A90280:341
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. 15. But I pray what cause of Triumph or boasting is in all this goodly discovery? was it ever denied by any, that the casting of the names of the vowels and accents, with the Titles was the work of the Grammarians; was it not long since observed by many that the 5 long Vowels with [Greek or Hebrew] and [Greek or Hebrew] were called of old Reges? And that the distinction of the Vowels into long and short was an invention of the Christians rather than Jewish Grammarians; the Jews calling them some absolutely reges, some great and small, some matres & filias. But then saith he, the Grammarians were the Inventors of these points, why so? Aben Ezra refers this unto the work of the Grammarians, to know the progresses of the holy tongue, the generation of those things, &c: but can any thing be more evident against his design than his own testimony? ⟨p. 289⟩It was the work of the Grammarians to know these things, therefore not to invent them; Did they invent the Radical and servile Letters? Surely they also then invented the tongue; for it consists of letters Radical and Servile, of points and accents; & yet this is also ascribed to them by Aben-Ezra. But it is well that Morinus hath at length lighted upon R. Jehuda Chiug: His Opinion before was collected out of Kimchi, Ephodius, Muscatus and others. But what says he now himself? for ought appears by what we have quoted by Morinus, he is like to prove a Notable witness of the Antiquity of the points. It may be well supposed that Morinus writing on set purpose against their Antiquity would produce that Testimony which in his whole Author was most to his purpose; And yet he fixes on one, wherein this Ancient Grammarian who lived about the years of Christ. 1150, or 1200; gives us an account of the points with their names without the least intimation of any thing to the impeachment of their Divine Original; ⟨p. 290⟩So also the same Aben Ezra on Psal. 9. vers. 7: tells us, of one Adonim Ben-lafrad who long before this R. Jehuda found [Greek or Hebrew] for [Greek or Hebrew] in an ancient Copy.
Sect. 15. But I pray what cause of Triumph or boasting is in all this goodly discovery? was it ever denyed by any, that the casting of the names of the vowels and accents, with the Titles was the worke of the Grammarians; was it not long since observed by many that the 5 long Vowels with and were called of old Reges? And that the distinction of the Vowels into long and short was an invention of the Christians rather than Jewish Grammarians; the Jewes calling them some absolutely reges, some great and small, some matres & filias. But then saith he, the Grammarians were the Inventours of these points, why so? Aben Ezra refers this unto the worke of the Grammarians, to know the progresses of the holy tongue, the generation of those things, &c: but can any thing be more evident against his designe than his owne testimony?