A supplement to Dr. Hammond's paraphrase and annotations on the New Testament in which his interpretation of many important passages is freely and impartially examin'd, and confirm'd or refuted : and the sacred text further explain'd by new remarks upon every chapter / by Monsieur Le Clerc ; English'd by W. P. ; to which is prefix'd a letter from the author to a friend in England, occasion'd by this translation.

CHAP. XII.

Vers. 2. Note a. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is rightly here interpreted by Grotius, a Christian, whom our Author ought to have follow∣ed, since there are manifest Instances of this Phrase in that sense, as I have shewn on Rom. xii.5. It is a thing to be won∣der'd at, that Dr. Hammond in his Paraphrase on Rom. xvi. has not once rightly interpreted this Phrase. The Examples which he here alledges, are perfectly forein to his purpose, and all the likeness be∣tween them is only in the Particle 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Vers. 7. Note b. If St. Paul had said simply, that there was given to him a Messenger of Satan, that thrust a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Twig in his Flesh, I should easily believe that this passage were rightly understood by Dr. Hammond and other Expositors, of some Persecutions which St. Paul suffered. But seeing he says, there was given me a Twig in the Flesh, a Messenger of Satan to buffet me; I rather think a molestation from some particular evil Spirit is here meant, who continually afflicted him, and put him to as great pain as if he had thrust a Twig into his Flesh, and brought as much contempt upon him as if he had been buf∣feted; St. Paul not being ignorant of the cause of his suffering so ma∣ny Evils. And because it is before said, Lest the greatness of the Reve∣lations should exalt me, or lest I should be lifted up above measure by the excellency of the Revelations; I am apt to think that the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is an allusion to some very sharp piece of Wood, not of any sort what∣soever,

but one which should be placed over a Man stooping, ready to prick him grievously when ever he rose up. Let us represent to our selves the case of Regulus, whom the Carthaginians 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, killed by shutting him up in a Cage that had Goads on all sides; which are the words of Appian in Lib. 1. Which way soever he moved himself, the Goads prick'd him. And something like this would be the case of a Man who should have some sharp Stakes or wooden Spears hanging over him, whilst he bowed his body, that would run into his Flesh, whenever he raised himself. And so if St. Paul grew proud, or suffer'd himself to be puffed up because of the Revelations which he had received from God, there was ready at hand an evil Spirit, who had obtained permission of God to oppose him, to torment and afflict him.

Vers. 8. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.] These words, in my judgment, shew that it is not any sort of Persecutions stirred up by Men against St. Paul (which he was always ready to suffer for the sake of the Gospel) that are here spoken of; but a particular evil Spirit, which, as it were, accompanied St. Paul, and wherever he went, did him all the mischief he could, either of himself, or by men as his Instruments.

Vers. 11. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.] It seems then by this, that it is not always unlawful for a Man to speak in his own praise. See Plutarch's little Treatise de laude sui.

Vers. 21. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.] Our Author thinks the Apostle has a respect here to the unnatural lusts practised at Idol-Feasts; as if there were no Feasts kept by the Heathens in honour of their Idol Gods where such Lusts were not practised, whereas it is certain that the Heathens, especially in Greece, seldom mixed any such vile practices with their Religious Solemnities, as I have already elsewhere more than once observed. See on 1 Cor. v.10. So that I rather think any sort of unlawful Lusts whatsoever are here intended.

Notes

• Chapter XIII.