PART III.

HIS LITERARY WORKS.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTION.· HIS OWN ACCOUNT OF THE PRINCIPLES HE OBSERVED AS A WRITER.

BENGEL wrote much, and to the purpose; for besides his new editions (which, in most respects, were very improved ones) of various ancient authors, we have about thirty original publications of his own. These are also of considerable bulk, notwithstanding his remarkable habit of condensing, which was not so peculiar to the writers of his day. His works contain a great variety of extensive and elaborate research, in several important departments of knowledge; namely, classical and biblical philology, exegesis, criticism, chronology, and divinity doctrinal and practical. Yet he was never a professed author; that is, he "never was induced, by confidence in his talents and acquirements, to choose any literary ground for trial of strength or display of sentiments;" but every occasion of what he prepared for the press was imperative. These occasions arose out of his official requirements; the subjects he wrote upon " presented themselves legitimately all along in his way of duty as a tutor; and if he further considered and studied them at his leisure, it was in the hope of getting more knowledge of the truth, and of being more invariably directed by it." For after having given attention to any subject, he did not feel obliged to content himself just with what was absolutely called for in his work of tuition; but continued his inquiries from a sincere desire for the advancement of sound knowledge, especially of scriptural divinity.

He used to say, that "we ought to be very careful about composing new books," for that "every book should add something to the reader's information, or at least to the improve

ment of his heart; but how many do neither!" That "every book ought to contain something original; and whoever has nothing of the kind to impart, ought not to write. Yet how many publications are there in which we find not a single new observation!—I have often prayed, and do pray to this day, that God would keep me from useless labour; and I see that all along he has so carried me through my various and difficult employments, that were I to begin them over again, I could not despatch them in less time than I have done. As it is wrong not to undertake the employments for which God has best fitted us, it is equally so to seek by them our own gratification, instead of the public good. It has long been my rule to write nothing which, at my dying hour, I might have to repent of: but to adhere to such a rule one must cut off, as it were, the right hand, and pluck out the right eye! For many of our thoughts charm us, when they are first conceived; O yes, and if we preserve them, they will please others also; and yet it may be our duty to discard them."

By adherence to such principles he aimed at securing himself against two faults very common to writers; that of venturing upon a work manifestly without a call, because without proper ability, or with no better motive than vanity; and that of deficient respect for the public, in sending out a work unentitled to their notice, because containing what they knew before.

The conscientiousness with which he never forgot his resolution of meeting the exigencies of his pupils at every stage of their progress, preserved him from a fault too truly alleged against many writers; that they abuse the learner's industry with superficial matters, such as they could sweep together just before delivering each lecture, and which have very little to do with the deep and difficult inquiries they had professed to set out with.

When he had completed any work, he was never in haste to put it to the press, but reserved several for ten or twenty years together; for he said, "should it turn out to be his duty entirely to withhold what had required so much time and labour, still it would be no loss to the public: and as to himself, though his works might eventually be useful to others, their chief advantage was often the regular and sober employment of his own mind in composing them. That learned men when they have once set their faculties in motion, are very liable to waste the strength of them upon empty and fanciful speculations; therefore all intellectual labour ought to be according to the strictest order and

method, and not to spend itself like a mill running on when the meal is out." Hence, before he published any work, he considered it on all sides, "especially how it was likely to meet those who were entire strangers to the subject;" and it was always his rule "to submit every such work in manuscript to the critical inspection of superiors and persons in ecclesiastical authority; inviting them to make alterations wherever they could shew him better." With this view he also held extensive correspondence upon a variety of subjects with private individuals; and said, “I am glad to be able to avail myself of the counsel and assistance of kind friends, besides what is afforded me by some in their public capacity, who have to revise my books officially. Experience has taught me that such helps tend to make my way open and easy. I meet with obliging and reasonable censors; and if in one place and another, of my writings, something requires alteration, what harm is it? There is plenty of occasion for the omitted matters to be brought forward in a better way at some other time; and if there were not, I have the comfort of remembering that nothing was begun or completed in my own will; so that I may the more surely expect the divine blessing upon what I have given to the public. It is often one reason why men of learning commit such great blunders in their writings, that before publication they do not communicate upon them with others. Is it not more agreeable to come to a good understanding upon any subject, by putting this confidence in one another, than by and by to have people debating point after point in reviews or at one's elbow?"

He felt abundant reason for his being so indefatigably diligent as a writer; and remarked, that "though it is unnecessary to be always making books, even upon good subjects, yet as so many are published only for vain and sinful entertainment, whose rapid sale evinces how ungodly are the generality of us, though we bear the name of Christians; while, for instance, there is many a play which can hardly be printed fast enough, as if people were not as responsible to God for time spent in reading as for time spent in other employments: therefore it is the duty of those who seek His honour and glory, if they have the means of providing sound nurture for precious and immortal souls, to be always on the watch to introduce something of a valuable and wholesome kind, that such pernicious trash may not take up the room in God's world; but that some relish for his saving word may be preserved, at least among a few. And as 'the

all

wise and prudent' are generally so refined or overcautious, as not easily to incline to, or at least not to venture upon any such undertaking, therefore God, who sees it necessary that something good should be given to the world, gives it by the ministration of comparative babes.' As for myself, I can say that I have endeavoured from time to time to keep in the back ground; for it would have been far more agreeable to my natural feelings to have passed along through this life without noise or notice. But it has happened otherwise."

"When a man begins to have his name cried up in the world, he becomes subject to a new set of feelings which are unknown to others. His sensations may be compared to those of a criminal in the pillory, especially if, as an author, he is mightily basted by opponents. The most painful of such feelings arises from being not only disparaged by men of the world, but even suspected by those who are really spiritual; so as to be dreaded among them as dangerously unsound. This is indeed heartgrieving; and it is well to be conscious, upon such occasions, that countenance from fallible men was not the thing we had reckoned upon; and to be able to say, 'All is under God's direction;' I will therefore be of good cheer,' and 'in patience possess my soul.'

CHAPTER II.

HIS NEW EDITIONS OF SOME CLASSICAL WORKS, AND GREEK

FATHERS.

1. The earliest of his larger publications was a new edition of Cicero's Epistles. These were connected with his official tuition. They had been appointed by the Cynosura Ecclesiastica,* to be used by the lower Theological Seminary, for its instruction in Latin. His undertaking this new edition, originated in his own preparatory studies for lectures upon that work; during which he gradually amassed a quantity of expository and critical annotations. These happening to meet the prelate's eye at his visitation of the Seminary, pleased him so much, that he encouraged Bengel to continue them, so as to get up a new edition for the use of the pupils. Thus as he could not well decline such an undertaking, he set about it. His principle was, "I must work while it is day; I do what my hand findeth to do, without much caring what it is, provided my eye and heart are aiming at what is best in the end. And then, though the what, the how, the why, the wherefore, or the whereunto, may be all along unknown to me, God knoweth how to turn all to his own holy purposes. 'Only be faithful,' is my motto; even if it concern but a jot or tittle. Indeed some of the most important exegetical discoveries, or their still more important results, are made by conscientiously attending to apparent minutiæ. One day's feeble work of ours may be as much with God as that of a thousand years; so greatly to our account can he make all things turn, provided we honour him by aiming always at his glory.'

Such views served to make him patient and faithful. Hence he cheerfully bestowed the minutest requisite carefulness, upon disquisitions the most trifling in appearance; and though this often exacted of him the severest labour of mind and body, he never spared himself; but would say, "I feel the effects of my critical laboriousness, especially of the intense application I have found necessary for adjusting my chronological calculations. Yet

* "The Directory (or Book) of Ecclesiastical Order."