active part in procuring a charter and an endowment for this seminary as a college, but the modesty of the tutors, Messrs. Evans and Newton, prevented him from promoting that object. In the new building, which has since been erected for the academy at Bristol, the library and museum contains these valuable presents, where the Doctor's name is duly honoured; and his curiosities are shown for the gratification of its numerous visitors. There is, too, an excellent painting of the Doctor, (from whence his engravings, holding Magna Charta and the Alexandrian MS. in his hand, appear to be taken,) in the British Museum, which a few years since was in one of the publick rooms of that institution; there is also a bust, which is said to be an excellent likeness, in the vestry of Eaglestreet meeting-house. The following is the inscription in the Museum, which has been translated into English by Mr. John Satchell:: D. O. M. P. F. S. IN VSVM. JVVENTVT. GYMNASIOLI HVJVSMODI BAPTISTI. I. OLIM INSTITVTI. MVSEVM. HOC. D. D. D. A. GIFFORD, D. D. ÆT. LXXX. AVG. XXVIII. MDCCLXXX. HVG. ET CALEB EVANS, A. M. ET JAC. NEWTON, GYMNASIARCHIS TRANSLATION. To God, Father, Son, and Spirit, Formerly founded by the munificence of Edward Terrill, A. GIFFORD, D. D. in the 80th year of his age, August 28, 1780, and dedicated to Hugh and Caleb Evans, M. A. and James Newton, Masters. There is a plain head-stone in Bunhill-fields, on which is the following inscrip tion: H. S. E. A. GIFFORD, D. D. P. F. VIX ANN. LXXXIIII. MDCCLXXXIIII. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. ON THE SUPPLIED WORDS IN THE sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father." The words, it shall be given, are superfluous; and give the text such a turn that it seems to afford some LANGUAGES differ in their forms of expression. Some admit, and frequently use an ellipsis, where support to the Socinian cause. others do not. Hence, in transAnd let the passage be read accordlating, it is necessary to supplying to its native simplicity. "But ics. 2. Cor. vi. 1. "We then as workers together with him”—The sense appears complete without the words with him: "We then, as workers together," or as fellow labourers. Should 1. Cor. iii. 9, some words: otherwise a translato sit on my sight hand, and on my tion would, in many instances, be left, is not mine to give, except to unintelligible. This is true with them for whom it is prepared of respect to translations of the Bimy Father," and it yields a perble. The translators of our Eng- fect sense, giving no countenance lish Version have carefully distinto so pernicious an error; but is guished the words which they have quite consistent with those declathought it necessary to supply, by rations of our Lord in which he ascausing them to be printed in Ital-serts his unlimited authority to It is far from my intention dispense rewards and punishto advance any thing calculated to ments. See John v. 22. Luke derogate from these venerable xxii. 29, and Matt. xxv. 31-41. men, or from the valuable transla- Comp. Mark ix. 8, with Matth. tion of the Scriptures with which xvii. 8, in Greek. they have furnished us. I would not, however, ascribe infallibility to any man or body of men. While they have performed that part of their task which respects elliptical expressions with much fidelity, judgment, and skill, they For we are labourers together have undoubtedly left some room with God," be adduced in support for improvement. By having des- of the supplemental clause, it may ignated the words which they have be replied, that it is conceived the supplied, they appear to have in- learned reader will see cause to tended to allow even such as do prefer the Geneva translation in not understand the original lan- that passage. "For we together guages of the Bible the liberty of are God's labourers." It is the exercising their own judgment, in more necessary to investigate these reference to the necessity and passages, because some have, by propriety of them. It is certainly, great inattention and perversion, therefore, allowable, and may be attempted to establish upon them useful, to point out a few instances the sentiment, that sinners are coin which the supplied words ap-workers with God in the matter of pear to be either redundant, inaccurate, or deficient. 1st. Redundency. Wherever the original words alone afford a consistent sense, supplemental words unnecessary. are We have an instance of such redundancy in Matt. xx. 23. But to their salvation. So far is this from Luke "There is an exactly parallel expression, John vii. 39. "For the Holy Ghost was not yet given," (say our translators rightly,) "because that Jesus was not yet glorified.” These disciples had not heard of the actual effusion of the Holy Ghost." Parkhurst in Pneuma, 7th. 2d. Inaccuracy. When there pressly taught, that they should is such an ellipsis in the orginal be baptized with the Holy Ghost. as renders it necessary to supply Matt. iii. 11. Mark i. 8. a word or clause, the supplement iii. 16. John i. 33. should be that which the words of the text, the context, and the nature of the subject require. This rule appears to be violated in Numb. xi. 31, where we read, that the quails lay, as it were, two cubits high, upon the face of the earth." It would certainly have been more correct to have said, "two cubits apart." In verse 32, we are informed, that the people were employed two days and one night in gathering them; which could scarcely have been the case, had they been about three feet high, over the face of the ground. Besides, there would not have been room to "spread them abroad.” 66 Rom. vii. 10. "And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death." Would it not be more consistent to understand the Apostle as saying, "And the commandment which I supposed to be to life, I found to be unto death ?" He did not mean to inform us, that he found the thing different from what it really was; but that he was convinced of his error. If the commandment or law could have awarded life to any, it certainly would have secured it to him. Phil. iii. 6. But, that it could not confer life, and was not ordained for that intent, is plain from Scripture. See Gal. iii. 19, Rom. iii. 20. Ch. v. 20, and 2 Cor. iii. 7. 21. Rom. vi. 17. "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin; but ye have obeyed from the heart.-All obscurity may be removed from this text by supplying one word, which seems evidently understood "But God be thanked, that, though ye were," &c. May these brief remarks tend to remove any wrong ideas which may have been formed, and to impart correct views of the import of the passages on which they are offered. PHILOGRAPHES. THE RETURN OF THE JEWS. COUNTRY and home are dear to every human being. are about to leave them, our affections linger; nor can they be persuaded to accompany us, until they have first exacted and obtained a promise of return. As we are borne away, every moment of leisure is employed in looking back to the place of our nativity, which regardless of our anxieties sd. Deficiency. Acts xix. 2. seems rapidly to fly from us and "We have not so much as heard when we have arrived at the place whether there be any Holy Ghost." of our destination, we occasionally The word given ought to be sup-climb the highest eminence, and plied. The passage would then endeavor to descry the spot which read, "We have not so much as is rendered sacred by all the assoheard whether the Holy Ghost be ciations of youth-or if it be begiven." They surely were not ig-yond the reach of our vision, we norant of the existence of that person in the Trinity, as they were disciples of John, who ex often sit with our faces turned in that direction, and many of the scenes of early life will pass be The great object in calling Abraham from "Ur of the Chaldees," from a family that "serv fore our minds, and while with pleasurable emotions we review the past, we long with painful anxiety to re-visit the place and re-ed other Gods," seems to have been mingle in whatever was once delightful. This is a general statement of the feeling; but if we analyze it, we shall find, that in different individuals it arises in view of differ ent objects. The man, who delights in agriculture, will be anxious to return to the tillage of his fields. The scholar to his books. The man whose social feelings are easily excited, will long to return to his friends: whilst the man in whose heart the love of God has been shed abroad, will desire to return to his privileges, to christian society, to the house of God, and to all the holy scenes, where he first dedicated himself to the service of his Creator. the establishment of a nation, which should "fear God and keep his commandments." It was designed to be a peculiar nation-a nation distinct in a religious respect from every other nation on earth. The place where this nation should enjoy peculiar privileges; where it should display traits of character distinct from those of every other people; where it should undergo the discipline of Jehovah, was the land of Canaan-a country, whose fields poured forth their fruits in rich abundance. Now according to the principle, which has just been established, the phrase Land of Canaan," would mean very different things in the mouths of different individNow if we were to inquire what uals. If it were used by a man a return to country and home who regarded it only as a fertile means in the mouths of these dif- country, as a place yielding all ferent individuals, we should prob- the luxuries that could be desirably find its signification as vari- ed; or affording all the opportuous as the objects which have par-nities of acquiring extensive posticularly shared their attention sessions and numerous herds, it and their feelings. All indeed would mean nothing more than would feel an attachment to their a delightful residence, a very desircountry, regarded merely as their able place. If it were used by country; but this would be only one, who desired, far from the polone, and perhaps the least ingredi- luting rites of heathenism, to enjoy ent in composing that state of the means of knowing his duties mind which longs for return. The to God and to man, who longed objects of their pursuit and of their for opportunities to serve his Creaffection would be the principal ator, and who knew, that here cause of this anxiety. only they could be obtained, it would mean the enjoyment of these privileges and opportunities of serving his Maker. It is certain that the Scriptures and all other books are to be interpreted with a due regard to such principles. Without them we shall fail of arriving at the true meaning. I am not to be understood as advocating a "double sense." All that I attempt to maintain, is, that the feelings and views of a person, who makes an assertion; or of him, to whom an assertion is made, are to be duly regarded in our attempts to arrive at the true meaning of Scripture. DECEMBER, 1825. The nature, then, of the human mind will lead us to suppose, that the terms "Land of Canaan," "Rest," "Judah," "Jerusalem," "Zion," &c. may be used metaphorically; and instead of presenting to the mind the country, or city of which they are the proper names, they may suggest the rites and privileges enjoyed there, or the disposition of the inhabit 46 ants towards God, or perhaps only || his devout worshippers. Isa. lxii. 1, 2. "For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace ;-And That these terms are used met- for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, aphorically is not however a mat--Until the righteousness thereof ter of mere supposition. The go forth as brightness,-And the "usus loquendi" of the sacred salvation thereof as a lamp that writers absolutely requires this in- burneth,-And the Gentiles see thy terpretation. Whoever attentive- righteousness,-And all kings thy ly reads the prophetick parts of the sacred Volume cannot fail of arriving at a persuasion that the names of places are sometimes used to designate spiritual objects. This position will be fully established by a perusal of the following passages. Psalms cxxxii. 13, 14. Lord hath chosen Zion. "The He hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever. Isa. xxviii. "Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone-a tried stone -a precious corner stone-a sure foundation. He that believeth shall not make haste." The term "stone" is here used metaphorically, and denotes the Saviour. The name of the place, therefore, of which it is the foundation, must be used metaphorically, and denotes the church. glory." Now if the desires of the prophet for the prosperity and unlimited reputation of his native city were so great as to fill his bosom with restless anxiety, we cannot but regard him as under the influence of the most detestable ambition. But the character of the prophet is not the principal argument in favour of a metaphorical interpretation of the terms "Jerusalem and Zion." This last meaning gives a beautiful congruity, simplicity and perspicuity to a sentence otherwise involved in darkness. It may be rendered thus, "The cause of religion will not suffer me to be silent,-The cause of piety will not permit me to rest,-Until her prosperity go forth as brightness,-And her salvation as the rays of a burning lamp,And the Gentiles see thy righteous But this usage is not peculiar to the prophets. It is common with the writers of the New Testament. The law is called the "Jerusalem which now is," Gal. iv. 26. The gospel is denominated the "Jerusalem Psalms ii. 6, 7, 8. "Yet have I set my King upon my holy hillness,-And all kings thy glory." of Zion. I will declare the decree: The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my son. This day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance; and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." In this passage the term Zion" is used as the name of all that relates to the empire of Christ. Jer. 1. 5. 66 which is above." Gal. jv. 27. And the "Heavenly Jerusalem," Heb. xii. 21. And the "New Jerusalem," Rev. iii. 20. In all these cases the terms They shall seek "Zion" and "Jerusalem" are the way to Zion with their faces used metaphorically, and denote thitherward, saying, Come, let us spiritual objects. It would be be joined unto the Lord in an ev-easy to swell the list of instances, erlasting agreement. Here the parallelism requires us to admit that seek the way to Zion" in the first member of the couplet is synonymous with "joined unto the Lord" in the last. The term - Zion," in this verse, must denote the service of God. in which they demand a metaphor- |