THE Eclectic Review, MDCCCXV. JULY-DECEMBER. NEW SERIES. VOL. IV. Φιλοσοφίαν δε συ την Στωικην λεγω, ουδε την Πλατωνικην, η την Επικουρειον τε CLEM. ALEX. Strom. Lib. 1. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY JOSIAH CONDER, 18, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD, SOLD ALSO BY DEIGHTON AND SONS, CAMBRIDGE; AND OLIPHANT, WAUGH, and Innes, edinburgh. Index to the Anatomical, Medical, Chirurgical, and Phisiological Papers, contained in the Transactions of the Royal Society of London; to the Jennings's Scripture Testimony, examined and confirmed by plain Arguments Jerdan's Paris Spectator; or, L'Hermite de la Chaussée D'Antin Laurence's Remarks upon the Systematical Classification of Manuscripts, Memoirs of Francis, commonly called St. Francis de Sales, Titular Prince and Bishop of Geneva. Translated from the French Memoires sur la Guerre des Français en Espagne Monk and Bloomfield's Ricardi Porsoni Adversaria Observations on certain Passages of the Old Testament cited in the Histo- Rossel's Practical Treatise on finding the Latitude and Longitude at Sea. Schimmelpenninck's, Mary Anne, Theory on the Classification of Beauty and Deformity, and their Correspondence with Physiognomical Expression Scott's Sermon; occasioned by the Death of Mr. John West, of Gawcot Stewart's Elements of the Philosophy of the Human Mind Taylor's, Jane, Display. A Tale for Young People Taylor's, Mrs. Practical Hints to Young Females, on the Duties of a Wife, a Mother, and a Mistress of a Family Third Annual Report of the Committee of the Southwark Auxiliary Bible Thomson and Orme's Historical Sketch of the Translation and Circulation of the Scriptures, from the Earliest Period to the Present Times THE ECLECTIC REVIEW, FOR JULY, 1815. Art. I. Remarks upon the systematical Classification of Manuscripts, adopted by Griesbach in his Edition of the Greek Testament. By · Richard Laurence, LL.D. pp. 135. Parker, Oxford; Rivingtons, London. 1814. IT must be obvious to every reader who is at all acquainted with sacred criticism, that had the first editors of the printed Greek text of the New Testament, possessed the means of preparing an edition, which are now accessible to the critic, the text of their editions would have been in some respects different; many readings adopted by them would have been omitted, and many which they omiettd would have been inserted. The materials which Erasmus and the editors of the Complutensian Polyglot employed, were too imperfect to give the highest value to their editions. The Elzevir text of 1624, which became the received text, and which was copied, through the medium of Beza's, from the edition of Robert Stephens, in 1550, united the readings of the Erasmian and the Complutensian editions, and cannot therefore pretend to unimpeachable authority. The Greek text was still open to revision, and still susceptible of emendation. The editions of Mill, Bengel, and Wetstein, though of great importance, presented the text of 1624. No attempt was made to reform and perfect the constitution of the Greek text of the New Testament, on critical principles, till Griesbach engaged in the arduous work of completely revising and settling it. The result of his labours was the publication, at Halle, in Saxony, of his edition of the Greek Testament, in two volumes; the first volume, in 1796, the second in 1806. We take notice of this edition only, because it entirely supersedes the first edition published in 1775, and 1777. Innovation is generally viewed with jealousy, and excites alarm. Many persons who exclaim against new translations. and new editious, do not, or will not consider, that the edition. or the version, to which they are most strongly attached, was once new. They do not reflect that the critical office, the duties of which literary men of our own age are discharging, had been assumed by the learned of a former day. If it was right in Stephens, or Beza, to publish an edition of any part of the Scriptures from manuscripts, it could not be wrong in Griesbach, or in any other competent person, to publish an edition of the same, or of any other part of the Bible. The only question of importance is, not whether an edition of the Scriptures is old or new, but whether any particular edition, is the best that can be obtained; or which of various editions, approximates nearest to the original state of the writings as left by their authors. It is really pitiable to reflect on the opposition of Dr. John Owen, to the publication of the various readings imbodied in the London Polyglot; and in the manner in which Whitby, a critic by profession, suffered his mind to be disturbed by the edition of Mill's Greek Testament. Though just notions on the subject of various readings, and on the application of them to the correction of the text, were more generally entertained when Griesbach meditated his first edition, he proceeded to execute his plan with caution; and thought it necessary to obviate suspicions and accusations prejudicial to his religious opinions, by a declaration of his sentiments on a leading point in theology. Our own obser vation and experience convince us that there are persons in whose eyes it would be an indication of a departure from the faith, in any man who might hint the corruption of a passage in the received text, or in the public version of the Scriptures, and propose its amendment by substituting a various reading. The old mumpsimus must not be changed for the new sumpsimus. As we are not sure that every reader of our work, who is acquainted with the name of Griesbach, is also informed of the theological principles of this distinguished critic, who was a member of the Lutheran Church, and as we should feel gratified in removing any prejudice against the use of his valuable work, we shall translate part of the preface to the second volume of the New Testament, first edition, 1775. I publicly profess and declare before God, that I have never questioned the truth of that Article (the true Divinity of Christ). There are so many clear passages, and so many decisive arguments in the sacred writings by which the true Deity of Christ may 'be proved, that, I confess, I can scarcely understand how any person, the Divine authority of the Holy Scriptures being admitted, and genuine rules of biblical interpretation 'being maintained, can dispute the truth of that doctrine. The first three verses of the Gospel according to John, ' especially, are so luminous, and so much above exception, that they can never be subverted, or wrested from the defenders of the truth, by the daring attempts of either critics, or interpreters.' But few instances occur in the annals of literary history of an author's possessing so much of the general estimation in his life time as was enjoyed by the late Professor Griesbach. The different classes of theologists not only admired his critical sagacity, and his learning, but they united in applauding his candour and impartiality; qualities which, it is to be regretted, are not always associated with extensive erudition. The solidity of his learning and the accuracy of his judgement were indeed questioned by Matthaei; but his accusations discover the bitterness of his spirit as a personal opponent, and were conveyed in terms rude and offensive. Griesbach's second edition of the New Testament, is well entitled to rank among the most laborious efforts of the learned It contains the results of many years' close application to the collation of manuscripts, and to the investigation of their various readings, and presents a text which has received the approbation of the most eminent scholars. It may, however, have been more warmly applauded, and more frequently quoted, than carefully examined; and the praises of its admirers may not always have proceeded from careful endeavours to appreciate its value. Its authority has been, and still is, great beyond precedent, and the decisions of Griesbach are received with little less than oracular deference. As enlightened minds pay deference only to truth, as every Christian must feel deeply interested, if not in the process, yet in the result, of critical investigation, and as in every particular which concerns the records of our faith the nicest caution, ought to be exercised; it is the duty of every competent person who is anxious to possess the word of God in purity, minutely to examine a system which promises to secure it against corruption; to review the premises, and to weigh the conclusions of Griesbach; that approbation may be given to truth, and not to error, and that commendations and confidence may have the support of fidelity. We are therefore glad that Dr. Laurence has invited the attention of the learned to the system of Griesbach; and we shall be happy in witnessing the discussion of a subject which we apprehend is yet very imperfectly understood, and the eluci |