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Exercitatio V.
Testimonies cited by the Apostle out of the Old Testament. Compared with the Original and Translations. Whence the Agreement of some of them with that of the LXX.
[§ 1] THere is not any thing in this Epistle that is attended with more difficulty, than the Citation of the Testimonies out of the Old Testament that are made use of in it. Hence, some from their unsuitableness, as they have supposed, unto the Authors purpose, have made bold to call in question, if not to reject the Authority of the whole. But what concerns the matter of them, and the Wisdom of the Apostle in their Application, it must be treated on, in the respective places where they occurr, when we shall manifest how vain and causeless are the Excep∣tions which have been laid against them, and how singularly they are suited to the proof of those Doctrines and Assertions, in the confirmation whereof, they are produced. But the Words also wherein they are expressed, varying frequently from the Original, yeild some difficulty in their Consideration. And this concernment of the Apostles Ci∣tations to prevent a further trouble in the Exposition its self of the several places, may be previously considered. Not that we shall here explain and vindicate them from the Exceptions mentioned, which must on necessity be done afterwards as occasion offers its self; but only discover in general, what respect the Apostles Expressions have unto the Original and the old Translations thereof, and remove some false Inferences that have been made on the consideration of them. To this end I shall briefly pass through them all, and compare them with the places whence they are taken.
CHAP. I.
[§ 2] CHap. 1. v. 5. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee; from Psalm 2. v. 7. The words exactly answer the Original, with the only supply of the Verb Substantive, whereof in the Hebrew there is almost a perpe∣tual Elipsis. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And the same are the Words in the Translation of the LXX. In the same Verse, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. I will be unto him a Father, and he shall be unto me a Son; from 1 Chron. chap. 22. v. 10. The LXX. otherwise as to the order of the Words; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; which also is the order of the Sentences in the Original; the Apostle using his own liberty, and varying from them both; so that this Quotation is not directly from that Translation.
Ver. 6. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And let all the Angels of God Wor∣ship him; From Psal. 97. v. 7. without change; only 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gods, is rendered by the Apostle 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Angels of God; of the Reason whereof, afterwards. The LXX. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; Worship him all ye his Angels, differing from the Apostle both in form of Speech and Words. Hence some not understanding whence this Testimony was cited by the Apostle, have inserted his words into the Greek Bible, Deut. 32. v. 43. where there is no colour for their introduction, nor any thing in the Original to answer unto them; whereas the Psalmist expresly treateth of the same sub∣ject with the Apostle; to the reason of which insertion into the Greek Version we shall speak afterwards.
Ver. 7. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; who maketh his Angels Spirits, and his Ministers a flame of fire. From Psal. 104. v. 4. The LXX. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a flaming fire. Heb. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 fire of flame. Aquila 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a vehe∣ment fire. Symmachus 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a fiery flame; much variety, with little or no difference, as it often falls out amongst good Translators rendring peculiar Hebraisms, such as this is. The Apostles expression is his own, not borrowed from the LXX.