one writer, a greater fimilarity of ftyle may be expected, than in different writers. 480. When a word is ufed fometimes in a literal, and sometimes in a metaphorical fenfe, it must not be supposed that it implies, in the latter case, all that it implies in the former cafe; fimilitude, in fome one respect, being fufficient for the propriety of metaphor. 481. It is particularly abfurd, and of pernicious confequence, to deduce articles of faith from metaphorical expreffions, fuppofed to be meant in all the strictnefs of their literal fenfe. 482. The metaphorical fenfe of a word fhould be explained by the literal, and the more remote metaphorical fenfe by the lefs remote; and not contrariwife. 483. Care must be taken not to bring paffages together, merely by the found; or, to suppose that texts relate to the fame fubject, or contain the fame fentiment, merely because the fame expreffions are ufed in them.. Locke, Pref. Effay for a new Tranfl. p. 1. c. 6. § 16, 17, 18. 484. Fourthly, thofe paffages are parallel, which treat of the same subject in different expreffions; and the comparison of fuch is of great ufe for illuftrating one another, and making that fubject more perfectly understood. Locke, Pref. Glaff. ib. 485. In comparing fuch paffages, obfcuré expref fions should be explained by fuch as are perfpicuous; and ambiguous expreffions, by fuch as are precise. 486. Paffages are, in this manner, parallel, which exprefs the fame doctrine, or precept, in different terms; and difficult, or figurative expreffions, in one fuch paffage, are to be interpreted by fuch as are easy, or proper, in another. Gal. vi. 15. "A new creature." figurative explained by ch. v. 6. "Faith which worketh by love;" and by 1 Cor. vii. "The keeping of the commandments of God. " proper. all fynonymous. 19. 487. It is not from one fuch paffage, taken fingly, that a doctrine or precept ought to be collected, as has been too often the practice; but, from them all, taken in conjunction, confiftently explained, with fuch limitations of the expreffions in each, as the rest shew to be neceffary. 488. Predictions of the fame events, given at different times, or by different prophets, along with a degree of fimilarity fufficient for indicating the identity of their fubject, generally have fuch variety in the expreffion, as enables one to illustrate another; and one of them often intimates fome circumftances omitted in another. 489. A paffage which contains a prediction, and paffages which relate its accomplishment, are parallel; and the latter not only verify the former, but, gene rally, rally, illustrate the meaning of the expreffions employ ed in it. Gen. xlix. 7. "I will divide them (Simeon and Levi) in Jacob, and scatter them in Ifrael; " not that they were to be confounded with the other tribes; but Simeon had only part of the land of Juriah, Jofh. xix. 1, 9. and went in search of diftant accommodation, 1 Chron. iv. 39. ;. and Levi fome cities in every tribe, Josh. xxi. 1 Chron. vi. Newton on Prophecy, Diff. 4. Ifa. iii. 2, 3. explained by 2 King. xxiv, 14. Ifa. xxxiii. by ch. xxxvi. &c, Lowth in loc, SECT. II, Comparison of Passages not parallel, 490. PASSAGES of Scripture, which have none of the relations hitherto mentioned, cannot be confidered as parallel; yet they may often be compared in fome respects; and, from the comparison of them, confiderable light may be derived. 491. Expreffions, phrafes, and idioms, ufed in different texts, concerning different fubjects, may be, though not the fame, yet fo fimilar, as to illustrate one another. 492. A paffage, relating to one fubject, may receive illustration from another, in which an analogous fubject is treated with a different manner of expreffion. 493. One paffage of Scripture fometimes alludes, or, in fome way, refers, to another, and may be explained by being compared with it. 494. One paffage of Scripture fometimes points out the occafion, origin, and meaning of words and phrases used in other paffages. Chandler's Defence of Chriftianity, c. 2. f. 1. Newton, ib. 495. One paffage of Scripture may ferve for restricting general expreffions, and duly limiting the sense, in another which cannot be confidered as parallel to it. Mat. iv. 6, 7. Luke iv. 9-12. Chrift limits and explains the devil's quotation from Pfal. xci. 11. by Deut. vi. 16. 496. Comparison of different paffages of Scripture fometimes contributes to our difcovering the defign of a part of Scripture, or the occafion of writing it. 497. The comparison of paffages, in no refpect parallel, is often of great ufe, for fixing the dates and chronology of events.. 498. The comparison of different paffages often explains customs, manners, or opinions, the knowledge of of which is conducive to our understanding the Scrip tures. 499. It is often by comparing different paffages, that we can afcertain what are the places, or nations, meant in Scripture, by names which occur not in profane hiftory. Chittim is a name which frequently occurs. Newton, ib. Diff. 5. Lowth's Ifaiah, xxiii. 1. SECT III. Comparison of particular Passages with the Analogy of Faith. 500. As one paffage may be compared with another paffage, fo a particular paffage may be compared with the analogy of faith, that is, with the general tenor of the doctrine taught in Scripture. Glafs, Philol. Sacr. 1. 2. p. 2. f. 2. 501. All the great principles of religion may be collected from Scripture, while yet many particular |