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support . Why not acquiesce at once in the language of unbiassed translators , whom we can understand as readily ' as we can the authors of other books , rather than perplex ourselves with an analysis of the original writings ? Does salvation rest on the
correctness of the expositor ? " All this , 1 repeat , may be fluently alleged—and it may as promptly be answered by a reference to the government of God and the frame of man . If Dr . Bruce ' s position be solid , we have only to embrace and hold fast
" All that the nurse and all the priest has taught /' and utterly to dissever scholarship and care and enlightened judgment from
theological pursuits . —Let us now pass from this very estimable person to divines of a more distant age ; from the text of the Scriptures to a rule which should not be neglected in the
translation of them . The rule is , tju * t the diligence of the translator should be unremitted ; few if any difficulties being- insuperable by such diligence . Let him , therefore , be as minutely accurate as possible ,
In the preface to the larger copies of tlie Received Version the following singular passage occurs :
* ' it cannot be dissembled that , partly to exercise and whet our wits , partly to wean the curious from loathing of them [ the Scriptures ] for their every-day plainness , partly also to stir
up our devotion , to crave the assistance of God ' s Spirit by prayer , and , lastly , that we might be forward to seek aid of our brethren by conference , &c . &c . —it hath pleased God in his divine providence , here and there to scatter
words and sentences of that difficulty and doubtfulness , not in doctrinal points that concern salvation , but in matters of less moment , that fearfulness would better beseem us than confidence . "
Beyond question , it is a general principle of the Divine administration , thnt man ' s assiduity , and his consciousness of dependence , shall be heightened by the difficulties accompanying lus pursuits . Were nothing further than a truth so obvious and so
important conveyed by the language which I have copied , I should have ° ™ Y to adopt it , with unqualified and
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cordial ^ sserit . King James ' s translators evidently mean to say , that obscurities in the style of the Bible are specially ordained by Heaven , for this purpose . On what authority do they make the statement ? Does the Bible
itself contain any such intimation ? Or do they appeal to the reason of the case } But are not the records of revelation designed to be understood ? At the same time , are they not written in the dialects of their several
countries and ages ? Why then resort to so infirm and equivocal a principle , by way of accounting for the existence Of verbal difficulties , when those difficulties arise , in the main , * from the date and nature of the languages ? Nor are such perplexities insurmountable : many of them have vanished before the increased erudition and
diligence of theological scholars ; and we may with justice conclude that , in the progress of years , this will be the fate of most of the remainder . What we chiefly need , is a larger number of well qualified and unremitting
labourers . In some instances , spurious humility , which , in truth , is conceit and selfimportance , may be nourished by the exceptionable sentiment that I have
quoted . A scriptural phrase , for example , baffles the inquiries , penetration and knowledge of a young student in divinity ; though , as we might well suppose , its meaning has been clear to critics of sound and tried
judgment , and of the greatest name . It has embarrassed his faculties ( which , really , can be no disgrace to him ) : and hence he concludes that it was left obscure , in order to embarrass
every man ' s faculties , and to humble human pride 1 Who does not perceive that such , an argument is utterly inconsequential ; that such a decision bespeaks any thing but diffidence ?
Let a few words be added on minute accuracy in the interpretation of the Sacred Volume . This accuracy , employed on single passages and terms , is far preferable to what some tlnines are fond of
call-* Other causes might , no doubt , be assigned . Among these is a fyndoess of allegorical interpretation : upon which subject the late Mr . Conybeare ' s lectures well deserve pfcrusal , though they may not always command assent .
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Accuracy in the Stutty of the Scriptures . 887
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1825, page 387, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2538/page/3/
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