PREFACE. THE present Edition of the Greek Testament is the result of a design formed many years ago, and suggested by the following considerations: The history of the Criticism and Interpretation of the Sacred Text of the Evangelical Scriptures during the present century is distinguished by certain remarkable characteristics. By the blessing of Divine Providence singular benefits have been bestowed upon the present generation, for the elucidation of the inspired Volume. The Manuscripts of the New Testament have been collated with greater labour and accuracy than formerly; the various readings thence derived have been recorded with more minute exactness and precision; and if all has not yet been achieved in this respect that may be requisite-and doubtless much still remains to be done yet new aids and instruments have thus been supplied to the biblical student, which were not accessible in former times. Transcripts, some of them in facsimile, of the most ancient Manuscripts have been published; early Versions have been recovered and printed. The researches of Travellers, Historians, and Chronologers, have shed new light on the sacred page. Indeed it must be confessed, with thankfulness to the Divine Author of Scripture, that the present age enjoys, in certain respects, greater privileges for the due understanding of Holy Writ than were ever conferred by Almighty God on any preceding generation since the revival of Letters. On the other hand, some features of a different kind present themselves to our notice. In one remarkable respect the history of the Criticism and Interpretation of the New Testament in our own times bears a striking resemblance to that of the Old Testament among the Jews. What could be more praiseworthy than the diligence of the Masoretic Critics in collating the Manuscripts and revising the Text of the Old Testament? With unwearied patience and scrupulous fidelity they registered every letter, and the frequency of its occurrence, in the pages of the ancient Scriptures. Yet, it is well known, with all their indefatigable labours for the guardianship |