As for the Septuagint, it is the first and most ancient Translation; and of greater antiquity than the Chaldee version; occasioned by the request of _Ptolomeus Philadelphus_, King of _Egypt_, for the ornament of his memorable Library; unto whom the high Priest addressed six Jews out of every Tribe, which amounteth unto 72; and by these was effected that Translation we usually term the Septuagint, or Translation of seventy. [SN: _The Credit of the Septuagint translation._] Which name, however it obtain from the number of their persons, yet in respect of one common Spirit, it was the Translation but as it were of one man; if as the story relateth, although they were set apart and severed from each other, yet were their Translations found to agree in every point, according as is related by _Philo_ and _Josephus_; although we find not the same in _Aristæas_ [Sidenote: Aristeas ad Philocratorem de 72 interpretibus.], who hath expresly treated thereof. But of the Greek compute there have passed some learned dissertations not many years ago, wherein the learned _Isacius Vossius_ makes the nativity of the world to anticipate the common account one thousand four hundred and forty years. This Translation in ancient times was of great authority, by this many of the Heathens received some notions of the Creation and the mighty works of God; This in express terms is often followed by the Evangelists, by the Apostles, and by our Saviour himself in the quotations of the Old Testament. This for many years was used by the Jews themselves, that is, such as did Hellenize and dispersedly dwelt out of Palestine with the Greeks; and this also the succeeding Christians and ancient Fathers observed; although there succeeded other Greek versions, that is, of _Aquila_, _Theodosius_ and _Symmachus_; for the Latin translation of _Jerom_, called now the Vulgar, was about 800 years after the Septuagint; although there was also a Latin translation before, called the Italick version. Which was after lost upon the general reception of the translation of Saint _Jerom_ [SN: Præfat. in Paralipom.]. Which notwithstanding (as he himself acknowledgeth) had been needless, if the Septuagint copys had remained pure, and as they were first translated. But, (beside that different copys were used, that _Alexandria_ and _Egypt_ followed the copy of _Hesychius_, _Antioch_ and _Constantinople_ that of _Lucian_ the Martyr, and others that of _Origen_) the Septuagint was much depraved, not only from the errors of Scribes, and the emergent corruptions of time, but malicious contrivance of the Jews; as _Justin Martyr_ hath declared, in his learned dialogue _Tryphon_, and _Morinus_ hath learnedly shewn from many confirmations. [Sidenote: De Hebræi et Græci textus sinceritate.]