Sect. 5. For the first Transcribers of the Original copies, and those who in succeeding Ages have done the like work from them, whereby they have been propagated and continued down to us, in a subserviency to the Providence and Promise of God, we say not, as is vainly charged by Morinus, and Capellus, that they were all or any of them [Greek or Hebrew] and [Greek or Hebrew], infallible and divinely inspired, so that it was impossible for them in any thing to mistake. It is known, it is granted, that failings have been amongst them, and that various Lections are from thence risen, of which afterwards. Religious care and diligence in their work, with a due Reverence of him, with whom they had to do, is all we ascribe unto them. Not to acknowledge these freely in them, without clear and unquestionable Evidence to the contrary, is high uncharitableness, impiety, and ingratitude. This care and diligence we say, in a subserviency to the ⟨p. 168⟩Promise, and Providence of God, hath produced the Effect contended for. Nor is any thing further necessary thereunto. On this account to argue (as some do) from the miscarriages and mistakes of men, their Oscitancy and negligence in transcribing the old Heathen Authors, Homer, Aristotle, Tully, we think it not tolerable in a Christian, or any one that hath the least sense of the nature and importance of the Word, or the care of God towards his Church. Shall we think that men who wrote out Books, wherein themselves and others were no more concerned, then it is possible for men to be in the writings of the Persons mentioned, and others like them, had as much Reason to be careful and diligent in that they did, as those who knew and considered that every letter and Tittle that they were transcribing, was part of the Word of the Great God, wherein the eternal concernment of their own souls, and the souls of others did lye. Certainly whatever may be looked for from the Religious care and diligence of men, lying under a ⟨p. 169⟩loving and careful Aspect from the Promise and Providence of God, may be justly expected from them who undertook that work. However we are ready to own all their failings, that can be proved. To assert in this case without proof is injurious.
Sect. 5. For the first Transcribers of the Originall copies, and those who in succeeding Ages have done the like worke from them, whereby they have been propagated and continued down to us, in a subserviency to the Providence and Promise of God, we say not, as is vainly charged by Morinus, and Capellus, that they were all or any of them 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 and 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, infallible and divinely inspired, so that it was impossible for them in any thing to mistake. It is known, it is granted, that failings have been amongst them, and that various Lections are from thence risen, of which afterwards. Religious care and diligence in their work, with a due Reverence of him, with whom they had to do, is all we ascribe unto them. Not to acknowledge these freely in them, without cleare and unquestionable Evidence to the contrary, is high uncharitablenesse, impiety, and ingratitude. This care and diligence we say, in a subserviency to the ⟨p. 168⟩Promise, and Providence of God, hath produced the Effect contended for. Nor is any thing further necessary thereunto. On this account to argue (as some do) from the miscarriages and mistakes of men, their Oscitancy and negligence in transcribing the old Heathen Authors, Homer, Aristotle, Tully, we think it not tollerable in a Christian, or any one that hath the least sense of the nature and importance of the Word, or the care of God towards his Church. Shall we think that men who wrote out Books, wherein themselves and others were no more concerned, then it is possible for men to be in the writings of the Persons mentioned, and others like them, had as much Reason to be carefull and diligent in that they did, as those who knew and considered that every letter and Tittle that they were transcribing, was part of the Word of the Great God, wherein the eternall concernment of their own soules, and the soules of others did lye. Certainly whatever may be looked for from the Religious care and diligence of men, lying under a ⟨p. 169⟩loving and carefull Aspect from the Promise and Providence of God, may be justly expected from them who undertook that worke. However we are ready to owne all their failings, that can be proved. To assert in this case without proofe is injurious.
