John Owen
An explanation of the necessary continuity between the autographa (originals) and the apographa (copies) of holy scripture.
It is the h graphe, that is theopneustos, 2 Tim. iii. 16. The writing, or word written, is by inspiration from God. Not only the doctrine in it, but the graphe itself, or the doctrine as written is so from him.
Hence, the providence of God hath manifested itself no less concerned in the preservation of the writings, than the doctrine contained in them.
The writing itself being the product of his own eternal counsel for the preservation of the doctrine, after a sufficient discovery of the insufficiency of all other means for that end and purpose.
And hence, the malice of Satan hath raged no less against the book, than the truth contained in it. The dealings of Antiochus under the Old Testament, and of sundry persecuting emperors under the New, evince no less.
And it was no less crime of old to be traditor libri, than to be abnegator fidei. The reproach of chartacea scripta, and membranae (Coster. Enchirid. cap. 1.), reflects on its author.
It is true we have not the autographa of Moses and the prophets, of the apostles and evangelists; but the apographa which we have, or copies, contain every iota that was in them.
John Owen (Divine Original, 393) [read online]
