A90280:324
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. 2 The Constant Practice of the Jews in preserving in their Synagogues one Book, which they almost adore, written without points, is alleged to the same purpose; for what do they else hereby but tacitly acknowledge the Points ⟨p. 268⟩to have an humane Original. An: But it is certain they do not so acknowledge them, neither by that practise, nor by any other way; it being the constant Opinion and persuasion of them all, (Elijah only excepted) that they are of a divine extract; And if their Authority be to be urged, it is to be submitted unto in one thing, as well as in another. 2 The Jews give a threefold account of this practise. First, the difficulty of Transcribing Copies without any failing, the least rendering the whole book as to its use in their Synagogues, profane. 2 The liberty they have thereby, to draw out various Senses,, more eminent as they say, indeed more vain and curious, then they have any advantage to do, when the reading is restrained to one certain sense by the vowels and accents. 3 To keep all Learners in dependence on their Teachers, seeing they cannot learn the mind of God, but by their Exposition: Rab: Azarias: lib. Jmre Bina: cap. 59. If these Reasons satisfy, not any as to the ground of that practise, they may be pleased to enquire of them for others, ⟨p. 269⟩who intend to be bound by their Authority; That the Points were invented by some late Massorites, they will not inform them. For Jesuitical stories out of China, they are with me for the most part of the like credit with those of the Jews in their Talmud; He that can believe all the miracles, that they work, where men are not warned of their juggling, may credit them in other things. However, as I said, I do not understand this Argument; the Jews keep a book in their Synagogues without points, therefore the points and accents were invented by the Tiberian Massorites; when they never read it, or rather sing it, but according to every point and accent in ordinary use. Indeed the whole profound mystery of this business seems to be this; that none be admitted to read or sing the Law in their Synagogues, until he be so perfect in it, as to be able to observe exactly all points and Accents, in a book wherein there are none of them.
Sect. 5. 2 The Constant Practice of the Jews in preserving in their Synagogues one Book, which they almost adore, written without points, is alleadged to the same purpose; for what do they else hereby but tacitely acknowledge the Points