Zurich Psalter, 16 n.
Footnotes
[1.]See Studia Biblica et Ecclesiastica, ii. “Evidence of Early Versions and Patristic Quotations, &c.,” by the Rev. Ll. J. M. Bebb, M.A., p. 211. In this chapter, which from press reasons has been curtailed, I am glad to refer to Mr. Bebb's careful and thoughtful essay.[2.]
I cannot help expressing my strong opinion that there were a great many distinct Latin versions, and that they had a great many sources of origin:—briefly speaking,
(a) Because of the testimony of Augustine and Jerome;
(b) Because Latin translations from the first must have been wanted everywhere, and must have been constantly supplied. On the one hand the bilingualism prevalent in the Roman Empire would ensure a large number of translators: and on the other the want of accurate Greek scholarship would account for the numerous errors found in and propagated by the old Latin manuscripts. Copies of one translation could not in those days have been supplied in every place adequately to the want;
(c) Because of the multitude of synonyms to be found in Old Latin MSS.;
(d) Because on almost all disputed passages Old Latin evidence can be quoted on both sides;