QVEST. XIV. Whether the Hebrew or Syriake be most ancient.

HEnce also it is evident, that Theodoret was much deceived. 1. He thinketh that the Syriacke tongue was the most ancient,* because those names, Adam, Cain, Abel, are Syriacke names. Answ. The Syriake or Chaldaike, and Arabike language, were derived as Rivers out of the fountaine of the Hebrew: and therefore it is no strange thing, if some Hebrew words are retained in those languages. 2. He thinketh that the Hebrew speech was not so called of Heber, for then all the posterity of Heber, as the Syrians, Idu∣means, Ismaelites, Ammonites, should also speake that language. Ans. Augustine giveth the reason hereof: that they were called Hebrewes only among whom & lingua prior & pietas conservaretur, where both the ancient tongue, and religion were preserved: although Heber was the father of many nations beside, yet they beare his name, that did heire his faith. 3. Theodoret thinketh, that the Hebrew tongue was brought in by Moses, and was not the naturall speech of the Israelites, but such as they learned: for the Jewes at this day naturally speake the language of the Countrey, where they are borne: they doe learne the He∣brew by teaching. Answ. 1. It is evident by those ancient Hebrew names of Adam, Cain, Abel, that the Hebrew tongue was used before Moses time. 2. While the Hebrewes lived in their owne nation and com∣mon-wealth,* they naturally from their mothers breasts speake that language, but now being dispersed in∣to divers nations, not conversing together, they are forced to use that Countrey speech where they dwell. 3. Augustine thinketh, that not onely the Hebrew tongue, but the Hebrew letters were used and well knowne before Moses: and he doth gather it from that place, Deut. 31.28. where the Septuagint translate the word, shoterim grammat•• Isagogis, the teachers, instructers, or beginners in letters. But it is very like, howsoever this place giveth no strength to it, in that the people were commanded to write the Law upon the posts of their gates, that the Hebrew letters were then very well knowne, not as newly taken up, but used of long time.