PREFACE

TO THE

INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT.

THIS Volume consists of three parts, which may be considered separately.

The first is an Introduction to the Textual Criticism and Study of the New Testament: for this I am wholly responsible; for, with the exception of portions cited expressly from the Rev. T. H. Horne, it has been entirely prepared for this volume. It would, indeed, have been easy to have taken the material already existing on the subject of the MSS., versions, &c. &c., of the New Testament, as written by Mr. Horne, and to have enlarged it by a few additions, and to have introduced the mention of newly-discovered MSS. in a similar manner; two reasons, however, especially weighed with me in giving to this portion of the volume its present form.

Textual Criticism has been my especial study in connection with the Greek New Testament for many years; and thus it appeared to be right to treat the topics more independently than I could have done, had I sought to act merely as an editor and annotator; for when any scholar has been an investigator in any department of study, it is only natural that he should be in some measure especially qualified for speaking for himself, and communicating the

results of his studies to others.

And this leads me. to the

second of the reasons referred to above.

In examining the whole subject of Textual Criticism, and in obtaining an acquaintance with the sources of evidence (MSS., versions, and early citations), not a little has accumulated on my hands, which is certainly not accessible to all Biblical scholars; and although others have freely used and have published without hinderance much that has been collected by me, yet all this has formed a part of what I have long thought might be profitably published at some future day, as a contribution to the accurate knowledge of New Testament criticism. These things, then, being so, I was glad to have the opportunity of thus making some present use of the results of my studies, so that they may be available for the benefit of others. I have thus, in speaking of MSS., versions, the History of the Text, and some other topics, given at least an outline of my own investigations on these subjects. A hint was communicated to me while the volume was passing through the press, that this portion had been unduly extended; but as the publishers coincided with me in considering that too much compression would in that part be injudicious, no portion of what had been written was omitted. It must be understood, however, that even on the sources of criticism many subjects are rather indicated than entered into in detail; enough, however, has been given to direct the student in learning for himself.

To me it is a satisfaction to have been able to speak thus far on these subjects, though I might wish that it had been possible to have entered more minutely into the internal characteristics of the ancient MSS., and the several versions, and to have discussed fully the patristic citations. But still this volume, and one which appeared not long ago*,

"An Account of the Printed Text of the Greek New Testament, with Remarks on its Revision upon Critical Principles." Bagster: 1854.

may suffice for the present for communicating to others the results of my own studies, which have been carried on through many long years. I ought, perhaps, to add, that if I am ever able to exhibit fully the results of my studies in this department of Biblical learning in a combined and united form, I can see no prospect of its being possible for several years at least, a period which appears doubly uncertain to those who consider the instability of all mundane an d human things. The indefiniteness of any such prospect makes me all the more glad that I have been able to put the portio n of this volume, which relates to Textual Criticism, into its present definite form. I may rightly add, that in this determination, and in the manner in which it has been carried out, I have had the satisfaction of the approval of the Rev. T. H. Horne. It only requires, in stating this, that it should be borne in mind that for all critical opinions expressed, I alone am responsible.

When I remember how differently some now regard critical principles to what was the case comparatively few years ago, I cannot do other than feel thankful that results should so far have been attained. Twenty years ago things were not so regarded in this country as is the case at present; the principle of recurrence to the earliest and best authorities is one in which many have now acquiesced; and while continued efforts, made both in private and public, have been thus far of use, the original authorities have been at the same time re-examined; MSS. have been more accurately collated; the texts of many have been published by Tischendorf; the ancient versions have been more accurately investigated, and the patristic citations have been more studied. Thus there has been in the last twenty years a simultaneous apprehension of critical principles, and of the facts to which they may be applied. I believe that I have no occasion to say more as to the first part of this

volume, the contents of which may speak for themselves. No one will, I believe, consider that I have given undue prominence to my own investigations, who is aware of the change of the tone of thought as to many critical points amongst Christian scholars in this country, to effect which my efforts have been constantly directed for more than twenty years, and that not without some success.

The second portion of this volume consists of Introductions to the respective books of the New Testament. And here I am not author, but simply editor. Here I felt that I stood on very different ground from that which I had occupied with regard to the Textual portion of the volume. I had not so much to consider how I should have treated the subjects, as what addition might be needful, in consequence of modern research, to what the Rev. T. H. Horne had himself stated. It was not for me to pull down one edifice in order to erect another in its stead; to do this for the mere sake of change, would be like removing an old manor house to make room for a trim Italian villa.

;.

But as editor I have used my liberty: as to those books of the New Testament, the authority, &c., of which has been specially disputed, I have added what appeared to me necessary; I have removed what seemed doubtful, or what has not borne the test of close examination, and I have sought that the evidence in favour of the respective books of the sacred volume may be sufficient for the purpose of the general student.

Some would have wished that the quotations of earlier writers given by Mr. Horne should be omitted; to do this in general was, however, equally opposed to my judgment and inclination; for there are few things to which it is now more needful to direct the attention of young Biblical students than that there were Biblical scholars before those who have lived and written during the last thirty years.