ning with 9, are put before v. 49, 50, 51, beginning with y but right in 2 MSS. Syr. Ch. iv. v. 16, 17, transposed in like manner; right in five MSS. Syr.

Ken. in loc. Diss. Gen. § 23, 165, p. 83. n.

435. The alphabetical poems, by shewing the precise extent of each line and stanza, give great light for discovering the form and structure of the poetry in them, and, by this means, supply general principles concerning that form in such poems as are not alphabetical; that it is regulated by some fixed measure, or cadence; that it consists not of rhyme; that there is some parallelism in the corresponding lines; and that they are reducible to two species, distinguished by their length.

Lowth, Prel. Diss. p. 4-34. Herder's Dialog. on Hebrew
Poetry.

1

436. Some of the Scriptural poems are regularly disposed into parts, either by the introduction of different persons, or, by an alternate rehearsal of them,* or, by the repetition of a chorus or burden at the end of each member,3 all productive of beauty.

1 Psal. ii. The speakers are, 1. the Psalmist, v. 1—5. 2. Jehovah, v. 6. 3. Messiah, v, 7, 8, 9. 4. Psalmist, v. 10, 11, 12. dramatic.

Ken. Diss. Gen. § 165.

2 Psal. xxiv. (N° 407.)

Psal. xx. sung alternately; the first five verses by the people; v. 6. by David; v. 7, 8, 9. by the people.

Pearce, Serm. on v. 7.

3 Psal. xlii. xliii. consists of three parts, with a chorus subjoined to each.

Psal. lxxx. consists of three unequal parts, each concluding with the same chorus, v. 3, 7, 19. "Turn us again, ('O God,' v. 3. O God of hosts,' v. 7. O Jehovah, God

of hosts,' v. 19. either designedly, or by mistake of transcribers), cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved." Psal. cvii. consists of five parts; all, except the last, con

cluding with this chorus, "O that men would praise the Lord," &c. with different reasons, suitable to the sense of the preceding part.

2

437. Most of the Scriptural poems are disposed simply according to the different subjects,' or the parts of the one subject, of which they treat; sometimes clearly distinguished from one another; oftener sliding easily into one another, or naturally interwoven, so as not to admit an accurate analysis; but always with great poetical beauty.

1 Psal. xix. celebrates, 1. the works of God, v. 1-6. 2. His law, v. 7-11. the distinction being precisely marked; and concludes with devotions naturally suggested by the latter. 2 Psal. xxii. describes the Messiah, 1. as suffering, v. 1—21. 2. as triumphant, v. 22-31. sufficiently distinguished, but with an easy transition.

Ken. Diss. Gen. § 165.

438. Of such prophetical books as contain many predictions, the natural distribution is into these several predictions. Where the distinction of them, and the termination of each, is not clearly marked, it occasions difficulties, which will be considered afterwards; where it is precisely marked, as it often is, it throws great light on the prediction.

Amos. There is a clear distinction of his several predictions concerning Syria, i. 3-5.; the Philistines, v. 6-8.; Tyre v. 9, 10.; Edom, v. 11, 12.; Ammon, v. 13-15.; Moab, ii. 1—3.; and Judah. v. 4, 5. In the rest of the book, which relates wholly to Israel, there is not so clear a distinction.

Isaiah.

The predictions in the first distinguished, and hence derive light. chapters want this advantage.

39 chapters are clearly

Those in the following But he is remarkable for a

just distribution of the parts, and a natural order in treating them.

Lowth, Sacr. Poes. præl. 21.

Joel. The distribution and order are plain. 1. The desolation of the country by locusts, to ch. ii. 27. 2. The effusion of the Holy Spirit, v. 28-32. 3. Judgments against different nations.

Lowth, ib. Chandler. Pref. to Joel. Dupin.

Jeremiah. Three parts. 1. Various predictions, distinctly marked, to the end of ch. xxxv. 2. Mostly historical, to end of ch. xlv. 3. Many predictions, likewise distinctly marked, to end of ch. li. The last chapter is not his.

Lowth, ib.

Daniel. Two parts. 1. Historical, first 6 chapters, 2. His predictions, in distinct visions, to end.

Dupin.

Ezekiel. Twenty-two predictions, in the order in which they were delivered, obviously distinct, and each prosecuted with closeness.

Lowth, ib. Dupin.

439. Such prophetical books as have one simple subject, and such separate predictions as are in any degree complex, describe the events belonging to that subject; sometimes according to the order of their succession, which contributes to perspicuity; and sometimes according to some connexion in their nature; but often in union with a poetical arrangement, proper, beautiful, and striking.

Nahum. 1. The exordium, august and magnificent. 2. The preparation for the destruction of Nineveh. 3. The destruc

tion itself; both described with the greatest sublimity and force.

Lowth, ib.

Christ's prediction against Jerusalem, describes the several events in the order of time; therefore clear, and easily ascertained.

440. The argumentative parts of Scripture are most of the epistles, particulariy Paul's; and, in the most general view, the plan of all of them is obvious, and very uniform; each of them, besides an introduction and a conclusion, consisting of two parts, the doctrinal and the practical.

441. The former is the main part; it is it that is properly argumentative; and it is in it that an investigation of the plan and distribution is both most necessary and most difficult.

442. When an epistle has two or more independent designs, these form its plan; which is investigated, by ascertaining what these distinct subjects are, where one of them is concluded, and another begun, and what parts of the book relate to each of them.

Locke, ib.

1 Corinthians. Introduction, ch. i. 1-9. Conclusion, ch. xvi. Body of the epistle has two subjects, 1. to reclaim them from a false teacher, who had led them into several faults, to end of ch. vi. 2. To answer their questions, and correct abuses and errors among them, ch. vii-xv.

443. When an epistle has one principal design, the natural distribution of it is, into the several steps or arguments employed for promoting it; which, being subordinate to it, ought all to be considered in the

relation which they bear to it, and explained in that sense which suits it; a principle which is applicable, likewise, to each part of such epistles as have more than one design.

Locke, ib.

444. A discovery of the real plan and distribution of an epistle, or argumentative piece, will throw great light on the force, the import, and the conduct of the several arguments, and on the meaning of many particular expressions.

445. But, care must be taken not to affect too great nicety and precision in distinguishing and separating the several members of an epistle; for, as the apostles did not study an artificial method, this would break the connexion of their discourse, misrepresent their arguments, and pervert the meaning of their words.

SECT. VII.

Of the Connexion of the Parts in the Books of
Scripture.

446 EVERY member, in the general plan of a book, consists of parts, which have a certain connexion with one another; and often, each of these subordinate parts consists of different sentences, or propositions, which have, likewise, a connexion; and, the discovery of such connexion is of great importance, for ascertaining both the true reading, and the sense.