But I apprehend, that however just Lowth's distinction between the modes, may have formerly been, it is not warranted by the present idiom of the language. Indeed I cannot think the rule just. In the _first_, _fourth_ and _fifth_ examples quoted by the Bishop, the indicative might be substituted for the subjunctive, and the passages rendered more correct, according to the present practice of speaking and writing. "If thou _art_ the son of God." "No power except it _was_ given from above." "Whether it _was_ I, or they, so we preach." Every English ear must acknowlege that these expressions are more agreeable to our present practice, than those employed by the translators of the Bible, and they convey an idea of condition or doubt, as fully as the other form. But why did the translators deviate from the original? In the Greek, the verbs, in the two first examples, are in the indicative mode; and in the last, the verb is not expressed. ~Ei huios ei tou Theou~, literally, If thou _art_ the son of God. ~Ouk echeis exousian oudemian kat' emou, ei mê ên soi dedomenon anôthen~; literally, Thou hast no power (or authority) against me, except it _was_ given thee from above. In the last instance the verb is omitted; ~Eite de egô, eite ekeinoi~; Whether I or they. In these instances therefore the translators of the Bible, and Bishop Lowth have evidently mistaken the true structure of the English verbs. The translators deviated from the original Greek, in changing the modes; and the Bishop has taken their error, as the foundation of a distinction which does not exist in the language. The indicative mode is employed to express conditional ideas, more frequently than the subjunctive, even by the best English writers. Take the following examples. "And if the same accident _is_ able to restore them to us."---- Bolingbroke, Reflec. on Exile. "If this being, the immediate maker of the universe, _has_ not existed from all eternity, he must have derived his being and power from one who has."----Priestley, let. 4 to Phil. Unb. "If there _is_ one, I shall make two in the company."----Merry Wives of Windsor, act 3. sc. II. "If thou _lovest_ me then Steal forth thy father's house tomorrow night." Midsum. Night's Dream, act 1. s. 2. "If thou _beest_[111] Stephano, touch me and speak to me; If thou _beest_ Trinculo, come forth." Tempest, act 2. s. 3. "If thou _art_ any thing besides a name." Cowley's Request. "For if he _lives_ that hath you doen despight." Spenser's Fairy Queen, book 2. chap. 1. "If any one _imagines_."----Moyle. "Why did Caligula wish that the people had but one neck, that he might strike it off at a blow, if their welfare _was_ thus reciprocal."---- Sidney on Gov. sect. 5. "If Governments _are_ constituted."----Sidney. "Well, keep your own heart, if silence _is_ best, Tho a woman, for once, I'll in ignorance rest." Haley's Happy Prescription.