much of our Schifm and unneceffary Separation; and very much conduce to the introducing a better Spirit among

us.

But I would not be mistaken. I do not think 'tis fit that every Man should be allowed to write Commentaries on the Bible: What I plead for, is this, That something of this should be ap pointed by the Governors of the Church, and that after the matureft Confideration of the whole matter. 'Tis not the Scripture hath done hurt to the World, what-ever our Adverfaries affirm: 'Tis the misunderstanding and mifapplying them that hath done it: And hence indeed many mischiefs have a-risen, which might by this care be in great measure prevented for the future.

'Tis true; Our People have the Scriptures Tranflated: And this Tranflation is a very good one: They have also a Marginal reading, very often, to help them to understand them: And fometimes they have alfo Bibles, with ufefull Re

ferences,

ferences, for their farther affiftance. I readily own that these are great Bleffings. But ftill the diligent Reader of the Holy Scripture fhould be farther encouraged.

For the Translation of the Bible which we use, it is very excellent; I am apt to believe 'tis inferior to none, either ancient or modern. The Memory of thofe Perfons who laboured in it, ought to be precious. Yet after all, there may be fome things in it that require farther confideration, And admitting it to be the best Verfion in the World, it will be neceffary that the Pious Reader fhou'd have fome farther affiftance towards the better understanding of these Holy Books. For though a good Man that is diligent will find enough here to carry him to Heaven, if he be carefull to practise what he reads, and may ea fily understand; yet ftill there will of ten occurr to him feveral things here that wou'd require fome Explication to make it more cafie and ufefull to a well-dif

pofed

pofed Reader. Perhaps 'tis a thing unpoffible to give a ftrict Verfion out of the Hebrew Tongue into the English, that will not require now and then some Explication to fix and determine the Sense, which without it will be fomewhat ob fcure and doubtfull. The genius and peculiarities of one Language and the other are very different; and a strict Verfion is indeed but what is highly fit, but then the keeping close to this will not fail to leave fome things more doubtfull and obfcure. As for inftance, 'tis faid, That because the Mid-wives feared God, he made them houses, Exod. 1. 21. The English Reader will be apt to think, that by THEM is meant the Mid wives • Whereas that word referrs to the Ifrae lites, not to the, Mid-trives: For 'tis the Masculine Gender in the Hebrew. But the English does not diftinguifh the Gen der of Pronouns, as the Hebrew and other Languages do. Nor is the Verfion to be blamed, for the Nature of

the

the Language is such as will not allow any thing better. He shall dwell in the Tents of Shem, Gen. 9. 27. To whom He referrs, the English Reader cannot learn; a Note on the place will direct him. Besides, a fhort Note many times prevents a Miftake, and prevents a Ca vil; and fets that in clear light, which wou'd otherwise have been very doubtfull. And whereas there are those who take offence at some Phrases or Expressi ons, a fhort Note may hinder and pre

vent all this.

'Tis true, we have a Marginal reading that is often very usefull to us. But ftill the ordinary Reader will fometime be at a stand which of the Readings rather to adhere unto; And therefore he will in this matter want farther affistance. So that here is ftill need of fome Note to direct the Reader.

I grant that the References to Parak lel places, and to fuch other places as will give light to the Text, are of great

ufe:

ufe. But many times they are not fo to the English Reader, because he will not be able to discern the purpose of the Reference, and the end to which it ferves. Whereas a fhort Note would open the matter to him.

It will be faid that we have already feveral Commentaries on the Bible in the English Tongue; and there is therefore nothing wanting of this kind. To which I answer, That though it be true that there are several fuch Writings, yet is this no Objection against what I am pleading for. For I think 'tis fit there fhou'd be one that fhall be approved and recommended to the People by the Governors of the Church, and which they will be anfwerable for. For those we have. of this kind, fome of them are too voluminous; and the People have not ability to purchase, or leifure to per ufe them: Others are not perhaps fo fitted for common ufe. But that which I infift mainly upon, is this, That 'tis

fit