which were to be fulfilled in Christ and ever to remain in force Yet however he suits his Expression unto the Jews Curiosity in keeping the Word from being diminisht in the least Point But yet Interest has a Byas Instance M. has charg'd the Jews home with this Practice instancing in several Passages out of Ez. Neh. the Psal Isa Jer. and Ezek. that were expung'd because they seem'd too plainly to point at Jesus Christ And all the World knows the Papists in their Catechism at least have assum'd and exercis'd a like expurgatory Power upon the second Commandment Much more 2. Then we diminish from the Word when we reject whole Books as the Sadducees and Samaritans of Old did all but the 5. Books of Moses and as many over Subtil and Wickedly Critical Wits among the Christians have done calling into Question many intire Books of the New Testament and some there are who have endeavour'd to cashiere 'em all But 3. We diminish from the Word when we lay it aside as not a Necessary or not the Supreme Rule of Faith This is to diminish from it's Authority Some either Weak or Hypocritical Christians in Times of Old deliver'd up their Bibles to their Persecuters and for so doing were Branded with that disgraceful Name of Traditors Traitors And yet questionless they had or might have had the usual Excuses at hand which are currant now a days That they had the Light within 'em to guide 'em into all Truth That they had other Lights without 'em The Writings of Holy and Learned Men The assistance of Bishops and Priests and the infallible Popes The daily Conversation of the Faithful and the Decrees of Councils to direct and instruct 'em Moreover that the Truths and Mysteries of the Gospel whatever became of of the written Word might be transmitted by Oral Tradition unto Posterity and upon the whole matter that there was no necessity of the written Word of God But these new Pretexts notwithstanding the Church condemn'd their Treachery All which shews that in the Judgment both of the Church and of the Persecuters too neither the Light within nor the Writings of Holy Men nor the Decrees of Councils nor the Infallibility of the Popes nor Oral Tradition nor all of 'em were sufficient to uphold the Doctrine of Christianity and this demonstrates the necessity of the written Word of God that 't is the only Necessary and Supreme Rule of Faith There is a pernicions Law among the Romanists forbidding the People to Read the Scripture which is a great Diminution of at least the Honour the Sufficiency and Perspicuity of the Word 'T is pretended that it was found certissimo Experimento that ignorant and malicious Men did improve it unto Errours and Heresies by mistaking or depraving its meaning But this is a meer shift to palliate the Injury done to the Word of God contrary to the sense and practice of all Antiquity For our Predecessors in the Faith I mean the Ancient Fathers this Obj. notwithstanding were wont constantly to call upon all the Faithful without distinction to read the Word telling 'em It was not like Plato's Philosophy or Pythagoras's Cryptical Discipline calculated for the Meridian of a few of the Wiser Sort but fitted and design'd for all to read and to understand for the Wise and for the Unwise for Kings of the Earth for all People for Souldiers and for Lawyers for Monks and for Citizens of the World for Priests and Laymen for Husbandmen and Mariners Artificers and Labourers for Young Men and Maidens Old Men and Children and in a word for all Qualities Ages Sexes Fortunes and Degrees of Men whatever to be read in Publick and in Private and at all times as well at Home as Abroad in the Church and in the Fields and in the Desarts and in Journeys in a word in every place Shall I by the way crave leave to offer you a Demonstration of my own for any thing that I know against our Adversaries certissimum Experimentum and that out of the Scripture it self too because I am now pleading in its behalf See then the second Epistle of Peter 1 chap. 19. v. We have also a more sure word of Prophesy whereunto ye do well to take heed as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place compar'd with the 16. v. of the 3 d chap. of the same Epistle As also in all his Epistles our beloved Brother Paul has written speaking in 'em of these things in which are some things hard to be understood which they that are unstable and unlearned wrest as they do all the other Scriptures unto their own Destruction Out of which Passages I argue thus That which Peter the first Pope or Bishop of Rome and Paul too commended and encourag'd the People to sc to take heed or to give attendance unto the reading of the Word although it was known by most certain Experience that some wrested it to Errour and Heresy and to their own Destruction that ought not now be deny'd the People because forsooth there be at this day also some among us that wrest it to their own Destruction That which was not a competent Reason unto Peter cannot be a sufficient Warrant unto his Successors to deprive the People of the Holy Scriptures What Peter could not would not do the Popes at this time of day cannot should not presume to do But above all to advance a Supreme Infallible and Independent Authority in the Church not Subordinate yea Superiour to the Scripture with liberty even to contradict it is certainly a diminishing of the Word that is its Soveraignty The Power of the Word is like God himself nec parem fert nec superiorem The Scripture is the intire body of the Divine Law who then shall dare to Diminish ought from it or thwart its Definitions He that touches the apple of Gods Eye He claims as I may say a share in the Legislative yea and makes himself Superior even to God himself It was then an impudent Presumption crimen laesae Majestatis in the Council of Constance to take upon 'em to decree with a non-obstante that tho' the Scripture says Drink ye all of this yet the Laity to whom also they confess it was spoken shall not drink thereof Thus they made the Word of God of none Effect by their Traditions teaching for Doctrines the Commandments of Men and declared ' emselves above Jesus Christ that Canon being set above his Word by their own acknowledgment And thus the Will and the Wisdom of Men took place of the Wisdom and Will of God What shall we then think of those who equal nay prefer the private Spirit of the Pope and others the Light within ' emselves before the Word of God St. Peter and the Believers he wrote to certainly had the Light within and the Spirit in as great abundance as any at this time of day can pretend And yet he tells his Flock
A SERMON AGAINST CORRUPTING THE WORD of GOD Preacht at CHRIST CHVRCH IN MANCHESTER Upon a Publick Occasion on the 11th Day of July 1696. By Thomas Gipps Rector of BVRY Cur non ad Graecam Originem revertentes ea quae à vitiosis Interpretibus male reddita vel à presumtoribus imperitis emendata perversiùs vel à librariis dormitantibus aut addita sunt aut mutata corrigimus S. Hieronymus Praefatione in 4. Evangelia ad Damasum LONDON Printed for Ephraim Johnston Bookseller in Manchester 1697. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM Earl of Derby Lord of Man and the Isles c. My Lord I Have been Perswaded by some Private Friends that the Publication of the following Discourse is not at this time of day to be declin'd Some People will doubtless be angry that their foul Play is brought upon the Stage and thus openly taxt For this reason I am bold to engage Your Lordship in my Interests and to shelter my self under Your Great and Honourable Name Your Honour will I hope the more easily pardon me herein since Your own Interest also is not a little concern'd It is not my Disposition to expose any Mans Mistake whilst it keeps in doors and contains its self within any bounds of Modesty and Privacy In this case certainly 't is better to mourn for it in secret at most to rebuke it in a Corner But when 't is made Notorious when it boldly stares us in the Face and is avow'd for Truth when an Error which one would have hop'd was an unwilling One is Supported by another which must be Confest and Believ'd a wilful One That is when the Presbyterian Government or Congregational I can't tell which is publickly maintain'd by a Text of Scripture manifestly Corrupted surely 't is high time then to make the World Sensible of the Artifice I had some Years before Discover'd the False Reading here spoken of but held my peace At length wben I found that the Corruption like a Gangren had spread its self into several Editions of the Bible here in England and God knows how many in Scotland and there vouch't for Good I could not prevail with my self to be silent any longer and I hope the same Good Zeal will Inspire Your Honour with a Resolution to Discountenance such Injuries Offer'd unto the Holy Word of God Nor is this the only Instance of the kind In the Dissenters Petition for Peace above years since Acts 15. 18. v. is thus cited To lay upon you no greater burden than necessary things that small word these being cunningly left out meerly to support their Proposition Mr. B who drew up the Petition and since has been publickly charg'd for thus abusing the Scripture tho' he forgot not to Acquaint us with the most trivial yea ridiculous Passages of his Life yet had not the Ingenuity to confess his Errror nor yet the Courage to Paliate it with any Excuse My Lord I have now done after I shall have made a publick Acknowledgment as I now do of the many great singular Favours receiv'd from Your Honour thro' the Course of allmost thirty years Service and have also farther assur'd You that I am as in Duty bound Right Honourable Your Lordships Most Humble and Most Obedient Servant and Chaplain THO. GIPPS Prov. xxx 6. v. Add not thou unto his Word lest he reprove thee and thou be found a Liar THE Argument I am about to treat of is weighty and not easily compriz'd in one single Discourse It will therefore concern me to husband my time as thriftily as may be and chiefly to lay aside all thoughts of further Preface The Text is a Negative Precept forbidding all manner of Corrupting the Holy Scriptures and that under a double Caution 1. Lest God reprove thee for it a terrible Intimation 2. Lest thou be found a Liar One of the most detestable Sins in the sight both of God and Man That by His Word is meant the Word of God is manifest from the Verse foregoing Every Word of God is pure Then it follows Add not thou unto his Word i. e. to the Word of God That we at this day are to understand hereby the written Word or Scriptures is not to be question'd there being now no other Word of God but that which is written for our Instruction upon whom the ends of the world are come When the Prophet Agur says Add not He must be supply'd thus neither diminish from the Word For so the Parallel places in the Margent do warrant Ye shall not add unto the Word neither shall ye diminish ought from it Thou shalt not add thereunto neither diminish from it said Moses to the Israelites For the Holy Spirit does not always express things to the full but leaves 'em oft times to be made up out of some other places hinting here but briefly what elsewhere he more fully sets forth For which reason therefore I would read the Text thus Add not thou unto his Word neither diminish ought from it And then as I said the Text is levell'd against all manner of Corrupting the Word One Eminent Instance of which I shall produce by and by the chief Reason of my undertaking this Subject I will confine my self unto the Precept in handling whereof my method shall be 1. To lay before you Negatively some Cases which though they may seem to be yet are not adding to nor diminishing from the Word 2. I will shew positively when we either add or diminish or both contrary to the Precept here given 1. Negatively c. And that in the following eases It is not an adding unto the Word when we explain and fill up any Passage of Scripture out of some other places wherein we find the Truth more fully exprest For in this consists the very Office and Duty of a Preacher and Explainer of the Scripture And this I plead for my sufficient Warrant in taking the liberty of supplying the Text out of other Parallel Places as you see I have done 2. It is not diminishing from the Word when we omit the Hebrew Titles of the Psalms Nor is it adding to the Word when we prefix the Latine Titles to ' em There was of late a Gentleman who in defence of Nonconformists alledg'd against the establisht Worship That in the Psalms used in the Liturgy are left out the Antient Hebrew Titles which are says he Original and Parts of the H. Scripture having a tendency towards the unfolding the Mysteries therein contain'd And he quarrels at the Latine Titles prefixt thereunto But it were well if the Dissenters whose Cause he pleads would first prove that those Hebrew Titles are Original and Essential Parts of the Holy Scripture and then if they are so that they would give us a Reason why in that very Translation which they approve and make use of those Original Titles are indeed retain'd but in the Hebrew Language still in many Psalms and unintelligible to the
open their eyes in a very few words For not to take Notice of that absurd saying Original Copies which he would or should have said Copies of the Original what are we to think of the Greek That certainly is to be accounted One of the Originals if there be more than One as himself seems to intimate And there I read just as I read in the Liturgy Translation and as I read in St. Paul Again I might say with the learned Vossius that the Greek Copy for ought I know is of as good Authority as the Hebrew at this day is and for my Reasons I send you to his History of the 70 Translation Only take this along with you that as has been already noted St. Paul which also the other holy Writers of the New Testament generally do in other places follows the Greek and not the Hebrew Copy in citing this 14th Psalm which is no contemptible Argument for the Authority of the 70. Translation Briefly we have this further Advantage on our side that 't is more Probable the three controverted Verses might be left out of the Hebrew Copies by the carelesness of the Transcribers than thrust into the Greek by the Translators 'T is easier supposing 'em both honest and sincere for Transcribers to omit than Translators to add so much together of their own head 5. 'T is not adding to nor diminishing from nor corrupting the Word when we Translate it into Vulgar Tongues All Christians have done so Yea the Romanists ' emselves in former Ages did so tho' of late they have been contrary minded for fear forsooth of mistaking the Word or corrupting it O Fools and slow of heart One of the Ancients has affirm'd that the version of the Scriptures into many Languages is the best way to preserve 'em uncorrupt Besides why do they suffer the Word to be Transcribed or Printed at all or in any Language Doubtless the Word of God may be corrupted by Transcribing or Printing it as well as by Translating it Transcribing we know was Printing now a days is the Work often of ignorant mechanical Men who are more liable to mistakes but Translating is the business of the Learned Ay but St. Jerom confest himself subject to mistakes in Translating the Scripture Very good and yet he Translated it for the use of the Latine Christians and his Translation is for the most part read unto this day Why then may not a Learned Priest or Bishop now a days render it into the Italian as well as Jerom formerly did into the Latine and Dalmatick As St. Chrysostom into the Armenian As Ulphilas into the Gothick Or as the Ancients did every one into his own Tongue For it was anciently done into many different Tongues says Hesychius of Jerusalem Into 72. says Anastasius of Antioch Into innumerable Tongues says St. Chrysostom Into the Languages of all Nations of the Earth that had receiv'd the Faith says Theodoret Yea into every Tongue under the Sun says Eusebius In short even at this day we have a Noble Monument of the Judgment and Practice of Antiquity I mean the Polyglot Bibles So that the Catholick Church in the Primitive Times might have said as the Jews did 2d Acts That they heard and read every one in his own Tongue the wonderful Works and WORDS of God But setting aside this that it should be lawful and safe to have the Scripture Translated into Latin only is to me a strange Paradox For what Priviledge has God bestow'd on the Latin more than on other Tongues All certainly one as well as the other are capable of Mistakes and Corruptions The Hebrew indeed had once the Honour of being the Holy Language and as I may say the immediate Vehicle of the Divine Will The Greek succeeded next into it's Room The reason of both is obvious The Word of God was first directly intended for the Israelites only therefore first wrote in their Tongue Afterwards for the whole World therefore wrote in the most Vulgar and Common Language the Greek Yet so as that by degrees it was Translated into every Language to the end that the Knowledge of the Lord might cover the Earth as the Waters cover the Sea The Inscription on the Cross was wrote in Latin True But 't was by the command of Pontius Pilate that accursed Crucifier of our Lord in honour of his own Language and for the better information of the Romans Yet who can say that the Evangelists in their Greek and inspired Histories continu'd it afterwards in the same Latine Tongue I never yet somuch as heard of any M. S. or Printed Greek Testament with the Latin Inscription retain'd in it Moreover we know that as no Hebrew nor Greek so no Latin Bible is an Original nor indeed is there any such thing as an Original at this day All our Bibles in whatever Language are either Translations or Transcripts which is the same thing to our present purpose both as I said being liable to mistakes Finally then the Word of God is his Word be it in what Language it will and as much the Word of God in one as in another there being as I have said no Original at this day Briefly one may add or diminish in Transcribing and Printing as well as in Translating Therefore either both or neither are to be laid aside 6. It is not adding to the Word when a new Prophet arising delivers some further Messages to the Churches which are affixt to the Canon of Scripture For the Rule in the Text runs thus Thou shalt not add speaking unto us Men. Nevertheless God may add to it when ever he pleases and whatever he thinks fit So that all the following Books of Scripture were notwithstanding my Text added to the Canon unto the end of the Revelations where for ought we yet know the Book is shut up in these Words For I certifie unto every Man that heareth the Words of the Prophesie of this Book if any Man shall add unto these things God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book And if any Man shall take away from the Words of the Book of this Prophesie God shall take away his Part out of the Book of Life and out of the Holy City and from the things which are written in this Book Which brings me to the 2. Head sc To shew positively when we add or diminish ought from the Word of God And first of Diminishing 1. Then we diminish from the Word when we cast away any never so little Part of it Wonderful was the Care of the Jews herein and Religious they were to Superstition as may be thought counting the very Letters of the Bible to preserve it intire Hereunto our Lord alludes Till Heaven and Earth pass away not one jott or tittle shall pass from the Law Where tho' he is not speaking of the outward Letter as I now am but of the Intrinsick and Mystical Truths
at least to the Continuance and Increase of it and that upon the following Accompts 1. Because the Alteration happen'd in the Year 38. Presbytery being then in the Ascendant I say just in that nick of time when all things were in Preparation and tended to the Subversion of Episcopacy Scotland having already made a Conspiracy and bound ' emselves under a Curse to Extripate it and England even a great part of the Universities ' emselves running into the same excess of riot So that here is a Concurrence of the Circumstance of time and a shrewd one too sufficient to ground a suspicion on 2. The Corruption in Appearance favours the Dissenters and their Design against Episcopacy If then any they may be suspected for being willing to have it at least continu'd and propagated 3. On the contrary it cannot with any Colour of Reason be imagin'd that the Episcopal Party design'd to Corrupt this Place or to Connive at it's Corruption except they shall be thought Felones de se and willingly and knavishly to destroy what they endeavour zealously to establish Satan as our Lord argues cannot be thought to cast out Satan and to throw down his own Kingdom Nor will any one of Sense believe that the Episcopal Party were willing to have that thrust out of the Scripture upon which their Church Government seems to be built Or to substitute in its room what in Appearance overthrows their Politie 4. That Party ought in all Reason to be Suspected of foul Play herein who admitting they did not at first on set purpose contrive the Corruption of this place yet now belike contribute to the Confirming and Vindicating it and under the Colour of this new Text of Scripture assert and support the new Popular Government of the Church as some of the Presbyterians do at this day For the Proof of which Charge upon 'em I need only to put you in mind of that memorable Story which doubtless ye have many of you heard of how that a Cameronian one of the most rigid Sects of the Scotch Presbyterians Preaching some years since concerning the Peoples Power of setting up their own Teachers having confirm'd his Point with some Reasons of his own the Principal whereof was I guess that it was most agreeable to the Inclination of the Scotch Nation which is just such another Reason as an Adulterer also might give for his Wantonness But I say having prov'd his Point as he thought no matter to us how at length bid his Audience not to believe him but to turn to their Bible and so sent them incontinently to the 6. Act. 3. v. where they might find their Character in these Words Whom YE the Multitude of Believers may appoint over this Business But whether this be a good Character or has on it the stamp of Divine Authority let the World judge by what has been already said For a Conclusion then I would crave leave to address 1. Unto all the Faithful in general Men Brethren and Fathers suffer me to entreat you in a few words with all diligence to preserve the Word of God pure and uncorrupt If once the Fountain-head be poyson'd the Streams will be so too and from thenceforth we shall never be able to distinguish between the Doctrines and Will of God and the Inventions and Inclinations of Men. The Adversaries of Christianity with design to overthrow the whole Frame of our Religion have already endeavour'd to take advantage of those numerous and various Lections which in times of darkness and ignorance heretofore stole into the Greek Testament as I find it taken notice of in a Learned Preface to a late Edition what then will they say when they observe the purest Kirk in the World as is pretended tempering with and refining upon the Word of God at this time of day But let not us to serve a Cause or to draw the simple People into our Interests let not us I say dare to suborn any false Witness whatever much less out of the Word of Truth Let us leave that vile Artifice to our Adversaries on both hands Truth needs not such feeble Supports but is indeed very much disparag'd and weaken'd thereby The brightest Truth will receive prejudice when we go about to establish it by a Lie much more Points in Controversy when they are varnish'd and washt over with false and fading Colours 'T is our Interest therefore as well as our Duty To lay aside all Guile and Hypocrisie and to feed our Flocks with the sincere Milk of the Word To put away Lying and to speak every Man Truth with his Neighbour Let us take to our selves the Example of St. Paul We are not says he reflecting upon the Corinthian Schismaticks as many which corrupt the Word of God But as of Sincerity but as of God in the sight of God speak we in Christ And once more he saith We have renounced the hidden things of Dishonesty not walking in Craftiness nor handling the Word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the Truth The Apostle not obscurely hinting in these Words that the Separatists at Corinth did so 2. But above all and with all Submission I would beg of those who are in Authority and do humbly propose that some effectual course be taken to make amends for this at first I am willing to believe unfortunate oversight committed I am asham'd to repeat where and to vindicate this Place in the Acts from the Injury it has suffer'd these Fifty Years past and upward How it may in some measure be repair'd is not hard to tell I have heard of a whole Impression of the Bible condemn'd to be burnt because the Negative Particle of a Commandment was casually left out What then if one of every Edition thus deprav'd or at least one for all were serv'd after the same manner in perpetuam rei Memoriam and to expose the craftiness of those Circumcellians among us who to advance their design do not stick it seems to promote it by Falshood and grounding ' emselves upon a meer Errour of the Press as we will suppose it was at first deceiving and being deceived do lie against the Holy Ghost and bring a Scandal upon the Word of God and our holy Religion To Conclude I may happily seem too Warm and Zealous in this matter Doubtless some will think so But upon Examination having found the first accidental slip repeated since in at least half a dozen Impressions of the Bible here in England and having now just Reason to suspect the Scotch Bibles generally faulty in this Passage I cannot Imagine but it has been a good while underhand countenanc'd and abetted For is it Possible to believe that One unhappy mistake should be so successful as to have got into so many Editions without the helping hand of some wily and undermining Schismatick But principally whereas now it begins to be avow'd for good and vendible Ware expos'd and sold publickly in the Market can any One continue to believe it still an Unwilling and Excusable Error Or rather is it not fit to be treated as Counterfeit and for bidden Commodities are That is in plain terms as I said cast into the Fire Moreover for any thing I can foresee it may if not timely prevented plead Prescription and set up for Authentic at least for a various Lection whereby the Popular Government of the Church may in a few more Years gain an Appearance of Divine Authority and the Scot's Inclination be thought Apostolical Institution All which consider'd the Warmth I have shew'd upon this Occasion if any before accounted it such will now I hope be allow'd Reasonable and not Unserviceable to the Word and to the Church of God to this Part of it especially among us by Law Divine Human Establish'd And long may it be so to the Glory of God to the Edification of the Church in Peace Love in Truth Unity Amen FINIS Champ. Chal. accepted by Dr. Hook late Vicar of Halifax v. 5. 1 Cor. 10. 11. Deut. 4. 2. 12. 32. Mr. De Laune in Lr. to Dr. Calamy page 43. In Metre and likewise sing 'em All which ought to be done if they are essential Parts of the Psalms Yea the whole Hebrew Bible De L. page 44. Vbi Supra 1 Cor. 15. 54 55. Isa 25. 8. Hos 13. 14. See Is 59. 7 8. Deut. 32. 33. Anastasius Patr. of Ant. apud Vserii Hist Dogma Multarum Gentium linguis Scriptura Translata docet falsa esse quae addita sunt Hieron Praefat ad 4. Evang Sâ—e l. 4. c. 33. Sâ—z l. 6. c. 37. phiâ—est l. 2. c. 6. apud Vissr ibid. Is 11. 9. His Country Men. Rev. 22. 18 19. Mat. 5. 18. Dial. cum Tryph. Council Trid. Bellarmin c. See 4th Col. 16. 17. Acts 11. v. â— Ep. 1. 19 20. no not of Eâ—ter himself v. 18. Acts. 6. 3. We the Apostles By Tho. Buck and Rog. Daniel Printers to the Vniversity The latter of which was indeed the mannager of the Press and in the Interest of that Presbyterian Party Printed at Oxford Theater Anno 1675. 1 Pet. 2. 1 2. Eph. 4. 25. 1 Cor. 2. 17. c. 4. 2.