Exercitation 5

Testimonies cited by the Apostle out of the Old Testament. Compared with the Original and Translations. From where the Agreement of some of them with that of the LXX.

§ 1 There is not any thing in this Epistle that is attended with more difficulty, than the Citation of the Testimonies out of the Old Testament that are made use of in it. Hence, some from their unsuitableness, as they have supposed, to the Author's purpose, have made bold to call in question, if not to reject the Authority of the whole. But what concerns the matter of them, and the Wisdom of the Apostle in their Application, it must be treated on, in the respective places where they occurr, when we shall manifest how vain and causeless are the Exceptions which have been laid against them, and how singularly they are suited to the proof of those doctrines and assertions, in the confirmation whereof, they are produced. But the Words also wherein they are expressed, varying frequently from the Original, yeild some difficulty in their Consideration. And this concernment of the Apostle's Citations to prevent a further trouble in the Exposition its self of the several places, may be previously considered. Not that we shall here explain and vindicate them from the Exceptions mentioned, which must on necessity be done afterwards as occasion offers its self; but only discover in general, what respect the Apostle's Expressions have to the Original and the old Translations thereof, and remove some false Inferences that have been made on the consideration of them. To this end I shall briefly pass through them all, and compare them with the places from where they are taken.

CHAP. I.

§ 2 Chap. 1. v. 5. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. You are my Son, this day have I begotten you; from Psalm 2. v. 7. The words exactly answer the Original, with the only supply of the Verb Substantive, whereof in the Hebrew there is almost a perpetual Elipsis. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. And the same are the Words in the Translation of the LXX. In the same Verse, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son; from 1 Chronicles chap. 22. v. 10. The LXX. otherwise as to the order of the Words; [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]; which also is the order of the Sentences in the Original; the Apostle using his own liberty, and varying from them both; so that this Quotation is not directly from that Translation.

Ver. 6. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. And let all the Angels of God Worship him; From Psalm 97. v. 7. without change; only [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Gods, is rendered by the Apostle [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], the Angels of God; of the Reason whereof, afterwards. The LXX. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]; Worship him all you his Angels, differing from the Apostle both in form of Speech and Words. Hence some not understanding from where this Testimony was cited by the Apostle, have inserted his words into the Greek Bible, Deuteronomy 32. v. 43. where there is no color for their introduction, nor any thing in the Original to answer to them; whereas the Psalmist expresly treateth of the same subject with the Apostle; to the reason of which insertion into the Greek Version we shall speak afterwards.

Ver. 7. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]; who maketh his Angels Spirits, and his Ministers a flame of fire. From Psalm 104. v. 4. The LXX. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], a flaming fire. Heb. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] fire of flame. Aquila [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], a vehement fire. Symmachus [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], a fiery flame; much variety, with little or no difference, as it often falls out among good Translators rendring peculiar Hebraisms, such as this is. The Apostle's expression is his own, not borrowed from the LXX.

Ver. 8, 9. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. § 3 Your Throne O God for ever and ever. (The Verb substantive is left out by the Apostle in Answer to the Original, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] and [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] rendered [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], for [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], which the Apostrophe requires) A Scepter of Uprightness is the Scepter of your Kingdom; you have loved Righteousness, and you have hated Iniquity, therefore God your God has anointed you with the Oil of gladness above your fellows. The words exactly answer the Original, and they are the same in the Translation of the LXX, and from where that coincidence was, we shall afterwards enquire. Aquila somewhat otherwise, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]; Symmachus [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] ([〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] came to be translated [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], from likeness of sound) in [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] O God, he expresseth the Apostrophe which is evident in the Context. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] he renders by [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] sceptrum, a Scepter, properly, as we shall see afterwards, on Genesis 49. v. 10. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], you have hated ungodliness, impiety, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], with the Oil of Joy; [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. Symmachus [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], another word of the same signification, with that used by the Apostle. From Psalm 45:6, 7.

Ver. 10, 11, 12. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. And you O Lord, in the beginning have founded the Earth, and the Heavens are the Works of your hands; they shall perish, but you remainest, and they shall wax old as does a garment. And as a Vesture shall you fold them up, and they shall be changed, but you are the same, and your years shall not fail; From Psalm 102. v. 26, 27, 28. And these words of the Apostle are now exactly in the Greek Bibles. Some little difference there is in them from the Hebrew, the Reason whereof we shall afterwards give an account of. Symmachus for [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] reads [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], and so did the Copies of the LXX of old, the Word being yet retained in some of them, and reckoned by all among the various Readings of that Translation. The word [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] O Lord, inserted by the Apostle is also undoubtedly taken from hence into the Greek Bibles. For as the inserting of it was necessary to the Apostle to denote the Person treated of; so it is not in the Original, nor will the context of the Psalm admit of it; so that it could no otherwise come in that place, but from this of the Apostle. Nor is it probable that the LXX would translate [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], you shall roll up, and immediately render [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], they shall be changed; but here also the words have been borrowed from the Apostle, whose design was not exactly to translate, but faithfully to apply the sense of the place to his own purpose.

Ver. 13. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩]. Sit you at my Right hand, until I place your enemies the footstool of your feet. From Psalm 110:1. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] at my right hand, [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], in the plural number, of the reason of which change and manner of expression, we shall treat in its proper place. And here there remains nothing of difference in any old translation.

CHAP. II.

Chap. 2. v. 6, 7, 8. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩]. What is man that you are mindful of him, or the Son of man that you visit him? You have made him less for a little while than the Angels, you have crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of your hands. You have subjected all things under his feet. From Psalm 8. v. 5, 6, 7, 8. The words of the Apostle are the same with those in the present copy of the LXX. Theodotion, [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] from the ambiguous signification of the word [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] about which great stirs have been raised, whereof in their proper place. Chrysostome on this text mentions some different translations of the words of the Psalms. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] says he, [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], another book reads, what is he according to man that you remember him. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], is not [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] but [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], what is mortal man. Again, [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], another instead of, you visit him, that you will visit him. Again, [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], instead of less, or a little while than Angels; another, a little less than God; and another, less than God. And he adds the Hebrew is [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩]. So different was their pronunciation of the Hebrew from that in use among us. Again, he adds, [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], you shall crown him with glory and honor; and yet, [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], you made him to have power. From all which variety, it is most evident, that there were various readings of this context in the ancient copies of the LXX, for no footsteps of them appear in the remains of Aquila, Theodotion, or Symmachus, and that therefore the common reading which is now fixed in the Great Bible, was translated there, from this place of the Apostle.

Chap. 2. v. 12. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩]. I will declare your name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will sing praise to you. From Psalm 22. v. 23. The LXX. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩].

Ver. 13. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩]: I will put my trust in him; from Psalm 18:3. LXX. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], I will hope in him; but [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] is rightly rendered by the Apostle, I will trust in him. The LXX. have these words of the Apostle, Isaiah 8:17, where the words of the original are, [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], and I will wait for him; so that their words seem to be taken from this place of the Apostle, as apprehending his testimony to be cited from the Prophet, which that it is not, we shall prove evidently afterwards.

The same verse: [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] Behold I and the children which God has given me. From Isaiah 8:17.

CHAP. III.

Ver. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩]. Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the day of provocation in the day of temptation in the wilderness, when your Fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years: therefore I was grieved with that generation and said, they do always err in heart, and they have not known my ways; so I swore in my wrath they shall not enter into my rest. From Psalm 95. v. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. The translation of the LXX. agrees with the words of the Apostle, both of them answering the original. Only the Apostle, clearly to express the reason of God's judgements on that people in the wilderness, distinguishes the words somewhat otherwise than they are in the Hebrew text. For whereas that says, When your Fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works, forty years long was I grieved with that generation, the Apostle adds that season of forty years, to the mention of their sins, and interposing [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] therefore, refers his speech to the words foregoing, as containing the cause of the ensuing wrath and judgement. And although our present copies of the Greek Bibles distinguish the words according to the Hebrew text; yet Theodoret informs us, that some copies made the distinction with the Apostle, and added [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] before [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], which also is observed by Nobilius; and this could arise from no other cause, but an attempt to insert the very words of the Apostle in that text; as did the [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] also reckoned among its various sections, though [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] remain in the vulgar editions.

CHAP. IV.

Ver. 4. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩]. And God rested on the seventh day from all his works. From Genesis 2. v. 2. The Apostle adds [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] to the text, to complete his assertion, and leaves out [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], which he had made, as to his purpose. The LXX. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], and otherwise also differing from the Apostle.

CHAP. V.

Ver. 6. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩]. You are a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech. From Psalm 110. v. 4. So also the LXX. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] with Jod superfluous; [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] Mos. There is nothing of variety remaining in these words from any other translations.

Ver. 14. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩]. Blessing, I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you. From Genesis 22. v. 17. The LXX. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], I will multiply your seed.

CHAP. VIII.

Ver. 9, 10, 11, 12. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] (LXX.[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]) [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]§ 9 (LXX.[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]) [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] (LXX.[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]) [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] (LXX.[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]) [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. Behold the dayes come, says the Lord, when I will make a new Covenant with the House of Israel, and with the House of Judah. Not according to the Covenant that I made with their Fathers, when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the Land of Aegypt, because they continued not in my Covenant, and I regarded them not, says the Lord. For this is the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those dayes says the Lord, I will put my Laws in their minds, and write them in their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his Brother, saying know the Lord; for all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. For I will be mercifull to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquity will I remember no more. From Jeremiah 31:32, 33, 34, 35. Instead of [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], his neighbor, ver. 11. the LXX. read [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], his fellow citizen. But some copies of the LXX. read [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], and some of this text [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], which makes it evident that there has been tampering to bring them to uniformity. But the greatest difficulty of this quotation ariseth from the agreement of the Apostles words, and the translation of the LXX. where both of them seem to depart from the Original. For those words in the Hebrew text, v. 33. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] which my Covenant they made void, and I was an husband to them, or ruled over them, are rendered by them, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], And they continued not in my Covenant, and I regarded them not. The reason of the Apostles translation of those words, we shall manifest and vindicate in our exposition of the context. At present the coincidence of it with that of the LXX. and that wherein they both seem to differ from the Original, and all translations, besides the Syriack and the Arabick which are made out of it, (though the Syriack follow it not in the confused transpositions that are made of Jeremiah's Prophesies, from Chap. 25. to Chap. 40. as the Arabick does) is only to be considered; which shall be done so soon as we have recounted the remaining testimonies, whereof some are attended with the same difficulty.

CHAP. IX.

§ 10 Ver. 20. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. This is the blood of the Covenant, which God has enjoyned to you. From Exodus 24:8. The sense of the Hebrew text is alluded to, not the words absolutely. The LXX.[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]; with much difference from the words of the Apostle.

CHAP. X.

§ 11 Ver. 5. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. Sacrifice and offering you would not have, a body you have prepared me. From Psalm 40:6. So also the LXX. both with great difference from the Original. For [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], my ears have you digged or bored, is rendered, a body you have prepared me. Of the reason of which difference and agreement, we shall treat afterwards.

Ver. 6. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]; in burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin you have had no pleasure. Heb. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], you have not required; the Apostle expresseth exactly the sense of the Holy Ghost, but observes not the first exact signification of the word. The LXX.[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] and in some copies [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]soughtest not.

Ver. 7. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. Behold I come; in the head or beginning of the book it is written of me, to do your will O God. That is, Genesis 3:15. Heb. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] in the roll of the book. Symmachus,[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], In the volume of your determination. Aquila,[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]in the roll. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] in the section. LXX.[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]; I was willing to do your will O my God.

Ver. 38. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] (LXX.[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]) [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. But if any draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him. From Habakkuk 2:4. The words of the Prophet are transposed, and the beginning of the last clause much altered. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. Behold it is lifted up, his soul is not right in him; but the sense and intendment of the Holy Ghost is preserved as shall be manifested.

CHAP. XII.

§ 12 Ver. 5, 6. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], ([〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] is not in the LXX. Heb. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] my Son) [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] (LXX.[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] and in some copies [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], from this place of the Apostle) [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], My Son despise not your chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. From Proverbs 3:12. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]and as a Father the Son whom he delighteth in. The sense is retained, but the words not exactly repeated. Aquila[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], reject not,[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. Theodotion[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], neither vex yourself.

CHAP. XIII.

§ 13 Ver. 5. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]; I will not leave you, neither will I forsake you. From Joshua 1:5. The LXX. in different words; [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. I will not leave you, neither will I despise you. The Apostles words exactly express the Original.

Ver. 6. Is from Psalm 118:6. without any difficulty attending it.

§ 14 And these are all the places that are cited [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], by the Apostle in this Epistle out of the Old Testament. Very many others there are which he either alludes to, or expounds, that are not of our present consideration. Neither are these here proposed to be unfolded as to the sense of them, or as to the removal of the difficulties that the application of them by him, is attended withall. This is the proper work of the exposition of the Epistle intended. All at present aimed at, is to present them in one view, with their agreement, and differences from the Original and translations, that we may the better judge of his manner of proceeding in the citing of them, and what rule he observed therein. And what in general may be concluded from that prospect we have taken of them, I shall offer in the ensuing observations.

First, it is evident that they are exceedingly mistaken, who affirm that the Apostle cites § 15 all his testimonies out of the translation of the LXX. as we intimated, that it is by some pleaded, in the close of the preceding discourse. The words he useth in very few of them agree exactly with that Greek version of the Old Testament which is now extant; though, apparently since the writing of this Epistle it has grown in its verbal conformity to the allegations as reported in the New. And in most of them he varieth from it, either in the use of his own liberty, or in a more exact rendring of the Original Text. This the first prospect of the places and words compared will evince. Should he have had any respect to that translation, it were impossible to give any tolerable account, from where he should so much differ from it, almost in every quotation, as is plain that he does.

It is also undeniably manifest from this view of his words that the Apostle did not § 16 scrupulously confine himself to the precise words either of the Original, or any translation whatever, if any other translation or Targum were then extant besides that of the LXX. Observing and expressing the sense of the testimonies which he thought meet to produce and make use of, he used great liberty, as did other holy writers of the New Testament, according to the guidance of the Holy Ghost by whose inspiration he wrote, in expressing them by words of his own. And who shall blame him for so doing? Who should bind him to the rules of quotations, which sometimes necessity, sometimes curiosity, sometimes the cavils of other men impose upon us in our writings? Herein the Apostle used that liberty which the Holy Ghost gave to him, without the least prejudice to truth, or the faith of the Church.

Whereas any of these testimonies, or any part of any one of them may appear at § 17 first view to be applyed by him unsuitably to their original importance and intention, we shall manifest, not only the contrary to be true, against those who have made such exceptions, but also that he makes use of those which were most proper and cogent, with respect to them with whom he had to do. For the Apostle in this Epistle, as shall be fully evidenced, disputes upon the acknowledged principles and concessions of the Hebrews. It was then incumbent on him to make use of such testimonies, as were granted in their Church to belong to the ends and purposes, for which by him they were produced. And that these are such, shall be evinced from their own antient writings and traditions.

The principal difficulty about these citations, lyes in those wherein the words of the § 18 Apostle are the same with those now extant in the Greek Bibles, both evidently departing from the Original. Three places of this kind are principally vexed by expositors and critics. The first in that of Psalm 40. v. 7. where the words of the Psalmist in the Hebrew, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], my ears have you bored, or digged, are rendred by the Apostle according to the translation of the LXX. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], but a body have you prepared me. That the Apostle does rightly interpret the meaning of the Holy Ghost in the Psalm, and in his paraphrase apply the words to that very end for which they were intended, shall be cleared afterwards. The present difficulty concerns the coincidence of his words, with those of the LXX. where apparently they answer not the Original. The next is that of the Prophet, (Jeremiah 31:34) [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], and I was an husband to them; or I was a Lord to them, or ruled over them, as the Vulgar Latin renders the words. The Apostle with the LXX. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], and I regarded them not, or despised them. The third is that from (Habakkuk 2:4) [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], behold, it is listed up, his soul is not right in him; which words the Apostle with the LXX, render, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. But if any draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Concerning these, and some other places many confidently affirm, that the Apostle § 19 waved the Original, and reported the words from the translation of the LXX. Capellus with some others proceed farther, and assign the rise of this difference to some other copies of the Hebrew Text used by the LXX. varying from those which now remain. Thus in particular, in that place of Jeremy before mentioned, he conjectures that for [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] they read [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], I despised them; as another does that they read [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] to the same purpose; for of such conjectures there is no end. But as [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] may well signifie as the Apostle expounds it, and in other places does so, as we shall see afterwards, so this boldness in correcting the Text, and fancying without proof, testimony or probability of other antient copies of the Scripture of the Old Testament, differing in many things from them which alone remain, and which indeed were ever in the world, may quickly prove pernicious to the Church of God. We must therefore look after another expedient for the removal of this difficulty.

§ 20 I say then, it is highly probable, that the Apostle according to his wonted manner, which appears in almost all the citations used by him in this Epistle, reporting the sense and importance of the places, in words of his own, the Christian transcribers of the Greek Bible inserted his expressions into the text, either as judging them a more proper version of the original, whereof they were ignorant, than that of the LXX, or out of a preposterous zeal to take away the appearance of a diversity between the text and the Apostle's citation of it. And thus in those testimonies where there is a real variation from the Hebrew original, the Apostle took not his words from the translation of the LXX, but his words were afterwards inserted into that translation. And this as we have partly made to appear already in sundry instances, so it shall now briefly be farther confirmed. For,

§ 21 First, whereas the reasons of the Apostle for his application of the testimonies used by him in his words and expressions are evident, as shall in particular be made to appear, so no reason can be assigned, why the LXX (if any such LXX there were) who translated the Old Testament, or any other translators of it, should so render the words of the Hebrew text. Neither various lections, nor ambiguity of signification in the words of the original can in most of them be pleaded. For instance, the Apostle in applying those words of the Psalmist, Psalm 40, [in non-Latin alphabet] to the human nature and body of Christ, wherein he did the will of God, did certainly express the design and intention of the Holy Ghost in them. But who can imagine, what should move the LXX to render [in non-Latin alphabet] a word of a known signification and univocal, by [in non-Latin alphabet], when they had translated it an hundred and fifty times, that is constantly elsewhere, by [in non-Latin alphabet] and [in non-Latin alphabet] an ear, which alone it signifies; or what should move them to render [in non-Latin alphabet] by [in non-Latin alphabet], to prepare, when the word signifies to dig, or to bore, and is always so elsewhere rendered by themselves? Neither did any such thing come into their minds in the translation of those places from where this expression seems to be borrowed (Exodus 21:6; Deuteronomy 15:17). When any man then can give a tolerable conjecture, why the LXX should be inclined thus to translate these words, I shall consider it. In the mean time I judge there is much more ground to suppose, that the Apostle's expressions which he had weighty cause to use, were by some inserted into the Greek text of the Old Testament, than that a translation, which those that made it, had no cause so to do, evidently forsaking the proper meaning of very obvious words, and their sense, known to themselves, should be taken up and used by the Apostle to his purpose.

§ 22 Secondly, it is certain that some words used by the Apostle have been inserted into some copies of the Greek Bibles, which being single words, and of little importance prevailed not in them all, as may be seen in sundry of the foregoing instances. And why may we not think that some whole sentences might on the same account be inserted in some of them, which being of more importance found a more general acceptance. And how also by other means that translation was variously changed and corrupted of old, and that before the days of Hierom, learned men do know and confess.

§ 23 It is further evident that one place (at least) in this Epistle, which it may be some could not conjecture from where it should be taken, yet finding it urged by the Apostle, as a testimony out of the Old Testament, is inserted in another place of the text than that from which the Apostle took it, and that where there is not the least color for its insertion. This is the testimony out of Psalm 95:7, which the Apostle cites (chapter 1, verse 6) in words much differing from those wherewith the original is rendered by the LXX. This some of the transcribers of the Bible not knowing well where to find, have inserted in the very syllables of the Apostle's expression into Deuteronomy 32:43, where it yet abides, though originally it had no place there, as we shall in the exposition of the words sufficiently manifest. The same and no other is the cause why [in non-Latin alphabet] is rendered [in non-Latin alphabet], Genesis 49. And may we not as well think, yes, is it not more likely, that they would insert his words into the places from where they knew his testimonies were taken, with a very little alteration of the ancient reading, than that they would wholly intrude them into the places from where they were not taken by him, which yet undeniably has been done, and that with success. No, we find that many things out of the New Testament are translated into the apocryphal books themselves. As for instance, Ecclesiasticus, chapter 24, verse 3, we have these words in the Latin copies, Ex ore altissimi prodii primogenita ante omnem Creaturam; which are cited by Bellarmine and others in the confirmation of the deity of Christ, whereas they are taken from (Colossians 1:15) and are in no Greek copies of that book.

Upon these reasons then, which may yet be rendered more cogent, by many other § 24 instances, but that we confine ourselves to this Epistle, I suppose I may conclude, that it is more probable at least, that the Apostle's interpretations of the testimonies used by him, all agreeably to the mind of the Holy Ghost, were by some of old inserted into the vulgar copies of the Greek translation of the Old Testament, and therein prevailed to common acceptation, than that he himself followed in the citation of them a translation departing without reason from the original text, and diverting to such senses, as its authors knew not to be contained in them, which must needs give offence to them with whom he had to do. It appears then, that from hence no light can be given to our enquiry after the language wherein this Epistle was originally written, though it be clear enough upon other considerations.