nerve_n that_o he_o may_v bring_v into_o order_n what_o be_v pervert_v so_o do_v all_o the_o scribe_n who_o follow_v he_o and_o correct_v these_o book_n with_o all_o possible_a care_n until_o they_o leave_v they_o most_o perfect_a by_o number_v the_o section_n verse_n word_n and_o letter_n the_o full_a and_o defective_a word_n the_o irregular_a and_o regular_a and_o so_o forth_o whence_o they_o be_v also_o style_v sophorim_n numberer_n and_o make_v of_o these_o the_o book_n of_o masora_n cap._n 11._o thirty-nine_o this_o be_v the_o common_a sentence_n of_o the_o hebrew_n that_o the_o masora_n proceed_v from_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n and_o be_v not_o unknown_a to_o elias_n as_o in_o his_o foresay_a three_o preface_n he_o acknowledge_v lo_o it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o many_o that_o ezra_n the_o scribe_n and_o his_o council_n namely_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n make_v the_o masora_n the_o punctation_n and_o accent_n upon_o the_o whole_a bibles_n so_o it_o be_v and_o one_o shall_v scarce_o find_v any_o hebrew_n or_o jew_n give_v his_o voice_n for_o elias_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a his_o reason_n be_v refute_v by_o the_o most_o learned_a rabbin_n thence_o i_o say_v from_o ezra_n have_v the_o masora_n its_o beginning_n and_o rise_v and_o the_o vowel-point_n either_o their_o birth_n or_o renovation_n but_o i_o confess_v the_o masora_n as_o a_o matter_n of_o infinite_a study_n be_v continue_v by_o their_o successor_n many_o age_n until_o it_o grow_v up_o into_o a_o great_a book_n exceed_v for_o its_o quantity_n the_o bibles_n themselves_o as_o elias_n write_v who_o see_v many_o book_n of_o the_o masora_n well_o may_v so_o great_a a_o work_n and_o study_n so_o infinite_a and_o vast_a a_o labour_n require_v both_o a_o long_a time_n and_o many_o hand_n and_o those_o not_o vulgar_o learn_v now_o the_o circumstance_n of_o time_n and_o the_o holy_a care_n and_o most_o ardent_a zeal_n of_o ezra_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o colleague_n towards_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n favour_v this_o work_n very_o much_o he_o know_v by_o his_o prophetic_a spirit_n that_o the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o jewish_a church_n then_o live_v and_o therefore_o nothing_o be_v more_o necessary_a then_o that_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n shall_v be_v conserve_v in_o it_o uncorrupted_a their_o prudence_n and_o care_n it_o be_v to_o prevent_v the_o corruption_n by_o this_o critical_a labour_n whereby_o the_o true_a and_o constant_a writing_n and_o read_v of_o all_o the_o word_n may_v remain_v for_o ever_o and_o indeed_o they_o have_v effect_v it_o as_o none_o can_v deny_v who_o be_v thorough_o acquaint_v with_o the_o secret_n of_o this_o study_n thus_o much_o of_o the_o original_a and_o author_n of_o the_o masora_n cap._n 11._o xl._n the_o matter_n of_o the_o masora_n of_o which_o it_o consist_v be_v the_o critical_a or_o censorious_a annotation_n touch_v the_o hebrew_n text_n of_o holy_a scripture_n the_o text_n be_v reckon_v according_a to_o the_o verse_n word_n and_o letter_n the_o verse_n be_v number_v first_o entire_a through_o the_o several_a book_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o in_o the_o pentateuch_n of_o moses_n according_a to_o the_o great_a section_n too_o which_o be_v show_v by_o three_o great_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o withal_o through_o the_o whole_a scripture_n the_o middle_a verse_n of_o every_o book_n be_v name_v all_o which_o be_v set_v down_o after_o the_o text_n at_o the_o end_n of_o every_o book_n as_o for_o example_n genesis_n have_v 1534_o verse_n and_o the_o middle_a verse_n be_v and_o by_o thy_o sword_n shall_v thou_o live_v chap._n 27._o 40._o exodus_fw-la 1209._o the_o middle_a verse_n speak_v not_o evil_a of_o the_o magistrate_n chap._n 22._o 28._o leviticus_n 859._o the_o middle_a verse_n he_o that_o touch_v the_o flesh_n of_o he_o that_o have_v a_o issue_n chap._n 15._o 7._o number_n 1288._o the_o middle_a verse_n and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o man_n rod_n who_o i_o shall_v choose_v shall_v blossom_v chap._n 17._o 5._o deuteronomy_n 955._o the_o middle_a and_o thou_o shall_v do_v aecord_v to_o the_o sentence_n chap._n 17._o 10._o the_o sum_n of_o the_o verse_n but_o mistake_v in_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o whole_a pentateuch_n 5845._o the_o middle_a verse_n of_o the_o whole_a law_n or_o pentateuch_n and_o he_o put_v the_o breastplate_n upon_o he_o levit._n 8._o 8._o the_o verse_n of_o the_o great_a section_n etc._n etc._n this_o hedge_n the_o first_o masoret_n set_v about_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o the_o sacred_a body_n thereof_o may_v not_o be_v maim_v by_o the_o loss_n even_o of_o one_o verse_n cap._n 12._o xli_o again_o the_o verse_n be_v consider_v according_a to_o their_o various_a affection_n in_o the_o word_n and_o letter_n one_o verse_n be_v note_v consist_v of_o two_o and_o forty_o word_n which_o have_v in_o they_o letter_n one_o hundred_o and_o sixty_o it_o be_v read_v jer._n 21._o 7._o two_o verse_n there_o be_v in_o which_o there_o be_v four_o time_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d gen._n 22._o 7._o 1_o reg._n 20._o 14._o three_o verse_n there_o be_v which_o have_v each_o eighty_o letter_n one_o be_v num._n 36._o 8._o three_o verse_n in_o every_o one_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d once_o and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d four_o time_n as_o num._n 11._o 19_o three_o have_v each_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thrice_o and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d also_o thrice_o as_o exod._n 29._o 5._o three_o begin_v and_o end_v with_o the_o divine_a name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o they_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o memorial_n of_o god_n eternal_a essence_n as_o deut._n 31._o 3._o where_o the_o masora_n cite_v the_o other_o two_o there_o be_v four_o verse_n in_o every_o one_o whereof_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v five_o time_n as_o exod._n 40._o 18._o five_o verse_n and_o in_o every_o one_o be_v five_o continue_a word_n of_o two_o letter_n as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1_o reg._n 3._o 26._o where_o the_o rest_n be_v cite_v ten_o verse_n wherein_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o 1_o reg._n 7._o 20._o ten_o in_o the_o law_n who_o first_o and_o last_o word_n be_v the_o same_o as_o levit._n 7._o 9_o fourteen_o which_o consist_v only_o of_o three_o word_n as_o gen._n 5._o 6._o exod._n 28._o 13._o where_o the_o rest_n be_v allege_v there_o be_v twenty_o six_o verse_n in_o every_o of_o which_o be_v extant_a all_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o alphabet_n as_o ezek._n 38._o 13._o where_o the_o rest_n be_v quote_v among_o those_o there_o be_v one_o verse_n which_o have_v not_o only_o all_o the_o alphabet_n simple_a but_o be_v enrich_v also_o with_o the_o five_o final_a letter_n and_o that_o be_v soph._n 3._o 8._o but_o let_v they_o beware_v who_o have_v the_o venice_n edition_n lest-they_a weary_a themselves_o too_o much_o in_o seek_v for_o the_o verse_n for_o there_o be_v in_o they_o some_o false_a verse_n cite_v which_o fault_n we_o have_v amend_v in_o our_o edition_n innumerous_a more_o of_o this_o kind_n have_v the_o masoreth_n note_v in_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o verse_n in_o the_o bible_n cap._n 12._o xlii_o in_o the_o word_n the_o masoreth_n note_v first_o the_o genuine_a writing_n and_o read_v of_o they_o where_o any_o diversity_n do_v occur_v 2_o where_o they_o be_v write_v full_o with_o the_o quiescent_a letter_n or_o defective_o without_o they_o three_o their_o seat_n and_o place_n in_o the_o beginning_n middle_a or_o end_n of_o the_o verse_n and_o what_o form_n they_o have_v either_o by_o themselves_o or_o by_o reason_n of_o some_o accent_n four_o their_o structure_n and_o conjunction_n with_o other_o word_n or_o composition_n with_o servile_a letter_n five_o their_o signification_n where_o be_v any_o ambiguity_n six_o they_o often_o note_v word_n different_a in_o vowel_n and_o accent_n where_o any_o peculiar_a observation_n or_o difference_n seem_v to_o require_v it_o and_o to_o all_o these_o they_o add_v both_o the_o number_n how_o often_o and_o the_o place_n where_o every_o one_o be_v exstant_fw-la cap._n 13._o xliii_o the_o write_n and_o read_v be_v call_v by_o the_o masoreth_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d when_o a_o word_n be_v otherwise_o write_v in_o the_o text_n by_o letter_n and_o note_v in_o the_o margin_n to_o be_v otherwise_o read_v by_o vowel_n or_o when_o a_o word_n be_v write_v abundant_o in_o the_o text_n and_o omit_v in_o read_v or_o on_o the_o contrary_n be_v not_o write_v at_o all_o in_o the_o text_n and_o yet_o be_v to_o be_v read_v whence_o arise_v many_o and_o various_a kind_n of_o this_o head_n as_o sometime_o a_o letter_n be_v want_v in_o a_o
masora_n a_o collection_n out_o of_o the_o learned_a master_n joannes_n buxtorfius_n be_v commentarius_fw-la masorethicus_n by_o clement_n barksdale_n neque_fw-la omnia_fw-la neque_fw-la nihil_fw-la jota_n unum_fw-la non_fw-la peribit_fw-la london_n print_v for_o mathias_n thurston_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o his_o shop_n next_o the_o st._n johns-head_n tavern_n within_o ludgate_n 1665._o petrus_n cunaeus_n of_o the_o hebrew_n commonwealth_n lib._n 1._o cap._n ult_n what_o time_n the_o christian_n understand_v scarce_o three_o word_n of_o hebrew_n how_o easy_a have_v it_o be_v for_o the_o jew_n to_o corrupt_v those_o place_n which_o seem_v to_o refute_v their_o folly_n but_o piety_n will_v not_o permit_v they_o religion_n forbid_v they_o to_o move_v or_o alter_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o sacred_a text_n and_o true_o when_o i_o look_v upon_o the_o unwearied_a diligence_n of_o the_o masorite_n i_o be_o almost_o amaze_v for_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o hebrew_n bible_n be_v accurate_o revise_v and_o compare_v they_o sign_v with_o impress_v note_n they_o observe_v not_o only_a how_o many_o verse_n and_o word_n but_o also_o how_o many_o letter_n every_o book_n contain_v wherefore_o that_o afterward_o when_o barbarism_n overspread_v the_o world_n not_o one_o point_n of_o that_o divine_a writing_n perish_v we_o owe_v next_o under_o god_n to_o they_o the_o index_n masora_n whence_o so_o call_v 2._o what_o be_v tradition_n 3._o definition_n of_o masora_n 4._o the_o diligence_n of_o the_o heb._n god_n providence_n 5._o who_o the_o author_n of_o masora_n two_o opinion_n 6._o aben_n ezra_n and_o elias_n levita_n i._o i._o 7._o the_o school_n of_o tiberias_n the_o jerusalem_n talmud_n rabbi_n jehuda_n 8._o the_o babylon-school_n their_o talmud_n 9_o hillel_n hannasi_fw-la his_o new_a compute_v jos_n scaliger_n 10._o tiberias_n decay_v 11._o st._n jerom_n his_o hebrew_a doctor_n 12_o the_o masorite_n of_o tiberias_n not_o author_n 13._o the_o authority_n of_o the_o babylon-talmud_n 14._o the_o oral_a kabala_n 15._o masora_n more_o ancient_a than_o the_o talmud_n 16._o 17._o the_o point_n before_o the_o masoretic_a note_n 18._o dage_n and_o mappik_a 19_o the_o accent_n note_v 20._o masorite_n office_n 21._o masorite_n the_o ancient_n 22._o vowel_n from_o one_o prick_n 23._o punctation_n before_o talmud_n 24._o chaldee_n name_n of_o point_n 25._o need_v of_o point_n 26._o vowel_n point_v not_o from_o the_o tiberian_o why_o 27._o the_o septuagint_n 28._o the_o great_a synagogue_n two_o two_o 29._o ezra_n nehemiah_n etc._n etc._n high_a priest_n and_o alex._n m._n 30._o scribe_n ezra_n praise_v 31._o ezra_n haggai_n malachi_n zorobabel_n etc._n etc._n 32._o nehem._n 8._o 8._o expound_v tertul._n and_o chrysost_n 33._o begin_v of_o masora_n division_n of_o the_o bible_n lu._n 24._o 44._o 34._o subdivision_n into_o 22._o 35._o distinction_n of_o verse_n fiction_n of_o the_o kabalist_n septuagint_n 36._o critical_a learning_n the_o first_o masorite_n 37._o read_v of_o the_o word_n vowel_n and_o accent_n letter_n number_v 38._o testimony_n for_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n 39_o elias_n levita_fw-la succession_n of_o masorite_n ezra_n the_o first_o author_n 40._o the_o matter_n of_o the_o masora_n the_o number_n of_o the_o verse_n in_o genesis_n etc._n etc._n 41._o note_n upon_o the_o verse_n venice_n edition_n of_o the_o bible_n 42._o note_n upon_o the_o word_n 43._o the_o writing_n and_o read_v 44._o word_n write_v full_o or_o defective_o 45._o the_o place_n of_o word_n 46._o structure_n of_o verb_n 47._o ambiguous_a signification_n note_v 48._o vowel_n and_o accent_n observe_v 49._o the_o letter_n note_v in_o their_o figure_n and_o number_n 50._o great_a letter_n observe_v 51._o little_a letter_n observe_v 52._o the_o letter_n nun_n invert_v 53._o prick_v word_n 54._o the_o letter_n number_v the_o middle_a letter_n of_o the_o law_n 55._o raf._n saadia_n gaon_n 56._o the_o form_n of_o the_o masora_n the_o edition_n of_o daniel_n bomberg_n and_o r._n jac._n ben_n chajim_n 57_o the_o great_a and_o little_a masora_n textual_a and_o final_a 58._o the_o end_n of_o the_o masora_n the_o hedge_n of_o the_o law_n testimony_n of_o jew_n 59_o testimony_n of_o christian_n 60._o conclusion_n masora_n i._o ה_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d masora_n masore_v be_v verbal_a noun_n derive_v from_o the_o root_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o deliver_v and_o be_v here_o take_v for_o a_o doctrine_n or_o knowledge_n which_o one_o deliver_v and_o communicate_v to_o another_o as_o it_o be_v from_o hand_n to_o hand_n the_o correlative_a verb_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o receive_v i._o to_o perceive_v know_v and_o understand_v for_o what_o be_v deliver_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n be_v receive_v with_o the_o ear_n and_o so_o transmit_v to_o the_o mind_n so_o the_o hebrew_n have_v a_o say_n moses_n receive_v the_o law_n from_o sinai_n and_o deliver_v it_o to_o joshua_n joshua_n to_o the_o elder_n the_o elder_n to_o the_o prophet_n the_o prophet_n deliver_v it_o to_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n cap._n 1._o ii_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d tradition_n or_o delivery_n be_v usual_o take_v for_o a_o doctrine_n or_o institution_n about_o certain_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n so_o the_o jew_n have_v many_o tradition_n invent_v and_o prescribe_v by_o the_o scribe_n and_o doctor_n for_o the_o advancement_n of_o piety_n that_o be_v to_o keep_v they_o by_o the_o observe_n of_o these_o in_o the_o better_a observation_n of_o god_n command_n whence_o in_o syriac_a tradition_n be_v call_v perfection_n because_o they_o imagine_v that_o the_o law_n of_o god_n comprehend_v in_o write_v somewhat_o imperfect_o be_v perfect_v and_o complete_v by_o such_o institution_n but_o christ_n have_v disapprove_v they_o say_v you_o have_v make_v void_a the_o law_n of_o god_n by_o your_o tradition_n mat._n 15._o 6._o cap._n 1._o iii_o masora_n as_o we_o take_v it_o here_o by_o a_o synecdoche_n signify_v the_o critical_a doctrine_n about_o the_o holy_a hebrew_n text_n and_o may_v be_v thus_o define_v a_o critical_a doctrine_n concern_v the_o hebrew_n text_n of_o holy_a scripture_n ingenious_o invent_v by_o the_o ancient_a wise_a man_n of_o the_o hebrew_n whereby_o the_o verse_n word_n and_o letter_n thereof_o be_v number_v and_o all_o the_o variety_n of_o they_o mark_v and_o show_v in_o their_o several_a place_n with_o the_o particular_a verse_n recite_v that_o so_o the_o constant_a and_o genuine_a read_n of_o the_o text_n may_v be_v preserve_v and_o for_o ever_o secure_v from_o all_o change_n and_o corruption_n hence_o be_v that_o say_n of_o the_o rabbin_n the_o masora_n be_v the_o hedge_n or_o fence_n of_o the_o law_n cap._n 2._o iv_o in_o this_o study_n admirable_a be_v the_o diligence_n of_o the_o ancient_a hebrew_n their_o zeal_n in_o conserve_n the_o text_n of_o god_n word_n most_o ardent_a inimitable_a and_o without_o example_n in_o any_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v their_o labour_n no_o less_o to_o be_v admire_v be_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n shine_v forth_o towards_o the_o gentile_n who_o be_v to_o be_v call_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o he_o by_o the_o scripture_n for_o here_o through_o east_n and_o west_n the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v of_o one_o read_v the_o book_n do_v all_o consent_n with_o perfect_a harmony_n a_o happiness_n grant_v to_o no_o other_o nation_n no_o other_o book_n in_o the_o world_n that_o most_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n justin_n martyr_n just_o ascrib_n it_o to_o the_o singular_a care_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n that_o the_o jew_n so_o studious_o in_o their_o synagogue_n keep_v safe_a and_o sound_a the_o holy_a write_n for_o our_o use_n and_o benefit_n serm._n ad_fw-la gentes_fw-la and_o st._n austin_n style_v the_o jew_n our_o servitor_n to_o carry_v our_o book_n for_o we_o in_o psal_n 41._o cap._n 2._o v._o the_o author_n of_o masora_n be_v name_v by_o the_o hebrew_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o our_o school_n the_o masoreth_n from_o their_o handle_n the_o masora_n or_o critical_a doctrine_n who_o they_o be_v indeed_o where_o or_o when_o they_o live_v be_v not_o easy_o to_o be_v determine_v two_o opinion_n there_o be_v especial_o among_o the_o rabbin_n the_o one_o that_o the_o author_n be_v the_o wise_a man_n of_o the_o city_n tiberias_n the_o other_o that_o the_o masora_n be_v write_v by_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n or_o the_o great_a council_n call_v by_o the_o prophet_n ezra_n cap._n 3._o vi_o they_o of_o the_o first_o opinion_n do_v not_o only_o attribute_v the_o masora_n to_o the_o wise_a man_n of_o tiberias_n but_o will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o the_o point_n vowel_n and_o accent_n among_o these_o the_o first_o be_v r._n aben_n ezra_n he_o flourish_v in_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 1150_o who_o in_o his_o
masora_n be_v not_o the_o same_o person_n but_o the_o masoreth_n as_o they_o see_v the_o use_n of_o the_o accent_n in_o the_o book_n afore_o point_a so_o write_v the_o masora_n of_o they_o gen._n 30._o 19_o upon_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o six_o son_n the_o masoreth_n note_v every_o ben_n before_o makkaph_n have_v pathach_n the_o little_a i._n saegol_n except_o four_o the_o other_o three_o be_v extant_a 1_o sam._n 22._o 20._o 2_o sam._n 9_o 12._o ezek._n 18._o 20._o again_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d with_o a_o accent_n have_v always_o tzere_n except_o six_o which_o with_o a_o accent_n have_v saegol_n just_a as_o if_o they_o be_v before_o makkaph_n the_o place_n be_v cite_v in_o the_o masora_n psal_n 27._o 4._o be_v write_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o masora_n it_o be_v not_o find_v elsewhere_o with_o pathach_n and_o athnach_n if_o these_o masoreth_n be_v also_o the_o printer_n why_o do_v they_o not_o point_v it_o as_o elsewhere_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d psal_n 104._o 34._o what_o they_o find_v in_o their_o book_n that_o they_o note_v cap._n 9_o xx._n there_o be_v infinite_a example_n of_o the_o like_a kind_n and_o the_o whole_a masora_n show_v that_o the_o masoreth_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o the_o vowel_n and_o accent_n but_o only_o note_v what_o be_v before_o invent_v for_o otherwise_o why_o shall_v they_o bring_v in_o so_o many_o anomaly_n to_o perplex_v the_o reader_n when_o they_o may_v easy_o have_v keep_v the_o analogy_n of_o the_o tongue_n but_o their_o office_n only_o be_v to_o note_v the_o form_n of_o the_o sacred_a text_n in_o the_o verse_n word_n and_o letter_n exact_o as_o they_o have_v it_o in_o their_o copy_n and_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v authentic_a to_o the_o end_n it_o may_v remain_v to_o all_o posterity_n uncorrupted_a and_o unchanged_a or_o if_o any_o diversity_n shall_v happen_v by_o mistake_n or_o negligence_n of_o transcriber_n it_o may_v by_o those_o note_n be_v correct_v and_o restore_v cap._n 9_o p._n 72._o xxi_o neither_o be_v it_o probable_a that_o the_o inventor_n of_o the_o point_n and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o masora_n live_v at_o the_o same_o time_n for_o than_o may_v they_o have_v inquire_v of_o they_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o more_o notable_a anonymy_n and_o diversity_n and_o set_v it_o down_o in_o writing_n that_o so_o posterity_n may_v not_o have_v be_v perplex_v with_o the_o common_a accident_n of_o grammar_n in_o a_o language_n otherwise_o plain_a but_o see_v we_o have_v great_a evidence_n that_o the_o principal_a part_n of_o the_o masora_n and_o consequent_o the_o first_o masoreth_n be_v before_o the_o jewish_a talmud_n and_o that_o a_o long_a time_n for_o they_o be_v by_o the_o talmudist_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o ancient_n we_o may_v conclude_v that_o this_o part_n also_o of_o the_o masora_n touch_v the_o word_n array_v with_o vowel-point_n and_o accent_n be_v compose_v by_o those_o antiens_fw-la and_o their_o successor_n before_o the_o talmud_n and_o not_o by_o the_o tyberians_n many_a age_n after_o when_o there_o be_v neither_o the_o same_o vigour_n of_o study_n nor_o the_o same_o felicity_n of_o wit_n nor_o so_o great_a convenience_n and_o frequency_n of_o school_n all_o thing_n be_v disturb_v by_o war_n and_o cruel_a persecution_n cap._n 9_o p._n 73._o xxii_o the_o vowel_n point_v seem_v to_o be_v deduce_v from_o one_o single_a prick_n a_o prick_n below_o the_o letter_n be_v chireck_n in_o the_o midst_n schurck_n above_o cholem_n be_v double_v below_o the_o letter_n and_o place_v sidewise_o it_o be_v tzere_n and_o by_o confluence_n pathach_n be_v place_v perpendicular_o one_o above_o the_o other_o sheva_n be_v tripled_a in_o the_o form_n of_o a_o triangle_n saegol_n and_o by_o confluence_n kamets_n &c._n &c._n cap._n 9_o xxiii_o in_o the_o talmudical_a book_n nedarim_n fol._n 37._o the_o doctor_n dispute_v whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o teach_v the_o law_n for_o a_o reward_n some_o affirm_v other_o deny_v other_o distinguish_v some_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o reward_n of_o observation_n and_o inspection_n of_o child_n that_o they_o may_v keep_v home_o repeat_v their_o lesson_n not_o run_v about_o not_o be_v wanton_a be_v lawful_o receive_v another_o r._n jochanan_n say_v it_o be_v also_o lawful_a to_o take_v reward_n for_o teach_v the_o pause_n of_o the_o accent_n the_o gloss_n of_o r._n solomon_n for_o teach_v the_o punctation_n and_o the_o accent_n but_o how_o can_v they_o teach_v these_o if_o indeed_o no_o punctation_n be_v then_o extant_a cap._n 9_o xxiv_o that_o the_o point_n come_v from_o mount_n sinai_n and_o be_v give_v to_o the_o people_n by_o moses_n not_o a_o few_o of_o the_o rabbin_n and_o those_o of_o no_o vulgar_a authority_n have_v determine_v that_o the_o name_n of_o the_o point_n which_o be_v now_o use_v and_o be_v partly_o mention_v in_o the_o masora_n be_v also_o give_v by_o moses_n from_o the_o mount_n they_o do_v not_o affirm_v but_o most_o of_o the_o rabbin_n say_v these_o name_n have_v their_o beginning_n from_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n who_o have_v good_a skill_n in_o both_o tongue_n the_o chaldee_n and_o the_o hebrew_n and_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n speak_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o chaldee_n language_n or_o the_o syriac_a very_o many_o word_n also_o and_o name_n come_v new_a with_o they_o out_o of_o babylon_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n then_o that_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n make_v use_v of_o the_o chaldee_n in_o the_o tradition_n or_o delivery_n of_o the_o point_n and_o the_o masora_n wherhfore_o what_o elias_n object_v from_o the_o syriac_a and_o babybolonic_a name_n of_o zere_n segol_n etc._n etc._n be_v of_o no_o force_n against_o we_o cap._n 9_o xxv_o and_o as_o to_o what_o elias_n say_v that_o they_o have_v no_o need_n of_o point_n who_o be_v so_o exercise_v and_o skill_v in_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n that_o they_o can_v read_v without_o they_o it_o may_v be_v true_a of_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n among_o who_o some_o prophet_n be_v intermix_v but_o of_o the_o jew_n universal_o and_o of_o their_o posterity_n when_o prophecy_n cease_v and_o the_o heavenly_a doctrine_n by_o god_n just_a judgement_n be_v decay_v this_o can_v no_o wise_n be_v grant_v as_o all_o time_n do_v testify_v and_o be_v confirm_v by_o experience_n at_o this_o day_n and_o whereas_o he_o say_v that_o by_o the_o tradition_n and_o protection_n of_o the_o prophet_n they_o accurate_o keep_v in_o remembrance_n and_o can_v tell_v where_o a_o pause_n be_v to_o be_v make_v or_o the_o speech_n continue_v it_o may_v be_v grant_v of_o the_o prophet_n immediate_o by_o god_n instruct_v but_o that_o the_o follow_a people_n even_o to_o the_o talmudist_n can_v do_v the_o same_o after_o so_o many_o calamity_n and_o persecution_n be_v altogether_o impossible_a what_o humane_a wit_n what_o memory_n be_v able_a to_o retain_v so_o exact_o the_o distinct_a pause_n of_o many_o thousand_o verse_n the_o distinct_a pronunciation_n of_o so_o many_o thousand_o word_n so_o that_o no_o error_n shall_v be_v commit_v in_o any_o member_n in_o any_o voice_n or_o vowel_n until_o elias_n tiberian_a masoreth_n who_o can_v believe_v that_o those_o tiberian_o man_n never_o famous_a never_o mention_v with_o honour_n have_v a_o full_a measure_n and_o great_a efficacy_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n then_o the_o man_n who_o counsel_n and_o design_n be_v happy_o conduct_v by_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o prophet_n zachary_n maelachy_n and_o esra_n cap._n 9_o xxvi_o plain_o if_o the_o vowell-point_n and_o distinguish_a accent_n be_v add_v to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n by_o those_o tiberian_o or_o such_o like_a man_n of_o the_o common_a sort_n than_o that_o sense_n which_o the_o read_n of_o the_o vowell-point_n and_o the_o distinguish_a exhibite_n must_v necessary_o be_v of_o humane_a authority_n and_o consequent_o uncertain_a not_o divine_a and_o prophetical_a and_o so_o authentic_a then_o those_o point_n in_o place_n doubtful_a ambiguous_a and_o difficult_a may_v be_v change_v by_o any_o other_o learned_a man_n and_o other_o substitute_v for_o they_o there_o will_v be_v contention_n who_o shall_v be_v the_o more_o learned_a and_o more_o skilful_a in_o correction_n then_o everywhere_o will_v be_v great_a doubt_n the_o same_o word_n by_o reason_n of_o but_o one_o point_n change_v pass_v into_o another_o sense_n then_o the_o text_n consist_v of_o naked_a letter_n will_v be_v like_o wax_n mutable_a into_o divers_a form_n then_o in_o such_o debate_n will_v be_v no_o supreme_a judge_n and_o so_o no_o canon_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o may_v be_v the_o measure_n and_o the_o end_n of_o controvert_v interpretation_n cap._n 9_o xxvii_o nor_o be_v it_o enough_o to_o say_v the_o text_n