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various times have written to seceders from their communion, would prove one of the best refutations of Popish doctrine. It would be its own evidence what a wretched system of meagre stuff that doctrine is.

"If writing were not now become too laborious for me, I would endeavour to trace out the doctrine of the Hebrew accents. Mr. Boston (of Ettrick) has hit upon the right way of understanding them.*

"It might be made an interesting subject for disputation, 'Whether the polemical heat of many a theologian has not considerably abated by foreign travel;' or

"' Of Luther's animosity against the canon-lawyers, and of the prejudical influence they had on the Reformation.'

"A whole treatise may be written upon the figurative and tropical language of Scripture; and here it might be shown that many an additional elucidation is obtained by rightly understanding such figures of speech as Chiasmus, Simultaneum, &c.

"A book is wanted which might be called, 'The Ecclesiastical Year,' showing the origin of Festivals, and of their names; with explanations of the passages of Scripture, selected for such

occasions.

"Wherein consists the distinction between an apostate and one who has never been regenerate?

"In what manner may the contrast between possession of the devil, and mystical union with God, be stated with respect to the different degrees of these opposite things?

"The first book of Arndt's True Christianity,' bound up with his small devotional work entitled The little Paradise,' would form an appropriate manual."

*In his posthumous work, entitled, Tractatus Stigmologicus Hebræo-biblicus, printed at Amsterdam in 1738. He was the author of the well-known work entitled, "The Fourfold State."

CHAPTER XVII.

HIS LITERARY CORRESPONDENCE.

I. On the Criticism of the New Testament.*

G. A. Franke, junior, wrote to a friend of Bengel, (8th Oct. 1723,) as follows:

"As to obtaining Greek MSS. we know not how to advise you; unless Bengel himself will take the trouble to apply to Mr. von Uffenbach; at whose house I remember to have seen some. And really we think it a great loss of time to go further into the criticism of the New Testament; as scarcely one lection of any consequence is likely to be found in MSS. that has not already been noticed in the printed editions."

Bengel replied:

"Let these good men (at Halle) go on cutting out their new channels for the brook of life, to spread fertility in every direction; while I will make it my business to be looking after its hidden chambers and sources among the rocks, in order to clear away all rubbish, that it may run more purely and freely. The latter is a kind of labour little thought of by many, who nevertheless are indebted to it for not a few of the advantages and benefits they at present enjoy. As the nature of what those gentlemen themselves are labouring at, is unknown to the profane, who cannot so much as understand their motives for it, so what I too am engaged in is often not understood even by persons of piety. "To balance the true and false readings of the sacred text, is but another part of one and the same occupation in the word of God; and the fruit of such labour is, that those who are inclined devoutly to study the Scriptures, are hereby enabled to see many parts and passages of Scripture in a clearer and more important light, and to supply valuable additional communications of their own, something beyond those of dry criticism. One's object is not merely to get readings together, but to collate them for selection; also for confirmation of readings already received as the true ones; for which latter purpose in several

* See above, ch. iii. sect. 2.

instances a sufficient number of MSS. have never yet been cited. Moreover, though the received text, as it is, contains the word of God, on which any soul may rest as safely as on heaven's foundation, still there are many precious gems buried in the great hoard of criticism, by those who have gone before me; and such valuables I feel it my duty to bring out to the sight of all, that no one, if possible, may be ignorant of their real worth. Now this is occupation for which every one has not such leisure and opportunities as are granted to myself. As there are many others, I have no doubt, who are of the same sentiments with our honest friend (Franke) upon this subject, I shall consider his remarks as a call of some importance to insert a few observations upon it in the preface to my work."

II. To the Missionaries of the Royal Danish Mission at

ness.

Tranquebar.

66 17 Nov. 1751.

"I have watched the progress of the Tranquebar mission from its commencement, and have ever felt an interest in endeavouring to promote its success under the Divine blessing. Some years ago I took an opportunity of sending thither a copy of my edition of the Greek Testament,* and have lately had much pleasure in hearing of its favourable reception and usefulFrom the time that the span of human life became reduced to our three-score years and ten, the Scriptures have been all along, and will continue to be, the standard of instruction in the Divine economy, with respect to the community of God's people at large, as also with respect to individuals. And though much critical erudition as well as common reading has been applied to no better purpose than that of mere head knowledge, still there is no particle of God's word which does not deserve the most careful research, yes, which has not its appropriate and infallible use to those who will give it time and occasions for taking effect. All in it tends to make the man of God perfect, thoroughly furnished for every good work. Labourers of your own sort among those converted heathen, to whom Scripture announcements are entirely new, enjoy more frequent opportunities, than we can have, of witnessing the vital operations of Revealed truth. In our christian countries, people become so formally familiar with the statements of such truth, that

* See above, ch. iii. sect. 5, of this Third Part.

instead of deriving from it sound nurture and solid satisfaction, they rather seem cloyed, and inclined to loathe it altogether.

"The tidings that reach us respecting the free course of the word of the Lord, with the advancement of his kingdom in distant parts of the East and West, call for gratitude and praise from all who love his salvation; and may well excite us Europeans to a holy jealousy, lest such light as now begins to shine into the darker regions of the earth should at length withdraw from ourselves for having been so little thankful for it, and because we have so little valued it. O that the faithful servants of our common Lord every where, may persevere in prayerful patience, to do with their might whatever the hand of every one in his station may find to do!" &c.

III. To

Müller, M.A., of Dresden.

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"Your communications for my intended edition of the Ordo Temporum' in German, are very acceptable and valuable, and you will find me always ready to impart freely in return whatever my humble ability may permit. As I could get no publisher to undertake the original Latin work, I am publishing it at my own expense, because the subject of it is of importance; though of course I thus incur pecuniary loss, and the Latin edition will go off the slower, when another in German succeeds it. Let me however say, that it will give me real pleasure to promote your valuable design; and if you will have the goodness to send to me your MS., I will adapt it not to the Latin edition, but to my present views, should this equally meet your approbation."

IV. To Mr. B., a municipal officer at D.

This gentleman had written (July 30, 1744,) to Bengel as follows:

"Reverend Sir,-As your erudition and knowledge of spiritual things may enable you to render many scripture prophecies upon temporal subjects popularly intelligible, and as some information of the kind may, at this changeful and disquieted period, be of great use to a whole community, and even to a particular city, I would ask, with all deference, what you think is likely sooner or later to be the fate and condition of the imperial city of D.? If it is not giving you too much trouble, your communicating to me your sentiments upon this subject will greatly oblige me; and

I would have it to be entirely between ourselves in perfect confidence and secrecy."

Bengel replied:

66

Aug. 12, 1744.

"Honoured Sir,-From the inquiry you put to me, I must conclude that you have heard a very different account of my humble ability from what it really is. I own that scripture intimations, favourable and unfavourable, have afforded me some insight even into futurity, and I bless God for it; but as to the peculiar fate of any single city, or indeed of any single nation, whether of the Roman earth or elsewhere, I certainly can say nothing. Still, as it appears to be no mere chance that a person of political eminence like yourself should thus apply to me, I will frankly communicate to you what I consider to have been imparted to me of God; which may be of more real use than any foreknowledge respecting the issues of peace and war, or of any course of politics.

"We are approaching a time of spiritual, specious, and most extensive seduction; which will be followed up by extraordinary violence. The only true preparative against that seduction is, wisdom from above; and against that violence, to be patient and faithful unto death. Any retaliation that Christians may be provoked to make upon the enemies of the truth, will most certainly recoil upon themselves. Past experience may teach us this, in the instance of many a city and country. Persons therefore who are really concerned to please God, and to promote the public welfare, who sincerely wish to save their own souls and those of others, ought to obtain power from on high against the very severe trials which are likely sooner or later to enter our own borders. They ought to arm themselves with spiritual strength by true repentance and conversion, faith and prayer, steadfastness and hope; and whoever of them are invested with civil or ecclesiastial authority, ought to take care that the Lord's flock be well watched and guarded, against that time, when the Almighty, by wonderful judgments, rebukes, and deliverances, will render his excellent name glorious in the sight of all the world,” &c.

V. To Captain von Franke, upon his inquiring, What we are to think of the comet that appeared in the year 1744?

66

The

'Very opposite opinions prevail respecting comets. most probable, I think, is, that they are a kind of planets, created originally with the rest of the stars, and having their

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