afcertained, by a collation of the copies, not only of the original, but also of the several ancient verfions; and it would be proper that, when a reading is found clearly preferable, it should be tranflated; but, when the true reading is doubtful, the commonly received one fhould be rendered in the text; and that, in both cafes, the renderings of all the other readings which have any degree of plausibility, should be marked in the margin. Simon, V. T. 1. 3. c. 1. 357. In fuch a verfion, that meaning of the original words fhould be given in every place, which appears to be in that place most proper; in determining which, the translator should not confine himself to those fignifications of words which have been adopted by the Rabbins, and from them by modern lexicographers; but should attend to all the fignifications which either kindred languages or ancient verfions fhew to have really belonged to the words; and, while the text expresses what appears to be the genuine tranflation of every paffage, the different fenfes of which the word is capable, especially those which it clearly has in other places, should be marked in the margin, if they can be at all applicable in that paffage. Simon, ib. c. 2. 358. Such idioms of the original languages as are ambiguous, should be either retained in the version, or rendered in words capable of the fame ambiguity; but, idioms which have a clear and precife import, fhould not be copied, but expreffed in that form of words. which, in the language into which the verfion is made, express that import with greatest propriety and exactnefs. 359. A verfion of the Scripture fhould be varied, fo as to express the spirit and manner of the feveral parts of it. This will be most effectually done, not by fervilely copying the style of the original, but, by exhibiting the feveral fentiments and affections painted by it, in those terms which one poffeffed by the fame fentiments and affections, would naturally ufe for expreffing them, in the language of the verfion; and, by preferving the fame fpecies of ftyle which, according to the usage of that language, comes neareft to the style of the original. Lowth's Ifaiah, Prelim. Diff. p. 35, &c. 360. So many things being prerequifite to a perfect verfion of the Scriptures, all of which have not been as yet even attempted, it must be long before a perfect verfion can be expected; and indeed, the difficulties are fo great, particularly, in every where determining the best reading and the true fense, that, with all the means which we have of furmounting them, a verfion of the whole Scripture, abfolutely perfect, can scarcely, perhaps, be at all expected; but, every approach to it is highly defirable and important. Simon, V. T. 1. 3. c. I-4. CHAP. CHAP. V. The Circumstances relating to the Books of Scripture: 361. THERE are feveral circumstances relating to the books of Scripture, knowledge of which is, in fome degree or other, ufeful in criticifm; the fpecies of compofition, the author, the time, the occasion of writing, the design of the book, its plan, and the connexion of the parts. Glass. Philol. Sacr. 1. 2. p. 2. § 2. 362. When these circumstances cannot be afcertained, as in some cases they are not easily or certainly determinable, it neceffarily occafions fome measure of obfcurity or ambiguity. 363. But, in many cafes, these feveral circumstances may be determined with certainty, or with confiderable probability; either externally, by teftimony; or, internally, from hints and indications in the books themfelves; and, wherever they can, they throw light, fome more, fome lefs, upon the Scriptures. SECT. SECT. I. Of the Kinds of Composition in Scripture. 364. THE Scripture confifts of many books, on different fubjects, belonging to different fpecies of compofition, and written in different manners; each of which has its peculiar structure and rules; and these must be attended to, and understood, in order to our en tering thoroughly into either its fenfe or its beauties. 365. In refpect of their subjects, the books of Scripture are historical, didactical, devotional or prophetical; and, in respect of their manner of compofition, either profaical or poetical. 366. All the books of the New Testament, and all the historical books of the Old, are written in profe; the rest of the Old Teftament is, in general, poetical. 367. The hiftory of the Bible is, properly, facred history; it is the history of the world, confidered precisely as God's world, as wholly governed by him; and is directly calculated for unfolding the defigns of his providence. Butler's Anal. p. 2. 368. The prevailing character of the Scripture hiftory is fimplicity. 369. The whole of Scripture history is carried on in a dramatic manner, introducing perfons as speaking and conferring; which has great fimplicity, and a great effect in expreffing fentiments, fuited to particular characters, whether good or bad. Kaimes's Sketches, 5. 2. 370. All the didactic books of the New Teftament are in profe, and in the epiftolary form; which occafions several peculiarities, neceffary to be attended to, for understanding them; and they confift, almost wholly, of argumentation and morality. 371. All the didactical and devotional books of the Old Teftament, with fome hymns and fongs, interspersed in the other books, are generally acknowledged to be poetical; though the precife nature and rules of Hebrew metre cannot now be accurately defined. 372. The prophetical parts of the New Testament are certainly in profe; and it has been the general opinion, that the prophetical books of the Old Teftament are likewise in profe; but, that these are, for the most part, though not the whole of them, really poetical, seems now to be proved with fufficient evidence, particularly from the conformity of their structure, to that of the confeffedly poetical books, in every effential circumftance. Lowth, Poef. Hebr. prælect. 18, 19. Prel. Diff. p. 2, &c. |