LO LO o *, . Muu 4L4 0L' 0T- ^*^A^ft4^4.As SYt - - r - - -64? CHAP. CONTENTS. Yll CHAP. IV. Fage VERSIONS OF THE SCRIPTURES - - 71 SECT. I. Of the Chaldee Paraphrases - 72 SECT. II. t Of the Greek Versions - 75 SECT. III. Of the Samaritan Versions - 83 SECT. IV. Of the Latin Versions 85 SECT. V. Of the Syriac Versions 88 SECT. VI. Of the other Ancient Versions 90 SECT. VII. Of Modern Versions - 95 SECT. VIII. Distinctions of Versions - 99 SECT. IX. Of the Use of Versions for determining Readings 1 02 SECT. X. Of the Use of Versions for Interpretation - 107 CHAP. V. THE CIRCUMSTANCES RELATING TO THE BOOKS OF SCRIPTURE - 112 SECT. I. Of the Kinds of Composition in Scripture - 113 SECT. II. Of the AutJiors of the Books of Scripture - 118 A 2 Viii CONTENts. Page SECT. III. Of the Times of Writing the Books of Scripture 1 2 i SECT. IV. Ofthe^ Occasions of the Books of Scripture - 124 SECT. V. Of the Scope and Design of the Books of Scrip- ture - - - 128 SECT. VI. Of the Plan and Distribution of the Books of Scripture - - 132 SECT. VII. Of the Connexion of the Parts in the Books of Scripture - - * - - 142 CHAP. VI, COMPARISON OF SCRIPTURE WITH ITSELF 147 SECT. I. Comparison of Parallel Passages - 14-8 SECT. II. Comparison of Passages not Parallel - 157 SECT. III. Comparison of Particular Passages with the Analogy of Faith - 159 CHAP. VII. HISTORY AND MANNERS - - 165 SECT. I. Of Civil History - - - 165 SECT. II. Of Political History - - - - V 168 SECT. III. Of Customs and Manners - 171 SECT. IV. Of Chronology - 179 SECT. CONTENTS. IX Page SECT. V. Of Geography - 181 SECT. VI. Of Natural History - 185 CHAP. VIII. OPINIONS AND LEARNING - - 187 SECT. I. Of the Religious Opinions of Ancient Nations 188 SECT. II. Of Ancient Learning and Philosophy 191 SECT. III. Of the Jewish Sects and Parties - 195 SECT. IV. Of Jewish Opinions - 201 SECT. V. Of the Jewish Writers - 206 SECT. VI. Of the Ancient Christian Writers 215 SECT. VII. Of Modern Christian Writers - - 219 SECT. VIII. Of Pagan Writers - - - - 224 r PART II. THE OBJECTS OF SCRIPTURE CRITICISM 227 CHAP. I. CORRECTIVE OR EMEND ATORY CRITICISM 229 SECT. I. The Nature of a Various Reading - - 230 SECT. II. The Sources of False Readings - - 232 SECT. III. The Kinds of False Readings - - -249 SECT. IV. Rules of Judging concerning Various Readings 264 CHAP. CONTENTS. CHAP. II. Page THE EXPLICATION OF SEPARATE WORDS 292 SECT. I. The Combination of Letters into Words - 293 SECT. II. Irregular Forms and Flexions of Words - 297 SECT. III. The Signification of Words - - 300 SECT. IV. The Usage of Nouns - - 314 SECT. V. The Usage of Verbs - 323 SECT. VI. The Usage of Particles - - 349 SECT. VII. Difficulties in determining the Parts of Speech 366 CHAP. III. THE EXPLICATION OF COMBINATIONS OF WORDS - 370 SECT. I. Difficulties in Punctuation - 371 SECT. II. in Syntax 374 SECT. III. in Idiom - 378 SECT. IV. in Phrases - 384 SECT. V. v arising from the Grammatical Fi- gures - 386 SECT. VI. arising from the Rhetorical Figures 390 CHAP. CONTENTS, XI CHAP. IV, Page DIFFICULTIES IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES RE- LATING TO THE BOOKS OF SCRIPTURE. 396 SECT. I. Difficulties in the Connexion of particular Parts 397 SECT. II. in Plan and Distribution - - 405 SECT. HI. 'in Scope and Design - - - - 409 SECT. IV. concerning the Occasion - * 411 SECT. V. concerning the Time - - - 412 SECT. VI. concerning the Authors - - - 413 SECT. VII. in different kinds of Composition - 413 CHAP. V. OF RECONCILING SCRIPTURE TO ITSELF. 417 SECT. I. Seeming Contradictions in Quotations - - 418 SECT. II. in Historical Passages 426 SECT. III. ; between Predictions and their Accomplishment 4-34 SECT. IV. : in Points of 'Doctrine - 436 CHAP. VI. SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS TO REASON AND MORALITY. - - - - 434 SECT. I. Seeming Contradictions to Truth - - - - 4-35 SECT. II. to Morality - - - 442 SECT, III. Passages unreasonably severe ----- 449 CHAP. CONTENTS. CHAP. VII. Page SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS TO HISTORY, AND MATTERS OF FACT - - 451 SECT. I. Seeming Contradictions to Matters of Fact, in the Narrations of the Sacred Writers - 452 SECT. II. Seeming Contradictions in Occasional References 457 .SECT. III. 5 in Prophecies - 458 CHAP VIII. COMPLICATED DIFFICULTIES 460 SECT. I. Difficulties arising 'from different Various Readings - * - . - - 461 SECT. II. Complicated Difficulties in the Sense 46? SECT. III. Difficulties both in Reading and in Sense 465 SECT. IV. Difficulties which admit different Solutions 467 CONCLUSION - 469 INTRODUCTION. i. As the Chriftian religion is of divine authority, and as the Scriptures are the authentic record and re- velation of it, every Chriftian, and efpecially every Chriflian teacher, is concerned to underftand the Scrip- tures, and obliged to ftudy them with care. 2. The importance of underflanding the Scriptures has never been denied, though the means of attaining to it have not always been fufficiently attended to, even in the fchools of Theology. 3. The Scriptures can be underftood, only by being \ ftudied and interpreted according to the genuine prin- f ciples of criticifm ; and a regular deduction of thefe principles, iiluftrated by examples, feems to be the befl method that can be taken for afTifting (Indents in the \ ftudy of the Scriptures. 4. It is from the Scripture, rightly underftood, that all juft opinions in religion are to be derived ; but mif- interpretation of it is the certain caufe of error. B 5. This $ INTRODUCTION, 5. This part of our courfe may be reduced to two general Heads ; the Sources and the Objedts of Scripture Criticifm. The confideration of the former will lead us to difcover the moft general and fimple principles ; the confideration of the latter will enable us to combine thefe principles, to deduce from them more particular rules, and to apply them to ufe PART PART I. THE SOURCES OF SCRIPTURE CRITICISM. 6. I HE fources of Scripture criticifm are reducible to the following : Manufcripts and editions ; the ori- ginal languages ; the kindred languages ; verfions ; the occafion, fcope, and other circuniftances of the books of Scripture; comparifon of Scripture with itfelf ; ancient hiftory and manners ; ancient learning and opi- nions. 7. Thefe are fubfervient to Scripture criticifm, ei- ther by eftablifhing the true readings, by afcertaining the fenfe, or by difplaying the beauties of the Scripture language. CHAP. I. Manuscripts and Editions of the Books of Scripture. 8. THE firft thing neceflary for undemanding the Scripture, is, to know what the authors really wrote. B 2 9, We 4 MSS. AND EDITIONS. 9. We cannot determine this by having recourfe to their autographa, becaufe all thefe are long ago loft. Simon, Hift. Crit. N. T. c. 29. Pfaff. de gen. lect. N. T. c. 2. 7. Michaelis Introd. Lect. 12. 10. There are many MSS. which have been tran- fcribed from thefe or from other MSS. and many edi- tions publifhed from MSS. ; which are therefore the fources to which we muft apply for difcovering what the infpired authors wrote. Simon, ib. Michaelis, 13. 11. It is, chiefly, to the common editions of the books of Scripture that the generality can have recourfe for this purpofe ; and thefe are fufficient for what is abfolutely neceffary to be known. Kennicott, DifT. General, 7. 12. But, as thefe editions differ in fome places from one another, and MSS. differ much more, we cannot be certain what was originally written, but by a care- ful examination and comparifon of the feveral MSS. and editions ; and therefore it is of great utility that fuch as have the opportunity, confult thefe, and com- municate their difcoveries to the world. Ken. ib. 814. De Roffi, Var. Lect. ProL SECT. AUTHORITY OF M&S. 5 SECT. I. The Authority of Manuscripts. 13. THERE are catalogues of the known MSS. of the Scriptures, fome of which, or one collected from them, it will be ufeful to have conflantly at hand. Simon, Hift. Grit. V. T. I. i. c. 21, 22, 23. Houbigant, Proleg. c. 3. a. 2. Kennicott, Diff. 2. and Diff. Gen. 164. Mill. Prolegom. Wetftein, Proleg. Dupin, Pre- lim. Diff. Pfaff. ib. c. 4, 5. Michaelis, 21 27. De Rofii, Var. Led. Prol. Clavis. 14. Of the New Teftament, there are. feveral very ancient MSS. ; but few MSS. of the Old Testament are of very great antiquity. Kennicott, DifT. i. p. 305. DifT. 2. p. 465. Diff. Gen. 49, 50, 162, 163. 15. The ages of MSS. are afcertained either by teftimony, or by internal marks ; with greateft certain- ty by the latter ; not however by any one mark fmgly, but by the conjunction of feveral. Simon, Hist. V. T. 1. i. c. 2Z, 23. Houbigant, Prol. p. 195. Kennicott, Diff. i. p. 309, 312, 313. Pfaff* c. 3. I, 2. Wetftein, Prol. c. I. 4, 11, 17. c. 2. c. 3. c. 4. c. 5. Michaelis, 21, 22. De Rossi, ib. 16. The authority of a MS. depends very much on its antiquity ; and, confequently, it is of importance to afcertain the ages of MSS. as exactly as poflible. 17. The principle on which antiquity gives autho- rity to a MS. is, that the rifk of falling into miftakes B 3 irx- 6 AUTHORITY OF MSS. increafes in proportion to the frequency of tranfcrib- ing ; and, therefore, other things being equal, the au- thority of a MS. is in proportion to its antiquity. Wetftein, Proleg. c. 16. Kennicott, Diff. 2. p. 467. Wal- ton, Proleg. 6. 6. De Roffi, ib. can. 13 16. 1 8. But, from that very principle, there arifes an . exception to this general rule ; viz. that a MS. certain- ly copied from one very ancient, has greater authority than another written earlier, but copied from a MS. ot no great antiquity. Houbigant, Proleg. p. 105, 106. Kennicott, DilT. i. p. 307. De Roffi, ib. can. 19 23. 1 9. But, there are other circumftances, befides their ages, which likewife affect the authority of MSS. 20. MSS. of the Hebrew bible are of greater or lefs authority, according to the countries in which they were written, and the perfons for whofe use they were written. Simon, V. T. I. i. c. 21, 22. HoubJgant, Prol. p. 107. Kennicott, Diff. i. p. 313. De Rofli, ib. can. 24 30. 21. Some MSS^mowthemfelves to have been writ- ten by perfons ignorant of the language ; and, on this very account, have great authority in favour of readings which could not have been introduced without know- ledge of the language. Pfaff. c. 3. 4. Michaelis, 88, Marfh's MichacKs, ch. 8. 22. Some MSS. bear plain marks of being written with care, and therefore have great authority ; others, of USE OF MSS. J of being written negligently, and thefe can claim no authority. Simon, N. T. c. 30. Michaelis, 28. Walton, ib. Marfh'a Michaelis, ib. De Roffl, ib. 23. MSS. which have been defignedly rendered conformable to a particular copy or verfion, of which there are many inftances, have no authority in cafes wherein they agree with that copy or verfion. Simon, N. T. c. 30, 31. Mill, Prol. N 1268, &c. Wet- ftein, Prol. c. 4. i. Michaelis, 21, 22, 28. Marm's Michaelis, ib. De Roffi, ib. 24. A MS. tranfcribed from another, or MSS. tranf- cribed from the fame original, or corrected by it, can have no feparate or independent authority. Simon, N. T. c. 31. Wetftein, Prol. c. 4. 3. Michaelis, f 28. Marfli's Michaelis, ib. 3. De Roffi, ib. 25. MSS. written fmce the invention of printing, and copied from any printed edition, have no authority. Kennicott, Diff. i. p. 305. Wetftein, Prol. c. 2. 8. Micha- elis, 20. Marfh's Michaelis, ib. SECT. II. . The Use of Manuscripts, and the Manner of using them. 26. THE firft and principal ufe of MSS. is, to fhow us all the different readings which have taken place, that we may be able to compare them, and to choofe that which is beft fupported. Kennicott, Diff. paflim. JB 4 27- lf 8. USE OF MSS. 27. If other confiderations be equal, that reading Is to be preferred, which is found in the moft ancient MSS. Pfaff, c. 12. can. i. Walton, ib. 28. If other circumftances be equal, the reading of the greater number of MSS. is to be preferred to that of a lefs number. It is on this principle, that moft of the received readings have been preferred. Pfaff, ib. Wetftein, c. 16. 18. Michaelis, 28. Walton, ib. 29. Great regard is to be paid to a reading found in a MS. which is evidently written with accuracy. 30. In judging of the number of MSS. which fup- port a reading, care mud be taken, not to reckon for different MSS. one which has been called by different names. Wetftein, c. I. 18. c, 4. i. 31. It is neceffary to know, with refpect to every MS. whether it contains the whole of the Old, or of the New Teflament, or only a part of them, and what part ; and whether it be complete or defective, and what its defects are. Mill, Prol. N 1156. Wetftein, c. i. 12, 13, 6. c. 4. 3. Marfh's Michaelis, ib. 4. 32. Befides the principal ufe which has been men- tioned, MSS. anfwer indirectly feveral purpofes fubor- dinate to that j particularly by indicating, in many ways, the USE OF MSS. the occafions of miftakes, and thus leading us to rect both thefe and fimilar miltakes. 33. MSS. fhew us the various forms of the charac- ters ufed in different ages, and thus enable us to judge which of them were liable to be confounded. Houbigant, Proleg. Kennicott, DifT. i. p. 313. Simon, V. T. 1. i. c. 23. Wetft. Prol. c. i. 4, 5, 7. c. 2, 3, 4, 5. 34. From MSS. we learn what abbreviations have been at any time ufed ; and by knowing this, we are enabled to account for the introduction of many vari- ous readings. Kennicott, Di(T. Gen. 25, 26. Wetft. c. i. f 7. Michaelia, {22. Ifa. li. 4. Lowth in loco. 35. From MSS. it appears that, both in the Hebrew and in the Greek Scriptures, numbers were expreifed, not only in words at length, but alfo by fmgle nume- ral letters, and by figures ; by which many corruptions have naturally been occafioned. Kennicott, Difl". i. and 2. Diff. Gen. {27. 36. MSS. are often written with black rules, which, by confounding letters otherwife eafily diftinguifhable, lead readers to miftake one of them for the other. 1, n. Ifa. liii. 10. >bnn " he hath put him to grief. " " with grief. " Vulg. Lowth in 1. Jer. xxviii. 8. Ken. DifT. Gen. 54, 122, 179. p. 83. note, p. 87. note. n, CD. Ifa. vi. 13. Lowth in 1. vii. 16. Ken. ib. c. 523. n, 13. Id. DifT. i. 2 Sam. v. i. comp. i Chron. xi. i. U, 31. 2 Sam. xxiii. 26. comp. i Chron. xi. 27. Ken. DifT. I. D, *3. i Sam. xvii. 32. comp. 70. 3, i. Jofh. vii. 18, &c. comp. 70. Vat. and v. 26, and i Ghron. ii. 7. 37- 10 tistf OF MSS. 37. MSS. were generally written in continued lines, without either punctuation or any breaks between words or fentences ; by which means, letters may be readily taken from one word to another, and words from one claufe or fentence to another. Houbigant, Prol. Ken. Di(T. i. p. 313, &c. Simon, N. T. c. 33. Wetft. c. i. J 5, 10. 38. MSS. were often written on rolls, by mifplacing which, miftakes may readily have been introduced. Ken. Remarks on, feleft paflages in the Old Teftamenty/^- % 39. MSS. fhow the different orders in which the books of Scripture have at different times been placed; and, by fo doing, may account for fome appearances, or remove fome difficulties. 40. MSS. difcover the groundlefihefs of many con- je&ures concerning the occafions of various readings which have been formed by learned men not much converfant with MSS. Mill, Prol. No. 1367. Wetft. Prol. c. I. 7. 41. Hebrew MSS. are often written without vowel points ; and fome of them retain many of the vowel letters, which are omitted in later MSS. and in the printed editions. Simon, V. T. 1. i. c. 22. Ken. Diff. i. p. 313. 42. Greek MSS. are generally written without ac- cents, fpirits, or the iota fubfcriptum. Simon, N. T. c. 33. Wetft. c. i. f 5. SECT. AUTHORITY OF EDITIONS. JI SECT. III. The Authority of the printed Editions. 43. ALL the printed editions of the Scriptures, however many, are derived from a very few original and independent editions ; the authority, therefore, of -. all the printed editions refolves itfelf into the authori- ty of thefe fefw ; an$l, in like manner, the authority of each of thefe fewrefolv'es itfelf into that of the parti- cular MSS. from which it was printed. 44. Of the Old Teftament, there are only two edi- tions which can be confidered as original ; for though there were fome prior to both, they have been very rare, and little known. 45. The firfl is that of R. Ben Chaim ; and from it all the ordinary printed editions are in general derived ; and, confequently, the authority of them all is refolv- able into that of the MSS. from which his edition was taken ; which, having been all corrected according to the Mafora, as well as very late, are entitled to little more than the authority of a fingle MS. and that of no great antiquity. Simon, Catalog. Edit. Bibl. Houbigant. Prol. c. 3. a. 2. Ken* Diff. i. p. 287, 548. Diff. 2. p. 470. Diff. Gen. 60. Walton, Praef. & Prol. 4. 46. Therefore, alfo, the printed editions have, all together, little more than the authority of one MS. and lefs authority than one MS. more ancient than thofe 12 AUTHORITY OF EDITIONS. thofe from which they were taken ; but, of more an- cient MSS. than thefe, there are many ftill extant. Ken. ib. 47. The other original edition of the Old Tefta- ment, is the Complutenfian Bible, it having been in the prefs at the fame time with the former ; but it too was taken from MSS. corrected by the Mafora* Ken. ib. & DifT. Gen. 60. Walton, Prxf. & Prol. 3. 14. 48. Confequently, where thefe two editions agree, their authority is not much greater than if they had been printed from the fame MS. Ken. ib. 49. There are fome variations between them ; and thefe are to be judged of, according to the authority of the MSS. from which they were refpe&ively taken, or by the examination of other MSS. 50. Still therefore it holds true, that the concur- rence of the printed editions of the Old Teftament has not great force for eftablifhing a difputed reading, in oppoiition to evidence againft it. 51. Of the New Teftament, there are four capital editions, in fome meafure original and independent, from one or other of which all the reft are derived, and into the authority of which, that of them all, con- fequently, refolves itfelf. Mill. Prol. No. 1088, &c. Wetft. Prol. c. 10, II, 12, 13, 1 6. Michael. 33, 34. 52, AUTHORITY OF EDITIONS. 1 3 52. The Complutenfian, which is the firft of thefe, is thought by fome to have been carefully taken from a great number of MSS. and to have chiefly followed one very ancient ; and by thefe perfons its authority is highly extolled. Mill. ib. Walton, Prol. 4. 14, 15. 53. Others affirm that it was taken from MSS. of the 1 4th and following centuries, and, in feveral in- ftances, accommodated to the Latin verfion ; and, con* fequently, that it ought to have very little authority. Wetft. ib. 54. Till this queftion be determined with fufficien't evidence, that edition ought to be followed with cau- tion. Marfh's Michael, ch. I 2. i. 55. The fecond is Erafmus's, who took his firft edition from only three MSS. of the Gofpels, and one MS. of the other books ; and in his fubfequent edi- tions, employed a few more MSS. and made fome al- terations according to the Complutenfian. The read- ings of his edition, therefore, (land on the authority of a very few MSS. Jid. ib. Mill, ib. No. 1116 1154. 56. The next is that of Robert Stevens, who fol- lowed chiefly Erafmus's laft edition, but ufed along with it, the Complutenfian, and fifteen MSS., but fome of them only fmall fragments, and few of them very ancient ; fo that the authority of his edition refolves it- felf, 14 NECESSITY OF CORRECTING EDITIONS. felf, partly into the authority of the two former edi- tions, and partly into that of his fifteen MSS. Jid. ib. Mill. ib. No. 1155 1187. 1220 1235. 57. The fourth is Beza's, who took his edition chiefly from Stevens's third impreffion, with one MS. of the Gofpels, and one of the Epiftles, and often pre- ferred readings fupported by a fingle or dubious au- thority. Where his edition, therefore, differs from others, it has little weight. It is from his, that the common editions are taken. Jid. ib. Mill. ib. No. 1258 1293. 58. It follows, that the readings found in all the printed editions of the New Teftament, reft on the authority of a few MSS. not always the moft ancient ; and, confequently, the concurrence of thefe editions cannot confer great authority on the readings adopted by them, in oppofition to others which appear to be well fupported. SECT. IV. Tlie Necessity of Correcting the printed Editions ~by Manuscripts. 59. THAT there are many various readings in the copies of the New Teftament, and that it is highly ufe- ful to examine them, has for a long time been generally confeffed 5 and they indeed fupply the means of render. ing NECESSITY OF CORRECTING EDITIONS. 15 ing the text of that part of Scripture in a very great degree correcl:. Walton, Prol. 6. I. 60. But an opinion, however ill-founded, has been generally received, the few who ventured to oppofe it having been till lately difcountenanced and borne down, that the Old Teftament, as printed in Hebrew, is ab- folutely correct ; and the prevalence of this opinion has prevented many from employing any care in examining ; the text of the Old Teftament. Walton, Prol. 7. 6 1. In fupport of that opinion, is urged the great care and accuracy of the Jews, in tranfcribing their Scriptures. But, as no care is fufficient, without a per- petual miracle, for preventing every miflake in tran- fcribing, fo, by every kind of evidence of which the matter is capable, it appears that they have actually committed miftakes very often in their copies of the Old Teftament. Ken. DifT. i. p. 235, 379, 351, 371, 411. DiiT. 2. p. 315, 404, 441, &c. 260, 273, 274, 278. Diff. Gen. 23. 62. It is, however, infifted, that, when tranfcribers made any fmall miftake, it was immediately correct- ed by the Jewifh Doctors, fo that no miftakes now remain in any of the copies. But, though thefe Doc- tors did feveral times review and correct the copies of the Old Teftament, this could not be effectual for re- moving every miftake ; nor did one review, even in their l6 NECESSITY OF CORRECTING EDITIONS. their own judgment, render other reviews unnecef- fary. Ken. Dill. 2. p. 444. DifT. Gen. 32 43. 5'i 58. Hou- big. ProL c. I. a. 2. Walton, Prol. 8. 1829. 63. But it is urged, that the Mafora corrected all the miflakes which had crept in prior to it, and gave the means of detecting every fubfequent miftake. From the very nature of the Mafora, however, it is clear, that it could not poffibly anfwer either of thefe purpofes ; and it is, in fact, very faulty and defective, and formed on late MSS. Simon, V. T. 1. I. ;. 24, 25, 26. Houbig. Prol. c. I. a. 3. Ken. Diff. 2. p. 262291. Walton, Prol. 8. i 16. 64. After the reception of the Mafora, the Jews were very careful to correct their MSS. according to it ; but, it being faulty and inadequate to the purpofe, this was far from being fufficient for rendering them free from errors ; and, in fact, there are readings in the text, as corrected by it, and printed, which are evidently wrong. Houbig. Prol. c. 2. a. 2. Ken. Dill*, -i. p. 97, 343, 438, 446, 472, 528, 535. DifT. 2. p. 314, 356. Deut. x. 6. " Aaron died in Mofirti. " Contradi&ed by Num. xx. 22. xxxiii. 38. " in Hor. " Samaritan. Ken. in loc. Biff. 2. p. 314. Did". Gen. 18, 165. 2 Sam. xxiv. 13. " Seven years of famine;" inconfiftent with I Chron. xxi. 12. ** Three years ; " which is probably right. Uniformity. 70. t for i. Ken. Diff. i. p. 472. DifT. Gen. 167. 2 Chron. xxii. 2. " Party and two years old was Ahaziah ; " contradi&ed by 2 Kings viii. 26. " Two and twenty; " and by NECESSITY OF CORRECTING EDITIONS. 17 by 2 Chron. xxi. 20. his father Jehoram only forty. Vers. 12 for b. Ken. DhT. i. p. 97, 528, 535. DilT. 2. p. 356. Jofh. xxi. 36, 37. omitted, yet genuine. Context, vers. -I-J J MSS. ^ Edit. Simon, V. T. 1. I. c. 22. Houbig. in loc* Ken. in loc. Diff.'i. p. 440, 552. DifT. 2. p. 285, 330, 390, 459, 464, 485, 487, 571. DifT. Gen. $ 25, 43, 55^ 56, 60, 61, 80, 98, 123, 125, 179. 65. The pradice of correfting MSS. according to the Mafora, produced a very great degree of unifor- mity ; it was confidently afferted that the uniformity was perfect ; and, for a long time, by reafon of the want of accefs to a variety of ancient MSS. 5 the afler- tion could not be diredly difproved, and was very ge- nerally believed. But, fmce MSS.. were examined, ii appears with the fulled evidence, that they actually do contain very many variations from the Mafpretic text ; the oldefl MSS. mod ; but even late ones feveral ; and thefe often- preferable to the received readings ; and often unqueftionably the genuine readings. Hqubigant, Prol. c. I. a. 2. Ken. DifT. r. p. 290, 297. et -pftflim.- DifT. 2. p. 286^445, 459. Geiu xliv. 24. " We came up unto my father;'' ki u;r father." 2 MSS. Sam, Vers. Ken. in loc. Diff. Gen* $ 48. J I Sam. xvii. 34. " A lion and a bear took (til) him Out of the flock. " niy a lamb. " Keri. All MSS. Vers. , Ken* ibjd. and f 39. Ifa. xxxvi. 5. " ifay, I have counfel *' >n t l73>f, abfurd. h^bk " thou fayefl. 5> 16 MSS. Syr. 2 Kings, xviii. 1 20. Eng. fupplies it, but improperly retaining alfo the other reading. l8 NECESSITY OF CORRECTING EDITIONS* JLowth et Ken. in loc. 66. The printed editions of the Hebrew text of the Old Teftament, and thofe of the Greek of the New Teftament are, therefore, precifely on the fame footing ; and the following principles may be juftly held with refpeft to both. Walton, Prol. 6. 67. There has not hitherto been fo great care em- ployed on any edition of the Scriptures, as to render the readings facred which are adopted in it, or to fu- perfede the necefiity of examining them by MSS. 68. A reading is not rendered even fufpicious, merely on account of its not being found in the com- mon editions of the Bible. 69. A reading ought not to be rejected as falfe, for its not being found in any printed edition of the Bible. 70. So far is there from being reafon for adhering tenacioufly to the printed text, that it ought to be de- parted from without fcruple, whenever another read- ing found in MSS. is clearly preferable. 71. A much more correct edition of the Scriptures than any extant, may be obtained, and would be very defirable. SECT THE SAMARITAN PENTATEUCH. SECT. V. The Samaritan Pentateuch. 72. FOR afcertaining the true reading in the books of Mofes, we have a peculiar inftrument, the Samari- tan Pentateuch, which was little known by Chriftians till the 1 7th century ; which was then printed from one MS. ; but of which feveral MSS. have been fince examined by learned men. Walton, Prol. if. 10. Simon, V. T. 1. i. c. 12. Houbi- gant, Prol. c. 3. Ken. DhT. 2. c. i. Diff. Gen. cod. 61 66. Brett, Diff. on ancient verfions. 73. It is not a verfion, but the original law itfelf, written in a character different from the Hebrew. Jid. 74. It was not tranflated from the Greek verfion, nor copied from Hebrew books after the time of Ezra j but was among the ten tribes when they feparated from Judah ; and, from the copies then among them, it has been fucceffively tranfcribed. Houbigant, ibid, a, i. i. Ken. Diff. 2. p. uo, 130, &c Walton, Prol. n. n, 12. 75. The Samaritan, and the Hebrew, are two inde- pendent copies of the original text, preferved by nations who hated one another, and held no intercourfe to- gether ; yet they agree in general. This is a flrong c a con* N 2O THE SAMARITAN PENTATEUCH. confirmation of the authenticity and integrity of that part of Scripture which they contain. Ken. Biff. i. p. 339. DifT. 2. Walton, ib. 16, 17, 18. Brett, ib. 76. So far as the Samaritan copy is preferved cor- rect, it (hews what readings took place in the time of Rehoboam. 77. It differs, in many places, from the prefent He- brew, and that, by all the feveral forts of variations. . Simon, V. T. 1. I. c. n. Houbig. Prol. c. 3. a. i. I, 2. Walton, Prol. II. 15. [N 81.] 78. All thefe differences have been made objections againfl its authority, becaufe it has been taken for granted, that it muft be wrong, wherever it is not con- formable to the Hebrew ; but as this goes on the falfe fuppofition of the abfolute integrity of the Maforetic copies, it cannot reafonably be admitted. fioubig. ib. I. c. Walton, Prol. II. 79. The wilful corruption charged upon it, of changing Ebal into Gerizzin, Deut. xxvii. 4. is the only thing that could juftly affect its authority ; but even this could not deftroy that authority in all cafes ; and, on a careful examination, it appears highly pro- bable, from many topics, and even from the context of the Hebrew itfelf, that what has almoft univerfalty been reckoned a wilful corruption in it, is the genuine reading, and that the corruption is to be charged on the Jews. THE SAMARITAN PENTATEUCH. 21 Houbig. Prol. p. 73. Ken. Diff. 2. c. I. Walton, Prol. n. 1 6. 80. All the other differences between the Samari- tan and the Hebrew copies, exhibit various readings ; with refpecl to which, neither copy fhould be preferred abfolutely and in all cafes ; but both copies carefully collated, and the genuine text feiecled, partly from the one, and partly from the other. Simon, V. T. 1. I. c. 10, 12. Houbig. Prol. c. 3. a. i. 2. 8 1. The Samaritan feems to be, and, on feveral ac- counts, may naturally be expected to be, preferred more correct than the Hebrew ; and therefore will fupply many emendations or preferable readings. Simon, V. T. 1. i. c. 12. Houbig. ib. 3. Ken. DifT. 2. Gen. iv. 8. Cain faid unto Abel his brother, and it came to pafa when they were in the field," defective, piika. all Heb. MSS. and edit. Sam. * Let us go into the field. " 70. Syr. Vulg. Targums. Aquila. Philo. Ken. Diff. i. p. 347, &c. Diff. p. 351, 364. DifT. Gen. et in loc. Houbig. Prol. et in loc. Exod. xxxii. 32. " If thou wilt forgive their fin, and if not, blot me out of thy book." defective, all Heb. MSS. and edit. Sam. NU?, " forgive it. " 70. Houbig. in loc. Ken. in loc. et DifT. Exod. xiv. 12. " Is not this tke word that we did tell thee in ^gyp** foying* " &c. Not recorded in. Heb. but in Sam. after Exod. vi. 9. jid. Deut. xxvii. 2,3. " All the words of this law. " What law ? defined neither here, nor at the execution of it, Jofh. viii. 32. various opinions afcertained to be the decalogue, by C 3 addition THE SAMARITAN PENTATEUCH. addition in Sam. after Exod. xx. 17. explicitly enjoining it to be thus written. Houbig. in loc. Ken. ib. et DifT. 2. p. 83, Sec. Exod. ii. 21. " Mofes fwore, bxvi. " Heb. an oath unnecef- fary. Sam. *?K^, " confented. " Chald. Syr. Eng. Ib. " He gave Mofes Zipporab. " Sam. adds rwxb " to wife. " Gen. xxxvi. 16. Duke Korah." Heb. Chald. 70. Vul. Arab. Syr. Wanting in Sam. An interpolation context, v. ii, 12. and 5, 14, 1 8. i Chron. i. 36. Houbig. in loc. Ken. ib. et DifT. i. p. 376. Gen. iii. 12. " The woman he gave me, xirr. " Heb. Sam. < S&e, " XTrabove 20 MSS. fenfe often elfewhere. Houbig. Frol. p, 49, et in loc. Ken. in loc. DifT. i. p. 343* Gen. xxvi. 18. " Ifaac digged again the wells of water which *)2^ I^Sn they had digged in the days of Abraham. " no no- minative. Sam. " Which nsy the fervants of Abraham had digged." 70. Vulg. Syr. Houbig. in loc. Ken. ib. et DlfT. i. p. 359. Num. xxiv. 20. " Amalek was the firft of the nations, and his poflerity mx nr, " literally, " to the deftroyer. "^-ob- fcure. Sam. Tix^ ir " until it perifh. " Houbig, Prol. et in loc. Ken. ib. Gen. if. 4. " In the day that the Lord God made the earth and heavens. " Heb.^-Sam. ' The heavens and the earth. " common order. Houbig. and Ken. in loc. Gen. xii. 1 6. Abraham " had he-aflVs, and men-fervants, and rnaid-fervants, and fhe-affep, and camels.'* Sam. " Men- fcrvants, and maid-fervants, and he-afTes, and fhe-aiTes, and camels. " Ken. in loc. Houbig. ib. et Prol. p. 72. 82. The Samaritan Pentateuch agrees with the moft ancient THE SAMARITAN PENTATEUCH. 23 ancient Hebrew MSS. in fome places where it differs from the printed text. [Gen. iii. 12. N 81.] 83. It agrees remarkably with the verfion of the 70 ; and thus (hews that very few variations had crept into the copies of the Hebrew, between the time of the de- fection of the ten tribes and the making of that verfion. 84. In fome inftances, it does differ from the 70 vetiion 5 and wherever, in thefe inftarices, it preferves the genuine reading, it mews, either that corruptions had crept into the Hebrew copies during that interval, or that that verfion has undergone changes ; and may thus be the means of correcting errors which could not be otherwife corrected. Ken. DIff. 2. Diff. Gen. 18. Exod. vii xi. In the Hebrew, the meffages given by God, are recorded but once, generally as delivered by him to Mo- fes ; but once, ch. xi. 4. &c. only as delivered by Mofes to Pharaoh. Sam. All of them are recorded twice, as deli- vered by God to Mofes, and then again as delivered by him to Pharaoh. This agreeable to ancient ufage a propriety in recording the execution of the divine {rommiffions pre- ferves regularity throughout probable that the omiffion was made by the authors of the 70 verfion. ' Ken. Diff. i. p. 380. Diff. 2. p. 307. Diff. Gen. 24. [Deut. x. 6. No. 64.] 85. The Samaritan Pentateuch fometimes agrees with the Hebrew copies, in readings which, notwith- ftanding their concurrence, appear by other means to be faulty; which proceeds, either from fome miftakes c 4 having 24 'I' HE SAMARITAN PENTATEUCH. having crept into the copies before the defection , of the ten tribes, or from the Samaritans, having, in thefe places, fupplied defects in their copies from fome He- brew MSS. Ken. Diff. i. p. 365, 434, &c. DifT. Gen. 84, 4, 5, 121. Dent. xxi. 23. ' He that is hanged, is accurftd f>f God. " Hcb. Sam. 70. But the apoflle quotes it, Gal. iii. 13. " Curfed is every one that hangeth on a tree. ". Syr. God probably added to the Hcb. and 70 by the Je\Vs, out of ha- tred to the Ciiriilians, and to the Sam. perhaps by Sym- rnachns. Ken. Diff. Gen. 81, 84, 4, 85. 13eut. xxxii. 43. " Praife his people, ye nations. " H i, to which are now commonly added n e^ and y o, by means of which, that language might be read without points, almoft as well as any other can ; and that thefe are really vowels, appears from their being exprefied as fuch, in moft pjroper names, by the 70, from the letters correfponding to them in place, being vowels in the Greek alphabet, which was borrowed from the Phenician, and from the frequency of their recurrence, which is found to be juft fuch as ought to belong to thefe vowels. 120. Though there be many fyllables, and even words, in which none of thefe letters (called Matres lectionis) occur, and though, on that account, they feem inefficient for the pronunciation of the Hebrew 5 yet they might have been fufficient when that was a j> 2 living 36 HEBREW VOWEL POINTS. living language, or even as long as it was preferved entire. They exprefs all the long vowels ; and it may be, that the words in which none of them occur, had only fhort vowels, which it was not unnatural for a rude and fimple language, like the Hebrew, to omit in writing, as being implied in enunciating the confo- nants. On the introduction of the vowel points, the ) vowel letters were omitted wherever they feemed to i the introducers to ferve only as vowels, which has 1 increaied the difficulty of reading without points ; but as, even in the printed bibles, words which want thefe letters in one place, retain them in another, as an- cient MSS. preferve them in many words which are always printed without them, and as they are con- itantly retained in the Samaritan Pentateuch ; from thefe fources, the full writing and regular form of mo ft Hebrew words, might perhaps be recovered. Simon, V. T. J. i. c. 27. 1. 2. c. 8. Herder oa Hebrew Poetry. 121. The Maforetes, in expunging the matres lee- tionis, where they thought they ferved only for vowels, and their place would confequently be fupplied by the newly invented points, have often been miftaken ; and by that means, have introduced a multitude of falfe readings, or omiffions of thefe letters, where they are \ eflential to the fenfe. 122. From fuppoiing the vowel points modern, it will not follow, that the fenfe of the text would be al- together uncertain j for though, in that cafe, words of different HEBREW VOWEL POINTS. 37 different fignifications would confift of precifely the fame letters, this is no more than what happens in all languages, where the fenfe and connexion, neverthelefs, enable us fufficiently to diftinguifh them ; and many words, which now would, without points, be the fame, were, before the invention of thefe, diftingiu'med in writing, by fome of the vowel letters, 123. By affixing to words which confift of the fame letters, different vowel points, according to the diverfity of their fignifications, the Maforetes have de- termined the fenfe of fcripture according to their o\vu idea of it, or their traditional interpretation ; and this ; fenfe mould not be lightly or haftily departed from. ]. But they were fallible, and have miftaken in many in- / fiances ; and therefore, that fenfe mould not be impli- citly followed, but abandoned without fcruple, when- ever there are good reafons for preferring another . fenfe. Lowth's Ifaiah, Prelim. Dili. p. 54. Sipion, V. T. 1. 3. c. i. 124- Though the vowel points be not of authority, .yet they are of confiderable ufe ; not only for afcer- taining the fenfe in many inftances ;. but alfo, as they pften indicate the true reading, by their agreeing to it, not to the falfe reading received into the text, as their not being affixed to fome words, points out thefe as er- roneous, and as theyfometimes give intimation, where, in confequence of their introduction, vowel letters have been omitted j and thus lead us to reftore the true reading. 38 HEBREW VOWEL POINTS. Ken. Diff. i. p. 343. Houbig. prol. p. 49. Kin " he " is often erroneoufly put up for NTT " (he, " but al- ways fhown to be an error by being pointed Kirr. ^X hav- ing been often, through the fuperftition of the Jews, written inftead of mns is often (hown to bfe fo, by its having the points of this latter word. Ken. ib. Houbig. ib. Judg. xvi. 1 8. " He hath fhowed (nb) her; " but pointed a* >S which right. Keri. 6. MSS. fenfe. Ken. in loc. and Diff. I. p. 446. 125. A great multiplicity of accents have been ufed in Hebrew, concerning which different opinions have been entertained, fimilar to thofe concerning the vowel points. There can be no doubt, however, that they were introduced along with thefe by the Maforetes ; and they are of no authority nor moment, but only en\- barrafs the language. 126. There has been a queftion of the fame kind, concerning fome particulars in the Greek language, on which the fenfe of words in the New Teflament fome- times depends ; the iota fubfcriptum, the fpirits, and the accents. 127. It appears that the ancient Greeks did often exprefs the force of the iota fubfcriptum, though by a different figure from ours j but it is certain that they often omitted it in writing : and as it is never found in the mod ancient MSS. of the New Teftament, we are lure, either, that the apoftles did not write it, or, that we cannot difcover where they wrote it j but that it has been HEBREW VOWEL POINTS. 39 been placed as we now have it, by late tranfcribers or printers ; and confequently, we are at liberty to deter- mine for, or againft it, in particular paifages, accord- ing to the fcnfe. Michael. Int. Led. 35, 39. Marfh's Michael, ch. 13. &&, 128. Mofl anciently, the Greeks exprefled the af- piration by the letter H. When, in place of this, they adopted the fpiritus afper, it appears from medals and monuments that they did not always write it, and never the fpiritus lenis. That it was not written originally in the New Teftament, appears from the moft ancient ver- fions often confounding words diftinguifhed only by the fpirits ; and therefore, we are at liberty to interpret fuch words, in the manner moft fuitable to the fenfe, without regarding the fpirits by which late tranfcribers or editors have reftrifted them. Michael, ib. 40. Marfli's Michael, ib. fec~L 7. 129. Without inquiring whether the Greeks pro- nounced their language according to the accents, or not, it is allowed that they did not commonly write the accents ; and, as none are found in any MSS. of the New Teftament, prior to the eighth century, it is clear that the prefent accents are not authorifed by the apof- tles ; and therefore, we are not bound to determine the fignification of words according to them. Michael, ib. 42. Marfii's Michael, ib. fe. 8. D.4 SECT. 40 STRUCTURE OF THE HEBREW. SECT. IV. Of the Structure and Genius of the Hebrew Language. 130. The nature, the ftru&ure, and the genius of a language, are always congruous to the fituations, the cuftoms, and the manners of the people who ufe it ; and muft be attended to, in order to underfland their writings. In the Hebrew language, there are many peculiarities neceffary to be remarked for interpreting the books written in it. 131. In Hebrew, there are no neuter nouns, and confequently, no neuter gender of adjectives. This is an inftance of fimplicity, and it introduces peculiar manners of expreffion. [N 852.] Glaff. Philol. Sacr. 1. 3. can. 19. 132. What are called conjugations in Hebrew, are very unlike to thofe of other languages ; being different forms which any one verb amimes, by the addition of fome letters, in order to exprefs the various modifica- tions of which the action denoted by it, is fufceptible ; and thus anfwering to the feveral modes, voices, and fpecies of verbs in other languages. Schultens, Gram. Reg. 108. 133. Some, have affected to multiply the conjuga* tjons, under pretence of removing anomalies from the language ; STRUCTURE OF THE HEBREW. 4! language ; but they would thus introduce a minutenefs of diftin&ion inconfiftent with the fimplicity of the He- brew. Some of their additional conjugations, and even two of thofe commonly received, are difcriminated only by the vowel points, and therefore arbitrarily ; others of them, perhaps, are either irregular and infrequent forms of words, or inferred from a falfe reading in fome text of Scripture. Schultens, Gram. Heb. Robertfon's Gram. Heb. 1. 2. c. I. Wilfon's Heb. Gram. c. 10. 134. Grammarians have generally attempted to ac- commodate the Hebrew fyntax to the rules of the Greek and Latin languages ; but by this they have only perplexed it ; for it is, in almoft every inftance, totally diffimilar. Thus, nouns relating to the fame thing are, in Hebrew, joined by mere apportion, without any re- gard to their being of the fame gender or number.. Buxt. Thefaur. 1. 2. c. 3. Robertfon's Gram. 1. 4. c. I. i. Wilfon's Gram. c. 20. Glafs. Deut. xxii. 28. nVira m:^ " a girl, a virgin. " Gen. xlii. 30. \HN (plur.) u;>NrT (fing.) w The man, the lord. " So very often tDTrbtf niTT> " Jehovah God. " Hab. i. 1 5. ib^Nn (mafc.) n>ra (fern.) " Their portion is fatnefs. " 135. When a fubftantive agrees with an adjective, it is placed firft j * but, if the adje&ive ftaad firft, it is an affirmation ; a verb, generally that of exiftence, being underftood. * Buxt. 42 STRUCTURE OF THE HEBREW. Buxt. ib. 1. 2. c. i. Robertfon, ib. 2. Glafs, ib. 1. 3. t. I, * Prov. xv. 14. paa ib, " An underftanding heart." Ver. 20. DSn p, " a wife fon. " 2 [Pfal. cxix. 75, 137. N 136.] 136. An adjective agrees with its fubftantive, and a verb with its nominative, generally in gender and num- ber, but not always ; for fometimes a plural fubilan- tive has a fmgular verb or adje&ive ; and, a collective fubftantive, or two or more fmgular fubftantives may have a plural verb, adje&ive, or participle. Jid. ib. Glafs, ib. 1. 3. t. 4. can. 9. t. 3. can. 53. Buxt. ib. 1. 2. c. 9, 10. Gen. i. i. CTrb** (plur.) am (fmg.) " Creavit Dii. " Pfal. cxix. 75. "pfciwra pn^ " Right are thy judgments. " Ver. 137. *Tl:i3^;D ">^ " Upright are thy judgments. }J Pfal. Ixxxix. 15. " Bleffed is the people (D2m fmg.) that know (^*n % plur.) the joyful found ; O Jehovah, in the light of thy countenance they mail walk (^Tibn^ plur.)" Gen. xli. 57. " All the earth (^KH fmg.) came (iNl plur.) into Egypt. " But Sam. has nimxrr plur. Ken. in loc. Pfal. Ixxxix. 12. " Tabor and Hermon, in thy name they {hall rejoice " ( WV plur. ) Ver. n. " The world and its fulnefs, thou hail founded them" lur. aff, ) 137. As the Hebrews do not diftinguifh the cafes of nouns by varying the termination, they can have no rules for the government of nouns ; they have not even particles for regularly marking a particular cafe j thofe that are commonly reckoned fuch, being truly prepo- fitions, which have a variety of lignifications. STRUCTURE OF THE HEBREW. 43 138. The only government of nouns, producing a change of termination, is what is called the constructed state ; which is more properly a fort of compoiltion ; for the change of termination accelerates the pronun- ciation, and it is made in the governing word ; but this form of expreffion has all the fame varieties of force, as the government of a genitive in other Ian- guages. Buxt. Thes. 1. 2. c. 3. reg. r. Glafs, ib. I. 3. t. i. can. 30. Ezra. iii. 7. Tino JIMina, " according to the decree of Cyrus ; " i. e. given by him. Gen. iii. 21. *V)y n^ro, " coats (made) of fldna. " Pfal. xliv. 22. nnifc ]N^3, " as fheep of (intended for) flaugh- ter. " Gen. ii. 9. ts^rrn XV, " The tree of (giving) life. " Prov. i. 7. 7Yrr nans " The fear of Jehovah, " as its objedl:. Exod. iv. 10. Cs^ll ^*K, " A man of words, " i. e. an elo- quent man. 139. The government of the affix pronouns, by verbs, is in like manner a fpecies of compofition. 140. Almpft all the other regimens in the Hebrew, are by means of prepofitions ; and are, therefore, en- tirely refolvable into the various iignifications of the prepofitions. Bu^t. Thes. 1. 2. c. n. Glafs, ib. 1. 3. t. i. can. 31. 141. It is not, perhaps, ftri&ly true, that all the primitive words, or roots, in Hebrew, confift of three letters 5 but very many of them do ; and this regula- larity 44 STRUCTURE OF THE HEBREW. larity is a mark of its being a fimple and original lan- guage, not one made up by the mixture of feveral. 142. It is whimfical to pretend that the Hebrew language contained as many roots as there are poflible combinations of three letters, and confequently, was fingularly copious ; for no language was ever formed with fuch mathematical exadnefs. Men form words only as they have occafion for them ; and there was nothing in the fituation of the Hebrews that could lead them to form a language remarkably copious. Yet it was not, on the other hand, remarkably fcanty ; and it is certain that they had many roots which do not now appear in the Bible. Schultens. 143. It is commonly affirmed, that all the Hebrew primitives are verbs; and it is evident that, at leaft, moft of them are fuch. This is another mark of its being a fimple and original language ; for verbs are expreflive of the powers and qualities of things, as in aft or ex- ertion, in which cafe they are mofl ftriking, and there- fore would be firfl taken notice of, and obtain names. 144. It requires abflraclion, to conceive the power by itfelf, feparate from its being exerted ; therefore adjectives, which exprefs a power as quiefcent, would be formed later than verbs, and naturally derived from them. In Hebrew, they are thus derived ; and they are very few, which proceeds from the people being little addicted to abftraction, and has produced many methods STRUCTURE OF THE HEBREW* 4$ methods of fupplying their place ; and thefe form pe- culiar idioms in that language. 145. It was natural for men to denominate fub- ftances from fome of their powers or qualities, the exertion of which had been mod ftriking to them ; and confequently, to derive their fubftantive nouns from verbs ; and it is fo in the Hebrew tongue. 146. The firft words of every language exprefs ob- jects of fenfe. The Hebrew verbs would, therefore, ori- ginally fignify the actions or motions of bodies j and they would come to have other fignifications, by being transferred to thefe from that original fenfe. bltf, i. To 'wither, Ifa. xxiv. 4. " The earth mourneth (wi thereth) and fadeth away ; the world langwfteth (contraft) and fadeth away. " 2. To mourn or pine away with grief. 147. In a language formed in rude times, it is na- tural, likewife, to expect, that the primitives or verbs would exprefs very particular ideas, the motion or ex- ertion of a power as it appears in one object, or one fpecies of objects ; and from this, would be transferred to other more general fenfes. This is the cafe with the Hebrew ; it necefiarily renders the language very tropical ; and it occafions the idioms in which words of the fame original are conjoined. Warburt. Div. Leg. Blair, ib. "133 (prim.) " To fmear with pitch. " (Sec.) " To atone. ',' 3nt jnt " Seeding feed," for " producing feed. ?> 148. It is by discovering the primary fignification of a 46 STRUCTURE OF THE HEBREW. a root, that its fecondary fenfes can be accounted for 5 for they have all fome analogy to it, though not, per- haps, to one another. ^S5, (prim.) " To fmear with pitch. " (Sec.) I. "To cover fm, atone ; " 2. " To clofe, " which now appears only in fome of its derivatives. 149. Derivatives are, in Hebrew, formed by a very regular analogy, from the roots, by the omiflion or the change of fome of their letters, or by the addi- tion of other letters to the beginning, the middle, or the end ; and, according to the particular manner of their formation, they have fome correfpondent variety of fignification. Wilfon, Gram. c. 17. Schultens, Gram. 150. It is only the root of the verb that is properly fimple ; all the other parts of it are compounds of that with other words, efpecially pronouns ; which gives great regularity and fignificance to the conju- gations. 151. The Hebrew has few compound verbs, though feveral compound nouns ; but it never compounds thefe with the negative particle ; and this occafions fe- veral idioms. Grammars. Lowth on Ifa. x. 15. Schultens, ib. reg. 122. Hence a negative particle with bl3 " all, " makes an univerfal negation. Pfal. cxliii. 2. Tf ' ba pl^ - xV, " No living man mall be juftified. " Glafs. ib. 1. 3. 1.5. can. 19. Prefixed to nouns, it has a privative force. Prov. xxx. 25. " The ants are a people (TIT Kb) not ftrong, " i. e. weak. Job. xxvi. 2, 3. Amos. vi. 13, Lowth STRUCTURE OF THE HEBREW, 47 Lowth ib. Glaff. ib. can. 20. By a natural tranfition, this particle, with either a verb or ad- je&ive, comes to denote a ftrong negation or a contrariety. Exod. xx. 7. " not guiltlefc, " i. e. very guilty. Hof. xi. 9. " I am God (uWK'Vi) and not man," i. e. far from being man. Ifa. v. 15. " As if the ftaff mould lift itfclf up againft (!?" X^) the not wood," i. e. the man who ufes it, who is far from being wood. [N 885.] ch. xxxi. 8. Iv. 2. In analogy to this, a negative with an adjeftive forms a fuper- lative. Prov. xviii. 5. " It is not good (very bad) to accept the perfon of the wicked. " Pfal. xliii. I. " Plead my caufe againft a nation not godly, " very ungodly. Hof. xiii. 13. " A fon not 'wife," very un- wife. 152. It is common for thofe who have a fcanty lan- guage, to fupply its defeats by mixing fomething of natural language with the artificial ; and hence may be deduced many peculiarities of the Hebrew. Warburt. Div. Leg. vol. 3. p. 97. Blair, ib. 153. Thus, dwelling on a fyllable, or doubling its confonant, gives it an emphafis in pronunciation, and may therefore be adopted for giving intenfenefs to its fignification. Hence the cuftom in Hebrew, at leaft firce the introdu&ion of the prefent points, of giving force to a word by a dagefh forte ; and the conjugations which are formed only by the in- fertion of it, Pihhel, Pyhhal. 154. In like manner, .redoubling a fyllable gives emphafis and force. Hence the nouns formed by doubling fome of the radicals, often expreffive of rapidity or repetition* Wilfon, Gram. 17, Hence 48 STRUCTURE OF THE HEBREW. Hence alfo, feveral of the additional conjugations which fomc have propofed, Pehalhal, Pihlel, Pyhlal, Hithpahlel. Schultens, Gram. Robertfon's Gram. 1. 2. c. i. 155. Redoubling or repeating a whole word, has the fame effect ; and into this, many Hebrew idioms are reducible. Glaff. ib. 1. 3. t. I. can. 5. t. 3. can. 32, 37. Repetition of a noun, to exprefs vehemence, Pfal. xxii. I. " My God, my God. " Jer. vii. 4. " Trull not in lying words, faying, " The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord. " Or, to exprefs continu- ance, Deut. xvi. 20. * Ye fhall follow juftice, juftice," I. e. conftantly. Or, to exprefs multitude^ Gen. xiv. 10. " The valley of Siddim was (lime pits, (lime pits," i. e. full of them. Exod. viii. 14. Judg. v. 22. 2 Kings Hi. 16. Joel iii. 14. Repetition of an adje&ive forming its fuperlative. Eccl. vii. 25. " That which is deep deep, " i. e. very deep. Hence alfo, a noun governing itfelf forms a fuperlative, Gen. ix. 25. " Canaan (hall be a fervant of fervants," i. e. in the moft abje& flavery. Thus alfo, a verb governing itfelf in the infinitive, exprefies certainty or vehemence, Gen. ii. 17. " Thou (halt die to die, " i. e. certainly. And in like manner, a verb governing a noun derived from it- felf, or analogous in fenfe, is emphatical. To die the death, to fear with fear. " 156. Men, while rude and unrefined, do not ftudy to exprefs themfelves with accuracy ; and from this principle, many Hebrew idioms may be accounted for. Hence, fome of their particles have a great multitude of figni- ficationi ; has 75 j it always connects, but in very different relations. Hence STRUCTURE OF THE HEBREW. 49 Hence, alfo, many circumlocutions, fubftantives for adverbs, words redundant, definites for indefinites, as " yefterday " for any paft time, " to-morrow " for any future. A relative pronoun for a copulative, Ecclef. v, 17. "It is *?* liyx aits good which (and) comely. " Glafs. ib. 1. 3. t. 7. can. 3, 5. A paffive verb for the active of its correlate, *intt " to be ad- moniflied, warned. " Eccl. iv. 13. Ezek. xxxiii. 4, 5. " to take warning, liften to admonition. " One verb expreffing, not ftrictly the action intended, but one an- tecedent to, or connected with it. npb ftrictly " to take, " but often " to bring " what had been previoufly taken. Exod. xxv. 2. " That they take (bring to me) an offering, " Eft. ii. 1 6. " Efther was taken (brought unto) king Aha* i'uerus. " (N 871.) Glafs. ib. c. 2. Verbs which denote a complete action, ufed for fignifying the be- ginning of it. 2 Sam. ii. 10. " Ifhbofheth was forty years old when he reigned, " i. e. began to reign. (N 873.) Glafs. ib. c. 3. On the other hand, verbs denoting the beginning of action, ufed for fignifying the complete action. Ifa. Ix. n. inMSl " and thy gates fhall be opened, " ' open, " Eng. " kept open. " Glafs. ib. Verbs of doing, fignifymg only the continuance of a&ion. Lev. vi. 12. " The fire upon the altar Ipin mail burn, " continue to burn, made to continue, (^873.) Glafs. ib. c. 4. Or fignifying only, the giving occafion to a thing's being done. Gen. xlii. 38. " Then Jamiin mall ye bring my grey hairs with forrow to the grave, " be, though undefignedly and in- voluntarily, the oecaiion of their falling, &c. (N 882.) 50 STRUCTURE OF THE HEBREW. 157. -But men, while rude, fludy to exprefs them- felves with force ; and many Hebrew idioms take their rife from this propenfity. " Always " for " frequently. " " Eternity " for " a long du- ration. " A negation for a comparative. " Mercy and not facrifice, " for " mercy rather than facrifice, " Hof. vi. 6. " Receive my inftru&ion, and not, (rather than) filver ; " for it follows, and knowledge rather than choice gold. " Prov. viii. 10. (N 931.) The nominative abfolute, fetting the principal word (Irongly in view ; Pfal. xi. 4. " Jehovah ! in heaven is his throne^ " Horfley's Hofea, Pref. Affirmative verbs for the negation or extenuation of their con- traries ; To hate, " for " not to love, " or " to love lefs. " Gen. xxix. 31. " Leah was hated, " loved lefs than Rachel, ver. 30. (N 884.) GlafT. 1. 3. t. 3. can. 19. So, things are faid to a&, or to be done, when it is only meant, that they are known, discovered, thought to be, or acknow- ledged. Gen. xxx. 13. " Leah faid, the daughters" vj'HUJK literally, " mail make me bleffed, " reckon me blefled, or call me blefied, happy. Eng. (N 883.) Glaff. ib. c. 17, 1 8. Hence alfo, the fuperlative formed by adding any of the names of God. Gen. xxiii. 6. A prince of God. " Ch. xxx. 8. " WreiBings of God. " Ruth ii. 20 ' Bleffed to the Lord, " very bleffed. Jon. iii. 3. " Great to the Lord, " very great. 158, Sometimes, thefe two propenfities, to fpeak with force, but without precision, operate in conjunc- tion ; and there are fome Hebrew idioms which bear plain marks of that conjunction. Things are faid to be done, when it is only meant that they are notified, STRUCTURE OF THE HEBREW* 51 notified, declared, or foretold. Gen. xxvii. 37. vntoUJ " I have made him thy lord, " declared, foretold that he ihall be (N 883.) Glafs. 1. 3. t. 3. can. 15* Verbs of adding, fignify a number of related conceptions, none of which come fully up to action ; as only, the faculty or power of acting. Gen. xvi. 10. " It mall not be numbered, " can- not be. Pfal. xxii. 17. 13D " I will tell (may tell) all my bones." (N876.) Glafs. ib. can. 5. The right of adding. Exod. xxxiii. 5. rrVtfN " I will (juftly might) come up into the midft of thee, prvb^ and I will (might) confume the. " (N 877*) Glafs. ib. can. 6. The duty of afting. Mai. i. 6. " A fon naa honoureth his father, " not, " always honours, " but ought, is obliged to honour him. (N 878.) Glafs. ib. The will to aft. Exod. xii. 48. " If a {hanger nwi will keep the paffover, " defire, incline to keep it ; for he muft firft be circumcifed. (N 879.) Glafs. ib. can. 7. The endeavour or tendency to aft. Gen. xxxvii. 2 1. " Reuben heard, inVx^ and he delivered him out of their hands, " en- deavoured to deliver, ver, 22, &c. (N 879.) Glafs. ib. can* 8. A command to aft. Gen. xl. 22. "Pharaoh handed the chief baker, " commanded hira'to be hanged. (N W 8i.) Glafs. ib. can. 22. Or, a permiflion to aft. Deut. ii. 28. W^n, literally, " thou malt make me provide bread for money. " Eng. fell me, " permit me to buy. (N 881.) E a 52 LANGUAGE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, SECT. V. Of the Language of the New Testament. 159. THE Greek language, in which theNewTef- tament is written, is, in many particulars of its flruc- ture and genius, very different from the Hebrew; but it has been fo often and fo fully explained, that it will not be neceflary for us to examine it minutely. 1 60. On account of its being, at that time, the lan- guage moil univerfally known, it was the fitted in which the New Teftament could have been written. Marfh's Michael, ch. 4. i. 161. The language of the New Teftament is not pure Greek, but Helleniftical, formed by a mixture of oriental idioms and expreflions with thofe \dlich are properly Greek. Simon, Hid. Crit. N. T. p. r. c. 27. Michael, ib. . 6. Macknight on Epiftles, EfT. 4. and Supplement to EiT. 4. Marfh's Michael, ch. 4. 3. 162. Moft of the words, however, and many of the phrafes of the New Teftament, . are pure Greek ; and fo far as they are, they rnuft be explained according to the ufage of the clamcal writers, and, confequently, cannot be underftood without having recourfe to their works j for which reafon, collections of correfpondent terms LANGUAGE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 53 terms and phraies from them, with the fenfe in which they ufe them, have very properly and fuccefsfully been made by feveral learned men, and applied to the illuf- tration of the New Teftament. Grotius in Comment, pafiim. Raphel. Elfner, Palairet. Wolfii CUKE Philolog, in N. T. Bos. Adls xxvii. 13. Loofing, they failed .xra-ov (found only here) TJJV Kgqriji', nearer, clofe to, Crete.. " Elfner. Palair. Bos. Raphel, in loc. Rom. I. 31. 2 Tim. iii. 3. a^ogyo^ ce.o-Trov'cioi, anpt0h occur not elfewhere, but frequent in Greek writers, " without na- tural affedion, covenant-breakers, fierce. " Mark xiv. 72. Kxt fripabuv txbctis, frequent in ?he N. T. but in no fenfe fuitable here very differently explained. (Critic, in loc.) Eng. "When he thought thereon;" but rather, " having gone out, " (Polyb.) which agrees with Matthew and Luke. Raphel. Ads xvii. 31. nxg, "riches," Erafm. Druf. Grot. Motgotv e&ct. Some, " The Lord is come ; " others, " In the coming of the Lord ; " others, " Excommunicated ia the higheft fenfe, ll which was termed NnttW ; others, in general, " Devoted to deftruftion. " Critic! in \ Cor. xvi. 22. Tremell. Vorftiui. Locke, Macknight. 167. There are likewife Greek words ufed in a Hebrew or Syriac fenfe. Michael, ib. Aw^tj, " A miracle. " E5 r!/**, " A thing. " Luke i. 37. ii. 15. Ads v. 32. Mat. iv. 4. H. R. Eflay for a new Tranflation, p> 1. c. 4. f 3 4- e, Hearken,' 1 A^s ii. 14. Grot. Wyfl*. Dialeft. Sacra. 168. USE OF THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGES. 55 1 68. There are in the New Teftament, Hebrew and Syriac conftru&ions. Michael, ib. Wyff. ib. 169. There are in the New Teftament, Hebrew and Syriac idioms and phrafes. MarfH's Michael, ch. 4. 5. SECT. VI. Of tlte Use of tfie Original Languages in Criticism, 170. The difcovery of the true fenfe of fcripture, is evidently the purpofe to which knowledge of the ori- ginal languages is principally and moft directly applica- ble ; and the manner of applying it to this purpofe be* ing the fame as that of coming to the underftanding of any language, to enlarge upon it would be unne- ceffary. 171. It has been made a queftion, Whether know- ledge of thefe languages ought to be at all applied to the difcovery of the true reading ; fome averting, that no correction of the ordinary text, by critical conjec- tures founded on the nature of thefe languages, is at all allowable ; and producing feveral arguments in fup- port of their aflertion. 172. But others have claimed the liberty of making E 4 emendations < ) that (it) breaketh in pieces the rock ? " Habak. iii. 6. " He beheld and drove afunder the nations; (l2f*3n v i) and the everlailing mountains were faltered, " broken in pieces a bolder figure. Job xvi. 12. " He hath taken me by my neck (^SiS^) apd hath Jhaken (broken) me to pieces. " ? 210. 66 USES OF THE KINDRED LANGUAGES. 210. Thefe languages afcertain the precife fignifica- tion of roots, and, confequently, of their derivatives, which are acknowledged in the Bible, and perhaps oc- cur frequently ; but, whofe fignifications have been fix- ed only by conjecture, and are, on that account, inde- finite, precarious, or fluctuating. Schultens de Defect. Ling. Heb. ib. 43, &c. 13, with which WS (No. 209) has been confounded, has been rendered, " to fcatter, difperfe, diffipate. " But in Ara- bic (prim.) " to overflow, " (fee.) " to abound, to weep plentifully." 2 Sam. xviii. 8. " The battle was there (niif3i) fcatterred over (had overflowed) the face of all the country ; " a beautiful figure, from a river. Job xl. 1 1. ^srr " Cajl abroad the rage (ni*iiy the fwellings) of thy wrath. " (Make the fwellings of thy wrath to overflow) a beautiful figure. Zech. i. 17. (Eng.) My cities through profperi- ty fhall yet be fpread abroad. " Not fuitable, for rr3^13Jl is active. (My cities fhall yet overflow with good.) Schultens, ib. T. i. c. 4. 5J33 occurs often, is rendered inconftantly j fometimes "to fcatter, to fcatter by breaking in pieces, *' which are the fenfes of at13 and 3. But Arab. Syr. Chald. to fhake, to fhake out by motion;" fo fometimes by 70. Aqu. and Theod. rendered tKrvxrcra, which fuits all the texts, i Kings v. 9. ** I will caufe them (the trees brought by fea in floats) to be dtfchargcd ; " the figure loft (" fhake them out of the floats ") 70. EXTJI>!*. Chald. jia^aiK projiciam eas. Ifa. xxx. 30. " The Lord fhall fhew the lighting down of 1m arm, with the flame of a devouring fire, (33) fcattering, " (" fhaking out ; ") the world by trembling fhaken out of its place (a noble image) " and tempeft, and halftones. " Gen. ix. 19. " Of them was the whole earth overfpread" (n2t33). " From them the whole earth ftook out its whole offspring ; " ex his excuflit fe univerfa terra a beautiful metaphor. Judor. USES OF THE KINDRED LANGUAGES. 67 Judg. vii. 19. I Sam. xlii. n. Ifa. xi. 12. xxxiii. 3. xxvii. 9. Jer. xiii, 14. xxii. 28. li. 2O. Pfal. ii. 9. cxxxvii. 9. Schultens, ib. bz occurs five times in Hiphil. The verfions fluctuate. Arab, (prim.) " to mine like the rifing fun." (fee.) i. (in different conjugations) * To fliine in general, to be clear, or ferene, or manifeft, to render clear or ferene. " 2. " To laugh, to be glad, to remove or allay for- row. " Job ix. 27. ** I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heavinefs, " n^blXI. 70, " I will figh. '* Vulg. " I am wrung with farrow. " Syr. Arab. " I am prejjed 'with Jlraits. " Chald. " I will be confirmed. '* Eng. " I will comfort my f elf. " Literally, " I will lay afide my forrowful face, and I will (prim.) make it to Jbine like the fun ; " or, (fee.) " render it ferene. " Job x. 20. Let me alone," n^blXI. 70. that 1 may take refl. " Vulg. bewail my J arrow. " Arab. " taks breath. " Syr. folace myfelf, and reft. " Chald. " reft. " Eng. " take comfort." Rather, < make (my face) to Jhine." Pfal. xxxix. 13. " O fpare me," n^blNI. 70. and Vulg. l that I may be cooled or refreflied. " Syr. Arab; as in the former text. Chald. " and I will depart. " Eng. " that 1 may recover Jirength. " Rather, ' make (my face) to Jhine; " or, to be ferene. " Jer. viii. 18* Eng. (When) 1 would comfort myfelf (^iwban) againft forrow, my heart is faint in me. " 70. Arab. " Incurable with the forrow of your fainting heart. " Vulg. " My farrow is above for- row. " Syr. I am worn away. " Chald. " Becaufe they mocked." Rather, " Making (defiring) me (fee. X.) to render my face ferenc, " (i. e. O thou who defireft, &c.) " above my forrow, my heart becomes faint in me ; " or better (fee. 2.) " O thou who laugheft at my forrow." Amos, v. 9. W^tf *ny a'bafcrt. 70. Arab; " Dtjlribut- iag, bruifing upon ftrengih. " Aq. Vulg. "Mocking devafta- tion upon the ftrong. " Syr. " Giving dominion." Chald, F a Eng-4 68 USES OF THE KINDRED LANGUAGES. Eng. " That ftrengtheneth the fpoiled (Grot. Drus. Vat. " the fpoiler, " wrong) againft the ftrong. " Rather, (prim.) " Who maketb devaftation to Ireal forth like the dawn (i. e. fuddenly) upon the mighty ; " a beautiful figure, and ufed Joel ii. 2. Ifa. xlvii. i r. Schultens, ib. c. r. Vindicise Orig. . 2. 211. The kindred languages afford the beft (and where the ancient verfions vary in tranilating them, the only) means of determining with certainty, the figni- fication of fuch words as occur but once, or very fel- dom, in the Bible. 212. The kindred languages point out the true meaning of fome words, whether primitives or deri- vatives, to which wrong fignifications have been affix- ed in the Bible. Ifa. xviii. 2. " Whofe lands the rivers ixti ; " fuppofed irre- gular for itTH, (which is found in one MS.) Eng. " have fpoiled ;" but this irregularity unexampled. (Schult. Gram. p. 491.) Arab, Nto, " to lift itfelf up, to bring under it. " Hence, " have brought under them," or "overflowed." But Nil Syr. and Ntti Chald. fignifies " a teat ; " fo that the verb may mean, " have nouriftied ; " very applicable to the Nile fertilizing Egypt. Lowth's Ifaiah in loc. 213. The kindred languages enable us to difcover all the fenfes of words, fome of whofe fignifications only have been collected from the Bible, though others of them would better fuit particular paflages ; and, by this means, both explain thefe paffages, and illuftrate the connexion between roots and their derivatives. 214. USES OF THE KINDRED LANGUAGES. 69 214. In particular, thefe languages difcover the primary fignification of many roots, even fuch as are moil commonly ufed, whofe fecondary fenfes alone have been attended to, though the primary fenfe would throw light on fome texts. Via very common, rendered " to be great. " But Arab. (prim. ) " to twift. " Hence ta^na Deut. xxii. 12. " fringes*. " i Kings vii. 17. " chain-work," i. e. twifted threads. (Sec.) I. " Sinewy, brawny, compact, elegant, " in the human make. Exod. xv. 16. " By the greatnefs (brawninefs, firm- nefs) of thine arm, they (hall be as ftill as a ftone. " 2. " To ftruggle, wreftle, fight. " Job vii. 17. " What is man that thou fhouldft magnify (ftruggle) with him ? " con- text. Schultens, Defed. ling. Heb. 202, &c. p1, very common, " to be juft ; " but this only a fecondary ""| fenfe. Arab, (prim.) To be ftiff, inflexible ; " alfo to be inflexibly ftraight. " Hence metaphorically, '* to be juft, V true. " Ifa. xlix. 24. " Shall pv-jx v^W (literally) the captives V of the juft one be delivered ? " but the devil is here meant. / Eng. " the lawful captive ; " but this would be unjuft. " The \ r captives of tke inflexible, rigid, or inexorable one. " yl Schultens, ib. 217, &c. Eccles. vii. 16. " Be not righteous overmuch." obje&ionable,?^ " Be not too rigid or inflexible. " Schultens, ib. Hammond, Grotius, Patrick, and others, in loco. 215. The kindred languages are the only, or- the mod fuccefsful, means of leading us to underfland the meaning of phrafes, or idiomatical combinations of words ? which are found in the Bible, and the pre^ F 3 cjfe 70 USES OF THE KINDRED LANGUAGES cife meaning of which cannot be determined by it ; but which, being agreeable to the genius of the ori- ginal languages, are preferred in books written in them. Dan. xii. 7. " And when he mall have accomplished Y 253 (literally) " to Jhake the hand> " Eng. " to fcatter the po&cr of the holy people, a}l thefe things fhall be finimed. " But it is a common phrafe in Arabic, fignifying " to leave off friendfhip, fociety, or intercpurfe with a perfon ? " The mean- ing therefore is, -) yn$* 2 Sam. i. 23. and a ots%ci>(>i p,v, and aro^c? pot. xxix. z. J<; ip* ti, (as Gen. xxix. 34. 2 Kings, x. 6.) " fmce thou art friendly to me, hear me. " So Sam. Corrected in i MS. Bos. GREEK VERSIONS; 81 Bos. ib. Ken. in loc. Gen. iv. 8. (N8i.) Deut. xxxiii. In the Hebrew, there is no mention of Simeon. But v. 6. Zvpsuv i?u aroAu?. 70. Alex. Aid. Cpmplut. Bos. ib. et in loc. 245. When the Greek verfion and the Hebrew text agree in readings that are falfe, it proceeds, fome- times, from thefe having crept into the Hebrew copies before that verfion was made, and fometimes, from its having been fmce altered in conformity to them. Ken. Diff. Gen. 17, 1 8. DifT. 2. p. 194, &c. Deut. x. 6. (N64.) 246. The Greek verfion was one of the principal'! means of recovering the Hebrew language ; and a clofer attention to it would have rendered the knowledge of\- that language, in many inftances, more perfect. Simon, ib. c. 5, 8. Capel. Epift. ad Ufler. Houb; Prol. p. H3- 247. The authors of that verfion ufed, or were ac- quainted with, languages very analogous to the He- brew ; and therefore, knew fignifications of words, which have fmce been unknown or overlooked, and have given them in fome paffages where they were proper. Simon, ib. c. 5. Walton, Prol. 9. j 46. Brett, ib. 248. They miftranflated, however, fome words, by giving them that fignification to which they had come G by 83 GREEK VERSIONS-. by ufe to be reftricted, in that dialed to which they were accuftomed, though they were capable of another more fuitable to the paifage. Simon, ib. c. 5. Walton, Prol. 9. 46. Bos. Prol. c. I. Gen. i. 6. yp*i, 70. wwpct " firmament, " from the Syriac ufe, " firm, folid. " So Vulg. Eng. Rather, expanfe. " 249. The authors of this verfion often render He- brew words in a fenfe different from that to which they are reflricled by the prefent vowel points ; and often in a better fenfe. Sirnon, ib. c. 5, 8. Bos. Prol. c. I. Brett, ib. (N 114.) Gen. xlvii. 31. " Ifrael bowed himfelf upon the bed's (n&tt) head. " 70. ytfiv " ftaff, " nan. 250. The Greek verfion often gives a jufter fenfe of texts of Scripture, than what, being given by more modern verfions, is generally put upon them. Simon, ib. Walton, Prol. 9. 46. Bos. Prol. c. I. Gen. vi. 3. " My Spirit mall not always Jlrive with man. " Eng. remain, 70. Vulg. connexion, " for that he is flelh, yet his days fliall be 120 years. " Simon, ib. c. 5. 251. The Greek verfion, being written in the very fame dialect with the New Teftament, often ferves, both to determine the genuine reading, and to fix the meaning of words in pafTages cf it. (No. 165.) Bos. Prol. c. i. Grotius in N. T. Kuchen. Animad. in Evang. Macknight, ib. Mark. v. 38. KhKbafyvrctt, all MSS. yet fufpe&ed to be for oyr#s, but frequent in 70. Mill, in loc. Luke, SAMARITAN VERSIONS. 83 Luke viii. 2O. K< a&TnjyysA*} MVTU, AgyovTA>. Some MSo. have a^DjyyjASu etvrar ; but the former is found in 70. (Mill.) Eng. " And it was told him by certain which faid. " SECT. lit. Of the Samaritan Versions. 252. THERE are three Verfions taken notice of, which were made directly from the Samaritan Penta- teuch. Ken. Biff. 2. c. I. p. 29, &c. Walton, Prol. u. 20. 253. One of them is in the Samaritan charade^ and in their common language, reckoned very ancient, and made on account of their having loft the know- ledge of the Hebrew. Simon, V. T. 1. 2. c. 1, 17. Walton, Prol. 5. 4. and ProL n. {20. Brett, ib. 254. It is very literal and exact, but incorrectly rendered in the Latin verfion of it publifhed in the Polyglott. - Simon, ib. c* 17. Walton, Prol. ir. ib. 255. It generally agrees with the Samaritan text, where this differs from the Hebrew ; and thus confirms the antiquity of its readings. Simon, ib. C 2 256. 84 SAMARITAN VERSIONS. 256. But, it differs from that text in fome places, either by the tranflator's miftake of the fenfe, or where a corruption has crept into the one or the other ; and, by a collation of the MSS. of it, it might be rendered more perfect. Simon, ib. 257. There is likewife a verfion from the Samaritan Pentateuch, into the Arabic language, fome copies of which are written in the Arabic character, and others in the Samaritan, but little known. Simon, ib. Walton, ib. 21. 258. There was a Greek verfion from the fame Pentateuch, efteemed very ancient, of which only a few fyigments remain, in quotations of the Fathers ; and, from thefe it appears to have been literal and exacl, and to have concurred with the 70, in many readings. Simon, ib. c. 9. Ken. ib. Walton, ib. 22. 259. The other verfions peculiar to the Old Tefta- ment, are the modern Jewifh verfions; the principal of which are, by R. Saadias Gaon, and an African Jew, into Arabic ; fome, into modern Greek ; one, in- to Spanifh, and one, into Perfic. Simon, ib. c. 19. Walton, Prol. 14. 15, 16. SECT, JLATIN VERSIONS. SECT. IV, Of the Latin Versions. 260. THE other clafs of Verfions, is of fuch as ex- tend both to the Old Teftament and the New ; at leaft, being made by Chriftians, do not purpofely exclude either ; and, thefe being ancient, or modern, we mail begin with the former, and, among them, with the La- tin Verfions. 261. That the Scriptures might be underftood by all Chriftians, there were very early verlions of them, probably many, into the Latin tongue ; thofe of the New I'eftament, immediately from the Greek original ^ but, thofe of the Old Teflarnent, from the verfion of the 70. Simon, V. T. L 2. c. 1 1. N. T. t. 2. c. 36. Ken. Biff. 2. p. .-34. Michael. ftr, 62. Walton, Prol. 5. 5. Prol. 10. i. Brett, ib. Beaufobre, Intr. Marfh's Michael, ch. 7. fea. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. 262. There was one Latin Verfion, of hjgheft au- thority, .and mod generally received, called the Qld, the Italic, or the Vulgate ; written probably in the" firft century ; a confiderable part of which remains, and might be collected, G 3 Walton, LATIN VERSIONS. Walton, Prol. 9. 31, 32. Prol. 10. i. Beaiifobre, ib, Macknight, ib. Gen. Pref. Marfh's Michael, ib, fed. 23, 263. This verfion, being extremely literal, is well " \ fitted for pointing out what were the readings in the Greek copies ; and, by reafon of its antiquity, it be- \$t*^// ftows great authority on fuch readings as it proves to have then taken place. 264. By its being often tranfcribed, many miflakes crept into the Italic verfion ; other verfions were mixt with it ; and, in particular, expreflions were interpola- ted from parallel places, and gloffes taken from the margin into the text ; for which reafon, wherever it contains any thing additional to the Greek, it is juftly fufpicious, Simon, ib. Michael. 63, 64. Ken. Diff. Gen. 8. Brett, ib. Marfh's Michael, ib. fe&. 26. 265. To remedy the confufion into which it had gradually fallen, Jerome corrected it ; but afterwards made a new verfion of the Old Teftament from the 70; and, not fatisfied with this, he made, likewife, a verfion of it, from the Hebrew, to which, however, he did not always fcrupuloufly adhere. Simon, V. T. ib. c. u, 12. Michael. 65. Ken. DifT. Gen. 8, 84, i, 92. Walton, Prol. 5. 5. Prol. 10. 15. Brett, ib. Beaufobre, ib. Macknight, ib. Marfh's Michael, ib. fed. 28. 266. This laft verfion mews that fome variations had LATIN VERSIONS. 87 had crept into the Hebrew copies, fmce the time when the 70 verfion was made. 267. Though Jerome's new verfion was at firft dif- approved by fome, it foon came (except the Pfalms, his former verfion of which was (till retained) to be univerfally adopted and ufed ; and obtained the name of the Vulgate. Simon, V. T. ib. c. 7, n. N. T. t. 2. c. 8, 9. Michael. 66. Walton, Pro!. 5. 5. Prol. 10. 7, 8. Brett, ib. Beaufobre, ib. 268. The copies of the Vulgate verfion, having be- come very different from one another, and corrupted in many places, were feveral times revifed ; and fe- veral fuccefTive editions of it, corrected from MSS., have been published. Simon, N. T. ib. Michael, ib. Ken. DifT. Gen. 12, 28, 92, 107. Walton, Pro!, ic. 9. Marfh's Michael, ib. feft. 29, 269. The Vulgate, in its prefent ilate, being a mixture of the old italic verfion, and that of Jerome, points out the ftate of the original text, partly in the \ firft, and partly in the fourth century ; and, it gives / great authority to thole readings which it clearly in- dicates ; and contains feveral which are preferable to the prefent ^ readings, and fupported by fome of the beft and oldeft MSS. MaruYs Michael, ib, f e a. 27. Jer. li. 19. " He is the former of all things, snd the rod of his G 4 inheritance. " 88 LATIN VERSIONS. inheritance. " Heb. abfurd, " And Ifrael is the rod, ' &c t Vulg. Chald. 23 MSS. Jer. x. 16. fupplied in Eng. Ken. in loc. Diff. 2. p. 439. Biff. Gen. 47. 270. The Vulgate is not infpired, nor infallible $ but, it is, in general, fkilful and faithful, and often gives the fenfe of Scripture better than more modern yerfions. Walton, Prol. 10. 6, 10, n. Marfti'a Michael, ib. SECT. V. Of the Syriac Fusions. 271. THERE is a Syriac verfion of the Old Tefla- ment, from the Greek of the 70, part of which only has been publifhed ; which is ancient, and ferves principally to fhew the (late of the Greek copy, at the time when it was made. Simon, V. T. I. 2. c. 15. Ken. Diff. Gen. 88. Walton, Prol. 13. 8, 17. 272. But, there is, likewife, a Syriac verfion of the Old Teflament, from the Hebrew, as well as of the New Teftament, from the Greek ; probably made in the firfl century. Simon, V. T. ib. N. T. t. 2. Pocock. Not. in Port. Mof. c. i. Michael. 47. Walton, Prol. 13. 8, 15. Brett, ib. Macknight, ib. Gen. Pref. Marfh's Michael, ch. 7. fed. 4, 6, 7, 8. SYRIAC VERSIONS. 89 273. Many MSS. of this verfion are known ; there have been feveral editions of it, and fome tranflations from it. Simon, ib. Ken. Diff. Gen. 88, 89. n. b. Walton, Pro!. 13. 8. Marfh's Michael, ib. fed. 2, 3. 274. The Syriac verfion omits the Hebrew titles of the Pfalms, and inferts others exprefiive of their fup- pofed fubjects ; and, it contains not 2. Peter, 2. and 3. John, nor Jude. Simon, V. T. ib. Marfh's Michael, ib. fe&. 2. Pfal. f. "Of the manner of living according to the nine beati- tudes mentioned by Matthew. " Pfal. ii. " Concerning the calling of the nations, and the fuffer- ings of Chrift. " Pfal. iii. " Concerning future happinefs. " 275. The Syriac verfion being very literal, afcer- tains clearly the readings which it followed ; by reafon of its antiquity, it gives great authority to thefe read- ings ; and, it has preferved fome which appear to be genuine. Walton, Prol. 13. 19. Marfh's Michael, ib. feft. 9. 2 Sam. xv. 7. " After forty years Abfalom faid. " From " what ? Syr. " four. " fupported by Vulg. in feveral MSS. and Sixtus's edit, of Jofeph. Ant. 7. 9. Grot, in loc. Ken. Did*. 2. p. 357. Diff. Gen. 31. p. 46. n. JVov. xxvi. 4, 5. " Anfwer not a fool according to his folly, left thou alfo be like unto him. Anfwer a fool according to his folly-) left he be wife in his own conceit. " Contradic- tory no reafon. Syr. " According to thine own nvifJom. " So Chald. mblKD repeated from the preceding line. Ken. ib. p. 359. 276. 9O COPTIC VERSIONS. 276. The Syriac verfion often agrees with the 70, where it differs from the prefent Hebrew ; not by having been taken from it ; but becaufe the MSS. ufed for both thefe verfions agreed ; and their concurrence gives great authority to a reading followed by them. Simon, V. T. ib. 277. In the New Teftament, the Syriac verfion of- ten agrees with the old Italic, but was not taken from it, for they differ both in readings, and in renderings. Marfh's Michael, ib. fed. 5. 278. The coincidence, therefore, of the Syriac and the Italic verfions, in any reading, has arifenfrom their having been made from MSS. of the fame age ; and their great antiquity will generally entitle that reading to the preference. 279. Befides thefe ancient verfions, there are others into Syriac, more modern, of the fifth and feventh cen- turies ; but they are lefs valuable and ufeful. SECT. VI. Of the other Ancient Versions. 280. THE Egyptian Chriflians, called Copts, had an ancient verfion of the Scriptures, fuppofed to have been COPTIC VERSIONS. 9! been made about the time of the Council of Nice, in- to the Coptic language, then vernacular to them, which was a mixture of the old Egyptian language, and the Greek. Simon, V. T. 1. 2. c. 16. N. T. t. 2. Michael. 53. Marfh's Michael, ib. fe&. 13. 281. There are faid to be two verfions in this lan- guage extant ; one, known in Europe, in which the Old Teftament is thought to have been tranflated im- mediately from the 70, and of which the New Tefta- ment has been publifhed ; the other, ufed by the Ja- cobite and Melchite Chriftians ; but, which of them is the ancient verfion, is uncertain. Simon, ib. Michael, ib. 282. The Coptic verfions are of fome ufe in criti- cifm ; and are confiderable, as having given rife to the Arabic verfions, when this language came into com- mon ufe in Egypt. Simon, ib. 283. There are many Arabic verfions of the Scrip- tures, made by Chriftians ; but they are all pofterior to the time of Mahomet ; and were probably finifhed in the tenth, or the eleventh century. Simon, V. T. c. 16. N. T. t. 2. Michael. 5355. Ken. Diff. 2. p453- Diff. Gen. 44. Walton, Prol. 14. 17 23. Jkaufobre, ib. Marfh's Michael, ib. 15, 16. 284, 92 ARABIC VERSIONS. 284. They are unequal, inaccurate, and often pa- raphraftical. Simon, ib. 285. It is generally fuppofed, that the Arabic ver- fions were taken, in the Old Teftament, from the Greek of the 70, or from the Syriac tranflations of it ; and, fo far as they were fo, they mew the readings of thefe at the time when they were taken ; and either confirm their prefent readings, or preferve fuch as have fince been altered in thefe. Simon, ib. Ken. Diff. Gen. 44. Pfal. xviii. 13. Arab, wants " halftones and coals of fire." So 4 Heb, MSS. 2 Sam. xxii. 14. 70. Ken. Diff. Gen. ib. Pf. Ixviit. 1 8. " Thou haft given gifts to men. " Arab, old MSS. of 70. Syr. Ital. Eph. iv. 8. Ken. ib. 44, 77. 286. Some of the Arabic verfions, or fome parts of them, appear not to have been taken from thefe other verfions, but immediately from the Hebrew ; for they contain readings different from theirs, but conformable to Hebrew copies. Ken. Difi". Gen. 44. i Kings xiii. 20. " As they fat at the table (pifka) the word of the Lord came unto the prophet." Arab, alone fupplies, " and did cat. " Ken. Diff. I. p. 477. Chap, xxii, 19. " Hear thou the word of the Lord. " Heb. 70. Syr. "Hear;>bTO) this people in Jerufalem, " The word Signifies not only to rule, but to fpeak parables or fententious fay ings, which is parallel to fcoffers. One of their fayings is inftanced in ver. 15. " We have made a covenant with death, And with hell are we at agreement. " So nm muft, from the nature of the poetry, fignify here, a& well as mm v. iS.; but it does fo nowhere elfe. Lowth, ib. Vitringa in loc. I 3 Ver. llS AUTHORS BOOKS Ver. 1 8. " Your covenant with death (hall be broken, And your agreement with hell (hall not fland. ** Either *1S5 muft here fignify to break, which it does nowhere elfe ; or, more probably, the true reading is ISH. ChaUL So Ifa. viii. 10. Lowth, ib. Houbig. in loc. SECT. II, Of the Authors of the Books of Scripture. 382. To know who are the authors of the feveral books of Scripture, is neceffary, chiefly for eflabiifh- ing their authority and infpiration ; in which light it belongs to another part of our plan ; but it is, in fome degree, conducive likewife to pur underflanding them ; and, it is in this view only, that it claims our prefent notice. 383. We are abundantly certain concerning the authors of moft of the books of Scripture, though we be ignorant of many particulars about them, which it might be defirable or ufeful to know. 384. Though all the authors of Scripture be in- fpired, yet, in regard to their manner of writing, they are left to follow each his own genius, turn of thought, anc) mode of expreflion ; in all which there is great diverfity -, and attention to this will contribute to our reading AUTHORS OF BOOKS. tig reading their works both with pleafure and with ad- vantage. 385. An author's peculiar chara&er may fome- times contribute to our determining the true reading ; for, among various readings, equally fupported, that ought to be preferred, which is agreeable to the au- thor's flyle and manner. 386. But, knowledge of the author's hiflory, fitu- ation, and manner of conceiving and expreffing things, contributes much more to our entering into his full meaning, and is often abfolutely neceifary for this purpofe. 387. An author's fituation, and circumftances, will fometimes account for his choice of matter, for his emitting fome topics, and enlarging upon others. Mark is filent concerning things honourable to Peter, and large on his faults. He was his companion, and wrote from his information. .Lardner's Credibility, Supplem. c. 7. 5, 8. Jones's Method of Canon. P. 3. 388. In the hiftorical books of Scripture, there is great uniformity of manner ; though, even in thefe, fome minute varieties may be difcerned, together with coniiderable differences of flyle. 389. In the poetical and prophetical books, there is very great variety ; every writer having his own cha- racter and manner very ftrongly marked. 1 4 Lowtb, 120 AUTHORS OF BOOKS. Lowth, Sac. Poef. Heb. prgeka. 21. Prelim. D iff. to Ifaiah, Blair, Rhet. led, 41. David various, but excels in the tender. Ibid. The writer of Job highly figurative, and chara&erifed by ftrength of defcription. Ifaiah has all the excellences of compofition, but is eminent for fublimity. Ibid. Jeremiah is tender and pathetic. Ibid. Ezekiel is bold, vehement, and ardent, and often enigmati- cal. Ibid. Hofea is concife and fententious, lively, but obfcure. Ibid, and Horfley's Hofea. Amos has no very remarkable chara&eriftic. Ibid. Micah is concife and lively, often elevated and vehement. Ibid. Joel elegant, clear, fluent and figurative. Ibid. Nahum is auguft, bold, and regular. Ibid. 390. The other parts of Scripture, in which pectu Jiarities of manner chiefly appear, are the argumenta- tive parts. The principal of thefe are the writings of Paul, who was plainly a man eminent for extenfive views, warmth of imagination, and quicknefs of con- ception ; and this turn of mind occafions feveral pecu- liarities in his manner, which it is abfolutely neceflary to attend to, in order to our understanding his epiftles. Locke's Eflay on Epiftles. Taylor, Pref, to Romans. Macknight on Epiftles, EfT. 3. Care to guard againft exceptions producing long parenthefes. Rom. ii. 12. connected with v. 16. the intermediate verfes 3 parenthefis, guarding againft exceptions to both his afler- tions in v. 12. Locke, Taylor, Macknight, in loc t Carry-? TIMES OF WRITING. 121 Carrying on different defigns at once. Rom. xiii, I 8. prin- cipally ' the duty of fubjefts, y but along with this, ' the grounds and end of civil government. ' Jid. Profecuting a defign by complicated means. SECT. III. Of the Times of writing the Books of Scripture. 391. The books of Scripture are the works of dif- ferent, and very diftant, ages ; and each of them bears fome characters, derived from the age in which it was written. 392. The age, in which almoft all the books of Scripture were written, is eafily enough determined. 393. Though there be great difficulty in ascertain- ing the precife date of many of the books of Scrip- ture, yet, that of feveral of them may be determined with fufficient evidence ; and, whenever it can be de- termined, it will mew the beauty of fome figure, the force of fome expreflion, or the full meaning of fome paflage. 394. Hence, it has often been mentioned, as what would be of considerable ufe, that the books of Scrip- ture be placed, or, at leaft, read, in the order in which they were written, 395- 122 TIMES OF WRITING. 395. Knowledge of the time when a book was written, fometimes fhews the reafon, and the propriety of things faid in it. 1 ThefT. v. 27. " I charge (*./) you by the Lord, that this Epiflle be read unto all the holy brethren. " So folemn an adjuration feems unnecefiary. But this was the firft written book of the New Teftament ; only the Old Tefta- ment was publicly read before. It is a charge to read this as an infpired book ; a declaration that it is canonical. This was proper, and extends to the after books of the apoftles. Lardner's Credibility, Supplem. c. 12. 2. c. 25. 2. 396. Inattention to, or ignorance of, the real date of a book, often occafions miftakes concerning the meaning of particular paiTages, Lardner, ib. c. 12. 2 Cor. xi. 25. " Thrice I fufFered fliipwreck. " That mention- ed A&s xxvii, not one of thefe, for it was pofterior to his writing. Lardner, ib. I Cor, xv. 32. " I have fought with beafts at Ephefus. " It refers not to Demetrius's riot, A&s xix., for that was pofte- rior to his writing. Probably he had, before this, been really expofed to fight with wild beafts, intimated by his faying, " after the manner of men, ' according to a cuftom of men. Benfon, Hift. of Chriftian. b. 3. c. 7. f. 3. Whitby in loc. Lightfoot, vol. i. p. 298. Macknight in loc, 397. Knowledge of the precife date is peculiarly of importance, with refpeft to the prophecies and the epiftles, 398. TIMES OF WRITING. 123 598. This knowledge would often throw light on feveral particulars of a prediction ; and is fometimes abfolutely neceflary for afcertaining the event defign- ed, and for perceiving the accomplifhment, efpecially when it was near. 399. The true date of a prediction is often fuf- ficient for confuting a falfe application of it, and muft be explained away by thofe who are fet on fupporting fuch application. Grotius was determined to apply the predi&ion of " the man of fin, " 2 Theff. ii. to Caligula ; he therefore labours, but in vain, to prove that the Epiftle was written A. 38. the 2d of that Emperor. Its true date, about A. 52. the I2th of Claudius, explodes that application. Grot. Praef. in 2 ThefT. Benfon's Hift. b. 3. c. 5. f. 10, Macknight, Pref. to 2 ThefT. 400. To difpofe all the different predictions, relaN ing to the fame event, according to the order of time in which they were delivered, would give us a clear and connected view of them, and enable us to perceive the allufions in the pofterior to the prior, and the ad- fJitional intimations fucceffively conveyed. 401. The ftudying of the Epiflles in the order in which they were written, would mow the progreflive {late of things in the Chriftian church ; and would, py this means, throw great light upon them all. SECT, OCCASIONS OF BOOKS. SECT. IV. Of the Occasions of the Books of Scripture. 402. Almofl all the parts of Scripture were written on particular occafions, to which they have more or lefs a reference. 403. There are feveral circumftances which may be reduced under this head of the occafion of a book, which are all of fome, though not of equal, import- ance. 404. The place where, and the iituation in which, a perfon writes, is not a matter of mere curiofity, but often throws light on his writing, by mowing the propriety and beauty of his figures, by illuftrating his allufions to objects, cuftoms or opinions, by ac- counting for particulars which he mentions, or for the manner in which he mentions them. Many figures and images in the poetical books are naturally fuggefted by the icenes amidft which they were written, and thence derive great additional beauty. Judea was parched in fummer ; hence, diftreff, figured by drought ; relief, by ihowers and fprings. It was liable to torrents ; hence allu- fions to them frequent. Liable to violent florins and earth- quakes ; hence many metaphor? and companions. Lowth, Sac. Poef. Heb. Blair, Rhet. ib. Mark OCCASIONS OF BOOKS. 125 Mark xv. 21. Simon is defcribed as " the father of Alexander and Rufus. " Mark wrote his Gofpel at Rome, where thefe were well known, Rom. xvi. 13. 405. Knowledge of the perfons for whofe imme- diate ufe a book was written, of their fituarions, opi- nions, and cuftoms, is of (till greater importance, as it often accounts both for the fele&ion of matter, and for the manner of writing. Matthew wrote in Judea, for the immediate ufe of the Jews. Hence his being particular on Chrift's genealogy ; the maf- facre at Bethlehem j the fermon on the mount ; the fulfil- ment of prophecies ; his giving no explications of Jewifti cuftoms. Lardner's Credib. Suppl. Michael. 88. Macknight, Prel. Obf. 6. Mark wrote at Rome for the ufe of the Chriftians there, many of whom were Gentiles. Hence his omitting the above par- ticulars, his defcribing places, c. i. 13. and Jewifh cuftoms, c. vii. 2, 3, 4. Michael, ib. 406. The particular occafion, or fpecial reafon, for writing any book of Scripture, muft be collected from hiftory, from intimations in other parts of Scrip- ture, from openings in the book itfelf ; and is, in dif- ferent inftances, difcoverable with different degrees of eafe and certainty, 407. Knowledge of the particular occafion, or the fpecial reafon for writing any {tart of Scripture, is of the very greateft importance for throwing light upon it j as, to this, it often has a reference throughout. Pfal. 126 OCCASIONS OF BOOKS; Pfal. xxiv. was written for the proceflion at bringing the atk id Mount Zion This gives light and beauty to the fentiments^ the order, and the exprefilons of the whole. Delauny, Life of David. Lowth, Sac. Poef. Blair, ib. Ifa. xxxvii. 22 34. contains Ifaiah's prediction of Heze- kiah's deliverance from Sennacherib. The occafidn of it ia minutely related from the beginning of ch. xxxvi. ; and this renders the whole clear ; but ignorance of this would have occafioned many obfcurities* Lowth in loc* The occafion of i Theff. is clear from Acts xvii. i, &c. and the epiftle itfelf. They were lately converted, imperfectly inftrudted, and expofed to perfecution. The delign is to pre- fcrve them ftedfaft ; the conduct is fuited to their fituation 5 the practical directions are adapted to young converts, who had been lately Pagans. Benfon, Hilt, of Chrift. and Paraph* Macknight, Pref. to i Theff* 408. The occafion of writing any part of Scrip- ture, when known, is of great ufe for afcer earning the fcope and defign ; which fhould be determined in con- formity to that occafion* The epiftle to the Galatians was occafioned by fome believing Jews teaching that Gentile Chriftians were obliged to obferve circumcifion, and other Jewifh rites ; ch. ii. 3. iv. ic. v. 2, 3. comp. with Acts xv. i, &c. Hence great flrifes and ani- naofities, c. v. 13, 14, 15. Its fcope is, to prove the Jewifh ceremonial not obligatory ; and, by this means, to perfuaae them to fledfaftnefs in their immunity from it, and to reftore peace and harmony. Locke, Synopf. Benfon, Hid. b. 3. c. 5. f. it. Mi- chael. } 3. Caftalio. Taylor, Key, 305. Mac^ knight, Pref. to Galat. 409* OCCASIONS OF BOOKS. 127 409. The occafion throws light on the plan of a book, and the feveral topics employed in it. Galat. The Judaizers ufed feveral arguments in fupport of their falfe doftrine. I . The fuperior authority of Peter and the other apoftles ; 2. Paul's own former opinion and. prac- tice ; 3. That all the promifes are made to the children of Abraham, who was circumcifed. Plan, a confutation of thefe ; the two firft jointly in his hiftory of himfelf, c. i. ii. the fecond again, c. v. 1 1 . the laft, c. iii. iv. The prac- tical exhortations are fuitable to their ftate of diffenfion, and to the caufe of it. Michael, ib. 410. The occafion of a book illuftrates the mean- ing of general or ambiguous exprefiions, which, when ufed in reference to its peculiar fubject, Ihould be de- termined fuitably to the occafion. Locke, Grot. Galat. Gofpel, Truth," figflify, moft frequently, the whole Chriftian doctrine. " But, when ufed in reference to the fubje& of this epittle, have a much more reftri&ed mean- ing, " the dodlrine of the immunity of the Gentile Chrif- tians from the Jewifh ceremonial," c. i. 6 9. ii. 2, 5, 14. iii. i. v. 7. Locke in loc. SECT, J 28 SCOPE OF BOOKS* SECT. V. Of the Scope and Design of the Books of Scripture. 41 1. The fcope and defign of a book of Scripture, is to be collected from its known occafion, and from attention to its general tenor, to the tendency of the fe- veral topics, and to the force of the leading expreffions ; for perceiving all which, repeated and connected per- ufals of the book itfelf, are the beft means. Lockt, Effay on Epiftlcs. 412. If we knew all the purpofes which the infpired writers had in view, in their feveral books, it would lead us to a very thorough underflanding of them ; but this is beyond our reach. 413. Such knowledge of their particular defign, in writing, as we can attain, will contribute very much to our underftanding them, and that in proportion to its clearnefs and certainty ; but, fome knowledge of it is, in many cafes, abfolutely necefiary for our at all en- tering into their meaning. Glaff. Philol. Sacr. 1. 2. p. 2. f. 2. 414. Even in the hiftorical books, where it feems leaft neceffary, fuch knowledge as we may obtain of the defign in writing them, will account for. the fe- leftion SCOPE OF BOOKS; 129 lection of materials, and for adopting particular modes of expreflion. Genefis, not intended for a general hiltory of all nations ; but fele&s fuch fads as tended to enforce the worfhip of the true God, to excite the Ifraelites to the obfervance of their reli- gious laws, to trace their defcent from Abraham, to infmuate inftruclions by example, to alienate them from the religions of their neighbours* Cleric. roi. Diff. 3* 2. Warburton, Div. Leg. b. 6* f. 2. Gofpels, not a complete hiftory of the life of Chrift ; hence things are omitted in one which are related in another, and fome things omitted in them all, John xx. 30. But as many are recorded as are neceflary for our faith in his mifllonj and knowledge of his do&rine. A&s, not intended for a hiftory of the apoftles ; iiientions the preaehing almoft only of Peter and Paul. Not for a com- plete hiftory even of thefe. Peter is dropt after the con- verfion of Cornelius ; Paul at his going to Rome. It is in- tended only for an account of the promulgation of Chrifti- anity, I. among the Jews, 2. to the devout Getitiles^ both by Peter; 3. To the idolatrous Gentiles, by Paul* It is car-* ried no farther than this purpofe required. Benfon, Hift* of Chrift. 415. Some of the poetical books are one whole$ having a general fcope and defign ; which, when it can be difcovered, throws great light upon them. 416. Other poetical books are a collection of feve* ral diftmt and independent pieces, having fome ana- logy in their fubje&s and defigns, though not ftrict enough to unite them into one determinate fcope j 'but & each 1 36 SCOPE OF BOOKS. each of them has its own particular fcope, attention to -which will contribute both to our perceiving their beauties, and, to our entering into their meaning. Pfalms, a collection of hymns, unconnected, not arranged in any order, according to their authors, times, or fubjecls. But, each hymn has generally one fubjeft, and one fcope. 41 7. Some of the prophetical books have one fimple fubject and fcope, which is eafily discoverable. Jonah, a fimple hiftory of his miffion to prophefy agalnft Ni- neveh ; of his misbehaviour in relation to it; and of his being reproved on that account. Nahum, one entire, regular poem, foretelling the deftru&ion of Nineveh. Lowth, Sacr. Poef. prsl. 21. Habakkuk. The prophetical part is a prediction of the capti- vity of Judah, of their return from it, and of the deftru&ion of the Chaldeans. Obadiah. One prediction of the deftru&ion of the Edomites by Judah, in return for their violences againft it. 418. But, mod of the prophetical books are collec- tions of many feparate predictions, at different times, and on different fubjecls, interfperfed with narrations, reproofs^, exhortations, and devotions ; it cannot, there- fore, be fuppofed, that the whole mould terminate in any one common defign j and the immediate fcope of each prediction is not generally different from its mean- ing, or the events foretold ; but, fpecial views in fore- telling them, or reafons for it, may fometimes be difco- vered. SCOPE OF BOOKS. vfcred, and confidered as the ultimate fcope of the pre- diction. 419. It is peculiarly of importance to attend to the general fcope and defign in the argumentative parts of Scripture ; which are, chiefly, the epiftles, particularly thofe of Paul. Locke's Effay on Epiftles* 420. There is one general difference obfervable be- tween the fcope of the epiftles and that of the gofpels $ that the latter reprefent the principles of Chriftianity abfolutely, or as they are in themfelves ; the former re- latively, as refpe&ing the ftate of the world at that par- ticular time. Taylor's Pref. to Rom. 28. 421. In the epiftles, it is proper to fuppofe one ge- neral fcope and defign, till it be found necefiary, from the (train of it, to admit a plurality of independent views ; and, in many of them, there really is one main defign, fuitable to the occafions of them, to which all their parts are fubordinate. Locke, ib. i Theff. To perfuade to ftedfaftnefs in the faith and pra&ice of Chriftianity, which they had but lately embraced. Galat. To prove the immunity of Gentile Chriftians from th? Jevvifh ceremonial. 422.' The defign of an epiftle is the great key to the whole of it. Till it is difcovered, all muft appear iu- K ?, volved Pl/AN OF BOOKS* volved in obfcurity and confufion. When it is fully afcertained, all becomes regular, diflinft, and clear. Locke, ib. 423. A juft conception of the fcope of an epiftle y contributes greatly to our difcovering the plan and dif- tribution of the whole, the tendency of the feveral mem- bers, and the manner in which the arguments are con- duded ; and fhows them all uniting in one point. Locke, ib. 424* Knowledge of the general fcope of an epiflle, is often the bed or the only means of fixing the fenfe of particular expreffions ufed in it ; not only of the leading expreflions which run through it, but even of the more incidental ones, which are fometimes felecled with a plain view to promote it. Locke, ib. SECT. VI Of the Plan and Distribution of the Books oj Scripture, 425. EVERY book, even 4hat which has the greateft fimplicity of defign, has diftinct parts ; the number, tendency, order, and arrangement of which, form its plan and diftribution. 426. PLAN OF BOOKS. 133 426. The books of Scripture being of very different kinds, the plans of them must be very diflimilar ; and, even books of the fame kind differ confiderably, in the plans on which they are conftrucled. 427. In moft of the hiftorical books, there is no other plan purfued, but a narration of certain events, fuiting the intention of the book, and belonging to the period which it takes in ; generally, in the order nearly of time ; and the diflribution of" them is fufficiently apprehended, when the different events are diftiu- guifhed. Genefis. A hifloiy of the creation the antediluvian world the deluge the repeopling of the earth from Noah the dif- perfion of mankind the calling of Abraham the patriarchs, till the death of Jofeph. Exodus. A hiftory of the Hate of the Israelites after Jofeph's .death the birth and youth of MolJes their deliverance from Egypt their firft year's journey in the wildernefs with a particular account of the laws promulgated during that pe- riod. Leviticus. Almoft wholly an account of particular laws given by God and a few remarkable events connected with them. Numbers. A hiftory of the remarkable events from the begin- ning of the fecond to the end of the thirty-ninth year of their journey with an account of feveral laws given them. 428. Some of the hiftorical books obferve a more artificial diflribution ; arranging the facts recorded un- der diftincl: heads. Deuteronomy contains feven parts ; the four firft digefted into as many fpceches of Mofes, delivered at the times, and on K 3 tb.; PtAN OF BOOKS. the occafions there related, i. A fummary of their Kiftory in the wildernefs, to ch. iv. 40. 2. A fummary of the laws given them, to end of ch. xxvi. 3. Directions what to do after pafling Jordan, ch. xxvii. xxviii. 4. An exhortation to obedience, ch. xxix. xxx. 5, An account of events pofterior to his making thefe fpeeches, particularly his fong, ch. xxxi. xxxii. 6. His benediftion of the people, ch. xxxiii. 7. An account of his death, ch. xxxiv. Ken. Diff. 2. c. i. p. 91. 429. Such of the poetical books as have one delign, have likewife a plan fuited to it ; in which there is ge- nerally great regularity and beauty, and which throws light both on the feveral parts, and on many particular expreflions. 430. Such poetical books as contain a collection of feparate and independent compofitions, which have no common defign, arrange not thefe on any regular plan. The Pfalms are placed, neither according to their authors, dates, nor fubjefts ; but, as they happened to come to the hand of the collector. 43 1 . Put, each feparate competition, when of any length, has its own plan and difpofition j and in this, there is confiderable variety, 432. Some of the fcriptural poems are difpofed in an alphabetical order, confiding of twenty-two lines, ftanzas, or periods, according to the number of the Hebrew letters ; each line or period coinciding in its paufe with that of the fenfe. Pftlr PLAN OF BOOKS. '31 Pfal. cxi. cxii. divided into 22 lines, beginning with the letters in their order, and making 10 ftanzas. Lam. iii. into 22 ftanzas or periods, each of three lines; both the ftanzas and the lines beginning with the letters in their order. Pfal. xxv. xxxiv. cxlv. Prov. xxxi. IO 31. Lam. iv. into 22 ftanzas, each of two lines, but only the ftanzas beginning with the letters in their order. Pfal. cxix. into 22 periods, each confiding of eight ftanzas, beginning with the fame letter as the period, and each ftan/a of two lines, but the fecond line not fo beginning. Lam. i. ii. into 22 ftanzas, of three lines each, the ftanzas only alphabetical. Pfal. xxxvii. into 22 ftanzas, of four lines each, the ftanzas only alphabetical. Lowth, Prelim. Diff. p. 4, 5, 6. 433. In poems thus difpofed, a very ftrit con- flexion cannot be expe&ed, though, in moil of them, it is far from being neglected ; but, the main inten- tion has been, to aflifl the memory in retaining the de- tached aphorifms of which fuch poems confift, Lowth, ib. p. 5. 434. This difpofition fometimes points out falfe readings, which have crept into the text ; for, when it is clear, from the whole ftru&ure of a poem, that fuch difpofition was intended, it is reafonable to af- cribe to the miflakes of tranfcribers, the irregularities which now occur ; and, it fometimes, likewife, fug- gefts the true reading, or gives confirmation to it when otherwife fuggefted. K* In 136 FLAN OF BOOKS. In Pfal. xxv. there is no ftanza beginning with i, the fixth letter ; but v. 5. has three lines, irregular ; the laft begin- ning with "JlniX, probably for "jnKI, which is regular in three MSS. ; the fecond line wanting, but tranfpofed to v. 7. which has three lines ; the laft tautological there, but proper for v. 6. which will ftand thus, " And on thee do I wait all the day, For thy goodnefs fake, O Jehovah. " Ver. 1 8. ihould begin with p, but begins with njn the fame word as v. 19. whence it has probably been taken by tranf- cribers. Ver. 22. probably an addition; the alphabet complete without it ; it begins, as well as v. 16. witji 3, and is not connected with the fubjed of the Pfalm. Ken. DifT. Gen. 84, 14, 165. Pfal. xxxiv. v. 6. beginning with 1, is wanting, v. 22. begins, as v. 1 6. with JD, and is fuperfluous j perhaps it had 1 prefix? ed, and was tranfpofed from v. 6. Ken. ib. Pfal. cxlv. v. 14. beginning with 3 is wanting. But 70. Syr. Vulg. Arab, have a diftich proper here, " Jehovah is faithful in all his words, And holy in all his works. " One I Jlcbrew MS. has, at the foot of the page, a diftich an- fxi'ering to this verfionj and beginning with *}72N3, doubtlefs genuine. Ken. in loc. Biff. Gen. 48, 80, 82, 84, 14. cod. 142. Lam. ii. v. 16. and 17. are tranfpofed, S being put before y, but right in four MSS. Syr. Cb. Hi. v. 46, 47, 48, beginning with fl, are put before v. 49, 50, 51. beginning with $, but right in 2 MSS. Syr. Ch. iv. v. 16, 17, tranfpofed in like manner ; right in five MSS. Syr. Ken. in loc. piff. Gen. {23, 165, p. 83. n. 435. The alphabetical poems, by fhewing the pre* cife extent of each line and ftanza 3 give great light for difcovering PLAN OF BOCKS. 137 dlfcovermg the form and ftru&ure of the poetry in them, and, by this means, fupply general principles concerning that form in fuch poems as are not alpha- betical ; that it is regulated by fome fixed meafure, or Cadence ; that it confifts not of rhyme ; that there is fome parallelifm in the correfponding lines ; and that they are reducible to two fpecies, diftinguifhed by their length. Lovvth, Prel. Di(T, p. 4 34. Herder's Dialog, on Hebrew Poetry. 436. Some of the Scriptural poems are regularly difpofed into parts, either by the introduction of differ- ent perfons, x or, by an alternate rehearfal of them, * or, by the repetition of a chorus or burden at the end of each member, 3 all productive of beauty. 1 Pfal. ii. The fpeakers are, I. the Pfalmift, v. 15. 2. Je- hovah, v. 6. 3. Mefiiah, v. 7, 8, 9. 4. Pfalmift, v. 10, n, 12. dramatic. Ken. Diff. Gen. 165. * Pfal. xxiv. (N407.) Pfal. xx. fung alternately ; the firft five verfes by the people ; v. 6. by David ; v. 7, 8, 9. by the people. Pearce, Serm. on v. 7. 3 Pfal. xlii. xliii. confift of three parts, with a chorus fubjoined to each. _ Pfal. Ixxx. confifts of three unequal parts, each concluding with the fame chorus, v. 3, 7, 19. " Turn us again, (" O God," v. 3. O God of hofts, " v. 7. O Jehovah, God of hofts, " v. 1 9. either defignedly, or by miftake of tranfcrib* prs), caufe thy face to mine, and we (hall be faved. " 138 PLAN OF BOOKS* Pfal. cvii. coniifts of five parts ; all, except the laft, concluding with this chorus, " O that men would praife the Lord," &c. with different reafons, fuitable to the fenfe of the preceding part. 437. Mofl of the Scriptural poems are difpofed iimply according to the different fubjeds, * or the parts of the one fubjeft, * of which they treat ; fometimes clearly diftinguifhed from one another ; oftener fliding eafily into one another, or naturally interwoven, fo as not to admit an accurate analyfis ; but always with great poetical beauty. 1 Pfal. xix. celebrates, i. the works of God, v. i 6. 2. His law, v. 7 ii. the diftinction being precifely marked; and concludes with devotions naturally fuggefted by the latter. * Pfal. xxii. defcribes the Mefiiah, i. as fufFering, v. 1 21. 2. as triumphant, v. 22 31, iufficiently diftinguifhed, but with an eafy tranfition. Ken. Diff. Gen. 165, 438. Of fuch prophetical books as contain many predictions, the natural diilribution is into thefe feveral predictions. Where the diftin&ion of them, and the termination of each, is not clearly marked, it occafions difficulties, which will be confidered afterwards ; where it is precifely marked, as it often is, it throws great light on the prediction. Amos. There is a clear diftin&ion of his feveral predictions concerning Syria, i. 3 5. ; the Philiftines, v. 6 8. ; Tyre v, 9, 10. ; Edom, v, n, 12. ; Ammon, v. 13 15. ; Moab, ii. i 3, ; and Judah, v. 4., 5. In the reft of the book, which PLAN OF BOOKS. 139 which relates wholly to Ifrael, there is not fo clear a diftinc- tion. Jfaiah. The predictions in the firft 39 chapters are clearly dif- tinguifhed, and hence derive light. Thofe in the following chapters want this advantage. But he is remarkable for a juft diftribution of the parts, and a natural order in treating them. Lowth, Sacr. Poef. prael, 21. Joel. The diftribution and order are plain. I. The defolation of the country by locufts, to ch, ii. 27. 2. The effufion of the Holy Spirit, v. 28 32, 3. Judgments againft different nations. Lowth, ib. Chandler, Pref. to Joel Dupin. Jeremiah. Three parts, i. Various predictions, diftinctly mark- ed, to end of ch. xxxv. 2. Moftly hiftorical, to end of ch. xlv. 3. Many predictions, like wife diftinctly marked, to end of ch. li. The laft chapter is not his. Lowth, ib, Paniel. Two parts, I. Hiftorical, firft 6 chapters. 2. His predictions, in diftinct vifions, to end. Dupin. Jzekiel. Twenty- two predictions, in the order in which they were delivered, obvioufly diftinct, and each profecuted with clofenefs. Lowth, ib. Dupin, 439. Such prophetical books as have one fimple fubjecl:, and fuch feparate predictions as are in any de- gree complex, defcribe the events belonging to that Jubjecl: j fometimes according to the order of their fuc- ceffion, which contributes to perfpicuity ; and, fome- times, according to fome connexion in their nature ; but 140 PLAN OF BOOKS. but often in union with a poetical arrangement, proper, beautiful, and finking. Nahum. i. The exordium, auguft and magnificent. 2. The preparation for the deftruction of Nineveh. 3. The deftruc- tion itfelf ; both defcribed with the greateft fublimity and force. Lowth, ib. Chrift's prediction againfl Jerufalem, defcribes the feveral events in the order of time ; therefore clear, and easily afcertain- ed. 440. The argumentative parts of Scripture are mod of the epiflles, particularly Paul's ; and, in the mofl general view, the plan of all of them is obvious, and very uniform ; each of them, befides an introduction and a conclufion, confiding of two parts, the doctrinal and the practical. 441. The former is the main part ; it is it that is properly argumentative ; and it is in it that an invefli- gation of the plan and diflribution is both moil necef- fary and mofl difficult. 442. When an epiflle has two or more independent defigns, thefe form its plan ; which is invefligated, by afcertaining what thefe diflinct fubjects are, where one of them is concluded, and another begun, and what parts of the book relate to each of them. Locke, ib. I Corinthians. Introduction, ch. i. i 9. Conclufion, ch. xvi. Body of the epiftle has two fubjects, I. to reclaim them from a falfe teacher, who had led them into feveral faults, to end PLAN OP BOOKS. 14! end of ch. vi. 2. To anfwer their queftions, and correct ab- ufes and errors among them, ch. vii xv. 443. When an epiftle has one principal defign, the natural diftribution of it is, into the feveral fteps or arguments employed for promoting it ; which, being fubordinate to it, ought all to be confidered in the relation which they bear to it, and explained in that fenfe which fuits it ; a principle which is applicable, likewife, to each part of fuch epiflles as have more than one defign. Locke, ib. 444. A difcovery of the real plan and diftribution of an epiftle, or argumentative piece, will throw great light on the force, the import, and the conduct of the feveral arguments, and on the meaning of many par- ticular expreffions. 445. But, care muft be taken not to affed: too great nicety and precifion in diftinguifhing and feparating the feveral members of an epiftle ; for, as the apoftles did not ftudy an artificial method, this would break the connexion of their difcourfe, mifreprefent their argu- ments, and pervert the meaning of their words. SECT, 142 CONNEXION OF THE PARTS. SECT. VII. Of the Connexion of tiie Parts in flie Books of Scripture. 446. EVERY member, in the general plan of a book, confifts of parts, which have a certain connexion with one another ; and often, each of thefe fubordinate parts confifts of different fentences, or proportions, which have, likewife, a connexion ; and, the difco- very of fuch connexion is of great importance, for af- certaming both the true reading, and the fenfe. 447. Among various readings found in copies, that which fuits the connexion mould be preferred to fuch as do not fuit it, though thefe be, in other refpe&s, better fupported. Mark i. 2. Ev Hrettx TU> 7r%eu;bu; for mftw, Compl. Keri. above 20 MSS. all Verf. i Chron. xi. 15. Ken. in loc. & Diff. i. p. 145. 449. But one reading ought not to be preferred to another far better fupported, much lefs to be adopted without any pofitive authority, except the fenfe and connexion render it abfolutely neceflary, as the only means of removing, not merely a difficulty, but an ab- furdity or falfehood. Houbig. ib. Michael. 18. 450. Nay, a reading may fometimes deferve to be preferred, on account of its leaving the connexion fome- what obfcure, or not immediately obvious ; for it may have been, for that very reafon, changed by tranf- cribers. Michael, ib. 45 1 . The more independent copies there are of any book, the lefs liberty is allowable in making correc- tions, 144 CONNEXION OF THE PARTS* tions, merely becaufe the fenfe and- connexion feem to require them ; for the lefs probability there is that an error mould have crept into all the copies. Michael. $ 31* 452. Emendations fuggefied by the fenfe and con- nexion, but not fupported by any MS. or verfion, ought not to be inferted into the text j but only marked in the margin, or in notes. Houbig. ib* 453. The connexion is of fo great importance for the interpretation of Scripture, that its true fenfe can be apprehended only by explaining every fentence and expreffion according to the place in which it ftands, and the relation which it bears to what precedes, and what follows. 454. General terms being often ufed only in a part of their extenfion, it is the connexion that mews to what part of it they ought to be limited. Heb, xi. 6. " Without faith it is impofiible to pleafe God. " Not faving or Chriftian faith. The expreffion is limited by the next words ; " that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently feek him. " 455. In like manner, ambiguous expreffions muft be reftricted, among their feveral fignifications, to that* one which fuits the connexion. Mat. xxiii. 23. " Judgment, mercy, and faith ; " not " belief of any kind, " but " fidelity. " Rom. xiv. 23. " Whatfoever is not of faith, is fin " not " juf- tifying faith " not " a warrant from Scripture > " but " a full perfuafioa CONNEXION OF THE PARTS. 145 perfuafion of its lawfulnefs. " This is the natural meaning of TTIW, and, though not frequent in Scripture, is the only fenfe of it through this chapter, and alone can fuit the ar- gument. Taylor. Locke. Macknight. Critic, in loc. Sander- foh's Sertn. Rom. i. 28. Altvcipos, " unfearching, " referring to t)*uf&x n' p^}, Mic. paa nw ; Ifa. ta w, Mic. ca^i ; Ifa. Mic. xin KWtt ; Ifa. tanan ba, Mic. tavajr (3 MSS. Ifa. ta*ai taw 1 ?, " many peoples," Mic. pini n D>^b, " ftrong nations from afar. " There is no reafo-n to correft either, though fome have propofed it. Lowth's Ifa. in loc. Matth. xxvi. 26, 27, 28. Mark xiv. 22> 23, 24. Luke xxii. 19, 20. I Cor. xi. 23, 24, 25. The words of the inftitu- tion are different, but not to be affimilated j they are intend- ed only to exprefs the fenfe. Macknight, ib. 468. When, among various readings, one agrees exadly PARALLEL PASSAGES. exaftly with a parallel place, the other only in fenfe, the former is often, for that very reafon, fufpicious, and, except it be well fupported by authority, the lat- ter will, generally, deferve the preference. Michael, ib. 469. Even when paflages are moft exactly fimilar in themfelves, the occafions, or the application of them, may contribute to our underftanding their full mean- ing. The promifes to Abraham, Gen. xii. 3. ; to Ifaac, ch. xxi. 12. xxvi. 4. ; and to Jacob, ch. xxviii. 14. though in the fame words, fucceffively limit the expectation of the Melfiah. Gerard, vol. I. Serm. 6. Ifa. vi. 9, 10. is referred to, fix times in the New Teftament ; Mat. xiii. 14. Mark iv. 12. Luke viii. 10. John xii. 40. As xxviii. 27. Rom. xi. 8. ; a comparifon of all which. places will give light to it. 470. Even when paflages are very much parallel, a clear and precife expreflion, in one of them, may iiiuf- trate one more obfcure and ambiguous, in another* 471. Secondly, thofe paffages of Scripture are pa- rallel, which relate the fr.mo f;ifts. They are numer- ous ; and the comparifon of them with one another is productive of great advantage. Many parts of Gen. are parallel to i Ch.-) ,. M"uy parts of Exod. Lev. Num. to Deut.- Sam. King. 10 Chron. 2 Kings xviii. 13, &c. and 2. Chron. xxxii. c. to Ifa. xxxvi. &c. the 472 ir-3 PARALLEL PASSAGES., 472, Such paffages often ferve for correcting falfc readings in each other, and may be legitimately ap- plied to this purpofe ; particularly in proper names, and numbers ; when the fenfe of them, as they ftand, is irreconcileable ; when the falfe reading might have arifen from the true, by a natural miftake ; or, when it is contradicted by copies or verfions. Jofh. xxi. 13 37. I Chron. vi. 42 66. The 48 cities of the Levites ; but only 44 in Jofh. according to the Maforetic Hebrew, and only 42 in Chron. There are alfo furprifing differences ia their names. Ken.. in loc. Deut. ii. 26. "with words of peace. " wanting in Num. xxl. 21. but found in the Samaritan. Deut. v. 28. " thou {halt fell me meat for money, that I may eat ; and give ^me water for money, that I may drink ; only I will pafs through on my feet. " wanting in Num. but in the Samar. 473. But, wherever none of thefe circumftances take place, it is probable that the different readings found in fuch paffages, were originally intended, and neither of them ought to be corrected by the other. 474. Plain and direct expreffions, in one narration, explain fuch as as are difficult, in another narration of the fame fact. Mark xiv. 72. (No 162.) 475. In different relations of the fame fact, circum- ilances, omitted in one of them, but fit for throwing light upon it, may be often fupplied from the other. Mat. ii. i, &c. firoply relates that Jefus was born at Bethle- hem, PARALLEL PASSAGES. 153 hem, and refers to Micah's predi&ion of it. But Luke ii. i 4. informs us of the reafon of it, which accounts for it, and renders the accomplifhment the more remarkable. 476. Thirdly, paflages are parallel, in which the fame words or idioms are ufed in different connexions, or on different fubje&s ; and the comparifon of fuch paffages is of very great utility, for afcertaining the meaning of thefe words or idioms. Glafs> ib. 477. If any one fenfe of a word be proper, and fuitable, in all the places where it occurs, that is moft likely to be the true fenfe of it. Pcarce on I Cor. is. 27. 'Tyiotivxra, $u}aiBrr) or " moift ground," (Ifa. xv. 6. xxx. 23. xxxii. 20. Jer. xlviii. 34.) " and after many days thou (halt find it. " connexion, v, 4, 6. beautiful, and a ftrong argument. Eflay, Sec. ib. ch. 10. 5. Rom. vii. 5. " When we were ev TJJ I by thofe others ; but men have ' often taken the con- trary road. Glaif. ib. Tranfubftantiation is founded on a ftri&ly literal interpretation of figurative exprefiions, n of Scripture, that it will only pervert it, in con- formity to men's prejudices and falfe opinions., as has been very frequently the cafe. Locke, Pref. 509. On a fuppofition of its being moil agreeable to the analogy of faith, a falfe, or fufpicious read- ing, has been fometimes adopted ; and, on a fuppofi- tion of its repugnance to that analogy, a reading or a paiTage, unqueflionably genuine, has been, fometimes, rejected. Michael. $15. Luke xxii. 43, 44. concerning " an angel ftrengthening Chri'ft in his agony ; " omitted in the Alexandrian and fome other MSS. and marked with afteri/ks in others ; denied by feveral of the Fathers, becaufe reckoned inconfiilent with his divinity, and urged by the Arians. Grot. Erafm. jn loc. Mill in loc. & Prol. N 797, 798. -The epiftle of James rejected by fome, as contrary to the ar.H- logy of faith concerning juiliiication ; but undoubtedly ge- nuine. chultet. Obfery. in 2 Tim. i. 13. c. 4. apud Crit. Sac. torn. 7* p. 3868. 510. But a reading ought to be examined by the direct evidence for and againfl it, not by its connexion willi ANALOGY OF FAITH. with any fet of opinions ; and that reading, which fcems fitted for fupporting an article of faith, is not always to be preferred to another which has no relation to it ; for it might not be the view of that pafiage to fypport that article, however true. Wetflein, Prol. c, 16. 12, 511. For the fame reafon, that interpretation of a particular paflage which is mod favourable to a real, or fuppofed article of faith, is not, on that account, to be always preferred ; and the mod obvious and natural fenfe is to be fet afide, only when it is abfolute- ly contradictory to fomething plainly taught in Scrip- ture ; but the oppofite way has often been taken by- all feds. Mat. svi. 1 8. Thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, " feaching, which was fulfilled, both among the Jews, A6ls ii. 14, c. and among the Gentiles, ch. x. xv. 7. This gives no countenance to the papal fupremacy, but the contrary ; for this prerogative was perfonal and incommunicable. Critic, in loc. John xvii. 2. "ivot ITAN o (Jioaxag -ctvrc^ 2a, the San- hedrim, for heinous crimes* ftoned to death, ytiwat fv TTV^OS, burning in the valley of Hinnom. Grot. Macknight in loc. 526. Though the laws of the Hebrews were fixed by divine authority, and continued, in a great mea- fure, unvaried, yet, their government underwent fe- veral revolutions, which introduced alterations in fe- veral refpe&s, under the Judges, under the Kings, during the captivity, after their return from it, and on their fubjection to the Romans. 527. Knowledge of ihe peculiarities of their fitua- tion, in all thefe periods, is conducive to the illuflra- tion of .Scripture ; efpecially their ftate, the privileges which they enjoyed, and the reftn&ions which they were under in the laft of them, contribute to the ex- plication of many paffages of the New Teftament. Under the Romans, the Jews were protected in the free eXercife of their religion, were governed by their own laws, and per- mitted to live according to their own cufloms. Jofcph. An- tiq. 1. 14. c. 10. I Cor. vi. 5, 6. " Chriftians- going before heathen judges, " are reproved ; they were coiiiidcred as a Jevvifli feet, ad migb.t have decided their own differences. The Jews had their council, which might apprehend, examine, confine, inflict fmaller punishments, and carry before the Governor for capital offences. All thefe privileges were exercifcd POLITICAL HISTORV. exercifed in the trial of Jefus. But they had not the power of inflicting capital punifliment. John xviii. 31. John viii. 3 it. The queftion concerning the adulterefs, very artfully infidious. If Jefus faid, " fhe ought to be ftoried t6 death, " they might accufe him to the Governor, or throw on him the blame of ari illegal act ; if, * fhe olight hot, '* they might expofe him to the people. Lardner, Credibility, p. i. b. i. c. 2. The Governor, before palling fentence oft a perfon brought be- fore him by the Jews, was obliged to reexamine the caufe himfelfl Lardner, ib. This explains Pilate's trying Jefus anew* though pronounced worthy of death by the council ; and Felix's trying Paufy though fent with a declaration of his innocence by Lyfias. 528. The nature of the conftitution of other ftatesj Contributes fometimes to the illuftration of fcriptiire ; it {hews the meaning and the ptopriety of terms ufed in Scripture, for expreffing any particulars belonging to it. Acts xiii. 7. Sergius is called Proconful (fl&vWToj) of Cyprus, the proper title of the governor of a province belonging to the people, as yr* a flrong -metaphor ; grinding was the work of flav'es j in the earl, of female flaves, low, fevere. Lowth in loc. 2 Cor. iv. 9. " The apo files fct forth laft, as it weic appointed to death. " This alludes to the {hows, the lad of which was, perfons combating with wild beads ; and this the mod danger- ous, and appointed to the greater! criminals. * The apodles moil hated, and expofed to the moil imminent danger of death. > Grotius, Locke, and Macknight in loc. Benfon, Hift. of ' ChriR. "There are frequent allnfions to the Grecian games. I Theff. ii. 19. to the vi6tor crowned by the judge, at the end of the courfe. 1 Cor. ix. 24 27. to the crown, and to the ftriet abdinence by which the competitors prepared thcmfelves, in the Ifthmian games, near Corinth. 2 Tim. ii. 5. " drive lawfully," according to the rules prefcribed, viz. contend- ing naked, an image of being diveded of love to the world. Ch. iv. 7, 8. to two of the exercifes, boxing and running, and to the manner of crowning the vi&or. Phil, iii, '3, 14. to running, the goal, and the fufpended crown. Heb. xii. j, 2, to many particulars, A&3 xiii. I, " Man;4en trvvr^o- fy$ 'Hg Beau- fobre, Introd. Excommunication is often mentioned ; Ezra, x. 7, 8, Neh. xiii. 25. John ix. 22. xvi. 2. It is explained by accourts of its nature and kinds, i. Private reproof* confinement to home for feven days. 2. Niddui, removal four cubits from the fynagogue and fociety. 3. Shematta, perpetual exclu- fion from the fynagogue ; and this generally meant in the New Teftament. Alluded to, Mat. xviii. 15 18. John xii. 42. Rom, xvi. 17. i Cor. v. i, 2. 2 Cor. ii. 6, 7- 2 ThefT. iii. 10. Tit. iiu 10. 2 John 10. Beaufobre, Introd. N 1 7$ CUSTOMS AND MANNERS* A As xii. 6, 7. xxi. 33. Two chains ; " it was the Roman manner to chain a prifoner to two foldiers, his keepers. Benfon in loc. Lardner, Credib. p. I. b. I. c. 10. Mat. x. 9, 10. Ev tvvaus " girdles ; " this was the manner of carrying a large fum. U^etv, " {crip, " a large bag for hold- ing provifions j " take not a great quantity. " 540. There are facts related in Scripture, the rea- fon, or propriety of which, arifes from certain cuf- toms, or manners, and is difcovered by juft accounts of them. Mat. iii. 4. John ate ttKgj&f, not u buds of trees, " which is a rare fenfe of the word, but " locufts ; " they were permit- ted to be eaten, Lev. xi. 22. and were common food in the Eaft. Plin. Mat. ix. 23. " Minftrels and noife ;" the manner of mourning for the dead. Mat. xi. 17. " Piped, not danced; mourned, not lamented;" the fame ; and alfo the manner at feafts. Both were imitat- ed by children in their games ; hence they became a pro- verb ; very appofite here. Of old, and in the Eaft ftill, inns are not for entertaining, but only for lodging. Many texts have a reference to this. Judg. xix. 19. Mat. xv. 32, Luke x. 33, &c. 2 Cor. xi. 24. " Forty ftripes fave one. " Deut. xxv. 3. forbad exceeding 40 ; the Rabbies had decided for 39 ; the manner of fcourging with three thongs confined it to this number. SECT, 179 SECT. IV* Of Chronology. 541. Chronology, as diftinguimed From is employed in afcertaining the dates, and the order of events. 542. Time is very naturally diftinguimed ihtd dif- ferent periods, terminated by remarkable events ; and feveral fuch being clearly pointed oUt in Scripture^ they fix the proper divifioh of facfed chronology. 543. Th chronology of the firft great period, froni the creation to the deluge, can be gathered only froni the Scripture itfelf ; which, however, gives rio other tnarks of time, but the age 1 of each patriarch at the birth of his eldeft fon, and the duration of his life ; but from thefe it might be exactly fixed, were it not that the Hebrew, Samaritan, and ^ verfiofl, differ from one another in fome particulars ; with refpeft to which, though the two former', agreeing frioft nearly, would feem to deferve the preference, ftrohg argil- rnerns are produced hi proof of their being corrupted, and of the laft giving the true numbers. Uffer. Capell. Chronol. Sacr. Wall's Notes. Univerfal Hift. b. i. c. t. f. 3* ?earf^n, Epift. ad Bernard, in Sprott- Chron. Jackfon's ChronoL Ken. DifT. Gen. 30, 73-^ 76, 8183, 91, 93. Playfair's Chronpl N 2 544- I So CHRONOLOGY. 544. In the fecond period, from the deluge to the calling of Abraham, the chronology can be learned only from the Scriptures. In it, too, the Hebrew, Samaritan, and 70, differ very widely ; and the two laft, which make the number of years more than double the firft, appear to deferve the preference, not only on account of their near agreement, but alfo, as bed fuiting the feries of events, and the populoufnefs of nations, as reprefented in the hiftory. rjfler. Capcll. Wall. Pearfon, Jackfon, Playfair, Ken. ib. 545. The third period extends from the calling of Abraham to the deliverance of the Ifraelites from Egypt ; and, its chronology is clearly enough deter- mined from Scripture, all the copies agreeing in it. 546. The fourth period, commencing at that de- liverance, is extended by fome to the beginning of the regal government, by Saul's advancement to the throne, or to the death of Samuel, the laft of the Judges ; by others, to the building of Solomon's tem- ple ; and its chronology, too, is to be fettled chiefly from the Scripture. 547. The fifth period may reach to the return of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity ; and, in it, the chronology may receive confiderable light from profane hiftory. 548. The fixth reaches to the birth of Chrift ; and is to be colkclpd ;i)inofl wholly from other writers, the facred giving very few hints concerning it. 549* GEOGRAPHY, l8i 549. The chronology poflerior to the birth of Chrift, is, in general, clearly eftablifhed ; but, a very final! part of it falls within the compafs of the Scrip, ture hiftory. 550. The primary ufe of chronology, in Scripture criticifm, is, to mew the order and connexion of the feveral events recorded in the hiilorical parts of the Bible. 551. But, chronology is, likewife, of very great importance for afcertaining the accomplifhment of many of the prophecies. 552. Chronology fometimes leads to the difcovery and correction of miftakes in numbers and dates, which have crept into particular texts. SECT. V. Of Geography. 553. Geography, which gives an account of the fituations of places, their feveral names, the nature of their climate, foil, and the like, is often a mean of throwing light on Scripture. Wells's Hist, Qeograph. of the O. and N. T. 554- GEOGRAPHY. 554. The geography of Canaan is of great import- ance, as it was the theatre of almoft the whole that is recorded in Scripture ; it has, therefore, juftly been the object of particular attention ; and every particular of it that can be afcertained, ijluftrates fome text, or removes fome difficulty. Bethfaida is often mentioned in the Gofpels ; it is generally placed near Tiberias, weft of the lake of Genezareth. But it lay on its north-eaft fhore, beyond Jordan. John xii. 21. " Bethfajda of Galilee j " not properly, but Qaulonites pften comprehended under it. (Mat. iv. 13, 14, 15. Jofeph. Ant, 1. 20. c. 3.) Luke ix. jo. < went afide to Bethfaida," from Herod, into Philip's dominions. Mark vi. 45. " ta go to the other fide to Bethfaida, " not to the other fide of ithe lake ; but r qf a creek, or bay. t Mac-knight, 60, 61. 555. But, as many other countries are mentioned in Scripture, or are the fcenes of events related there, jhe geography of thefe, likewife, is of confiderable ufe for throwing light upon it. Wells's Geogr. is often mentioned in Scripture ; by many fuppofed Ethio- pia, (Vulg, ,Genev. Engl.J but this is a wrong fuppofition. It was Arabia Petjaea, or a part o^ it. Num. xii. i. " Mo- fes's wife was a Curtiite, " but (lie was from Midian, (Exod. ii. 16, &c.) which was a town in Arabia, (Jofeph. Ptolom. Jerom.) either in the territory of Cufh, or contiguous to it, (Habak. iii. 7.) It was near to Judea ; therefore, 2 Kings xix. , its king might atXack the Affynans befieging Libnah ; 2 Chron. xiv. 9. might attack Afa, king of Judah ; ch. xxj. ^6. it was nt;ar the Arabians : Ifa. xx. 3, 4, 5. might enter GEOGRAPHY. 183 enter into alliance with Judah. It lay north-eaft of Egypt j therefore, Ifa. xviii. I. Egypt is properly defcribed as " be- yond the rivers of Cufh." Ezek. xxix. 10. " from Syene (fouth) to the borders of Cufh, " {north-eaft,) figuifies the whole extent of Egypt : ch. xxx. 9. " flying Egyptians might eafily go in mips (acrofs the Red Sea) to Cufh. " Eflay for New Tranflation, p. 2. c. I. 6. Wells's Geogr. O. T. v. i. c. 3. f. 4. 4, 5. 556. By preferving the ancient names of places, tribes, or nations, geography affifls us in determining the meaning of the proper names employed in Scrip- ture, which are often different from thole which are ufed by other writers. Wells, O. T. v. i. c. I. Chittim, the countries and iflands about the Mediterranean. This is confirmed : " Cetii, " a people, and " Cetium, " a river in Lefler Afia (Homer. Strabo). " Cittium, " a town in Cyprus, which was culled alfo, 4< Chethima, " and its inha- bitants " Chethim, " (Jofeph.) Macedonia, anciently called " Macettia, " and by the Latins Cetii. " Newton, on Proph. Wells, O. T. v. i. c. 3. f, 2. 21, 557. It is, in fome cafes, abfolutely neceffary, and, in all cafes, very ufeful, for our underftanding the Scripture hiftory, to be acquainted with the geography of the places where the fcene lies. 558. Geography mews the meaning, the juflnefs, and propriety of expreflions, ufed by the facred wri- N 4 ters, GEOGRAPHY. ters, in defcribing, or fpeaking of places which they mention. Jon. iii. 2, 3. " Nineveh, a great city exceeding great, " greater than Babylon, (Strab. 1 16.) the greateft of all ci- ties, (Diodor. Sicul. 1. 2.) " Of three days journey," at 20 miles a-day, being 480 furlongs, above 60 miles, in cir- cumference, (Diod. ib,) ch. iv. n, " More than fix fcorc thoufand " children. This, by fome calculations, makes about 400,000, by others, 6,00,000 inhabitants. But the city was about 20 miles long, and 12 broad, (Diod. ib.) and flood on four times as much ground as Paris, which is com- puted at 700,000? or London, computed at 800,000 inha- bitants | therefore, there was full room for them. u And alfo much cattle, " there being in f:he eaftern jcities large fpaces for gardens and pafture, Newton on Proph. DifT. 9, Wells, ib. c. 5. $ 19, &c< |fa. xxi. i. Babylon is called ?' the defert (or plain) of the fea. " It was fituate in a plain always furrounded by wa- ters ; but of old, covered with water, and called the Sea, till drained by Semiramis, (Herod. 1. i. c. 184. Abyden. ap. Eufeb. ^raep. Evan. 1. 9. c. 41.) and became fo again after being taken by Cyrus, and flill continues ; which, pro- bably, is intimated here. Lcwth's Ifa. in loc. Newton on froph. |fa. xlv. 2. Babylon's " gates of brafs. " It had 100 fuch, befides others withii} the city. (Abyd. ib. Herod, ib. c, 179, 180, 181.) Lowth in loc, Newton, ib. Jer. li. 58. << The Iroad walls of Babylon. " They were 87 feet broad, ( Herod ib.) and could contain fix chariots abreaft^ (Diod. Sic. 1. 2.) Wells, ib. c. 3, J 4. 553, Knowledge of the feveral particulars which be- NATURAL HISTORY. 185 long to the defcription of countries, fliows the import and force of fuch fenti. ^ nts as are expreffed in allu- fion to them. Job xxviif. T9. " The topaz of Cufli. " Not Ethiopia, for it produces none ; but firft difcovered in Chitis, an Arabian jfland, (Pliny) and the name Arabic. Schultens in loc. i SECT, VI, Qf Natural History, 560, NATURAL HISTORY comprehends accounts of the qualities of all the kinds of natural bodies ; and, in general, all facls which fall not with entire propriety under any of the heads already mentioned ; and it con- tributes, in many inftances, to the illuftration of Scrip- ture, , 561. The Scripture fometimes profefledly mentions, or in part defcribes, particular bodies ; and it is only by means of natural hiftory, that the fenfe of thefe paf- fages can be truly afcertained, 1 Kings vi. 25. The famine was fo great, that the befieged bought at a high price ftW^rr (Keri p^Vil) " doves dung. " This would have been a ftrange food, and there are niany fancies about it. But the name is given by the Arabi- ans to a kind of pulfe, or peas, which is ufed ftill fried, both l86 NATURAL HISTORY. in Egypt and Paleftine, and carried as provifiona by the pil- grims to Mecca. Effay for New Tranflat. p. 2. c. I. 2. 562. Sometimes the Scripture exprefles fentiments in allufipn to, or by metaphors taken from, fome fact in natural hiftory, the knowledge of which only can fliow the import or propriety of thefe fentiments. Job xxx vii. 22. " Out of the north cometh int, (literally) gold. " It is generally taken figuratively, but very different- ly. Eng. " fair weather. " If the word here mean " gold. '* whence did it come ? It abounded in Colchis, (Strab. 1. 10. Appian.) which lay almoll diredtly north from Paleftine and Arabia. Schultens in loc. Reland. 563. Sometimes the Scripture defcribes characters in allufion to fome of the oojects of natural hiftory ^ and without the knowledge of thefe, we cannot ceive the nature of the characters meant. Gen. xvi. 12. " Immael will be ms a 'wild afs man. " wild afs is defcribed, Job xxxix. 5, &c. fierce, rain tameable. Immael was fuch, (Gen. xxi. 2C.) and f -,-<.. uis pofterity all along. Ifa. xxi. 17. Virgil, Georg. \. v. 48. Lucan, 1. 7. v. 230. Harris's Voyag. vol. 2 b i. c. 9. Bochart. Hieroz. p. I. 1.3. c. 1 6. Cleric, in loc. New- ton on Proph. Diff. 2. CHAP. LEARNING. 1*7 CHAP. VIIL Opinions and Learning. 564. THERE are many opinions, of different forts, the knowledge of which will contribute much to the illuftration of Scripture ; particularly, thofe of the He- brews, and thofe of ancient nations. 565. There are, likewife, fome parts of learning not properly reducible to the opinions of nations, which are fubfervient to the fame purpofe. 566. The religious opinions of ancient idolaters, their philoibphy, the Jewilh feels, prevailing opinions and writings, Chriitian writers ancient and modern, hnd Pagan writers^~all demand fome attention under jihis head. SECT. 1 88 RELIGIOUS OPINIONS. SECT. I. OftJie Religious Opinions of Ancient Nations. 567. THE Ifraelites were furrounded by, and at times connected with, the Egyptians, the Canaanitifh tribes, the Aflyrians, the Perfians, and other idolain.us nations ; the knowledge of whofe religion helps fome- times to illuflrate pafiages of Scripture. 568. Their religious opinions, their rites of worfhip founded on thefe, their fecret worfhip, or myfteries, their magical notions and ceremonies, are points, the knowledge of which has fome utility. 569. To thefe, feveral incidents in the Scripture have a reference ; and, therefore, are beft explained by them. Num. xxii. 6, 1 7. Balak fent two embaffies to Balaam j great anxiety for Balaam's curling Ifrael, appears through the whole hiftory. This was founded on the univerfal opinion of the efficacy of devoting an enemy. The Romans had public offi- cers for the purpofe, and a fet form of execration, (Macrob. Sat. 1. 3. c. 9.) Newton on Proph. Diff. 5. 570. Many of the ceremonial laws of the Hebrews have a reference to the idolatrous opinions of the neigh* bouring RELIGIOUS OPINIONS. 189 bouring nations, and their correfponding rites, being given in opposition to them ; and, therefore, derive light from the knowledge of them. Exod. xii. The paflbver was a memorial of the deliverance of the Ifraelites. But many circumftances of it were appointed in oppofition to Egyptian fuperftitions. Among them, " a lamb, or kid, " was not facrificed, but venerated. " A male, " was worfhipped as a fymbol of Hammon ; female facrifices were always preferred. " Eat no part raw, " as was ufual in folemn feftivals : " Not carried forth, " as was alfo ufual : '* No bone broken, " as pulled afunder in enthu- fiafm : " Not fodden, " as in folemn and magical rites : " Roafted with fire, " not by the heat of the fun : To be eaten with its purtenance, " the inteftines, which were referv- ed for divination : " No part to remain, but the fragments to be burnt, " which were ufually kept for charms and fuperlti- tious purpofes. Spencer de Leg. Heb. 1. 2. c. 4. Num. xix. 3, &c. " A heifer, " worfhipped as facred to Ifis. " Red, " moft adored. Spencer, ib. 571. In particular, the knowledge of the religious opinions and ceremonies of idolatrous nations, often iliows the meaning of Jewifli laws, given in reference and oppofition to them, which would, otherwife, be obfcure, or imperfectly underitood. Lev. xix. 29. " Do not proftitute thy daughter. " Deut. xxiii. 17. < There mall be no whore nor a Sodomite." Not prohibitions of thefe crimes in general, but under pretence of religion ; thefe were common in the worftiip of fome gods> and were reckoned acceptable to them. Spencer, ib. c. 22. 572- RELIGIOUS OPINIONS* 572. The knowledge of fuch opinions and cererricf* nies, fhows the utility, or importance of laws given ill contradiction to them, which would otherwife appear trivial. The law, Thou (halt not feethe a kid in its mother's milk, " feems trivial; yet it is repeated, Exod. xxiii. 19. xxxiv. 26- Deut. xiv. 21. An idolatrous and magical rite for fertiliz* ing. Spencer, ib. c. 8* Deut. xxii. 5. *' Men wearing women's clothes, or women men's, an abomination ; " a rite univerfally prevalent, from the opinion of a difference of fex in the gods, and tending to impurity. 573. The knowledge of fuch opinions and ceremo- nies, fhows the reafon of laws given in oppofition to them, which would otherwife appear to be arbitrary, or unneceffary. Lev. ii. IF. u Offer no leaven, nor honey ; " in oppofition to grofs ideas of the gods, as pleafed with delicacies ; honey was offered to the infernal and the hero gods. 574. There are, in Scripture, frequent allufions to the opinions and worfhip of the idolatrous nations, which cannot be underftoc d without the knowledge of thefe. Pfal. xvi. 4. " Drink-offerings of blood. " A. principal cere- mony is here put for the whole of idolatry ; in oppofition to which, the law was given for pouring out the blood of sacri- fices, and for the prohibition of eating blood. Jer. xliv. 17, 18. Worshipping " the queen of heaveri, " the moon, as the means of procuring " plenty. " It was the opinion of all, that plenty was procured by care in worfhip- ping demons j and thia opinion was imbibed by the Ifraelites. Ifa, PHILOSOPHY. Jfa. xlv. 6, 7. " I form light, and darknefs, peace, and evil. " It alludes to the Magian tenet of two principles, a good and an evil. Both are but the creatures of Jehovah. Lowth in loc. \ Ver. 19. " Not fpoken in fecret or dark place declare righte- oufnefs (truth) things that are right (give direft anfwers) ; " in oppofition to heathen oracles, which were given from ca* verns, and were ambiguous. Lowth in loc. SECT. II. 4 Of Ancient Learning and Philosophy. 575. THE Egyptians were very early eminent for their learning and wifdom ; there are references to it in Scripture ; and thefe derive light from what is known concerning it. Diod. Sic. 1 i. Herod. 1. 2. Strab. 1. 16. 17. Macrob. Somn. Scip. and Saturn. Diog. Laert. Pliny, Hift. Nat. Burnett Archseol. 1. I . Wotton on anc. and mod. learning. Warburt, Div. Leg. Univers. Hift. b. i. c. 3. f. z. 1 Kings iv. 30. " Solomon's wifdom excelled the wifdom of Egypt. " Ads vii. 22. " Mofes learned in all the wifdom of the Egyptians. " 576. There are other eaftern nations, likewife, who had learning and fciences, to which there are references in Scripture. j Kings it. 30. " the wifdom of the eaft country. " 577- 192 PHILOSOPHY. 577. There was a fpecies of philofophy, fuppofed to have taken its rife in Egypt, and, therefore, called the Egyptian, which prevailed, in refpeft of its general principles, though with many differences as to particu- lar tenets, in Syria, Chaldea, and Perfia, and thence called the Oriental. Molheim. Hift. Eccl. Saec. i. Michael. 100, &c. 578. Its fpeculations gave rife to fome of the reli- gious opinions and rites of the nations addicted to it, which were imitated by the Ifraelites, and are referred to in Scripture j and will affift in the explication of fuch paifages. Michael, ib. Ifa. Ixvi. 17. " That fan&ify themfelves ^im intf *mK behind one in the midit. " The fupreme God wag called One, and never appeared but furrounded with many JEons, or inferior fpirits, who were to be worfhipped along with him. (Michael. 100.) But there arc alfo other interpretations. Lowth in loc. 579. The Jews adopted many of the fpeculations of this philofophy, accommodated them to their own religious principles, and, by the combination, formed feverai tenets, particularly fables and genealogies of an- gels, to which there are references in Scripture j and it is from the nature of fuch fpeculations, that the paf- fages which refer to thefe are to be explained. 580. Many who were addicted to the Oriental phi- iofophy, having embraced Chriftianity, intermixed the tenets of the former with the doctrines of the latter,, and PHILOSOPHY. 193 and introduced ftrange notions, by means of the mix- ture, fo early, that there are references to them in the New Teftament. Mofheim, Hift. Eccl. fsec. I. Michael. 101. Macknight* Pref. to i John. 581. The fets of this kind, called, by a general name, Gnoflics, profefled fpeculative opinions, which are oppofed in fome paflages of Scripture, and which muft be known, in order to our underftanding thefe paflages. Mofheim. ib. Michael, ib. Macknight, ib. John i. I 18. has a reference to, and oppofes, the opinions of the Gnoftics, particularly Cerinthus. Jefus is called Aoyof, (towytntft (pug, fyn, xyrog, &c. in oppofition to thefe being different sec-hS of unequal dignity. Michael, 102. I John i. 1,2, 7. u. 22, 23. iv. 2, 3, 9, 14, 15. v. i, 5, 9, 10, II, 12, 13, 20. oppofed to feveral of their tenets. Michael. 150. 582. By different ways of reafoning from the fame fpeculative principles, fome of the Gnoftical feels de- duced a loofe morality, and others impofed unreafon- able aufterities ; to both which there are paflages of Scripture that have reference. Mofheim, ibi Macknight, ib. j John i. 5, 6, 7. ii. 3- 6. againfl placing religion in fubtile knowledge, not practice. Cli. iii. 4 10. v. 1 8, 21. againft the indifference of all a&ions, and the lawfulnefs of fenfual impurities. RCT. ii. 6. Deeds of the Nicolaitans* " 1 94 PHILOSOPHY* 583. The ancient Ifraelites having had no intef- courfe with the Greeks, there can appear no traces of their philofophy in the Old Teflament ; but, in confe- quence of the later intercourfe, both of the Jews, and of the apoftles, with thofe who ftudied that philofo- phy, there are fome references to it in the New. Beaufobre, Intr. 584. There are fome paffages which allude to the manner of philofophizing ; and which receive light from the knowledge of that manner. I Cor. i. 22, 23. The Greeks feek iav, " fubtle difquifi- tions and argumentation. 585. The Greek philosophers were divided into many feels, fome of which are mentioned, and fome of their tenets hinted at, in Scripture. Ads xvii. i9; " Epicureans and Stoics." v. 24, 25. God is defcribed, in oppofition to both, neither an idle being of hu- man lhape, nor a mere foul of the world, v. 26, 30. " the providence of God," not chance, nor fate. v. 27, 28, 29, '* God not far from us in him we live, c. his off- fpring ; " terms agreeable to the Stoics, contradi&ory to the Epicureans, v. 31. " Judgment;" the one doubted of a retribution, the other denied any future ftate. v. 32. " fome mocked ; " the Epicureans. u Others faid, We will hear thee again. " The Stoics had fome notions of a conflagration, and a renovation of things. 586. There are, in Scripture, hints of opinions commonly received in the Greek philofophy. i ThefT, SECTS TheflT. v. 53. nvivp# 9 -^w^j, wp* ; the cQnftituent parts of man in the opinion of alrnoft all fe&s. This opinion was fa- miliar to the Theffalonians. Critici, Benfon, Chandler, Macknight in loc. SECT. III. Of the Jewish Sects and Parties. 587. After the captivity, the Jews, From being ob- liged to ufe literal tranilations of the Scriptures, were led, gradually, to comment upon them ; which, giv- ing occafion to differences of opinion, produced dif- ferent fe&s among them, diftinguifhed both by their opinions and their practices. Lightfoot, in Mat. iii. 7. 3. Cunae. Rep. Heb. 1. 2. c. iy Beaufobre, Intr; 588. The Jewifh feels Were, principally, three ; the Pharifees, the Saducees, both of whom are often ex- prefsly mentioned in the New Teftament, and the Ef- fenes, who are never mentioned there, but to whofe tenets there are probably fome allufions. Lightfoot. Cunas. ib. 589. The Pharifees were the mod confiderable feft> both for numbers and for influence ; but, though o 2 the _ 196 JEWISH SECTS, the multitude followed them, that title was confined to men of leifure, rank, and fortune. Lightfoot, ib. . 2. Beaufobre, ib. 590. The Pharifees acknowledged a twofold fenfe in Scripture, the literal and the hidden j but princi- pally regarded the latter ; and, in giving it, indulged themfelves very much in allegories. 591. They received not only the written law, or the Scriptures, but alfo the unwritten, confiding of traditions, fuppofed to nave been conveyed orally by their fathers, moft of them from Mofes ; reckoned thefe of equaf authority with the Scripture ; and, by thefe, explained, or perverted it. Lightfoot, in Mat. xv. 2. Beaufobre, ib. Mark vii. 3. " Traditions of the elders ; " becaufe derived from their anceftors. Mat. xxiii. 4. Mark vii. 9, 13. Luke xL 46. " of the Pha- rifees ; " becaufe received and inculcated by them. 592. Their traditions included, not only explications of Scripture, but alfo inftituthms and ceremonies re- garding practice, founded folely upon them. 593. They affected great exa&nefs in explaining the law, and, likewife, in obferving all the ceremonies enjoined, either by it, or by their traditions ; and were oflentatious, hypocritical, and fuperftitious, in the ob- fervance of them. Jofeph. B. J. 1. I. 0.5. Beaufobre, ib. Ads xxvi. 5. **, " the ftri&eft, " exacleft, moll accurate fedt. " 594* JEWISH SECTS, 197 594. The Pharifees believed the refurredion, ,and future rewards and punifhmenfts. Jofeph. ib. c. 8. Beaufobre, ib. A&s xxiii. 6, &c. 595. But moft of them believed, at the fame time 9 a tranfmigration of at leaft fome fouls into other bo- dies. Jofeph.. Beaufobre, ib. John ix. 2. " Who did fin, this man," in a preexiftent ftate, " or his parents, that he was born blind $ " 596. The Saducees were not fo numerous, nor fo popular, as the Pharifees, Jbut very confiderable for their riches, Jid. ib. Lightfbot in Mat. iii. 7. 597. It is thought by many, that the Saducees received only the books of Mofes ; but others are of opinion that they acknowledged the whole of the Old Teftament. Grot, in Mat. xxii. 23. Simon, V. T. 1. i. c. 1 8. Beaufobre, ib. 598. They admitted only the literal and obvious fenfe of the Scriptures, rejecting all myftical and al- legorical interpretations. 599. They received only the written law, and re- je&ed all traditions, with the opinions and practices founded upon them. Jofeph. Ant. 1. 13. c. 10. 1. 18. c. i. Beaufobre, ib, o 3 600, JEWISH SECTS. 600. They believed no fpirit but God, denying the exiftence both of angels, and of human fouls after death. Beaufobre, ib. A&s xxiii. 8. Mat. xxii. 23, &c. 10 i. The Saducees were thus, both in their prin- ciples, and in their practices, perfectly oppofite to the Pharifees ; and a continual rivalfhip prevailed between them. Jofeph. Beaufobre, ib. Mat. xxii. 34. A$s xxiii. 7, &c. 602. The Saducees, notwithftanding the loofenefs of their opinions, were often in the magiftracy and the priefthood, and were remarkable for their feverity and cruelty ; which accounts for the bitternefs of their perfecution againfl Chriftians, whofe dodrine they all fiated, and few of them feem to have embraced. Jofeph. Ant. ib. and 1. 20. c. 9. Bel. Jud. 1. 2. c. 8, Beau- fobre, ib. A&s iv. i. Adls v. 17, 23, &c, 603. The Eifenes were not very numerous, and lived in retirement, aflbciating only with one another j and, for that reafon, probably, fell not in our Savi- our's way. Jofeph. Bel. Jud. 1. 2. c. 7. Philo. Mofheim, Hid. Eccl fasc. i. p. i. c. 2. 7, &c. Lardner, Cred. p. j. b. i. c. 4. 5. Beaufobre, ib. Marfh's Michael, vol. 4. ch. 15. fed. 2, &c. 604. They rejected tradition, receiving only theScrip- fures - 9 but they fet no value on the literal fenfe of thefe, but JEWISH SECTS- 199 but on a fpiritual fenfe, of which they fuppofed that to be only an emblem ; which they carried fo far, as not to offer any facrifices. 605. Their doctrine was a competition of the ori- ental philofophy, with the Jewifh religion ; and, there- fore, in many particulars, bore a great refemblance to that of the Gnoftics ; and was, perhaps, the immedi- ate occafion of the rife of thefe heretics among the Jewifh converts ; and, on this account, fome paflages of the New 1'eftament may refer almofl equally to either. Michael. 122 125, 136. Col. ii. 1 8. Q^crxaec ruv etyy&w, " worfhipping of angeis. " The Efienes were curious about, and anxious to conceal, the names of angels, and ufed them as mediators. K#e/3g- jSsvETo, w deceive by fubtle argument, " fuits their fpecula- tions, which were common to them with Gnoftics, and de- rived from the fame philofophy. Michael, ib. KnatchbuL in loc. 606. The EiTenes, reckoning ail matter evil and impure, believed only the immortality of the foul, but not the refurreclion of the body, which, they thought, is at prefent the prifon of the foul, and by being reunited to it, would only defile it. 2 Tim. ii. 17, 18. " The refurredion paft already," They did not deny it, like the Saducees, but allegorized it. To this they were led, v. 16. " by profane and vain babblings, " the fpeculations and refinements of their philofophy. Michael. 144. 607. In confequence of the fame principle con- o 4 cerning SOO JEWISH SECTS. \ cerning matter, they lived with extreme abftemiouf- nefs, ufmg only water, and the plained forts of food, mortified the body by fevere aufterities, and either forbade marriage altogether, or permitted no view in contracting it, but continuing the fpecies. Philo. Jofeph. Beaufobre. I Tim. iv. 3 8. " Forbidding to marry, " as unlawful. , To abftain from meats, " excefs of abftemioufnefs, or fuperfti- t;ion as to forts. " God hath created, every creature good, nothing to be refufed, " in opppfition to the fame practices, and the principle producing them. " Bodily exercife, " all their aufterities. Col. ii. 20 23. " Touch not, tafte not, handle not. " Max- ims pf the Efferies and auftere Gnoftics. " Doctrines of men, " human refinements. " Neglecting, " affliding the body, which is in no efteem, " as being made of evil matter. Knatchb. in loc. I Tim. v. 23. " Ufe a little wine ; " contrafted with their no tions, and infmuates a reproof of them. 608. They were, at once, a fanatical and fuperfli- tious fec~l, placing religion in filence and contempla- tion, imagining a fanftity and myfteries in numbers, rigid in their purifications, admitted only on a proba-. tion, and diftinguifhed into different orders. Philo. Jofeph. Beaufobre* 609. The Scribes and Lawyers, whom fome have reckoned different, but without fufficient reafon^ were not a diftinct feel, but a particular profeflion, for explaining the Scriptures, either in the fynagogues, or in the fchools ; and they were, generally at lead, of the Pharifees. Cameron^ JEWISH OPINIONS. Cameron, in Mat. xxii. 23. Lightfoot, in Mat. ii. 4. Beau- fobre, ib. ' Scribes, " often joined with " Pharifees, " becaufe they were of that fe& : and often with " priests, " becaufe many were fuch, and all their afiiftants ; as, to them, explaining the law originally belonged. Mat. ii. 4. 6 10. Profelytes were fuch perfons, of other nations, as had embraced the Jewifh religion ; and are, general- ly, reckoned to have been of two forts ; profelytes of the gate, who only embraced a part of it ; and, pro- felytes of righteoufnefs, who embraced the whole of it ; though a few have denied this diftin&ion. Maimon. de Profelyt. Jofeph. Beaufobre,, SECT. IV. Of Jewish Opinions. 61 1. FOR underftanding any writing, it is of -great importance to know the opinions of thofe to whom it is addrefled, concerning any part of the fubject of it. 612. Befides thofe opinions, which formed the ge- neral chara&eriftics of the Jewifh fe&s, others were common to them all, or, though inculcated chiefly by one feet, were not oppofed by the reft j and there are many 202 JEWISH OPINIONS. many of thefe, the knowledge of which throws light upon the Scriptures. 613. Such of their opinions as were truly derived from the Scriptures, were co-incident with the doctrines there taught ; the knowledge of them is the fame with knowledge of the fenfe of the paffages which teach them ; and explications of them may contribute to the interpretation of Scripture. 614. But, many of their opinions, either arofe from their perverfions of Scripture, or were taken from the notions of the neighbouring nations ; and the know- ledge of thefe is neceffary for explaining fuch paf- fages of Scripture, as allude to, reprove, or confute them. 615. Their doctrine concerning the moral law, That it regarded only overt acts, and required only external obedience, but extended not to the inward motions, affections, or intentions, gives a key to fuch paffages of Scripture as are levelled againft it. D. Kimchi, in Pfal. Ixvi. 18. Mat. v. 20. " Righteoufnefs of the fcriles, " &c. that is, in- culcated by them, namely, external, v. 21 26. " Mur- der. " v. 2732. " Adultery." r. 3337. " Oaths." v. 38 42. Retaliation. " v. 43- 48. Hatred. " Ch. vi. i 18. " Alms, prayer, fading." 6 1 6. The opinions of the Jews concerning the Mef- fiah, which prevailed at the time of Chrlfl's coming, were. That he was then to appear * j That he would be a JEWISH OPINIONS. 203 a prophet % and work miracles 3 ; but, chiefly, That he would be their temporal king, and raife them to the empire of the world 4 : which opinions not only pre- vailed, likewife, among the Samaritans, but gained fome reception among other nations ; and they illustrate many paffages, and account for many fads, in the New Tef- tament. Jofeph. Sueton. Tacitus. 1 Mat. xxvi. 63. Luke ii. 25, 26. iii. 15. xxii. 66. John i. 19, 24. iv. 25, 29,42. x. 24. * John i. 21. iv. 25, &c. vi. 14. Lardner, Credib. p. I. b. I. c. 5. } I, 3, 4. 3 John vii. 3 1 . -* Hence John met with a general welcome, from the general expectation ; Jefus with a lefs general, from their falfe idea. He was always rejected by the rulers, who perceived his contrariety to that idea ; better received by the people, who were lefs difcerning ; deferted by many who once followed him, becaufe he anfvvered not their idea. He was feldom explicit in declaring himfelf the Chrift, in order to avoid the confequences of their explaining it by their idea ; nofc fo in John iv. 26. Mark v. 19. Luke viii. 39. becaufe there was no rifle of thefe confequences. He encouraged their procelfion (which was a proclaiming of him king, 2 Kingg ix. 7.) into Jerufalem, becaufe no inconvenience could then arife ; they were foon eager for his crucifixion, becaufe dif- appointed in their hope j but they grew fond of his difciples, Acts v. 26. and their hope revived. Lardner, ib. Macknight, Harm. {26. 617. The Jews believed that jufti'fkation belonged peculiarly to their nation ; and that, on account of the piety of their anceftors, their" knowledge of the law, and 204 JEWISH OPINIONS. and the obfervance of its ceremonies ; notions confuted in the epiitles, (particularly to the Romans), and necef- fery to be known for our understanding the confutation. Michael, $ 129, 6 1 8. They thought that God had elected them to be his people, fo abfolutely, that he was bound to fulfil his promifes to their nation, unconditionally; and that a prophet ought not to pronounce predictions againfl them ; but, on the contrary, to intercede for them, and wish his own name to be expunged ; an opinion which is combated in fome pafTages of Scrip- ture, and gives a key to them. Michael. } 130, 132. Rom. ix. i 5. The fubjeft very cautioufly introduced, v. 6 29. The opinion directly confuted, v. 30 x. n. Par- ticular application to themfelves. Ch. xi. God's promife, notwithftanding, kept. 619. The Jews, after their captivity, entertained many groundlefs opinions, borrowed, probably, from the Chaldeans, and confirmed by their intercourfe with the Egyptians, Syrians, and Arabians ; the extravagant notions, for inftance, of all except the Saducees, con- cerning angels, their names, their orders, and their offices. 620. They like wife adopted magical notions, and addicted themfelves to arts and fuperftitions corre- fpondent to them ; to which there are fome references in Scripture. Michael. $125. Mat. xii. 24, 27. As xix. 13, 621. JEWISH OPINIONS. 205 621. There has been an opinion of confiderable anti- quity among the Jews, probably borrowed from the hea- thens, that it Was unlawful to pronounce the name nVT> ; and fome even fcrupled to write it ; a fuperllition which has had a great effect on their copies of the bible, es- pecially the latter MSS. and thofe of the oriental Jews. Ken. Difs. i. p. 158, 320, 355, 540. Walton, ProL 8. 19. 622. In consequence of this fuperftition, that name has, in their copies, been often changed into other names of God ED^nbtf or WK, in fome places where the very connexion requires it % in many where it is ftill found in fome MSS. % and in others where it is indicated by parallel texts and the ufage of Scripture 3 ; and in all thefe cafes it may be fafely determined that is the original and genuine reading. Ken. ib. and p. 354. 1 Gen. xxii. 8. Abraham fays rrK*i> tJ>nVK, " God will pro- " vide. " But it fhould be mrp ; for v. 14. it is faid rnn TIKV ; by which miftake in v. 8. and a wrong pointing in v. 14. (not HKV, as there, but n*n> " fhall be feen "] the latter has been obfcured and mifunderftood. It fhould be, " Abraham " called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh, becaufe he had " faid that day in the mount, Jehovah will provide. " He did fay fo, v. 8. and God had provided, v. 13. Ken. ib* p. 510. * Printed ^"W, MSS. nw, Gen. xx. 4. ^MSS. 9. 2 Kings xix. 23. MSS. 14. Pfal. ii. 4. MSS. 61. Ifa. vi. i. MSS. 51. v. S. MSS. 44. v. ii. MSS. 33. Ifa. vii. 14. MSS. 25. v. 20. MSS. 18. Printed QnrbK, Ifa, vii. 13. MS. i. **. 206 JEWISH WRITERS. Ken. ib. p. 510, 354, 522, 503, et in loc. Lowth in loc 3 I Chron. xi. 19. corrected by 2 Sara, xxiii. 17, and by ufage. I Sam. xxiv. 5. xxvi. n. I Kings xxi. 3. Pfal. Ixviii. mn* fix times, MS. ; three of which alfo Judg. v. 4, 5. Ken. ib. p. 155, &c. 623. In confequence of the fame fuperftition, the Jewifh tranfcribers fometimes interpolated WX before ftW, omitting likewife D^rfrtf when it followed this latter, in order to prevent a reader's inadvertently pro- nouncing the ineffable name. 2 Sam. vii. 23, 24. This is done fix times ; but corrected by i Chron. xvii. 21, 32. by the punctuation, by fome MSS. and by the Chald, Syr. and Vulg. Ifa. Ixi. i. corre&ed by Luke iv. 18. by 70. Vulg. Arab. MSS. alfo v. ii. Zeph. i. 7. MSS. 8. Ken. Diff. i. p. 459, 510, 503, et in loc. Lowth in loc. SECT. V. Of tJie Jewish Writers. 624. LEARNING includes the knowledge of books, as well as of facts and opinions ; and there are different kinds of books ufeful in Scripture criticifm ; the firil of which is the books of the Jewim writers, exclufive of their targums, which have been already mentioned. (Ch. IV. Sea. I.) 625. JEWISH WRITERS. 625. Philo, a learned Jew of Alexandria, wrote foon after the birth of Chrift, and feveral of his works are extant. 626. They contain many quotations from the Scrip- tures, which may mow how the text then flood in the original, or at leaft in the 70 verfion. Exod. xx. 3, 4, 5, 6. Late editions have thefe verfes as one commandment ; but Philo, as two. v. 1 7. as two, in Edit, but, as one, in Philo, and in moft MSS. Ken. Diff. 2. p. 351. Diff. Gen. 15, 29, 165, et in loc. 627. They contain accounts of many of the cuftoms of the Jews ; of their opinions, efpecially fuch as were derived from the oriental philofophy, to which he was addi&ed ; and of facts, particularly relating to their ftate under the Roman emperors ; fit to throw light on many paflages of Scripture. Simon, V. T. c. 1 7. Beaufobre, Introd. 628. Jofephus, a prieft and a Pharifee, flourimed foon after the death of Chrift, and wrcte after the taking of Jerufalem by the Romans. His works are, Jewifh Antiquities ; Jewifli War ; Againft A % -. pion ; His own Life. 629. As he often tranflated the Scriptures, and as, much oftener, his fubjeft coincides with them, fome of his works are of great ufe for mowing how they then flood, and may afli ft in either confirming or correcting readings. 2O8 JEWISH WRITERS* Exod. xx. 3 6, 17. Antiq. Jud. L 3. c. 5. He confirms the chronology of the ?o, from the creation td Abraham. Antiq. 1. i. 630. His writings contain accounts of many Jewifh cuftoms and opinions, and of the different feds, which contribute very much to the illuftraiion of Scrip- ture. 631. They contain many facts, particularly fuch as relate to the civil and religious (late of the Jews about the time of Chrift, which being fuppofed, alluded to, or mentioned, in paffages of Scripture, enable us to enter into the meaning of thefe paffages. 632. His accurate and minute detail of many of the events of his own time, and, above all, of the Jewifh war, and the fiege and definition of Jeru- falem, affords us the means of perceiving the accom- plimment of many of Chrift's predictions, efpecially of his circumftantial prediction of the downfall of the Jewifh nation and religion. 633. The Talmud contains the oral, or unwritten, law, which had been handed down by tradition ; it was held in high eftimation by the Jews, and, by many of them, preferred to the Scripture ; but there were al- ways fome who thought more reafonably of it. Buxtorf. Abbrev. p. 221 225. Ken. Diff. 2. p. 441. DHL Gen. $32. 634. It confifls of two parts ; the firft, the Mifnah, or text, which was firft written ; according to fome, irt the JEWISH WRITERS. the fecond, according to others, in the fourth or fifth century. Ken. ib. 635. The fecond, the Gemara, or Commentary on the Mifnah ; which is twofold ; one compiled by the Jews of Palefline, it is fuppofed by fome between the years 300 and 400, by others, about 600, which (to- gether with the Mifnah) is called the Jerufalem Tal- inud ; the other, about 206 years later, by the eaftern Jews, and called the Talmud of Babylon, which is moft efteemed j but both are full of abfurd fables^ Ken. ib. 636. The Talmud contains many quotations frorri Scripture; and in thefe are many readings different from thofe of the later and Maforetic copies ; in adopting which, caution is neceflary, on account of its inaccu- racy ; feveral being falfe, but feveral alfo preferable, and fome of confiderable importance. Ken. DhT. 2. ib. Biff. Gen* 33, 34, 35^ Simon, V. T. 1. i, c. 20* Buxtorf. Anticriti 1. 2. c* ?2. CapelL Lev. xvii ii. " Aaron fhall lay both (vr) his hand." Heb,- abfurd ; but the Talmud has W J and fo the Keri, and above 30 MSS. t Chron. xxvi. 5. Zechariah had undemanding (nx^in) iii the vifions of God. " This is obfcure and unufual. The Talmud has riNY^ " in the fear ; " and fo about 50 MSS- 70. Arab* Syr. Ken. ib. & in loc. 637. The Talmud can give no afliftance in interpret* v ing JEWISH WRITERS. ing Scripture, by its explications of particular texts, which are generally allegorical, fcarcely ever literal ; or by its hiftory and chronology, which are totally er- roneous ; but it gives confiderable affiftance, by pre- ferving many Jewifh traditions, maxims, opinions, and cuftoms, which are mentioned or alluded to in Scripture. Lightfoot Pracf. in Mat. Simon, V. T. 1. 3. c. 6. 638. The Mafora is a collection of traditionary re- marks, concerning the text of the Old Teftaraent; and is twofold, the greater, and the leiTer. Buxtorf. Tiberias. Walton, Prol. 8. I. Simon, V. T. 1. i. c. 24, 25, 26. Houbig. Prol. c. i. a. 3. Ken. DifT. 2. j>. 262 291. DifT. Gen. 37 40. 639. It contains remarks of very different kinds, and of different degrees of importance ; which, however, may be all reduced to two heads. The firfl is called by fome, the ancient Mafora, and regards the various readings of the text ; it includes Ittur Sopherim (ab- latio fcribarum), Tikkun Sopherim (correctio fcriba- rum), Keri, or various readings collected from MSS. agreeing mod with the oldeft MSS. and, except four- teen, found all in fome MSS. Hill extant, fome con- jectural emendations (feverim), and the defective places marked by a pifka. Simon, ib. c. 26. Walton, Prol. 8. 18 26. Houbig. ib. Ken. ib. 640. The other part of it. confifts of minute obfer- vations JEWISH WRITERS; 211 vations concerning the number of letters, words, verfes, and fections, in each book, and in the whole Bible ; concerning their pofition, and irregularities in writ- ing them ; and concerning the vowel points and ac- cents. Walton, ib. 2 10. Simon, ib. c. 25; Ken; ib. 641. Some of the Jews, very abfurdly, afcribe the Mafora to Mofes, and mod of them to Ezra, though a few of them acknowledge their ignorance of its age, or allow it to be modern ; but it is a collection of remarks made at different times, begun, moft probably, in the 6th century, in imitation of the Arabians, containing, however, obfervations more ancient, gradually carried on by different perfons, particularly the Jews of Tibe- rias, and ended about the beginning of the 9th cen- tury. Walton, ib. IT, 12, 18. Simon, ib. c. 25. and 1. 3. c. 23. Houbig. ib. Ken, DifT; 2. ib. & Diff. Gen. 40. 642. It has been extolled by the Jews in general, and by many Chriftians, as fufficient for correcting all the miftakes which had crept into the copies of the Bible, and for preventing any miftakes from creeping in afterwards ; but to thefe purpofes it is totally inade- quate ; the latter part of it is infignificant and ufelefs ; the former part is ufeful, but neither accurate and com- plete, nor always judicious. Walton, ib 13 17. Simon, ib* Ken. ib* 643* The Jews have a Cabala, -whicji, too, they ri- * 2 diculouflf 2T2 JEWISH \VRITER3. d' uloufly reprefent as a collection of traditions, handed down from Mofes, but of which they probably received the idea, either from the Babylonians, during their cap- tivity, or, from the oriental philofophy, after their re- turn ; it is employed in deducing myfteries from letters, words, or points, confidered in certain fanciful lights. D'Efpeires de Text. Heb. Difp. 2. Dub. 5. Hottinger. Thefaur. Philol. 1. i. c. 3. 5. Morin. Exercit. 2. c. 7, 8, 9. Walton, Prol. 8. 30* &c. Simon, ib. 1. 3. c, 23. 644. It is of different kinds ; Gematria, deducing myfteries from a word, by comparing it with, or ex- plaining it by another, whofe letters, as ufed in rota- tion, amount to the fame fum T ; ISJotarion, by making each letter (land for a word, of which it is the initial, and thus from one word forming a fentence 2 ; Permu- tation, by combining the letters of a word differently, changing their order, or fubftituting in their place others fuppofed analogous to them, for their pofition in the alphabet, or fome other reafon equally chime- rical 3 , Jid. Walton, ib. 34 37. Simon, ib. 1. 3. c. 6. 1 Zech. iii. 8. * Exod. xv. n. 3 Exod. xxiii. 23. 645. Many of the Jews fet a high value on the Ca- bala, and even prefer it to the Scripture, as giving the Ipiritual meaning of the law ; but it is truly a fanci- ful and impious method of wrefting Scripture to what- ever fenfe one pleafes, equally void of folidity and ufe. Walton, ib. 30, 38. . 646, JEWISH WRITERS. 21.3 646. The Jews have, likewife, a pra&ical Cabala, which is a fpecies of magic, being a method of ufmg letters and words as charms for curing difeafes, work- ing miracles, obtaining intercourfe with angels, and the like ; and this is not only ufelefs, but deteftable. Walton, ib. 33. 647. All the other Jewifh writers are comprehended under the name of Rabbins ; and their works are of different kinds, and different degrees of utility. 648. Though mod of them extol the Mafora, and adhere to the text, as determined by it ; yet many of them bear teflimony to the variation of copies, and in their quotations give readings different from the receiv- ed ones ; and fome have made collections of various readings, as of the oriental and occidental MSS. of Ben Aftier and Ben Naphtali. Ken. Diff. Gen. 41, 42, 43. 649. Some of the Rabbinical writers employ them- felves wholly on the grammar of the Hebrew language, which they took from the Arabians, and in which they have affe&ed great fubtlety ; by this they contributed much to the knowledge of that language, and, confe- quently, to the underftanding of the Old Teftament ; but all that is ufeful in them, may now be much more eafily learned from later works. 650. In their interpretations of Scripture, they are ? 3 Cither 214 JEWISH WRITERS. either literal, allegorical, or cabaliflical j and fome of them unite all thefe three modes. Bechai. 651. Many of them, efpecially the moft ancient, are wholly fet on allegorizing the Scriptures ; and thefe are of no ufe, except their fables happen now and then to throw light on opinions referred to in Scripture. Jarchi. 652. Their cabaliflical interpretations are ridiculous, and altogether ufelefs. Ramban. Abraham Seba. Mofes Negara, &c. 653. The literal method of interpreting Scripture was revived among the Jews, by fome who rejected all their traditions, allowing authority only to the written word, explained according to reafon, and were, on this account, called Caraites, and regarded as a dif- tincl: fed, from about the middle of the 8th century. Simon, V. T. 1. i. c. 27. 1. 3. c. 5, 6. & Catalog. Auth. Jud. Beaufobre, Intr. Aaron. 654. Many of the Rabbinical writers who cenfure the Caraites, and do not reject all tradition, yet employ thernfelyes chiefly in finding out the literal fenfe of Scripture, though often with too minute attention to the fubtleties of their grammar, or too great an inter- mixture of their philosophical notions. Simon, ib. Aben Ezra. Maimonides. Kimchi. Levi J3en Gerfon. A- brabanel. Mordochai. Lombrpfo. Abcn Melech. 655= CHRISTIAN WRITERS. 215 655. The Rabbinical writers have mnny explications of Scripture handed down \o them by tradition, or con- tained in MSS. to which there is not general accefs ; feveral of them juft, and, therefore, highly ufeful. 656. They likewife apply much to the fludy of the Hebrew language, and have great knowledge of it, which enables them to give the fenfe of Scripture ; and, particularly, they preferve many idioms, phraf- es, and modes of expreflion, ufed by their anceftors, which belt iliuftrate texts in which fimilar ones oc- cur. Mat. xii. 36. " Every idle word (^px et^yav) they mall give account thereof, " their eafy, ordinary converfation, whether good or bad, (Kimchi in Pfal. i. 3.) ; we (hall be examined concerning our {lighter difcourfe, as well as our more deli- berate. SECT. VI. Of the Ancient Christian Writers. 657. THE writings of the ancient Chriftians, call- ed the Fathers, are of fome ufe in criticifm, both with refpect to the reading, and the fenfe. 658. They contain many quotations from the ori- ginal, at leaft of the New Teftament ; and all have a- P 4 greed, 2*6* CHRISTIAN WRITERS* greed, that thefe may fupply various readings, fome of them genuine ; though not concerning the degree of authority due to the.m. 659. Some, affirming that they frequently quote inaccurately, or only from memory, determine that they give no authority, or very littje, to any reading \vhich is not eftablifhed by MSS. Michael. 30. Pfaff. e, 12. can. 3. Whitby Exam. Millii, 1. i. c. i. 660. Others, particularly Popifh writers, think, that their works being more ancient than any MSS, now extant, the quotations found in them are the beft means of fettling the genuine reading, and ought to have the greateft authority. Dupin, DifT. Prelim. Michael, ib. 66 1. The truth feems to be, that they generally quoted Scripture very exa&ly, as they had it jn their copies ; and, therefore, when a reading followed by them agrees with any ancient MS., it is, probably, the genuine reading. Wetflein, Prol. c. 16. can, 14. Pfaff. ib. Mat. vi. i. tl Do not sA^airyyjjy, alms. " So moft copies. But SixxitFvw, *' righteoufnefs, " in 2 ancient MSS., Vulg,, moft Fathers, and moft agreeable tp fhp Scripture ftyle. Pearee in loc. 662. The total filence of the Fathers concerning a reading which would have confirmed their opinion in a Controverted CHRISTIAN WRITERS, 217 controverted point, juftly renders that reading fufpi- cious. Wetflein, ib. 663. The Fathers generally take their quotations from the 70 verfion ; and the Latin Fathers quote Scripture according to the Latin verfions then in ufe ; they therefore fhow what was then read in thefe ver- fions. 664. Concerning the ufefulnefs of the Fathers for the interpretation of Scripture, there are very different opinions ; fome, particularly the generality of Popifh writers, reckon their authority abfolute, and their in- terpretations facred. 665. Others, confidering their interpretations, as received by the mod ancient of them from the apoftles, or their immediate hearers, and fuccefiively tranfmitted to the reft, allow them fo great authority, efpecially when feveral agree in them, that they ought to be adopted, except there be the moft cogent reafons againft them, 666. Others confider their interpretations as entitled to no authority, except what they derive from their appearing juft, on a fair examination of them ; but" differ concerning the degree of this authority. 667. Moft of the Fathers being totally ignorant of the Hebrew language, and many of the Latiry Fathers ignorant of the Greek, as well as of the rules of criti- cifm : 2l8 CHRISTIAN WRITERS. cifm ; their literal explications of Scripture are often lame and fuperficial. 668. In their polemical works, they often ftretch the Scripture, in order to favour the doctrines which they maintained. 669. In their homilies, when they (lick to the lite- ral fenfe, they ftudy not fo much to determine it with accuracy, as to accommodate the mod obvious mean- ing to their fubject, or to apply it to practical pur- pofes in a rhetorical manner. Chryfoftom. Bafil. 670. Even fuch of them as did not wholly neglect the literal fenfe of Scripture, are fond of allegorizing -it, and drawing from it myftical meanings, which are altogether fanciful, and of no ufe. Origen. Auguftine. Hilary. Ambrofe. CyriL 671. The later Fathers generally borrowed the in- terpretations of fome of the earlier, with ibme varia- tions. Hilary, Origen's. Ambrofe, Origen's, and BafiPs. Caffio- dorus, Auguftine's. Rabban, Jerome s. 672. It became cuftomary, in later times, to make compendious collections of the different explications of texts of Scripture given by the Fathers ; which were called Catenas ; and contain, fome good, and many trifling. Procop. Nicet. Lipoman. CHRISTIAN WRITERS. 219 673. Many juft interpretations of Scripture, and fome good rules for interpreting it, may be collected from the works of fome of the Fathers, and will be of great advantage. Origen. Auguftin. de Do&rin. Chrift. Hieronym. Comment. Sec. Theodoret. Queft. & Comment. SECT. VII. Of Modern Christian Writers. 674. EVER fince the revival of learning, Chriflians have beftowed confiderable attention on the Scrip- tures ; and, befides improved editions, and verfions of them, have produced many works, of feveral kinds, which contribute much to Scripture criticifm. 675. Collections of various readings are the only means of making MSS., copies, and verfions, exten- fively ufeful, by enabling thofe who have not accefs to all or many of them, to form a judgment concerning the genuine readings of Scripture ; and many fuch collections have been made, firfl, with refpect to the New Teflament, and, more lately, with refpeft to the Old. Laurent. Valla, Annotat. Erafmus, Comment. Stevens, Noy. 220 CHRISTIAN WRITERS. NOV. Teft. Grotius, Comment. Hammond, Annot. Lu- cas Brugenfis, Comment, in Evang. Walton, Polyglot. torn. 6. Curcellaeus, Fell, Gerard of Maeftrichi, Mill, Kuster, Wetftein, Bengelius, Griefbach, in editions of the N. T. Jo. Hen. Michaelis, Houbigaut, Kennicott, in edi*. tions of the O. T. 676. Moft of the capital editions of the Scriptures are accompanied with prolegomena, or diflertations, which contain many critical obfervations, particularly concerning the true reading of Scripture, and the means of determining it ; and there are many other treatifes, adapted chiefly or only to the fame purpofe. Walton, Proleg. Houbigant, Proleg. Kennicott, Difiert. General. Mill. Kufter. Wetftein. Griefbach, Proleg. Morin. Exercitat. Bibl. Capell. Critic. Sac. Kennicott's Diflertations and Remarks on Sele& Paflages in the O. T. Michaelis's Introd. Marfh's Tranflation. Eichhorn's Introd. Campbell's Diflertations. 677. Concordances are ufeful, not only for readily finding particular paiTages of Scripture, but for com- paring fuch as are parallel, and for difcovering the meaning of words and phrafes in the feveral places where they are ufed ; and there are many works of this kind adapted to the Bible, both in the original languages, and in that of the feveral verfions. Heb. O. T. Buatorf. Calafio, Taylor, Greek N. T. Stevens. Schmid. Xiftus Betuleius. 70 Verfion. Kircher. Abrah. Trpmmius. Vulgate. CHRISTIAN WRITERS. 221 Vulgate. Hugo Cardinal. Alberftad. Ltica. Peliican. R. H. Stevens. Jun. & Tremell. Englifh Verfiofc. Dowuham. Cotton. Newman. Cambridge. Cruden. 678. Commentaries are profeffed explications of Scripture ; and there are many fuch explications, ei- ther of the whole Scripture, or of particular books, by Chriftians of all denominations ; but which have very different degrees of merit. 679. The commentaries of Popifh writers are gene- rally filled with the feveral explications of the different Fathers, moft of which are merely allegorical ; or with fcholaftic fubtleties j and fome of them contain almoft nothing elfe. Cornelius a Lapide. Pererius. Leo Caftro. 680. But, many of the Popifh commentators, along with the opinions of the Fathers, and a fuperfluity of controverfial differtations, are at pains to investigate the true and literal fenfe of Scripture, from the nature of the language *, the comparifon of the ancient ver- fions \ or the writings of the Rabbins 3 , or from feve- ral of thefe together 4 . 1 ajetan. Oleafler. Toftatus. Ribera. Malvenda. Mari- ana. Nicolaus Lyranus. Paulus Burgenfis. Laurentiui Valla. 2 Bonfrerius. Genebrard. Bellarmin. 3 Serarius. De Muys. 4 Titei- -.-ar.. Auguftinus Eugubinus. Maldonatus. Eftius, Gordon. 681. 222 CHRISTIAN WRITERS. 68 1. There are many commentaries on the Scrip- tures, by Proteftant writers, written in very different manners : fome of them mow no great knowledge of the original languages, nor are very critical ; but are chiefly occupied either about theological queftions, or practical obfervations. Luther. Calvin. Zuinglius. Gallafms. Peter Martyr. 682. Others, along with theological and practical difquifitions, give a critical explication of the fenfe of Scripture. Molerus. Mufculus. 683. Others confine themfelves, wholly, to a criti- cal explication of the Scriptures, and apply to it, either grammatical knowledge of the language J , the ancient verfions % the kindred languages 3 , the examination of Scripture itfelf 4 , or the feveral kinds of learning, hifto- rical, rabbinical *, claffical 6 , which can be conducive to it ; or feveral of thefe means together 7 . 1 Mercerus. Fagius. Bain. Forerius. Vatablus. Mafius. Codurcus. Liveleius. Ainfworth. ~- Wall's Critical Notes. 3 De Dieu. Pocock. Schultens. 4 Locke. Taylor. Pearce. Benfon. Brennius. Crellius. Slichtingius. 5 Munfter. Lightfoot. 6 Caftalio. Cafaubon. 7 Drufius. Grotius. Patrick. Lowth. Hammond. Whitby- Pool. Macknight. Horfeley on Hofea. 684. There are many obfervations or difTertations on CHRISTIAN WRITERS. on particular pafiages, which generally confider them with greater accuracy than commentaries on whole books, but are conducted on different principles, and executed with different degrees of {kill. Hackfpan. Knatchbull. 685. There are feveral treatifes employed in laying down general principles of criticifm, or rules for the explication of Scripture. Arise Montani praefationes. De la Haye quaeft. preliminar. Sixti Senens. Bibliotheca fan&a. Lindanus de optimo genere in- terprctationis. Mafii prsefationes. Matth. Flacc. Illyrici Clavis fcripturx. Hottinger. Glaflii Philolog. facra. jLowth prasleft. de facra poefi Hebreorum. Herder's Dialogues on Hebrew Poetry. Campbell's Preliminary DifTertations and Gofpels. Macknight on Gofpels and Epiftles. 686. There are many works written on particular fubje&s related to the Scriptures, and of great ufe for underftanding them. UfTer. et Capell. facra chronolog. Bocbarti, Phaleg. et Hiero- zoicon. Spencer de legibus Hebraeorum. 687. Among the works of Chriflian writers, ufeful in Scripture criticifm, muft be reckoned Harmonies ; but thefe may be confidered with greater advantage af- terwards. SECT, PAGAN WRITERS* . vnr. Of Pagan Writers. 688. EVEN Pagan writers, efpecially the ancient, may be rendered, in different ways, fubfervient to the illuflration of Scripture. 689. Pagan writers ufe words and phrafes coinci- dent with, or analogous to, thofe of the facred writers, and fit for afcertaining the meaning, or ihowing the force and propriety, of thefe. Ifa. i. 5. On what part will ye ilrike again ? " Ovid. Pont. 2. 7. 42. Euripid. Here. Fur. 1245. Lowth's Ifaiah in loc. 690. Pagan writers often employ the fame images with the facred, fo as to throw light on their import, and, generally, fo as to fet off their fuperior excel- lence, Ifa. ii. 4. " Beat fwords into ploughfhares, " &c. an image of peace. " Falx ex enfe. " Lowth in loc. JoeLiii. 10. " Ploughfhares into fwords," &c. an image of war r " Falces in enfem. " Virg. Georg. i. 506, &c. " Deraftri pondere caflis. " Ovid. Faft. i. 697, &c. Lowth, ib. Ifa. viii. 6, 7, 8. Spft waters of Sbiloahy the wa- ters PAGAN WRITERS. 225 ters of the river (Euphrates) ftrong and many," &c. By thefe images, the two countries are finely contrafted. In Tyberim Orontes. " Juvenal. " Euphrates ibat mollior. " Virg, JE.n. 8. 1. 726. the fame image, but without the cou- traft. Lowth in loc. Ifa. xi. 6 8. There is here greater beauty, variety, and force, than in the images of the renewal of the golden age, in Virg, Eel. 4. L 22, 24. Horat. Theocr. Jones, Poes. Afiat. Comment, p^ 380-. L,owth in loc. Ifa. xxix. 8. xxxi. 4, 5. xxxii. 2. xlv. 2. xlix. 2. Lowth in loc. Rev. viii. 8. " A great mountain ; " a warlike hero. Virg. JEii, 12. 1. 701. V. 10. "A great ftar;" a prince. Homer, IL 4. 1. 75. 691. Pagan writers contain fentiments, opinions, and fads, which, in different ways, caft light on paf- fages of Scripture. Dan. ii. 32, 33. Four empires, and periods of time, are repre- fented by gold, filver, brafs, and iron ; agreeably to the re- ceived opinion concerning the four ages of the world. Hefiod. Newton on Proph. Pfal. Ix. 8. cviii. 9. " Moab is my ivajk-pot ; " an emblem of being low and contemptible, which is illuftrated by the itory of Amafis forming a bafon into an image. Herodot. 1. 6, Findlay, Vindjcat. p. 2. c. I. f. 5. PART PART II. THE OBJECTS OF SCRIPTURE CRITICISM, 692. -L HE objefts of Scripture criticifm are, the fe- veral forts of difficulties which occur in the facred writings, and which muft be removed, in order to our rightly underftanding thefe writings. 693. As all difficulties muft regard either the read- ing, or the fenfe, criticifm is twofold > corrective or emendatory, being employed in determining the true reading 1 ; and explanatory or interpretative, difcover- ing the genuine fenfe ; under the latter of which may naturally enough be comprehended whatever regards the beauties or the peculiarities of compofition in Scripture. ^Harris's Philolo^. Inquir. part i. 6 94 , 228 OBJECTS OF SCRIPTURE CRITICISM. 694. Difficulties regarding the fenfe are of different kinds ; there are difficulties in feparate words, in conftru&ion, idiom, phrafes, and figures, in fcope, and connexion, and other circumftances, in reconcil- ing Scripture to itfelf to the principles of reafon and morality to hiftory ; and there are difficulties of a complicated nature. Thefe give a proper divifion of explanatory criticifm, to which we (hall proceed, after haying given a view of the emendatory. CHAP, BMENDATORY CRITICISM. 229 CHAR I. Corrective, or Emendatory Criticim. 695. THE Scriptures, as well as all other writings,, being preferved and diffufed by tranfcription, were unavoidably liable to be corrupted ; and in the copies of them, different readings are actually found ; whence arifes the neceffity of criticifm, for determining the true reading. 696. In order to this, it will be proper to afcertain the nature of a various reading to point out the fources of falfe readings to diftinguifh the feveral kinds of them and to lay down rules for judging of the ge- nuine reading. ft 3 SECT. 230 NATURE OF A VARIOUS READING, SECT I. The Nature of a Various Reading. 697. HOWEVER plain the meaning of a various read- ing may feem to be, it has been fometimes underftood, fo as to introduce confufion or miftake. 698. Some have allowed the name, only to fuch readings as may poflibly have proceeded from the au- thor ; but this reftridtion is improper. Whitby Exam. V. L. Mill paflim. Kufter Prxf. 699. According to this definition, all the differences of copies are reducible to four heads. 700. Firft, fuch as are improperly called various readings ; folecifms, abfurdities, palpable blunders of transcribers, typographical errors, differences in fyllabi- cation, &c. which take in the greateft part of the vari- ations found in copies ; but are to be reckoned, fome depravations, others trifles, none various readings. Whitby Partit. 3. & paflim. Kufter, ib. 701. But, to refufe thefe the name of various read. ings,, MATURE OF A VARIOUS READING. 231 ings* is improper j for it is to call that no reading, which is actually read in fome copies ; and it is ufelefs ; for the merit, and the real occafion, of a reading, are often matters of difficult difcuflion. Kufter, ib. Kennic. Diff. i. p. 271. / 702. Second, fuch as it is doubtful whether they be improperly various readings, or whether they be pro- perly fuch, as capable of having come from the author 5 readings, for inftance, in quotations, which may have been taken either from a copy, or from memory. 703. Such, too, ought to be confidered as various readings, till reafon appear for rejecting them on exa- mination* 704. Third, fuch as are real 2nd proper various readings, fmce any of them might have been the ori- ginal reading, but of no importance ; fynonymous words, for example, or fuch as alter not the fenfe y and of this fort there are many. Kufter, ib; 705. Fourth, fuch readings as are both real and important, as making an alteration in the fenfe j and thefe are not very numerous. Kufter, ib. WhitBy Pa'rtit. f 4. 706. This divifion of Various headings, when put into accurate expreffions, amounts to no more than, that '233 SOURCES OF FALSE READINGS. that fome are genuine, and feme corruptions, fome important, and fome trivial ; but it does not imply that all thefe forts are not truly various readings. 707. To fpeak properly; wherever, in two copies of a writing, there is a difference, that difference forms a various reading ; except only when it regards merely the manner of fyllabication. Kufter, ib. Marfh'g Michael, ch. 6. fedL 4. or c-/"/)i>}, ctvrsi or a-itTt, ttpi$ or tpi$, x&i or x,^ &c. 708. Every reading, different from what was origi- nally written by the author, is a falfe reading or a cor- ruption ; and every various reading mows that there is a corruption in fome of the copies ; for, two different readings cannot both be the original one of the author ; but, every various reading is not itfelf a corruption, for it may be the very one which proceeded from the author. SECT. II. The Sources of Fake Readings. 709. FOR determining between various readings, it is of great ufe to know the fources of falfe readings j which are reducible to two, Chance, and Defign. Marfh's Michael, ch. 6. fe&. 6, c- Be Rofii, Var. Left. 4 Prol. 710. SQUHCES OF FALSE READINGS. .233 710. To chance are to be afcribed all the miftakes made by a tranfcriber, without his intending them at the time, or. perceiving them afterwards. 711. Hafle and carelefsnefs have produced many miftakes, might introduce falfe readings of every pof- fible fort, and have rendered fome copies extremely inaccurate. < 712. A trajifcriber might become inattentive and abfent ; and write, not what was in his copy, but what- ever he happened then to be thinking of; to which caufe have been owing fome falfe readings, and from which might proceed fuch,as feem the moil unaccount- able. - Pfaff. de gen. lea. N. T. c. S.> 3. 713. For difcerning, fully, the occafions of falfe readings, it ought to be obferved, that, as a tranfcriber fometimes wrote from a copy before him, fo, at other times, he wrote from the mouth of a perfon who dic- tated to feveral at once ; in both which cafes, miftakes might arife from reading wrong ; and, in the latter, alfo, from hearing wrong. \ Pfaff. ib. Michael. Int. led. 15. -s 714. Many letters, both in Hebrew and in Greek, are fimilar in figure, and more were fimilar according to the modes of writing ufed in fome ages, than now ; fuch letters might eafily be, and have often been, put one for another; and acquaintance with the feveral v fucceflive modes of writing will fhow, both the oc- cafions 234 SOURCES OF FALSE READINGS. qafions of falfe readings, thence arifing, and the times of their introduction. Ken. Diff. Gen. 1.9, 167. Lowth's Ifa. Prel. Diff. p. 57. Pfaff. ib. a, a. Pfal. cii. 6. D1SD D1DS, I MS. Dtt3, 3 MSS. Ken. in loc. DifT. Gen. 84, 13. a, 72. 2 Kings xx. 12. TIKIS, but Ifa. xxxix. I. pmr). 1, "j. Gen. Hi. 17. "pWi, " for thy fake. " fnaya, " in thy work." 70 Vulg. Num. ii. 14. Vxim but ch. i. 14. vii. 42. x. 20. btfljn. 2 Sam. viii. 3. "iljmn but I Chron. xviii. 3. "Ujmrr. Jon. i. 9. *ia#, " hebrew, " my, " fer- vant of Jehovah. " 70. I MS. Ken. in loc. et Diff. Gen. 25. Gen. xxii. 13. *mx, " behind" 1HK. 70. n, n. Song iv. 9. inxi rimo. 22 MSS. Ifa. Ixvi. 7. IHK nnx. Keri. 32 MSS. Ken. et Lowth in loc. n, n. Gen. xiv. 5. CDHi, " with them. " So the Heb. Sam. 70. but cms, " in Ham. " 7 Sam. MSS. Eng. and this is the preferable reading. Ken. m loc. et Diff. Gen. 84, 13. n, X Ifa. vi. n. nx^n, " be defolated " "iK^n, " be left. " 70. Vulg. Lowth in loc. n, n. Ifa, xxiv. 5. min " laws " n^iin " law. " 70. Syr. Chald. n, ]i. Ruth iv. 20. HDbw v. 21. pbw. n, 13. 2 Sam. v. i. i33n i Chron. xi. i. nirr. % \ Pfal. xxiv. 4. IWS^ ** his foul " ^S3 " my foul, " Keri, which is wrong, lix. 10. ITDrr " his mercy " >1DH " my mercy, " Keri. Eng. which is right. % "|. Pfal. xxii. 27. *]^fib " before thee " vasb " before him, *' i MS. 70. connexion. Zech. xiv. 5. *]D# " with thec " lr " with him," 37 MSS. connexion. SOURCES OF FALSE READINGS. 715. Many falfe readings have arifen from con- founding letters or words fimilar in found ; efpecially, by reafon of indifiin&nefs either in pronouncing or hi hearing, when one di dated, and others wrote. xh is put for ib 1 5 times, and ib for Nb twice, according to the Mafora ; perhaps oftener. Ifa. ix. 3. Kb " not multiplied " -jb " multiplied their, " Keri. 12 MSS. Syr. Chald. connexion, and therefore right. Lev. xi. 21. " Which have not (x*b) legs " ib " to which are legs," Keri. Sam. -//,- Mob. 70. Vulg. Eng. the fenfe requires this reading. Ifa. xxxii. 3. rrUT^n N*?1 *' and the eyes fhall not be dim. " Eng. ibl " and him fhall regard." Lowth in loc. 2 Kings viii. 10. Elifha bids Hazael fay (xb) " thou flialt net recover. " So it is in the text, and is right ; but the Keri,. and feveral MSS. have it ib " to him, thou malt recover, " which is wrong, and gives an equivocal fenfe, but is followed in the Eng. Verf. Ken. Diff. i. p. 163, & in loc. Mar. v. 41. fyagou, which is right but sygg in feveral MSS. and Edit. Mill in loc. Kufter Praf. Griefbach in loc. So alfo Rev. xi. i. (Jid.) Mat. xi. 16. IT*^O;J, right; but Irs^s in feveral MSS. (Jid.) Gal. iv. iS. ^Aa^i, right; but j*a^, Vulg. (Jid.) Luke ii. 12. Iv^rs j but iv^-rt- rat, in 4 MSS. Aid. (Jid.) Jam. iv. 12. &rgr, right; probably fome wrote erot^ov ; hence the glofs ^-Ay< TA; yyv tiv<. xvii. 21 xxiii. 8. x&jy>3T>K 2/JWxaAfl?. Mar. i. 16. n, " veil, " into n^Sin, " mercy feat, " ia contradidory to it, and to Heb. ix. 7. Ken. in loc. and DifT. Gen. p. 70. n. 719. If he cad his eye on a word or a line fubfe- quent to where he was writing, and efpecially, if he there found a word fimilar to what he had written laft, or to what he fhould have written next, he would readily write from that fubfequent place, omitting all that intervened. Mat. xxviii. 9. 'lg eg *.i& t TTAtovifyce, xotxia. Common Edit. Alex. Ethiop. Clcrmont. irogmae,, 7rA, is omit- ted in 34 words, by afiimilation ; the Keri adds them in ail MSS. Ken. Diff. Gen. p. 117. et in loc. 731. Critical tranfcribers fometimes transferred what they thought a clearer or fuller expreflion, or added a circumftance, to one place, from a parallel paflage ; a liberty often taken, efpecially in the Gof- pels ; and therefore, of two readings, (particularly in the Gofpels) one of which is exa&ly conformable to a correfpondent paflage, and the other not, but yet confident with it, the latter is preferable. Mat. xii. 8. X.H.I is wanting in above 30 MSS. Syr. Perf. Arab. Ethiop. Erafm. i Ed. Aid. it has been taken from Mark, or Luke, as emphatical. (Mill. Kuft. Griefbach. in loc.) V. 35. TW xttfttctg is wanting in all Stephens's MSS. except one, and near 40 others ; in Vulg. Syr. Copt. Perf. Arab, and fome quotations ; it has been taken from Luke vi. 45. where it is found hi moft MSS. (Jid. in loc.) Ch. xx. 22, 23. t$ TO P7rys a-sric-a fcov Zetretva y*, wanting in feveral MSS. all verfions and quotations ; it has been taken either from Mat, iv. 10. or ra- ther, becaufe wanting there in moft MSS. and in Vulg. Syr. from Mat. xvi. 23. (Grot. Mill. Kuft. Griefb. in loc.) John vi. ii. rots pot&vrroii^ 01 $t ftc&nrett, wanting in Alex, and 4 other MSS. Vulg. Syr, Goth. Copt. Perf. Arab. Ethiop, it has been taken from the other Gofpels. (Jid. et Erafm Zeger. in loc.) 732. Critics fometimes corrected the New Tefla- ment from the Greek verfion of the Old ; and, there- fore, when one reading of a quotation agrees exactly with that verfion, and another not fo exactly, the for- mer, if not well fupported, is fufpicious, and the lat* ter preferable. Michael. 18. Luke iv. 8* ictff-etr&ut rovg (rvvrir^^vovg rqv x-ct^ioiv, is wanting in feveral MSS. and verfions ; it has probably been taken from the 70. (Mill, et Griefb.) 733. Critics fometimes altered the text of the New Teftament, in conformity to the Vulgate verfion ; and readings plainly arifing from this caufe, deferve no regard. Macknight on Epiftles, Gen* Pref. Se&. i. 734. Critics fometimes introduced alterations, or additions, into a paffage, from what goes before or after. R a Mat, 444 SOURCES OF FALSE READINGS. Mat. v. 1 8. xoti ruv 7r<>J- SOURCES OP FALSE READINGS. 245 ?? omitted in 6 MSS. and in Arm. it feems included in jcPts^s, and is not in the other Gofpels. ( Mill, et Griefb. in loc. ) 737. Critics, in tranfcribing, foinetimes added words for illufirating what they thought defeftive or improper. Luke i. 64. $MfyA, " was loofed, " is added in Camb. and Compl. ; it feemed improper to fay that the " tongue " was " opened. " (Grot. Mill. Kuft. Griefb. in loc.) 738. It was common to write alterations, or addi- tions, for the fake of illuftration, as glofTes on the mar- gin, whence tranfcribers, afterwards, foinetimes took them into the text ; and, for this reafon, the fuller reading, whenever it could ferve for illuftration, or <:orrec1;ion, is generally fufpicious, and to be re- jeded. Wetftein, Prol. c. 16. can. 9. Ken. Diff. Gen. 18, 3. .Mat. vi. 33. There is added in fome copies tumrs ret piyxXoi, v^ TO, piy-^ot. vptv 7r^67-T^-/iTiran' t^ uinm toe, tTTX^Kvux,, fj ret sis-iyeta vu.iv 7r6rT&v) Steph. Edit. #^Aa&K 9 UVTV in Bat&teeu. They were probably at firft omitted in the Hebrew, by means of the laft word being alfo before this claufe ; but the omiffion has been continued, becaufe Bethlehem (the birth-place of the Mefiiah, Mic. v,. 2.) is no where elfe called Ephrathah. (Ken. DiiT, 2. p. 57. Diff. Gen. 84. Ifa. Iii. 14. pbtf, " at thee. " This reading confounds the pre- di&ion, by the change of perfon ; but yhy is found in 2 MSS. Syr. Chald. Vulg. MSS. Aqu. it is fo tranflated in the Eng. of Coverdale, and in Edit. 1537, 1540, 1566, and k right. It might have been altered by chance, but probably by defign, as the alteration is alfo made in the 70. (Ken, Diff. Gen. 79. p. 35. n. 45. n. Lowth in loc. Ch. Ixiv. 4, the prefent Hebrew is unintelligible ; it has been corrupted, in oppofition to Paul's quotation, I Cor. ii, 9. (Ken. Diff. Gen. 84, 6, 7. Lowth in loc. ) R 248 SOURCES OF FALSE READINGS. 741. Some falfe readings, though not fo many as have been imputed to them by the Fathers, and by others on their authority, were introduced, or attempted, by the ancient heretics, purpofely in favour of their errors j but fuch were eafily detected, and foon re- jefted. Michael. 15. Pfaff. c. n. 2. Mill. Prol. paflim. 742. The prevailing party in the church, who have always called themfelves the orthodox, had it much more in their power to introduce and tranfmit falfe readings ; and they have fometimes introduced them, and oftener given them the preference after their being accidentally made, on purpofe to favour fome received opinion, or to preclude an objection againft it. Michael. Pfaff. ib. Mat. i. 1 8. vreiv 'A cryvthSfiV ct,VTV$ t and V. 25* etvTK TOV flTOT0To*av, are omitted in fome MSS. purpofely, but unnecefiarily, in favour of the perpetual virginity. (Mill, et Griefb. in loc.) Mar. viii. 31. Inftead of fAira r^etg vps^s, 4 MSS. have gv TJI rgtrji ^^> for the facl. (Erafm. Mill, et Griefb. in loc.) Ch. xiii. 32. cvos o via? omitted in fome copies, and rejecled by fome Father^ as favouring the Arians. (Mill, in loc. et Prol. 826. Griefb. in loc.) Luke i. 35. ysw^svov, EK SOT is added in 3 MSS. Vulg. Syr. Perf. Arab, feveral quotations, and Eng. againil the Eutychians. (Jid. in loc. et ib.) I John iv. 3. After o w opohoyu rev lyo-vv Xgircv tv btf) upon me. " Hcb. 70. Vulg. but this is wrong ; it occafions a confufion of perfons. The true reading is vbtf " upon him, " which is found in 40 MSS. John xix. 37. Ken. in loc. Biff. 2. p. 536. DilT. Gen. 43, 65, 95, 150. * Gen. v. 23, 31. ix. 29. *m, " all his days was, " which is wrong ; but VH1 is found in many MSS. and in Sam. So Num. ix. 6. (Ken. DifT. Gen. 167.) Ifa. Ixv. i. ibxw " them that afked ; " but ^ibNltf, " afked for me" in 2 MSS. and is better. ^li>pl, " him that fought me ; but Wtypa, " them, " in above 100 MSS. oldeft Edit. and all Verfions. Rom. x. 20. Lowth in loc. Ken. ib. and Diff. Gen, p. 87. n. 3 Ifa. i. 3. Ifrael. " banun, " but Ifrael, " in 70. Syr. Vulg. Aq. Theod. Eng. (Lowth in loc.) V2JT VDjn " and my people," in 16 MSS. 70. Syr. Vulg. (Lowth, ib.) Ifa. xvii. 14. xxvii. 9. xxx. 14. xli. 5, 7. xlii. i, 7. xlvi. u. xlix. 9. 1. 5. lv. 13. (Jid.) * Jer. xxxi. 33. *nn3, " I have put. " This is applied by the Jews tq their own law, in oppofition to Chriilianity ; but the connexion mows it to be wrong, ^nnil, " and I owV/put, " is found in 19 MSS. Chald. and other ancient verfjons, ex- cept 70, in which it is $dx$ "Sara. This text is quoted, Heb. x. 1 6. as a prediction, where it is ^^ - 3 but 3v " his people. " 70. the fenfe requires {his reading. (Lowth in loc.) 75* 52 KINDS OF FALSE READINGS. 750. The improper omhTion of *>, which has been very frequent, perverts the fyntax or the fenfe, by turning plural into fingular nouns ', by changing the perfons of verbs % by altering the future into the paft 3 , by fuppreffing the affix pronoun 4 . Num. xii. 3. " Now the man Mofes was very meel. " \yj ; but this has no connexion with the context, and he every- where reprefents himfelf as a man of great warmth. 16 MSS. read V3, " refponfor. " Now the man Mofes gave forth more anfwers (from God), or, was highly favoured with an- fwers, &c. Ken. Remarks. 1 Gen. xli. 8. Ittbn, " his dream ; " but this does not agree with tDfMK, " them, " in this verfe, and he had dreamed twice, v. 5. The Sam. has Vfcbn, " dreams. " (Ken. DifT. .Qen. 167.) Ifa. lii. 5. ibltftt, " he that rules over them," iWnS (plur.) ** make them to howl ; " this is wrong. vblT72,, " they (Ken. Diff. Gen. 25, 108, 136, 176, 179.) Jofh. viii. 27. bN'ittP ; but b*niZP '3i in 94. MSS. and all Verf, (Ken. Diff. Gen. p. 87, n.) Ch. xxii. 34. called the altar for it (hall be a witnefs ; " this is defective ; but "TJT, " wit- nefs, " is found in feveral MSS. Chald. MSS. Syr. Arab. Vulg. Eng. the fenfe requires it. (Ken. in loc. Diff. i p. 444. Diff. 2. p. 175, 178. Diff. Gen. ' 25, 55, 108.) Judg. xv. 6. TTax, " her father ; " but n^iK n s i, " the houfe of her father, " in 20 MSS. 70. Syr. Arab. (Ken. in loc. ef Diff. Gen. p. 87. n.) 1 Sam. xvi. 23, eamb** ntl ; but n^l SDT^K nil, ft an evil fpirit from the Lord," in 4 MSS. Chald. all Verf. the con- nexion requires this addition. (Ken. in loc. e't ib.) 2 Sam. vi. 6. " Uzzah put forth to the ark ; " this is defec- tive ; but VP-DN, " his hand," in all Verf. and i Chron* xiii. 9. Ver. 7. bu^n by, but there is no fuch noun, and the fufax is wanting. VP rrbUT'iUi* by " btfcaufe he put forth his hand, " Syr. Arab, i Chron. xiii. 10. two words omitted, one letter changed, two tranfpofed. Ch. xiii. 37. " And mourned. " Who ? Tn ^73^1, " and David heard it, and mourned, " in i MS. all Verf. Eng. (Ken. Diff. Gen. p. 80. n.) i Chron. vi. 28. (Heb. v. 13.) the firft born' Wi ; this is not 254 KINDS OF FALSE READINGS. not true, but Joel, l Sam. viii. 2. bxi^ is omitted. " Joejt, and thefecond Abiah. " (Ken. DifT. Gen. 113.) Pfal. ix. i 8. " The expedation of the poor mall -perim. " Kb, " not, " in I MS. Chald. all Verf. Eng. evidently right. Ken. in loc. et DifT. Gen. cod. 153. Job xxviii. 1 7. " the exchange of it jewels. " Kb, " not, " in i MS. Sym. Eng. right. Jid. ib. Pfal. Ixv. I. " vow paid, " in Jerufalem t is added in Vulg. Ethiop. Arab. 70. Comp. Aid. and feveral MSS. right; the ftru&ure requires it. Ken. DifT. Gen. 89. 752. 3. There have fometimes happened omif- fions of feveral words together, or of whole claufes, which, in a variety of ways, mutilate or vitiate the fenfe. Gen. xxxv. 22. " Ifrael heard it. Now the fons, " &c. pifka. But the 70. adds, " and it appeared evil in his eyes. " Num. xii. 1 6. The Sam. adds the fpeech referred to, and repeated Deut. i. 20 23 ; this is right and neceflary. Ken. in loc. et DifT. Gen. $24. 1 Sam. x. 21. After " Matri was taken, " vittttn nrriMtt *py> CD^nib, " And when he had caufed the family of Matri to come near man by man, " is added in i MS. and 70. right ; the fenfe requires it. (Jid. ib. cod. 451.) 2 Kings xxiii. 1 6. " the man of God proclaimed [when Jero- boam flood by the altar at the feaft ; and he turned and lifted up his eyes to the fepulchre of the man of God]] who pro- claimed thefe words," &c. 70. Syr. MSS. the fenfe re- quires it, v. 17. Ken. Diff. Gen. 89. Prov, xi. 1 6. " A gracious woman retaineth honour ; [but (he that KINDS OF FALSE READINGS. 255 that hateth righteoufnefs is a throne of difgrace. The floth- ful come to want wealth ;] but ftrong men retain riches. " 70. Syr. Arab. Ken. ib. 165. et DifT. i. p. 508. Luke XI. 2. TWV&IVTU TO Si^pst cv, a$ (v v^avy, xj wrt m$ yns, is wanting in fome MSS. Vulg. Armen. Origen. Auguftin. Ver. 4. ; but ^nwnD, " lam ftruck dumb, v in 28 MSS. 3 Edit. Vulg. Syr. Sym. Lowth in loc. Ifa. x. 13. TOIO, " as valiant ; "but Yi3, " ftrongly feated. Keri. 12. MSS. Lowth in loc. 756. The arbitraiy and improper infertion of % changes the perfonal pronouns, turns fmgulars into plurals, and gives fuperfluous conjunctions. Jofti. vi. 7. nrc^l, " dixerunt ; " but the nominative is " Jo- fhuah. " The Keri is 1)2N I| 1, and this is found in 34 MSS. Ken. in loc. et.Diff. i. p. 438. Ifa. i. 6. Ixiii. 7. Lowth in loc. I Kings vii. 36. n*m:)Dtt1 bjtt, " and on and the borders. " butl is wanting, Keri. and 21 MSS. Ken. Diff. Gen. 167. Ifa. i. 23. xix. 13. Lowth in loc. 757. The interpolation of i has, in very many in- ftances, KINDS OF FALSE READINGS, $57 ftances, turned lingular nouns into plurals, the fecond perfons of verbs into the firft, the pad into the fu- ture, and gives a fuffix pronoun where there mould be none j and, in all thefe cafesj introduces great impro- priety or perverfion of the fenfe. Ifa. xiv. n. YD3D1 * ^ ut "P 3 ^ " covering," in 28 MSS; 7 Edit. 70. Vulg. Lowth and Ken. in loc. Ruth iii. 3. " anoint thee, and / will put on " ^hDttri (but * is wanting, " tbou Jbalt," in fceri. and 239 MSS. and Edit.) " thy raiment upon thee, and / will get me down " *mi*1 (but * wanting, " thoujhalt get thee down, " in Keri. and in MSS. and Edit.) " to the floor, but make not thyfelf known. " Ken. in loc. and DifT. I. p. 447. Ifa. xxxvi. 5. >m)2N, " I fay, " wrong ; but mEK, " thou fayeft," in 16 MSS. Syr. 2 Kings xviii. 20. The fenfe re- quires this. JLowth in loc. Ken. ib* and Diff. Gen. p. 83. n. PfaL cxi 4. ittZI by, " after my order Melehizedek < " this is not feufe ; -but nilT, " the order of, " &e. in 2 MSS, Verf. Heb. vii. 17, 21. Ken* in loc* 758. 2. There have been interpolations of words, from many caufes, and, particularly, from taking mar- ginal gloffes into the text 5 which difturb or deflroy the fenfe. Ifa. ii. 20. V?, " for himfelf, " is wanting in j MS< and 70. j it is fuperfluous. Lowth in loc. & is*. 258 KINDS OF FALSE READINGS, Ifa. x. 23. " In the midft of all (b^) the land," wanting in 75 MSS. and Edit. Chald. Rom. ix. 28. Lowth in loc. Ken. ib. and Diff. Gen. p. 87. n. Ezek. v. 7. " Neither (xb) have done,*' &c. Wanting in 26 MSS. and Edit. Ken. in loc. and Diff. Gen. 104, 179. Ifa. liii. 1 1. p^llf, " my righteous fervant, " wanting in 3 MSS. Lowth in loc. Mat. xv. 8. ra < 39* ^ r wvevfta Ky^, there is Trvev^ cey often changes its fenfe, or deprives it of all meaning, and, in proper names, occafions an appearance of con- tradidlion. The Mafora admits the tranfpofition of letters in 62 words, but it is more frequent. In the Bible, nttbw occurs 16 times; and nbttW, 27 times, " garment ; " the latter is the right reading. Sam. MSS. from bttW, (Arab.) " veftivit. " Ifa. i. 25. IM ; perhaps it mould be I3a, " in a furnace. " Mic. iii. 3. "IWK3, " as which. " *INUD, " as morfels. " 70. Chald. Eng. Lowth. Jer. xii. 4. " He mail not fee (lan^nn) our loft end. " 70. has, " our ways, " l3n*in*iN ; tnis is preferable, n and ^ have been tranfpofed, and 1 changed into >. Ken* Diff. i. p. 512. Chap, xxviii. 13* ntaltt and n^tott, " yokes; " the former is wrong, but right in 20 MSS mtUIE is found in 16 MSS. in the former place, and in 15 in the latter, nfctt is found in 2 MSS. Ken. in loc. and Diff. Gen. { 167. Ch. xxxii. 23. " Neither walked, " ^ni^na, a barbarous word; ^n^ < lr>2l, in thy law, " Keri. above 30 MSS. Jid. Zech. KINDS OF FALSE READINGS. 26'l Zech. xii. 10. te they have pierced, " "HpT, right ; but " they have Infulted, " in i MS. 70. in moft copies. Ken. in loc. Diff. Gen. $70. Jofli. xxiv. 30. Timnath-/mz/F, " mD, right ; but Judg. iL 9. D*m " beras ; " but rnD is found in 6 MSS. Vulg. Syr. Arab. Ken. ib. and Biff. Gen. 167. Jehoram's only fon is called innm?, " Ahaz-ihu " 18 times; right ; but mtfirp " Ihu-ahaz " thrice, and nnrrtf, " Aha- ziah, " 5 times. i Kings x. 1 1, 12. ta^lMiabM but 2 Chron. ix. 10, 1 1. O>liVK, 762. 2. There are tranfpofitions of words 9 which produce confufion, obfcurity, or abfurdity. Ifa. iv. 5. ^12)3 b3, " every flation. " wrong, for Zion was the only itation ; it is wanting in 4 MSS. but added before 77N1pT3 in above 30 MSS. " all her aflemblies, " in one ancient MS. and 70. right ; it has thus changed its place. 7113-VD, " all the glory. " wrong, -naa ^, the glory over all." Zech.ii,v, Ken. et Lowth in loc. 763. 3. There are likewife tranfpofitions of whole claufes, fentences, or periods 5 which occafion diffi- culties of various kinds. Exod. xxx. I 10. This pafTage, concerning the aitar of in- cenfe, is improperly inferted here ; it is wanting in the Sam. it has been taken from the end of ch. xxvi. where it is want- ing in the Heb. but retained in the Sam. and is properly in- troduced there, according to ch. xxxi. 6 1 1. xxxv. 12 16. xxxvii. i. xxxviii. 8. xxxix. 35 39. xl. 3 7. v. 21 30. Ken. in loc. and DifT. Gen. 22, 24. Job xl. i 14. Thefe verfes improperly interrupt the defcrip- tion 5 v. i. eonne&s properly with ch. xxxix, .50. They S 3 have 262 KINDS OF FALSE READINGS. have originally followed eh. xlii. 6. where they are proper, forming a (Inking conclufion of the poem, and connected with v. 7. " after the Lord had fpoken thefe words unto Job, " c. but, at prefent, Job concludes the poem, which occafions great confufion. Ken, DiflT. Gen. 23, 165, and Remarks on feleft paf- fages. Heath in loc. Jfa. vii. 8, 9. mould ftand thus, " head of Syria of Damafcua of Ephraim of Samaria -and within threefcore and five years, " &c. Lowth in loc. Ifa. xxxviii. 21, 22. Thefe two verfes are no part of the fong, and are improper here : v. 22. mould follow v. 6. and v. 2 1. after v, 8. So they ftand 2 Kings xx. 7, 8. JjOwth in loc. Ken. Difs. Gen. 23. Ifa. xli. 6. 7. Thefe two verfes are unconne&sd ; they have probably followed ch. xl. 20. where they are proper, and prevent abruptnefs. Houbig. in loc. Ken. DifT. Gen. 23, 764, IV. Finally, there are many falfe readings productive of difficulty or error, which confifl in change or alteration, 765, i. Not only fimilar letters, but others alfo, have been confounded and interchanged by tram fcribers ; and important alterations in the fenfe have thence arifen. The name of Nebuchadnezzar is written in 7 different ways. 3 Sam. xviii. 12. V2 VIEW, "beware who of Abfalom ; " but ^, ? preserve to me," in 2 MSS, Chald. 70. Syr. Ken. in loc. and Diff. Gen. 1 1 6, Ifa, it $0.. Npy, they j " but liyi^n, "ye fhall be afhamed, >3r in KINDS OF FALSE READINGS. 263 in '2 MSS. one Edit. Chald. Vulg. The connexion requirea i his. Lowth and Ken. in !oc. Ch. vi. 9. INI, but nKI in 13 MSS. ; regular. jid. Ch. viii. 9. iyi, " affociate, " but im, " know, " in 70. which is better ; being fynonymous with " give ear, " in the next line. V. ii. nprnn, "with a flrong hand ; " but npfro, " as taking me by the hand, " in 12 MSS. Syr. Vulg. Sym. A Ch. xiii. 22. vniJtobKH. but vmHTDINl, in i MS. ; right. Ch. xxii. 19. *]Dins " he fhall pull thee, " but jD^ntf, * / will, " in Syr. Vulg. ; the connexion requires this. Jid. 766. 2. Tranfcribers have often made a falfe read- ing, by putting one word inftead of another. Judg. i. 22. nl, " tiiehoitfe of Jofeph," but >2i, "the/^wj, " in 8 MSS. 70. Arab. Ken. in loc. 2 Chron. xxi. 2. VxTiUS but mir^ in above 20 MSS. 70. Vulg. The fenfe requires this. Ken. in loc. and Difs. Gen. p. 83. n. Pfal. Ixii. n.nyttW, but toj*7212;, "we have heard," in 10 MSS. Arab, j this is preferable. Jd. ib. and Diss. Gen. cod. 255. Prov. xy. 20. ."A foolifh man tan*?, but p /on," in 6 MSS. 70. Syr. Chald. j this makes a proper antithesis to " wife fen." Jd. ib. Difs. 2. p. 1 88. Difs. Gen. 25. and cod. 92. Jfa. ix. I r. VTX, the enemies, " but v^, (< the /rmw of Re- /in," in 21 MSS. and Ken. in Ice. 84 Ch. 264 RULES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS* Ch. xxxv. 2. "It (hall rejoice with p"fl JnVjJ joy andfmging. " nVi, in 4 MSS. and pis " Jordan, " in 70. Syr. MSS. " the well- watered plain of Jordan (hall rejoice, " on account of Chrift ? s baptifm there ; it is thus a prediction of it. It has perhaps been defignedly altered. "rh, " to it, " but *jV, to thee, " in 9 MSS. Ken. Lowth and Houbig. in loc. Ken. Difs. Gen. 81, 176. Lowth, Sacr. Poes, prael f 20. n. 767. 3. There have fometimes been fubftitutions of whole claufes or fentences, in place of others, to* tally different. Prov. x. io. " but a prating fool fhall fall ; " there is here, neither connexion nor antithefis ; it has been taken from v. 8. where it is proper. "but he that freely reproveth, wprketh fafety, " in Syr. Arab. 70. ; it thus makes a proper antithefia j falfe and true friendfhip. Ken. Diss. i. p. 506. Difs. Gen. 165. SECT. IV. Rliks of judging concerning various Readings* 768. From the fey era! particular obfervations con- cerning the various readings of Scripture, which have been hitherto made, may be deduced fuch general principles as will ferve for determining which are fpu- rjous, and which genuine. 7 6 9 RULES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS. 265 769. The evidences by which various readings may be examined, are of two kinds, external, and in- ternal ; the former, arifmg from the authority of MSS. verfions, and quotations ; the latter, from the nature of the languages, the fenfe and connexion, and the known occafions of falfe readings ; parallel places par- take of the nature of both. Michael. Int. Left. 16. Marfh's Michael, ch. 6. fed 13. 770. When the evidences of both kinds concur in favour of a reading, there can be no doubt that it is the genuine reading ; and, therefore, we have full aflur- ance of the genuinenefs of the great bulk of the Scrip. tures as contained in all the common editions. 771. When the evidence for and againft a reading is divided, the determination mud be made according to the circumftances of each particular cafe. 772. If the external evidence ftands on the one fide, and the internal on the other, the former ought, in general, to determine the queftion, for it is the mod 773. But, the internal evidence may, notwithftand- ing, be fo ftrong, as to overbalance a great degree of external evidence ; particularly, \vhere the reading fupported by the latter is palpably falfe, or, where the introduction and prevalence of it can be eafily account- ed for, without fuppofing it genuine, as in copies plain- ly framed in conformity to the Mafora, 774* $66 RULES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS. 774. Often, both the external and the internal evi- dence, is partly for one reading, and partly for ano- ther ; and, they are divided with fo great varieties of circumliances, that no rules of deciding, ftriftly imi- verfal, can be laid down. 775. But, if we diflinguifh various readings into four claffes certainly genuine probable dubious and falfe ; it may be poflible to determine, with fuffi- cient precifion, the circumftances which entitle a read- ing to be placed in one or another of thefe claffes. 776. i. There are readings certainly genuine ; and there are even different degrees of evidence, which may afcertain them to be fuch ; and all fuch ought to be a- dopted without hefitation. 777. Readings are certainly right, and that in the very highefl fenfe at all confident with the exiftence of any various reading, which are fupported by feveral of the niofl ancient, or the majority of MSS. ; by all or mod of the ancient verfions ; by quotations ; by paral- lel places, if there be any, and by the fenfe ; though thefe readings be not found in the common editions, nor, perhaps, in any printed edition. Pfal. xvi. 10. " Neither wilt then fuffer (-pTDf?) .thy feints to fee corruption ; " it is fo rendered every whcr-'. a. Pfal. Jii. 9. Ixxix. 2. cxxxii. 9. cxlv. 10. but not true. But it is "p>Dn '* thy holy one, " in Ken, all ancient MSS. anJ the majority ^|, Edit. ^ 9 feveral editions of the Talmud, Chald. and all ancient verfions ; it is fo quoted Ads v. 25 31. xiii. 35-~37> and reafoned from. The alteration might RULE? CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS. 267 might have teen accidental, but, probably, has been defign- edly retained. Ken. DifT. t. p. 218, 496. DiiT, 2. p. 107, 346, 469, 561. Biff. Gen. 17,35,64,85,86, 150, 179, p. 83. n. Jid. and Houb. in loc. I Kings i. 1 8. " And now (nnjtt) my lord, knoweft not ; " but rrntfl " and thou, " in 200 MSS. and Edit. Chald. all verfions. v. 20. HDJO " And thou, the eyes of Ifrael are upon thee ; " but nnrij " and now, " in near 100 MSS. Syr. Arab. Vulg. Chald.' The fenfe requires both thefe altera- tions. Ken. Diff. Gen. 5^. & in loc. I Chron. iv. 3. Thefe are (^tf) the father of Etam, Jezreel," &c. ; this is abfurd ; but *aa " the fons, " in 8 MSS. on the margin of 4 more, and all verfions. VIN ^ in 6 MSS. Ken. in loc. Ifa. xxvii. 2. " A vineyard ("i)3n) of red wine;" but " the belovecl vineyard, " in 45 MSS. and Edit. 70. Chald. Ken. and Lowth in loc. Ifa. Iviii. 3. " Wherefore have we affiifted our foul" (l3U;S3) ; but I^UJSa " our fouls, " in 6 ancient MSS. 2 i more, i an- cient Edit. Chald. 70. Vulg. v. 8. nili ; but nilDI " and the glory, " in 5 angient MSS. u more. 70. Syr. Vulg. Ken. and Lowth in loc. Ifa. Ix. 21. " The branch (itftett) of his planting ; " but " of my planting," in Keri, 7 ancient MSS, 37 more, 6 Edit. Chald. Syr. Vulg. Eng. Jid. ib. Ifa. Ixiii. 15. " Where is thy powers " ("pHYii:) plur.) but fing. in 7 ancient MSS. 25 more, 7 Edit. id, ib, 268 RULES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS. Ezek. xxxv. 23. "I fiiall be fan&ified in you before your eyes" (O^yb) ; but tanwb " before their eyes" in 191 MSS. and Edit. Chald. all verfions. Eng. Ken. in loc. and Diff. Gen. 48, 55, 108. Mat. i. IT. lanxs ^ EFENNHZE TON IAKEIM (iflAKEIM) IAKEIM AE. Thus it is in Edit. H. Steph. and Beza, and in feveral MSS. ; but wanting in moft MSS. and Edit, and in all verfions ; it is an interpolation. Mill. Kuft. and Griefb. in loc. Mill. Prol. 702, 1258. Luke v. 7. #s-g nAPA TI fivSifyc-S-oti, " fo that they funk a little, " Edit. Beza. 2 MSS. Vulg. Copt. Perf. Arab. ; but want- ing in all others ; it is a glofs. Mill, and Griefb. in loc. Mat. xxv. 29. etiro ci& rw pv) Sftovrof, xoti C O EXEI (l even that which he hath, " So it is in all ancient, and in the majority of MSS. and in all verfions but one. a $0x11 t%tiv t " which he feemeth to have," is found in feveral MSS. and in Vulg. but it is wrong ; it has been corrected from Luke viii. 1 8. Mill. Kuft. and Griefb. in loc. Rom. vii. 6. Kcnv0y/&vpw TT rw vopw TOY 0ANATOY, in 2 MSS. Vulg. and a few quotations. #sro&v^irr " he hath brought thee forth ; " this gives no fenfe N^IM " I will bring," &c. in 37 MSS. all ver- fions, Eng. , Ken. in loc. Diff. Gen. } 48. p. 83. n. Mat. ii. 1 8. fyvos xxt, wanting in 4 MSS. Syr. Copt. Arab. Ethiop. 270 RULES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS. Ethiop. Perf. Vulg. Juftin Mart. Jerom. Jer. xxxi. 13. it has been inferted in moil MSS. from 70. Mill, and Griefb. in loc. Mill. Prol. 384. Eph. V. 9. 'O y#g xx7rog rev TrvtvpaiTiH;, " the fruit of the Spirit " in moil MSS. and Edit. ; but faros, " of the light, " in Alex, and 9 more, Vulg. Syr. Copt. Ethiop. and feveral quotations. The connexion mows this laft reading to be right ; it has been altered, becaufe uncommon, from Gal. v. 22. Mill. Kuft. and Griefb. in loc. 779. Readings in the Pentateuch, fupported by the Samaritan copy, a few Hebrew MSS. the ancient ver- fions, parallel places, and the fenfe, are certainty right, though they be not found in the generality of Hebrew MSS. nor in editions. Gen. xlvii. 3. " Thy fervarits are (tryl) a fhepherd j " but vjn " fhepherds, " in about 30 MSS. and Sam. Ken. in loc. and DiiT. Gen. 54. j Gen. 1. 25. " Ye mail carry up my bones (nttt) from hence; " but n^nj* n?ra " from hence with you, " in n MSS. Sam- all Verf. Exod. xiii. 19. Ken. in loc. and DifT. Gen. 48. Lev. ix. 21. " As Mofes commanded." nil/ft 11N' nw, " as Jehovah commanded Mofes," in 28 MSS. Sam. 70. Arab, 780. Readings in the Pentateuch, fupported by the Samaritan, ancient verfions, parallel places, and the fenfe, are certainly right, though they be not found in any Hebrew MSS. now extant. Gen. ii. 24. THX lT2?ib VTtt " And they fhall be one flefh " but CDnOUNa rpm, " And they two, " in Sam. text and Verf. RULES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS* 27! Verf. 70. Ital. Syr. Arab. Vulg. So Matth. xix. 5. Mark x. 8. i Cor. vi. 16. Eph. v. 31. Phiio. Tertul. Epiph. Jerom. Aug. Ken. in loc. DlfT. Gen. 17, 64, 77, 79, 85, 86. lExod. vi. 20. " She bare him Aaron and Mofes. " " And Miriam their filler, " is added in Sam. text and Verf. 70. Syr. Ken. in loc. and DifT. Gen. 177. Exod. xii. 40. " The fojournirig of the children of Ifrael, which they dwelt in Egypt, was 430 years, " But this is not true ; it was only 215 ; it contradicts Gal. iii. 17. which fays, that it was only 430 from the calling of Abraham, of which 215 elapfed before the going into Egypt, Gen. xii. 4. xvii. i, zf. xxv, 26. xl. 9. " Of the children of Jfrael and of their fathers (onilNI Sam. Alex, and Aid. 70.) which they fojourned in the land of Canaan^ and in ths land (p?33 pKll, Sam. 70.) of Egypt, " &c. Capell. Crit. Sacr. p. 314. Houbig. Prol. & in loc. Ken. in loc. DhT. I. p. 396. Diff. Gen. 136. 781. Ancient MSS. fupported by fome of the an- cient verfions, and the fenfe, render a reading certain- ly right, though it be not found in the more modern. Ifa. Iviii. 10. " Draw out thy foul (^SO) to the hungry ; " this is obfcure and fingular ; but '^tt'iT? " thy bread, " in 3 ancient MSS. 5 more. Syr. ; the 70. has both, agrv sx, vv%n;+ Lowth and Ken, in loc. 782. Ancient MSS. fupported by parallel places, and the fenfe, may Ihow a reading to be certainly right. Ifa. Ixi. 4. They (hall build. " Who ? *pn who fpring from 272 RULES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS, from thee, " in 2 ancient MSS. 2 more. ch. Iviii. 12* Kimchi. Ken. and Lowth in loc. 783. The concurrence of the moft ancient, or of a great number of MSS. along with countenance from the fenfe, is fufficient to mew a reading to be certainly right. Ifa. Ivii. 13. " Let thy companies deliver fhee, " *[hw (Ting.) but *pV2^ (plur.) in 10 ancient MSS. 29 more. 2 oldeft Edit. Ken. and Lowth in loc. 784. The concurrence of the ancient verfions is fufficient to eftablim a reading as certainly right, when the fenfe, or a parallel place, (hows both the propriety of that reading, and the corruption of what is found in the copies of the original. Prov. xviii. 22. " He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing. " This is not true ; it contradicts other maxims ; but main " a good wife, " in 70. Syr. Arab. Vulg. and feveral MSS. of Chald. Ken. Diff. 2. p. 189. Ifa. xli. 3. " He paffed (tDlb^) peace ;" a is omitted, " in peace ; " fo 70. Vulg. Eng. v. 4. " Who hath wrought and done, " this is defective. rihx " thefe things, " i an- cient MS. 70. Vulg. Chald. Eng. has " it. " Ken. and Lowth in loc. Ifa. Iv. 9. " For the heavens are higher than the earth, fo, *' c. 5 " as " is omitted ; but found in all ancient Verf, Eng. Pfal. ciii. n. ; the fenfe requires it. Houbig. Ken. Lowth in loc. RULES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS. 273 ak Ivi. 5, Unto them will I give I will give (ib) him, " but lEfc fltao," in 70. Syr. Vulg. Chald. Eng. The fenfe requires it* Lov/th in Toe. Ifa. lix. 20. " Unto them that turn ('awbl) from tranfgreffion in Jacob (aptfM) " Eng. but ywm " and flail turn away tranfgreffion (2p3r>) from Jacob, " 11*70. Syr, Chald. Rom, xi. 26. Lowth in loc. 785. In a text evidently corrupted, a parallel place may fuggeft a reading certainly genuine. Judg. vii. 1 8. ' Say, of the Lord and of Gideon ; " this is de- fe&ive. jfp ("jn^a T upon 274 P-ULES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS. . " upon thy vintage, " Jer. ib. Chald. 70. Syr.) is fallen. " V. to. " The treaders 'pin (right, and correfts tTH in v. 9. Jer. ib. 33.) (hall tread out no wine; / have made the ftiouting to ceafe, " *rDttJTT (" the fliouting is made to ceafe, " nawn, Jer. ib. 33. 70.) Lowth in loc. Ifa. xxx. 17. " At the rebuke of five (hall - - . you flee ; " this is defe&ive mm " ten thoufand of you, " Lev. xxvi. 8. Deut. xxxii. 30. Lowth in loc. Ifa. xxxvi. 7. " If f0"fay, " fing. but ".>*>" plur. 2 Kings xviii. 22. Chald. 70. 2 ancient 'MSS. The connexion re- quires this ; for v. 2 1. " they held their peace. " tDl v n " the people, " 2 Kings ib. 36. I MS. Ken. and Lowth in loc. Ifa. xxxvii. 9. " When 'he heard it, " yntW, tautologous ; it is wanting in I ancient MS. ittW " he returned," 2 Kings xix. 9. 70. i.e. " he fent again. " Jid. V. 14. " Read /V fpread it ; " it fhould be, them, " tu has been put for in, 2 Kings ib. 14. v. 18. " have laid waile all the ?a*;:s (nii^xrr) and their land. " ta^i " the na- tions, " 2 Kings ib. 17. and 10 MSS. v. 20. K3 " we be- feech thee, *' is wanting; to be fupplied from 2 Kings ib. 19. 18 MSS. " thou, Jehovah, art the only - - " this is defective e^nVtf c God, '* ib. v. 21. " that which thou haft prayed -- , " defedive. ^n^ttW " I have heard. " Ib. 20. Syr. 70. 786. Readings certainly genuine, ought to be re- ftored to the text of the printed editions, though hi- therto admitted into none of them, that they may henceforth be rendered as correct as pofliblej they ought, RULES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS. 275 dught, likewife, to be adopted in all verfions of Scrip- ture ; and, till this be done, they ought to be followed in explaining it. 787. 2. There are various readings, probably genu- ine j when the evidence preponderates, but is not ab- folutely decifive, in their favour j of which kind, as criticifm is not always fufceptible of certainty* are far the greateft part of various readings ; and the degrees of probability being infinite, according to the number- lefs minute alterations of circumftances, down from certainty to perfect doubtfulnefs, it is impoffible to enumerate fully all the cafes which fall under this head ; but the mofl general cafes may be diftiriguimed* 788. Of two readings, neither of which is unfuit- able to the fenfe, either of which may have naturally arifen from the other, and both which are fupported by MSS., verfions and quotations \ the one will be more probable than the other, in proportion to the pre- ponderance of the evidence which fupports* it ; and that preponderance admits a great variety of degrees. Gen. x. 4. Dodanim, " Heb. moft MSS. Chald. Vulg. " Rodanim, " in a few MSS. 70. I Chron. i. 7. Mafor. and moft MSS. ; the laft is rather probable. Ken. in loc. and DIff. Gen. 90. Ifa. Ix. 5. " Then flialt thou fee (v-nn) and flow together" >X*l>n " (halt thou fear, " in 10 ancient MSS. 30 others ; this laft is moft agreeable to the ftrudure, for it makes the claufe parallel to the next line. T i V, 6, 2/6 RUJLES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS, V. 6. The praifes (mbnn) of Jehovak"-)f5nrv " praife/* in 33 MSS. 3 Edit, ancient Verf. V. 9. The mips of Tarfhifli (rowing) the firft." 5 is prefixed, " as at the firft, " in 25 MSS. and Syr. Ken. and Lowth in loo. Math. v. 27. *m<; atyKMs? wanting 10-51 M8& Ctfffipl. Syr. Goth. Copt. Ethiop. Arab, itha4betfntakcnfromv.il. Mill. Kuft. and Grie&. in loc. Mat. vie 4. tv TO* ipxrtgu, wanting in 6 MSS Vulg. Copt, and fome quotations ; but found in mdft MSS. Syr. Arab. Pferf. and more quotations ; the fenfe" fhewfr it to be right. Mill.- and Griefb. in loc. Whitby Exam. I. 2. c. z. f. r-. Luke ii. 22 " The days of their (avrat) purification" *vrnz in 2 MfSS. Vulg. Arab. Eng. avrtv in 7 MSS. and Aug. ; but both are wrong, for ccvruv is beft fupported, Alex, and li other M9S. Syr. Perf. Ethiop. Goth. Origen ; it has been alteted, to avoid imputing impurity to Jefus. Griefb. in loc. Mill. ib. and Prol. 676, 759, 143$. John ii. 17. Jtscrstpxys, Com. Edit. xairetQa'ys.Txit in Alex, and 57 other MSS. Origen. Compl. 2 R. Steph. Mill, and Grie&. in loc. Als iii. 20. '* He mail fend Jefus Chrift (TOV who was before preached unto you," in many MSS. and Vulg. but 7T^x.s%unrptM " before appointed, " in Alex. 32 more, fome of them ancient. Syr. Arab, ancient quota- tions. 2 Edit. R. Steph. the laft is moft probable, and is confirmed by K-g^^c-^i/o-/ being in the Ethiop, which might be eafily corrupted from it. A&8 xx. 28. " To feed the church " *y WTOV, Syr. quota- tions ; but it is wrong.- >v^Ktv eu 9%*y, in 21 MSS. quota- tions ; yet wrong. *w) hath commanded, and his Spirit, " &c. Here is a difagreeable change of per- fon ; but ntn* *3 9 " the mouth of Jehovah, ; * in 3 aneient MSS. 2 others. 70. Ken. and Lowth in loc. 2 Cor. v. 15. " Jf (u) one died for all, " Js omitted in many MSS. fame of them very ancient, and in quotations ; but t 3 the 278 RULES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS. the fenfe requires it ; and it might be eafily left out be*. fore lig. Mill. Kuft. Griefb. in loc. and Prol. 748. 2 Tim. ii. 19. Eyva Kvgry. Lowth ib. Ifa. xiii. 14. It (hall be as the chafed roe. " What ? " tluc remnant, " IKW, 70. Lowth ib. fla.xl. 5. " All flefli fii^ll fee together. " What -W the klvatioo of God. " 70. Luke iii. 6. Jfa. lii. 10. Lowth ^). Ifa. xli. i. '%Keep filence, " winn. " be renewed, " j^inrr, 70*' agreeably to the ftrii&ure. Lowtia ib. 793. The concurrence of ali, or moft of the an- cient verfions, in a reading not found in MSS. now extant, renders it probable, if it be agreeable to the fbnfe, diough not absolutely neceffary to it. I Sam. ix. 7. jy^b, " to the man ;" but e3^^ ^ ?Jyn ; but, ye have revoked, '? ^pscyj^ in ail the ancient verfions. Lowth ib. 794. Conjectural readings, flrongly fupported by the fenfe, the connexion, the nature of the language, or 282 RULES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS. or fimilar texts, may fomefimes have probability ; c- fpecially, when it can be fhown, that they would eafily have given occafion to the prefent reading ; and, read- ings, firfl fuggefled merely by conjecture, have, in feveral cafes, been afterwards found to be actually in MSS. Gen. i. 8. " And God faw that it was good, " is wanting of the fecond day, but is found in v. 10. in the middle of the third day. Either, " and the evening, " &c. has been trarfpof- ed from v. 10. to v. 8. or, and God faw, " &c. from v. 8. to v. 10. This laft feems preferable ; for the 70. has it in both places. Ken. DifT. Gen. J 80, 81. Jofh. xxiv. 19. ton NV, " Te cannot fervc the Lord. " This feema ftrange, after exhortations to ferve him, and be- fore reafons for fervirig him. Von *V, " teafe not to fervc the Lord, " properly enforced by the reafons whicti follow. Hallet's Notes, V. 3. p. 2. Ken. Diff. 2. p. 375. Pfal. Ixxyiii. 2. is not futtable to the Pfalm, which is hiftori- cal ; the pronoun is fing. but plur. in v. 3. It is quoted Mat. xiii. 35. as from a prophet, and as a prediction of the Meffiah's fpeaktng in parables ; it is, likewife, originally quoted from Ifaiah, in Porphyr, Jerom. fome copiep in hig time, and 3 MSS. and therefore has been originally in, Ifaiah. Wetft. Griefb, and Mill, in loc. Ifa. xxiv. 15. "Glorify the Lord to'lNi in the fires ; " the word is irregular. ta^N* in 23 MSS. rrgular, but ftrange. .Hence feverai conjectures. ta^tfVii '* in the ri- vers. " tovina, " in the mountains. " C3>DK1, t3^y^> " a- mong the nations. " tDKS, in the iflauda or diftant coafts : " this laft is mod probable. Lowth in loc. Ifa. RULES CONCERNING VARIOUS READUsGS'< 283 Ifa. xxx. 1 8. " Therefore will he be exalted t31V that he may have mercy. " tDVT>, "befilent," which ia more agreeable to the ftru&ure and the fenfe. Lowth, ib. Jfa. xlii. 20. r-)im rwo, " Thou feeft many things. " r-Jl*n, " feelniV Ken. 107 MSS. 5 Edit. Eng. but pro- bably mm JVK1, " feeing thou (halt fee, " i. e. " furely, indeed. " See ch. vi. 9. yaw, " he heareth, " wrong. ynwn, "thou heareft, " in 40 MSS. and all the ancient ver- fions ; the fenfe requires this. Lowth, ib, 795. Probable readings may have fo high a degree of evidence, as juftly entitles them to be inferted into the text, in place of the received readings much lefs probable. Such as have not considerably higher pro- bability than the common ones, mould only be put on the margin ; but, they, and all others, ought to be weighed with impartiality. 796. 3. Readings are dubious, when the evidence for, and againfl them, is fo equally balanced, that it Js difficult to determine which of them preponderates. 797. When MSS.,verfions, and other authorities, are equally, or almoft equally, divided between readings which all fuit the fenfe and connexion, it is difficult to determine which of them ought to be preferred. Gen. iv. 15. p 1 ?, "therefore," Heb. Sam. Aq. p KV, " not fo, " 70. Syr. Vulg. Theodot. Sym. Ken. Difs. Gen. 78. Jfa. iii. 8. " To provoke the eyes (^y) of his glory, " common fdit. many MSS. irregular. W, moft MSS. feveral E- dit. $4 S^LES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS- dtt. >> on a rafure in one MS. 3 in one MS. * in one MS. ; per- haps it fhould be jap, " /ta J7FV, G>$ TOY eC^TOV T1); &K, VX tfttTl &W 6V Camb. gr. and lat. Mill, thinks it genuine, (Prol. 779, 780, 1268.) but it has been interpolated from a gloff. Simon, N. T. p. i. c. 30. Campbell and Griefb. in loc. 2 Cor. xi. 3. '* Corrupted arr* r% #5rAaTj}To$ from the fimplici- ty. " iyvoT^T^, " chaftity, y> ancient Latin quot. 286 RULES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS. 70. " the fajl and the folemn meeting;*' it was natural to mention it, as Joel i. 14. ii. 15. Houbig. and Lowth in loc. Rom. vii. 25. Ev%oti, " But thanks be to God, " in 3 MSS. and Jerom. ; but this is fynonymous with the former, and worfe fupported. %^tyi% are depraved, " Houbig. I MS. mi', * mall fpeak, n referring to ittN 1 ?* ' and fay, " in the n^xt line. Seeker. Lowth in loc. Ifa. xvii. 2. The cities imp of Arosr are forfaken. " but, to fay, cities of a city is improper, and it has no relation to Damafcus. v?JT jy f for ever, " 70. " are laid wafte, " Chald. Lowth, .ib. Ifa. lii. 15. " So (n^) fiall be fprinkle many nations. " This is the conftant fenfe, here fuppofed metaphorical, of the word ; but it is always followed by *7p. Savpetrovrxt, " ma- ny nations (hall admire, " 70. thus it is parallel to the next claufe ; but what have they read ? ViW is fo ufed. ch. ii. 2. Jer. xxxi. 12. li. 44* but- it is unlike the other word. (Seeker.) ltn is like it, and is ufed for " looking with approbation or admiration," Pial. xi. 7. xvii. 15. xxvii. 4. Ixviii. 2. and for " looking on God," Exod. xxiv. 1 1. Job xix 26. (Durel. Jubb.) Lowth in loc. 80 1. No dubious reading fhould be taken into the text, in place of what is already there ; for, no alte- ration ought to be made in the received copies, with- out pofitive reafon ; and, fuch dubious readings as are already in the text, fhould be marked as fuch, and the others put on the margin ; but, every perfon is at liberty to ufe his own judgment in chufing which he pleafes. 802. 4. There are readings which are wrong ; and 288 RULES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS* and of this kind, are far the greateft part of the varia- tions from the received copies ; but, to it belong, like- wife, feveral which have, by the injudicioufnefs, the inattention, or the prejudices of tranfcribers and edi- tors, been admitted into thefe ; and fuch readings are either certainly wrong, or, probably wrong. 803. All readings are certainly wrong, which ftand in oppofition to the feveral clafles of readings certain* ly genuine ; of which, therefore, many examples have been already given ; but others may, without impro- priety, be added ; particularly, fuch as have been very generally received, and yet bear plain marks of their being corruptions, as implying barbarifm, inconiiftency, or the like. i Sam. ii. 3. Q^Stt pny NX% " let am>gancy come- out of your mouth. " btf is omitted, " let not, " &c. Chald. 70. Syr. Arab. Eng. The fenfe requires it. l3Dm KM, " and a&ions are not weighed ; " this is abfurd ; but iVi,- " and by him, " Keri, about 40 MSS. Eng. Vulg. Ken. in loc. and Did*. I. p. 450. i Sam. xii. 10. IpyW, " and they cried, lEWI and be faid. " but 1*172*, " and they faid, " Keri, above 50 MSS, Ken. ib. and DifT. Gen. ft. 804. Readings which imply barbarifm, folecifm, or abfurdity, may be pronounced certainly wrong, though we know of no reading, certainly right, to be fubftitut- ed in their place. Ifa. xliv. 8. imn no where occurs. ^m>n in 2 MSS* perhaps 805, it mould be "ix^n, " fear ye. " Seeker. Lowth in loc. RULES CONCERNING VARIOUS "REA.DINC 805. All readings are probably wrong, which (land in -opposition to fuch as arc probably genuine; and thefe, too, have been already exemplified in many in- 1 fiances. 806. Readings which imply considerable irregula- rity, or impropriety, are probably falfe, though it be not clear what reading mould be^ adopted inflead of them. 807. Readings, certainly or very probably falfe 9 ought to be expunged from the editions of the Scrip- tures, and departed from in verfions of them, how- ever long and generally they have ufurped a place there, as being manifeft corruptions, which impair the purity of the facred books. 808. Among texts, the true reading of which is con- troverted, the moll remarkable in feveral refpecls is i John v. 7, S. where the words, w T ^ayw, o TTOLTH^ 'c xoyof, KOLI TO ay/cy Tmiv^ua, xa; vroi ct 7fcir iv c-ivr Kon Tf&c ennv /ofjTv^vj'Tc w TV yj, are by fonie held to be genuine, and by others to be fpurious ; and, all the kinds of evidence, both external and internal, hav- ing been urged on both fides, it is only by a fair com- parifon of them ail, that it can be determined, in which of the four claffes this reading pu^ht to be placed. Mill in loc. Wetft. ib. Bengel. ib. Grfcfb. ib. Simon, N. T. p. i. c. 18. Maifti's Michael. "Pappelbaum. External. MSS. For the text. It is fuppokd to be in 8 of Steph. Vat. fome firm by Simon, one mentioned by Erafr mils. 290 RULES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS. mus, fomc by Cajetan, fome by Valla, fome by the Louvaine divines ; it is in 2, the Dublin and Berlin MSS. Againft it* It is not in any of Steph. nor in the Vat. nor in any feen by Simon. Erafmus faya not that he faw one, nor has any per- fon found it. Cajetan was mifinformed, and Valla is mifrepre- fented. The Louvaine divines mean Latin copies. The Dublin MS. is very modern ; and the Berlin MS. has been carefully collated by Pappelbaum, and proved to be almoft 3 mere tranfcript from the Complutenfian. Verfions. For it. Vulg. ; in all Edit, and moR MSS. ; all modern verfions ; fuppofed to be in Ital. and Armen. Againft it. Arab. Ethiop. Copt. Pers. Rufs. Syr. in all MSS. and fome Edit. Armen. in all ancient copies. Vulg. in many MSS. and the moft ancient ; in others, differently placed ; in Jerome's and Ital. Luther, in fome editions. Zuingl. Bullinger. Eng. edit, till after 1556. Quotations. For it. (Greek.) Diflertation placed in Atha- naf. Lateran Council, as from fome Greek copies of the 1 3th century. Calecas, I4th century. (Latin.) fuppofed in Tertull. and Cyprian, and Explan. fidei ; it is in the Pre- face to the Catholic Epiflles, Viclor Vitens. Vigilius Tap- fens. Fulgentius ; and is pofitively rejected by none. A- gainft it. (Greek.) No Antenicene writer, nor Nicene Council ; no writer for above 700 years, though it might of- ten have been for their purpofe. (Latin.) No writer for a- bove 800 years. Tertull. and Cypr. are mifunderilood. The Preface to the Catholic Epiftles is fpurious and late ; all the o- thers are too late. The text could not be pofitively rejected, becaufe it was not known. Editions. For it. Compl. Erafm. 3d, &c. Steph. Beza. and all the common ones derived from thefe. Againft it. Erafm. ill and 2d. Aid. Haofuenau. Strafburg. Colinseus, and feverai derived from thefe. Griefb. Internal. Connexion. For it. The connexion is imperfect, as there would be only witnefles on earth ; it is referred to, v. 9. RULES CONCERNING VARIOUS READINGS. 29! v. 9. " the witnefs of God ;" it is a proof of v. 5, 6. and properly begins with *>> n*n nwx) wife and Jerwth; " this is abfurd. The 70. Vulg. and Eng, miftranflate. nVY fiN 1DWN " begat Jerioth of Azubah his wife. " Syr. Arab. Ken. Diff. u p. 482. 8 1 6. Letters, which belong to the beginning of one word, have been added to the end of the preceding word. Hof. vi. 5. YiN "pUJSUttai, " And thy judgments the 1'igbt goeth forth ; " this gives no fenfe. "11X3 'tflSlina^ " And my judg- ment fhall go forth as the light, " all ancient Verf. except Vulg. Ken. DifT. f. p. 517. 817. "When, in later MSS. and in editions, words came to be written with diftances between them, they were diftinguifhed only according to the judgment of the tranfcribers and editors, who had no other means of direction than we ftill have ; and, therefore, their judgment has no authority, further than it appears to be well founded ; and, when they differ, the difference ought to be impartially examined. COMBINATION OF LETTERS INTO WORDS. 295 Ifa. liv. 9. V3 \3 " For the waters. " Mafora. wa " as the days," in 2 MSS. 2 Edit. Chald. Syr. Vulg. Sym. Theod. Ken. and Lowth in loc. 8 1 8. Verfions, quotations illuftrated or applied, and commentaries, mow how the authors of them dif- tinguifhed words ; and, where they differ, fuggeft dif- ferent modes of arrangement* which ought to be fair- ly examined ; but, as thefe authors were not infalli- ble, we have the fame right to diftinguifh the words differently, and, generally, the fame means of judg- ing, which they had. 819. Whenever, therefore, a text can be explain- ed, or a difficulty removed, by altering the prefent, or the common diftinclion .of the words, fuch alter- ation may be made without fcruple. 2 Sam. v. 2. N^ltt nn^Hj " tbou waft he that leddeft out ; J> both the words are irregular. XVtflftn n^n, Keri. n^rr in 14 MSS. N^iDn in 21 MSS. Ken. in loc. and DifT. i. p. 24. 820. In judging how letters ought to be combined into words, great regard is due to the nature of the language ; the words formed by the combination, mud always be fuch as belong to it ; and, thofe which are regular., mould be preferred to fuch as would be unufually anomalous. Ifa. ii. if. The lofty looks (plur.) fliall be humbled, and the haughtinef?, " &c. nun bsw (fing.) rrdJ lb2U>. Lowth in loc. u 4 821. 296 COMBINATION OF LETTERS INTO WORDS. 821. Of different arrangements of letters into words, confident with the nature of the language, that ought to be preferred which bed fuits the fenfe and connexion, though it be not fo entirely regular or common as the others. 822. But, generally, the nature of the language, and the itnfe of the place, concur in favouring the fame comHration of letters ; and, when they do, that combination is certainly right. 823. When a particular combination, fuitable to the language and the fenfe, is likewife countenanced by MSS., verfions, or quotations, this is a further con- firmation of its being right. Jer. xv. 1 8. TT>nn Vfr, " Wilt thou be altogether ? " this is ir- regular, and an abrupt tranfition to God. tTTT mm, " it is become, " in i ancient MS. 70. Vulg. Ken in loc. and DifT. I. p. 512. Wall in loc. Jer. xxiii. 33. " Thou (halt fay NUttD nra nx what burden ? " this is odd and incoherent. NU?rcrr tDMN, " Ye are the bur- den. " 70. Vulg. Ken. ib. p. 518. Jam. v. 12. " Left ye fall " (11$ virtnt^) literally " into hypo- crify." So moft MSS. VTTO x,iniv, " under judgment, " in Alex, and a few others, feme Edit. Vulg. Syr. Arab. Ethiop. Mill in loc. and Prol. 1208. Griefb. in loc. SECT, IRREGULAR FORMS. 297 SECT. II. Irregular Forms and Flexions of Words. 824. In the Hebrew of the Old Teftament, there are many words which have fome irregularity in their form. 825. The Jews, and, on the^r authority, or in imi- tation of them, many Chriftians, fuppofe all thefe irre- gularities to have been intended by the infpired writer, ,and to contain fome myflerious meaning ; but, the fuppofition is groundlefs, and the myfteries inferred are imaginary and often ridiculous. 826. Thefe irregularities regard, either the vowel points, or the letters. 827. Of thofe which regard the vowel points, fome indicate falfe readings ; as, when a word is left wholly without points, becaufe it was fuppofed not to be ge- nuine, or, has not its own points, but thofe of another which ought to be fubftituted n its place. 828. Qther irregularities in , the vowel points, only fliow the injudicioufnefs of thofe who affixed them; and, therefore, no regard fhould be paid to them, but the 298 IRREGULAR FORMS. the words confidered and interpreted, as if they had been regularly pointed. Glafa. 1. 3. t. 3. can. 31. 829. Of irregularities regarding the letters, many confift in the defect, the redundance, the tranfpofi- tion, or the change of fome of them ; and, all fuch are falfe readings, owing to the blunders of tranfcribers, though confecrated by the Mafora ; and ought to be corrected. Jfa. xxx. 5. urXirr, X is fuperfluous, and not pointed.' in 8 MSS. and is regular ; " they were afhamed. " Lowth and Ken. in loc. V. 28. CD^ HS^nb, the firft word is very irregular; * is wanting, and n fuperfluous ; it fhould be CD^n *panb, " to fift the nations. " Houbig. and Lowth in loc. Ezek. xiv. i. N11>1, irregular. Nto^ in 2 MSS. which is . right ; others vary. NIT'I in 28 MSS. ; latta^ in 2 MSS. Ken. in loc. and DifT. Gen. p. 83. n. 830. Other irregularities refpecling the letters, feem to arife from a mixture of different perfons, tenfes, and conjugations ; and it has been common to fuppofe, that fuch words unite the fenfe of both the forms which are mixed in them ; but the fuppofition is without foundation, the irregularity being only a falfe reading* which ought to be corrected. Glafs. ib. Exod. xxv. 31. nu^h, an irregular compound of " thon (halt make;, " and nurs " let be made. " It is fup- pofed to contain fome myfterious meaning ; but it has none* The IRREGULAR FORMS. 299 The connexion (hows the former reading to be right j and it is found in the Sam. and above 140 MSS. Ken. in loc. and DifT. i. p. 402. Did". Gen. 42, 52. Ifa. Ixiii. 3. >nblK, compounded of the future bjX " I will ftain, " and the praeterite nba " I have ilained, " but inbNiN in i MS. which is regular, viz. the future with the affix pronoun, affe&ed by the converfive 1 before, " I have ftained them. " GlafT. ib. Ken. and Lowth in loc. Jer. xxii. 23. ^niw, a compound, with jod paragogical, oF : : t the preterite niU>S and participle ni^y, " who inhabitedft, and flill doft inhabit ; " but nnUP in Keri, and 1 1 MSS. and naw in i MS. ; the former is beft fupported, but the points are wrong. *nMpn, a compound, with jod paragog. of the preterite n^3p, and participle ri33ptt, both in Pylu : : - : w i : " neftled and neftleth, " but rospD in Keri and 9 MSS. and fttyipn in 7 MSS. ; it is the participle wrong pointed ; " thou inhabitedft Lebanon, neftling in the cedars. " ^mrr2 but DSm in Keri and 59 MSS., which is right. Ken. in loc. GlafT. ib. 831. There are, likewife, irregular words, which feem to be compounded of different roots ; and which have, therefore, been fuppofed to imply the fignifica- tion of both ; but thefe, too, are only falfe readings, and ought to be corrected. Jer. ii. u. Hath a nation clanged ("i^rrn) their gods, compounded of iin " to change," and ^D> " to boaft ; but *i>72nn in 65 MSS., which is regular from 1172. Ezek. xxxvi. n. >rva^ni " And I will do good," compound- ed !CO SIGNIFICATION OF WORDS. ed of litt and its' ; but *nsam from the former, in 23 MSS. Zecb. x. 6. C^nirnyim compounded of nun " to fit, " which would give CD'rau>m, and iltL? " to return, " which would give G'rnatym " I will bring them again to place them, " Eng. but the former is regular in 25 MSS. " I will fet them." GlafT. ib. Ken. in loc, SECT. Ill The Signification of Words. 832. THE Scripture being written in dead languages^ the words of which, habit has not led us to aflbciate with the things denoted by them, there must often be difficulty in difcovering the fignification of the feveral words employed. 833. In difcovering the fignification of Hebrew words, there is peculiar difficulty j becaufe, that lan- guage having been almofl wholly loft for feveral ages, and no book, except the Bible, being extant in it, the knowledge of it is but imperfectly recovered by means of the kindred languages, the ancient verfions, atten- tion to etymology, and regard to the fcope and con- nexion; and, by means of all thefe, it cannot, perhaps, be completely recovered, in every inftance. B34. SIGNIFICATION OF WORDS. 30! 834. The Greek having been of more extenfive and conflant ufage> it is eafier to difcover the mean- ing of words in the New Teflament ; but even this is not always exempt from difficulty. 835. Difficulties refpecling the fignifkation of fmgle words, are reducible to two, Obfcurity and Am- biguity. 836. i. A word is obfcure, when there is diffi- culty in affixing any meaning to it. Such obfcurity proceeds from different caufes, according to which the means of removing it are likewife different. 837. Obfcurity fometimes arifes from a word being rare in the language, or at lead in Scripture, efpeci- ally, when it occurs only in places where there is little in the fenfe and connexion that can indicate its precife meaning ; and, in this cafe, its fignification muft be collected, as well as poflible, from its etymology, or from the ufage of it, in the few inftances in which it occurs, or from kindred languages. Ifa. ix. 5. }ND pKD occur nowhere elfe ; " battle, " Rabbin. Eng. Sym. " violenta prxdatio, " Vu!g, -*A>jy w; Erafm. or * without handles, " Knatchb. rmfftl'prtcj " brake, '* Eng. ; this is the common fenfe of the word in the New Teftament ; but it iignifies alfo " fliook, " in Greek writers, and perhaps in Luke ix. 39. which agrees better with this place. Knatchb. Phil. iii. 20. TLoXtrsvpa occurs nowhere elfe in the New Tef- tament, but often in Greek writers, where it is always ufcti with a reference to political fociety, particularly to confede- rated ftates, living under the fame laws and polity, though in different places ; " our polity, " that to which we be- long, Palairet. " our converfation, " Eng. ; but this fenfe is noi authorized ; our tranflators have been led to it by *- being twice ufed for, "to behave. '* Firft, Ad. xxiii. i. UtirohrnujMu, ' I have lived," Eng. and terpreters ; but it may refer to Paul's behaviour as a citi- zen ; for he was accufed as an enemy, and fedijtiou?, ch, xxiv. 5. " I have lived as a good citizen. *' Again, Phil. i. 27. HohtrtvrSs, * let your converfation be^ J> Eng. ; bui the apoftle had all along confidered Chriftians as united iu on foeiety, and having a comiwoa caufe and iutereft. Aa fuiubly SIGNIFICATION OF WORDS. 303 fuitably to the Gofpel, the bond and charter of your union ; " it is fo explained by what follows. Eph. ii. 19. 2,v(A7ro*tTeti, a word of the fame etymology ; fel- low-citizens, " Eng. members of the fame community. 838. A word becomes obfcure in a particular paf- fage, when none of the fignifications which it has in other paflages, there fuits the fenfe ; and, in this cafe, another fignification, more fuitable, mud be gathered from other writers, or from kindred languages. 839. A derivative word becomes obfcure, when the fignification which it requires in a particular paf- fage, is fuch as cannot naturally arife from any of the fignifications of its root or primitive, which are found in Scripture, or common in the language ; and, the obfcurity muft be removed by learning other fignifica- tions of the root, from writers in the language, or from kindred languages. The 'noun Vm is derived from Vm, which, ia the Hebrew Bible, fignifies " to be pierced through, wounded, {lain ; " it is therefore rendered " wounded, (lain, " where this fenfe is improper. But, in Arabic, the root fignifies to en- camp, protect, " &c. and its derivatives have fignifications correfponding to thefe, " a brave man, warrior, foldier. " Judg. xx. 31, 39. " fmite tD>Vm the jlain, " Chald. which is abfurd. " the wounded, " 70. little better, for there had been no battle. the Vulg. makes an unwarrantable fupple- ment. Eng. " and kill, " which is no verfion ; but if we render it " foldiers, " all difficulty is removed. Pfal. Ixxxix. 10. " Thou haft broken Rahab bbro " as one wounded, " 70. Vulg. " flain, " Eng. both flat and impro- per. '< thou like a foldier haft broken, " &c, which agrees with the flructure, and is confirmed by Exod. xv. 3, 6. Prov. 304 SIGNIFICATION OF WORDS. Prov. vii. 26. * Caft down many tD^Vm having wound- ed, " 70. Arab, which is no verfion. * (lain," Chald. Syr. " wounded, " Vulg. Eng.; but if we render it " warriors, '' it gives an unexceptionable fenfe, and agreeable to the ftru&ure. Jer. li. 4. The fain (hall fall " (i. e. fall mortally, which is identical) ; but, if it be rendertd " foldiers, " it gives a pro- per fenfe, and preferves a juft connexion with the preceding verfe. So alfo v. 47, 49 Ezek. xi. 6, 7. This word is thrice rendered flam, " in Eng. 70. ; but, if " foidiers, " it makes good fenfe, and perfectly fuits the connexion. ch. xxi. 14, " The fword of thejlain, of the great men that are JIain, " Eng. of the great daughter, " Chald. Vulg. ; it fliould be, " the fword of the warriors, of the great warrior, " i. e. the king of Babylon, v. 19. 2 Sam. xxiii. 8. and i Chron. xi. iz. " lift up his fpear againft (am. 8cc, which is wron ') 300 V:n whom he flew," Eng. but this is almoft i crtdme. if it be rendered " flam or wounded, " this would have been .->p aft of bravery ; but, if " foldiers, " the meaning will be, that he cut his way through. Ken. Diff. j. p. 103, &c. 840. When the obfcurity of a wofd arifes from its implying an allufion to fome particular objeci, cuflom, or event, it can be removed only by the knowledge of that which is alluded to. Mat. v. 41. xxvii. 32. Mark xv. 21. AyyggvA>, "compel,'* from the Perfic ; it is taken from the law of forcing to go on the king's fervice to a certain flage or angara. Druf. Grot. Lightfoot. Lamy. 841. 2. As, in all languages, there are words which have feveral different fignincations, it mud of- ten be ambiguous which of thefe fignifications ought to be affixed to them in a particular paffage ; and, for SIGNIFICATION OF WORDS. 365 f<5r determining this, different means may.be employed in different inftarices. * 842. Knowledge of all the fignlfications of the word muft be prefuppofed ; for a word is not always ufed in its moft common fenfe ; and, that knowledge can be obtained only by an extenfive acquaintance with the language, and the writers in it, and fometimes, alfo* with kindred languages; Luke xii. 29. M (Mrw^a&i, " be not lifted Up on high," Vulg. Erafm. Zeger. This is its moft Common fenfe, agree- ably to its etymology ; but, in this fenfe, it is difficult to connect it with the context. " Be not of doubtful mind, " or, " in careful fufpenfe, *' Eng. High things appear " fuf- pended ; " by a further metaphor, the word fignifies " to vi- brate or fluctuate ; " and hence " to be anxious or in fuf- penfe. ;> This fenfe the word has in Greek writers ; and this fuits the connexion^ and is fynonymous with Mat, vi. 31. Grot. Vatabl. Caftal. Knatchb, JVTat. vi. 2, 5, 1 6. Aflrg^air; rev fttrB-ov. The wotd h'as the fame fenfe in all thefe places. " They have their reward," Eng, Vail. Vatab. Caftal. Grot. This is the fenfe of the word moft frequent in the New Teftamcnt ; but it is frigid, harfh, and fuits not v. I. " ye have no rewardl '* " They Under their reward ; " the word is often ufed irt this fenfe in the Greek writers. Dionyf. Hal. Plutarc. in 70. Eccl. ii. 10. Prov. iii. 27. Xxiii. 13. Joel. i. 13; This is analogous to ctTn- %t>p ; it is commonly rendered^ 306 SIGNIFICATION OF WORDS. " ye have received (ufmg the prxterite for the pfefent) your confolation. " Eng. Vatab. Grot. rather, " ye hinder, " Knatchb. Mat. xi. 12. " Frop the days of John the Baptift, until now r the kingdom of heaven $*fcJpn*i, on picts-ai etgirecZpirtv et,vrw 3 fuf&reih violence, and the violent take it by force, " Eng. Some,. The Jews rum into it fo eagerly, as if they would feize it by force, ' Munft. Erafm; Vatab. Camer. Grot. jLightf. ; but this is fcarcely true, for it met with great oppofition from the Jews. Others, ' The Gentiles feize it, * % not by defcent or inheritance, but extort it from the Jews 39 by coriqiieft ; Hilar. Ambr. Maldonat. Zeger. but the Gen- tiles were not called during Chrift's life. Others, ' is out- raged, 9 violently oppofed by the Jews, and thefe violent oppofers endeavour to ftorm, * or make a prey of it, Har- wood. This is agreeable to the meaning of the words, and of feme of the Hebrew words, which the 70. tranflate by fiiot^u ; it was the real fa&, and it fuits the connexion and ar- gument. So, Luke xvi. 16. User; us octvrw frtt?vrett t ? violently attacks and oppofes it. Jid. 843. The fame word is ufed both as 7 a pfoper name, and as an appellative ; and, it may be uncertain whe- ther, in a particular pafTage, it is to be taken as the one or the other. Gen. ii. 8, py, pleafure, " Vulg. * f Eden, " 70. (though otherwife v. 15.) Eng. which is right; it is a name elfe- where ufed, and is derived from the former. Ch. iv. 1 6. TO, " A fugitive, " Vulg." Nod, " 70. Eng. fo called from Cain's ftate ; perhaps " Arabia defert, J> Wells's Geogr. V. I. c. I. $39. Ch. xii. 6. Deut. xt. 30. n^l^ pbtf, " the plain Moreh, " Eng,, the high oak, " 70. there^ was fuch in Moreh, Gen. xxxv. 4. Jofh. xxiv. 25, 26. Judg. ix. 6. Wells, ib. c. 7. 4. * Ifa, SIGNIFICATION OF WORDS. $G>f Ifa. v. 2. piw, " Sorek, " 70. Theod. " chofen, " Syra, Vulg. " with the choiceft vines," Eng. Ch. xv. 9. niSD'lJj "additions, more," Vulg. Eng. "the Arabians," 70. WK, " a lion, " Vulg. Eng. " and Ariel," 70. TTO1M, " the land. J> Vulg! Eng." Adama, " 70. Ezek. xxxviii. 2. iiwi Wtitt " the prince of the ovir) t A.&8 iii. 14. vii. 52. xxii. 14. i Pet. iii. 18. I John ii. i. But the words are often taken in more reftri&ed fignifications, indi- cated by the fame means ; and thefe are various, i. Inno- cence, or guiltleflnefs, in refpeft of any particular vice. Gen. xx. 4. w a righteous nation, " guiltlefs in refpeft of Sa- rah. David often of himfelf,- as to the crimes imputed to him. 2. Duty to men. Luke ii. 25. *' Simeon jiift and devout. " 5. Stria juftice. " Exod. Jx. 27. ' The Lord righteous, " in the judgment of hail. Ch. xxiii. 8. "gift perverteth, " &c. 2 Cla-on. xii. 6. " The Lord righteous, " in punifhing. Tit. i. 8. *'juft, " enumerated among many otbjer virtues. This fenfe is frequent, and applied to laws or conduft. Mat. xx. 4, 7. " what is right I will give. " John v. 30. " my judg- ment juft. " 4. Kind, benign, beneficent, merciful. Ezra ix. 15. " Lord righteous, " for we remain, &c. Pfal. cxii. 4. *' righteous *' fynonymous with " gracious, " &c. and explained by " fhoweth favour, " &c. v. 6. it has the fame fenfe, SIGNIFICATION OF WORDS. 309 ienfe. Pfal. cxvi. 5. " righteous " fynonymous with " gra- cious, merciful. " Prov. xii. 10. " righteous regardeth beaft, " and oppofed to " cruelty. " Mat. i. 19. ' Jofeph juft, " for " not willing," &c. Grot, Knatchb. Rom. iii. 26. "juft and the juftifier, " Sec. Some, Chrift rendered it confident with juftice to juftify ; ' fome, ' juft in keeping his promife, ' Locke ; but fimpler, f c merciful, " as v. 24. " juftified by grace, " Taylor, i John i. 9. " juft to for- give. " The words fhould be rendered uniformly, when the fame fenfe is clear, and differently from the others. The meaning remains fomewhat doubtful, when different prin^ ciples favour different fenfes, or, when there is no certain principle. Rom. v. 7. " for a righteous man, " * virtuous, ' for it is oppofed to " ungodly, " v. 6. and to " fmners, " v. g. or, < ftri&iy juft, ' for it is immediately oppofed to " good ; " this laft is preferable. Prov. xxix. 7. " The righteous confidereth the caufe of the poor, " < virtuous, ' for it is oppofed to " wicked ; " or, merciful, J if refpefting common life; or, * juft, ' if relating to judicial proceedings. Mat. Jx. 13. Mark ii. 17. Luke v. 32. " not to call the righteous ; " it is commonly underftood of ' felf-righteous ; ' but, in this fenfe, the word is never ufed, nor could it be op- pofed to " finners ; " it means ' truly or eminently virtu- ous, ' oppofed to * grofs finners ; ' he fpeaks comparatively, [157.] and of a total change of life 845. Many words, being common and indefinite, equally applicable to many different fubje&s or events, they ought not to be explained in the fame way in all the places where they occur, but varied and reftrict- ed, according to the fenfe, the connexion, or parallel texts. " The coming of Chrift, " is ufed in very different fenfes, which it is of importance" to diftinguifh. * His birth, or coming in tjie body,' John xvi. 28. " came from the Father, into tfie 3 world. " SIGNIFICATION OF WORDS. world." I John iv. 2, 3. 2 John 7. ' Executing his un- dertaking,' John xviii. 37. " came into the world," diftin- gw'fhed from " was born. " Mat. xviii. n. xx. 28. Mark X. 45. Luke xvii. 20. xix. 10. John i. 9. u. iii. 2, iv. 25. vii. 27, 28, 31, 41, 42. ?c. 10. Eph. ii. 17. i Tim. i. 15. Hence, particularly, his entering on his miniftry. '-. So, "came after John, " Mat. iii. n. Mark i. 7. Luke iii. 16. John i. 15-, 27, 30, Alfo, Mat. xi. 19. " Son. of pan camey " &c. John v. 43. " come in my Father's name. " Ch. ix. 39. " For judgment am I come," Any great, though invifible interpofition, ' Rev. ii. 5, " come and remove candleftidk. " v. 16. " come and fight. " Ch. iii. 3. " come quickly. " Specially, * the effufion of the PJp- 3y Spirit,* John xiv. 18, 28. ** come unto you. " And * the propagation of his religion, ' Mat. xvi. 28. " coming in his jjdngdom, " for Mark is. I. " kingdom come with power. " * The deftruftion of Jerufalem, ' Mato xxvi. 64. <( coming ia the clouds, " &c. prophetic ftyle, for judgment. Vifible appearance for general judgment, ' Mat. xvi. 27. " {hall come in glory, " for it is added, " reward every man, " &c. this fenfe is frequent. It is fometimes difficult to determine between thefe fenfes.. Mat. x. 23. " till the Son of Man be come. " r* Till his refurre&ion, * Munfter. Lightf. ; but the phrafe never has this fenfe. f Till he followed them preach- in^, ' Vatab. c Till he come to deftroy Jerufalem, ' Zeger, Knatchb < Till giving of the Holy Ghoft, ' Grot. { Till the gofpel be received, * Macknight, It is doubtful in what fenfe it fhould be taken in this place. 846. As the fame word is, fometimes, taken in a good, a bad, or indifferent meaning, it is by the fenfe and connexion that it mufl.be determined, in which of thefe ways it fhould be underftood, in a particular SIGNIFICATION OF WORDS. 31 I Acts xvii. 22* Attvirt(>v<;, " too fuperilitious. " Erafm. & alii. But, " more religious ; " this is a common fenfe of the word : the Athenians were fond of this charac- ter ; it fuits the apoftle's defign, and gives occaiion for his doctrine : he fhows great addrefs, commends where he can, yet fpftly hints a rebuke. Grot. Benfon. Lardner. Acts xxv. 19* "of their own (fott&a/fW*?) fuperttition, " Eng. *' Religion : " this fenfe fuits the connexion : the word is ufed by Jofephus in fpeaking of the Jewifh religion ; it is here ufed of Agrippa's religion, and Feftus was defirous of {how- ing him refpect. Benfon. 847. The fame word may be ufed, either in its pro- per and literal, or in a figurative and tranilatitious fenfe ; in moft cafes, it is not difficult to determine, particu- larly by the nature of the thing, or by the connexion, in which way it mould be underflood ; but, in fome cafes, it is doubtful ; and yet ? the determination will confiderably affect the fenfe. There are many texts which afcribe bodily parts to God ; but, the nature of the thing, and other texts, (how that the terms are ufed metaphorically. Gen. iii. I, &c. " Serpent, " is generally underflood literally ; others, however, think, that it fliould be taken wholly me- taphorically. Chandler's Sermons. Gerard, vol. i. ferm 45- * { Holy Ghoft, " often fignifies the divine Spirit, ' John xiv. 1 6, 26. xv. 26. xvi. 23. Mat. xxviii. 19. 2 Cor. xiii. 4. often, * his operation, or the effect of it ; ' Acts ii. 4, 33. viii. 15 19. x. 44. Acts xix. 1,2. " We have not heard whe- ther there be any Holy Ghoft, " any giving of miraculous powers, v, 6. x 4 848. 312 SIGNIFICATION OF WORDS, 848. In the New Teftament, a word's being under- ilood according to the ufage of Greek, or that of Hel- leniftical, writers, will confiderably affect the fenfe ; and the determination may be attended with fome am- biguity ; which, however, may generally be removed, at leafl with fufficient probability. [161. 162. 164. 849. Many words have feveral diftincl: fignifications, not reducible to any of thefe heads, one of which they hear in fome texts, and another in others ; and, which of them they bear in each, mud be afcertained by the connexion, the conftrudion, the ufage of Scripture, and iimilar paflages. primarily fignifies e a child, * abfolutely. Mat. ii. 16., TB? 9Kua, " the children. " Luke ii. 43. lyws o " the child Jefus. " Mat. xvii. 1 8. Luke viii. 5 1, 54. ix. 42. by extenfion beyond the age of childhood, ' a young perfon, * A&s xx. 12. -<}, of Eutychus fc for vwvietft v. 9. -or even, perhaps, persons of any age, ' Mat B xxi. 15. r5 yretiXecsf the difciples. Relatively to a mafter, a * fervant. ' Mat. xiv, 2 1 Herod faid rots Koiirw etvra " to his fervants. *' Luke vii. 7. vstis (tx, " my fervant, " for ?yAo$, v. 2, 8 3 io. Luke xii. 45. xv. 26. So, probably, Luke i. 54. of Ifrael, where there is an allulion to Ifa. xli. 8, 9. and A&s iv. 25. The word is alfo fuppofed to fig- nify, relatively to parent, ? a fon. J John iv f 51. a ?r#<$ v, " behold my fervant," ng. which is right ; for it is a quotation from Ifa. xlii. I. where the word is lay. Acts iii. 13. ^o|^ r roy **$* awnt * fon, ?> Eng. Grot. The apoille is fuppofed to allude to the teflimony at his baptifm ; but, there feems no reafon for the SIGNIFICATION OF WORDS. 3IJ the fuppofition ; the allufion is rather to his refurre&ion and giving miraculous powers, v. 15, 16. ; it may, therefore, mean " fervant. " v. 26. ec.vsi^tr^ rov Trainee, ecvray " his fon, " Eng. but rather " fervant : " it alludes to Mofes, who is often called " fervant, " never " fon. " Acts iv. 27. m rov ayiov veuta Eng. cubit belongs to fpace. But y^iy.icc equally fignifies ' age ; ' it is fo rendered John ix. 21, 23. Heb. xi. i. Meafures of fpace are often applied to time y ff a fpan, " or handbreadth, Pfal. xxxix. 5. ; fo may 9ni^v^ f cubit ; ' and this fenfe fuits the connexion, v. 25. forbids anxiety for life ; to fpeak here of prolonging it, is, there- fore, fuitable ; but ?<}ding to one's ftature is not ; and adult perfons could not think of it ; a cubit would not be " leaft, '* Luke xii. 26. where it is preceded by the parable of the rich man. " Who can add length to his age ? " or, " prolong his life one hour ? " Heylin. Theol. Lect. Campb. in loc. 850. Different fignifkations of the fame word arc fometimes very remote, and, in appearance, totally unconnedted ; but, the mod remote are generally united, by means of the feveral intermediate fignirica dons \ 3x4 NOUNS. tions ; and, by tracing thefe, a word may be proper- Jy interpreted in texts, where its primary figniffcation, or any of its moft common fignirlcations, would be totally unfuitable. Pfal. xlix. 4. bwob " to sparable, " Wn " a dark faying ; " neither, however, applicable to the fubjeft. Parables were originally ufed for familiar illuftration ; afterwards, for con- cealing the meaning ; and thus proceeded to enigma or riddle. The interpretation of fuch was reckoned great wif- dom, Judg. xiv. 12, &c. Prov. i. 5, 6. Hence, wife fayings ' came to fignify any important inftru&ion. Such is here given, a.nd called " wifdom, underftanding, " v, 3, 851. Similar words have fometimes totally different fignifications, which may very readily be, and often are, confounded ; but, mufl be carefully diflinguilh* ed s elfe the fenfe will be perverted, or obfcured. SECT. IV. The Usage of Nouns % 852. THE peculiar usage of nouns regards their feveral accidents, gender, cafe, number 5 or their va- rieties, as fubftantives or adjectives, abftract or con- crete ; and, the difficulties attending it arife from ir- regularities in relation to any of thefe, Macknight on Epiilles, Effay 4. 853- NOUJ;S 315 853. The Hebrew language having no neuter gen- cler, either in nouns or pronouns, fometimes the maf- culine, but generally the feminine, is ufed in place of it ; and this ufage being fometimes adopted jn the Greek of the New Teflament, it is to be decided by the fenfe, and is generally to be admitted, when there is not a concord with an antecedent of the fame gender. Glaff. 1. 3. t. i. c. 19. Gen. i. 3 i . ii. 18. Pfal. cxix. 65. ill: mafc u for nut. " good. '* Gen. 1. 20. mvj fern. for " good, " neut. nyn fern, for " evil, " neut. Ifa. v. 20. EccL ix. 9. Job v. 9. Gen. xv. 6. and often clfe where. Pfal. cxviii: 23. Wn fern. Mat. xxi. 42. Mark xii. u. UVT?,, not referring to pa?, " ftone, " 713*?, yiuvisis, " corner, ." or x'tpxhn, " head. " (Orig. Chryfoft. Theophyl. Erafm.) but to the whole fentence. Bez. Cafaub. John xvii. 3. avrvi for rare, w this is life eternal, " viz. " to know thee, " 2cc. 854. The writers of the New Teftament fometimes ufe the neuter for expreiling a perfon ; but this ought not to be fuppofed, except when the fenfe, or fome other clear principle, requires it. Mat. i. 2O. To ygyyjjS-SK, Luke i 35. ygyi/^gyay, " that which is bom," viz. " Jefus. " Mat. xii. 41, 42. nrAsoy, < a greater perfon,' Chrift. Ch. xviii. n.ro ec,7rcXaho<; 9 " that which was (thofe which were) loft. " John hi. 6. vi. 39. i Cor. i. 27, 28. Heb. vii. 7. I John v. 4. I John i. i, 3. *O ijy, " that which," the Aoyo?, parallel to J6hn i. I, 14. 855. As a word has fometimes the very fame form different genders, it leaves an ambiguity in which gender NOUNS. gender it ought to be taken, and that confiderably af- fecting the fenfe ; but it may generally be determined by the connexion, parallel texts, or other means, though not always with abfolute certainty. Luke vi. 35. " Lend MHAEN ctTr&TrifyvTts, " neut. " hoping for nothing again," Eng. Bez. Wolf. Cafaub. Grot. Kachfpan. oppofed to " finners hoping for as much, " v. 34, But if fo, the manner of expreffion would have been retain^ ed, and a^^Tri^a never means " to hope again, " but ',' to defpair ; " therefore, taking pv^tv adverbially, " not at all defpairing, " Macknight. Campb. But [AY$IV may be mafc. " caufing no man to defpair, " (the verb having the force of Hiphil, as 70, Ifa. xxix. 19. and Ecclus. xxvii. 24.) Syr. Arab. Perf. This fenfe fuits Mat. v. 42. and feems pre- ferable. Jun. De Dieu. Feffel. Hamm. Knatchb* Cleric. 1 Cor. ii. 6. " We fpeak wifdom tv rois riteioig, (mafc.) among them that are perfect. " Eng. ' Chriftians ' in general, Va- tab. Cafaub. Grot, and others or ' initiated, far advanced, ' and " wifdom " means fublimer points. Macknight. Bat there is no open and fecret doftrine in Chriftianity ; the whole gofpel is here evidently meant. Or neut. " concerning per- feft things, " Arab, which fuppofcs not the Corinthians to be perfect, and fuits the connexion ; for the apoftle all along fpeaks of things taught, not perfons to whom he fpoke, v. 7, 9, 10, 13. This laft is the fimpleft, and the preferable explication. Knatchb. 856. The Hebrew nouns having no cafes by flexion, its ufage, in relation to them, refolves itfelf into that of prepofitions ; and, in the New Teftament, the cafes are employed in the fame manner as by Greek writers, even NOUNS. 3' 1 7 even when they feem to be ufed promifcuoufiy, as the nominative for the vocative. Glafs. ib. C. 29. Mat. i. 20. xxvii. 29. Mark x. 47. Luke viii. 54. xii. 32. xviii. 13. Rom. viii. 15. Gal. iv. 6. Epb. vi. i. 857. When the cafes of a noun are not diftinguifhed by their form ; the fenfe, the ufage of Scripture, or of the language, muft determine in which of them it ihould be taken. As vii; 59. Kvpe It,etru* (the ftreet) " the ftrects, '' v. 16. 860; 31 8 N OUSTS. 860. In the New Teftament, the dual number is never ufed ; in the Hebrew, it is diftinguifhed from the plural only by the vowel points ; but, if the authority of thefe be admitted, it is often ufed irregularly, there being fmgulars with a dual termination ', and duals with plural fignifications % particularly in numerals 3 . GIafT. ib. c. 23. Schult. Gram. Heb. reg. 71. 72, water. ba^W, heaven, tj^ns, mid-day. * Lev. xi. 23. fc^l " feet, " dual, joined with " four. " I Sam. ii. 13. t3*3um teeth, " dual, joined with "three. " Ezek. i. 6. C3^D2D " wings, " dual, with " four: " Zecli. iii. 9. &W " eyes, " dual, with " (even. " 3 2 Sam! xii. 6. fcDWinK " fourfold. " . Prdv. vi. 31. CD^nrs^i; " fevenfold " not fl t^ice four, ttvice feven. " Pagn. 86 1. Plural nouns are iometimes intended to figni^ Fy, not many, but one among many ; in which ufage, foine fuppoie an elliplis of the numeral for one. Glaff. ib. c. 27. Macknight, Eff. 4. Gen. viii. 4. " Refted on '"jn the mountains, " &G O on one of them. Ch. xix. 29. * c The cities in 'which (one of which) Lot dwelt. " Judg. xii. 7. " was buried in (one of) the cities of Gilead. " Neh. iii. 8. vi. 2. Zech. ix. 9. Mat. xxiv. i. ci pu&wrott " his difciples JJ s "the healths" 'health of every kind j ' rather, fimply * health. ' Prov. i. 20. rmaan "wifdoms" ' the excellent wifdom, ' or fimply < wifdom ; ' the word ia fmgular in other texts. So c?h. ix. i. Eccl. v. 7. ICa. Iviii. 2. Lam. in. 22. Ezek, xxviii. io. Nah. ii.' 6. Mat. viii. ii. Luke xiii. 29. otmroXcct X.CLI Svc-tuti, " eaft and weft:" So Mat. ii. i. xxiv. 27. Rev. xvi. 12. and elfe- where ; no fubtlety is meant. Mark xii. 25. x^xvois ; but Mat. xxii. 30. vgetvai ; they are ufed promifcuoufly, without any emphafis being intended by the former ; therefore, the power given to Peter, Mat. xvi. 19. v TO #>, is the fame; not, to him in all the heavens, to them only in one, according to Origen and the Popifli wri- ters. So in other texts. Mat. xxvi. 64. and often elfe- wher-e, &&* plural, for " the right hand ; " perhaps ^q is to be fupplied ; in other texts it is fingular, as Heb. viii, x xii. 2. Mat, NOUNS. Mat. x!i. I. r owpjSxirtf " fabbaths " * fabbath, ' v. 2. or * one oF them. ' So ^ggas T#V o-p.fipctrav, Lukeiv. 16. A&s xiii*. 14. xvi. 13. 70. Lev. xxiii. 32. Heb. ix. 2, 12. roc ctyia, " the fanftuary. " v. 3. yN^M for ^A^<* (vvhich is the word, v. 18.) " the fooiyincfi of God " TO *r&m$ for ur&iitt*, " the vveaknefs of God. " 2 Cor. viii. 8. " To prove TO yinjney the fincenty of your love. J5> Phil. iv. 5. " Let TO tTTiiixfs for i;rw*ifj<, " wondered after the beaft, " Eng. this is literal, but wants precifion -" looked with wonder, J> or " wondering followed after the beaft. " Bzra ii, 62. I'jJWi, literally, " And they were polluted from the priefthood ; " " as polluted fut from, " Eng. which is right, v. 63. Pfal. Ixxxix. 39. nVm " thou haft profaned his crown to the ground ; " " by cafting it to, " Eng. Ifa. xiv. 17. nn^ nns vh IM^DN, literally, loofed not his prifoners homeward. " Eng. opened not the houfc of his prifoners, " no verfion. fupply, " tl^at they might return, " or, ** fen^ them " home. Ch. xxxviii. 1 7. npum " thou haft loved my foul from the pit. " Eng. " haft in love to my foul delivered it from. " Luke xxi. 38. " All the people g9$e ^o? *VTM, literally, " rofe early in the morning, or by the dawn, to him '* " came to him," Eng. " riilng came. " 871. Verbs fometimes denote, not the a&ion or efFet exprefled by them (imply, but under fome par- ticular modification of it. [876.] 872, Thus, verbs exprefling an aftion or Y 3 fometimes VERfS. fometimes denote only the beginning, x and fome- times, only the continuance of it. * [156.] Glafs. ib. c. 3, 4. 1 i Sam. Hi. 21. " The Lord appeared again (continued to apr pear) n^ O, Eng. " for he revealed ; " others, " after he had revealed (begun to reveal) himfelf to Samue 11 . " I Kings vi. i. " In the fourth year ptt and he built, " <" be gan to build," Eng. for it was finimed in the eleventh, v. 38. confirmed by 2 Chron. Hi. 1,2. Mat. H. 7. " The time rv Qotivofttvx a,?^ when the ft^r ap- peared," began to appear, v. 16. Luke v. 6. " Their net ht^yvvro brake, " began to break, or was like to break, v. 7. 3 Lev. xxvi. IT. ^fin^ " And I will fet my tabernacle (con- tinue) among you. " Jer. vii. 3. n33^N1 " And I will caufe you to dwell (con- tinue to dwell) in this place. " 873. Verbs fometimes exprefs, not fnnply doing the action, but doing it in a particular manner, con* , noting fome quality, adjunct, or condition of it. Glafs. ib. c. 13, 14. zek. xxvi. 14. ** Thou fhalt be built no more," Tyre rnot ftriftly true, Palastyrus but not built magnificently, ele- gantly. ' Prov. xxxi. 4. ." It is not for Ipngs to drink wine, " immode- rately, to excefs. Mat. xi. 1 8, 19. "Neither eating nor drinking,' 7 abftemious in both " eating and drinking, " not immoderately, but free- ly, like other men. Mat. x. 32. " Confess me^ " not fimply, but with faith, bold- VERBS, 327 nefs, fubje&ion, v. 27, 28. Rom. x. 9. So i John iv. John viii. 34. i John iii. 9. v. 18. " Commit fin," wilfully, deliberately, habitually. I Sam. x. 24. I Kings i. 25. "jbnn M"P, Eng. " God fave the king, " but literally, " may the king live, " profperoufly, happily. I Sam. xxv. 6. " to him that livech, " Eng. fupply " in profperity. " So Pfal. xxii. 26. Ixix. 32, i Theff. iii. 8. " Now we live, " are happy, " To will, " does not fignify always,fimp1e volition. To will with alacrity and readinefs, ' Mark x. 35. gAo^gv, " We will, ",wi(h earneftly. Ch. xii. 38. &Avrv, "who will, J> *Iove* Eng. Gal. iv. 2r. ^eAavrsc, Eng. who defire toie under the law.". I Tim. vi. 9. /3*Ao,syw 7rArv, " they that vail! be rich, " who wifti for it earneftly, immoderately. -< To will, not abfolutely, but under a condition, ' Mat xi, 27. l( To whomfoever the Son (/3sA>jT#<) iy;7/ reveal, " not arbi- trarily, but to thofe who are qualified, as appears frorji the connexion, y- 25, 28. Rom. ix. 18. " He hath mercy on whom he will," v ^eAe<, who are qualified as he requires. " And whom he will, he hardeneth, " who dcferve it by ob- ilinacy. Locke, Taylor in loc. " Can, cannot, " fignify not fimply what is poflible or impof- fible, but can with eafe, convenience, fafety, inclination ; cannot without difficulty, pain, inconvenience, danger, lofs. Gen. xliv. 22. " The lad cannot leave hia father, " conveniently, fafely, <* for his father would die. " Ruth ^"v. 6. '* I cannot redeem, " withoujt lofs, inconvenience, <; left I mar," &c. 2 Sam. xvii. 17. " They might not be feen, " without danger, v. 18, &c. Luke xi, 7. " I pannot rife, " without trouble, inconvenience. Mark vi. 5. He could there do no mighty work " would not, or, did not. John vii, 7. " The world cannot (will not) hate you. " Rev.*ii. Y 4 * 3*8 VE'RBS, 2. Thou eapjl not bear them that are evil,-" without pain, or, wilt not. 874. Verbs expreiTive of an a&ion, are often iifed, not to fignify the doing of that a&ion, but only to de- note fome of the caufes, or prerequifites to the doing of it. 875. Thus, verbs of a&ing, often, in Scripture, are intended to fignify only the power of a&ing ; and this iifage gives great beauty and for^e to defcription, Glafs. ib. c. 5. ix, 15. 'i-mbw " I have Jlr etched (Eng. *i'/// ftretch, " wrong) out my hand, *|N1 and I have fmote (Eng. " that I may finite, '* wrong) thee and thou fhalt be cut off. " This is not true, as appears from the fequel ; it is contrary to v. f\ 6. " For this caufe ^mnjm ( have I ^fedjhee up, " ng. -but) " have I made thee to ftand, '^referved thee ?afe f f from all plagues, " for to fhow in thee my power, " more Kiignally, ch. xiv. 23, &c. Therefore it fliould be, " I could ilretch out, and fmite, and cut off; but for this caufe," &c. Job. ix. 5, 6, 7, ** Which removeth overturneth fhaketh commandeth fealeth, " &c, not actually does, but can do. jech. ii. 4. " Jerufalem Jb.all be inhabited^-without walls ; >$ not actually, but might be with fafety. Mat. vii. 1 6, " Do (can) men gather. " Rom. x. 14. ' Howr fhall (can) they call, " &c. 'i Cor. ii. 15. " He that is fpi- ritual judgeth (can judge] all things -himfelf is (can be) judged of no man, " 876. As power is limited by right, verbs denoting the VERBS, 329 the power of a&ing, x and, likewife, verbs denoting ac- tion, * often fignify only the right of afting, or what can be lawfully done. Glafs. ib. c. 6, 12. * Gen. xxiv. 50. " We .cannot (lawfully) fpeak bad or good, *< So ch, xxxiv, 14. xliii. 31. Deut. xvi. 5. " TIiou canft not (lawfully, Eng. " roayeft not ") facrifice the paffover within thy gates. " Acts iv. 20. " We cannot (lawfully) but fpeak. " I Cor. iii. ii. " Other foundation can no man (lawfully) lav." 3 Gen. xx. 9. " Thou haft done deeds which iw;p K 1 ?, fhall not (cannot lawfully, ought not to) be done. " fieb. v. 4. " No man taketh this honour, " lawfully can, ought to take. 877. By a further extenfipn, verbs of a&ion pmes denote the obligation to ad, not only in nega- tive proportions, where ' unlawful * and ' ought not * are fynonyraous, but alfo in affirmative proportions, where obligation to do is different from mere lawful- jiefs. Glafs. ib. Neb. v. 8, " We have redeemed the Jews, " ought to have re- deemed ; but had not, " Will ye fell them ?" Pfal. xxxii. 8. The way which thou ihalt go, " oughteft to go. Mai. ii. 7. The prieft's lips ^\V* fhall keep knowledge, '> ought to keep, but did not, v. 8. Mat. xxvi. 52. " Shall perifh, " ought, deferve to pcridi. Luke iii. 14. " What (hall we (ought we to) do ? " What arc our duties ? as appears from the feaucl, a. 33 VERBS. Cb. vii. 42. " Which of them will (ought to) love raoft ?" 878. Verbs of adion fometimes fignify the will or inclination to do that a&ion, ' or the endeavour to do it, * or both thefe together. $ Glafs. ib. c. 7, 8. Macknight, Epift. Effay 4. i. i. 1 Gen. xxiv. 58. Vjbnn "Wilt thou go? f?K I will go. 1 ' not fimple futurity, but, chufc, incline to go. Exod. xvi. 23. Bake that which you will (chufe to) bake, " &c. i Sam. xxi. 9. " If thou u>/// (chufe to) take that, take it. " (^Mat. xiii. 13. " Seeing they fee not, " &c, chufe not to fee, hear, underftand. Ch. xxtii. 8. Mv xXv&vrt, " Be not ye called Rabbi, " defire not, affect not to be, as appears from the connexion, v. 6, 7. * love to be called. ' Luke xxii. 26. " He that it greateft, he that is chief, " wifiies to be, Mat. xx. 22. Mark x. 43. John xv. 15. " What his lord doth, " chufes, intends to do. 1 Exod. viii. 18. "The magicians did fo with their enchant- ments, " endeavoured to do it, " but they could not, " (. Ezek. xxiv. 13. "I have purified thee, " endeavoured, ufed means, been at pains, " and thou waft not purged. " (ft John v. 44. A*^/3*vovTg$, "who receive honour," labour to obtain it. Rom. if. 4. " The goodness of God *yleadeth thee to repent-. ance, " endeavours or tends to lead, or, ought to lead. i Cor, x. 33. " Ipleafe all men, " endeavour to pleafe* Gal. v. 4. * Whofoever of you are juftifad by the law, " en- deavour to be juftified by keeping it. Pfal. Ixix. 4. WttXD, " they that deftroy me, " wifii and en- deavour to deftroy, Anacs VERBS. 331 Amos ix. 3. " Though they be hid from my fight, " wifn and endeavour to hide themfelves, though they could not adually do it. John v. 34,41. Oy Xei^otvuy " I receive not," affe6l not and endeavour not to receive. A&s vii. 26. S0yA$o$ ysntrbu, " let him become a fool," be fenfible that he is a fool. 2 Cor. vii. 14. " Our boafting x^S&ce, eyw>j$ is become truth, " difcovered to be, " found a truth, " Eng. 3 Exod. xiii. 2. *> unp, " Sanftify to me the firft-born," declare that they are feparated to me, v. u, 12, 13. Lev. xiii. 3. " The prieft mall look on him, Kttfcn and fhall defile him, " pronounce him unclean. So v. 13, 17. into, " cleanfe, " declare clean. Pfal. xxxiv. 3. ^Vo, " make great, magnify the Lord, " declare or acknowledge him to be great. A&s x. 15. " What God vcet&aprt hath cleanfed (pronounced clean) that do not thou KUW make (call) common, " v. 28. 4 Gen. xxxv. 12. " The land which I gave to Abraham and . Ifaac, to thee will I give it, and to thy feed wtfl I give it, " which I promifed to Abraham and Ifaac, I promife to thee, and will give to thy feed. Ch. xli. 13. " Me he reftored unto mine office, and him he hanged," foretold thefe events, ch. xl. 13, 19. I Kings xix. 15, 1 6. " Anoint Hazael to be king over Syria, " foretell that he (hall be, 2 Kings viii. 13. " And Jehu (halt thou anoint to be king over Ifra 1, " only could foretell it, for Elifha anointed him, 2 Kings ix. 2, &c. Ifa. vi. 9, io. " Make the hea>t of this people fat, make their ears heavy, (hut their eyes, " prophecy that they fhall be fat, deaf, blmd. Jer. i. i o. "I have fet thee over the nations, to root out, pull down, deftroy, throw down, build, plant, " to foretell all thefe things. Ch. xv. i . Caft them out of my fight, " foretell that they {hall be caft out, v. 7. Ezek. Ezek. xiii. i^ " Will ye (the falfe prophets) pollute mc-^to Jlay the fouls that (Eng. " ftionld") fhall not die, and tofave the fouls alive that (fhould) mall not live ? " to foretell that they {hall be flain, faved alive j for it is addecl, " by your lying to my people: " Ch. xxh 26. u Remove the diadem, take off the crown, exalt Him that is low, alafe him that is high, " predict that the fe things fhall be. Ch. xliii. 3. " The vifion which I faw when I came to deftroy the city, " to predict its deltru&ion, ch. ix.-x. 883'. Affirmative verbs are fbmetimes to be under- flood only in the fenfe of their contraries, with a nega- tion or an extenuation; Glafs. ib. c. 19; Dent. in. 26. tetfrM, " But the Lord was wroth with me for your fakes ; " the term implies great wrath, but here, only the not granting his requeft to enter into Canaan, v. 25. Mai. i. 2, 3. " I lov?d Jacofc, and I hated Elan, " quoted Rom. ix. 13. loved Jacob more than Efau, preferred him. i.uke xiv. 26. " If any man hate not his father and mother, " &c< love not them lefs than me, Mat. x 37. 884. Negative verbs are often put for the contrary affirmative verbs, and fometiriles exprefs the fenfe of thein with emphafis. Crlafs. ib. c, 20. Lev. x. I . " Strange fire which he commanded them hot, " exprefsly forbade. I Sam. xii. 21. " Vain things which cannot profit, " idols which will hurt you by provoking God. Pfal. Ixxxiv. II." No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly, " will give them all good things. ' Prove VERBS. 337 Prov. xii. 3. " A man fhall not be eftablifhed by wickednefs, " fhall be overthrown. Ch. xvii. 2 1* " The father of a fool hath not joy, " hath great forrow. Zech. viii. 17. " Love not a falfe oath, " hate it. John xiv. 1 8. "I will not. leave you t^stvy? orphans. " Eng. " comfortlefs, " will protect, give comfort, ' I will come to you. " Rom. iv. 19. MJJ ir5gynir#$, " being not weak in faith, " very ftrong, as appears from the connexion. Rev. xii. 1 1. "They loved not their lives unto the death, " they readily rdigned them to death. 885. It is fometimes taken notice of, as an ufage in the Hebrew verbs, that the perfons are interchanged ; but the inftances alleged, of the fecond perfon being put for the third, and the third perfon for the firft or the fecond, feem to be only falfe readings, of which fome are corrected by manufcripts Hill extant, and none are countenanced by the ancient verfions ; and, when the firft perfon is ufed for either of the other two, it is properly a figure, which will be confidered afterwards. Glafs. ib. c. 50. 886. Plural verbs are fometimes ufed in a lingular fenfe ; confeifedly in the fecond and third perfons % and moft probably in the firft alfo 2 . Glafs. ib. c. 5 1 . * Job xviii. 2. " How long will it be ere yiTSMUn ye make an end of words?" Bildad to Job. Z Gen, VERBS-. Gen. xxxiv. 27. " Becaufe iNrctj they had defileJ their fifter. Shechem alone had done it, v. 2, &c. one of them. (861.) Mat. ii. 20. " They are dead which fought the child'? life, " Herod. Gen. xxix. 2 f. " Fulfil her week rrtnft and we will giVe thee this alfo. " Laban alone fays this. 2 Sam. xvi. 20, *' Give counfel what rriyy} we fhall do. J> Abfalom alone fpeaks, and there is no intimation of his in- cluding his generals along with him. I Kings xii. 9. " What counfel give ye 1>U>51 that we may anfwer this people ? " Rehoboam alone fpoken to, and he a- lone anfwered, v. 13, 14. Ch. xxif. 3. ' Ramoth is oura, and we be ftill and take it not. " Ahab. Job xviii. 2, 3. '* We will fpeak ; wherefore are we counted^ " &c. Bildad. Dan. n. 36. 1DN3, " We will tell the interpretation. " Daniel, perhaps joining his companions with him, v. i", 18. but per- haps himfelf only, v. 16, 19, 2327. Mark iv. 30. " Whereanto fhall we liken, e. fiiall we compare it?" Chrift. John iii. I f. " We fpeak that we do know," &c. Chrift, not along with the prophets, Bfz.i. nor, with the Father and Spirit ; it fuits Chrift himfelf, ch. i. 18. iii. 32* Rom, i. 5. " We have received grace and apoftleftiip. " Paul. Gen. i. 26. " Let its make man, " 5cc. it does not neceflarily imply a plurality of perfons. 8-87. The preterite has forhetimes the force of the plusquam-perfeft ; not only in the Hebrew, where the want of the latter makes it neceffary ; but likewife in the Greek of the New Teftament, both it and the aorifts. Glafs. VERBS. 339 Glafs. ib. c. 46. Macknight, ib. EfT. 4, if. 3. Gen. xii. i. "i?2*n, " The Lord had faid to Ab>am, " Eng. before Terah's death, ch. xl. 31. A&s vii. 2, 3. Gen. xxix. 12. W, " And Jacob (had) told Rachel, " before what is related v. 1 1. Exod. xxxiii. 5. 1?2N% " And the Lord faid (had faid, Eng.) unto Mofes, " as appears from the connexion. Luke xix. 15. " He commanded thefe fervants to be called unto him, to whom s^wxe he had given (Eng.) the mo- ney. " Mat. xiv 3. " Herod having feized John, e^s-sv ccvrov x} '&tT had bound him and put him in prifon, " a conliderable time before. John iv. 44. " He departed thence for Jefii3 tfcx^rv^ytv had teftified, " before his departure. 888. The pad has fometimes the force of the prefent ; not only in the Hebrew, which wants a pre- lent tenfe, but alfo in the Greek of the New Tefta- cient. Glafs. and Macknight, ib. Gen. xxxii. ro. "I was (am) fmall for (lefs than) the lead of all thy mercies. " Exod. xxxiii. 19. ^rmm, " And I have been (am, will be) gracious to whom I will be gracious, inttmi and have mown ((how, will fhow) mercy," &c. Mat. Hi. 17. " My beloved Son, in whom c v $x;jra I am well pleafed. " So Luke Hi. 22. Mat. xxiii. 2. " The Scribes and Pharifees a.W fit in Mo- fes's chair. " Luke i. 47. My fpirit 3yAA^ it (hall be (was) parted. " Num. xviii. 7. jDN, " I will give (I give) your prieft's office unto you. " Pfal. i. 2. " In his law nam (hall (doth) he meditate. " Luke xxiii. 4.6. " Into thy hands TTSC^-^O^OH will I commend my fpirit, " do I ; but Trx^nB-^xi, 7rxoi,7&.vpt t are found in feverai MSS. Mill, and Griefb. in loc. 891. The future is fometimes, alfo, ufed in the fig- nification of the paft. Exod. xv. 5. " The depths WD^ (hall cover, " " have cover" ed " Eng. Num. xxiii. 13. mnn, " Thou fhalt fee, " Eng. and fome in- terpreters ; but others, " haft feen, " which the fenfe re- quires. judg. ii. i. nb^K, " I will make you to go out of Egypt, " " have made, " Eng. Ch. v. 8. ^niS " they (hall chufe new gods, " chofe, " Eng. 2 Sam. xii. 3 t. r?U>2^ pi, " And thus (hall he do unto all the cities, " " did he, " Eng. 892. The future of the indicative is often ufed in the fenfe of the imperative. In all negative precepts, particularly of the decalogue. 893. On the other hand, the imperative is often put for the future of the indicative ; attention to which is of great importance for the interpretation of many predictions. Glafs, ib. c. 43 Z 3 G and eat ye the fat of the land, " ye (hall eat. / Deut. xxxii. 50. n?21, " And die in the mount, *]DKTTi and be .J gathered unto thy people, " thou fhalt die and be gathered. *[; death 1*8 not the fubje& of a command. Pfal. xxxvii. 27. " Depart from evil, and do good, pun and dwell for evermore, " thou (halt dwell. it is not a command, but a promife. Prov. iii. 4. HJ2S " And find favour, " < fo (halt thou find, " Eng. it is a promife, v. 3. Ch. Jv. 4. " Keep my commandments, TWt and (thou fhalt) live. " I fa. liv. 14. <>prm, " Be thou (thou fhalt be) far from op- preffion. " John ii. 19. Avcctrt, " Deftroy this temple, " ye fhall deftroy ; it is not a command, but a prediction. 894. Both the future of the indicative T , and the im- perative % have fometimes the force of the optative mode, which is wanting in the Hebrew language. Glafs. ib. c. 45. 1 Job iii. 3. " The day -OKI fhall perifh, " may it perifh. So alfo in t!ie following verbs. Pfal. Ixx. 2, 3, 4. ItlQS &c. They fliall be afhamed, con- founded, turned back, " &c. " let them be, " Eng. - Pfal. xlv. 4. " In thy majefty nbl* ride profpcroufly, " it is a wifh. ,J Often in prayers, as in all the petitions of the J-ord's prayer. 895. The imperative, as in all languages, often fignifies, in Scripture, not command, but merely per- miifion. Glafs. ib. c. 43. 2 Sam. VERBS. 343 2 Sam. xviii. 23. Joab fays, yitt " run, " not commanding, for h' had forbidden him, v. 20, 22. but permitting him on his importunity, v. 19, 22, 23. 2 Kings ii. 17. Eli/ha fays irrblU " fend," not a cbmmand, for he had dhTuaded and forbidden them, v. 16, 18. but mere permifiion. ; Kings xxii. 22. p ntyyt NX " Go fortlj and do fo, " not a command to deceive, but permiffion. Mat. viii. 32. Jefus fays to tlie demons, v?r#ym, " go, " he only permitted them, Luke viii. 32. 896. The imperative has fometimes the force of the fubjun&ive mode with a conjunction ; expreffing, not a predi&ion of what mall be, but a fuppofition of what may or may not be. Glaff. ib. Num. xxiv. 21. tD^I, " Put thy neft in a rock, " though thou put, &c. " neverthelefs the Kenites mall be wafted, " v, 22. Nah. iii. 15. " Make thyfelf many as the canker-worm, " though thou make. Luke x. 28. Taro *oiu> " this do, and thou flialt live, " if thou do this, thou (halt live. Eph. iv. 26. Ogy*eff&6, " be ye angry, and fin not, " if, though ye be angry, fin not. 897. The infinitive mode, which, in all languages, has a great analogy to fubftantive nouns, is often, in the Hebrew language, ufed as a noun. i Kings viii. 52. " Hearken unto them C2Xlp b:a (in omni orare eorum) in all their prayers. " Chron. xvi. 36. " All the people faid, Amen nin^b bbn^ (et Z 4 laudare 344 VERBS. laudare Jehova:) Eng. " and praifed the Lord ; " but it is fingular, and has the prepofition " and praife to the Lord. 2 Chron. iii. 3. TD1H nV*n, Eng. " Now thefe are the things wherein Solomon was inftruflfd. " This is a ftrange ellipfis, and gives an unwarranted fenfe. " Of thefe (viz. dimen- fions) was Solomon's foundation, " Jun. " This was Solo* mon's foundation the length, " &c. which is fimpler. PfaL ci. 3. 1 hate rrttW (facere) the deed (" work, " Eng. of them that turn afide. " Luke vii. 21. " Unto many that were blind he gave T to fee, " fight, " Eng. Heb. ii. 15. " Them that were 2t WITOS T Kivs had refted, " given them reft, Eng. 2 Luke x?. 53. " They began 5rof^T<^V . i, 2. Macknight, Efs. 4. and in loc. SECT. VI. X The Usage of Particles. 907. ALL other words may, properly enough, be comprehended under the name of Particles ; and are reducible to the article pronouns adverbs prepo- fitions and conjunctions. Glafs. Nold. Macknight, Efs. 4. and Suppl. Hoogeveen. 908. i. Both the Hebrew and the Greek langua- ges have an article; but in both, it is often ufed when it has no fpecial force or emphafis. Deut. viii. 3. " Man doth not live by tanbn the bread only ; " quoted Mat. iv. 4. et^ru " bread. " 909. But, the article is often ufed with a peculiar force, and that in different ways. It is fometimes ufed for afcertaining a precife individual, formerly mention- ed. Gen, PARTICLES. Gen. xxiv. 50. wrr " the tiling, " the propofal made by the fervant, " proceedtth from the Lord. " Exod. ix. 27. " I have finned Oysn the (this) time," by the refufal juft now given. Mat. i. 17. " All & yevixi the generations, " not, that had al- ready patted, for fome are omitted, but, that had been enu- merated. John vi. 10. " There was much grafs tv rurair* in the place, " viz. already mentioned, v. i, or, where they then were. Afts ix. 17. "Ananias entered st$ TJJV <*<; into the houfe, " to which he was formerly directed, v. 1 1. 910. In analogy to this, the article, when ufed alone, has fbmetimes the force of the demonftrative pronoun. *O 5g a,irc*(>&tif ttTTti, often. Mat. ii. 5. 1 O< g uwov etvru, " they faid unto him. " Mat. iv. 20. *O<, *' they followed him. " 911. The article fometimes marks eminence in that to which it is annexed. Ifa. vii. 14. " Behold mzhyrt the Virgin (not any virgin, but one remarkable virgin) (hall conceive." So when quoted Mat. i. 23. *H Trxfttvo;. 912. The article is fometimes a mark of univerfality, intimating that the fpecies in general is intended, or any individual of it indefinitely. Mat. xii. 8. *O vie? TV av^vm. Some, " JefusChrift, " Zeger. Camer. But, "any man j " fo determined by the argument in Mark ii. 27, 28. Grot. So perhaps alfo v. 32. Ch. xviii. 1 7. Let him be to thee as a i$xo$, any hea- then." Mark PARTICLES. Mark i. 44. " Shew thyfelf r it^u to " any prieft " or " the priefts. " So Mat. viii. 4. Luke v. 14. 913. The article prefixed to a participle prefent, often makes it to denote a character, an employment, a habit of life, or a general ftate of being ; and that, not only abfolutely, or relative to the prefent time, but alfo, with refpecl to the paft, or to the future. Taylor on Rom. ii. i. Mat. iv. 3. 'O nu^ay, ' he whofe chara&er, cuftom, employ- ment it is to tempt. ' Ch. viii. 35. *O< /Soc-xom?, ' the keepers ' by employment. Ch. xiii. 3. o-7ret&>v, * a fower ' by profefiion. Mark vi. 14. o fietimgw,. * the baptizer, J by profeffion, em- ployment. John xviii. 37. av tx. m cthrfcias t ' habitually, by difpofition, of the truth. ' Ch. iii. 15, 36. o vrt&vav, ' the believer. ' v. 20. 7r^Tc-at 9 < the doer. > Rom. ii. i. K^vryv, ' judger, ' afTuming the character and au- thority of a judge. Mat. ii. 20. oi fyravrts, ' they who employed themfelves in feeking, * or, ' they who had formerly fought, ' the child's life. A&s xv. 21. " Mofes of old time hath r*t$ K^vc-trovrxg them that " are in ufe, or whofe bufinefs it is to ** preach him. " 9 1 4. There being fo great variety in the ufage of the article, its precife force muft be, in fome cafes, doubtful, determinable only by the fenfe and con- nexion ; and arguments which reft merely on the in- fertion, or the omiflion of it, muft be, in fome degree, precarious. Luke PARTICLES. Luke xviii. 8. " But when the Son of Man cometh, g |y^- 1WN i1BJ, " good and comely," Eng. and other Vers. Jer. xvi. 13. pN Nb 1WK, '* And I will not mow," Syr. Where, " Eng. Nold. 9 1 9. The relative pronoun has fometimes the figni- iication of a conditional conjunction. Glafs. ib. can. 5. Nold. Lev. iv. 22. Knw *IU;N, " If * ruler hath finned," Onk. 70. Syr. Arab. v. 3, 27. " When, " Eng. Pagn. Luth. Trem. Vatab. Deut.xi.27. liraum iw, " If ye obey, " (CDK v. 28. 2 Chron. vi. 22.) Eng. Onk. 70. Syr. Vulg. Sec. 1 Kings viii. 31. UPX Klan^ 1WN, * { 7/"any man trefpafs, " Eng. But in fuch inftances, it may perhaps retain its own fignifica- tion, the antecedent being either omitted or tranfpofed. 920. The relative pronoun has fometimes the fig- A a nification 354 PARTICLES, niflcation of the final, ' the illative, z or the caufal con- junctions. 3 Glafs. ib. can. 2O. Nold. 1 Gen. xi. 7. u That they may not underftand. " Onk. Syr. 70. Vulg. Pagn. Luth. Trem. Eng. Deut. iv. 40. * That it may go well with thee. " So explained by \$vh, " that thou mayeft prolong thy days. " Or*k. Syr. 70. Vnlgr. Pagn. Lnth. Eng. Gen. xxiv. 3. Exod. xx. 26. Deut. iv. 10. vi. 3. xi. 10. xxxi'. 45. Jofh. iii. 7. Ruth iii. i. i Sam. ii. 23. 2 Chron. i. 11. ii. 5. xviii. 15. Ezra ii. 63. Neh. ii. 5, 7, 8. vii. 65. viii. 14, 15. Pfal. cxliv. 12. Eccl. v. 4. vii. 21. Ifa. Ixv. 16. Jer. xlii. 14. Dan. i. 8. - Pfal. xcv. 1 1. *iWN, " To whom T fware ; " but, * c therefore I fware, " Pf-un. Diod. :t is the conchfion from v. 8, 9, 10. 3 Deut. iii. -4. " For what God is there, " Onk. 70. S.yr. Vulg. Pagn. Lutb. Eng. Job v?ii. <4. ^DD ^1p^ YltfN, " ^o/e horre fiiall be cut off, " En^. but it fuppreffes the pronoun 1. ' /'or his -hope, " Chald. 70. Luth. Ifa. xix, 25. " ^om the Lord (hall bkfs, " Eng. but k fup- preffes ^ in 1D*1i. *' For the Lord fhall bltfs him. S) Zech. i. 15. " For \ wa? but a little difpleafed, '* Eng. Jofli. xxii. 3*. Eng. i. e. from the wildernefs. Or, ' from that time, ' im- mediately. 924. Adverbs of time exprefling perpetuity, fome- times denote only frequency, or regularity at ftated times, or a confiderable length of duration. Glafs. ib. can. 6. Exod. xxvii. 20. " To caufe the lamp to burn 1*72 n always, " not ftriftly, for only "from evening to morning," v. 21. ch. xxx. 8. Lev. xxiv. 3. i Sam. iii. 3. A a 2 Exod* 356 PARTICLES, Exod. xxviii. 30. " Aar^n (hall be*r the judgment of the children of Ifrael on his heart "p^H always ; " but only " when he went in before the Lord, " as appears from the preceding claufe. I Kingrs x. 8. " Which ftand TDM continually before thee, " frequently, at the proper times of attendance. Luke xviii. i u That men mould pray TTOLVTCTI always, " very f-eq ^ently, with perfeverance. V. 5. n? TgA<^-, " continually, " frequently. Ch. xxiv. 53. &*W*VT*, "continually," at the ftated times, often. So John xviii. 20. i Thefs. v. 16, 17. 925. Adverbs denoting a termination of time, are, notwithftanding, often intended, not to intimate a ter- mination, but to fignify perpetuity. Glafs. ib. can. 12. Deut, xxiv. 6. " No man knew of his fepulchre unto this day, " i. e. *' ever, " it was not difcovered afterwards. 1 Sam. xv. 35. " Samuel came no more until the day of hi* death," never came. 2 Sam. vi. 23. " Michal had no children until the day of her death." Ifa. xxii. 14. " This iniquity mall not be purged till ye die. " never. Mat. i. 25. " He knew her not lac, * till me had brought for* n, " &c ^ever kr.ew her. Rom. v. 13. *^gi t until the law, .-fin was in the world," thtn, E? ^'ell as after. 926. The negation of continuance often does not imply prior exiftence, but is equivalent to a Jfimple negation of all exiilence. Glafs. ib. can. n. PARTICLES. v3,a,nt 357 A&s xiii. 34. Mwirt, " No more to return to corruption, " ' never to fee corruption. * Pf. xvi. 10. A&sii. 29. xiii 37. Rom. vi. 9. " Death has vx. in, no longer dominion over him, " * no dominion, ' for never had, Heb. ii. 14. Ats ii. 24. Rom. vii. 17. " It is no more * in, I that do it, " 4 not I. ' So, v. 20. 927. Adverbs, exprefling a definite time or num- ber, often mean only an indefinite. Glafs. ib. can. 5, 1 4. Yefterday, " for any paft time. 2 Sam. xv. 20. day, " lately. 2 Kings ix. 26. " 1 have feen U773N yeflerday t the blood of Na- both, " lately. Job viii. 9. We are bYn of ye/lerday, " lately born. Ifa. xxx. 33. " Tophet is ordained blWDND from yefter.day, " " of old, " Eng. Mat. xxv. 41. Gen. xxxi. " It was not to him as tDUjVj; blttfi yeflerday and the day before," formerly. So, v. 5, To-day, " for the prefent time. Dtut. xxvii. 9. CDVH " This day thou art become the people of the Lord. " < Now. art. ' * c To-morrow, " for any future time. Gen. xxx. T,^. " So (hall my righteoufnefs anfwer for me IHD to-mof-row, " " in time to come, " Eng. Exod. xiii. 14. " When thy fon afketh thee 1HD to-morrow, " " in time to come* " Erg. Luke xiii. 32. " I do cures mj^ov ^ atv^ov to-day and to-mor- row, " i. e. at prefent, and for a fhort time ; x) r>j r^ry " on the /y^/W, " i. e. foon after, I (hall be perfeded. " <' Se- ven times, " for, often. Pfal. xii. 6. and other texts. 928. Adverbs of number are fometimes ufed, not to exprefs number, but to denote fome other conception. Glafs. ib. can. 14. A a 3 Once, 358 PARTICLES, t " O ice, " certainly, immutably, perfe&ly. Pfal. Ixxxix, 35, nrrx " Once have I fworn, " immutably, v. 33, 34. " Firft, " not in order, or time, but < chiefly. * Rom. i. 8. " Firft I give thanks to God," chiefly, efpecially. Rom, iii. 2. " Chiefly becaufe that, " &c. Eng. 929. Adverbs of doubting fometimes do not ex- prefs uncertainty, but rather hope, accompanied with defire ; and, in fome inftances, implying a condition on which the event is fufpended, or a difficulty in the thing. Glaff. ib. can. 25. Nold. Gen. xvi. 2. ""blK, " It may be that I may obtain children by her. " It exprefies both her defire and hope. Jofli. xiv. 12. VrtK, " Iffo be the Lord be with me, then Ifliall drive them out, " hg. Literally, * Perhaps the Lord (will be) with me, and I fliall drive, ' &c. He was confident of it, v. 9. I Sam. vi. 5. " Per adventure he will lighten his hand, " might expect it on the condition prefcribed. Gen. xxxii. 20. Exod. xxxii. 30. I Sam. ix. 6. 2 Sam. xvi. 12. 2 Kings xix. 4. Jer.. xxi. 2. Amos v. 15. Zeph. ii. 3. Gen. iii. 3. }5, " Lest ye die j " it exprefTes not doubt, but may be refolved into, that ye die not. J Ruth iv. 6. '* Left I mar mine own inheritance ; " this would be the confequence. J-en. xix. 15, 17. xxxviii. 23. xliv. 34.. Num. xx, 18. Dcut. vii. 25. 2 Sam. i. 20. and many other texts. Ads viii. 22. Ei ,$&, " If perhaps the thought may be for- given, " Eng. Vulg. wrong ; it is not an adverb of doubt- ing, but here either pleonaftical, or emphatic. Phil, iii- ii> Ei KUS, " If by any means I might attain, " &c. no diibt of his refurre6lion. PARTICLES, Rom. xi. 2T. Ms zr&i?, " Left \\t tpare not thee," not doubt- ful, but ccr ;in, v. 22. So I Cor. ix. 27. G.i. ". 2. I Theff. iii, 5. 930. Adverbs of negation are often ufcd, only to intimate comparifon. flgnifying preferenct of that which is affirmed* to that which feenis to he denied. Glafs. ib. can. 22. Gen. xlv. 8. "Not you fent me hither, but God ;" not fo much you as God, father God than you. Exod. XTU 8. *' Your murmurir.gs are not againft u?, but a- gainft the Lord, " more againft him than us. I Sam. viii. 7. " They have not reje&ed thee, but they have rejefted me ; " rather, < more me than thee, ' or, l not only thtf, but me. ' Prov. viii. ic. Hof. vi. 6. Prov. xvii. 12. Jer. vti. 22. xxxi. 34. Joel ii. 13. Amos v. 25. Pfal. cxlvi. 3. Mat. v. 39. " Refift not evil, but whofoever (liall fmite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other." (Proverbial, Lam. iii. 30.) Do fo, rather than refift violently. ' Mat. vi. 19, 20. " Lay not up treafures upon earth, / lay up treafures in heaven 5 " * rather, more carefully, in heaven than on earth. ' Mat. x. 20. " It is not ye that fpeak, but the Spirit of your Father, " not only, not fo much, ye as the Spirit. Mark ix. 37. " Whofoevey (hall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that fent me, " not only, not fo much, me as him. Mark xiii. ri. Luke xiv. 12. John v. 22, 30, 45. vi. 27. xii. 44. A&s v. 4. i Cor. i. 17, Eph. vi, 12. Col. iii. 2. i Theff. iv. 8. 931. Adverbs of comparifon fometimes exprefs, not fimilitude, but the thing itfelf > being thus redun- ilant. A a 4 30 PARTICLES. Glafs. ib. c. 28. Num xi. i. " The people were ta^aiNnna as complained, " " complained," Eng. Deut. ix 10. " On them were written b^JD as (Eng. accord- ing to) all the words, " &c. i. e. the wurds themfelves- Ju:V. xiii. 23. " Nor would nyi) as at this time have told us riNT as thefe things, " twice redundant. Obad. i. u. " Thou waft as one of them. " Neh. vii. 2. Job xxiv. 14. Plal. cxxii. 3. Ifa. i. 7. xiii. 6. Hoi. iv. 4, Mat. xiv. 5. " They held him as a prophet, " i. e. to be. Luke xx:i. 44. " His fweat was afu as it were drops of blood, " Some, < only, like blood, ' Theophyl. Others, < real blood, ' Jerom. John i. 14. Rom. ix. 32. i Cor. iv. i. 2 Cor. ii. 17. iii. 18. Phil. ii. i, 2. Philem. 9. a Pet. i. 3. 932. Adverbs of fimilitude often denote, not equa- lity, but fuch an imperfeft degree of refemblance, or analogy, as is pointed out by the nature of the things fpoken of. Glafs. ib. can. 27. Mat. v. 48. * e Be ye perfect, ) againft me, to fight again 't me ? " 1 Sam. v. 6. *' The hand of the Lord was he,/ bK (Eng. " upon ") againjl Aftidoil. " 2 Sam. xiii. 19. xiv. i. C3ibttn.X bx, Eng. " unto, toward, " or, " againft. " doubtful. Mark xii. 12. " Parable *(& wry?, againft them, " Eng. John x. 35. Ilgoj x$. Eng. " Unto whom the word of God came. " " Qgattift whom," Pfal. Ixxxii. 2, 5, 7. A&s xi. 2. " They thnt were of the circumcifion dttK^ivovro T^OS avrov, Eng. " contended with him. " " argued, cavilled againjl him, " Vulg. 2 Cor. v. 12. " That you may have fomewhat srgos raj (Eng. " to anfwer v ) them which glory. " " againjl them, " &c. which is fimpler. 2. Prepofitions expreffive of motion from a place, fometimes denote derivation from an efficient caufe. Grn. xv. 4. " He that fhall come forth T'^DW from thine own bowels. " Prov. xiii. n. " Wealth fa vanitv brintt fhall be diminiihed. " Eng. fupplies gotten^ which is wrong. Mat. PARTICLES* Wjtnv;her : it can be determined only by the fcope and connexion, or by parallel places ; but, when different fenfes are confident with thefe, it may remain doubtful which ought to be preferred. Ifa. xiv. 9. tMin wab . . WiV is regular, imb in 35 MSS. of which ic ancient, and 3 editions; a noun fignifying ** cloth- ing. raiment, " Eng. " and as the raiment of thofe that are flait, " Tuppiement groimdlefs ; without it, abrupt : or, the participle preterite of U>ib, " clorhed, covered. " " Clothed with the (lain, " covered with the dead bodies, fenfe. Lowth in loc. Ifa. xxix. 22. " Thus faith the Lord who redeemed Abraham ipr* n^*bK ; 'btf " to the houfe of Jacob" but, no addrefs to them : Eng* " concerning the houfe of Jacob. " btf God, " the God of the houfe of Jacob " common phrafe. Lowth. Ifa. xxxiii. 21. " But nw Y?TN:DW ; Diy adverb, "there the glorious Lorr ( will be unto us as a place of broad rivers, " Eng. but fcli; name ; " the glorious name of the Lord. " 70. Syr. ftrudure. See Pfal. xx. I. Prov. xviii. 20, Lowth. Ifa. xlviii. 16. " 'From the time that It was," nnvn. but 2 MSS. Dnvn " .% v,-ere, " beg; n to exift ^K DTT, Eng. " there I am, " adverb, but CDW verb. " I decreed it. " fenfe. Lowth. Ifa. xxi. 5. -py, nsa, bl^K, nnw, infinitives ; or, otherwife pointed, imperatives fingular. Eng. in the latter way, "pre- pare the table, ivatch in the watch-tower, eat t drink. " Others, in the former way, - : "firvtives atu.Ome, (as Ezek. i. 14.) (f The table is prepared, the watch is fet, they eat, they drink. " Lowth. Ifa, 368 DIFFICULTIES IN DETERMINING Ifa. xlvii. 3. tDIX ysSN tfVi. " And I will not meet (Eng., fupplies tbec as) a man " obfcure ; but, with other points, or written fully y^SK Hiph. " I will not fuffer man to in- tercede " plain. Lowth. Ifa. Ivii. 14. " He that putteth his truft in me, mail poflefs the land 1)0X1 and mall fay " Eng. : but to be pointed a? the i ft perf. fut. " and I will fay. " God the fpeaker, for, " my people " follows. Lowth. 3. Mark xi. 13. Ov y wKctt^s O-VKUV a either a negative con- jun&ion, " for it was not the feafon of figs " means not, < the proper feafon of bearing figs, ' elfe Jefus could not have ex- pected to find them ; and, it was the feafon, near the pafs- over but, * the feafon of gathering, ' (Matth. xxi. 34.) none taken off, therefore he juftly expe&ed to find them or, * where, adverb of place ; " for, where he was, it was the feafon of figs. " Zeger. Grot. Lamy. Knatchb. Macknight. vw is, fometiines, an adverb of time, fometimes, an adverfa- tive, and fometimeB, an illative conjunction. Glaff. p. 709. note. 945. 2. When it is fufficiently clear to what clafs a word belongs, confidered fimply in itfelf, there may yet be difficulty in determining whether, in a particular paflage, it is not ufed in place of fome other part of fpeech. 946. Of two fubftantives in the conftru&ed ftate in Hebrew, or in government in Greek, one is often in place of an adjective, and has the fignification of one. Glaff. 1. 3. t. i. can. 8. 947. Of two fubftantives joined by a copulative con- junction, one has the force of an adjective. Glafs. ib. can. 6. Gen. THE PARTS OF SPEECH. 369 G. ( K8y(^* TO XOITTOV t& iva," &c. ** the time ii ihort. It remaineth that, >; &c. Eng. eafien i Cor. xi. 21. Knatchb. B b 3 SECT, 574 SYNTAX. SECT. II. Syntax. 961. Languages being formed by accidental ufage, there are many irregularities in the fyntax of every lan- guage, which may, in particular inftances, occafion dif- ficulty, even to thofe who underftand it well. 962. Every language has fome peculiarities in its fyntax, which muft occafion difficulty to thofe who are more accuftomed to another language. \ 963. In the language of fcripture, there are diffi- culties arifing from both thefe caufes ; and, in the New Teflament, there are difficulties alfo, from the introduction of Hebrew conflru&ions into the Greek language. 964. The removing of difficulties in fyntax, from the Scriptures, both contributes to our understanding the precife meaning of them, and vindicates their ftyle from the imputation of folecifms. 965. The principal means of removing difficulties in fyntax, are exact knowledge of the original lan- guages, the fenfe and connexion, texts where the force SYNTAX* 37$ force of the conftruction is more determinate, paral- lel places where the fame fenfe is exprefled in a differ- ent form of words, and the ufage of other writers,, in the fame or a kindred language. 966. As the repetition of a noun denotes, fometimes emphafis, fometimes vehemence, fometimes continu- ance, fometimes multitude, and fometimes diflribution^ it may be doubtful which of thefe is its force in a par- ticular paffage ; it can be determined only by the fenfe and connexion j and thefe cannot always determine it with certainty. Deut. xv. 20. " Thou (halt follow pis p-j}? juilice, juftice, " - 11 that which is altogether juft, " Eng. or, " juftice ear- neftly, " or, " juftice conftantly. " 967. As, of two nouns in the conftructed ftate in Hebrew, or, in the ftate of government in the New Teflament, one is fometimes put for an adjective, and fometimes not ; and, as the governed noun may fig- nify the efficient, or the inftrumental caufe, or the effect, or the material caufe, or the final caufe, or the fubject or recipient, or the object, or the adjunct, of the thing exprefied by the other noun, there inuft of- ten be an ambiguity which of thefe relations is meant to be expreffed ; and it mould be fixed as the fenfe and fcope require. Pfal. Ixxvii. 4. " Thon holdeft the watches of mine ejcs. " fubft. '. thou watcheft over mine eyes. " adj.- " keepelt mine eyes watchful or waking. " Eng. connexion. Pfal. cl. I. " Praife God in the firmament of his po\vcr. " Bb 4 if 376 SYNf AX. if the latter be taken as an adj. " his powerful firmament or expanfe, " i. e. the effect of his power. if the former, " on account of his expanded or extended power. " Gal. iii. 14. " That we might receive rw tTrxyy^my TX Knvpv.- T-. Eng. " the promife of the Spirit. " adj. " fpiritual promife, " Zcger. " promifed fpirit, " Vat. Grot. Locke. Eph. iv. 29. " No corrupt communication, but that which is good, crgo? MKt&pnf rj5 #?. Eng. " to the ufe of edify- ing. " this the original does not bear. lit. " to the edifying of ufe or need, " i. e. " needful edification. " 1 Theff. i. 3. Work of faith labour of love patience of hope, " " working faith laborious love patient hope, '* Druf. Glafs. or, " works, the effects of faith labours, the effects of love patience, of hope. " Grot. Tit. ii. 13. " Looking for g7rp*yv TTJ? ^^ rv pty&te $&. adj. " glorious appearing." Eng. Chryf. Theophyladl. Je- rom. Druf. or, " appearing of the glory. " Ambr. Erafm. Grot, parallel places. 968. A difficulty fometimes arifes from pronouns referring, not to the nearer, but to the remoter antece- dent. Pfal. xcix. 6, 7. " Mofes and Aaron among his priefts, and Samuel among them that call upon his name : he fpakc unto them in the cloudy pillar, " i. e. Mofes and Aaron. John viii. 44. " When he fpeaketh a lie, he fpeaketh of his own, for he is a liar, ^ o vrxr^ AYTOT referring to the devil, " and h's father, " Manich. ; or, to ^v^? 9 " father of Lint," the liar, Grot. or, to ^gv^-, " father of it." Eng. Erafm. Zeger. Macknight. right. John vi. 50. " This is the bread which cometh down from hea- ven. " not manna, v. 49. but Chrift, v. 48. Heb. xiii. 17. " Though he fought it (*tmj*) earneftly with tears. ** SYNTAX. tears. " to the neareft antecedent fitrenotet " his own re- pentance. " Clar. and perhaps Eng. or " good effefts of re- pentance " did not profit him. Zeger. Caft. Grot. or, * c his father's repentance. " J. Cape). or, to remoter antecedent tvloytett, " his father's bleffing. " Giafs. Gen. xxvii. 34. i John v. 20. " This is the true God and eternal life. " nearer antecedent, Chrift remoter, the Father. Mark iii. 21. " For they faid, on ifym. neareft antecedent, jFefus, he is mad, " Eng. unbecoming, no occafion given. remoter antecedent #A-, " it is befide itfelf. " fenfe. connexion. Matth. xii. 23. e|mr UPK. the man of my counfel from a far country " who executeth my counfel. 978. Sometimes again, it denotes the efFecl:, or what fome way or other proceeds from the perfon exprefled by the other noun, 380 IDIOM* and ea^uv^ Ta &H, " a man of God " infpircd by God, or who teaches his word. 979. The words *7jD, " lord, mailer, " and " miftrefs, " fimilarly conftrued, form an idiomatical expreflion, very like to the former in its powers. 980. It fignifies the pofleflbr of a thing exprefied by the other noun. 1 Sam. xxviii. 7. The witch of Endor irtK nbtfi " the miftrefs of a familiar fpirit. " 2 Kings i. 8. Ahaziah's mefiengers defcribe the prophet as "itfu; bjD, " a lord of hair " a hairy man. Prov. i. 17. " In vain the net is fpread in fight of any *\te bite lord of a wing "bird. 981. It fignifies an inhabitant of the place, expreff- ed by the other noun. Numb. xxi. 28. " It hath confirmed nittl ^byi the lords of the high places of Arnon " the inhabitants. 982. It fignifies the fubjeft of that quality or thing which is exprefled by the other noun. Gen. xiv. 13. It is faid of Mamre, Efhcol, and Aner, " Thefe were rvii ^blte lords of covenant with Abram " confede- rate. 983. In analogy to this fignification, it denotes a perfon any how addicted to what is exprefled by the other noun. Gen. xxxvii. 19. " Behold nittbnn bya this lord (or mailer) of dreams " dreamer. Prov. xviii. 9. He that is flothful, is brother to IDIOM. 38 r to a mafler of ivajle " a wafter. Eng. " a great wafter, " as if emphatical, but is not. 984. p and rD and W, and the like, joined with another noun, exprefs altnoft any relation to the thing ilgnified by it, and are ufed of inanimate things, as well as of perfons. 1, " Sons of Belial or of wickednefs " wicked per- fons. Vrr \JS, " fons of ftrength " ftrong men. *O< vioi TV (pares, '* foi\s of the light " they who enjoy religious know- ledge. 'Tie* ot7rfi5-&as, " fons of difobedience " difobedient. Tew* vTrxKoys, " fons of obedience " obedient, nitt p, " a fon of death " either, worthy of death or, appointed to death. 'Y*#?, " of per- dition " ogy?, '* of wrath " Kara^on;, " of malediction y> jc?, " of peace " worthy of thefe. " Sons of a place " its inhabitants. Pfal. cxlix. 2. " Sons of Zion. " Ezra ii. i. " of the province. >J Ifa. xi. 14. " of the eaft. " Gen. xvii. i. Abram is called " the fon of 99 years " 99 years old. Eccl. xii. 4. " Daughters of mufic " fonorous things. Matth. viii. 12. " Sons of the kingdom " heirs of it. Job xli. 19. ' Sons of the bow " Lam. iii. 13. " of the quiver >J arrows. Ifa. xxi. 10. " Sons of the rloor " corn. 985. Some words, joined with other words, are re- dundant, adding nothing to the fenfe of thefe, but forming merely an idiomatical expreffion. Gen. i. 2. " the face of the deep. " Gen. xxiii. 3. { Abraham ftood up from upon the face of his dead. " i Sam. xiv. 2^. " Honey upon the face of the field. " Luke xxi. 35. " On the face of the whole earth. " S. Gen. xliii. 7. " We anfwered him according to the m&uth of thefe words. " Numb. xxvi. 56. " According to the mouth of the lot mail the pofieflion be divided. " Prov. xxii. IDIOM. xxii. 6. Train up a child according to the mouth of his way. " " The name of God "God. occurs often. Rev. xi. 13. " Were ilain 7000 names of men. " m. Job xlf. 12. " I will not conceal the word of his power. " Pfal. Ixv. 3. " Words of iniquities prevail againft me. " " In the mid ft in the heart, " means only in or among. Gen. xlv. 6. " Famine in the midjl of the land. " Matth. xii. 40. " So (hall the Son of man be three days and three nighu In the heart of the earth. " no proof of defcent into hell. Bellarm. Grot. Glaff. Macknight. 986. The expreifion of the fuperlative, by joining any of the names of God to an adjective, is idiomati- cal ; and, as this junction is not always intended to form a fuperlative, it may fometimes produce ambi- guity. i 2 Cor. x. 4. " The weapons of our warfare are ^waree, tm &&p to the pulling down of ftrong hold?," 'idiom. " very power- ful. " Glafs. Knatchb. Macknight. lit. " mighty through God." Eng. Eraf. Vat. Caft. Zeger. Grot. Locke. right. 2 Cor. xi. 2. ZA yet, vpa? $& fyha. lit. " I am jealous over you with a godly jealoufy. " Eng. Eraf. Vat. Grot. Locke. idiom. " I love you with an exceeding zeal. " Knatchb. preferable. Prov. xx. 27. " The Spirit of man is the candle (lamp) of the Lord. " idiom. " a great or piercing light. " Knatchb. iti 2 Cor. x. 4. connexion, v. 26. gives a reafon for what is there faid, " a wife king fcatrereth the wicked ; " for the fpirit of a man which he poffeffcs, is very piercing. 987. "TO!J, vfOTOTOKos, is fometimes u fed literally for " firft-born, " and fometimes, idiomatically, to form a fuperlatiye j whence it may become ambigu- ous IDIOM. 383 ous in which of thefe ways it is ufed in a particular text. Col. i. 15. riA>TOTox.o$ mem; xrtenas, ** the firft-begotten of every creature. " Arianp, therefore one of the creatures.- srgTW-, " firft begetter. " Eraf. Zeger. fuits not the fcope. for rt%frtts fl-^e, * begotten before all creation. " Cafaub. Vat. Eraf. Zeger. idiom. " prince, lord, chief, moft excellent. " " the Lord of the whole creation. " Druf, Cam. Macknight, fcope. 988. A noun repeated, and governed by different' prepofitions, forms an idiomatical expreflion, denot- ing continuance and increafe. Pf. Ixxxiv. 7. " They go from ftrength to ftrength. " conti- nually become ftronger. Pf. cxliv. 13. " Our garners yielding from {lore to ftore. " r continual plenty. Jer. ix. 3. " They proceed from evil to evil. J> grow conti- nually worfe. Rom. i. 17. " The righteoufnefs of God revealed from faith to faith, "-^-from firft to lail by faith, and that a progrefllve and improving faith. ' 989. Idioms which, when tranllated into another language, appear to have in it a peculiar emphafis, have none in the original, and fhould not be under- flood as having any, 990. An idiom of one language tranflated literally into another, would fometimes exprefs the oppofite of the idea intended. Pfal. cxliii. 2. " Every man living mail not be juftified. " no man. Prov. xxii. 24. < { Make no friendship with ^K bri a maftcr 384 PHRASES. of anger," i. e. angry, given to anger. In Englifli, it would be, " one who has the command of his paflion. " Ch. xxiii. 2. " Put a knife to thy throat, if thou be WSb btfa am--, .r of appetite, " given to it. In Eng. the revedc. Gal. ii. 6. " Thofe who feemed to be fomething, " were of high reputation. SECT. IV. Phrases. 991. There is fometimes a difficulty in phrafes, not arifing from either the ambiguity or obfcurity of a fingle word, or from any grammatical irregularity in the combination of the words, or from idiom. 992. A difficulty fometimes arifes from the mean- ing of a particular word being fomewhat altered by the words with which it is joined, or by the manner in which it is joined with them. Afts xviii. 5. ZYNEIXETO TO HNEYMATI o n*Aa ? .- ufu- ally " conftrain. " " was prejfed in fpirit t " Eng. " con- ftrained by the Holy Spirit, " agitated, carried out of him- felf, " to teftify to the Jews that Jefus ia the Chrift. " Grot. - *' teftified with relu&ance, " forefeeing that it would be in vain. Eraf. a phrnfe taken altogether, " had an earned mind to teftify. " Knatchb. ieneri defiderio* John PHRASES. John i. 1 5. " Out of his fulnefs we have received *$ *"T< #<*g Clarke. Campbell, ambiguity from unufualnefs. 993. A difficulty in aphrafe fometimes arifes from its implying an allufion to fome opinions, fentiments, or cuftoms. Csbltf, etiav the interval between jubilees. hence aiuns and fometimes eciav t the whole duration of the Mofaic difpenfa- tion. hence the phrafes etna ruv uiavav, not, " from the beginning of the world, " Eng; but " the ages, *' during the Mofaic difpenfation. Trgo aiuvav, or, %pwav euuviut, ** be^ fore the Jewifh difpenfation. " U.IM T(^, or o wv etiav, the Jewifh difpenfation, and aiav ^AA^v, the Chriflian. Locke. 994. There are proportions, in which either term" may be the fubjecl or predicate, and it may admit a doubt which is the one or the other 5 it is to be deter- mined by the fenfe. Ifa. xviii. 5. Ixiih 8, 9. lxv< 22, 23. Ldwthi Ads iii. 2i; Glafs. 995. In fome cafes, it is doubtful to what words in a fentence, other words in it fhould be joined. Luke vii. 30. TV /SsAsjy rtt $e* v^trn(ree.v EIS 'EAYTOTS joiil^ d with ij$rn?j "jejeded the counfel of God agaln/l C them- 386 GRAMMATICAL FIGURES. themfelves, " Eng. Vat. Zeger. but unexampled. joined in the fame way, tt$ for tv t within themfelves, " Eras, un- ufua!. he is fpeaking of their open conduft. joined with " towards themfelves. " Grot-. Knatchb. SECT. V. TJie Grammatical Figures. 996. The grammatical figures are ellipfis, pleon- afm, enallage, hypallage, and metathefis. Thefe take place in all languages, but prevail mofl in the fimplefl ; and, confequently, are very frequent in He- brew, and in the helleniftical Greek. 997. i. There is fometimes an ellipfis of fome- thing which is not at all in the text, but muft be fup- plied by the fenfe, either of a word or of a claufe. 998. As to the former, there is an ellipfis of the no- minative before the verb ; of the accufative after it ; of the adjective ; of the fubftantive ; of the governing noun, efpecially when expreffive of relation ; of the verb in a fentence, particularly of the verb of exift- ence ; of a verb governing the infinitive ; of the infi- nitive governed j of the participle j of the article j of the GRAMMATICAL FIGURES, 387 the antecedent, of the relative, or of both ; of adverbs of comparifon, or fimilitude ; of fome of the prepoli- tions ; of conjunctions : from all which, obfcurity, oj: ambiguity, muft, in fome inftances, arife; 999. There is, fometimes, likewife, a total ellipfis of feveral words, of part of a claufe, or even of a whole claufe, which, however, the ftructure of the fentence, or the fenfe, affords the means of fupplying ; as, of one of the members of connected proportions, or of comparifons. 1000. 2. There is an ellipfis of a word, or claufe, which is not totally wanting, but may be gathered from fome other part of the difcourfe. 1001. Sometimes, what ought to be taken from another part of the difcourfe, is not expreffed in that part, but only implied in a conjugate, a contrary, or an analogous word. 1002. Sometimes, what ought to be fupplied is e&- prefled, but in a different member, either a preceding or a fubfequent, or partly in the one, and partly in the other; and mud be repeated from that, in order to complete the fenfe. 1003. Pleonafm is of two kinds ; the firft, when a word is wholly redundant ; the fecond, when there is a repetition, either of the fame words, or of the fame fenfe, whether in fynonymous expreflions, or otherways. c c 2 , 1004 GRAMMATICAL FIGURES, 1004. Enallage often affefts whole fentences, or periods ; as, when fometimes the fecond, and fome- times the third, perfon, is ufed concerning the fame fubjefts in the fame difcourfe, or, when the fame perfons are fometimes fpoken of in the fmgular, and fometimes in the plural number, or, when there is a change of tenfes, or of cafes, or of modes, in the fame period. 1005. Hypallage is an inverfion of words, by which that is attributed to one thing, which belongs not pro- perly to it, but to another thing. Pfal. cxxxix. 24. " See if there be any wicked way ia me. " if I be walking in any wicked way. Matth. viii. 3. " His leprofy was cleanfed " he was cleanfed from it. 1006. Metathefis, or fynchyfis, is a tranfpofition of words, or claufes, out of their natural order. 1007. There is often a tranfpofition of fingle words, which, if not attended to, may occafion a miftake of the fenfe. 2 Tim. ii. 6. rev KOTriuvrot, ys#gyov $&i -ZS-^UTOV ray *etfip*ei9 9 " the hufbandman that laboureth, muft be firft partaker of the fruits, " Eng* f r X^TT^VTOC TT^WTOV, *' the hufbandman firft labouring, mull be partaker, " &c. Rev. xiii. 8. ** Whofe names are not written " gv r /3<^A TK %w; r ctgvtx sff-^^y^ttsva envro KCCT(COA$ xoo-px, in " the book of life of the Larnb flain from the foundation of the world"- for yty^txTrroit etTro Kctrstoo^^ xorftx, " written from the foun- dation of the world. " Knatchb* I0o8, "GRAMMATICAL FIGURES. 389 1008. Sometimes, the fubjedt and the predicate of a propofition are tranfpofed. John iv. 24. HnvfM o Gw. JftW/l.t. A^u a*S > AoyS. I Tim. vi. 4. Nof&fyvTUV Ko^Hrpov eiveci rw svrifi&ow Eng. " Suppofmg that gain is godlinefs " obfcure ; metath. " fnppofiag that godlinefs is a trade to gain by, " Arab. E- thiop. Knatchb. 1009. There is a tranfpofition of claufes, which oc- cafions difficulty till they be reftored to their natural order ; and, fometimes, there is a tranfpofition of whole fentences or periods. 1 JeVrv. .\,i,z x 5, oio. Before we admit any of the grammatical fi- gures in a paflage, we mould be certain that we have the true reading ; for, in feveral inftances, the appear- ance of them arifes only from a falfe reading. 1 01 1. We mould neither reject grammatical figures altogether, nor recur to them without neceflity ; but, fuppofe them only when the fenfe requires them, or the connexion points them out : and, admit only fuch as are agreeable to the nature of the language, and the ufage of Scripture, or of other writers in the lan- guage. C c 3 SECT. RHETORICAL FIGURE SCT. The Rhetorical Figures. 1 01 2. RHETORICAL Figures are ornaments of dif? courfe ; and they are, likewife, occafions of difficulty. In both views, they are objefts of criticifm ; but, to re- move the difficulties occafioned by them, is more mate- rial., than to point out the beauties which they pro? duce. 1013. They are, either Tropes, which affect and thange the fignification of the words employed ; or, Figures, which only add force or beauty to the expref- fion. 1014. i. The fimpleft tropes occafion difficulty, chiefly, with refped to the fignification of feparate words, which have been confidered already ; but, there are others, which throw difficulty into whole fentences or periods. 1015. If ail languages ufed the fame tropes for ex- preiTmg the fame ideas, there would be, in Scripture, jio peculiar difficulties arifmg from them ; but, it ufes quite a different fet of tropes from thofe ufed by the G reeks ? RHETORICAL FIGURES. 391 Greeks, Romans, and moderns ; hence, many difficul- ties, from an unufual dialect. 1016. Profopopeia, which is a fpecies of metaphor., is frequent in Scripture, and produces great vivacity ; but, fometimes, alfo, occafions obfcurity. 1017. Antiphrafis, or irony, turns words to afigni- fication oppofite to their proper meaning, which the fenfe or connexion points out. Gen. iii. 22. " The man is become as one of us, to know good and evil. " 1 Kings xviii. 27. " Cry aloud ; for he is a god, either he ii talking," &c. Eccl. xi. 9. " Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, '' &c oi 8. Catachrefls is a harfhnefs or violence of any of the tropes, of which there are feveral inftances in Scripture. 2 Sam, xxiii. 1 7* " la not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives ? " a harfh metonyme. Matth. xii. 5. " The priefts in the Urnple profane the fab- bath. " Mark vii. 21, 22. " Out of the heart proceedeth an evil eye " envy, of which it is the fign. 1019. Hyperbole, whether confifting in bold tropes % exaggerated comparifons % impoflibje fuppo- fitions 3 , &c. gives an appearance of falfehood ; to a- void which, the fenfe, not the expreffion, mud be re- garded. 1 * Heaven, " for great height or exaltation, Hell, " great C c 4 39* RHETORICAL FIGURES. depth or deprefiion. " Rivers of oil, " abundance of good things. Gal, iv. 15. Ye would have plucked out youy own eyes, and have given them to me. " a Gen. xiii. 16. " 1 will make thy feed as the duft of the earth " very numerous. Job vi. 3. " Grief heavier than the fand of the fea, " * Prov. xxvii. 22. " Bray a fool in a mortar, yet will not his foolifhnefr depart from him. >' Matth. xvi. 26. " If he fhall gain the whole world, " &c. John xxi. 25. " The world itfelf could not contain the books that mould be written. " 1020. Allegory is a continued trope, efpecially a continued metaphor, containing a hidden fenfe, differ- ent from what the words imply, in their plain and li- teral (ignification. 1 02 1. It is fometimes doubtful whether a pafTage be allegorical or not. Hiftory of the Fall. Sentence on the ferpent. 1022. When a paflage is known to be allegorical, it is fometimes difficult to difcover the meaning of it, as it generally introduces fome degree of obfcurity. 1023. Allegory fometimes arifes from the continua- tion of the fame image, through the whole defcription pf a fubjecl. Prov. ix. i6. Wifdom hath builded her houfe, " &c. Parables. ^024. Sometimes, it arifes from defcribing the dif- ferent RHETORICAL FIGURES. 393 ferent circumftances of the fubjeft, by different images in fucceffion. Eccl. xii. 2, &c. 1025. When an allegory becomes very obfcure, it is what the Scripture calls a dark faying, an enigma, or an enigmatical difcourfe. Sampfon's riddle. EzekiePs defcriptions. 1026. 2. Figures. Epizeuxis, or the continued repetition of the fame word, or combination of words, is merely a figure expreflive of earneftnefs, and is not a foundation of argument for points of doctrine. Ifa. yi. 3. " Holy, holy, holy" no argument for the Trinity, 1027. Antanaclafis, by which the fame word is ufed Jn different fenfes in the fame paffage, generally pro- duces fome degree of difficulty. Matth. xxvi. 29. "I will not drink of the produfl of the vinf, (lit.) till I drink it new, " &c. joys of heaven. Rom. ix. 6. " They are not all Ifrae/, which are of Ifrael " ^ Cor. v. 21. " He hath made him to bejin for us (fin-offering) who knew no Jin. " 1028. Prolepfis, or occupation, anticipating and an- fwering an objection, occafions confiderable difficulty when it is covert, removing the objection, without itat- it. This figure frequent in PauPs writings. JQ20,. Permiffion, or yielding to a perfon what he claims. 594 RHETORICAL FIGURES. claims, may occafion difficulty, as that either may, or may not, truly belong to him. 1030. Metaftafis is the transferring to one perfon what belongs to another ; as, fpeaking of one felf, or of an imaginary perfon, what is intended of another real perfon. This often oecafions difficulty, particu- larly in Paul's writings, who, fpeaking in the firft per- fon, means fometimes himfelf, fometimes any Chriftian, fometimes a Jew, and fometimes any man. Locke, Pref. 1031. Proverbs and proverbial phrafes, anfwering to the rhetorical figures called ywpou and " fententiae, " are frequent in Scripture, and generally attended with fome difficulty. 1032. We muft not explain them ftri&ly, or feek for an application of them, in all their circumftances, to the fubjeft on which they are employed ; but, being intended to fet that fubjecl: in one (hiking point of view, we mud difcover what this point is, by the ufe of them in other places, or other writers, or by the fenfe and connexion. 1033. Some of them are fentiments exprefled in proper terms, which, on account of their force, beauty, or concifenefs, have become general maxims ; and the only difficulty is to determine, with what limitations they muft be underftood in a particular pafTage, " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wifdom. " " The difciple is not above his mailer " cannot expe& better treatment, - RHETORICAL FIGURES* 395 treatment, Matth. x. 24. Luke vi. 40. John xv. 20- Should not grudge the fame offices, John xiii. 16, 1034. Some proverbial expreflions confift in an ex- plicit companion, and become difficult only when they imply remote or obfcure allufions. Gen. x. 9. " Even as Nimrod, the mighty hunter, before the Lord. 1035. But moft proverbs are expreffed tropically, in metaphor, metonyme, or fynecdoche ; and this manner of expreflion both gives them their force and beauty, and occafions fuch difficulty as naturally arifes from thefe tropes. I Sam. x. 12. " Is Saul alfo among the prophets ? " fynec. Jer. xxxi. 29. " The fathers have eaten four grapes, and the children's teeth are fet on edge. " Deut. xxv. 4. Thou {halt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth. out the corn" take care of thofe who ferve us. Luke iv. 23. " Phyfician, heal thy felf "more felicitous for flrangers, than for connexions. Matth. vii. 3, &c. " Why beholdeft thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but confidereft not the beam that is in thine own eye ? " &c. blind to one's own faults, quick- fighted to other men's, v. 6. Matth. xix. 24. " Eafier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, " &c. rare, difficult, impofiible. Matth. xxiii. 24. xxiv. 28. CHAP. 39$ BIFFICULTIES IN THE CHAP. IV. Difficulties in the Circumstances relating to the Books of Scripture. 1036. IT is not fufficient, that we underftand the feveral words employed, and the manner of their com- bination into fentences and propofitions ; it is necef- fary, alfo, that we know how fentences and propofitions are connected in periods and difcourfes, and be able to judge of a compofition as a whole ; and in this, there is often considerable difficulty, and that of fe- veral kinds. SECT. CONNEXION OF PARTICULAR PARTS. 397 SECT. I. Difficulties in tJie Connexion of particular Parts. 1037. FROM difficulties in the combination of words, already confidered, we pafs naturally to fuch difficulties as regard the connexion of the particular parts 5 and thefe arife from many different caufes. 1038. i. There is fometimes a difficulty in deter- mining whether a word belongs to one fentence, or to another, which affects the connexion of different fen- tences or proportions. 1039. The Scriptures are, at prefent, divided into verfes ; there were ancient divifions of the Scripture into verfes, but very different from the prefent, which, both in the Old Teftament and the New, is modern, and merely of human invention. 1040. If a verfe always contains a complete fenfe, this divifion will direct us to the real connexion of Scripture j if not, it will perplex the connexion. 1041. Whenever, therefore, a difficulty can be re- Amoved, or the fenfe cleared, by altering the prefent divifion DIFFICULTIES IN THE divifion into verfes, the alteration may be made with- out fcruple. 1042. The verfes are fometimes divided, fo as to feparate words into different fentences, which ought to be joined in the fame fentence. Pf, xcv. 7. The flieep of his hand, to-day if ye will hear his voice ; " but Heb. iii. 7, 8. " To-day, if ye will hear hig voice, harden not your hearts, " &c. John vii. 2I> 22. 'Ev e|ycv STreojow, *#* sravrfs Sccvftetfyre. A<* TOTd M#rj StdvKiv vptv rw sri^r^^v, &c. all editions, except Grielbach's. " Mofes therefore, " &c. Wherefore ? -but S-av|WafzT $IK rvro. Marw, &c. " wonder becaufe of it. " Theophyl. Cafaub. Knatchb. Macknight.' Gal. iv. 1 8, 19. Locke. 1043. T^ s divifion, by breaking the Scripture into fmall parts, often obftruds our attending to, or per- ceiving, the connexion and dependence of the feveral fentences, and how one of them is explained, or limit- ed, by others with which it is joined. 1044. It would, therefore, be an advantage, that the Scriptures were publifhed without any breaks, and the verfes only marked on the margin, for facility in references : at any rate, we mould, as much as poffi- ble, read them as if they were thus printed. 1045. 2. Difficulties in connexion often arife from ambiguity in the fignification of the connective particles, which is very great in the Hebrew language, and in the New Teflament, where the Greek con- junctions are ufed after the manner of the Hebrew, 1046, CONNEXION OF PARTICULAR PARTS. 399 1046. The meaning affixed to a conjunction in any pafiage, muft be fome one of thofe which it really has in the language. 1047. ft 1S feldom, if ever, neceflary to give a conjunction a fenfe, in one paflage of Scripture, which it has not, in fome other paflage of Scripture ; at lead, it is a confirmation of the fenfe put upon it in one place, that it has it in other texts. 1048. For fixing the fignification of a Greek con- junction in the New Teftament, the ufage of the cor- refpondent Hebrew one has as great authority, as the ufage of Greek writers. 1049. Of the acknowledged fignifications of a connective particle, that is to be adopted in a particu- lar paflage, which beft fuits the fenfe and fcope of the paflage. 1050. 3. Difficulty in connexion fometimes arifes from the inierpofition of parenthefes, on account of which, claufes and fentences, which Hand at fome diftance, are, notwithstanding, to be joined together. Locke, Pref. 1051. It is only by careful attention to the fenfe, that this kind of difficulty can be removed ; and, it is often not eafy to determine whether a parenthefis fhould be fuppofed, or not. Heb. vi. i, '., 3, Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Chriit, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again tHe foundation of repentance, " &c. "let us (not laying 400 DIFFICULTIES IN THE laying again the foundation) go on unto the perfe&ion of repentance, " &c. Knatchb. connexion ; other texts. 1052. 4. Difficulty in connexion fometimes arifes from a dialogue being carried on covertly, without marking the fpeakers, or diftinguifliing what is faid by each of them. Without attending to this, what is only a plaufible objection, introduced in order to be confuted, may be miftaken for the fentiment of an in- fpired writer. 1053. Attention to the whole run and fcope of the paflage, as well as to the Scripture phrafeology, and to other texts, is fometimes neceffary, for difcovering and tracing out the dialogue. Ecclefiaftes. Rom. iii. and iv. Dialogue between Paul and the unbelieving Jew?. Locke. Taylor. Ifa. Iii. 13. liii. iiv. Dialogue between God, the prophet, and the unbelieving Jews. Pf. xxiv. xv. xx. civ 1054. 5. Difficulties in connexion fometimes arife from fomething being left out, which we mud fupply, in order to perceive it ; which may, perhaps, be fup- plied in different ways ; and, according as it is fupplied in one way or another, will make the connexion appear different. 1055. ^ n an argument, the principles or premifes are fometimes laid down, but the conclufion is left to be fupplied j and yet, what follows has a reference to that CONNEXION OF PARTICULAR PARTg. 401 that conclufion, and cannot be underflood without fup- plying it. Rom. iii. 22, 23, 24^ " All have finned, and come mort of the glory of God, [confequently, none can be juftified by works, v. 20.] being juftified freely by his grace, " &c. /. e. but whoever is juftified, whether Jew or Gentile, muft be juftified, c. 1056. Sometimes, one ftep in an argument, or chain of reafoning, is omitted, and mufl be fupplied, either from the tenor of the difcourfe, or by common under- flanding. Rom. viii. i^. " Heirs of Chrift, if we fuffer with him," only on this condition ; v. 18. " for I reckon," &c. 1057. Something is often faid, for preventing or re- moving an objection, which has not been at all pro- pofed ; and cannot be rightly underflood, without our conceiving what that objection was. Matth. ix. 3, &c. John iii. Difcourfe with Nicodemus. Grot. Macknighu Rom. ix. 6, &c. Taylor. 1058. 6. Difficulty in connexion fometimes arifes from an abrupt tranfition from one fubject to another, putting us in danger of confounding together, things that are really different. Abruptnefs in hiftory events different, even drftant, often join- ed owing to brevity and inartificial manner. Great abruptnefs in prophecy. Ifa. vii. 13, 14, 15, Behold! the virgin mall conceive and bear a fon, and mail call his name Immanuel ; milk and honey mail he eat, till he know to refufe the evil, and choofe the good, "~ Mefiiah 5 addreffed to the whole houfe of David* D d v. 402 DIFFICULTIES IN THE v. 1 6. " But, before this child fhall know to rcfufe the evil, and choofe the good, the land that thou abhorreft mall be forfaken of both her kings " of Shearjafhub, Ifaiah's fon ; addrefled to Ahaz. Kennicott, Sermon. 1059. 7. Sometimes, it is difficult to perceive what purpofe a fentence or member is intended to anfwer ; as, whether it be a point to be illuftrated, or a part of the illustration ; whether a principle argued from, an argument employed, or an inference deduced. John viii. 25. " What art thou ? and Jefus faid unto them, TJJV a^w ort x; A the principle or pofition from which it is deduced. SECT. DIFFICULTIES IN PLAN AND DISTRIBUTION. 405 SECT. II. Difficulties in Plan and Distribution. 1069. THERE is often confiderable difficulty in difcovering the plan and diftribution of a book of Scripture. 1070. i. There is difficulty in diftinguifhing what are the different members into which a book ought na- turally to be divided. 1071. The Jews have long been in ufe of diftin- guifhing the Old Teftament into large divifions, or fe&ions, one of which was read every Sabbath iii the fyhagogues. The New Teftament, alfo, was early di- vided into *i$oL\o(.ia, or chapters, probably with no other view than to facilitate references. 1072. The prefent divifion into chapters is different from thefe; we are apt to fuppofe that it is made accord^ ing to the fenfe ; but, this not being the cafe, it ob- ftru&s our perceiving the real plan of a book. Gen. ii. I, 2, 3. improperly feparated from ch. i. Vulg. joins Pf. ix. and x. ard divides Pf. cxlvii. into two. Pf. xlii. and xliii. originally one. Structure. 7 MSS. Kennic, Remarks. Rom. v. i. from ch. iv. Rom. viii. i. from ch. vii. Rom. D d 3 xv. PLAN AND DISTRIBUTION. % Rom. Xy. i 13. from ch. xiv. i Cor. iv. 21. from ch. v f 1 Cor. xi. i. from ch. x. 2 Cor. iv. i 6. from ch, iii, 2 Cor. v. i. from ch. iv. 2 Cor, vi. i. from ch. v. 2 Cor. vii. I, from ch. vi. Eph, v. i, 2. from ch. iv. Col. iii. I. from ch. ii. 1073. ^ ne p rc >P er divifion would be, into as many chapters as there are general heads in the plan ; an4 to fubdivide thefe into feftions, according to the feveral branches or topics under each head, 1074. But it would not be always eafy to make fuch a divifion, becaufe it is not eafy to ascertain, in every cafe, where one branch of the divifion ends, and another begins. 1075. Many prophecies, pronounced at different times, and relating to different events, follow one an other without any mark of diftin&ion, and thus may be confounded. 1076. In the argumentative parts of Scripture, there is great difficulty in diftinguifhing and feparating the feveral members of the plan, from the authors not writing in an artificial order, with fludied tranfitions, but fliding infenfibly from one part of the fubjefl: into, another. 1077. The diflribution can be difcovered, only by repeated and careful attention to the whole book at once, that its general tenor and tendency may be per- ceived. 1978. When alx>ok has one fimple defign, its na- tural PLAN AND DISTRIBUTION. 407 tural diftribution is, into the feveral fteps and argu- ments, by which that defign is profecuted. 1079. When a book aims at different defigns, each defign is a feparate fubjeft, and the divifion of it is into the feveral fubjetls propofed. 1080. In dividing a book, the joining together fuch members as are really diftincl: ; and, the feparat- ing one member improperly into different branches, are two extremes which ought equally to be avoided. Rom. Introd. ch. i. i 15. Part i. ch. i. 16. ch. vi. That mankind can be juftified only by faith, not by works. Part 2. ch.' vi. vii. viii. Obligation to holinefs in confequence of this justification. Part 3. ch. ix. x. xi. Vindicates the rejection of the Jews for their unbelief. Part 4. ch. xil. i, xv. 13. Practical exhortations. Concl. ch. xv. 14. to the fric?. Vorfh Taylor. 1 Cor. Introd. ch. i. 19. Part z. ch. i. 9. to end of ch. vu To draw them off from the falfe teacher or teachers, and reclaim them from the faults into which he kad led them. Part 2. ch. vii. to end of ch. xv. Anfwering queftions that had been propofed, refolving doubts, corre&ing abufes, and confuting errors. Conch ch. xvi. Vorft. Locke. 2 Cor. Vindication of himfelf from calumnies, with a digref- fion ch. viii. ix. on almfgiving, occafioned by one of thefe. Members. The feveral calumnies from which he defends himfelf. Vorft. Locke. Gal. Introd. Part i. The true doarine of juilification. D d 4 Part PLAN AND DISTRIBUTION. Part 2. To check the divlfions arifing from their difputes oq this fubjecl:. Conclufion. 1 08 1. 2. There is difficulty in perceiving in what precife manner each member of the general plan i$ profecuted. 1082. The facred writers do not ftudioufly, or ar- tificially, diftinguifh the feveral topics which they em- ploy under each member. 1083. Different prophecies are purfued and filled up in very different and diffimilar ways. 1084. In the argumentative parts of Scripture, ob- fcurity and intricacy fometimes arife, from the authors, not purfuing their arguments in the morteft and mofl* dired way ; but, with a view to the fituation, preju- dices, and opinions of thofe to whom they write. 1085. Sometimes, they carry on, at once, two dif- ferent defigns, in confidence with, or fubordination to, one another, without attention to both which, the force and tendency of their expreflions cannot be perceived. Gal. ch. i. and ii. to eftablifli the authority of his apoftlefhip and to vindicate bimfelf from the charge of fpmetimes preaching circumcifion. 1086. Sometimes, they do not content themfelves with what is abfolutely neceffary for their point, but occafion to throw in, and interweave, inlbruc- tions SCOPE AND DESIGN, 49 tions of a general and important nature, which intro- duce fome perplexity into their arguments. The whole nature of the gofpel, and all God's dealings with mankind, in Romans. 1087. ft * s neceffary to afcertain the feveral topics employed under each head, to diflinguifh them pro- perly from one another, and from every thing inci- dental and extraneous, and to view them fimply in themfelves. Rom. Part i. Arg. i. to the end of ch. iii. from the a&ual ftate of both Jews and Gentiles. -Arg. 2. from ch. iv. i, to ch. v. ii. from the manner of Abraham's juftification. Arg. 3. from ch. v. 12. to end of the ch. from the univer- fality of the effeds of Adam's fail. SECT. III. Difficulties in Scope and Design. 1088. There are often difficulties in difcovering the general fcope and defign of a book, many of which are analogous to thofe which regard the plan and diftribution. 1089. Our not knowing the precife view, or all the views which the facred hiftorians had, occafions confiderable difficulty in accounting for their feledion of 410 SCOPE AND DESIGN. of materials, and their manner of purfuing their narrations. A6h John's gofpel whether a mere hiftory controverfial, or a compound of both. 109. The belt way of finding out the fcope and defign of an argumentative book, is to read it all over at once, and feveral times. Locke. 1091. The difficulty of difcovering their fcope a- aifes from their not being written in an artificial and methodical manner, and from our ignorance, in fome inftances, of the precife occafion of their writing. 1092. The defign cannot be perceived, without fome knowledge of the tendency of the feveral argu- ments ; and this tendency cannot be perceived, without fome knowledge of the defign ; hence, thefe two mu- tually throw difficulty upon each other, and, whatever tends to clear up the one, proportionally gives light to the other. 1093. The afcertaining the true fenfe of the lead- ing expreflions in a book, contributes much to the difcovery of its general fcope. Rom. ambiguity of the leading expreflions, depend on the view in which he confiders Jews and Gentiles, whether in- dividually or nationally ; and .this, on the occafion of the epiftle. Rom. and Gal. different defigns. Taylor. Mac- knight. but fo fimilar, that they have been generally reckon- ed the fame. SCT. THE OCCASION. SECT. IV. Difficulties concerning the Occasion. 1094. All the books of Scripture are, in fome fenfe, occafional ; and ignorance of the occafion of writing them, produces in all of them fome obfcuri- ties : but the Epiftles are, in the ftri&eft fenfe, and in the higheft degree, occafional ; and, are rendered ef- pecially obfcure and difficult, by ignorance of the oc- cafion, whenever this ignorance takes place. 1095. There is fometimes a difficulty in afcertain- ing who were the perfons for whofe ufe an epiftle was immediately intended. General Epiftles. Ephef. Mill. Prol. 71. &c. Kufter. Pref. Pierce. Benfon. Lardner. Macknight. Marfh's Michael. 1096. We have feldom explicit accounts of the oc- cafion of a particular epiftle ; it mufl be collected, from general accounts of the (late of Chriftians, at the time of writing it, and from incidental hints in the book itfelf. 1097. When there is difficulty in afcertaining the fpecial reafons for writing an epiftle, it is ftill more material, and more obftructs our underftanding it. SECT. THE TIME. SECT. V. Difficulties concerting the Time. 1098. There is often confiderable difficulty in fix- ing the time of writing a book of Scripture. *t can only be collected, with different degrees of probabi- lity, from expreffions in the book itfelf, from hints in other places of Scripture, and from a variety of other circumftances. Gal. A. 61. Theodoret. Athanaf. fynopf. Oecumen. Light- foot A. 57. or 58. Capell. Wits. Wall. Pearfon. Mill. Locke. A. 52. or 53. Barringt. mifc. fac. Benfon Hift. B. 3. c. 5. Lardn. fupp. c. 12. 3. Michael. L'enfant. Beaufobre. A. 49. Marfti's Michael. Vol. 4. ch. . 1 1 . fed. i. 1099. There is difficulty in arranging the Pfalms in the order of time. 1 1 oo. Whenever prophecies are not delivered ac^ cording to the order in which they were pronounced, Jt occafions confiderable obfcurity. SECT. THE AUTHORS. 413 SECT. VI. Difficulties concerning the Autliors. 1 1 01. There is fometimes difficulty in determining who was the author of a particular book of Scrip- ture. 1 102. Ignorance of the author occafions obfcurity in a book, chiefly, when it introduces uncertainty con- cerning the time and the fcope of the book. Pentateuch. Epiftle to the Hebrews. SECT. VII. Difficulties in different Kinds of Composition. 1103. As the Scripture contains different forts of compofitions, each fort has fome difficulty peculiar to itfelf, and fuitable to its general nature, 1104. There is, fometimes, difficulty in determin- ing how far the facred historians intended to obferve, or 414 KINDS OF COMPOSITION. or have obferved the chronological order of events ; and yet, it is often of importance to determine it. 1105. In the book of Judges, the time of each Judge is not marked ; it is not fpecified whether all the Judges were fucceffive, or whether fome of them were not contemporary ; and the laft fix chap- ters contain events which happened foon after Mofes's death, and much prior to thofe which are recorded in many preceding chapters, perhaps, in all, from chap, ill i. 1 1 06. There is fometimes difficulty in determining whether the Evangelifts obferved the order of time ; if any of them did, which of them it is ; if they did not in all cafes, what are the cafes in which they deviated. 1107. All the do&rinal books of the New Tefta- ment are Epiftles ; and epistolary writing is, from its very nature, liable to many peculiar difficulties, ex- cept to the perfons to whom a letter is directed, and who are acquainted with all the circumflances relating to it. 1 1 08. There are many difficulties, with regard to the Hebrew poetry, confidered in every point of view* Lowtb. Herder. 1109. The prophecies have all the fame kinds of difficulties with the other poetical books ; and, they have alfo many peculiar to themfelves, on account of their being prophetical. i no. KINDS OF COMPOSITION. 415 i uo. There is difficulty in afcertaining and ex- plaining the feveral ways in which the prophetical in- fpiration was communicated, as by dreams, vifions, &c. 1 1 1 1 . In prophecy, the figures and images are more complex than in other poetry ; and, therefore, there is greater difficulty in analyzing them. 1 1 1 2. There is great difficulty in explaining, apply- ing, and vindicating the figns or emblematical actions, by which the prophets foretell future events. Ezekiel. Horfley's Hofea. 1113. When future events are predicted in parabo- lical difcourfes, this generally occafions fome degree of obfcurity. . xvii. j. &c. xix. I. Sec. 1114. There is, fometimes, difficulty in determin- ing whether a prediction has a fmgle or a double mean- ing. 1115. When a prediction clearly refers only to one event, or, when there is no mark of its being in- tended to fignify more, it ought to be explained only of that one ; and they err, who, in every prophecy of the Meffiah, fearch for a reference alfo to fome other event. Grot. Cler. 1 1 1 6. In prophecies which have a double fenfe, it is fometimes difficult to perceive what parts of them relate 416 KINDS OF COMPOSITION. relate to each of the two events, what parts to both, and in what manner. Ifa. vii. viii. ix. cb. x. xi. ch. xxxiv. xxxv. Lowth on Ifa. viii. Ifa. xl. Lowth. The book of Job is an inftance of almoft all the difficulties in this chapter. Some reckon -it very ancient, in the time of Mofes, or before it. Chappel. Michael. Schult. Lowth. Others, very modern, during or after the Kings. Heath. Warburt. Some, written by Job or Elihu, or fome con- temporary. Dupin. Hift. of Can. B. i. c. 3. f. 10. Lowth prael. 32. Schult. prasf. Lightfoot. Some tranflated by Mofes. Patrick, pref. Grey, pref. Some, written by Mo- fes. , Huet, dem. evan. pr. 4. Lowth. Michael. or, by Solomon, or fome prophet about that time. Dup. ib. Span- heim, hift. Job. c. 16. Chapp. or, by Ifaiah, Codurc. during the Babylonian captivity, Heath, EfTay. by Ezra after the captivity, Warburt. B. 6. f. 2. Whether a dra- matic poem or not? Whether a real hiftory, (Lowth. Schult. Chappel.) or an allegorical poem? Michael. War- burt. Heath. Scope- an example of patience, Schult. Grey. whether one fo much afflicted could be really pious, Lowth. to (hew God's fupreme power over the whole creation, Chappel.- to oppofe the Manichean doctrine, Sherlock. or, the tranfmigration of fouls to comfort the Ifraelites in Egypt, Michael. or, to comfort them during the captivity, Heath. on ceafmg of an equal providence after the captivity. Warburt, CHAP. f RECONCILING SCRIPTURE TO ITSELF. CHAP. V. Of Reconciling Scripture to Itself. 1117. WHEN Scripture is compared with itfelf, one paflage has, fometimcs, the appearance of contract- ing another. 1118. There are feeming contradiftions, in quota- tions, in hiftorical paffages, between predictions and their accompiiftwent, 9$4 ' m points Vfc, not mnbn) doctrines, the com- T : - : T T 5 ; mandments of men. " Hof. xiii. 14. " O death, 1 will be thy plagues; O grave, / will be thy deftruftion. " Eng. but, I Cor. xv. 55. nearly from 70. and literally, from Syr. " O death, where is thy Iting ; O grave, where is thy victory ? " Aq. Syr* Arab. tTX corrupted into *HN. Kennic. Diff. i-. p*5J3 Or, per- haps, no quotation, but only an indirect allufipn. Horiley's Hofea,.note (W), on ch. xiii. PfaL xl. 6. "Mine ears haft thou bored" but, Heb. x. 5, -HT " A body haft thou prepared for me, " 70. connexion, ftruc- ture. niJ ?K corrupted into GWK* Kennic. Serm. not. 33. Diff. Gen. Amos ix. u, 12. with A6la xv. *6, 17. Med. Wai. Kara. Amos v. 26. with A6b vii. 43. Habak. ii. 4. with Heb* x. 38. 1126. In fome inftances, it is doubtful which of thefe folutions is the preferable ; and fome quotations admit both folutions in different parts of them. Hab. i. 5. with Ads xiii. 41. CapeU Grot. Be*. Knatchb Pocock. Ham. * 1127. It is far from being true, though it has been generally taken for granted, that all the quotations in the IN QUOTATIONS. the New Teftament, are made according to the 70 verfion ; moft of them are not accurately copied from it ; many of them are not at all taken from it, but tranflated by the writer himfelf immediately from the Hebrew. Marfh's Michael, ch. 5. feft. 3. 1 128. The writers of the New Teftament feem to have been fo careful to give the true fenfe of the Old Teftament, that they forfafce the 70 verfion, when- ever it gave not that fenfe, fo far as they had occa- fion to quote it; and thefe quotations often agree clearly with the prefent Hebrew. Ifa. xxv. 8. with i Cor. xv. 54. " Death is fwaflowed up in vi&ory, " or, " for ever, "but 73. " Death* being vi&o- rious, hath fwallewed up. " 1 129. But fome of the quotations in the New Tef- tament, not copied from the 70, feem to differ from the Hebrew, as well as from that verfion. 1130. The appearance of contradiction fometimes arifes from the Hebrew being generally mifunderftood : the writers of the New Teftament exprefs the true ienfe, though not the fenfe generally put upon it. Pf. Ixviii. 1 8. ** Thou haft received gifts for men," Heb. 70. but Eph. iv. 8. " gave gifts unto men. " npb fignifies botk Chald, Grot. Druf. Glafs, 1. 3, t. 3. c. 2. Mic. v. 2. with Matth. ii. 6. 1131. The appearance of contradiction fometimes anfes from the apoftles not intending a literal 1 trarifla- E e 3 tion, SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS tioa, but only giving the general meaning of a paf* fage. Ifa. xlii. I 4. quoted Matth. xii. 17 21. Grot. 1132. It may fometimes arife from a miftake hav- ing crept into the Hebrew text. 1133. i. There is often a difficulty with regard to the application of quotations ; when they are ap- plied to a purpofe to which they feem to have no re- lation, according to their original defign. 1134. This difficulty arifes from the writers of the New Teftament making quotations from the Old, with very different views ; and, it can be removed only by attending to their real view in a particular quotation. ii 35. When they quote a paflage of the old Tef- tament, merely in the way of allufion, it is enough that the words which they borrow, exprefs emphati- cally their own meaning ; it is not Decenary that they be precifely the fame with thofe in the pafiage allud- ed to, nor that they be there ufed, either of the fame fubjed, or of a fimilar fubject. Deut. xxx. 12, 13, 14. of the law. Rom. x. 6, 7, 8. accom- modated to the gofpel, with proper variations and explica-. tions. Pf. xix. 4. of the heavenly bodies. Rom. x. 18. accommodated to the preaching of the apoflles. 1136. Sometimes, they mean only to apply to Cafe, exprtflions which have been ufed in the Old Teftament of a fimilar cafe, and thus to intimate, that the IN QUOTATIONS. 423 the two cafes are, in fome refpefts, correfpondent ; and, when they do, it is not neceflary that the original be exactly copied. Jer. xxxi. 15. " Voice in Ramah, " &c. of the captivity. Matth. if. 17, 18. of the murder of the infants. Hof. xi. i. " Out of Egypt have I called my fon. " Matth. Ji. 15. to Chrift's deliverance from Herod. Ifa. lii. 5. " My-name is blafpherned. "Rom. if. 24. applied to the Jews of that time. y 1137. When they quote a pafiage of the Old Tef- lament to prove a point of dodrine, they apply it, though not always in the precife words of the original, yet conftantly according to its genuine fenfe, as it (lands there. Deut. viii. 5. " Not live by bread alone. " with Matth. iv. 4. Deut. vi. 16. " Not tempt the Lord, " with Matth. iv. 7. Hof. vi. 6. " Mercy and not facrifice. " applied to different purpofes, Matth. ix. 13. and xii. 7, but to both properly. Deut. xxxii. 35. and Prov, xxv. 21, 22. with Rom. xii. 19, 20. Eras. Vat. Ham. Tayl. 1138. When they quote 'paflages of the Old Tef- tament, as predidions accomplifhed, thefe paffages were really intended to foretell the very events to which they apply them, though various circumftances prevent our readily perceiving that they were. 1139. Predi&ions which relate only to the times of the Mefliah, are yet not readily perceived to relate to them, by reafon of the obfcure, or figurative, or poeti- cal manner in which they are exprefled. E e 4 Zech. SIEMIN<5 CONTRADICTIONS Z?ch. xi. 12, 13. with Matth. xxvii. 9, 10. Mai. iv. 5. " Elijah terrible day." Matth. xL 14. xvti. 12. 1140. Predictions which relate only to the times of the Mefliah, are miftaken as referring to other things, by reafon of their being intermixed with, or occafioned by > fuch as d,> relate to thefe other things. Ifa. vii. 14. with Matth. i. 33. Ifa. ix. i f 2. with Matth. iv. 15, 16. Mcde, Difc. 25. 1 141. Predictions which relate only to the times of the Meffiah, are fometimes obfcured by their having been very generally mifunderftood, and mifapplied to otfur events. Deut. xviii. 15. "A prophet like unto me. '* with Ada Hi. 22. vii. 37. 1142. The application of predictions in the New Taftament, is fometimes rendered obfcure, by our not afcertaining the precife point, for proof of which they are quoted. Ifa. Hit. 4. with Matth. viii. 17. not as proof of miracles, but of his being the Saviour, of whofe falvation thefe miracles wae famples. Pf. viii. 2. with Matth. xxi. 1 6. 1143. T ne application of predictions in the New Teftament, fometimes appears exceptionable, becaufe they refer to other events in their primary and literal fenfe, and to the Mefliah only in a fecondary fenfe. Pf. viii. 6, 7, 8. with Heb. ii. 6, &c. I Cor. xv. 27. IN -QUOTATIONS. 425 1144. Difficulty fometimes arifes, from its not be- ing clear what is the particular paflage of the Old Teflament, intended in a quotation or reference. Heb. i. 6. whence quoted ? Matth. ii. 23. " called a Nararene, " from fome book loft, Chryf. or, from interpreters of the prophets, or, refers to Nazarites, (Eraf. Zeger. Grot.) and intimates that he fhould be " the holy One. " or, to the predi&ion of isa, * a branch," Ifa. xi. i. Bez. Maldon. Ham. or, to predic- tions of his being defpifed . Macknight. Campb. John xix. 36, 37. Kennic. DifT. Gen. 1145. Sometimes, there is difficulty in a quota- tion, both with refpect to the words, and with re- fpeft to the application of it ; and difficulties of each fort fometimes arife from feveral of the caufes toge- ther, which have been mentioned ; but they may be all removed by the means already pointed out. Zech, xi, 12, 13. with Matth. xxvii. 9, 10. SECT. bus t&inh ci ^ao * w -rtTl ^A A ii rf V* - v ? 426 SEEMING CONTRADICTION* SECT. II. Seeming Contradictions in Historical Passages* 1 146. THERE are appearances of contradiction in the circumftances of events, as they are related in one paiTage of Scripture. in different relations of the fame events, by different facred writers, and in the relation of events in one palfage, and references to them in another. 1 1 47. i . Appearances of contradiction, in any one relation of an event, arife either from falfe readings ; or, from obfcurity, or ambiguity in fome of the ex- preffions ; or, from tranfpofitions in the order of re- lating ; and, fometimes, from more than one of thefe caufes. Gen. xxix. i. 8. A dialogue, yet none mentioned but Jacob and three flocks of fheep, which converfe, and roll the ftone, and water the fheep. from changing tz^ynn, ** fhepherds, " into tamyrr, in v. 2. and 8. " flocks. " Sam. Arab. 70. from v. 3. exprefling what cuftomarily happened, not what had then actually happened. Vulg, Ken." Diff. i. p. 360. i Sam. xvii. 12, &c. Ken. DiiT. 2. p. 418, &c. 554, &c. 575. JI48. IN HISTORICAL PASSAGES. 427 1148. 2. When the fame events are related in different places, there is fometimes an appearance of contradiction with refpect either to the facts them- felves, and their circumftances, or, to the order of them. f 1149. Seeming contradictions in the facts them- felves, and their circumftances, are of different kinds, and arife from different caufes. 1 150. There are many differences in proper names, rnoft of which arife from falfe readings, and muft be reconciled by correcting thefe. Hadadezar, Sam. Hadarezar, Chron. Abimelech, Chron. Ahimelech, Sam. Bathfhebah the daughter of Eliam, Sam. Bathfhuah the daughter of Amiel, Chron. Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadrezzar. 1151. The true name may be diftinguifhed from the corrupted one, by the ufage of Scripture in other places, by that of the Samaritan Pentateuch, of the an- cient verfions, and of Jofephus. 1 152. There are many differences in numbers, and thefe alfo generally arife from a falfe reading. 1 153. Sometimes the corruption is occafioned by a fimilitude in the names of the numbers. i Chron. xi. 11,15, 20. compared with 2 Sam. xxiii. 8, 13, 18. Ken. DifT. i. 1154. Sometimes, it is occafioned by a fimilitude between the numeral letters. Numb. SE2MING CONTRADICTIONS Numb. iii. 22, 2%, 34, 39. Ken Diff. i. p. 99. 1 Kings ix. 28. with 2 Chron. viii. 10. Ib. p. 529* 2 Kings viii. 26. with 2 Chron. xxii. 2 2 Sam. viii. 4. with I Chron. xviii. 4. Ib. p. 462. 2 Sam. x. 1 8. with i Chron. xix. 18. Ib. p. 463. 2 Sam. xxiv. 13. with I Chron. xxi. 12. 1 Kings ix. 28. with 2 Chron. viii. 18. Ib. p. 529. 1 155. Sometimes the corruption feems to have been occafioned by a fimilitude in figures, by which num- bers were expreffed. 2 Sam. vi. 19. 50,076. but 5,070. Syr. Arab. Ken. Diff. j. p. 532. Diff. 2. p 208. 70. Ken. Rem. in 1. 1 Kings iv. 26. 40,000. with 2 Chron. ix. 25. 4,000. Ib. Diff. i. 2 Chron. xiii. 3, 17. 400,000. 800,000. 500,000. Old Vul- gate, 40,000. 80,000. 50,000. Ib. and Diff. 2. p. 196. 2 Kings xxiv. 8. with 2 Chron. xxxvi. 9, Ib. Diff. 2. p. 216. 2 Chron. xvii. 13 19. Ib. p. 218. 2 Sam. xxiii. 8. with i Chron. xi. il. Jid. Diff. i. p. 95. 1156. But differences in numbers fometimes arife only from the writers ufmg different methods of reckon- ing. Mark xv. 25. Jefus crucified at the third hour. Jewifh com- putation. John xix. 14. brought forth at the Jixth hour. Roman IN HISTORICAL PASSAGES. 429 Roman computation ; or, a different manner of reckoning among the Jews, Campbell. 1157. Fafts, or even a feries of fa&s, in one hifto- rian, feem to be the fame with thofe related by an- other hiftorian, yet to be totally repugnant to them in many of their circumflances ; but, are not repugnant, becaufe they are really different fads. Matth. i. i, &c. Cnrift'a genealogy by Jofeph. Luke in. 23, &c. His genealogy by Mary. 1 158. When what was spoken is differently related by different hiftorians, it fometimes proceeds from their intending to give, not the very words, but only the fenfe ; fometimes, from their recording different parts of what was faid ; and, fometimes, from both together. Words of the inftitution of the Supper. Title oji the crofs. - Matth. xix. 3, &c. with Mark x. 2, &c. Macknight. 1159. When there appears to be a contrariety in different relations of what was spoken, it may be often removed by limiting and reftraining the general or ambiguous expreffions, or explaining the obfcure ones, from which it arifes. Matth. x, 10. Neither (hoesnor a ftaff. " Mark vi. 8. ~JIO:" nothing fave a ftaff but mod with fandals. " Calv. Munft. Lamy. Macknight. 1160. A feeming contradiction between different relations 430 SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS relations of what was done, fometimes arifes from the fame caufes, and is removed by the fame means. Matth iii. 13, 14, " Comeft thou to me" but John i. 33. " I knew him not, " /. e. had not known him. Mark v. 23. " My daughter is at the point of death ;" but, Matth. ix. 1 8. " is dead," /. e. almoft dead. 1161. A feeming contradi&ion fometimes arifes, from difFerent hiilorians relating different circumftan- ces, or one of them, more or fewer than the other. Matth. ii. with Luke ii. I 39. A As ix. 7. with ch. xxii. 9. xxvi. 14. 1162. There are feeming contradictions, likewife, in the order of fafts, as related by different hiflorians. They fometimes introduce events by anticipation, and fometimes by Vtfwovf . Gen. i. 27. The creation of man briefly hinted. Ch. ii. 7. after feveral other things, the creation of Adam particularly ; and v. 21. after fome other things, that of Eve. Matth. xxvi. 21. and Mark xiv. 18. intimation who mould be- tray him, while eating the paflbver but, Luke xxii. 21. after the inftitution of the fupper ; this laft the true order, for occafioned by the cup, and fuitable to John, that Judas inftantly went out. John's imprifonment. Luke, in the account of his preaching, hints it ; the reft, by V^UG-K;, give a particular account of it, at Herod's being alarmed ; none of them mention it in its own place. A&s ix. 4, 5, 7. with ch. xxii. 9. xxvi. 14, 15. 1163. The facred hiflorians often deviate from the exact order of time ; and are at liberty to do fo, as they propofed IN HISTORICAL PASSAGES. 431 propofed not to write regular journals. In this cafe, the nature of the thing fometimes fhews which hifto- rian obferves the real order. Ifa. xxxviii. 21, 22. Sign of recovery given to Hezekiah fign afked ; real order in 2 Kings xx, 7, 8. ; a tranfpofition in Ifa. and, probably, from a transcriber's miftake. 1164. If one hiftorian affirms the order which he obferves, and another does not, the real order is that which is followed by the former. Matth. iv. affirms the order of temptations, rare, 7rfav. Luke iv. a different order, but not affirmed, only KM. \ 1 165. When one of the hiftorians can be fhown to have had a particular reafon for departing from the or- der of time, while the other had no fuch reafon, the facts ought to be placed in that order which the latter has obferved. A writer may be prevented from relating an event at the time it happened, by not having taken notice of the circumltan- ces which occafioned it. The mention of one event gives occafion for mentioning others, its confequences, though long pofterior ; or, for going backward to what contributed to it ; or, for introducing others fimilar to it. 1 1 66. Difficulties regarding the facts themfelves, and difficulties regarding the order of them, often mu- tually arife, in part, from each other. 1167. Fads, related by different hiftorians, in dif- ferent places of their narration, are apt to be regarded as different fads, but may be the fame facts. Cleric, can. 7. Michael. 86. Matth. SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS Matth. xxvi. 6 13. and Mark xiv. 3 9. give the hiftory of anointing Chrift two days before the paflbver ; but John xii. 3 8. fix days before it feeming inconfiftencies in the cir- cumftances, as well as time not different, Cler. Mackn. but the fame, and confident. Michael. Drus* Grot. each bad a natural occafion for placing it as he does ; John, for mentioning it when it happened, by the refurreftion of Laza- rus ; the others, not then, but by fosg*0-t;, on Judas's making his bargam ; and, they give no note of time. John fays not that it was in the houfe of Lazarus ; other circumftances ea- fily reconciled ; the different circumftancw to be put toge- ther. 1 1 68. Fa&s, related by different facred hiftorians, may be different, though they be fimilar in many of their circumftances, and though there be nothing in the order of relating them which can certainly fix the diverfity. Cler. can. 9, 10. Mackn. Obf. 4. xii. 36 50. Anointing of Jefus not the fame with the former, Grot, but different ; the fimilar circumftances ea- fily accounted for ; the difcordant ones, not. 1169. 3. There is, fometimes, an appearance of contradiction between profeffed relations of events in one paffage, and incidental references to them in ano- ther. 1170. Sometimes, the reference appears repugnant to circumftances actually taken notice of in the narra- tion ; and, fuch repugnance may be of any of the kinds already mentioned, and is to be removed by the fame principles. Mark IN HISTORICAL PASSAGES. 435 Mark ii. 25, 26. " In the days of Abiathar " refers to I Sam. xxi. i, 2. where it is ** Ahimelech ; " not, a falfe reading in Mark not, the fan of the high-prieft not, about the time of Abiathar not, a mere denomination, becaufe afterwards high-prieft but, Abiathar, the father of Ahimelech, who officiated for him, arrd, therefore, naturally mentioned in Sam. and he, the father of another Abiathar. Matth. xxiii. 35. " Zacharias, the fon of Barachiaa" feems to contradict 2 Chron. xxiv. 21. " fon of Jehoiada. J' Tillotf. vol. 2. Ser. 27. A&s vii. 1 6. with Gen. xxxlii. 19. 1171. Sometimes, things are referred to as having happened, of which no notice at all is taken in the relations of the facred hiilorians ; but, this implies only that thefe hiftorians do not relate every thing that happened. Mackn. Obf. 2. Gen. xxxi. 7, 8. Changing Jacob's wages. Pf. cv. 18. Jo- fcph fettered. Hof. xii. 4. xiii. 10. Amos v. 2. Mic. vi. 5 8. Matth. xi. 21. John xi. 49, 50. A&s xx. 35. a faying of Chrift. I Cor. xv. 7. an appearance of Chrift to James. 1172. It is, both to obtain light by comparifon of parallel places, and, to remove feeming contradictions, that harmonies of the historical books of Scripture are intended ; and, what has been faid under thefe two heads, points out the general principles on which fuch harmonies ihould be conftruded. Macknight's harmony. White's Diateffaron. Fjsilowes's Guide to Immortality. Marfli's Michael, vol. 3. ch. 2. F f SECT. 434 SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS SECT. III. Seeming Contradictions between Predictions and their Accomplishment. 1173. WHEN, both a prediction, and the event foretold in it, are recorded in Scripture, there is, fometimes, an appearance of difagreement and incon- fiftence between them* 1 1 74. This appearance generally arifes from fome difficulty in underftanding the true meaning of the pre- diftion ; it may be occafioned by any of thofe caufes which produce the peculiar difficulties of the prophe- tical writings ; and, it is to be removed by the fame means which ferve for clearing thefe difficulties. 1175. It may proceed from any fort of obfcurity or ambiguity in the expreflion, or, from any fort of uncertainty in the flru&ure of a fentence. Mat. xii. 40. Jefus three nights and three days in the grave. 1176. In particular, it often proceeds from the fi- gurative flyle of prophecy. 1177, BETWEEN PREDICTIONS, &C. 435 1 177. It may be occafioned by the ordinary manner of the prophets, predicting what relates to the moral and religious (late of the world, in metaphors borrow- ed from the parts of the natural world. Newton on Daniel. Hag, ii. 6 9. 1 178. It may be occafioned by the prophets expref- fmg what relates to the Chriftian difpenfation and wor- fhip, in terms borrowed from the Mofaic religion. Warb. Div. Leg. Halifax, Serm. i. Ifa. ii. 2, 3. xix. 19. Ivi. 7. Jer. iii. 17. Zech. viii. 22* Mah i. 1 1. 1 179. It may be occafioned, by a prediction relating only to one part of a complex character, or event, and, on that account, feeming to be inconfiftent with other parts of it ; and the appearance will be removed, by taking in fuch predictions as relate to thefe other parts, and confidering them all in connexion. Predictions of the glory of the Mefiiah to be compared with predictions of his precedent fufferings. 1 1 80. It fometimes arifes from feveral of thefe caufes, or them all together. Gen. xlix. 10. Ifa. vii. 8. Lowth. F f 2 SECT* SEEMING CONTRADICTION? SECT. IV. Seeming Contradictions in Points of Doctrine* 1 18 i. THERE is, fometimes, an appearance of con- tradiclion, between the doclrine delivered in one paf- fage, and the doctrine delivered in another paffage. 1 182. Between a general aflertion in one text, and a reftriction of it, or exception from it, in another text, there is an appearance of contradiction, which is fometirnes removed, by explaining the former with the the proper limitations. Luke xvi. 18. Mark x. ir, 12. divorce abfolutely forbidden but, Matth. v. 32. xix. 9. allowed for adultery only : yet, I Cor. vii. 15. feems to be allowed alfo for wilful defertion. 1 183. An appearance of contradiction in a point of doclrine, fometimes arifes, from the fame term being ufed in different fenfes, in different texts ; and is re- moved by reflriding it properly in each. Mat. xviii. 21, 22. forgivenefs required abfolutely -but Luke xvii. 3, 4. required only on condition of repentance for- givenefs ufed in different fenfes. Rom. iii. 28. " A man is jufiined by faith, without the deeds of the law " but, Jam. ii. 24.. " By works a man is juftified, and not by faith only. " Some IN POINTS OF DOCTRINE. 437 Some of the words in different fcnfes ; either 'works ; fomc think that Paul means * ceremonial worlds, ' James, * moral, ' Clar. Wall. others, Paul, perfeft obedience,' James, * imperfect, ' Vatab. or faith ; Paul, ' true faith with its effects, ' James, mere ailcnt, ' Grot. Druf. J. Cape!. Mac- knight. or jujlification ; fome, Paul, in the fight of God, ' James, * in that of men ; ' others, Paul, * firft juf- tification, ' James, ' fecond, or final. ' Zeger. Hoadley. Tayl. 1184. When the fame adion or effect feems, in different paffages of Scripture, to be afcribed to differ- ent caufes, it fometimes arifes, from the name of that action or effeft not being ufed in precifely the fame fignifkation, in thefe paffages. Rom. iv. 25. " And was raifed again for our juftification ; " but, ch. v. 9. " Being juftified by his blood, " or death. Rom. viii. 34. " Chrift ivTvy%%m makes interceffion for us ; " fo Heb. vii. 25. but, Rom. viii. 26, 27. <* The Spirit , " viz. by his influence on our hearts. 1 185. When the fame action or effeft is, in differ- ent texts, afcribed to different perfons or caufes, it is, fometimes, on account of their all contributing to it in different ways. 1 1 86. When different, and feemingly inconfiflent, defcriptioaa are given of the fame fubjecl, often they both reprefent it truly, but in different points of view. Chriil fitting at God's right hand ; but, Ads vii. 56. Jlanding* Mat. x. 34. compared with Luke ix. 56. and with the whole genius of the gofpel. Ff3 1187. 438 SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS 1187. The pretended contrariety between the Old Teftament and the New. 1 1 88. The contrariety pretended by Morgan and Bolingbroke, between the gofpel of Chrift and that of Paul, CHAP. VI. Seeming Contradictions to Reason and Morality. 1189. THERE are, in Scripture, fome paflages which have the appearance of contradicting the prin- ciples of reafon and morality, and which mud be ex- plained fo as to be reconciled to thefe principles. 1190. They are, either feeming contradictions to truth or, feemingly contradictory to good morals or, in appearance unreafonably fevere, or impracti- cable. SECT. TO TRUTH. 439 SECT. I. Seeming Contradictions to Truth, 1191. THERE are, in Scripture, paflages which feem to be contradictory to truth, to imply fome abfur- dity, or, at leaft, to be inconfiftent with true opi- nions. 1192. Some feeming abfurdities, or contradictions to truth, arife only from falfe readings, and are remo- ved by refloring the true reading. 1193. Some feeming contradictions to truth arife only from the ufe of figurative expreffions, accommo- dated to the weaknefs of human conceptions, or, to the ordinary way of thinking of mankind. Bodily parts and pafllons afcribed to God. Reprefentations not according to the true fyftem of nature, 1 194. The account of the creation, as implying that light was made on the firfhday, and the fun, moon, and ftars, only on the fourth day, and that there are waters above and below, divided by a fnlid partition, cannot be pronounced abiurd or impoflible, though it may be -difficult, from the nature and fingularity of the fubject, F f 4 to 440 SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS to give an explication of thefe, and other particulars, that iliall be, in all refpects, fatisfa&ory. Burnett, Archseol. 1. 2. c. 8, 9. Jennings's Aftron. Append. Whifton's Theory, Pref. Edwardb's Exercitations, No. I. Patrick on Gen. i. 3 15. Nichols's Confer, vol. I. p. 90, &c. Univ. Hift. vol. I. 1195. The appearances of abfurdity in the account of the fall, of fuppofmg a brute ferpent to fpeak, Eve not to be alarmed at it, and the ferpent to be fentenced to what he always did, and could not but dp, to go upon his belly, arife, according to focne, only from ta- king, in a literal fenfe, figurative expreflions ufed con- cerning the devil. Chandler's Serm. Gerard's Serm. vol. i. Serm. 4. 1196. There is no abfurdity in fuppofmg the de- luge univerfal, on account of the vafl quantity of water necefTary for overflowing the earth to fuch a depth as Mofes aflerts ; for, that quantity might, pombly, be naturally brought upon it, and certainly could, by a miracle. Burnett. Whifton. Keii. Saurin. Nichols. Edwards. Ray. Univ. Hift. 1197. We are too much ignorant of the real di- menfions of Noah's ark, and, likewife, of the number of the originally diftincl kinds of animals, to be able to determine that it was impoffible for it to contain the numbers faid by Mofes to have been received into it. Wells's Geog. of O. T. v. i. Saurin, Difs. v. i. Univ. Hift. v. i. Calmet's Did. Wilkins's Real Char. p. 2. c. 5. 6, 7. Stillingf. Orig. Sacr. I. 3. c. 4. 7. TO TRUTH. 441 1198. It is faid to be abfurd to reprefent the rain- bow as created after the deluge, and made the fign of a covenant then entered into, when it necefTarily refults from the nature of light and of rain ; but, either the conftitution of the antediluvian world may have been fuch as to prevent its appearance, or, it might have been, after the flood, only appropriated to a new pur- pofe, though it had always appeared. Burnett. Whift. Nichols. Saurin. 1199. Objections raifed againfl incidents related in Scripture, as, Balaam's afs fpeaking, fome of Samp- fon's exploits, &c. are not fufficient to render them in- credible ; fuch fafts being profeffedly related as mira- culous, and fome of them, too, being capable of inter- pretations, which render them lefs marvellous than they are generally thought to be. Stackhoufe. 1200. The Scripture feems to fuppofe the reality of magical operations, and witchcraft ; but, they cannot be, on that account, proved abfurd ; for, though the greateft part of what has paffed as fuch, has doubtlefs been the effedt of a difordered imagination, or artificial contrivance, or mere fiction and impofition ; yet, we cannot be certain that evil fpirits have never been per- mitted fuch communication with mankind. 1 20 1. There is no abfurdity in the accounts fo fre- quent in the New Teflarnent, of demoniacs, or perfons poffeffed by evil fpirits, and tormented with dif cafes by 442 SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS by their influence ; whether, with fome, we explain thefe paiTages as fpeaking only of certain natural difea- fes, in language accommodated to the notions then commonly entertained of them ; or whether, as is the general opinion, we confider them as real pofleiTions. 1202, The healing virtue of the pool at Bethefda, after its being moved by the angel, is miraculous, but, not abfurd or incredible. John v. 4. Macknight. Griefb. 1 203. When fome of the doclrines of revelation are reprefented as contrary to reafon, the contrariety al- leged generally affecls, not the expreffions of any text of Scripture concerning them, but, fome of the expli- cations which men have given of thefe doctrines ; and, therefore, belongs more properly to the Syftem, than to Scripture criticifm. SECT. II. Seeming Contradictions to Morality. 1204. THOUGH it muft be acknowledged by every perfon of common candour, that the Scripture contains, in general, the pureft morality, yet, there are forne particular paflages, which have been reprefented as giving TO MORALITY. 443 giving countenance to immorality. There are inflances of this in hiftorical relations in occafional commands in (landing precepts in doctrines and in prophe- cies. 1205. i. The characters of fome of the faints mentioned in Scripture, are, in fome refpects, faulty ; but, as their faults are, fometimes, exprefsly con- demned fometimes, merely related as facts ; as their characters are often, notwithflanding thefe faults, ex- cellent upon the whole ; as the not concealing them mows the integrity of the writers, and tends to anfwer many good purpofes, they give no countenance to im- morality. Noah's drunkennefs. Jacob's deceiving Ifaac. Jcphtha and Sampfon bad characters, yet commended for faith, Heb. xi. 39. David. Chandler's Life of David, and Anfwer to hiftory of the man after God's own heart. Solomon. Jere- miah's complaint, ch. xx. 7. feems impious and undutiful ; but this inconfiftent with v. n, 13. nns fignifies, not deceive, but allure, alluding to ch. i. 5, 10. xv. 16. not deceived, for warned, ch. i. 17 19. The word fo ufed Gen. ix. 29. on our margin, Prov. xxv. 15. Hof. ii. 14. Jlronger, prevail, not forced. pfn fortify, or encourage. Deut. i. 38. iii. 28. Ifa. xii. 7, &c. Blayn. Peter and Paul's conteft. DifTenfion between Paul and Barnabas. Paul's excufe, Acts xxiii. 5. 1206. None of the actions recorded of Jefus Chrifl are, in the fmallefl degree, immoral, or inconfiftent with finlefs perfection. His fevere rebukes of the Jews, of Peter. His hurtful mira- cles. John ii. 4, ic. feeming difrefpect to his mother af- fertion 444 SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS fertion that his hour was not come encouraging intem- perance. Chandler, Anf. to Woolfton. John vii. 8. not going up to the feaft. John viii. 3, &c. the woman caught in adultery. The paffage, however, is doubtful. Michael. Marfh's Tranfl. Griefb. 1207. 2. God's command to Abraham to facrifice Ifaac, has been reprefented as a command to commit murder in its mod horrid form, and, confe'quently, as inconiiftent with the holinefs of God to give ; but it may be vindicated, whether we conflder. it as only a fymbolical action, or whether, without this, we refolve it into God's fovereignty over the lives of his crea- tures. Warb. Div. Leg. Tillotf. vol. 2. Scrm. 2. Anfwerers to Morgan. 1208. The Ifraelites borrowing from the Egyptians valuable things, which they never intended to reftore, is reprefented as an act of injuftice ; and the divine di- rection, by which they did it, as authorizing theft : but God has the property of all things, and may trans- fer it from one to another in what way he pleafes ; if they had intended to reftore them, Pharaoh's fudden order to them to leave Egypt, might have put it out of their power ; but, in fact, the words fignify, not that they borrowed, but that they allied or demanded them, and that they were given them voluntarily. Tillotf. vol. 2. Burnett's B. L. Kennic. Remarks. 1209. The extirpation of the Canaanites, which the Jews executed by divine command, is reprefented as a mocking TO MORALITY. 445 fliocking inftance of cruelty ; but their wickednefs was 1 fo great, as to deferve fuch exemplary punifhment from God, as might prove a warning to other nations ; he might as juftly deftroy them by the fword of the Ifrael- ites, 'as by famine, peftilence, or any other judgment ; he gave full proof, by miracles, that he had comrnif- fioned the Ifraelites for this very purpofe ; and, their being thus commiilioned, had the ftrongeft tendency to imprefs them with an abhorrence of idolatry. Shuckford's Connex. Findlay, Part 2. p. 125. Leland again'ft Mdrgan. Lowman, Heb. Gov. p. 220, c. 1210. 3. The Mofaic law punimmg idolatry with death, has been reprefented as unjuft, and giving coun- tenance to perfecution for religious opinions : but, the Ifraelites were commanded to put to death only fuch Ifraelites as apoftatized to idolatry, and ftill remained members of their own community ; and their govern- ment being a Theocracy, idolatry was in it, flriclly, the political crime of high treafon, which, in every (late, is juftly punifhable with death. Locke on Toleration. Wart). Div. Leg. 1 21 1. It has been afferted by fome, that the law of Mofes, Lev. xxvii. 28, 29. concerning devoted things to be put to death, authorized human facrifices ; and, Jephtha's facrificing his daughter, Judg. xi. 34, &c. Samuel's hewing A gag in pieces before the Lord, i Sam. xv. 33. and David's delivering feven of Saul's poilerity to the Gibeonites, to be put to death by them, c Sam. xxi. 2 5 &c. have been reprefented as inflances of 446 SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS of human facrifices, conformably to that law : But, as there are exprefs prohibitions of facrificing their chil- dren, Deut. xii. 30, 31. Pf. cvi. 37, 38. Jer. vii. 31. Ezek. xvi. 20, 21. ; fo, there not only is no direction to facrifice any other human creature, nor any rites ap- pointed for fuch facrifice ; but alfo, it would have ren- dered the pried unclean, by touching a dead body ; and the facrifice of a man is exprefsly declared abominable, Ifa. Ixvi. 3. As no devoted thing could be facrificed at all, the law in queftion cannot poffibly relate to facri- fice, and it is capable of a very different meaning ; it is moil probable, that Jephtha did not facrifice his daugh- ter, but devoted her to perpetual virginity ; and the other two inftances alleged have no relation to facri- fice. Sykes's Connex. c. 13. Chandler's Anfw. to Hift. of the Man after God's own heart. Lowth on Ifa. xlii. 16. 1 21 2. 4. The Scripture feems, in fome places, to afcribe to God fuch human paflions, and fuch ac- tions, as are vicious ; but it is only by figurative ex- preffions, which, when properly explained, imply no- thing immoral. Jealoufy fury fwearing in wrath repenting deceiving men hardening Pharaoh's heart putting a lying fpirit into prophets punifhing children for the fins of their parents. Ifa. xl. 2. Lowth. 1213. There is no part of the do&rine of the New Teftament that gives encouragement to any fpecies of immorality ; the appearance of it has arifen only from mifmterpreting TO MORALITY. 447 mifinterpreting particular texts, or mifexplaining ge- neral doctrines. Matth. x. 34, &c. <{ Send a fword " only foretells perfecution by enemies. Luke xvi. i 12. Parable of unjuft fteward gives no encour- agement to difhonefty. Death of Chrift. Juftification by faith. Divine afliftances. 1214. 5. It is objected to the prophets, that they foretell things which did not come to pafs ; but with- out reafon ; for the examples produced are either mifunderftood, or, they are conditional promifes and threatenings, not abfolute predictions. Tindal, c. 13. 2 Kings viii. 10. Elifha's anfwer to Hazael. ib for Nh. I Chron. xxxiv. 28. xxxv. 23. Jonah. Seeming aflertions that the laft day was near, i Cor. x. 1 1. Rom. xiii. n, 12. Heb. ix. 26. Jam. v. 7, 8. i John ii. 1 8. 2 Pet. iii. 12, 13. Phil. iv. 5. i ThefT. iv. 15, &c. 1215. It is aflerted, that the imprecations pronoun- ced by the prophets, particularly in many paflages of the Pfalms, mow a fpirit of malice inconfiftent with hu- manity, and highly vicious : it is an improper vindica- tion of thefe, either to allow that malice was confident with the fpirit of the Old Teftament, though not of the New, or, to fay that the prophets pronounced them againfl men, not as their own enemies, but as the ene- mies of God : but, fome of them appear harm only by the ftrong figurative ftyle in which they are exprtffed, and, when taken out of this, appear very allowable wiihes j 448 SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS wifhes ; * all of them may be confidered, not as prayers, but fimple predictions, the imperative being put for the future (which is a common Hebrew idiom), and mown to be fo put, by the future being ufed in other parts of the prediction ; 2 and this idiom is more natural in pre- diction, than in other kinds of competition, becaufe it is the immediate refult of combining idioms common in the prophetical ftyle ; for, as the prophets are often commanded to do a thing, when it is only meant that they mould foretell it, 3 fo they often do foretell a thing, by commanding it to be done, 4 and they often exprefs their predictions in an addrefs to God ; 5 the union of which two idioms gives them the appearance of imprecations. 1 Pf. x. 5. 2 Pf. xxviii. 4, 5. 3 Jer. i. 10. Ifa. vi. 10. Ezek. xliii. 3. 4 Ifa. xlvii. i. 5 Ifa. ix. 3. 1 21 6. It is faid, that fome of the actions which the prophets did by the direction of God, are indecent or immoral ; but fome of them are by no means fo when rightly conceived, and others were either merely fym- bolical, or only reprefented in viflon, or even merely related by the prophet. Tindal, ib. Ifa. xx. 3. Going naked. Jer. xlii. 4, 6. xxvii. 2, 3. Ezek. iv. pafiim. Hof. i. 2, &c. Horfley's Hofea, Pref. 1217. It is faid, that there are, in fome places of Scripture, expreffions and figures which are indecent, or nearly obfcene ; but, the fimplicrty of manners which PASSAGES UNREASONABLY SEVERE* 449 which then prevailed, made fuch expreflions much lefs offenfive than they appear to us. Song of Solomon. Ezek. xvi. xxiii* **.Jt~*i U***^ 7 * ^^ x^*^>u : SECT, lit Passages unreasonably Severe. 1218. THERE are paflages in Scripture, which feem unreafonably fevere, or to enjoin what is impracticable, 1219. There are inftances of punimments inflicted, which feem too fevere for the crimes committed ; but, they only feem fuch, when all the circumitances of the crimes, and the exigencies which required the punim- ments, are not duly confidered. 1 220. There are doctrines and aflertions which ap- pear hard, inconfiftent with the goodnefs of God, or unfuitable to the weaknefs of man ; but, the appear- ance vanifhes, when the paflages which contain them are properly explained. Matth. xix. 23, &c. " A rich man, enter into the kingdom of God " who " trufts in riches, " Mark x. 24. John vi. 51 58. Eating Chrift's flefh. Matth. xii. 31. Mark iii. 28. Luke xii. 10. Blafphemy a- gainft the Holy Ghoft. v. 36. Idle words. Heb. vi. 4 6. Impoflible to renew to repentance. John v 1 6. The fin unto death. G g 1221^ PASSAGES UNREASONABLY SEVERE* 122 1. Of the precepts of Scripture objected to as unreafonably fevere, or impracticable, fome appear fuch, only by their being exprefled in figurative and metaphorical terms, the meaning of which, and not the found, ought to be attended to. Matth. v. 30. " Cut off a right hand, pluck out a right eye. " Matth. xix. 12. Eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. 1222. Others appear hard, only on account of fome idiom in which they are exprefled, but which has an eftablifhed meaning, according to which they are juft and reafonabk precepts. Exprefled absolutely, when only comparifon meant. Matth. vi. 19. '< Lay not up treafures on earth " John vi. 27. " Labour not for the meat which perifheth. " Col. iii. 2. " Set not your affections on things on earth. " 1223. Others derive their feeming feverity, only from the ambiguity of fome of the expreffions ufed in- them. Matth. v. 28. " Look on a woman to luft after her adultery. " married woman defire to have carnal intercourfe with her. * 1224. Others appear hard, only by their being ex- prefled in general terms, which the nature of the thing, and often the context, mows, require fome reftridions- and limitations. Matth. v. 39, 40. " Refift not evil. " Luke vi. 30. Jam. ii. 10. Seeker, vol. 7. Serm. 3. Sherlock, vol. I. Difc, 1 8. p. 347. Porteus, Serm. 15, 16. 1225. Others are only hard to corrupt appetites and- pailions, SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS. 45! paflionsj but really enjoin no more than good morals abfolutely require, in the circumftances to which the precepts refer. Denying one's felf. Taking up the crofs. Enduring perfecu- tion. CHAP. VII. Seeming Contradictions to History, and Matters of Fact. 1226. TJJERE are, in Scripture, fome appearan- ces of contradiction to matters of faft belonging to hiftory, geography, and the like. Such appearances are found, either ih the profeffed narrations of the facred writers, or, in their occafional allufions and references,- or, in the prophecies. G g * SECT. SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS SECT. I. Seeming Contradictions to Matters of Fact, In the Narrations of the Sacred Writers. 1227. THE filence of profane hiftories concerning facts related in the facred, cannot be confidered as contradicting them, becaufe many of thefe facts are too ancient -to come within the verge of profane hif- tories, or, of fuch a kind, that they could not naturally take notice of them. The filence, or omifTion, even of many hiftorians, ought not to overturn the tefti- mony of any one author who pofitively relates a matter of fad. Beaufobre, p. 154. 1228. Contradictions of facts related in Scripture, by hiftorians who lived long after the date of them, ought to have no weight. \ ^4ju-, Juftin's account of the Ifraelites being driven out of Egypt. 1229. The Scripture account of the peopling of the earth, firft, by one pair, Adam and Eve, and after- wards, by the one family of Noah, has been reprefent- ed as inconfiftent with facts, which indicate different races of men, and with the disjoined fituation of Ame- rica from all the old world : but, no certain proof of the inconfiftence has ever been produced ; on the con- trary, many known facts render it perfectly credible. 1230. TO MATTERS OF FACT. 45J 1230. The Egyptian and Cbinefe catalogues of kings and heroes, carried back further than the be- ginning of the world according to Moles, are to be re- garded as altogether fabulous. 1231. Mofes's account of the rife of the Aflyrian. Empire fo early after the flood, in the time of Nirn- rod, is thought inconfiftent with the greatnefs afcribed to it by Herodotus and Ctefias : but their accounts may be exaggerated ; and, by the chronology of the Samaritan and 70, its diftance from the flood is much increafed. Newton's Chron. c. 3. Whifton's Rem. on Newt. Shuck- ford's Connex. v. 2. Pref. Stillingfleet, Orig. Sac. 1. 3. c. 4. 9. Cumberland, Orig. Gent. Winder's Hift. of Knowledge, v. 2. Whiflon'a Theory, p. 137, c. Jack- fon'a Chronol. 1232. Mofes's account of the divifion of the land of Egypt has been reprefented as contradictory to Di^> odorus Siculus, but is really confident with his ac- count, Warburt. Div. Leg. Vol. 3. p. 63, 1233. Several circumflances relating to the confti- tution, the cuftoms, and the (late of Egypt mentioned by Mofes, feem to contradict the accounts given in o- ther hiftories ; but are really confident with them, fa far as thefe hidories are authentic, 1234. It is faid, that the land of Canaan could not have nourilhed fo many inhabitants as to fupply the G g 3 number 454 SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS number of fighting men, a million and a half, mention-* ed 2 Sam. xxiv. 9. i Chron. xxi. 5. nor to have fup* ported fo many cattle as are faid to have been facri- ficed, particularly 120,000 fheep, and 22,000 oxen, at, Solomon's dedication of the temple, i Kings viii. 63. ; but, if there has no miftake crept into the numbers, it muft be afcribed to the furprifing fertility of the country. 1235. It is faid, that the treafure mentioned as amafled by David, for the purpofe of building a tem- ple, i Chron. xxix. 4, 7. is incredible, being more than all the gold of all the princes now upon earth, put to- gether : but, there may be a corruption in the num- bers ; and, befides, we are not fo well acquainted with the weights mentioned, as to be fure what was the real quantity ; nor do we know certainly, what was then the comparative value of the precious metals, nor what refources for obtaining them, now loft, there were at that time. 1236. Several feeming contradictions, of the facred to profane hiftorians, arife only from their calling the fame perfons, or places, by different names. Prid. Connex. B. i. Tiglath PJlcfer is faid, i Chron. v. 26. to have carried the ten tribes and multitudes, from Damafcus, into Media ; and it is pretended, that he was Ninus junior; and, that not he, but Arbaces, had Media (Uflier. Annal. a. 3257.): but, it appears from Diodorus Siculus (lib. 2.) that Arbaces had both thefe countries ; and, confequently, he is the fame with Tiglath Pilefer, Herod. TO MATTERS OF FACT. 455 Htrod. L 2. gives an account of Necho's taking the city of Cadytes, after his vidory at Magdolum. From 2 Chron. xxxvi. 3. it appears that he had taken Jerufalem, after his vi&ory at Megiddo. tin's the fame ; Jerufalem called Al- kuds, i. e. the holy city, by the neighbouring nations, and fo called by them to this day. 1237. Some feeming contradictions, between the fa- cred and profane hiftorians, arife from the latter tranf- ferring to others what belonged to the Ifraelites, and tlifguifing the real facts with falfe circumftances. Jfa, xxxvii. 2 Kings xix. 2 Chron, xxxii. The deftrucYion of Sennacherib's army before Jerufalem probably by the Siroc wind. but, Herod. 1. 2. deftru&ion of the fame army before Pelufium, in the time of Sethon, by rats making their arms ufelcfs ; from Egyptian priefts, who hated the Jews, in honour of their own nation. Prid. Con, B. i. 1238. Some feeming contradictions of the facred hiftory to profane, arife from the latter being confufed and inaccurate in points of chronology. 1239. Some feeming contradictions between facred and profane hiftorians are reconciled by the more ac- curate narrations of other profane hiftorians. Daniel mentions four kings of Babylon and Pcriia, Nebuch- adnezzar, Belmazzar, -Darius, the Medt, and Cyrus. The hril is acknowledged ; the fecond is mentioned, though by other names, Labynetus, by Herod.- Nabonnedochus, by Megifth. Nabonedus, by Be r os. the third is not men- tioned at all, nor room left for him ir Beros. and Canon of Ptolemy ; but he is the Cyaxares of Xenophon ; (Halifax, Serm. 2. Prid. Con. B. 2.) omitted by the others, becaufe Gg 4 he 456" SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS he was only the nominal king, Cyrus having the real power. 1 240. Mod of the feeming contradictions between the facred hiftorians and Jofephus arife from his hav- ing difguifed, and departed from the truth, in order to accommodate his work to the tafte, or to avoid the cenfure of the Greeks and Romans, to whom he was defirous of recommending it. 1241. Some feeming contradictions between facred and profane hiftory, are owing only to their reckoning their time from different aeras. Cyrus's reign 30 years, viz. from his coming to aflift Cyaxares. Cic. de Div. 1. i. 9 years, viz. from his taking Babylon. Ptolom. can. 7 years, from his becoming fole monarch. Xeuoph. Cyropaed. This laft is followed by Ezra i. i. " the firft year of Cyrus " Shuckford's Conn. Prid. Conn. Stackhoufe's Hift. of the Bible. Warb ? Div. Leg. SECT TO MATTERS OF FACT. 457 SECT. II. Seeming Contradictions to Matters of Fact, in occa- sional References. 1242. The Scripture often occafionally refers, or incidentally aHudes, to matters of fact, in a way that feems contradictory to the accounts of thefe matters of fact given by profane hiflorians. 1243. Thefe appearances of contradiction are of the fame kinds, arife from the fame caufes, and are re- moved by the fame means, with the appearances of contradiction in profefied narrations. Jer. li. 25. Babylon is addrefled, " O deftroying mountain. " but, lay in a plain. reconciled from Berofus. Newton on Prophecy, v. i. p. 279. Ifa. iii. 1 6. to the end. Lowth. Ch. xlix. 16, 23. 1. I, 6. li. 23. lit. 2. liii. 8. Ivii. 6 9. Ixv, 3, 4, Matth. xxi, 12. See Lowth on Ifa. Ixii. 6. i 244. There are, in the New Teftament, feveral re- ferences and allufions to facts, cufloms, and manners, which feem, at firfl fight, contrary to the accounts of thefe in profane hiftories ; but, are fo far from being really inconfiftent with them, that, for the moft part, they {how very great exactnefs. Lardner's Credib. P. i. Y- ?. SECT. 458 SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS SECT. III. Seeming Contradictions to Matters of Fact, in PropJiecies. 1 245. The events foretold in the prophecies of Scrip- ture, are often fuch as fall within the province of pro- fane hiflory ; and, the relations of them given in it, are fometimes fuch, as feem not to verify the predic- tions. 1246. When the hiftories of any period, to which a predi&ion relates, are loft or imperfect, this renders it impofTible for us to perceive clearly and fully the completion of the prediction. Want of regular hiftories of the Eaftern nations. Ifa. xliii. 3, Lowth. *' I gave Egypt for thy ranfom, Ethio- pia (or Cufh,) and Seba for thee. " Commonly applied to Sennacherib's invaficn, who, when he was juft ready to fall upon Jerusalem, was providentially diverted from that de- fign, and led to turn his arms again ft the Egyptians, and their allies, the Cufhian Arabians, who were perhaps joined by their neighbours the Sabians. Some obje&ions, See ch. xx. xxxvii. 9. Vitringa explains it of Shalmanezer's being di- verted from his defigns againft the kingdom of Judah, after he had deftroyed that of Samaria, by turning the war againfl the Egyptians, Cufhian?, and Sabians. But, no clear proof of TO MATTERS OF FACT. 459 f this from hiftoty, which, bowever, is veiy deficient. Others refer it to no particular events, but think it means, in general, that God often faved his people at the expenfe of other na- tions, whom he gave up to deftruftion, as it were, in their Head. 1247. Sometimes, there 3s an appearance of incon- fiftence, between fome parts of a predi&ion, and fome particulars of the event, as related by profane hiftori- ans ; but, it proceeds from fome confufion, or miflake, n the relations of thefe hiflorians. CHAP. 46~0 COMPLICATED DIFFICULTIES. CHAP. VIII. Complicated Difficulties. 1248. BESIDES thefeveral limple kinds of difficul- ties which have been already confidered, there are, in Scripture, complicated difficulties ; that is, paffages in which feverai of thefe fimple kinds occur together. 1249. Th ere are paffages, in which there are differ- ent difficulties, in the reading, or, in the fenfe, or in both, and which mufl be removed on different principles, and difficulties admitting different pro- bable folutions, but none of which can be adopted with perfect certainty. SECT. DIFFICULTIES IN READING AND SENSE. 461 SECT. I. Difficulties arising from different various Readings. 1250. THERE are texts in which there are different various readings, which arife from different caufes, and muft be determined on different principles. Gen. xlix. 6. " In their felf-will they digged down a wall. " 1112;, " a wall, " no fuch circumftance in the hiftory, ch. xxxiv. 25, &c. would have been the leaft part of their crime. Some read *ttll> " an ox, " " houghed the oxen, " marg. but this not true, ch. xxxiv. 28, 29. they carried them away. probably iw " prince, "this faid ch. xxxiv. 26. '* Hamor alfo, and Sichem (the prince and his fon) they flew. " 03X1, " felf-will, " but every where fignifies " be- nevolence, favour. " probably mould be miy, " wrath, '* as in the next verfe. ftructure. " In their anger they flew a man, and in their wrath they flew a prince. Curfed be their anger, for it was fierce ; and their wrath, for it was cruel. " Syr. Ken. Biff. I. p. 56, &c. i Chron. xi. 8. Ib. p. 48, &c. Ads xiii. 23. " Of this man's feed, hath God, according to his promife (jy^) raifed unto Ifrael a Saviour, Jelus. " Inftead of ygg, is found rv^ys in 14 MSS. fome of them of great authority. Arab. Ethiop. Vulg. Chryfoft. Athanas. Theophyl. 2 editions, the beft fupported reading ; the other, taken DIFFICULTIES IN READING AND SENSE. taken by miftake from v. 22. Inftead of a-ar^et In is erur^iecy in 15 MSS. Arab. Ethiop. Chryfoft. this, though fo well fupported, difturbs the fenfe, and conftrues not with what follows. Jer. xlvi. 15. Ken. Diff. Gen. Ifa. v. 1 8. Lowth. Ifa. vii. 1 8, 19, 20, &c. Jid. Ifa. xvi. 8, 9. Jid. Ifa. xxxii. 13. Jid. Ifa. xlii. 1 6. Jid. SECT. H. Complicated Difficulties in the Sense* 1251. IN fome paffages, there are difficulties in the fenfe, of different kinds, and which muft be removed by different means. I Cor. xi. 3 15. " Man praying or prophefying with his head covered, difhonoureth his head, " allufion to the cuftoms and fentiments of the Greeks, to whom he wrote ; for the Jewifh cuftom contrary. " His head, " /. e. himfelf, does what muft appear indecent to his hearers. But, " e very- woman with her head uncovered, difhonoureth her head. " Here, various difficulties. I. He fuppofes women to fpeak in public, yet forbids this, ch. xivi 34, 35. Some under- ftand this prohibition with the exception of a fpecial commif- (ion> by having the gift of prophecy ; but it is abfolute, and given in relation to this very cafe of the gift of prophecy. Others, DIFFICULTIES IN READING AND SENSE. 463 Other*, that by praying or prophefying here, he means, being prefent at them ; this is a fenfe without authority. Others, that the prohibition refpefts the church where men and wo- men meet together ; the fuppofition, feparate afierablies of women only ; the church not mentioned in this paragraph. This agreeable to the Greek manners ; this the moft proba- ble fenfe. 2. How is the man the glory of God, and the woman the glory of the man ? v. 7. Some, glories in ; " others, ** is an effulgence from ; " this, one fignificatton of HM which the 70 render &>|<*. Others, " glorifies, " was made to glorify. Others, is the likenefs or fimiiitude ; this the fenfe of ruifcn which is twice rendered $a| by the 70. 3. What is meant by the woman having &pta, irvivpotros, illuminated with brighter rays of light than Mofes, and, therefore, might fpeak with greater freedom, as he infers, ch. iv. i. " Therefore we faint not," vx. tx-xxxvptf, reftrain not fpecch ; " but v. 2. having renounced, " &c. preach candidly. He goes on, v. 3. alluding to veil and open face. SECT, DIFFICULTIES IN READING AND SENSE, 465 SECT. III. Difficulties both in Reading and in Sense. 1252. IN fome paffages, there are difficulties both concerning the true reading, and the fenfe. Ifa. liii. David's lamentation. Ken. Difs. I. p. 118. Mic. v. i 5. A remarkable prediction, quoted by the college of prieib, Matt. ii. 6. both the beginning and end of it wrong marked in the Hebrew, V. j. belongs to the prece- ding prediction ; this begins only v. 2. The end of it is cut off, and joined with v. 5. very improperly, " this man mall t>e our peace in our war with the Aflyrians. " V. 2. literal- ly, " And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, art little to be among the thoufands of Judah ; " but in Matth. " art not the leaft. " This afte&s not the accomphfhment of the prophecy no in- confiftency ; though little, not the leaft. Some ftippofe the negative omitted in Micah, but without evidence. Others, that T# fignifies great as well as little, and means fo in Mi- cah. Oihers read the ttxt in Micah interrogatively, " Art thou little > No. " This ilmpleft. Arab. Pers. vsVtf " thoufands, " put for ^sibx " princes. " ' Whofe goings forth have been from of old, from the days of the age. " V. 3. " Therefore, " &c. exprefles not the fenfe of the Hebrew. " Truly he will continue to give them, until the time that fhe who is a-bfaring hath born ; " allufion to Ifa. vii. 14. " Then, his excellent brethren, his chofen compa- rions, {hall dwell with the children of Ifrael. " V. 4. " And he fliall (land and feed in the ftrength of the Lord, in the majefty of the name of Jehovah his God j and they (hts H h brethren) 466 DIFFICULTIES IN READING AND SENSE. brethren) fliall abide, " be eftablimed ; " for now mall he be great unto the ends of the earth. " And (v. 5.) " this man fhall be the peace, " reconcile us to God. Ifa. in. 6, 7. Lowth in 1. vJ. 10. Jd. viii. i? 18. Jd. xvi. r. Jd. xvi. 7. Jd. xlviii. 16. Jd. Jtr. xvi. 7. Ken. Difs. Gen. ' 1 77- John xvi. 8 u. P. 2. C. 2. S. 2. Afts ii. 30, &c, ib. Rom. i. 32. Mill in loc. Gal. iv. 22 31. It is an allegory, but is produced as an ar- gument. Collins. But cinvet, i?iv othhwyo^pivx. fhould be ren* dered, " which things are allegorized, " viz. by Ifa. ch. liv. I. Sarah, a remarkable inftance of a woman long barren, having a numerous pofterity ; by the other woman, is meant Hagar. And thefe two are put by the prophet to reprefent the two covenants. " For this Agar is Mount^ Sinai in Arabia. " Great variety in the reading of this claufe ; ac- cording to fome, it is an interpolation ; at any rate, a paren- thefis. Agar, a bond-woman, represents the earthly Jeru- falem, the prefent Jews, who are flaves to the ceremonial law. Sarah, a free-woman, reprefents Chriftianp, Jerufa- lem from above, a fpiritual difpenfation. This, the apoftle fays, is the true meaning of Ifairib's allegory, which alfo appears from the prophet himfelf. He does not, therefore, give the Galatians an allegory inftead of an argument, but a real and ftrong argument, the, exprefs authority of Ifaiah, than which, none could be to thtm more deciiive. Pfal. cix. Part of this pfalm is applied to Judas, Ads i. 20, only by accommodation, according to the moft general opi- nion ; but the whole feems to be a prediction of the malice ' and the punifhment of the Mefliah's enemies. Great part of it coufifls of imprecations, which fome account for, by fup- pofing that David only repeats the curfes of his enemies. This hypothecs, however, is inapplicable, and inconfiftent with v. 8. to JudaF. They are not imprecations, but predictions, exprefTed in the imperative, inftead of the future, as is often done DIFFICULTIES IN SOLUTIONS. 467 done in Hebrew, particularly in the prophetical writings. This obfervation removes all difficulty, and makes the pfalm appear a very explicit prediction, of the malice of the Jews againft Chrilt, of his death, of his victory over his enemies ; and particularly, a very minute and circumftantial description of the fate of Judas, and of the dtfolation and difperfion of the Jews. SECT. IV, Difficulties which admit different Solutions. 1253. IN fome pafiages, there are difficulties which admit different folutions, none of which can be deter- mined to be certainly the one true folution, all hav- ing fome degree of plaufibility. This is unavoidable, from the very nature of criticifm, which, not being a demonftrable fcience, few of its conclufions can be at- tended with abfolute certainty, but mod of them have only greater or lefs probability. Whenever the pro- babilities on the oppofite fides are nearly equal, the in- ftance falls under the prefent head. Accordingly, fome of the examples under almoft every principle al- ready confidered, belong to this clafs, which renders it unneceffary to multiply feparate examples. Inflead of this, we may remark that, for the reafon juft now mentioned, we Ihould avoid adopting even fuch folu- tions as appear beft fupported, too dogmatically, as if they were infallible. H h 2 CON- CONCLUSION. THE fubject which t have ilow brought to a conclu* fion, naturally leads me to recommend to you the ftudy of the Scriptures, as your principal employment. They are the only pure fources of theological knowledge* Could we underftand them perfectly, our knowledge would be complete, and free from error. If we ftudy them with care, we cannot fail to acquire all neceifary knowledge, and to efcape every dangerous error. The-") ology, derived immediately from them, will be fimple,( - and wholly practical. If you xvould underftand them, read them in the original languages, and be at pains to qualify yourfelves for doing fo. Take the affiftance of verfions, but reft not in them ; compare them with one another, and with the original. Take the aflifU ance of commentators, but follow them not implicitly* When they are fo very numerous, it is aftonilhing that fo little can be learned from them ; one copies merely / from another. You may be fatisfied with a few of the belt; it would be wafte of time to attempt confult- ing them all. The beft of them often dwell on what has 47^ CONCLUSION. has little difficulty, or is of little moment ; arid, points? on which you would wifh mod to be fatisfied, you will often find patted over by them all. The bell have their prejudices and noftrums ; and, for fupport- ing them, diftort and wreft many paffages. Often you will find light from critical effays on particular texts, when general and voluminous commentators afford you none. Let not your explications be dictated by your, accidental prefent notions ; but founded on, and tried by, well-eftabliflied general principles of found criticifm. It is for affifting you in difcovering thefe, that the view which I have 'given, both of the Sources and of the Ob- jects of Scripture Criticifm is intended. Above all, fix a proper and upright aim in Studying the Scriptures. 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Any Number or Volume m^y be had feparately. (j* The defign of the Farmer's Magazine, is to collect and difTerr^- nate ingenious Theories, important and well-authenticated Facts, and accurate Experiments, which relate to the different branches of Rural Economy. It is well known to thofe acquainted with the different parts of the United Kingdom, that difcoveries and improvements ia Agriculture travel very llowly. To remedy this, the Farmer's Maga- zine was firft projected ; and if the Proprietors may judge from the al- mofl unprecedented fale of more than 4000 copies of each Number, the object of this publication is in a great degree aniwered. The work con r lifts Worls published by A. CONSTABLE & Co. fifts of I. Mifcellaneous Communications of the moil important prac- tical Nature. 2. The Review of Agricultural publications. 3. Agri- cultural Intelligence from every diftrid: in Scotland and England. The importance of this branch muft be evident to every practical Farmer, who, at the moderate price of two {hillings and fixpence a quarter, may learn the State of the Crops, and the Price of Grain, Cattle, &c. in the different parts of the kingdom, befides being enabled to compare his own practice with that in other diitricts, and thus to correct what is improper or deficient. 41. The EDINBURGH REVIEW, or CRITICAL JOUR- NAL, from its commencement in October 1802 to July 1806. Pub- limed quarterly. Handfomely Printed in Eight Volumes Octavo, Price 4!. 46. in Boards, or in 16 Numbers, Price 53. each. Any Number or Volume may be had feparately. C5" This Publication is conducted upon a principle x)f Selection : It takes no notice of infignificant works, but enters very fully into the difcuflion of thofe that feem entitled to attention. 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In fpite of the fixe of their Volume, the remotenefs of their fi- tuation, and all the difadvantages of inexperience, they were enabled, even in their Second Number, to equal the circulation of feveral of the eitablimed Journals of the metropolis ; and they have been con- vinced, by the conftant increafe of the demand, that, to fecure the patronage of the public, it is only neceflary to defer ve it by a diligent and conscientious difcharge of their duty. To every Number is an- nexed a complete Lift of all the new Publications in the preceding quarter. This Catalogue will contain by far the Qarlieft. and moil compreheniive account of modern literature that has yet been prefented to the Public. 42. The EDINBURGH MEDICAL and SURGICAL JOUR- NAL, for 1805 1806 ; exhibiting a Concife View of the lateft and moft important Difcoveries in Medicine, Surgery, and Pharmacy. (Publiflied quarterly.) Volume I. & II. Price il. 43. in 8 Numbers, or il. 53 in boards. 43. TRAVELS to DISCOVER the SOURCE of the NILE, in the years 1768, 1769, 1770. 1/71, 1772, and 1773. ^J JAMES BRUCE of Kinnaird, Efq. F. R. S. The Second Edition, Corrected and Enlarged. To which is prefixed, a Life of the Author. Hand- fomely printed in 7 volumes 8vo., with a volume of Copperplates in 410., price 4!, i6s. boards. V A ^X Worts pullisJied by A. CONSTABLE & Co. * # * A few copies are printed in Royal Octavo, with firfl imprcf- fions of the Plates. Price 7!. 78. boards. CC/- This edition of a juftly celebrated work, is printed from a cor- rect copy, intended for the prefs at the time of the Author's death. The ufe-of all his original journals, correfpondence, manufcripts,' &c. ; the concurring teftimonies of later travellers, along with various other cir- cumftances, have enabled the Editor to render the work jnor^ complete and interefting than Mr Bruce himfelf would have condefcended to make it. To the account of his life, which occupies a confiderable part of the firft volume, is annexed a felection of letters from a very valuable correfpondence, in which the names of the Comte de Buffon, the Hon. Daines Bavrington, Lord Halifax, Mr Wood, Dr Hugh Blair, Mr Andrew Lumfden, Sir Robert Strange, Dr Solander, and many others, dcferve particular notice. 44. The EXPERIENCED MILL-WRIGHT ; or a Treat ife on the Conduction of fome of the moil ufeful Machines, with the lateft difcoveries ; to which is prefixed, a Short Account of the general Principles cf Mechanics, and the Mechanical Powers, By ANDREW GRAY, Mill-Wright. The Second Edition. Illuflrated with Forty- Four Engravings. One Volume, Imperial Quarto. Price 2!. 2s. half-bound. sp This Work contains General Principles and Definitions in Me- chanics Of the Mechanical Powers Of Friction, the Application of Powers, Uniform Motion, c. Practical Directions for the Conftruc- tion of Machinery Of the Strength of the, different parts of Machines, of proportioning the Power to the Effect, and of the Method of cal- culating the Velocity of Machines Of the Strength of Machines Proportion of Powers Velocity of Machines Of Water-Mills Opi- nions and Experiments of different Mechanicians on their Powers and Effects Velocity of Water- Wheels Plan of a Thrafhing Machine to be driven by Water Section of ditto Elevation of a Thrafhing Ma- chine to be driven by Water Plan of another Thraming Machine to be driven by Water Plan of a Thrafhing Machine to be driven by Horfes -Elevation and Section of ditto Plan of a Thrafhing Machine to be driven by Water or Horfes Plan, Elevation, and Section of a Thrafhing Machine to be driven by Wind or Horfes Elevation of a Wind-Mill to turn a Thrafhing Machine-VPlan, Elevation, and Section of a Snuff-Mill Plan, Elevation, and Se&ion of a Corn-MillPlan, Elevation, and Section of a Barley and Malt-Mill Plan of a Flour- Mill- Section of a Sheeling-Mill Seftion of a Flour Mill with Bolt- ing Machines Elevation of a Flour-Mill Plan of a Double Flour- MiH Section of a. Sheeling-Miil Section and Elevation of a Double Flour-Mill Plan, Elevation, and Section of a Flax-Mill Bleaching and Beetling Machines Plan, Elevation, and Section of an Oil-Mill Plan and Elevation of a Paper-Mill Plan and Elevation of a Saw- Mill Fulling-Mill, and Pumps for raifing Water, &c. c. I). WILLISON, PRINTER, CRAIG S CLOSE, EDINBURGH. ' fAi/SJs fa & *.*** ^ ^ A^* f~- ^ /le.+-1l*-*~f +J~ St.4,f*fs., ^y ' ' <*r* f /f*~u *//. A ^ '4 ' r 5 ~ ~Z~ .bfte'i** *"-* ' ~ td-AAS - r Return to desk from whidv borrowed. This book is DUE ohe* ^ stamped below. 1 , alOA^N' v.. ' ,jj OCT171961 u '5Jan55GH . l I LD 21-100m-7, 1 52(A2528sl6)476 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY