334. Sometimes, even when they seem to give the sense of a reading different from the present, they yet had the same reading, but affixed to the word another signification; and, therefore, in order to ascertain the readings followed by them, an accurate knowledge of the original languages, in their full extent, is highly needful.

Simon, V. T. 1. 2. c. 5.

Psal. xxii. title, nx, commonly "kind."

70. αντίληψις "defence, assistance." But they read not differently, for they render ver. 19. Bonderav.

Simon, ib. c. 7.

335. But there are cases in which it is clear that the authors of the ancient versions had readings in the original different from the present, and what these readings were; as, when the expression in both is perfectly definite, or, when the version suits a word very similar to the present; and, in these cases, both readings ought to be fairly compared and examined, and that preferred which is on the whole best supported. Simon, V. T. 1. 1. c. 11. 1. 2. c. 5. Houbig. Prol. Walton, ib. $ 9, 10.

Gen. ii. 2. "On the seventh day God ended his work." Heb. Chald.\.—“ sixth,” 70. Sam. Syr.

Simon, ib. Houbig. ib. & in loc. Cleric. in loc.

336. A reading, certainly expressed in an ancient version, is of the same authority as if it had been found in a MS. of the age when that version was made; and consequently, of greater authority than if found in any single MS. now extant; and that in proportion to the superior antiquity of the version.

337. Though it would seem that no single version. can have sufficient authority to establish a reading in opposition to the copies of the original, and the other versions, yet, in some very particular cases, it may have even this ́authority; as, for instance, when there is evidence that the original and the other versions have been corrupted in that place.

338. In like manner, if the present reading of the original be absurd, or yield no sense, a single version may give probability to another reading, especially when from it the present reading might have naturally arisen.

339. The reading of a single ancient version may receive considerable weight, from its being suitable to the sense, the connexion, or parallel places.

Num. xxii. 22. "And God's anger was kindled because he went, ——— and the angel of the Lord stood," &c. Arab. inserts "from greediness," according to 2 Peter ii. 15. Some Heb. MSS.

Ken. in loc. & Diss. Gen. § 44, 165.

Prov. xix. 1. "Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool." No antithesis in poor and fool, walketh and lips, no sentiment. Syr."ways, though he be rich." This gives a proper sense. "ways," in above 30 MSS. Twy "rich." Collect. var. read. (Ken. Diss. 2. p. 286.) Vulg. "dives et insipiens." Confirmed by Prov. xxviii. 6.

דרכיך

Houbig. in loc. Ken. in loc. & Diss. 1. p. 509. Diss. 2. p. 287. Diss. Gen. § 179.

340. The concurrence of several independent ancient versions in a reading, renders it highly probable; as it

shews the concurrence of at least as many very ancient MSS. perhaps of different ages and countries.

341. The concurrence of all the ancient versions in a reading is sufficient for establishing it, though it should not be found in any MSS. now extant; for it shews that it took place in many MSS. so ancient, that a few of them ought to outweigh a great number of such as are vastly more modern.

342. If a reading indicated by any, by several, or by all the ancient versions, is likewise found in some MSS. still extant, this will add to the authority of such reading, proportionably to the number or antiquity of the MSS., provided that neither have these been altered in conformity to the versions, nor the versions in conformity to them.

343. If, in the books of Moses, the reading followed by ancient versions be likewise found in the Samaritan Pentateuch, this makes a great addition to the evidence which they would have otherwise had, and generally renders them certain.

344. When all the copies of the original, and all the versions, agree in a reading, it is certainly the true one; and, as that is, in general, the case, we have absolute assurance of the authenticity and purity of the Scriptures in general, greater assurance than with regard to any other book whatever.

SECT. X.

Of the Use of Versions for Interpretation.

345. VERSIONS contribute much to the interpre tation of Scripture.

346. It is only by means of versions, that they who are ignorant of the original languages can at all learn what the Scripture contains; and every version, so far as it is just, conveys the sense of Scripture to those who understand the language in which it is written.

317. Though they who have the means of understanding the originals, especially the teachers of religion, ought not to satisfy themselves with versions, yet there is scarcely any version which does not express the sense of Scripture, so far as it is absolutely necessary to be known by those, who have no other means of learning it.

348. Versions give great assistance for understanding the sense of Scripture, even to those who are acquainted with the originals, wherever the translators were more skilful in these languages, or bestowed greater attention, or had superior advantages of any kind.

349. As some versions are made with greater skill and exactness than others, and some parts of every version, with greater than other parts of it; the com

parison of different versions, and the selection of the preferable renderings from them all, would contribute very much to our obtaining the true sense of Scripture.

350. Neither the ancient versions, nor the modern, ought to be preferred absolutely, and in all cases; for the deviations of later translators from the renderings of the earlier, are sometimes to the better, and sometimes to the worse.

351. Though it be certain, that the authors of the ancient versions often followed readings different from those in the present text; yet, in many cases, we ought to conclude, that they only rendered the reading which we still have, in a sense not affixed to it by the moderns; as, when they frequently give the same rendering of the same word, or, when that word has still, in any of the kindred languages, the same signification which they assign to it.

Houbig Prol. c. 3. a. 4.

352. Significations of words, in this manner pointed out by the ancient versions, are significations which we may be sure that the words really had; and we may, without scruple, prefer them to the more modern and common renderings, when the sense or other circumstances give countenance to them.

353. The ancient versions, being the works of men who had several advantages above the moderns for understanding the original languages, and the phraseology of Scripture; and those of the Old Testament, in particular, being one of the principal means by which