John Owen (1616-1683) on the "Meticulous" Preservation of Scripture and Matthew 5:18

 

John Owen, The Causes, Ways, and Means of Understanding The Mind of God As Revealed In His Word (Collected Works, 4, 213):

“The words of Scripture being given thus immediately from God, every apex, tittle, or iota in the whole is considerable, as that which is in effect divine wisdom, and therefore filled with sacred truth, according to their place and measure. Hence, they are all under the especial care of God, according to that promise of our Saviour, Matt v.18.... “Till heaven and earth pass, one jota or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law. That our Saviour doth here intend the writing of Scriptures then in use in the church, and assure the protection of God unto the least letter, vowel, or point of it, I have proved elsewhere [see Works, 16, 345-421]; and [God] himself in due time will reprove the profane boldness of them who, without evidence or sufficient proof, without that respect and reverence which is due unto the interest, care, providence and faithfulness of God in this matter, do assert manifold changes to have been made to the original writings of the Scripture."