A90280:289
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. 5. Let men with all their confidence as to the knowledge of the sense and meaning of the Scriptures which they have already received by such helps and means as are all of them resolved into the present punctation of the Bible, (For all Grammars, all Lexicons, the whole Massora, all helps to this language, new and old in the world, are built on this foundation) reduce themselves to such an indifferency, as some of late have fancied as a meet rise for knowledge; and ⟨p. 220⟩fall seriously to the Reading of some of the Prophets whose matter is sublime and Mystical, and their Stile elliptical and abstruse, without the help of points and Accents: Let them fix them, or any figures to answer their sounds arbitrarily, merely on their judgment in the Language, and conjectures at the sense of the place, without any advantage from what they have been instructed in, and let us see whether they will agree as they fabulously report of the 70 Translators? What ever may be the issue of their industry, we need not fear quickly to find as learned as they, that would lay their work level with the ground. I confess considering the days we live in, wherein the bold and curious wits of men, under pretence of critical observations, alluring and enticing with a show of Learning have ventured to question almost every word in the Scripture, I cannot but tremble to think, what would be the issue of this supposition, that the Points, Vowels and Accents are no better guides unto us, than may be expected from those who ⟨p. 221⟩are pretended to be their Authors. The Lord I hope will safeguard his own, from the poison of such Attempts; The least of its evil, is yet throughly considered. So that whereas saving to my self the liberty of my Judgment, as to sundry particulars both in the impression its self and in sundry Translations, I acknowledge the great usefulness of this work, and am thankful for it, which I here publicly testify; yet I must needs say, I had rather that it, and all works of the like kind, were out of the world, than that this one opinion should be received, with the Consequences that unavoidably attend it,
Sect. 5. Let men with all their confidence as to the knowledge of the sense and meaning of the Scriptures which they have already received by such helps and meanes as are all of them resolved into the present punctation of the Bible, (For all Grammars, all Lexicons, the whole Massora, all helpes to this language, new and old in the world, are built on this foundation) reduce themselves to such an indifferency, as some of late have fancied as a meet rise for knowledge; and