A90280:311
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. 18. It may perhaps be thought that by the account given of the Rabbins, their state and condition of old and of late, I might have weakened one great Argument which learned men make use of, to ⟨p. 251⟩confirm the sacred Antiquity of the present Hebrew punctation, taken from the universal consent and testimony of the Jewish Doctors, Ancient and modern, this one Elijah, excepted. Who can think such persons are in any thing to be believed. But indeed the case is quite otherwise. Though we account them wholly unmeet for the work that is ascribed unto them, and on supposition that it is theirs, affirm that it had need undergo another manner of trial then as yet out of Reverence to its generally received Antiquity, it hath met withal; yet they were men still, who were full-well able to declare what de facto they found to be so, and what they found otherwise. It cannot, I think, be reasonably supposed, that so many men living in so many several Ages, at such vast distances from one another, who some of them it may be, never heard of the names of other some of them, should conspire to cousin themselves and all the world besides, in a matter of fact not at all to their Advantage. However for my part, ⟨p. 252⟩what ever can be proved against them, I shall willingly admit. But to be driven out of such a rich possession, as is the present Hebrew punctation, upon mere surmises and conjectures, I cannot willingly give way or consent.
Sect. 18. It may perhaps be thought that by the account given of the Rabbins, their state and condition of old and of late, I might have weakned one great Argument which learned men make use of, to ⟨p. 251⟩confirme the sacred Antiquity of the present Hebrew punctation, taken from the universall consent and testimony of the Jewish Doctors, Ancient and moderne, this one Elias, excepted. Who can thinke such persons are in any thing to be believed. But indeed the case is quite otherwise. Though we account them wholy unmeet for the worke that is ascribed unto them, and on supposition that it is theirs, affirme that it had need undergoe another manner of triall then as yet out of Reverence to its generally received Antiquity, it hath met withall; yet they were men still, who were full-well able to declare what de facto they found to be so, and what they found otherwise. It cannot, I think, be resonably supposed, that so many men living in so many severall Ages, at such vast distances from one another, who some of them it may be, never heard of the names of other some of them, should conspire to cousen themselves and all the world besides, in a matter of fact not at all to their Advantage. However for my part,