Contrariwise, the manner of teaching, as also his style, doth give apparent testimony that it was not of S. Pauls writing, but of some other mans doing: for he which wrote it, confesseth in the second Chapter, that he was one of the Disciples of the Apostles: now this is very far off from Saint Pauls manner of speech. Moreover the use and custom of the Catechism, which he toucheth in the sixth Chapter, cannot properly agree to Saint Pauls time. There are also other reasons, which we will touch when we shall come to the places that give occasion thereof. I know the excuse very well which some are wont to bring touching the style; to wit, that the difference thereof, doth give no sufficient ground to stay our judgements upon, because that S. Luk, or some other did translate this Epistle out of the Hebrew tongue into the Greek. But it is easy to refute this their conjecture. I willingly let pass other places which are alleged out of the Scripture: only I say, that if this Epistle had been written in Hebrew, there could not have been an allusion in this word Testament, whereupon the author of this Epistle doth stay himself. I say then, that which he handleth touching the nature of the Testament in the ninth Chapter, cannot be drawn out of any other fountain then from the Greek word. For the Greek ⟨p. 3⟩word signifieth two things, to wit, Testament, and Covenant: but Berith after the Hebrews, signifieth Covenant only. This reason will satisfy those that are of sound judgement to prove that which I have said: to wit, that this Epistle was written in the Greek tongue. As touching that which is brought to the contrary, that it is more probable that the Apostle would not write to the Jews but in their own tongue, this hath no more ground then the rest. How few were then to be found which understood the language of their ancestors? Again, according to the region where every one dwelt, so had he also learned the language of the same. Now the Greek tongue was spread furthest abroad, and was more in use then any other. I therefore come now to the Argument it self.
Contrariwise, the manner of teaching, as also his style, doth giue apparant testimonie that it was not of S. Pauls writing, but of some other mans doing: for he which wrote it, confesseth in the second Chapter, that he was one of the Disciples of the Apostles: now this is very farre off from Saint Pauls manner of speech. Moreouer the vse and custome of the Catechisme, which he toucheth in the sixth Chapter, cannot properly agree to Saint Pauls time. There are also other reasons, which we will touch when we shall come to the places that giue occasion thereof. I know the excuse very well which some are wont to bring touching the style; to wit, that the difference thereof, doth giue no sufficient ground to stay our iudgements vpon, because that S. Luk, or some other did translate this Epistle out of the Hebrew tongue into the Greeke. But it is easie to refute this their coniecture. I willingly let passe other places which are alleadged out of the Scripture: onely I say, that if this Epistle had beene written in Hebrew, there could not haue beene an allusion in this word Testament, whereupon the author of this Epistle doth stay himselfe. I say then, that which he handleth touching the nature of the Testament in the ninth Chapter, cannot be drawne out of any other fountaine then from the Greeke word. For the Greeke ⟨p. 3⟩word signifieth two things, to wit, Testament, and Couenant: but Berith after the Hebrewes, signifieth Couenant onely. This reason will satisfie those that are of sound iudgement to prooue that which I haue said: to wit, that this Epistle was written in the Greeke tongue. As touching that which is brought to the contrarie, that it is more probable that the Apostle would not write to the Iewes but in their owne tongue, this hath no more ground then the rest. How few were then to be found which vnderstood the language of their auncestours? Againe, according to the region where euery one dwelt, so had he also learned the language of the same. Now the Greeke tongue was spread furthest abroad, and was more in vse then any other. I therefore come now to the Argument it selfe.
