Chapter 3

UNCORRUPT PRESERVATION OF THE GOSPEL NARRATIVES. 1. What is meant by an Uncorrupt Text--2. Ancient Materials for Writing--Palimpsests--Uncial and Cursive Manuscripts--3. The Apostolic Autographs have perished, but We have their Contents--This shown from the Agreement of Manuscripts--From the Quotations of the Fathers--From Ancient Versions--Character of the "Various Readings"--They do not affect the Substance of the Gospel--4. The Ancient Versions made from a Pure Text--This shown from the Public Reading of the Gospels from the Beginning--From the Multiplication of Copies--From the High Value attached to the Gospels--From the Want of Time for Essential Corruptions--From the Absence of all Proof of such Corruptions--5. The Above Remarks apply essentially to the other New Testament Books