Dr. Davidson speaks of Ernesti's work, cited above as follows:

`It has always obtained an extensive reputation, and continues to be

highly esteemed.  The advance, however, which it exhibits, as compared

with those of Baumgarten and Wyttenbach, is neither great nor

remarkable.  Yet the classical form in which it appeared, the omission

of many useless topics, and the perspicuity observable throughout,

contributed to procure for it a reception almost unexampled in the

history of theological literature.  But though its merit was great at

the time it appeared, and is still unquestionable, it cannot be denied

that it has many repetitions; or that it is meagre, dry and tame.  It

is characterized by good sense and discriminating judgment, but the

precepts, no less than the rules, partake of the coldness of a

classical commentator'.

We give this opinion of Ernesti, by Davidson, because in so doing the

reader will not only get a competent criticism of Ernesti, but that Dr.

Davidson, will, by inference, suggest where his own work improves upon the

features of Ernesti to which he takes exception.  The book is well indexed,

and occupies 748 pages.  Our own copy was obtained for a few pence at a

second-hand furniture stores, which exposed a miscellaneous row of books

for sale.  Either or both of these works would be an acquisition.  As tools

for the unashamed workman, we commend them both.

Having suggested that works dealing with the principles of Biblical

interpretation must be included among our tools, we are impelled to take the

matter a step further, and refer to the Greek of the New Testament as the

great subject upon which our highest powers should be exercised.  And first

of all a word as to the epoch -making work of Winer.

A Grammar of the New Testament Diction, intended as an introduction to

the Critical study of the Greek New Testament.  By Dr. George Benedict Winer.

Translated by Edward Masson, M.A.

Winer makes his aim clear in the Preface.

`When this Grammar first made its appearance, in 1882, the object

proposed was, to put some check on the unbridled licence with which the

diction of the New Testament was still handled in commentaries and

exegetical dissertations.  It was high time that some voice should be

raised against the deep-rooted empiricism* of expositors, and that some

effort should be made to emancipate the New Testament writers from the

bondage of a perverted philology, which, while it styled itself, showed

but scanty respect towards sacred authors and their maturely meditated

phraseology ... "Is not, then Scripture", said an eminent scholar long

ago, "like a waxen nose, which every one may twist any way he pleases,

in proportion to his ignorance of the principles of language?"`

*

The theory that regards experience as the only source of knowledge.

Empiricism is the term used to define quackery for example, in medicine.

Dr. A. T. Robertson writes of Winer, as follows: