Et certè quamcunque pietatis speciem praetexunt , non religione quapiam , aut sincerâ in Scripturam sacram veneratione aguntur dum eam unicam , quasi ineluctabilem salutis regulam , usurpant ▪ neque spiritûs Evangelici veritatem investigare decreverunt ; dum ad autographa curiosius recurrentes , ex quibus , praeter perplexa quaedam vestigia , vix aliquid superest , vel capitales fidei hostes , vel eos qui Ecclesiae minus faverint , de contextuum interpretatione a● germano sacrorum codicum sensu consulunt . Scilicet non alia est opportunior via à regio illius itinere secedendi , neque in privatarum opinionum placitis blandius possunt acquiescere , quas velut unicas doctrinae suae regulas sectari plerunque censuerunt .

A page caecam animorum libidinem , non jam in institutionem nostram subsistit litera , sed Ecclesiae spiritus ; neque è sacris codicibus hauriendum quidquam , nisi quod illa communicatum esse nobiscum voluerit . So he , or Morinus in his name ; and if this be indeed the true state of things , I suppose he will very hardly convince men of the least usefulnesse of this great worke and undertaking . To usher those bibles into the world , Morinus puts forth his Exercitations , intituled of the syncerity of the Hebrew and Greek Text , indeed to prove them corrupt and uselesse . He is now the man amongst them that undertakes to defend this cause : in whose writings whether there be more of Pyrgopolynices , or Rabshekah , is uncertaine . But dogs that bark● loud , seldome bite deep ; nor do I thinke many ages have produced a man of more confidence and lesse judgment ; a prudent Reader cannot but nauseate at all his leaves , and the man is well laid open by a learned person of his own party . By the way , Simeon ▪ de Muys Defens . ●●nc . Text. Heb. I cannot but observe , that in the height of his boasting , he falls upon his mother Church , and embraces her to death . Ex●rcit . 1 , cap. 1. pag. 11. that he might vaunt himselfe to be the first and only discoverer of corruptions in the originall of the old Testament , with the causes of them , he falls into a profound contemplation of the guidance of his Church , which being ignorant of any such cause of rejecting the originalls , as he hath now informed her of , yet continued to reject them , and prefer the vulgar latine before them hîc admirare lector ( saith he ) Dei spiritum ecclesiae praesentissimum , illam per obscura , perplexa , & invia quaeque , inoffenso pede agentem : quanquam incognita esset Rabbinorum supina negligentia , portentosa ignorantia , saed●que librorum Judaicorum corruptela , & Haeretici contraria his magnâ verborum pompâ audacter jactarent ; adduci tamen non potuit Ecclesia , ut versio , quâ solâ per mille ferè & centum annos usa fuerit , ad normam & amussim Hebraei textus iterum recuderetur . But is it so indeed , that their Church receives its guidance in a stupid brutish manner , so as to be fixed obstinately on conclusions , without the least acquaintance with the premises ? it seems she loved not the Originalls , but she knew not why ; only she was obstinate in this , that she loved them not . I If this be the state with their Church , that when it hath neither Scripture , nor Tradition , nor Reason , nor New Revelation , she is guided she knows not how , as Socrates was by his Daemon , or by secret and inexpressible species of pertinacy and stubbornnesse falling upon her imagination ; I suppose it will be in vaine to contend with her any longer . For my own part I must confesse , that I shall as soon believe a poor deluded fanaticall Quaker , pretending to be guided by an infallible Spirit , as their Pope with his whole conclave of Cardinalls , upon the tearms here laid down by Morinus .

But to let these men passe for a season ; had this leprosy kept it selfe within that house which is throughly infected , it had been of lesse importance : it is but a farther preparation of it for the Fire . But it is now broken forth among Protestants also ; with what designe , to what end or purpose , I know not , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , God knows , and the day will manifest . To declare at large how this is come about , longa esset Historia ; too long for me to dwell upon ; some heads of things I shall briefly touch at . It is known to all , ●hat the Reformation of Religion , and restauration of good learning were begun , and carried on at the same time , and mostly by the same persons . There was indeed a Triumvirate among the Papists of men excellently skilled in Rabbinicall learning before the Reformation . Raymundus Martinus , Porchetus de sylvaticis , and Petrus Galatinus , are the men ; of the which , the last dedicated his book to Maximilian the Emperour , after that Zuinglius and Luther had begun to preach . Vpon the matter these three are but one : great are the disputes , whether Galatinus stole his book from Raymundus or Porchetus ; from Porchetus , saith Morinus , and calls his worke plagium portentosum , cui vix simile unquam factum est : Exerc : 1. Cap. 2. from Raymundus , saith Scaliger , Epist. 2. 41. mistaking Raymundus Martinus for Raymundus Sebon ; but giving the first tidings to the world of that book . From Raymūdus also , saith Josephus de Voysin in his prolegom : to the Pugio fidei , and from him Hornebeck in his Proleg . ad Judae . I shall not interpose in this matter , the method of Galatinus and his stile are peculiar to him , but the coincidence of his Quotations too many to be ascribed to common Accident . That Porchetus took his Victoria adversus impios Judaeos for the most part from Raymundus , himselfe confesseth in his Preface . However certaine it is , Galatinus had no small opinion of his own skill , and therefore , according to the usuall way of men , who have attained , as they think , to some Eminency in any one kind of learning , laying more weight upon it than it is able to beare , he boldly affirmes , that the Originall of the Scripture is corrupted , and not to be restored but by the Talmud ; In which one concession he more injures the cause he pleads for against the Jews , then he advantageth it by all his books beside . Of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Rabbena Haskadosh there is no more news as yet in the world , then what he is pleased to acquaint us withall . At the same time Erasmus , Reuchlin , Vives , Xantes , Pagninus , and others , moved effectually for the restauration of the Hebrew , Greek , and Latin . But the worke principally prospered in the hands of the first Reformers , as they were all of them generally skilled in the Hebrew , so some of them as Capito , Bibliander , Fagius , Munster to that Height and usefulnesse , that they may well be reckoned as the Fathers and Patriarchs of that learning . At that time lived Elias Levita , the most learned of the Jews of that Age , whose Grammaticall writings were of huge importance in the studying of that tongue . This man as he was acquainted with many of the first Reformers , so he lived particularly with Paulus ●agius , as I have else where declared . Now in one book , which in those daies he published , called Massorech , Hammasoreth , he broached a new opinion , not much heard of , at least not at all received among the Jews , nor for ought that yet appears , once mentioned by Christians before , namely that the points or vowels , and accents used in the Hebrew Bible , were invented by some criticall Jew or Massorite , living at Tiberias about 5 or 600 yeares after Christ : no doubt the mans●ime ●ime was to reduce the world of Christians to a dependance on the ancient Rabbins , for the whole sense of the Scripture ; Hinc prima mali labes , Here lies the first breach in this matter . The fraud being not discovered , and this opinion being broached and confirmed by the great and almost only master of the language of that Age , some even of the first Reformers embraced his fancy . Perhaps Zuinglius had spoken to it before : justly I know not . After a while the poyson of this error beginning to operate , the Papists waiting on the mouths of the Reformers , like the servants of Benhadad on Ahab , to catch at every word that might fall from them to their advantage , beg an to make use of it . Hence Cochlaeus , lib. de Auth. Scripturae , Cap. 5. applauds Luther , for saying the Jews had corrupted the Bible with Points and distinctions , as well he might , for nothing could be spoken more to the advantage of his cause against him . Wherefore other learned men began to give opposition to this Error ; so did Munster , Junius , and others , as will be shewed in the ensuing discourse . Thus this matter rested for a season . The study of the Hebrew tongue and learning being carried on , it fell at length on him , who undoubtedly hath done more reall Service for the promotion of it , than any one man whatever , Jew or Christian . I meane Buxtorsius the Elder ; his Thesaurus Grammaticus , his Tiberias , or Commentarius Massorethicus , his Lexicons and Concordan●es , and many other Treatises , whereof some are not yet published , evince this to all the world . Even Morinus saith that he is the only man among Christians , that ever throughly understood the Massora ; and Symeon de Muys acknowledgeth his profiting by him , and learning from him ; Other Jews who undertake to be teachers , know nothing but what they learne of him . To omit the Testimony of all sorts of learned men , giving him the preheminence in this learning , it may suffice that his workes praise him . Now this man in his Tiberias or Commentarius Massorethicus , printed with the great Rabbinicall Bible of his own correct setting forth at Basil , An. 1620 , considereth at large this wh●l matter of the points , and discovereth the vanity of Elias his pretension about the Tiberian Massorites . But we must not it seems rest here : within a few yeares after , to make way for another designe , which then he had conceived ; Ludovicus Capellus published a discourse in the defence of the opinion of Elias , ( at least so far as concerned the rise of the punctation ) under the Title of Arcanum punctationis revelatum . The book was published by Erpenius without the name of the Author . But the Person was sufficiently known ; and Rivetus not long after took notice of him , and saith he was his friend , but concealed his name . Isag . ad Scr. 1. cap. 8. This new attempt immediately pleaseth some . Among others , our learned Professour Dr. Prideaux reads a publick Lecture on the Vespers of our Comitia on that subject ; wherein though he prefaceth his discourse with an observation of the advantage the Papists make of that opinion of the novelty of the points , and the danger of it , yet upon the matter he falls in wholly with Capellus , though he name him not . Among the large Encomiums of himselfe , and his worke , printed by Capellus in the close of his Critica sacra , there are two Letters from one Mr. Eyre here in England , in one whereof he tells him , that without doubt the Doctor read on that subject by the help of his book ; as indeed he useth his Arguments , & quotes his Treatise , under the name of Sud Hanisebhoth Hanaegalah . But that ( I say ) which seems to me most admirable in the Doctors discourse is , that whereas he had prefaced it with the weight of the controversy he had in hand , by the advantage the Papists make of the opinion of the novelty of the Points , citing their words to that purpose , himselfe in the body of his exercitations falls in with them , and speaks the very things which he seemed before to have blamed . And by this means this opinion tending so greatly to the disparagement of the Authority of the Originals , is crept in amongst Protestants also . Of the stop put unto its progresse by the full and learned Answer of Buxtorfius the younger ( who alone in this learning , in this age , seems to answer his Fathers worth ) unto Capellus , in his discourse de origine & antiquitate Punctorum , I shall speak more afterwards . However it is not amisse fallen out that the masters of this new perswasion are not at all agreed among themselves . Capellus would have it easy to understand the Hebrew text , and every word , though not absolutely by it selfe , yet as it lies in its contexture , though there were no points at all . Morinus would make the language altogether unintelligible on that account ; the one saith , that the points are a late invention of the Rabbins , and the other , that without them , the understanding of the Hebrew is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , yet though they look diverse wayes , there is a firebrand between them . But we have this Brand brought yet nearer to the Churches bread corne , in the prolegomena to the Biblia Polyglotta , lately printed at London . The solemne Espousall of this opinion of the Hebrew punctation , in that great worke , was one chiefe occasion of the second discourse , as you will find it at large declared in the entrance of it . I dare not mention the desperate consequences that attend this imagination , being affrighted among other things , by a little Treatise lately sent me ( upon the occasion of a discourse on this subject ) by my worthy and learned friend Dr. Ward , intituled fides divina , wherein its Author , who ever he be , from some principles of this Nature , and unwary Expressions of some learned men amongst us , labours to eject and cast out as uselesse the whole Scripture or word of God . I should have immediately returned an answer to that pestilent discourse , but that upon consideration , I found all his objections obviated or answered in the ensuing , treatises , which were then wholly finished . And this , as I said , was the first way whereby the poyson of undervaluing the Originalls crept in among Protestants themselves .

Now together with the knowledge of the tongues , the use of that knowledge in Criticall observations , did also encrease . The excellent use of this study and employment , with the fruits of it in the explanation of sundry difficulties , with many other advantages , cannot be easily expressed . But as the best things are apt to be most abused , so in particular it hath falne out with this kind of learning and studie . Protestants here also have chiefly mannaged the businesse . Beza , Camerarius , Scaliger , Casaubon , D●usius , Gomarus , Usher , Grotius , Hensius , Fuller , Dieu , Mede , Camero , Glasius , Capellus , Amama , with innumerable others , have excelled in this kind . But the mind of man being exceedingly vaine-glorious , curious , uncertain , after a doore to reputation and renowne , by this kind of learning was opened in the world , it quicly spread its selfe over all bounds and limits of Sobriety . The manifold inco●veniences , if not mischiefes , that have ensued on the boldnesse and curiosity of some in criticising on the Scripture , I shall not now insist upon ; and what it might yet grow unto , I have often heard the great Usher , expressing his feare . Of the successe of Grotius in this way we have a solid account weekly in the Lectures of our learned Professor , which I hope , he will in due time benefit the Publick withall . But it is only one or two things that my present designe calls mee upon to remarke .

Among other wayes that sundry men have fixed on to exercise their criticall abilities , one hath beene the collecting of various lections both in the old Testament and New . The first and honestest course fixed on to this purpose , was that of consulting various copies , and comparing them among themselves ; wherein yet there were sundry miscarriages , as I shall shew in the second treatise . This was the worke of Erasmus , Stephen , Beza , Arias Montanus , and some others ; some that came after them finding this Province possessed , and no other world of the like nature remaining for them to conquer , fixed upon another way , substituting to the service of their designe , as pernitious a principle , as ever I thinke was fixed on by any learned man since the foundation of the Church of Christ , excepting only those of Rome . Now this principle is that upon many grounds , which some of them are long in recounting : there are sundry corruptions crept into the Originals , which by their criticall faculty , with the use of sundry Engines , those especially of the Old Translations are to be discovered and removed . And this also receives countenance from these Prolegomena to the Biblia Polyglotta , as will afterwards be showne and discussed . Now this principle being once fixed , and a liberty of criticising on the Scripture , yea a necessity of it thence evinced , it is inconceiveable what springs of corrections and amendments rise up under their hands . Let me not be thought tedious if I recount some of them to you .

1 It is knowne that there is a double Consonancy in the Hebrew Consonants among themselves ; of some in figure that are unlike in sound , of some in sound that are unlike in figure , of the first sort are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the latter are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Now this is one principle of our new Criticks , that the Scribes of the Bible were sometimes mistaken by the likenesse of the Letters , in respect of figure , sometimes by their liknesse in respect of sound ; and so remembring the words they wrote , oftentimes put one for another ; so that whether they used their Eyes , or their Memories , they failed on one hand or another ; though the Jewes deny any Copy amongst them to be written but exactly by patterne , or that it is lawfull for a man to write one word in a Copy , but by patterne , though he could remember the words of the whole Bible : now whereas the signification of every word is regulated by its radix , it often falls out , that in the formation and inflexion of words , by reason of letters that are defective , there remaines but one letter of the Radix in them , at least that is pronounced : How frequent this is in this tongue , those who have very little skill in it , may ghesse by only taking a view of Frobenius his Bible , wherein the Radicall letters are printed in a distinct character , from all the praefixes and affixes in their variations . Now if a man hath a mind to criticise and mend the Bible , it is but taking his word , or words , that he will fix upon , & try what they will make by the cōmutation of the letters that are alike in figure or sound . Let him try what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will doe in the place of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or on the contrary ; which as they are radicall , or as they are prefixed , will sufficiently alter the sense ; and so of all the rest mentioned . If by this meanes any new sense that is tolerable , and pleaseth the Criticke , doth emerge , it is but saying the Scribe was mistaken in the likenesse of the Letters , or in the affinity of the sound , and then it is no matter , though all the Copies in the world agree to the contrary , without the least variation . It is evident that this course hath stood Capellus and Grotius in very good stead . And Symeon de Muys tells us a pretty story of himselfe to this purpose . de Heb. Edit. Antiq. & Verit. S. S. Yea this is the most eminent spring of the Criticismes on the old Testament , that these times afford : a thousand instances might be given to this purpose .

2. But in case this course faile , and no reliefe be afforded this way , than the transposition of Letters offers its assistance ; those who know any thing in this language , know what alteration in the sense of words may be made by such a way of procedure , frequently words of contrary senses , directly opposite consist only of the same Letters diversly placed . Every Lexicon will supply men with instances , that need not to be here repeated .

3. The points are taken into consideration ; and here bold men may even satisfie their curiosity . That word , or those three Letters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are instanced in by Hierome to this purpose , Hom. 9. 12 : as it may be printed it will afford 8 severall senses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is verbum & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is pestis ; as farre distant from one another as life and death ; those letters in that order may be read with — and — and — and — and — , the Jewes give instances how by this meanes , men may destroy the world . But

4. Suppose that this ground proves barren also , it is but going to an old Translation , the 70 , or vulgar Latin , and where any word likes us , to consider what Hebrew word answers unto it , and if it discovers an agreement in any one Letter , in Figure or sound , with the word in that Text , then to say that so they read in that copy ; yea rather then faile , be the word as farre different from what is read in the Bible as can be imagined , averre it to yeeld the more convenient sense , and a various lection is found out .