editor’s preface.
Bengel, in the main, laid hold of the true principle for the restoration of the genuine text, namely, that the preference should be given to the oldest MSS. and Versions, though few, rather than to the more recent ones, however numerous. But those oldest MSS. and Versions had not been so well collated as they have been more recently : and we have the advantage of other ancient authorities, lately brought to light, which Bengel had not. The results of modern textual criticism are briefly, but fully, given in my notes ; so that the reader can at a glance see the authorities for, and those against, every important reading. This, I venture to think, much enhances the value of this Translation.
No subject is of more importance as regards exegetical criticism, than to rightly distinguish synonyms, so as to mark exactly the delicate shades of meaning. I have therefore supplied the reader with many helps in this department, for which I am indebted chiefly to Tittmann, Wahl, and Trench.
Occasionally, typographical mistakes occur in the Latin of modern editions of the Gnomon. These must perplex the reader, as they did myself for a time. In this Translation no such difficulty will arise.
Some reviewers have objected to the retention of the technical terms. Bengel, in his Preface, has by anticipation answered these objectors : these technical terms of figures of speech, often recurring, are not a pedantic display of learning, calculated to confuse the English reader, but are in fact abbreviated notes , thrown into this form to save frequent repetition, and clearly intelligible, partly from the context, and the brief explanations which I have inserted in brackets or footnotes, and more fully from the Appendix.
In many cases the convenience of the reader is consulted by texts being given in full, which are only referred to by Bengel ; and the emphatic part of each such text is marked in such a way that the intention of Bengel in referring to it, which might not be at once obvious, is made apparent.
May the great Head of the Church bless this work to His own glory and the extension of His kingdom ! May it be the means, under Him, of leading many in this country, as it has already on the Continent, to an accurate, devout, and reverential study of the Sacred Word!