harsh and literal; and therefore it may yet again be licked over; and I
2. The notes are formed on the rigidly-literal version; and in compiling of them, the philological part was first studied and written, and from thence was the theological sense of the text inferred and written. Howbeit, transcribing the whole in mundo, I judged it expedient, especially for the sake of the unlearned reader, to invert that order; so that the philological part comes last, that they who have no gust for it may pass it. Meanwhile it contains the reason of the versions, and sense of the text, which are given.
3. The more smooth version will, I apprehend be judged by far too harsh and literal; and therefore it may yet again be licked over; and I am resolved to expunge, in many places therein, the word "even," very frequently occurring, satisfying myself with its standing in the other version. But I must own, I am much addicted to the letter of the sacred text; and to depart from it, but upon evident necessity. For I am fully convinced, that a cloud hath been cast over the true sense of several texts, by interpreters allowing themselves a great liberty in departing from it; instance Gen. 3:1; and humbly conceive there is a becoming reason for the sacred Hebrew phraseology. Withal I am of opinion with a famed author, that the Hebrew manners of speech kindly mix and incorporate with the English language; and, if I mistake not, we may in several instances express them more happily in our native language than in the Latin.
4. The authentic copy written with my own hand, from which it must be printed, if deemed worthy to see the light, is in my closet. I do not remember that I have so much as seen, far less revised, the whole of the other, now at London, it being kept partly at Edinburgh, and partly at Aberdeen, till it was sent thither."
No. VI
THE copy of the paragraph here mentioned is as follows:—"I sincerely desired to have been useful to you, to my power, since you were settled in the neighbourhood; and that was the spring of some