§. V.
The Singular Number to one Person used in the Latin.It will not be unfit in this Place to say something concerning the Using of the Singular Number to one Person; of this there is no Controversy in the Latin. For when we speak to one, we always use the Pronoun [TU,] and he that would do otherwise, would break the Rules of Grammar. For what Boy, learning his Rudiments, is ignorant, that it is incongruous to say [vos amas, vos legis,] that is [you lovest, you readest] speaking to one? But the Pride of Man, that hath corrupted many Things, refuses also to use this Simplicity of speaking in the vulgar Languages. For being puffed up with a vain Opinion of themselves, as if the Singular Number were not sufficient for them, they will have others to speak to them in the Plural. Hence Luther, in his Plays, reproves and mocks this Manner of speaking, saying, Magister, vos es iratus: Which Corruption Erasmus sufficiently refutes in his Book of Writing Epistles: Concerning which likewise James Howel, in his Epistle to the Nobility of England, before the French and English Dictionary, takes Notice, “That both in France, and in other Nations, the Word [THOU] was used in speaking to one; but by Succession of Time, How the Word You came to be used to a single Person.when the Roman Commonwealth grew into an Empire, the Courtiers began to magnify the Emperor, (as being furnished with Power to confer Dignities and Offices) using the Word [You,] yea, and deifying him with more remarkable Titles;” Concerning which Matter, we read in the Epistles of Symmachus to the Emperors Theodosius and Valentinianus, where he useth these Forms of Speaking, “Vestra Æternitas, Your Eternity; Vestrum Numen, Your Godhead; Vestra Serenitas, Your Serenity; Vestra Clementia, Your Clemency. So that the Word [You] in the Plural Number, together with the other Titles and Compellations of Honour, seem to have taken their Rise from Monarchical Government; which afterwards, by Degrees, came to be derived to private Persons.”
The same is witnessed by John Maresius, of the French Academy; in the Preface of his Clovis: “Let none wonder (saith he) that the Word [Thou] is used in this Work to Princes and Princesses; for we use the same to God: And of old the same was used to Alexanders, Cæsars, Queens and Empresses. The Use of the Word [You,] when one Person is spoken to, was only introduced by these base Flatteries of Men of latter Ages, to whom it seemed good to use the Plural Number to one Person, that he may imagine himself alone to be equal to many others in Dignity and Worth; from whence at last it came to Persons of lower Quality.”
To the same Purpose speaketh also M. Godeau, in his Preface to the New Testament Translation: “I had rather (saith he) faithfully keep to the express Words of Paul, than exactly follow the polished Stile of our Tongue; therefore I always use that Form of calling God in the Singular Number, not in the Plural; and therefore I say rather [Thou] than [You.] I confess indeed, That the Civility and Custom of this World requires him to be honoured after that Manner; but it is likewise on the contrary true, that the original Tongue of the New Testament hath nothing common with such Manners and Civility; so that not one of these many old Versions we have doth observe it. Let not Men believe, That we give not Respect enough to God, in that we call him by the Word [Thou] which is nevertheless far otherwise; The Word Thou, a greater Honour to One than You.for I seem to myself (may be by the Effect of Custom) more to honour his Divine Majesty, in calling him after this Manner, than if I should call him after the Manner of Men, who are so delicate in their Forms of Speech.”
See how clearly and evidently these Men witness, That this Form of Speaking, and these profane Titles, derive their Origin from the base Flattery of these last Ages, and from the delicate Haughtiness of worldly Men, who have invented these Novelties, that thereby they might honour one another, under I know not what Pretence of Civility and Respect. From whence many of the present Christians (so accounted) are become so perverse, in commending most wicked Men, and wicked Customs, that the Simplicity of the Gospel is wholly lost; so that the giving of Men and Things their own Names is not only worn out of Custom, but the doing thereof is accounted absurd and rude by such Kind of delicate Parasites, who desire to ascribe to this Flattery, and abuse the Name of Civility. Moreover, that this Way of speaking proceeds from an high and proud Mind, hence appears, because that Men commonly use the Singular Number to Beggars, and to their Servants; yea, and in their Prayers to God. Thus the Superior will speak to his Inferior, who yet will not bear that the Inferior so speak to him, as judging it a Kind of Reproach unto him. So hath the Pride of Men placed God and the Beggar in the same Category. I think I need not use Arguments to prove to such as know congruous Language, That we ought to use the Singular Number speaking to one; which is the common Dialect of the whole Scripture, as also the most Interpreters do translate it. Seeing therefore it is manifest to us, that this Form of speaking to Men in the Plural Number doth proceed from Pride, as well as that it is in itself a Lie, we found a Necessity upon us to testify against this Corruption, by using the Singular equally unto all. And although no Reason can be given why we should be persecuted upon this Account, especially by Christians, who profess to follow the Rule of Scripture, whose Dialect this is; Scripture Dialect the plain Language.yet it would perhaps seem incredible if I should relate how much we have suffered for this Thing, and how these proud Ones have fumed, fretted, and gnashed their Teeth, frequently beating and striking us, when we have spoken to them thus in the Singular Number: Whereby we are the more confirmed in our Judgment, as seeing that this Testimony of Truth, which God hath given us to bear in all Things, doth so vex the serpentine Nature in the Children of Darkness.