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    sentiment . When , therefore , by substituting one word for another , or by introducing a different turn of expression , a scholar heightens the beauty of a passage and gives perspicuity to its meaning—the taste and understanding of the reader are gratified—the emendation is gladly received—and the critic is applauded . Similar observations are applicable , although in an inferior

    degree , to the Orators and Historians of antiquity . —Here , therefore , we see a very strong reason why conjectural emendation should not be applied to the Sacred Writers ; with whom it is manifest that concinnity of expression was beneath attention , and whose general mode of thinking , we are well assured , was widely different from oar own . In the revision of their works , the critical ingenuity above described would almost inevitably terminate in

    error . " The manuscripts of Classical authors are , for the most part , few and not easily consulted ; while the manuscripts of the Greek Testament are very numerous , and by means of distinct publications in some instances , and accurate collations in others , accessible to all . This again is an invincible argument against the employment of conjecture in the criticism of the Sacred Volume .

    " But , after all , to what extent has critical conjecture been employed upon Classical authors ? What kind of readings has it really introduced ? Instances in abundance may be found , in which a word or a phrase , not sanctioned by the authority of manuscripts , has been admitted into the text with very general approbation ; but where shall we discover examples of clauses ,-comprising like the disputed verse more than twenty words , inserted upon mere internal evidence ? The very attempt to effect such a purpose , in the case of a Classical author , would be laughed to scorn ; and shall it be endured in the case of Scripture ?

    " Mere conjecture , unauthorized by manuscripts , ought never to be applied , even to Classical authors , except under a necessity which supersedes all ordinary rules . But a case of this kind cannot be pretended by the most zealous advocates of the verse . —The conjectures which are the most firmly to be relied upon , are those in which the vestigia verte lectionis are traced out from the imperfect readings of the manuscripts . But in the case in question , there are no readings whatever . Extraneous words are introduced by the

    score . " In short , the most profound and judicious Biblical scholars have hitherto resisted all unauthorized emendation of Holy Writ ; and I trust that , in times to come , those persons who may deserve the name will firmly unite for the same purpose . ^ Mistakes with regard to Classical authors are comparatively

    harmless . If , then , there must be critical conjecture , let the works of Poets and Orators , and Historians and Philosophers , suffice for the display of ingenuity . And thus , while in their productions we admire the inventions of men , we can search the Scriptures for the dictates of Inspiration . —While we read their volumes to improve our taste and judgment , we can peruse the New Testament to ascertain the unadulterated rule of faith and conduct . "—

    Pp . 80—83 . The Bishop of Salisbury himself is not so well satisfied with his internal evidence , but that he would gladly persuade himself that there are , have been , or will be , Greek MSS . containing the disputed verse . In regard to the Dublin MS ., it is amusing to see this zealous champion of the church exalting the opinion of Dr . A . Clarke , the Methodist , against that of a

    Cambridge Professor , on a point of criticism , because the former attributes it to the thirteenth , and the latter to the fifteenth century . Crito , while he pays a deserved compliment to Dr . Clarke , and exonerates the writer of the MS . from the charge of forgery , shews , by a collation of the context with the Latin , tr ^ at the Greek has been formed upon it , and gives his opinion in favour of the fifteenth century . It is uncertain whether the MSS- from which

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    324 Review , — Vindication of Porson .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1828, page 324, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2560/page/36/