A treatise of the necessity of humane learning for a Gospel-preacher shewing the use of I. Languages, II. Rhetoric, III. Logic, IV. Natural philosophy, V. Moral philosophy, VI. History, VII. Chronology, VIII. Arithmetic, IX. Geometry, X. Astronomy, XI. Geography, and the benefits of learning in all ages : also this question is determined, whether grace be essential to a minister of the Gospel? / by Edward Reyner ...

SECT. IV. Of the Greek Tongue.

THe Greek Tongue is of use in two Re∣spects; * 1.1 first, in Reference to the Greek version of the old Testament, by the Septuagint; for by understanding it, and how it was used by the Jews, throughout Egypt, Syria, and Asia long before Christs time, and publiquely read in their Syna∣gogues, scarce one in an hundred then un∣derstanding the Hebrew, a fair account may be given why so many places cited by Christ, and his Apostles out of the Old Testament, are set down according to that Version; and that too where it differs from the Hebrew, as in Luk. 3.36. where Cainan is inserted out of the Septuagint, but is not in the Hebrew: so Acts 7.14. (taken out of Gen. 46.27.) seventy five souls are taken out of the Septuagint, the He∣brew hath but seventy: so Acts 13.41. taken out of Habak. 1.5. The Apostle fol∣lowing

the Greek Translation, saith—be∣hold ye despisers, for—behold ye among the Heathen, as the Hebrew hath it. So Acts 15.17. taken out of Amos 9.12. Hebr. 12.6. out of Prov. 3.12. 1 Pet. 2.6. (the last words) out of Isaiah 28.16. Many more Instances of this nature are collected by Taylor, and Bootius in their Examen Praefationis Morini, Sect. 4.5.6. and Ludovicus Capellus in his Critica Sacra, l. 3. c. 3.

The cause why Sacred Writers so oft fol∣lowed the Seventy was, because, if they had wholly sleighted their Translation, it might have been a great prejudice to the Faith, both of those Jews and Gentiles, who had no other in ordinary use, the Greek being a Language common, and in∣telligible to both.

Though this may be also observed, that many places are quoted by the Apostles out of the Old Testament, according to the Hebrew, and not according to the Se∣venty, whom they leave sometimes, even when the sense in the Version is the same, and the difference but in words: to the end, that their indulgence to the Grecising Jews and Gentiles, in using the Greek Ver∣sion received by them, might not be so in∣terpreted, as if they accounted it Authen∣tical,

and not to be receded from. The pla∣ces are Mat. 2.15. taken out of Hos. 11.1. and Matth. 8.17. out of Esay 53.4. John 19.37. out of Zach. 12.10. Rom. 9.17. out of Exod. 9.16. with many more to be seen in Capel. Critic. sacr. lib. 2. cap. 1. Usserius de 70. interpretibus, cap. 3. Taylor and Bootius in Examen Praefat. Morini, sect. 7.

Also the Greek Tongue is necessary to understand many Latine words derived from it, and many terms of much use in Di∣vinity; and the several Arts, and to un∣derstand the Greek Fathers, who have Commented on the Scriptures, and strenu∣ously defended Religion by Theological Treatises.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Usserius de ver∣sione 70 Inter∣pretum, cap. 3.