A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

1 Some answer, that here a comparative is put for a positive; More sure, for Sure: or for a superlative: [Greek or Hebrew], for [Greek or Hebrew]; more sure, for Surest. A place is instanced, Act. 25.10. Paul cleared himself to Festus; To the Jews I have done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. The word is not [Greek or Hebrew], but [Greek or Hebrew]; not Well, but Better: the comparative for the positive; as Thou better knowest. This same Enallage graduum is not rare among the Greeks and Latins. The French write Tresnoble for Noble: we Most Honourable, for Honourable: and some, To my Worthier friend, for Worthy. But this answer satisfies not: for first I do not see but that speech of Paul might very well be translated, as Thou better knowest. For Festus being a Roman Judge did better know, that Paul had not done nothing against the Roman Laws, than could the Jews. But it is objected, that Paul appeals to Festus his knowledge, that to the Jews he had done no wrong. True, and why might not the Judge better discern of the cause than the Plaintiff? Every man is well affected to his own cause, and the Jews were blinded with malice, charging Paul with many things, but proving nothing. Festus therefore seeing their malice, and Pauls innocency; did better know that he had done them no wrong, than themselves. Besides the Context manifestly intends a comparison; it must be admitted Certior sermo, to be a more sure word.

1 Some answer, that here a comparative is put for a positive; More sure, for Sure: or for a superlative: 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, for 〈non-Latin alphabet〉; more sure, for Surest. A place is instanced, Act. 25.10. Paul cleared himselfe to Festus; To the Iewes I have done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. The word is not 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, but 〈non-Latin alphabet〉; not Well, but Better: the comparative for the positive; as Thou better knowest. This same Enallage graduum is not rare among the Greekes and Latines. The French write Tresnoble for Noble: we Most Honourable, for Honourable: and some, To my Worthyer friend, for Worthy. But this answer satisfies not: for first I doe not see but that speech of Paul might very well be translated, as Thou better knowest. For Festus being a Roman Iudge did better know, that Paul had not done nothing against the Roman Lawes, than could the Iewes. But it is objected, that Paul appeales to Festus his knowledge, that to the Iewes he had done no wrong. True, and why might not the Iudge better discerne of the cause than the Plaintife? Every man is well affected to his owne cause, and the Iewes were blinded with malice, charging Paul with many things, but proving nothing. Festus therefore seeing their malice, and Pauls innocency; did better know that he had done them no wrong, than themselves. Besides the Context manifestly intends a comparison; it must be admitted Certior sermo, to be a more sure word.