I know very well that it is inferred from the Etymology of the Greek word [Greek or Hebrew], Nomos, a Law, that a Rule of Duty, enacted with a Sanction of Penalty or Recompense, is signified by it. But I know, that as no great weight can be laid on Arguments drawn from an Etymology; so if that derivation of the Greek [Greek or Hebrew], Nomos, Law, from [Greek or Hebrew], Nemo, signifying the distribution of what is due, (which is pleaded) be the most natural, yet nothing can be argued from it: For suitable Doctrine may be distributed among Men, as well as Rewards and Punishments. But this commonly received Derivation is not perhaps the truest: for if we may give Credit to Plato in his own Language, in which he was equally famed for Eloquence as for Philosophy and Reason, [Greek or Hebrew] Nomos, a Law, is more fitly deduced from [Greek or Hebrew] Noos, the Minda; which as it seems very natural, there wanting only the interposition of the Letter [Greek or Hebrew] to make it the same Word; so it plainly denotes a Law, in its original meaning, to be a Doctrine or Instruction, of which the Mind is the principal Subject and Seat. There is no need of Criticisms to prove a Truth of the Gospel, and therefore I wave them. I shall neither insist on that Sense which is assigned to the Greek [Greek or Hebrew] Nomos, as signifying the Measures of a Verse, or Tuneb, tho from thence it is probable, the Word was transferred to signify the Statutes established among Men, to regulate the Actions of their Lives, since the most ancient Laws were written in Verse, that they might be more readily committed unto, and be ⟨p. 17⟩more faithfully retained in Memory. I need only hint these things, as also that the Greek Tragedian duseth the word [Greek or Hebrew] Nomos, Law, to express the Inclinations and Manners of a Person, to show that no valid Reason can be raised from the mere sound of the word Law, to convince us that the Gospel, when described by that Name, is a Rule of Works with a Sanction since the Word admits of so many other Significations.
I know very well that it is inferr'd from the Etymology of the Greek word 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Nomos, a Law, that a Rule of Duty, enacted with a Sanction of Penalty or Recompence, is signified by it. But I know, that as no great weight can be laid on Arguments drawn from an Etymology; so if that derivation of the Greek 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Nomos, Law, from 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Nemo, signifying the distribution of what is due, (which is pleaded) be the most natural, yet nothing can be argued from it: For sutable Doctrine may be distributed among Men, as well as Rewards and Punishments. But this commonly receiv'd Derivation is not perhaps the truest: for if we may give Credit to Plato in his own Language, in which he was equally fam'd for Eloquence as for Philosophy and Reason, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Nomos, a Law, is more fitly deduced from 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Noos, the Minda; which as it seems very natural, there wanting only the interposition of the Letter 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 to make it the same Word; so it plainly denotes a Law, in its original meaning, to be a Doctrine or Instruction, of which the Mind is the principal Subject and Seat. There is no need of Criticisms to prove a Truth of the Gospel, and therefore I wave them. I shall neither insist on that Sense which is assign'd to the Greek 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Nomos, as signifying the Measures of a Verse, or Tuneb, tho from thence it is probable, the Word was transferr'd to signify the Statutes establish'd among Men, to regulate the Actions of their Lives, since the most antient Laws were written in Verse, that they might be more readily committed unto, and be ⟨p. 17⟩more faithfully retain'd in Memory. I need only hint these things, as also that the Greek Tragedian duseth the word 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Nomos, Law, to express the Inclinations and Manners of a Person, to shew that no valid Reason can be rais'd from the meer sound of the word Law, to convince us that the Gospel, when describ'd by that Name, is a Rule of Works with a Sanction since the Word admits of so many other Sgnifications.
- aPlato de Leg. lib. 12. pag. 957. Tom. 2. oper. Edit. Serrani, 1578.
- bEtymol. Magnum, in voce [Greek or Hebrew]. Aristot. pag. 159. Tom. 4. oper. Edit. Du Val. Par. 1639.Etymol. Magnum, in voce 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Aristot. pag. 159. Tom. 4. oper. Edit. Du Val. Par. 1639.
- d[Greek or Hebrew]. Sophocles in Ajace, pag. 33. Edit. H. Stephan. 1568.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Sophocles in Ajace, pag. 33. Edit. H. Stephan. 1568.
