[+43 ] 
mt 
and fhut his eyes to invincible contrary examples, fome hints 
may poflibly be offered by this difcuffion to the minds of others, 
which may tend to elucidate and afcertain the analogy of the 
Greek tenfes. To fix their meaning accurately muift be undoubt-- 
edly confidered as an object of much moment, while the know- 
ledge of the true fenfe and meaning of the Greek authors is held 
-in eftimation by the world; and that it ever muft be fo, is 
evident from the confideration that the New Teftament itfelf 
is written in that language, in the interpretation of which the 
application of a tenfe may be of confiderable importance. It 
is hoped, therefore, that any endeavour to elucidate the fubject 
will meet with indulgence ; and if it be allowed that the preter- 
perfect applies to an action commenced ata time paft, but ftill 
prefent in itfelf or in its confequences ; the fecond aorift in its 
primogenial ufe to the time paft only and indefinitely, 2. e¢. 
without expreffing the perfection or imperfection of the action ; 
and the firft aorift to the time paft, exclufively of the prefent, 
and denoting the perfection of that paft action (as the preter- 
imperfect does its imperfection), every difficulty is removed, the 
“ parts all harmonife, and the meaning of the other tenfes being 
already agreed upon and acknowledged, every one will have its 
own proper and peculiar primogenial fignification. 
N. B.. I£ the foregoing application of the word indefinit2 to action, and not to 
time, fhould feem to any one unnatural, let it be applied to time, and then I fay 
the preterperfect and firft aorift are definites, becaufe they refpectively define and mark 
the time of the event to have been /ately, or long fince pait. The tecond zorift is inde- 
finite, becaufe it does not mark, define, or indicate, whether the time of the event 
has lapfed /ately, or Jong ago, but leaves it totally uncertain. This mode of referring 
them to time, though not the one ufually received, is the only one which can con- 
fiftently juftify us in applying thefe names, according to common ufe. 
(*F) 
