THE first materials of his learning, were not very considerable; he had acquired some knowledge of Latin in his childhood, but left it off for the Mathematics: so that by the time he resumed his grammatical studies, he had almost all to do again. However, the strength of his natural capacity, and intense application to study, after his conversion, soon recovered, what he had lost, with vast increase.
From the time of his first, deep concern about salvation, he read, as has been intimated, the word of God, with unwearied application; and every thing else, only as it had some reference to the truths contained therein: and this practice he continued with increasing diligence, and delight, till sickness disqualified him for all study. And to such a degree of eminency did he arrive therein, that I believe, it may be said with truth, he was scarce ever a moment waking, wherein he was not either talking of, reading, or meditating on one truth or other contained in holy scripture.
At first he read the English bible chiefly; but his endeavours for the good of many of his ignorant countrymen, induced him to read, and get well acquainted with the New Testament in Irish likewise.
He next set himself, to understand the scriptures, both of the Old Testament and the New, in their original. It was not till after he had acquired some tolerable knowledge of the Greek Testament, that he entered upon the study of Hebrew. This was at London, about December 1755. He agreed with a Jew to instruct him, at the rate of a shilling an hour. A few lessons served all the ends he needed; and being fully initiated into the genius of the language, he soon became as it were swallowed up in it.
The matter of the study so endeared the language to him, that he proceeded therein with incredible swiftness. He discovered every day, such a depth of hidden wisdom, in the writings of Moses, and the prophets, read in their own tongue, as he could hardly have conceived from our translation, tho’ for the most part, deemed the best in the world.
He ascribed it to a special assistance from heaven, that the study of the tongue, became so easy and pleasant. And I have heard him mention this very particular as an argument (at least to himself) of the regard of heaven, to this first, most simple, and excellent of languages;[¹] in assisting those who with upright minds enquire into it after the mind of God. And to this purpose he writes as follows.
[¹] “The Hebrew (says archbishop Usher) is the first tongue of the world, and the most orderly speech: in comparison of which all other languages may be condemned for barbarous confusion.”
“Sure I am (says an eminent writer) that it ought to be the first language we are taught, after we have learned to lisp our own: and were I worthy to advise, the oriental dialects should follow the Hebrew, the Greek should follow the Arabic, and the Latin be acquired by conversation and reading, in the same manner as the modern languages of Europe are acquired.”
“December 20, 1756. I spent the forenoon in my studies, in which God has, and does greatly assist me. About this time twelve-month I could not read a sentence of Hebrew with any certainty, or construe a verse with readiness. But now I can read my bible through, and understand it, almost as well as Latin or English. This hath God done, enabling me to read his blessed word in the first and best of languages. O may all my studies and talents be devoted to his glory!”
*His application was indeed prodigious. I have known him spend fourteen hours, of the four and twenty, in this study, excepting only the intervals of prayer, which he frequently poured out for his blessing, whose inspiration alone teacheth man true wisdom. He often intermixed a verse of praise, or petition; and then, turning his face to the wall, and lifting up his heart and countenance to heaven, with his arms claspt about his breast, he would stand for some time before the Lord in solemn recollection, and then return to his work.