1. The fixation of the true text is not a simple matter like that of following a single document, however trustworthy, like Codex B. Every editor may have his bias in favour of this or that MS., but all editors recognise the obligation to take into account all avail- able sources of evidence—not merely the great uncial MSS. of ancient dates, but the cursives of later centuries, and, besides Greek MSS. of both kinds containing the whole or a part of the New Testament, ancient versions, Latin, Syriac, Egyptian, etc., and quotations in the early Fathers. The evidence when fully adduced is a formidable affair, demanding much space for its exhibition
(witness Tischendorf’ss eighth edition in two large octavos), and the knowledge of an expert for its appreciation. In such a work as the present the space cannot be afforded nor can the knowledge be expected even in the author, not to say in his readers. Full know- ledge of the critical data through first-hand studies belongs to specialists only, who have made the matter the subject of lifelong labour, All one can do is to utilise intelligently their results. But because all cannot be specialists it is mot profitless to have a juryman’s acquaintance with the relative facts. It is the aim of the critical notes placed beneath the Greek text to aid readers to the attainment of such an acquaintance, and to help them to form an intelligent opinion as to the claims of rival readings to represent the true text. Fortunately, this can be done without adducing a very long array of witnesses.
2. For it turns out that there are certain groups of witnesses which often go together, and whose joint testimony is very weighty. Westcott and Hort have carefully specified these. They may here be indicated :—
For the Gospels the most important and authoritative group is NBCDL 33.
In this group L and 33 have hitherto not been referred to. L (Codex Regius), though belonging to the eighth century, represents an ancient text, and is often in agreement with N and B. 33 belongs to the cursive class (which are indicated by figures), but is a highh, valuable Codex, though, like all cursives, of late date. In his Prolegomena to Tischendorfs New Testament, Dr. Caspar René Gregory quotes (p. 469) with approval the opinion of Eichhorn that this is the ‘‘queen of the cursives”. In the above group, it will be noticed, representatives of the different ancient types— Western, Alexandrian, Neutral (D, 8, C, B)—are united. When they agree the presumption that we have the true text is very strong.
When D falls out we have still a highly valuable group in NBCL 33.
When DC and 33 drop out there remains a very trustworthy combination in NBL.
There are, besides these, several binary combinations of great importance. The following is the list given by Westcott and Hort for the Gospels :—
BL, BC, BT, B=, BD, AB, BZ, B 33, and for St. Mark Ba.
In these combinations some new documents make their appearance.
T stands for the Greek text of the Graeco-Thebaic fragments of St. Luke and St. John (century v., ancient and non-Western).