 xxvi. 22. 1.9 
 
 xxvii. 10. 134 
 Adjective agrees with fubftan- 
 tive contained in the fenfe of the 
 
 fubjett difcours'd on^ 88. 
 put for fubjiantive^ 127 
 
 34 
 141 
 
 1 27 
 1 46 
 if 
 
 Antecedent ^^ relative, diffi* 
 
 culties about in facred and 
 
 foreign daffies ^ 97, p8 
 
 'AVTJ ;' a peculiar Signification^ 
 
 186 
 
 sco, 10 
 
 oppofition to yW, 
 
 M4 
 ^z^ a'5^ pleonafti- 
 
 1 8, 19 
 
 Aorift ^r/? for frefent tenfe^ 
 1 06 for pluperfetJ, 1 07
 
 INDEX. 
 
 ''Air't^n, 133 Collective nouns, p3, 94 
 
 J\poculypfe, wW. Revelation. Colof. Ep. to iii. 16". 81 
 
 'A7TcXXu/jto, 149 Comparatives, pleonafm in 'em 
 
 Aptote,fometimes femininely noble and emphatical, 6\ 
 
 I4f put for pofitives and fu~ 
 
 no* perlatives, and vice versa, 
 
 3f 77> 78 
 
 >, 149 Conftru&ion, variation of, 84 
 
 or an equivalent word Contradictions firming in heft 
 elegantly pleonaftical, 66 authors, i$6 
 
 ' : -^X a &-> ! 44 l Cor. x i- I0 *- fp 
 
 2 Cor. x. 12. 24 
 
 B THfi[j.a. for ^^arcij 137 
 
 Critics pretended, forward and 
 
 Mr. Bakei'jyVy?'#0// offtylc-> raJJj in cenfuring tiie ftyle of 
 
 70 the new Teftament, 12, 13 
 
 Barbarifms. $> Foreign words. neither write well them- 
 
 BezaV _;'/? character of the pro- fehes, nor judge well either 
 priety and excellency of the of faults or beauties in good 
 language of the new frfta* authors, if8 r ij-p 
 
 went, 40, 41 X^v' under/load, po 
 
 He gives up the notion of C\-uci\ymgthefte/h,theftrength 
 fokcifms in the new Tefta- and noble emphajis of that 
 ment, fo, f i phrafe, 31, 32 
 
 Bold exjprejfions in f acred Claf- 
 Jics, and in foreign writers, D 
 
 iff, if 6, if 7, if 8 
 Brow of a mountain, if 6 Dative cafe remarkable, 130, 
 
 j / 
 
 C As pleonaftical, 1 20 
 
 At^ra ^w^/ J&lpcn falfly diftin- 
 
 Cafe, variation c/ 5 <s^ ^(^~ gttijh'd, zp 
 
 culties in change^ 84 A] # particle of inference or con- 
 
 Caitalio, 83 clufion, 110 
 
 dailies Greek and Latin, the 2^a w///^ i?w accusative cafe in 
 
 noble ft charged with folecifms -the fame fenfe as with a ge- 
 
 by falfe-narnd critics, 43,44 nitive, iif 
 
 ' approach nearer to folc- -fignificsfpace of time, ibid. 
 
 r/fms than the writers of the the fame as ct>, ibid. 
 
 8V, 85
 
 / N D E 
 
 conflruftion of it un- 
 common^ 135* 
 elegantly pleonaftical^ fp 
 
 E 
 
 Ei for on, 1 1 f 
 
 ETirtfor tKsX<&cr, p8 
 
 Els for w in beji Greek author /,. 
 
 for 
 'EnXeiTroo, 
 
 Galatians iv. 17. 134 
 
 Fag m\l abruptly in the begin- 
 ning of a difcourfe, 1 1 3 
 
 ' ' clofes a period agreeably, 
 
 ibid. 
 
 JT"' I .; 
 
 Ev yar^/ s^w, i 34 
 
 Gataker, ' 8, p, 10, 1 1 
 
 Genders exchanges of, pf , p<5, 
 
 97 
 
 neuter for mafculine, 87 
 
 God, /^ wcr*/ us'd to exprefs 
 fomething great , extraordi- 
 nary ', 78' 
 
 Grammar /r/#/# ^<^ vulgar mofl 
 clofely adhered to by men of 
 low genius^ 48 
 
 Grammar plain and figurative^ 
 48, 49 
 
 Grammar figurative, ignorance 
 of has occafiotf.d blunders, 
 bereJieS). pf 
 
 Grotius, 20 
 
 H 
 
 Dr. Hammond, 8r, 8z 
 
 Hebraifms in the new I'ejia- 
 F went, i 
 
 7X?V great vigour and 
 
 Foreign words in the new Te- beauty, 6 
 
 ftament, 57, 38, 3p Hebrew language effential, m- 
 
 Future tenfe for vrefent, lop, cejfary, excellent, i, 3,4, 6tc. 
 
 J 10 Hebrew idioms imitated by the 
 
 old Greek Clajfcs^ and tranf- 
 
 plantcd 
 
 n<$ 
 2,6 
 
 zV; admirable 
 2.7 
 
 23 j 2,4 
 
 Elliptis, fi 
 
 'Ev for r , common with left 
 
 Greek authors^ 115* 
 
 3 Ev, mi flakes about its peculiar 
 
 fignificationS) ip 
 
 'EvTiufisv ^ ovTJuOsv, 138 
 
 Ephcf. iii. 2.0, ii. 67 
 
 - - iv. i, 2,, 3. 80 
 
 - v. 4. 145 
 Epithets translated from tfo 
 
 mop proper to a ixwd more 
 
 remotely related^ ji^jt. 
 
 Eraimus, iff
 
 INDEX. 
 
 planted into their own lan- 
 guage, 102 
 
 Herodotus, defended by Faber 
 agatnft Longinus, 14.4, 145* 
 
 Horfe, defcription of, 6 
 
 St. fames i. ii. vindicated a- 
 gainft Erafmus, iff, if<5 
 
 St. [erom unjuftly cenfures the 
 Septuagint, 2.6 
 
 St. Paul, p2 
 
 "lv<x peculiar ufe of, 133 
 
 Inconfiftencies feeming in the 
 new Teftament and beft Claf- 
 fics eajily reconciled, i f 6, i f 7 
 
 Indicative w00<^ for potential , 
 
 lOf 
 
 Infinitive mood for imperative, 
 
 104 
 
 Interruption of ftyle in the new 
 'T'eftament for better reafons 
 than in the Greek and Latin 
 
 writers, 72, 74 
 
 / jr /i 
 
 Job, 1^77 o^/^ <7W^ fublime 
 book, f, <S 
 
 <SV. John'j language vindicated 
 againft Dennis Bifhop of A- 
 lexandria, #</ Z)r. Mill, 
 
 121, 123 
 
 St. JohnV Gofpel, i. if. */<?/<?#- 
 
 r/(?^/ againft Erafmus, 108 
 
 St. John's Go fpel, i.2o. ^0,61 
 
 ii. i o. defended againft Ca- 
 
 faubon, 20, 21 
 
 iv. 6. lip 
 
 viii. f. 1 16 
 
 - vfii. 1.6, JIT 
 
 Vlll. 44. sf 
 
 . viii. f 5. 3 4 
 > ix. 30. Ill, 117 
 
 xi. 2. 107 
 
 xvii. 2. 128 
 
 St. John'; i Ep. ii. 8. 1 2p 
 
 ii. 2,7. loo 
 
 St. Jude'i Ep. v. 7. 148, 149 
 
 14. 137 
 
 Julian weakly compares The- 
 ognis and Ifoc rates to Solo- 
 mon in point of morality and 
 ivifdom, 3, 4 
 
 expofes bimfelf by ridicu- 
 ling Scripture, 23, 24 
 
 K 
 
 Kocc y<?wf o/ ;V; particular fen- 
 Jes, 121 
 
 Kag7r/xot, 148 
 
 Kara, /o#Z o/ //; particular 
 Jignifications, 116, 1 17 
 
 Kspc^ou'vco, 148 
 
 Kuller Ludolph rejecls the no- 
 tion of folecifm in the new 
 Te/famenf. 1 40 
 
 Lamentations of the prophet 
 Jeremy, 4, f 
 
 Leflening expreffions fometimes 
 very feafonable and emphati- 
 cal, 143 
 
 Air. LockV cenfure on the idi- 
 om and turn of phrafes in St. 
 Paul, 3p, 40 
 
 on his ufage of verbs, 101,102 
 Lucian
 
 Lucian isftupidly infolent,tranf~ 
 grejfts his own rules, 24, 2f 
 
 St. Luke has as many noble 
 Hebraifms as any of the fa- 
 cred writers of the new Te- 
 ftament, 42, 43 
 
 St. LukeV Gofpel) i. f f . 84 
 
 viii. f4- ^4 
 
 M 
 
 lip 
 
 St. Mark vii. 28. 
 
 ix. 20. P<S 
 
 Marcu, I 4<* 
 
 5V. Matthew ii. 10. defended 
 
 againft Gataker 17 
 
 iv. 3. p8 
 
 v. 13. if 4, iff 
 
 v. 21. defended againft 
 
 Grotius, 20 
 
 vii. 12. up, 1 20 
 
 xii. 36. i4f 
 
 xix. 10. 134, i3f 
 
 xxi. 42. 88 
 
 Met^oTEg', pure and emphati- 
 
 cal againft CEcumenius, 27 
 
 Mev and 3 don't always anfwer 
 
 one another in the pure ft and 
 
 be ft Clajffics, i$p 
 
 Metaphors bold in the new Te- 
 
 ftament, i f 4 
 
 Mill Dr. anfwer'd, 112, Stc. 
 
 menty 147 
 
 Movov under ft ood, f 6 
 
 Moods, changes of 'em, 104 
 Moral precepts often repeated in 
 
 the new 'Teftament and fo~ 
 
 reign daffies ', ij-j 
 
 Mortification of hfts and paf- 
 
 fions required in all religions., 
 
 by Plato and all wife 
 
 N 
 
 Not , a particle of entreating 
 
 up 
 
 Nazianzen St. Gregory, 124 
 Nominative cafe without a 
 
 Nominative cafe for vocative, 
 
 84 
 
 Nonnus, poetical paraphraft of 
 St. JohnV Gofpel) his egre- 
 gious miftake) pf 
 
 Nouns, exchange of them and 
 their accidents^ 74 
 
 Noun principal for pronoun, 7$ 
 
 Number furprijing change of, 
 88, 8p 
 
 1'ranfition from one to an- 
 
 other the fame in Hebrew 
 
 Bible, New Te/tament, and 
 
 Greek and Roman authors, 
 
 pr, P2 
 
 Numerals, exchange of the fpe- 
 cies of them,, j$ 
 
 O 
 
 CEcumenius weakly ccnfurcs Sf 
 Luke, 10, ir 
 
 St John, 26" 
 
 Ofx* a family pure againft 
 Gataker, 16 
 
 'O7TS, I 22 
 
 'Or i by way of queflion, 1 17 
 C c c "On
 
 INDEX. 
 
 'Ort pleonaftical, 1 1 8, 134 own way , and pretends to 
 
 Ou v pleonzftical, up impofe falfe rules of criti- 
 
 Dr. Potter Bifiop of Oxford, 
 
 1 36 
 
 Parenthefis in the new Tefta- Pronoun, om fpecies put for 
 
 ment. See Interruption of another, j$ 
 
 ftyle. Prefcnt and future tenfe loth in 
 
 Paronornafia:, 15*1, if i one claufe, and relate to the 
 
 Participles in Greek , various fame time. 
 
 ufes and exchanges of them, PrcterimperfecT: tenfe for pre- 
 
 1 1 3 fent , and vice versa. Vid. 
 
 us" } d for all parts offpeech, Tenfe. 
 
 1 8, 7p, 80 n^q^/]Tnr, 14 
 
 "Bar'tgis both parents, po n^r, peculiar fignificaticns , 
 
 Peculiarities in words and phra- 1 18 
 y^j /'fl//^ /' //?e new 'Te/ia.ment 
 
 and foreign Clajjics, 21, 22, R 
 
 Perfon, tranjlation from one to Relatives, two injlsad of on^ 
 
 another ', 110, ill 60 
 
 i Ep. St. Peter, i. 13. iff Vid. Antecedent. 
 
 i. if. 116, 117 Repetitions, vigorous and no- 
 
 l Pet. ii. 4, f, 6. ff ^ *' ^^ ^"^ Teftament , 
 
 iii. i> 8p 6 1, 6z 
 
 Pfochenius, 8 common in all languages, 
 
 Philemon Ep. /0, ver.f. 71 63 
 
 P h i 1 i p . i . 8 . 7,8 f principal wor/l in a fen- 
 
 Phrynichus egregioujly blunders, tence, $^ 
 
 z , infacred writers more em- 
 
 Pindar, 4, 10, 146 phatical than in common Claf- 
 
 Plato, 31, if 4, ij-f fees, tff , 68 
 
 OyXa'arWj 1 6 f one thing as if it were 
 
 nxyi underjloodi 88 fwo ? 6$, 66 
 
 Poetical words and phrafes fea- Revelation of St. John defen- 
 
 fonably us\-l, beautiful and ^ againfl Dennis Bijbop of 
 
 proper in profe-writcrs, 1 1 Alexandria, 140 
 
 Hoico SCT[WJ> ^jcr/ay, pure Revelation ii. 24. 131 
 
 Greek, 12, iv. p, 10. lop 
 
 Pollux Julius mijlakes in his v. 10, 12, 13. 141 
 
 Reve-
 
 I N D EX. 
 
 Revelation xvii. 16. 
 xviii. 1 1. n, 13. 
 xxii. i. 
 Rhiming, ifi 
 
 Romans Ep. to vi. xvii. 
 vii. 4. 
 ' ' xiii. 13, 14. 
 
 Scholiafts old-) often confident 
 and trifling, 44 
 
 Scholiaft of Thucidides, his 
 juft and noble char after of 
 the ftyle of St. John, 123, 
 
 114 
 
 Scriptures attacked by people un- 
 qualify' 'd to under fl and 'em, 
 
 44 
 Sacred Scriptures, their divine 
 
 beauties, various excellencies. 
 Vid. old and newTeftament. 
 
 2s/xvos in a bad fenfe, 148 
 
 Senfes, put one for another in 
 the beft authors, 76" 
 
 Signification of one word va- 
 rious in beft authors. Vid. 
 Words. 
 
 Solecifm, 44, 4f 
 
 none in the new Tefta- 
 ment, 46* 
 
 the notion that there are 
 
 folecifms in that ineftimable 
 
 book of dangerous conference 
 
 to learning and religion, 1 60, 
 
 i<5i, 164, i<5f 
 
 appearance of folecijm in 
 the new feftament, and all 
 the nobleft authors in the 
 
 47 
 
 1 eftc-enfd beauties and grit* 
 
 c-es of language by Beza, fo 
 
 Solomon's divine fong or pa- 
 
 floral^ Proverbs, Ecclefia- 
 
 , 
 Sophilts Greek, injudicious , 
 
 vain^ 28, ip 
 
 Subftantivc for adjecJive, 7$ 
 
 Synonymous words often mill- 
 
 tiptyd in ths new 'Teftament 
 
 and other noble authors^ 66^ 
 
 ^7 
 Syntaxis pure and rational, no 
 
 violation of it in facred wri- 
 ters of the new Teftament y 
 
 Technical words, 1 2,8 
 
 Tenfes, exchange of one for an- 
 
 other, i Of, ic<5, 107, 108, 
 i op, no 
 
 Tn'gjjjrir, 21 
 
 w<; fometimes feminine, pr 
 i Thefl: iv. 8. 155- 
 
 Titus ii. i 3. i 3j- 
 
 Tranfpofition of words and 
 
 members of periods, 69 
 
 V U 
 
 Verb, that feems mcejfary to 
 fenfe, fome times wanting, fz 
 Verbs, fpecies of excbangd, p8 
 active for pzjfive, 105 
 intranji-tive turn to tran- 
 101 
 
 Verfes 
 
 C c c
 
 JND EX. 
 
 Verfes whole fometitnes in left went protfd pr&per 
 
 profe-writers, lyi 
 
 Tits 'Aoucov, if too weak, &c. 145 
 
 a double ftgnification) Words of two contrary Jignifi- 
 
 147 cations, 146, 147, 148 
 
 W 
 
 Words reckoned too ftrong for 
 the fubjett in the new fefta- 
 
 iop, no 
 
 INDEX
 
 INDEX 
 
 TO THE 
 
 SECOND PART. 
 
 x. . 
 xii. 23. 
 xvi. if. 
 xvii. i 5. 
 xxvi. 1 1. 
 xxvii. 12. 
 
 Angels contemplate and admire 
 
 A the wyfteries of the Go/pel^ 
 
 189, 190 
 
 Bfurdity horrid to Apocalypfe, vid. Revelation. 
 
 afcribe to ftyle of 'A7roxa$cc A cx/a, 198 
 
 new Teftament , Ariitotle, 293, 348 
 
 230 Articles, 189, 190 
 
 v. 41. 1 86 Attic elegancies in nriv Tefta* 
 
 197 went) 191, 192 
 
 198 St. Auilin admires the ehquence 
 1 86 of St. Paul, 219 
 
 1 24 c f facred wit en of the 
 
 202 new Teftament in general , 
 
 172 242 
 
 Affliaion fitffer'd for the Go- 
 
 f pel matter of joy ^ 182, 183 
 
 facred Claffics exprefs and 
 
 describe that ^oy in a manner 
 triumphant incomparable, \ 8 3 
 
 184 
 
 Allegories in neiv Teftament 
 beautiful^. 305 
 
 B 
 
 Bucon Lord Verulam 5 his htfr 
 obfervation of the fulnefs of 
 Script tire-fenfe^ ^9 
 
 BczaV juft and noble character 
 
 of the ftyh of the new 7 eft a - 
 
 ment, 28, 217, 218 
 
 Bifiop
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Burnet boldly affirms 
 that there are no lively fi- 
 gures in the new Teftament, 
 
 v. ip, 20. 
 
 106 
 
 Charity Chriftian, 103 
 
 Children young, onr Lord's ten- 
 der regard and goodnefs to 
 'cm, 27 r, 2,76 
 
 St. Chryfoftom admires and 
 fets forth St. PaulV great and 
 noble eloquence, 234 
 
 he admires St. John, 332 
 
 Coloffians Ep. to i. i r. 2fp 
 
 i. if, 16, 185 ip. 360 
 
 iii. 22. 201 
 
 Comparifons in the new <Tefta- 
 me'nt appo/ite, excellent, 199 
 
 parallel to comparifons in 
 
 noble ft daffies, i/f, 176 
 
 Compofition in the new T'efta- 
 
 ment clean, ftrong, excellent, 
 
 287, 188 
 
 Compound words in the new 
 
 I'ejlament fine , fi^ong, em- 
 
 phatical, 198 
 
 Conflagration of this world, 
 
 34i 
 Contradictions, appearances of, 
 
 in thv new Teftament how 
 
 foltfd, 311, 313 
 
 i Cor. iii. 21, ii } 13. 2,pp 
 
 vii. 3f. 199 
 
 ix. 17. 199, zoo 
 
 ch. xv. a rapturous piece 
 
 of eloquence, fub limit y, live- 
 ly figures, 313, 314 
 z Cor. iv. 17, 1 8. 182, 
 
 vi. 10. 301 
 
 xi. 2p. 271 
 
 Critics great, differ in their 
 opinions, 2.91 
 
 D 
 
 Decency and cleannefs of the 
 exprejfion of the new Tefta- 
 ment, 3 46 
 
 Dialects of Greek tongue feafo- 
 nably and agreeably mix'd in 
 the new fajtament, ipi 
 
 iP7 
 ipp 
 
 E 
 
 Eloquence falfe, 212,213 
 Eloquence true, found, 214 
 
 in the new Teftament. vid. 
 
 New Teft/iment. 
 
 , for bjj a clajjical word, 
 
 Enjedin a bold Socinian, 25- f 
 Ephefians Ep. to, i. IP, 20. 
 
 263 
 iii. 18, ip. 300 
 
 iv. 14. 26*0 
 
 vi. 6. 201 
 
 Epiftles of the new Teftament 
 admirable, 222, 223 
 
 Epithets in the new 'Teftament 
 accurately proper, fignificant, 
 noble, ip4, &c. 
 
 Erafmus, his bold and raft) ac- 
 count
 
 INDEX. 
 
 count of the ftyle of the new 
 Teftament, lop 
 
 ~ character of bis favourite 
 author iSY.Jerom, 143, 144 
 
 Expletives in the new 'Tefta- 
 ment feafonable, beautiful, 
 
 118 
 
 Fathers, their judgment of the 
 
 ftyle of the new Teftament, 
 
 lip, cc. 
 
 Dr. Fiddes his juft and noble 
 character of the ne-w Tefta- 
 went fa creel writers, if 8, 
 
 ifp 
 
 Figure?, their nature, ufe$ iif 
 
 Figures beautiful, grand, mar- 
 velous in the new Teftament, 
 
 Gagneius a 0/V/Socinian, iff, 
 
 if6 
 
 Galat. i. 13. 197 
 
 -- v. if. 
 
 Galtrell his excellent ac- 
 count of the method of facred 
 Scriptures, 3 if, 316 
 
 Holy Ghoft defcended on our 
 Saviour as a dove,. 361 
 God, his infinite and mo ft ado- 
 rable goo dne ft, 103, 184, 
 
 310 
 
 fublime defer ipt tons of him, 
 33P, 340 
 
 Gofpels, their ftyle, pure, fro.- 
 $er^ noble, no 
 
 Gregory the Great his noble 
 character of Sf. Paul, 3 3 8 
 
 H 
 
 Hebraifms in the new Tefta- 
 ment never violate the ana- 
 logy and rcafon of grammar, 
 and particularly of the gram- 
 war of the Greek language, 
 169, 170, 171 
 
 Hebrews Ep. to, iv. 13. ipf 
 
 vii. z6-, 104 
 
 viii. p. 103 
 
 xii. i, i, 3,4, f, 6. 186 
 
 xiii. f . ipi 
 Hiitorian good, his ftyle, 318 
 Homer, 'weakly blam'd for his 
 
 frequent nfe of expletive par- 
 ticles, i 88, 189 
 his excellencies, 178, 18 L 
 Hunger and thlrft- after righ- 
 teoufnefs, 174 
 
 St. James his ftyle and chara- 
 cter, 3 1-8 
 
 vindicated againft the rajh 
 cenfure of Erafmus ibid. 
 
 St. James i. 17. 3 }p 
 
 \\\. from ver. i. to 1 3. ibid. 
 
 iii. 17. ip<5 
 Idiotical ftyle fometimes ncccf~ 
 
 fary y proper, beautiful, 141, 
 
 146 
 
 St. Jerom inconftanf y variable 
 in his cha-raSlcn of tie fared
 
 INDEX. 
 
 writers of the new Tefiament, 
 
 St. John's Go/pel chap. xi. a 
 
 perfpicuous , lively and mov- 
 
 ing narrative, 2f 2 
 
 bis ftyle and character, 331 
 
 Si. John, his Go/pel ownd to 
 
 be pure , eloquent, fublime, 
 
 Jjy Dennis of Alexandria, 
 
 As to bis Epiftles and Apo- 
 calypfe unjuftly cenfur'd by 
 him, 333, 334 
 
 St. Irenjeus, bis char after of 
 St. Luke, 330 
 
 Ifidore Peleufiota, his jitft cha- 
 racter of facred daffies, 249 
 
 St. JudeV ftyle and cbaracJer, 
 
 342- 
 
 his Epiftle ver. i 3. 2,64 
 
 ] ulian apojlate, gives a high cha- 
 racter and encomium of pri- 
 mitive ChriftianS) 3 2 r 
 
 Juvenal, 25*4 
 
 Keys of David, bell, death, 
 
 Vid. St. John xi. 
 Legeon, account of, fttrprifing* 
 
 ly entertaining, grand, ifo 
 Mr. Lefley his judicious and 
 
 excellent account of the flyle 
 
 and beauties of the facred 
 
 Scriptures, 22.5, 227 
 
 Mr. Lock, his notion of tro- 
 
 pical and figurative expreffi- 
 
 ons explained, 2pf 
 
 takes prodigious liberty in 
 
 altering and perverting St. 
 
 Paul'-f noble pajfage, Rom. 
 
 ix. f. 366 
 
 - By his interpretation of 
 many places of facred 'writers 
 of the new fa/lament, depre- 
 ciates and weakens their no- 
 ble fenfe, ^6f 
 
 St. Luke, his ftyle and char a- 
 
 Rer, 330, 231 
 
 St.L>ukc'sGo/feI 9 iii. 23. 352 
 
 - vi. 38. ip 4 , ipj- 
 
 - vii. 44. 2p8, 299 
 
 - xiv. 14. 1 80 
 Chap. xv. a great piece of 
 natural and noble eloquence, 
 
 Bifoop KidderV juft character 
 of the divinely infpir'd wri- 
 ters, 22f 
 
 Language plain and common 
 fometimes neccffary and beau- 
 tiful. Vid. idiotical ftyle. 
 
 Lazarus, biftory- of his death 
 and refurreklion admirable. 
 
 XIX. 41 
 
 2f4 
 
 M 
 
 St. Mark'j ftyle and character, 
 226, 327 
 
 St. Mark'; Gofpel, i. 1 3 . 3 2p 
 - iv. 39. J 278 
 
 -- vi. if. 32p 
 
 -- ix. if. 328 
 
 St. Matthew'/ ftyle and chara- 
 cter, 3 2.6 
 
 St.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 St. Matthew'; Gofpel, viri. $. 
 277, 278 
 
 xxm. 37. i 7f , i 7 <j 
 xx vi. 44. $60 
 
 xxviii. 3, 4. 279 
 
 "Metaphors bold and beautiful 
 in the new Tejlament, 300 
 Method of the facred writers 
 of the new Tejlament proper^ 
 excellent^ 3 14 
 
 Morals of the Gofpel, and Greek 
 and Roman Clajfics compa- 
 red, 177, 178 
 The former faperior, 178, 
 
 '7P 
 
 Mount, our Saviour's Sermon 
 
 on it) 220 
 
 Myfteries of the Gofpel pure, 
 
 noble, edifying, require and 
 
 encourage good life and true 
 
 piety, 32f, 36$ 
 
 in Denial of them tends to 
 
 weaken and dejlroy Chriftian 
 
 morality, 364 
 
 N 
 
 Negative particles in the new 
 Teftament emphatical, i po 
 
 New-Tettament language in 
 the main the fame with that 
 of the pureft antient Greeks, 
 
 impartial, ferhtis, pious, 
 charitable; in all refpe&s 
 qualify' d to write well, 310, 
 
 311 
 
 Their mode fly, 346, 347 
 
 - fheir furprizing and 
 
 yfiofl agreeable variety, 348 
 
 Their fenfe deep, full, 
 
 Excel all other writers 
 in feveral refpefts, 204, 
 2of, 27p, 310, 321, 34J-. 
 
 - The ftudy and knowledge 
 of them pleafant-y of the 
 greate/l importance, 368 
 
 1 Appearance of contra- 
 diction in 'cm eafily recon- 
 
 ctrd, ^ 11 
 
 o 
 
 Old and New Teftament, 
 
 vid. Teftament. 
 Oppofition, Figure, mbls in 
 
 new Teftament, 301 
 
 Orators fometimes prudently 
 
 conceal their art, 2ip 
 
 Origcn fpeaks with honour of 
 
 the language of the facrcd 
 
 writers, 140 
 
 201 
 
 New-Teftament Jlyle. Vid. P. 
 
 Style. 
 
 New-Teftament writers, lo- Particles agreeably and beauti- 
 
 quent, up, 223 fully inter fpers'd in new Te- 
 
 inan Ufe no Hebraifms that are ftament, 1 8 8 
 
 contrary to the approved con- St. Paul, his ftyle and char ac- 
 
 ftruftion of the pure Greek ter. 
 
 D d d 
 
 A dole
 
 INDEX. 
 
 in . A clofe confidential 
 writer^ 337 
 
 . His epiftles dated from 
 prifon eloquent^ marvellous^ 
 tranfporting) 183 
 
 Period : may conftft of one 
 
 member , 2p2 
 
 may have more than four , 
 
 ibid. 
 
 Periods regular and noble in 
 new 'Teflament writers^ 286 
 
 - often negletted by 
 and the beft foreign 
 
 2p2, 
 
 Perfon, Creation of, 2p8 
 
 St. PeterV flyk and character, 
 
 340 
 
 He is fublime and grand^ 
 
 222, 340 
 
 St. Peter i Ep. i. f . ip6 
 
 1. 22. 270, 271 
 
 i. 7. 177 
 
 iii. 4. i So, 181 
 
 St. Peter 2 Ep. iii. 8. to 12. 
 
 341. 
 
 Philemon, Epiftle /<?, admir- 
 able , 271, 272, 273 
 Philippians i. 2p. 184 
 
 ii. 17, 1 8. 184 
 
 iii. 1 8, ip. 2.6$ 
 
 Picus, Earl of Mirandola, his 
 
 charatter of the flyk of the 
 
 new Teftament^ 22f, 226 
 
 Du Pin his char a tier of the 
 
 ftyle of the new 
 
 Of St. Paul, 
 
 Of St. James, 
 
 Pliny 
 Pindar 2. zp. 
 
 W 
 
 ^l 
 338 
 1 80 
 
 Plato, 173, 174, 177, 178 
 
 Mr. Pope bis juft character 
 
 of the pcrfpicuity and noble 
 
 fimplicity of the ne-iv I'efta- 
 
 Prodigal Son, Parable^ of ad- 
 mirable^ 303 
 
 Profopopeia, *vid. Perfon. 
 
 Proverbial ExprefHons in new 
 I'eftament) 1 74 
 
 Quin&ilian, 223, 2p, 323, 
 
 3*4 
 
 Reproof fevere^ when to- bs 
 us'dy 263 
 
 Revelation, ftyle of the fame 
 with the Gofpel and Epiftles 
 of St. John, 3 34 
 
 Full of heavenly doftrines^ 
 awful image S) fublime de- 
 fer ipt ions ^ ibid. 
 
 St. ] Corn's juft encomium 
 of that divine book, 335* 
 
 Revelation i. 7, 8. 334 
 
 xix.from 1 1. to 17. 335- 
 
 ' xix. 6. 
 
 XX. II. 
 
 Rom. ii: 4, y 
 
 iv. 17. 
 
 3-34 
 
 282 
 
 261, 262 
 
 2-79 
 184 
 
 v. 2, 3, 4, f. 
 viii. ip. 
 viii. chapter grand, live- 
 307, 308 
 ix. 5*. 366
 
 I N D EX. 
 
 Rom. xii. admirable,. 287 
 
 xii 10. 203 
 
 i xii. 13. ipf 
 
 - xii. ult. 181 
 
 fublime, marvellous, 2 
 
 Suffering for the caufe of God 
 and the Gofpel of his Bleffcd 
 Son glorious, &:c. Vid. Af- 
 fliction. 
 
 i P4 
 
 Our Bleffed Saviour, bis farc- 
 qvel difcourfe gracious, mov- 
 ing, admirable,. 221 
 is infinitely good, merci- 
 ful, 2fl,2f 4 , 274, 27 f 
 
 is eternal , true, God by 
 
 nature, if i,zf7, 277, 311, 
 
 S'34> 3f7> 3<*j ^4 
 Scriptures facred, their grand 
 
 and moft gracious dejign, 3 f o, 
 
 3H 
 
 . Contemplation of them the 
 
 employment of Angels, one in- 
 gredient in the happinefs of 
 heaven, 3<5p, 370 
 
 Simon Father, 231, 232, zff 
 Solecifms, fuch as are thought 
 to be fo by injudicious people, 
 generally the grandest and 
 fublimeft pa/ages, 336, 337 
 Sophocles, 280 
 
 Stanhope , his noble and judi- 
 cious account of Heb. i. 3. 
 
 361 
 
 Style iV/0/fV07, 242 
 
 Styles all in perfection in the 
 
 new 'Teftament, 248 
 
 clear , perfpicuons , 248, 
 
 249 
 
 vigorous, 2fp 
 foarp, cutting^ 363 
 
 delicate, tender, moving, 
 ^6 7 
 
 Teftament old, a moft glorious, 
 
 eloquent , infiru5lii'e book , 
 
 i6p, 170, &c. 
 
 perfeflly agrees with the 
 
 new, 34P, 3fo 
 
 Teftament, old and new, pro- 
 perly make up one cow pie at 
 and per f eft book , ths moft 
 'wonderful, fublime, engaging,- 
 and edifying in the whole 
 ivorld, 34p, &c. 
 
 i Theff. i. 6. 
 
 ii. 17, ip, 20. 
 
 iii. 8. 26-, 
 
 v. 14. 
 
 2 Their, i. n, 
 
 1 Tim. i. 1 3. 
 iv. 10. 
 
 vi. if. 280 
 
 Chap. vi. from ver. 12. to 
 end, a noble piece of found 
 fenfe, beautiful, cmphatical 
 language, and graceful ftruc- 
 ture, 287 
 
 2 Tim. iii. i, 2. 266 
 Titus i. 13. 263. 
 Tongue cvi/ 9 . the mifchiefs of 
 
 it admirably reprefented, 339 
 
 Tollius, editor of Longinus, 
 
 his injurious criticifm on St. 
 
 Paul 
 
 268 
 268 
 176 
 
 287 
 
 204 
 322 
 
 20f
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Paul confuted, 288, 28p placed in a difcourfe^ 
 Transfiguration of our Blejftd Words Jingle , vigorous and 
 
 j^ . O I /* T? -T-w-. 
 
 Saviour ', 518 
 
 Tranfition, figure^ noble in the 
 
 (fw feftament) 
 U 
 
 2p8 
 
 200 
 
 w 
 
 Words emphatical properly 
 
 wonderfully empbatical in the 
 new feftamenti ip$, ip4 
 
 Words compound. Vid. Com- 
 pound. 
 
 Writers of a great genius de- 
 fpife a trifling and fuperfti- 
 tious accuracy^ 224 
 
 Writers of the new faftament 
 Vid. New Teftament, 
 
 f I N i s.

 
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 Form L9-40w-7,'56(C790s4)444 
 
 THE LIUKAK\ 
 LTSIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 AA 000025277 5