by suggestion of what is orthodox and evangelical, | enter into no composition with us, on our natural where all is orthodox and evangelical; the spirit principles. It challenges the whole mind as its of the reader becomes lean, being fed with abstract due, and it appeals to the truth of heaven for the truths and formal propositions; his temper unge- high authority of its sanctions: "Whosoever nial, being ever disturbed with controversial sug- addeth to, or taketh from, the words of this book, gestions; his prayers, undevout recitals of his is accursed,' is the absolute language in which it opinions; his discourse, technical announcements delivers itself. This brings us to its terms. There of his faith. Intellect, cold intellect, hath the is no way of escaping after this. We must bring sway over heavenward devotion and holy fer- every thought into captivity to its obedience; and, yours. Man, contentious man, hath the attention as closely as ever lawyer stuck to his document which the unsearchable God should undivided or his extract, must we abide by the rule and the bave; and the fine full harmony of Heaven's doctrine which this authentic memorial of God melodious voice, which, heard apart, were sufficient sets before us."+ to lap the soul in ecstasies unspeakable, is jarred and interfered with, and the heavenly spell is broken with the recurring conceits, sophisms, and passions of men.” * 4. Having thus ascertained the revealed will of God, it must be our purpose and determination to fulfil it. "Not every one," says the Saviour, "that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven," Matt. vii. 21. It were better for us to be placed beyond the light and influence of the divine revelation, than to enjoy its advantages and yet withhold our obedience. For while the servant who knoweth not his Lord's will, and consequently errs in his duty, shall be beaten with few stripes; he that knoweth it, but doeth it not, shall be beaten with many, Luke xii. 47, 48. V. Such appears to be the preparation of mind, and disposition of heart, required in those who would derive from the study of the Scriptures those benefits which it is the intention of their Divine Author to impart. The Bible is the ordinary to man; and it is only by placing ourselves in a proper situation, and providing ourselves with suitable means, that we can rationally expect to become partakers of the waters of life. 3. An authoritative message has been sent from the throne of God, accredited by the most ample and convincing evidence. What, therefore, is our duty? Assuredly it is not to prejudge the contents of this revelation, any more than to decide upon its propriety, or to find fault with its requisitions. “Our simple business is to interpret fairly, and without prejudice, its various parts, and then submit without any reserve to its paramount authority. Having been visited with the light of revelation, the formation of our religious creed is no longer left to the dreams of imagination, or the speculations of philosophy; but it is to be deduced fairly and honestly from the written record alone. And the same principle is to govern equally the learned and the un-channel through which He conveys his blessings learned. It is the office of a translator to give a faithful representation of the original. And now this faithful representation has been given, it is our part to peruse it with care, and to take a fair and faithful impression of it. It is our part to purify our understanding of all its previous conceptions. We must bring a free and unoccupied mind to the exercise. It must not be the pride or the obstinacy of self-formed opinions, or the haughty independence of him who thinks he has reached the manhood of his understanding. We must bring with us the docility of a child, if we want to gain the kingdom of heaven. It must not be a partial, but an entire and an unexcepted obedience. There must be no garbling of that which is entire, no darkening of that which is luminous, no softening down of that which is authoritative or severe. The Bible will allow of no compromise. It professes to be the directory of our faith, and claims a total ascendancy over the souls and the understandings of men. It will * Irving's Orations for the Oracles of God, p. 14. SECTION IV. THE LITERARY QUALIFICATIONS OF AN INTERPRETER. THE interpretation of the Bible, as we have already seen, calls for a large measure of various knowledge, to which we shall now more particularly advert. I. In the first place, an interpreter ought to be well skilled in both the Hebrew and Greek languages, so that he may be able to distinguish be +Dr. Chalmers on the Evidence and Authority of the Christian Revelation, p. 269. The whole of the chapter will amply repay the labour of a careful perusal. [PART. I. tween the idioms of each language, and rightly to render this, And the Word was God, rather than, God interpret both. The object of interpretation is was the Word? Because it is a rule of Greek syntax, the examination and explanation of words by that when a subject and predicate are joined together grammatical principles; and as the sense thus dis- by the substantive verb, the subject has the article, covered is the true and only proper sense, it fol- and the predicate has it not. The reader who is lows that a grammatical knowledge of the lan-minded of the important light that has been thrown conversant with critical writings need only be reguages of the text is indispensable to the task. 1. Ernesti and his commentator have well illustrated the value of grammatical knowledge, especially of etymology and syntax, to an interpreter of the sacred writings, in the following remarks: 1. An interpreter ought, in the first place, to be acquainted with the differences and powers of words, in so far as they depend upon their grammatical form. The differences here to be considered are those which labours of Middleton, Sharpe, and others, in eluciupon several passages of the New Testament, by the dating the doctrine of the Greek article.* 2. But important as a knowledge of technical grammar is to an interpreter, his acquaintance with the original languages of Scripture must not terminate here. In studying the philology of the Hebrew language, for instance, he must discover, by means of the helps that can be employed, its spirit, its character, its peculiarities, the significations of its words, and the very characteristics of its figures. Thus he must draw out its character from the analogy of the other Oriental languages, which have sprung from it, or are connected with it, and the meanings of its words and phrases, from a comparison of the various Versions which we have of the Hebrew Scriptures; since these are the only sources which can supply such knowledge respecting them as may be confidently relied on. arise from derivation, composition, inflexion, and accents. Nor ought we less carefully to study the force and difference of forms in those words which grammarians have styled emphatically verba, verbs; together with the exceptions to each rule, either as to tenses or moods, which have been introduced by usage. Interpreters who have not acquired an accurate knowledge of these rules, and have not rendered their knowledge available by the habit of applying it, are liable to fall into great and serious blunders; and it is wonderful how many instances of such blunders are to be met with; whereas a little attention to grammar often clears away the difficulty, and enables 3. The case is the same with the particular us to interpret rightly, and to refute the errors of philology of the Greek text, which largely parothers. As an example in point, Mr. Terrot refers takes of the Hebrew structure, and abounds with to Rom. viii. 30, which in our Version is rendered those expressions in which the national and relithus: "Moreover, whom he did predestinate, themgious ideas of the Jews were ordinarily expressed.† he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified." Now, he remarks, all these verbs being in the first aorist, are not necessarily expressive of past time, but are completely indefinite, and mark habitual, systematic action. The text, therefore, would have been better rendered, "Whom he predestinates, them he also calls," &c. 2. But the knowledge of syntax is still more necessary, not only that we may ascertain the order in which the words are to be taken, which is often of great importance to the right understanding of the passage; but also, that we may know the proper construction of every word and particle separately, so as to be able to judge, in the New Testament, whether the expression be pure Greek or not; and finally, that we may know the force and sense of each particular construction from the true spirit of For he who, being ignorant of these matters, proceeds to translate word for word, from one language into another, must necessarily fall into great and frequent errors, from the dissimilarity of the idioms. The writings of the commentators are full of errors of this class; nor can any one, without the knowledge here required, detect and confute the mistakes of interpreters and critics. As an illustration of Ernesti's reasoning, his translator, Terrot, selects John i. 1, Kai Seòç ÿv ò λóyes. Why, he asks, do we the language. Hence the interpreter should be acquainted, not only with pure Greek, but with its various dialects, especially the Alexandrine. 4. In prosecuting this branch of his studies the student will find the following works amongst the best he can avail himself of :— FOR THE OLD TESTAMENT-GRAMMARS AND LEXICONS. 1. A Hebrew Grammar, with a copious Syntax and Praxis. By Moses Stuart, Professor of Sacred Literature in the Theological Seminary at Andover, 8vo., fourth edition, 1831. This work is founded chiefly on the Hebrew grammar of Gesenius. The student should also procure by the same author, "Dissertations on the Importance and Best Method of studying the Original Languages of the Bible, by Jalin, Gesenius, and Wyttenbach; translated from the original Latin. 2. A Grammar of the Hebrew Language, comprised in a Series of Lectures. By the Rev. Samuel Lee, D. D., Professor of Arabic (and now Regius Professor of Hebrew) in the University of Cambridge. Second edition, 1832. * Ernesti's Institutes, Part III, ch. 10, § 8, 9. +Planck's Introduction to Sacred Philology, Part I. chap. xi. 3. A Hebrew Chrestomathy. By Professor Stuart. This work, the first volume of which was published in 1829, and a second in 1830, is designed to furnish a course of Hebrew study. 4. A Manual of the Chaldee Language, containing a Chaldee Grammar, chiefly from the German of Professor G. B. Winer; a Chrestomathy, consisting of Selections from the Targums, and including the whole of the Biblical Chaldee, with Notes, and a Vocabulary adapted to the Chrestomathy, with an Appendix on the Rabbinical Character and Style. By Elias Riggs, A. M., Boston, 8vo., 1832. ment. By John Aug. Henry Tittman, D. D., first Theological Professor in the University of Leipsic. Translated by the Rev. Edward Craig, M. A. Vol. 1, forming Vol. 3 of the Biblical Cabinet. This is a most important work: it is much to be regretted that the death of the learned author prevented the completion of his design, which was to investigate the comparative force of all those words in the New Testament which appear to be synonymous; i. e., which range under a common genus, as having one generic idea in common; but which have each of them, additional to this, a specific difference of 5. Johannis Buxtorfii Lexicon Chaldaicum, Tal- meaning. The student who uses Schleusner's Lexicon mudicum et Rabbinicum, folio, Basil, 1640. 6. A compendious Lexicon of the Hebrew Language. By Clement C. Moore, 2 vols. 12mo.; New York, 1809. The first volume of this work contains an explanation of every word which occurs in the Psalms, with notes; the second volume being a Lexicon and Grammar of the whole language. It is a most useful work for a beginner in the Hebrew language. 7. A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, including the Biblical Chaldee, from the German of Gesenius, with Additions. By the Rev. Josiah W. Gibbs, A. M., of the Theological Seminary, Andover, 8vo., London, 1827. FOR THE NEW TESTAMENT. 1. A Grammar of the New Testament. By Professor Stuart, Andover, 1834. This is a singularly valuable elementary book for critical purposes. 2. A Greek and English Lexicon to the New Testament, in which the Words and Phrases occurring in those Sacred Books are distinctly explained; and the Meanings assigned to each, authorised by References to Passages of Scripture; and frequently illustrated and confirmed by Citations from the Old Testament and from the Greek Writers. By John Parkhurst, A. M. 4to. and 8vo. Prefixed to this Lexicon is a most admirable summary of Greek Grammar, adapted for the use of those who understand only the English tongue. 3. Novum Lexicon Græco-Latinum in Novum Testamentum, congessit et variis Observationibus Philologicis illustravit Johannes Friedericus Schleusner, 2 vols., 8vo., Lipsia, 1819: Edinburgh, 1814: Glasgow, 1817. 4. A Greek and English Manual Lexicon to the New Testament, with Examples of all the irregular and more difficult Inflexions. By J. H. Bass. 12mo. London. would do well to make himself acquainted with Dr. Tittman's work. II. Rhetoric and Logic furnish valuable assistshould therefore secure a measure of his attention. ance to the interpreter of the sacred writings, and Of Rhetoric, that portion of it which is most valuable to an interpreter, is that which treats of the meaning and nature of tropes. The rules laid down in rhetorical treatises, respecting the different modes and beauties of style, and especially respecting sublimity or beauty of sentiment, will also be found of great assistance in the interpretation of those instances that so frequently occur. Logic will be found useful to the interpreter, in helping him to distinguish between the ideas of things and the sounds of words; to form accurate notions of words, by collecting their scattered portions into an aggregate whole, or by deducing them from examples in which they may be found; as also in expressing those notions clearly and briefly; to distinguish between similar ideas, lest, being deceived by ambiguity, he should confound things that are essentially distinct; to analyse the arguments and reasoning of the sacred writers; and to detect and reconcile apparent discrepancies. In all these respects, the interthe science of logic. preter will find great assistance in a knowledge of -* III. It will be evident to those who have attended to the remarks that were made on the objects and difficulties of biblical interpretation, in a preceding section, that, in order fully to avail ourselves of the aids to be derived from the sources that are open to us for ascertaining the sense of the text, some previous acquaintance 5. Clavis Novi Testamenti Philologica, Usibus with HISTORICAL CIRCUMSTANCES is indispensably Scholarum, et juvenum Theologiæ Studiosorum, acnecessary. How can any one be competent to commodata, auctore M. Christ. Abrahamo Wahl. form a judgment on the nature of those examples Lipsia, 1822. This is a more accurate work than Schleusner's, especially in the account of prepositions his terms, if he has no antecedent knowledge of may furnish of the signification of and particles. It has been translated into English by Edward Robinson, A. M. (now D. D.), Assistant the subjects to which such writer alludes? How Instructor in the department of Sacred Literature, can any one discover the scope of an author's Theol. Sem., Andover. It is in a single volume, royal 8vo., and will be found an invaluable work. which a writer * See Ernesti, Part III., chap. ix., sects. 28-35, for some 6. Remarks on the Synonyms of the New Testa- further remarks upon this topic. F reasoning, if he is uninformed on the nature of the author's subject? or how can he judge of this, without adequate and antecedent information? The thing is impossible, as any one may see by referring to Judg. xix. 29; Ps. lxxxiv. 6, cxxix. 6, exxxiii.; Ezek. ix. 2; Zech. v. 1, 2; Mark ii. 4; Luke vii. 38; 1 Cor. ix. 24-27; Heb. xii. 1-3, &c. Hence we may at once perceive the value and necessity of a knowledge, on the part of the student, of those historical facts and circumstances to which we have already adverted; of the religion, manners, customs, civil and physical geography, chronology, and general archæology, of the people to whom the Bible immediately and directly relates; as well as of the particular circumstances under which the several books composing it were respectively written. The religion, manners, customs, and social and political condition of a people, necessarily exert a powerful influence on their literature; and this was preeminently the case with the Hebrews. If we have but an imperfect and confused knowledge of these things, therefore, we shall be impeded in our progress at every step we take, and strive in vain to unravel the sense of the inspired penmen. 1. How much of the point, force, and felicity of the Bible will be lost, for instance, if the reader of it is ignorant of geography and natural history! In the study of writings where there are so many allusions to natural scenery, and the reader is so often transported from one part of the country to another, he needs to become, as it were, an inhabitant of the land. He needs to be able to body forth in his own mind that scenery in all its beauty and prominence; to behold, as with his own eyes, "the glory of Lebanon," clothed with fir-trees and cedars, and stretching its lofty ridges along the sky; to dwell with delight on the "excellency of Carmel," crowned with verdure, and dipping its feet in the Western sea;" to gaze on the lake, and the hills, and the valleys of Galilee; and to rove in imagination over the mountains, and among the dells, which surround the sacred city, the queen of nations, and "the joy of the whole earth." Without some such power, it is impossible to enter into the spirit, and feel the full force, of the narrative and its allusions. The names, indeed, meet the eye, and fall upon the ear; but they are the names of "things unknown," and destitute of "local habitation." Here, too, the climate is to be taken into the account ;-the early and the latter rain; the seed-time and harvest; the dry and scorching days of summer, contrasted with the coolness and deep serenity of the nights, in which the heavens seem lighted up with living fires; the parched earth, which drinks up the streams, and converts the mountain-torrent 66 66 a into a bed of sand; all these are to be known 2. The civil and political geography of that 3. It may be, that the necessity of an acquaintance with the circumstances just enumerated, is *North American Review, vol. xxiii., N. S. far from being apparent to the minds of many otherwise intelligent persons; but it is certain, that how much soever such persons may love and venerate the Bible, they must rest satisfied with a very limited and imperfect knowledge of its contents. It not unfrequently happens, as every diligent student knows, that the whole force and beauty, and, very often, the most important meaning, of certain passages, can only be perceived by a perfect knowledge of the things to which the writers allude; and the circumstances and peculiar character of the different objects mentioned in Scripture, are most frequently those not likely to strike a careless or unskilful observer. It should also be remembered, that the language itself in which these ancient books are written, is of such a nature, as almost utterly to forbid its being well understood without the knowledge of which we are speaking. Simple, and confined in its vocabulary, its very idiom is metaphorical; and there is scarcely a sentence composed in it, without some allusion being made to the objects of external nature, and their peculiar habits or qualities. 66 we scarcely know how to speak, for the information of unlearned readers. The Physica Sacra" of Scheuchzer is too voluminous and expensive for ordinary purposes; to say nothing of the language in which it is written; the "Hierobotanicon" of Celsius is extremely valuable, but in its original form not of general use; the "Illustrations" of Professor Paxton are very judicious and satisfactory, as far as they extend, but are incomplete as a Natural History of the Bible; the "Fragments" to Calmet comprise much valuable information, but it requires to be digested and arranged by a skilful hand; and, moreover, to be purged from much fanciful hypothesis. The only work at all complete, and accessible to the generality of readers, was Dr. Harris' “Natural History of the Bible," originally published in America, and reprinted in this country; one edition with notes and corrections by the author of the "Modern Traveller." This volume furnishes valuable materials, to assist the student in his investigations; but to the unlearned it presents no attractions; its disquisitions are extremely dry and critical, and its natural history somewhat scanty; while its conjectural criticism, and destitution of evangelical sentiment and devotional feeling, render it very objectionable as a medium of religious instruction. To supply the deficiency in this department of Scripture illustration, the writer of this published a "Scripture Natural History;" and the favour with which it has been received (the fifth edition having been called for), gives him reason to hope that his labour has not been altogether without its use. 4. On the several topics which have here been referred to, we should seek for information, primarily, in the Scriptures themselves; and, secondarily, in those authors who have most judiciously written upon them. On the sacred and civil antiquities of the Hebrews, the works of Josephus, Godwin, Jennings, Lewis, Lowman, Shaw, Michaëlis, Jahn, Fleury, and Dr. Browne, will furnish abundant materials for the use of the student; nor should we omit to notice Dr. James Townley's translation of Maimonides on the Reasons of the Laws of Moses, which contains several learned and judicious dissertations on Jewish subjects, by the translator, as well as copious illustrative notes. On the customs and circumstances of the various nations whose history is connected with that of the Jews, the writings of Rollin, Shuckford, Prideaux, Gray, and Russell, will contribute ample information. The physical geography of Palestine is best learned from the observations of modern travellers. That country is becoming every year more and more accessible; and the light which has been thrown upon its natural features by the reports of Seetzen, Burckhardt, Legh, Buckingham, the American Missionaries, Richardson, Jowett, and Carne, in the delightful "Letters from the East," has contributed much to impart spirit and interest to our conceptions of the scenery so often alluded to in the Bible. In a subsequent part of this work, we have attempted such a sketch of Bible geography, as may perhaps answer all the purposes aimed at by the generality of readers. 5. With reference to Scripture Natural History, you shall have a clue to conduct you, a compass to IV. Let us also advert a little more particularlyfor the purpose of demonstrating its value to that historical knowledge respecting the sacred books themselves, that we have spoken of as a desideratum with the biblical student. The circumstances of which this is made up, have been thus enumerated by an old writer :-(1) The order of the several books, and the relation of their parts.(2) The title or denomination of the several books.-(3) The authors of the respective books. (4) The persons to whom the several books were immediately or especially addressed.-(5) The scope or principal design of each book.-(6) The chronology of the respective books.-(7) The principal parts or divisions of each book. An acquaintance with these circumstances, as he justly remarks, "will promote the solid and judicious understanding of the whole Bible in a short space of time. For, (1) Hereby you shall have the very idea or character of every book, lively describing the nature and contents of it before your eyes, as in a map, before you begin to peruse them.--(2) Hereby |