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would be no impropriety in terming the two main portions of the Scriptures the Old and New Covenant; implying thereby, not two distinct and unrelated covenants, but merely the former and latter dispensation of the one covenant of grace. See the ground of this,

Jer. 31. 31-34; Heb. 8. 6-13.

Is the Old Testament at all superseded by the New? Mat. 5. 17.

What is to be understood by the distinction of the Scriptures into Canonical and Apocryphal?

The word Canon is derived from a Greek word signifying rule or measure, and the epithet canonical is applied to such books of Scripture as are of undoubted Divine authority, containing an infallible rule of faith and practice. Apocryphal signifies hidden, concealed, and is applied to certain books frequently bound up in the sacred volume, from their being of obscure and doubtful origin, not possessing the proper testimonials to entitle them to a place among the genuine inspired writings. Accordingly they were never received by the Jews-are not found in the earliest catalogues-were never allowed to be authentic till established of Divine authority by a Papal council in 1550-and to the present day are rejected from the Canon by Protestants, though admitted to be valuable in themselves, and worthy of more attention than they usually receive.

By whom was the Canon of the Old Testament settled in the order in which we now have it ?

Ans. By the common consent of the learned both of Jews and Christians, this work is ascribed to Ezra, after the return from the Babylonish captivity.

What is our Saviour's division of the writings of the Old Testament? Luke 24. 44. It is to be observed that by Psalms here is meant, nat

merely the book that bears that title in the Scriptures, but what is termed the Hagiographa, including all the books besides the Law and the Prophets.

What is the division which now most generally obtains?

Ans. Into 1. The Pentateuch, or five books of Moses. 2. The Historical Books, from Joshua to Esther inclusive. 3. The Poetical Books, from Job to the Song of Solomon inclusive. 4. The Prophetic Books, comprising all the remainder.

Is the subordinate division into chapters and verses of ancient or modern date?

Ans.

Comparatively modern; that into chapters was the invention of Hugo de Sancto Caro, a Roman Catholic Cardinal, who flourished about A. D. 1240; that into verses is usually attributed to Rabbi Mordecai Nathan, a celebrated Jewish teacher, who lived A. D. 1445. The author of the introduction of verses into the New Testament was Robert Stephens, who lived in the sixteenth century.

Is this division an advantage?

Ans. To the mere reader or interpreter of the sacred volume, who wishes to obtain a clear, connected view of the chain of narration, precept, prophecy, or argument of a particular book, it is probably a disadvantage; but on the other hand, the facilities afforded by it in the matter of quotation and reference are so great as perhaps to counterbalance all other inconve niences. Without some division of this kind, it would be next to impossible to frame a Concordance, and yet no aid is so important to the right understanding of the Scriptures as a Concordance.

In what language was the Old Testament originally written?

Ans. In the Hebrew; which, though probably the first language spoken in the world, was, after the confusion of tongues, so called from being spoken

principally by the people known by the name of Hebrews, from Eber, the grandson of Shem. Gen. 10.25. What are the principal cognate or kindred languages of the Hebrew?

Ans. The Chaldee, the Syriac, and the Arabic dialects, probably derived immediately from the primitive Hebrew, and furnishing very useful aid in its interpretation.

In what form have the ancient Scriptures been preserved and handed down to modern times?

Ans. In that of manuscripts, written mostly on vellum or parchment, either rolled like a map, or in a book-form, with the text usually written in two or three parallel columns. The Jews to this day use no other copies in their synagogues than rolled manuscripts, which are transcribed with the utmost care, and often executed with great beauty.

Have the Scriptures come down to us free from corruption?

Ans. It cannot be affirmed that any copy of the Scriptures now in existence is absolutely perfect. The lapse of time and the numerous transcriptions through which the sacred writings have passed, would naturally expose them in some degree to the inroads of error; and some instances of this kind have been pointed out. But on the whole the integrity of the Scriptures has been remarkably preserved. The most accurate inquiries have been instituted on this head, and the result of the laborious and critical examina tion of learned men has shewn, that the alterations of the sacred text are extremely slight and trivial, and that in all essential points we have the Divine revela tion as it came from the hands of the several penmen. What is the earliest translation of the Scrip tures of which we are now possessed? Ans. The Greek; made two or three centuries

before the Christian era, and usually called the Septuagint, or the version of the Seventy, from its being said to have been performed by seventy-two persons at the command of Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt. This was the copy of the Scriptures most in Vogue in the time of Christ and his Apostles, and from which the quotations in the New Testament and in the writings of the early Fathers are generally made.

What version is that usually denominated the Vulgate?

Ans. The Latin; a very ancient translation, but still of a date subsequent to the era of Christianity. It is the only one allowed by the Roman Catholic Church to be authentic; with them it is the standard of ultimate appeal. Their English translation is called the Douay Bible, from the name of the place where it was published.

By whose authority, and at what time, was the present English Version undertaken? Ans. By that of James I, king of England, in the year 1607.

How many persons were employed in the translation, and on what plan was it conducted?

These

Ans. Fifty-four men, pre-eminently distinguished for piety and learning, were appointed to execute this great work. Before it was commenced, seven of the persons nominated had either died or declined, and only forty-seven actually entered upon it. were divided into six classes, and each individual translated every book allotted to his division. The whole division then met, and agreed upon the renderings which they would adopt. Their part thus finished was sent to each of the other companies to be again examined, and here the method was for one to read the translation aloud, while the others holding each in their hand some other Bible, either in the

original tongues, or in some modern version, diligently compared what they heard with what was before their eyes, interrupting the reader by remarks whenever they deemed it necessary. In this way every precaution was taken to secure a faithful translation, as the whole Bible underwent at least six different revisions by the most learned men in the kingdom. The result of their labours was first published A. D. 1611. It has subsequently been frequently revised with great care, and many marginal additions made, but no changes attempted in the body of the work. It still remains the standard Version.

What is its general character?

Ans. By the unanimous voice of the most competent judges it is ranked among the very best translations of this or any other book in the world. In point of fidelity, perspicuity, simplicity, energy, and dignity, it doubtless stands unrivalled. It cannot indeed be considered immaculate; many undeniable errors, blemishes, and faults, have been pointed out, which it would be desirable to have corrected, but there is no reason to think that, taken as a whole, it could be surpassed by any translation which should now be attempted. Still we are by no means of opinion that all attempts at an improved version are to be discouraged.

What is the use of the words and sentences occurring in Italics in this translation? Ans. They are inserted for the purpose of making out a complete sense in our language where the expression in the original is elliptical, or where the idioms of the two languages are so different that a literal translation would leave the sentence defective.

Why is the word 'Lord' in the English Bible sometimes printed in capitals and sometimes in smaller letter?

Ans. To denote a distinction between two words

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