Earth. First edition in Latin, Lond. 1681–1689, 2 vol. 4to. In English, ibid. 1684–1689, 2 vol. fol. Sixth edit. 1726, 2 vol. 8vo.-De Statu Mortuorum et Resurgentium Tractatus. Adjicitur Appendix de Futura Judaeorum Restauratione. Ibid. 1728, 8vo. edit. 2da.—Of the State of the Dead, and of those that are to rise. Translated from the Latin of Dr. Burnet. With an Answer to all the Heresies therein. By Mathias Earbery. Ibid. 1728, 2 parts, 8vo.-Archaeologiae Philosophiae; or, the Ancient Doctrine concerning the Originals of things. Faithfully translated into English, with Remarks thereon, by Mr. Foxton. Ibid. 1729, 8vo.-The Faith and Duties of Christians; a Treatise, in eight chapters. Translated into English by Mr. Dennis. Ibid. 1733, 8vo.

The author of the above works was one of the most elegant scholars of his age, and must have been held in no ordinary estimation for learning and talents, when Addison, alluding to his theory of the earth, thus addressed him :

O pectus ingens! O animum gravem,
Mundi capacem! Si bonus auguror,
Te, nostra quo tellus superbit,
Accipiet renovata civem.

His works were all written originally in Latin, in which he excelled; and perhaps, because he did not choose to disclose to all some of the peculiar sentiments which he held. His sentiments were far from orthodox on many points. He considered the Mosaic account of the fall, a pious allegory, and original sin, a fiction; he doubted the resurrection of the same body, and the eternity of future punishment. His theory of the earth was opposed by Warren, Keil, Whiston, and others. I introduce his works, because, apart from his mistakes, they contain some things relating to the Scriptures worth reading; while the reader ought to be on his guard against their sophistry and scepticism.

BURTON, GEO.-BURTON, WIL.-BUTLER. 69

BURTON, GEORGE, a clergyman of the Church of England.-An Essay on the Numbers of Daniel and St. John, determining the Birth of our Saviour, and fixing the time for the Dissolution of the Jews. Lond. 1766, 8vo.-A Supplement to the Essay; confirming the Numbers 2436, and 3430, mentioned in the Essay, from two Numerical Prophecies of Moses and our Saviour. Ibid. 1768, 8vo.

According to Mr. Burton's calculations, the conversion of the Gentiles, and the Millennium, will commence in the year 2436; the battle of Gog and Magog will begin in 3430, and the Millennium terminate in 3436. It will shake the confidence of the reader in our author's wisdom and calculations, when he is informed that the numerical prophecy of Moses referred to, is Lev. xxvi. 18—28, “I will punish you seven times more for your sins," etc. and that of our Saviour, Luke xvii. 4, " If thy brother trespass against thee seven times in a day,” etc.!

BURTON, WILLIAM, a bookseller in London.Researches into the Phraseology, Manners, History, and Religion of the Ancient Eastern Nations, as illustrative of the Sacred Scriptures; and into the Accuracy of the English Translation of the Bible. Lond. 2 vol. 8vo. no date.

These Researches are mostly a compilation, which made its appearance a few years ago, and which contains materials of various value. There are a number of good criticisms, and some of a trifling nature. The introduction contains remarks on the Septuagint, the Samaritan Pentateuch, and the Talmud. The work is very beautifully printed.

BUTLER, CHARLES, of Lincoln's Inn ; a learned and industrious Roman Catholic layman.-Horae Biblicae: an Historical and Literary Account of

70

BUXTORF, JOHN, THE FATHER.

the Original Text, Early Versions, and Printed Editions of the Old and New Testament. Lond. 1799, 8vo. Ibid. 1807, and 1812, 2 vol. 8vo.

This elegant work was originally printed for private distribution, and is the production of the leisure hours of Mr. Butler. It does great credit to his learning, research, candour, and good sense. It supplies in a narrow compass a large portion of useful information, on all the topics of which it treats, and directs to the sources whence it is chiefly drawn. In an appendix, the ingenious writer gives a literary outline of the disputes on the authenticity of 1 John v. 7; in which the evidence on both sides is stated with great candour and accuracy. The fifth edition of the Horne Biblicae is inserted in a collection of Mr. Butler's Philological and Biographical Works," 1817, 5 vol. 8vo.

BUXTORF, JOHN, the father; a celebrated Hebrew and Rabbinical scholar; born in Westphalia 1564; died 1629.

The works of the elder Buxtorf are very numerous, and full of Jewish prejudices, as well as Jewish learning. Those of them which are still deserving of attention are the following:

Synagoga Judaica. Hanov. 1604, 1622, 8vo.

In this work, which is divided into fifty chapters, the rites and ceremonies observed by the Jews are explained; and, in general, every thing relating to the forms and services of the synagogue.

-Tiberias; sive Commentarius Masoreticus, etc. Basil. 1620, fol.

This work contains a learned exposition and defence of the Masoretic doctrines; and was most learnedly assailed in the Arcanum Punctuationis of Capel. See CAPELLUS.

-Lexicon Hebraicum et Chaldaicum. Basil. 1621,

cum,

BUXTORF, JOHN, THE SON.

71

-Lexicon Chaldaicum, Talmudicum, et Rabbinietc. Published by his son. Basil. 1640, fol. This immense work is said to have been the result of thirty years labour. It contains a world of Rabbinical knowledge. All the Chaldaic, Talmudical, and Rabbinical words which occur in the paraphrases of the Old Testament, in the Babylonish and Jerusalem Targums, in the common or more private writings of the Hebrew commentators, philosophers, theologians, cabbalists, and lawyers, are fully explained. Numerous extracts, and examples are given; proverbs, apophthegms, opinions, rites, and other things relating to sacred philology and antiquities, are illustrated. All subsequent writers have been greatly indebted to this Lexicon of Buxtorf. For other works by him, see the article CAPELLUS, and CONCORDANCES. "The world," says Dean Prideaux, "is more beholden to Buxtorf for his learned and judicious labours, than to any other that lived in his time, and his name ought ever to be preserved with honour in acknowledgment of it.”

BUXTORF, JOHN, the son of the preceding; likewise Professor of Hebrew at Basil; born 1593; died 1664.-Anticritica contra Lud. Capellum. Basil. 1653, 4to. See CAPELLUS.-Dissertationes Philologicae Septem de Lingua Hebraica, et aliis rebus. Basil. 1645.-Exercitationes ad Historiam Arcae Foederis. Ibid. 1659.-Dissertationes Philologico-Theologicae, et Abarbanelis aliquot Dissertationes. Ibid. 1662, 4to.

The

The nature of these works is obvious from their titles. Dissertations on the Ark of the Covenant include an examination of the sacred fire, the Urim and Thummim, the manna, the rock in the desert, and the brazen serpent. They all contain a good deal of valuable philological matter, and discover extensive acquaintance with Hebrew literature.

BYNAEUS, ANTHONY, a Dutch minister of the seventeenth century.-De Calceis Hebraeorum, Libri duo, cum tabulis aeneis elegantissimis. Amst. 1684, 12mo. Dordraci, 1715, 4to.

The work of this learned Dutchman on the shoes of the Ancients, shows how much labour and learning may be expended on a comparatively unimportant subject. He endeavours to give a history of the clothing of the feet from the earliest period; and shows that if shoes did not originate in Paradise, they must have been used soon after. In the time of Abraham they were commonly employed. He endeavours to prove that the Hebrews always walked with their shoes on; and that, consequently, our Lord is often improperly represented by the ancients barefooted. He inquires into the matter of which they were formed, and proves that it was commonly leather. Their colour, whether black, white, red, or scarlet, is next learnedly discussed; along with their form, trappings, or fastenings. Various customs respecting the use of the shoe are then illustrated, together with remarks on those passages of Scripture in which they are referred to. This is the most useful part of the book. Bynaeus wrote other two works, on more interesting topics; the one on the birth of Christ, and the other on his death.

BYTHNER, VICTOR, a learned Pole, who resided chiefly in England, where he died 1670.-Lyra Prophetica Davidis Regis, sive Analysis CriticoPractica Psalmorum. Lond. 1645, 1650, 1654, 1664, 1679, 4to.

This is an exceedingly useful book to a learner of the Hebrew language. The reputation in which it was held appears from the numerous editions through which it passed. Bythner availed himself of the aids of the Chaldee paraphrase and the Septuagint in interpreting the Psalms. It is now scarce and dear.