Of the divine original, authority, self-evidencing light, and power of the Scriptures. With an…Of the divine originall, authority, self-evidencing light, and povver of the Scriptures. With an…

CHAP. I.

1. The occasion of this Discourse. 2. The Danger of supposing corruptions in the Originals of the Scripture. 3. The great usefulness of the Biblia Polyglotta. 4. The Grounds of the ensuing animadversions. 5. The Assertions proposed to be vindicated laid down. 6. Their weight and importance. 7. Sundry principles in the Prolegomena prejudicial to the Truth contended for, laid down. 8. Those Principles formerly asserted by others. Reasons of the opposition made to them.

1. The occasion of this Discourse. 2. The Danger of supposing corruptions in the Originalls of the Scripture. 3. The great usefullnesse of the Biblia Polyglotta. 4. The Grounds of the ensuing animadversions. 5. The Assertions proposed to be vindicated laid downe. 6. Their weight and importance. 7. Sundry principles in the Prolegomena prejudiciall to the Truth contended for, laid downe. 8. Those Principles formerly asserted by others. Reasons of the opposition made to them.

Sect. 2. What use hath been made, and is as yet made in the world, of this supposition, that corruptions have befallen the Originals of the scripture, which those various lections at first view seem to intimate; I need not declare. It is in brief, the foundation of Mahumetisme, Alcor. Azoar. 5.¹ The chiefest and principal prop of Popery, the only pretence of Fanatical Anti Scripturists, & the root of much hidden Atheism in the World. At present there is sent unto me ⟨p. 148⟩by a very learned Person, upon our discourse on this subject, a Treatise in English, with the Latin Title of fides Divina, wherein it's nameless Author, on this very foundation labours to evert and utterly render useless the whole scripture. How far such as he may be strengthened in their infidelity by the consideration of these things, time will manifest.

Sect. 2. What use hath been made, and is as yet made in the world, of this supposition, that corruptions have befallen the Originalls of the scripture, which those various lections at first view seeme to intimate; I need not declare. It is in breife, the foundation of Mahumetisme, Alcor. Azoar. 5.¹ The chiefest and principall prop of Popery, the only pretence of Fanaticall Anti Scripturists, & the root of much hidden Atheisme in the World. At present there is sent unto me ⟨p. 148⟩by a very learned Person, upon our discourse on this subject, a Treatise in English, with the Latine Title of fides Divina, wherein it's namelesse Author, on this very foundation labours to evert and utterly render uselesse the whole scripture. How farre such as he may be strengthened in their infidelity by the consideration of these things, time will manifest.

1. 1Whitak Cham. Rivet. de S. S. Molin. nov. Pap. Mestrezat. Cont. Jesuit. Regourd. vid. Card. Perron. respon. ad Reg. mag. Bullen. l. 5. c. 6.

Had there not been then a necessity incumbent on me, either utterly to desist from pursuing any thoughts of publishing the foregoing Treatise, or else of giving an account of some things contained in the Prolegomena and Appendix, I should for many Reasons have abstained from this Employment. But the truth is, not only what I had written in the first Chapter about the Providence of God in the preservation of the Scripture, but also the main of the Arguments afterwards insisted on by me, concerning the self Evidencing power and Light of the Scripture, receiving in my Apprehension a great weakening by the things I shall ⟨p. 149⟩now speak unto, if owned and received as they are proposed unto us, I could not excuse my self from running the hazard, of giving my thoughts upon them.

Had there not been then a necessity incumbent on me, either utterly to desist from pursuing any thoughts of publishing the foregoing Treatise, or else of giving an account of some things contained in the Prolegomena and Appendix, I should for many Reasons have abstained from this Employment. But the truth is, not only what I had written in the first Chapter about the Providence of God in the preservation of the Scripture, but also the maine of the Arguments afterwards insisted on by me, concerning the selfe Evidencing power and Light of the Scripture, receiving in my Apprehension a great weakning by the things I shall ⟨p. 149⟩now speake unto, if owned and received as they are proposed unto us, I could not excuse my selfe from running the hazard, of giving my thoughts upon them.

Sect. 3. The Wise man tells us, that he considered all travel and every right work, and that for this a man is envied of his neighbour, which saith he, is vanity and vexation of spirit, Eccles. 4. 4. It cannot be denied, but that this often falls out through the Corruption of the hearts of men, that when Works, right Works, are with most sore travel brought forth in the world, their Authors are repaid with envy for their Labour, which mixes all the issues of the best endeavours of men, with vanity, and vexation of spirit. Hiereme of old and Erasmus of late, are the usual instances in this kind. That I have any of that guilt in a peculiar manner, upon me in reference to this work of publishing the Biblia Polyglotta, which I much esteem, or the Authors and contrivers ⟨p. 150⟩of it,^a whom I know not, I can, with due consideration, and do utterly deny. The searcher of all hearts, knows I lye not. And what should possibly infect me with that leaven? I neither profess any deep skill in the Learning used in that work, nor am ever like to be engaged in any thing that should be set up in competition with it; nor did ever know that there was such a Person in the world, as the chief Author of this Edition of the Bibles, but by it. I shall then never fail on all just occasions, to commend the Usefulness of this work, and the Learning Diligence and pains of the worthy Persons that have brought it forth; nor would be wanting to their full praise in this place, but that an entrance into this discourse with their due commendations might be liable to misrepresentations. But whereas we have not only the Bible published, but also private opinions of men, (and collections of various Readings (really or pretendedly ⟨p. 151⟩so we shall see afterwards,) tending some of them as I apprehend, to the disadvantage of the great and important Truth that I have been pleading for, tendered unto us, I hope it will not be Grievous to any nor matter of Offence, if using the same Liberty, that they, or any of them whose hands have been most eminent in this work have done, I do with (I hope) Christian candour and moderation of spirit, briefly discover my thoughts upon some things proposed by them.

Sect. 3. The Wiseman tells us, that he considered all travell and every right worke, and that for this a man is envied of his neighbour, wh•ch saith he, is vanity and vexation of spirit, Eccles. 4. 4. It cannot be denyed, but that this often fals out through the Corruption of the hearts of men, that when Works, right Workes, are with most sore travell brought forth in the world, their Authours are repayed with envy for their Labour, which mixes all the issues of the best endeavours of men, with vanity, and vexation of spirit. Hiereme of old and Erasmus of late, are the usuall instances in this kind. That I have any of that guilt in a peculiar manner, upon me in reference to this worke of publishing the Biblia Polyglotta, which I much esteeme, or the Authours and contrivers ⟨p. 150⟩of it,^a whom I know not, I can, with due consideration, and doe utterly deny. The searcher of all hearts, knowes I lye not. And what should possibly infect me with that leaven? I neither professe any deep skill in the Learning used in that worke, nor am ever like to be ingaged in any thing that should be set up in competition with it; nor did ever know that there was such a Person in the world, as the chiefe Authour of this Edition of the Bibles, but by it. I shall then never faile on all just occasions, to commend the Usefullnesse of this worke, and the Learning Diligence and paines of the worthy Persons that have brought it forth; nor would be wanting to their full praise in this place, but that an entrance into this discourse with their due commendations might be liable to misrepresentations. But whereas we have not only the Bible published, but also private opinions of men, (and collections of various Readings (really or pretendedly ⟨p. 151⟩so we shall see afterwards,) tending some of them as I apprehend, to the disadvantage of the great and important Truth that I have been pleading for, tendred unto us, I hope it will not be Grievous to any nor matter of Offence, if using the same Liberty, that they, or any of them whose hands have beene most eminent in this worke have done, I doe with (I hope) Christian candor and moderation of spirit, briefly discover my thoughts upon some things proposed by them.

1. a(fir•e my writing of this some of the chief overseers of the Work, Persons of singular worth are known to me.)(fir•e my writing of this some of the cheif overseers of the Worke, Persons of singular worth are knowne to me.)

Sect. 4. The renownedly learned Prefacer unto the Arabic Translation in this Edition of it, tells us, that the Work of translating the Pentateuch into that Language, was performed by a Jew, who took care to give countenance to his own private opinions, and so render them Authentic by bringing them into the Text of his Translation.

Sect. 4. The renownedly learned Prefacer unto the Arabick Translation in this Edition of it, tells us, that the Worke of translating the Pentateuch into that Language, was performed by a Jew, who took care to give countenance to his own private opinions, and so render them Authenticke by bringing them into the Text of his Translation.

It is not of any such Attempt, that I have any cause to complain, or shall so do in reference to these Prolegomena and ⟨p. 152⟩Appendix; only I could have wished, (with submission to better Judgments be it spoken,) that in the publishing of the Bible, the Sacred Text, with the Translations, and such naked historical accounts of their Originals and preservation, as were necessary to have laid them fair and open to the Judgment of the Reader, had not been clogged with disputes and pleas for particular private opinions, imposed thereby with too much advantage on the minds of men, by their constant neighbourhood unto canonical Truth.

It is not of any such Attempt, that I have any cause to complaine, or shall so doe in reference to these Prolegomena and ⟨p. 152⟩Appendix; only I could have wished, (with submision to better Judgments be it spoken,) that in the publishing of the Bible, the Sacred Text, with the Translations, and such naked historicall accounts of their Originalls and preservation, as were necessary to have laid them faire and open to the Judgment of the Reader, had not been clogged with disputes and pleas for particular private opinions, imposed thereby with too much advantage on the minds of men, by their constant neighbourhood unto canonicall Truth.

Sect. 5. But my present considerations being not to be extended beyond the concernement of the Truth which in the foregoing discourse I have pleaded for, I shall first propose a brief abstract thereof, as to that part of it, which seems to be especially concerned, and then lay down what to me appears in it's prejudice in the Volumes now under debate; not doubting but a fuller account of the whole, will by some or other be speedily ⟨p. 153⟩tendered unto the Learned and impartial Readers of them. The sum of what I am pleading for, as to the particular Head to be vindicated is; that as the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, were immediately, and entirely given out by God himself, his mind being in them represented unto us, without the least interveniency of such mediums, and Ways, as were capable of giving change or alteration to the least iota or syllable; so by his Good and merciful providential dispensation, in his Love to his Word and Church, his whole Word as first given out by him, is preserved unto us entire in the Original Languages; where shining in its own beauty and lustre, (as also in all Translations so far, as they faithfully represent the Originals) it manifests and evidences unto the consciences of men, without other foreign help or assistance, its divine original and Authority.

Sect. 5. But my present considerations being not to be extended beyond the concernement of the Truth which in the foregoing discourse I have pleaded for, I shall first propose a briefe abstract thereof, as to that part of it, which seemes to be especially concerned, and then lay downe what to me appeares in it's prejudice in the Volumes now under debate; not doubting but a fuller account of the whole, will by some or other be spedily ⟨p. 153⟩tendred unto the Learned and impartiall Readers of them. The summe of what I am pleading for, as to the particular Head to be vindicated is; that as the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, were immediatly, and entirely given out by God himselfe, his mind being in them represēted unto us, without the least interveniency of such mediums, and Waies, as were capable of giving change or alteration to the least iota or syllable; so by his Good and mercifull providentiall dispensation, in his Love to his Word and Church, his whole Word as first given out by him, is preserved unto us entire in the Originall Languages; where shining in its owne beauty and lustre, (as also in all Translations so farre, as they faithfully represent the Originalls) it manifests and evidences unto the consciences of men, without other forraigne help or assistance, its divine originall and Authority.

Sect. 6. Now the several Assertions or Propositions contained in this position, are to me such important Truths, that I shall not be blamed in the least by ⟨p. 154⟩my own Spirit, nor I hope by any others, in contending for them, judging them fundamental parts of the faith once delivered to the saints; and though some of them may seem to be less weighty then others, yet they are so concatenated in themselves, that by the removal or destruction of any one of them, our interest in the others is utterly taken away. It will assuredly be granted, that the persuasion of the coming forth of the Word immediately from God, in the way pleaded for, is the foundation of all faith, hope, and obedience. But what I pray will it advantage us, that God did so once deliver his Word, if we are not assured also, that, that word so delivered, hath been by his special care and providence preserved entire and uncorrupt unto us; or that it doth not evidence and manifest its self to be his Word, being so preserved. Blessed may we say were the Ages past, who received the Word of God in its unquestionable power and purity, when it shone brightly in its own glorious native Light, and was free from those defects and corruptions, ⟨p. 155⟩which through the default of men, in a long tract of time it hath contracted; but for us, as we know not well where to lay a sure foundation of believing, that this Book rather then any other doth contain what is left unto us of that Word of his, so it is impossible we should ever come to any certainty almost of any individual Word, or expression, whither it be from God or no; far be it from the thoughts of any Good man, that God whose Covenant with his Church, is, that his Word and spirit shall never depart from it. Isa. 59. 21. Math. 5. 18. 1 Pet. 1. 25. 1 Cor. 11. Math. 28. 20. hath left it in uncertainties, about the things that are the foundation of all that faith and obedience which he requires at our hands.

Sect. 6. Now the severall Assertions or Propositions contained in this position, are to me such important Truths, that I shall not be blamed in the least by ⟨p. 154⟩my own Spirit, nor I hope by any others, in contending for them, judging them fundamentall parts of the faith once delivered to the saints; and though some of them may seeme to be lesse weighty then others, yet they are so concatenated in themselves, that by the removall or destruction of any one of them, our interest in the others is utterly taken away. It will assuredly be granted, that the perswasion of the coming forth of the Word immediately from God, in the way pleaded for, is the foundation of all faith, hope, and obedience. But what I pray will it advantage us, that God did so once deliver his Word, if we are not assured also, that, that word so delivered, hath been by his speciall care and providence preserved entire and uncorrupt unto us; or that it doth not evidence and manifest its selfe to be his Word, being so preserved. Blessed may we say were the Ages past, who received the Word of God in its unquestionable power and purity, when it shone brightly in its own glorious native Light, and was free from those defects and corruptions, ⟨p. 155⟩which through the default of men, in a long tract of time it hath contracted; but for us, as we know not well where to lay a sure foundation of believing, that this Book rather then any other doth conteine what is left unto us of that Word of his, so it is impossible we should ever come to any certainty almost of any individuall VVord, or expression, whither it be from God or no; far be it from the thoughts of any Good man, that God whose Covenant with his Church, is, that his Word and spirit shall never depart from it. Isa. 59. 21. Math. 5. 18. 1 Pet. 1. 25. 1 Cor. 11. Math. 28. 20. hath left it in uncertainties, about the things that are the foundation of all that faith and obedience which he requires at our hands.

As then I have in the foregoing Treatise, evinced as I hope the self Evidencing Light and power of the Scripture, so let us now candidly for the sake and in the pursuit of Truth, deal with a mind freed from prejudices and disquieting Affections, save only the trouble that arises from the necessity of dissenting from the ⟨p. 156⟩Authors of so useful a work, address our selves to the consideration of what seems in these Prolegomena and Appendix to impair the truth of the other Assertions, about the entire preservation of the Word as given out from God, in the copies which yet remain with us. And this I shall do, not doubting, but that the Persons themselves concerned, will fairly accept and weigh, what is conscientiously tendered.

As then I have in the foregoing Treatise, evinced as I hope the selfe Evidencing Light and power of the Scripture, so let us now candidly for the sake and in the persuit of Truth, deale with a mind freed from prejudices and disquieting Affections, save only the trouble that arises from the necessity of dissenting from the ⟨p. 156⟩Authors of so usefull a worke, addresse our selves to the consideration of what seems in these Prolegomena and Appendix to impaire the truth of the other Assertions, about the entire preservation of the Word as given out from God, in the copies which yet remaine with us. And this I shall doe, not doubting, but that the Persons themselves concernd, will fairely accept and weigh, what is conscientiously tendred.

Sect. 7. As then I do with all thankfulness acknowledge that many things are spoken very honourably of the Originals in these Prolegomena, and that they are in them absolutely preferred above any Translation whatever,^* and asserted in general as the Authentic Rule of all Versions, contrary to the thoughts of the Publisher of the great Parisian Bibles, and his infamous hyperaspistes Morinus; so as they stand in their aspect unto the Appendix of various Lections, there are both opinions, and Principles confirmed by suitable Practises, that are of the nature and importance before mentioned.

Sect. 7. As then I do with all thankfulnesse acknowledge that many things are spoken very honourably of the Originalls in these Prolegomena, and that they are in them absolutely preferred above any Translation whatever,^* and asserted in generall as the Authentick Rule of all Versions, contrary to the thoughts of the Publisher of the great Parisian Bibles, and his infamous hyperaspistes Morinus; so as they stand in their aspect unto the Appendix of various Lections, there are both opinions, and Principles confirmed by suitable Practises, that are of the nature and importance before mentioned.

1. *Prolegom. 7. sect 17.

1 After a^* long dispute to that purpose, it is determined, that the Hebrew Points or Vowels and Accents, are a novel Invention of some Judaical Rabbins, about 5 or 600 years after the giving out of the Gospel. Hence

1 After a^* long dispute to that purpose, it is determined, that the Hebrew Points or Vowels and Accents, are a novell Invention of some Judaicall Rabbins, about 5 or 600 yeares after the giving out of the Gospell. Hence

1. *Prolegom. 3. s•c. 8. & seq.

1. An Antiquity is ascribed to some Translations, 2 or 3 at the least, above and before the invention of these points, whose agreement with the Original cannot therefore by just consequence be tried by the Present Text, as now pointed and accented.

1. An Antiquity is ascribed to some Translations, 2 or 3 at the least, above and before the invention of these points, whose agreement with the Originall cannot therefore by just consequence be tryed by the Present Text, as now pointed and accented.

2. The whole credit of our Reading and Interpretation of the Scripture, as far as regulated by the present punctation, depends solely on the faithfulness and skill of those Jews, whose invention this work is asserted to be.

2. The whole credit of our Reading and Interpretation of the Scripture, as far as regulated by the present punctation, depends solely on the faithfulnesse and skill of those Jewes, whose invention this worke is asserted to be.