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THe Tongues or Languages are the Boxes or Cabinets, where∣in all Sciences or sorts of know∣ledge, the Jewels of all Truths both Divine and Humane, Theological, Moral and Natural, are laid up.
Skill in the Languages is a Key that unlocks and opens all these, and lets a man into the knowledge of them all. It is (as one saith) that to a Minister, which the Sea is to an Haven-town, to bring in all
sorts of Provision from foreign parts to replenish and enrich the same.
Every Tongue hath a peculiar Idiome, or form of Speech, or innate Emphasis, Elegancy, and Perspicuity, which cannot be so fitly and fully expressed in a Trans∣lation, without some Circumlocution, Di∣minution, or Alteration.
Hence it is, that every Book is best in its own Tongue, wherein it was originally written by the Author thereof; that is, the soundest, and the clearest.
The Knowledge of Hebrew, Greek, and Latine, is requisite, because the Super∣scription of our Saviors Title on the Cross was in these three Languages, Luk. 23.38. for three Reasons: