But in proving this proposition, like most other advocates,
he went somewhat beyond the truth, and rashly threw out
insinuations against the co-ordinate value and authority of
the LXX. I would respectfully submit, that Walton,
rather than either Hody or Usher, pronounced the correct
and orthodox decision. To hold the middle course be-



THE SEPTUAGINT. 43

tween extreme Romanists and extreme Protestants, neither
to debase the LXX, nor to exalt the Hebrew, this is to
maintain the canon of the primitive Church, apart from
all the controversies of succeeding ages.
Before we proceed, it may be proper to advert to two
important writers, who stand in a class of their own. Philo
and Josephus, though they can scarcely be reckoned
either amongst ecclesiastical or classic authors, are both
held in high estimation, as bearing a direct and independent
evidence to the truth and authenticity of the Jewish Scrip-
tures. It has been matter of controversy, whether Josephus
appeals chiefly to the Hebrew text, or to that of the LXX.
