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.