A90280:309
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.
Had it been otherwise, surely men stupendously superstitious in inquiring after the Traditions of their Fathers would have found some footsteps of their Rise and progress. It is true, there is not only the opinion, but there are the Arguments of one of them to the contrary, namely Elias Levita; This Elijah lived in Germany about ⟨p. 248⟩the beginning of the Reformation, and was the most learned Grammarian of the Jews in that age. Sundry of the first Reformers had acquaintance with him; The task not only of reforming Religion, but also of restoring good literature being incumbent on them, they made use of such assistances as were to be obtained then to that purpose. This man (whicha Thuanus takes notice of) lived with Paulus Fagius, and assisted him in his noble promotion of the Hebrew tongue. Hence happily it is that some of those worthies, unwarily Embraced his novel opinion, being either over borne with his Authority, or not having leisure to search farther after the Truth. That the Testimony of this one Elijah should be able to outweigh the constant Attestation of all other learned Jews to the contrary, as Capellus affirms & pleads, ⟨p. 249⟩& as is insinuated in our Prolegomena, 2is fond to imagine; and the premises of that learned man fight against his own conclusion. It is known saith he, that the Jews are prone to insist on every thing that makes for the honour of their people and Language, and therefore their testimony, to the Divine original of the present punctation being in their own case, is not to be admitted. Only Elijah who in this speaks against the common interest of his people is presumed to speak upon conviction of truth. But the whole evidence in this cause is on the other side. Let us grant that all the Jews are zealous of the honour and reputation of their Nation and Language; as they are: let us grant that they greedily close with every thing, that may seem to have a tendency thereunto? what will be the issue, or natural inference from these Premises?
Had it been otherwise, surely men stupendously superstitious in inquiring after the Traditions of their Fathers would have found some footsteps of their Rise and progresse. It is true, there is not only the opinion, but there are the Arguments of one of them to the contrary, namely Elias Levita; This Elias lived in Germany about