INTRODUCTION.

The true object of a Literal Translation of Holy Scripture is, To express in the Language of the Translation, the Sense of the Original, in the actual Signification of the words of the Original, and in the Form of Expression, and Mode of Thought, proper to the Language of the Original. The true object of a Version of Holy Scripture in a different Language to that of the Original is, To express in the Language of the Version, the Sense of the Original, in the Form of Expression, and Mode of Thought, proper to the Language of the Version. Thus all that is absolutely omitted, or that is necessarily implied in the Original, may, and often must be expressed in a Version; but such additions may never be made, only, with the Object of Defending, Justifying, or in any way adding to the Sense of the Original, unless they are marked as not being in the Original; as in that case, they express the opinion of the Author, not of the Original, but of the Version.

In the following Version, however, I have so far departed from what is stated above, as to follow the Received English Version, in all respects, in which, in my opinion, the Sense of the Original is not Materially changed. I have been induced to do this, in order not to disturb established impressions and associations by time made sacred and revered; and that the minds of those, whose duties preclude the appropriation of much time to study, may not be occupied in investigations of no real import

ance.

The claim for attention to the Version now offered, although the result of 40 years labour, is not that it is the work of one qualified for the performance of such a glorious undertaking; but that it has been produced subject to an Invariable observance of Definite Rules; in place of which, in all existing Versions, the dictates of Arbitrary Selection have been continually substituted. Such substitutions are of incessant occurrence. Indeed to this Incessant observance of Arbitrary Selection I desire to draw particular attention; and this, not as to whether such Selection has or has not been justly and wisely exercised, but as to whether such Selection can with justice and wisdom be exercised, in any case, where

Definite Rules exist, which if followed, would render

such Selection unnecessary.

Authorized Greek Text.

To commence with the Authorized Greek Text. According to Definite Rule the rendering of John i. 18 should be, An only begotten God, which is in the bosom of the Father, that God hath declared them; seeing that this is the reading of all the Uncial MSS. but One, and of Ten of the Fathers against One; (in confirmation of this, See Dean Alford's Greek Testament in loco;) but the Reading of this passage according to the Authorized Greek Text is, "The only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared them;" and hence it is evident, that the Reading set forth in the Authorized Greek Text has not been chosen by Definite Rule, but by Arbitrary Selection; and this Selection, not Accidentally adopted without a perception of its neutralizing the Definite Rule applicable to the case; but with full admission of the fact by its upholders, in their endeavor to justify their having recourse to such Selection and hence we have proof, that the Determining Principle Observed in the attainment of the Authorized Greek Text, was not that of obedience to Definite Rules, but

was that of obedience to the dictates of Arbitrary.

Selection.

The Authorized Greek Text contains also Mark

xiv. 68, "And the cock crew;"-Matt. vi. 13, "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen"-Matt. xx. 16, "For many be called, but few chosen "-Mark xvi. 9 to end of Chapter-Luke ix. 55, "But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of"-Luke xxii. 43, "And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground"-Luke xxiii. 34, "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do "-John v. 3, "Waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had"-John vii. 53 to viii. 12-Acts viii. 37, "And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God"-Acts xxiv. 6, "And would have judged according to our law. But the chief captain