CORRIGENDA ET ADDENDA.

08. See Sec. xix. Now a similar omission of the
article either before vios, or before both vios and
avdewe, would have been consistent with classical
practice. The insertion of it, then, to both nouns, in
every instance except one, (if a sufficient reason can
be assigned for this exception) surely manifests that a
definite meaning was intended to be conveyed by this.
for Iogaλ, read Ioganλ.

after xvi. 11. add, The kings of Abyssinia are distin
guished by the title of Emperor, or King of Kings. See
Picart's Religious Ceremonies, vol. v. p. 235.-
"On

a tomb-stone of Cyrus, in the city of Pasargadæ, was a Persic inscription, ending with this Greek line, σε Ενθαδ εγω κειμαι, Κυρος βασιλευς βασιλήων. Here Iam I buried, Cyrus King of kings. Strabo, lib. xv. p. 100. The Asiatic monarchs followed the example; "and medals also of Parthian kings, of Tigranes, of "Pharnaces, &c. are found with the same title in"scribed."- -Pinkerton on Medals, vol. i. p. 203; quoted by Dean Woodhouse, on Rev. xix 11, p 461. 286. 1. last. after agree, add, See eos, in Hebr. x. 7; Mark xv. 34; Luke xviii. 11, 13; John xx. 28; Psa. xxi. 1; lxxxii, 8; lxxxiii. i. 13; lxxxv. 4; lxxxvi. 14; &c.

299. 1. 2.

289. 1. 3 from the bottom, after prophet. insert, With this apostrophe comp. Homer. II. xvii. 645, &c. quoted by Longinus sec. ix. and Milton's Par. Lost, b. iv. 1. 724. After vers. add, So in English we say the King creates, or makes, a duke, an earl, a bishop, a baronet, &c. After life, add, for the next clause is, no man cometh to the Father but by me.

307, 1.

8.

VII.

AN EXPLANATION

JOHN I. 1 to 18.

Br

JOHN SIMPSON.

PRINTED BY

RICHARD CRUTTWELL, ST. JAMES'-STREET, BATH.}

1807.

Rules of Interpretation.

O the Rules which are prefixed to the first and
Effays, we

Tecond playw, we fall add the following.

1. When a term is used in a peculiar fenfe by any writer, the explication of it fhould be taken, if poffible, from fome appofite paffage in his own writings, if this fignification correfpond with the

context.

2. "The intention of the writer must be fought, "and prevail over the literal fenfe of the term."

3. "All clauses, preceding and subsequent, must be "taken together, to explain any one doubtful clause.” See Lord Teignmouth's Life of Sir William Jones, vol. ii. 8vo. p. 74.

The introduction to John's Gofpel having been variously interpreted by different perfons, before we propose any explanation of it, we shall investigate the true fenfe of the principal words and phrafes, the meaning of which has been difputed. This is neceffary in order to furnish a proper ground for afcer. taining the real fignification of this difficult paffage of scripture.

NOTES

ON

JOHN I. 1 to 18.

ER. 1. Ev agxn•

VER.

Since eternity has no be ginning, this term cannot be applied to it. The word beginning is relative. If nothing be particularly specified to which it relates, it of course refers to the fubject treated of where it occurs, and by that the meaning of it must be determined. As the Septuagint tranflators ufe ev agxn, Gen. i. 1, to introduce the hiftory of the original creation of this material world, and its inhabitants; fo the Apoftle John employs the fame expreffion to introduce an account of the new creation or renovation of man

kind by Jefus Christ. Mark uses agxn for the commencement of the new covenant, though he dates it from the appearance of John the fore-runner of Chrift; i. I. comp. Acts. i. 21, 22; x. 37 ; &c. i Ev agxn, John i. 1, 2, and aπ' agxns (which laft expreffion John always ufes in his epiftles) in 1 John i. 1. are fynonymous, and fignify the beginning of Christ's ministry. In this fenfe both thefe expreffions

Εν