the fourth part, or even less, which is so far from being less, that it is really much greater, e.g., Acts xx. 28, and xxi. 15.
Such being the case, it is evident, what little value can be attached to that examination of Various Readings on Matt, xxv., which the author of the Crisis has given as a specimen, in his Prolegomena, Nos. 94—98. Nothing ought to be more severely examined than Rules ; for all other things depend upon them. This Crisis, then, which we have been examining, (1) rests upon an utterly false number of MSS. ; (2) passes by the most important witnesses to the genuine Text ; (3) applies its Canons to passages, where they are not applicable, and neglects to apply them, where they were of the most value, etc. I do not wish to injure the reputation of a distinguished man : his Crisis is, how ever, "an unsatisfactory defence of the more received text, where sound, and a vast hindrance to its purification, where corrupt." Oh that they, who follow this Crisis, like an unrea soning herd, would at length awake, so as to use their own senses. They, who treat the whole subject of criticism with contempt (provided they do not do so, from contempt of the Divine Word itself), are far more endurable, than those, who esteem the critic's vocation highly, yet both exercise it ill them selves, and keep others in ignorance, or lead them into error. Here also " overweening confidence is the principal means, by which a bad cause is defended, and eked out."
Daniel Whitly1 also has laid down certain Rules in his ex amination of the Various Headings of Mill (Preface, fol. 8), quoted by J. G. Carpzov2 in his preface to the critical commen-
1 Daniel Whitby, D.D., was born A.D. 1638, at Rushden or Rusden, in Northamptonshire ; admitted at Trinity College, Oxford, 1653, elected Scholar 1655, and Fellow 1664. He became Prebendary of Salisbury in 1688, and Precentor in 1672.
He obtained also the Rectory of St Edmund's Church, Salisbury. He died 1726. He was a man of great learning and untiring industry. In his last days he became an Arian. He wrote numerous works, amongst which was " A Paraphrase and Commentary on the New Testament," in the first volume of which is to be found his " Examen variantium lectionum Johannis Millii in Novum Testamentum" — (I. B.)
2 John Gottlob Carpzov (known also as J. G. Carpzovius), was born at Dresden 1679, and died 1767.— (I. B.)