In issuing the first portion of the Greek New Testament, to the preparation of which many years of my life have been devoted, while engaged in the collation of MSS., and in studies connected with the subject, I wish only to intimate, very briefly, what is needful in the way of explanation. I must refer the reader who wishes for more details as to the principles which I hold, and the studies in which I have been engaged, to my “Account of the Printed Text of the Greek New Testament, with remarks on its revision upon critical principles” (Bagster & Sons, 1854), and to the description of MSS., versions, etc., given in my “Introduction to the Textual Criticism of the New Testament” (published by Longmans, 1856, as part of the Introduction to the New Test, of the Rev. T. H. Home, E.D.). I shall only here state what I propose:—

I. To give the text of the New Testament on the authority of the ancient witnesses, MSS., and versions, with the aid of the earlier citations, so as to present, as far as possible, the text best attested in the earlier centuries.

II. To follow certain proofs, when obtainable, which carry us as near as possible to the Apostolic Age.