A90280:287
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…
Of the divine original, authority, self-evidencing light, and power of the Scriptures. With an answer to that enquiry, how we know the Scriptures to be the Word of God. Also a vindication of the purity and integrity of the Hebrew and Greek texts of the Old and New Testament; in some considerations on the prolegomena, & appendix to the late Biblia polyglotta. Whereunto are subjoined some exercitations about the nature and perfection of the Scripture, the right of interpretation, internal Light, revelation, &c. / By John Owen: D.D.Of the divine originall, authority, self-evidencing light, and povver of the Scriptures. With an answer to that enquiry, how we know the Scriptures to be the Word of God. Also a vindication of the purity and integrity of the Hebrew and Greek texts of the Old and New Testament; in some considerations on the prolegomena, & appendix to the late Biblia polyglotta. Whereunto are subjoyned some exercitations about the nature and perfection of the Scripture, the right of interpretation, internall Light, revelation, &c. / By Iohn Owen: D.D.
Oxford: printed by Henry Hall for Tho, 1659
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Sect. 4. This may serve for a short view of the Opinions of the parties at variance, and their several interests in these ⟨p. 217⟩Opinions. The importance of the points is on all hands acknowledged, whether aiming at the Honour, or dishonour of the Originals. Vowels are the life of words; Consonants without them are dead and immovable, by them are they carried to any sense, & may be to diverse. It is true that men who have come to acquaintance with the scriptures by the help of the Vowels & Accents, being in possession of an habitual notion & apprehension of that sense and meaning which ariseth from them, may possibly think that it were a facile thing to find out and fix upon the same sense by the help of the matres lectionis [Greek or Hebrew], and the Consideration of Antecedents and Consequents with such like Assistances. But let them be all taken out of the way (as I shall manifest it is fit they should be, if they have the original assigned to them by the Prolegomena) and let men lay aside that Advantage they have received from them, and it will quickly appear into what devious ways all sorts of such Persons will run. Scarce a Chapter, it may be a verse, or a Word, ⟨p. 218⟩in a short time would be left free from perplexing contradicting conjectures. The Words are altogether innumerable whose significations may be varied, by an arbitrary supplying of the points. And when the Regulation of the punctation shall be left to every single Person's conjectures upon Antecedents and Consequents (for who shall give a rule to the rest) what end shall we have of fruitless contests? What various, what pernicious senses shall we have to contend about? suppose that men sober, modest, humble, pious, might be preserved from such miscarriages, & be brought to some agreement about these things, (which yet in these days upon many accounts is not to be looked for; yea from the nature of the thing it self seems impossible) yet this gives us but an humane fallible persuasion that the readings fixed on by them, is according to the mind of God; But to expect such: an agreement is fond & foolish. Besides who shall secure us against the luxuriant Atheistical Wits & spirits of these days who are bold upon all advantages [Greek or Hebrew], and to break ⟨p. 219⟩in upon every thing that is holy and sacred; that they will not by their huckstering, utterly corrupt the Word of God?