must immediately see, that on the one hand the various readings of the sacred text do not, in any respect, impeach its divine authority or authenticity; and that, on the other, those deserve highly of the Christian world, who, with due advantages of natural and acquired endowments, and with due attention and modesty, exert themselves in collecting various readings, or in any other Biblical pursuit, that tends to advance the literal purity of the text.

How great is the space between the edition of Tacitus by Lipsius, (to go back no further), and the edition of the same author by Brotier? Yet in each the history is the same. Each informs the reader of the dark policy of Tiberius, of the arts of Sejanus, of the imbecility of Claudius, the cruelty of Nero, the grandeur of Otho in his last moments: from each the reader learns, that, by the election of Vitellius in Germany, the fatal secret of the empire was disclosed, that an emperor might be chosen out of

compara

Rome. Yet surely the scholar reads all this with infinitely less pleasure in Lipsius than in Brotier. Such being the tive merit of a perfect and an imperfect edition, and the connexion between the sacred writings and sacred literature being so great, every person, to whom the sacred writings are dear, must wish them edited in the most perfect manner. It would reflect disgrace on the learned of the Christian world, that any one Pagan author should be published in a more perfect manner than the Word of God.

XVIII.

It remains to give SOME ACCOUNT OF THE PRINCIPAL AUTHORS, OF WHOSE LABOURS THE WRITER HAS AVAILED HIMSELF IN THIS COMPILATION. He must first mention Michaelis, whose Introduction to the Study of the New Testament, translated

by the Rev. Herbert Marsh, was of the greatest service to him in every part of his labours. Judgment, extent of learning, and moderation, except where Wetstein is spoken of, are discernible in the original: equal judgment, learning, and moderation, are discernible in the copious notes added in the translation. It is to be wished, that the public were in possession of a good account of the literary life of Michaelis; his translator, perhaps, will confer that additional favour on them. After Michaelis must be mentioned the Bibliotheca Sacra of Father Le Long, the Oratorian, and librarian of the house of that Order, in the street of St. Honoré at Paris. The best edition of it was published at Halle, in six volumes 4", 1778-1790, by Masch. The editor has inserted in it an account of Le Long's life and writings, and several dissertations of his own, on various subjects of Biblical literature. The Titres Primitifs of Fabricy must also be mentioned; a work replete with learning. It

inclines to the old opinions; the author shews himself a zealous and able advocate for them; and, in every part of his work, studiously endeavours to excite the warmest sentiments of religious respect for the sacred writings, and every topic of sacred literature connected with them. But both Fabricy and Masch appear to carry their notions of the integrity of the text to an extreme, and to be unjust to the merit of Dr. Kennicott's labours. The author must also mention his obligations to the writings of Father Simon, whose Biblical erudition was far beyond that of his age. In some respects, he was the first adventurer in that career of learning; his progress in it was surprising: but in certain instances his bold opinions and want of exactness subjected him to reproach. There scarcely is a description of Schoolmen or Sectaries, whom, by attacking their favourite opinions, he did not make his enemy. The Jesuits, the Dominicans, the Thomists, the Jansenists,

the Calvinists, the Lutherans, the Oratorians, to whom he once belonged, and whom he quitted, saying,

Alterius ne sit qui suus esse potest!

Even Bossuet and Le Clerc, who agreed in nothing else, united against Simon. But it is a justice due to him, that those who are inclined to accuse him of Socinianism, should peruse his apologies, before they make the charge. A general mention must also be made in this place, of Calmet's Dissertations, replete with various and extensive learning.

The writer must also add, that he has been honoured by Mr. Marsh, with some highly valuable communications by letter, and with similar communications from the noble Prelate, whose learning and talents illustrate the see of St. Asaph. He hopes he shall not be thought vain in mentioning these favours, as it would be ingratitude in him not to feel them. His obligations to Dr. Winstanley, the Principal of Alban Hall,