The style of writing varied considerably in different periods, and provide very useful

criteria as to the age of the manuscript. We have already mentioned the uncials and the

cursives. While it is impossible in this study to exhibit to the eye the many details that go

to make up this evidence, the student should be aware of their existence. We give two of

such forms of evidence here. They are (1) The variations that occur in the construction of

the letters of the alphabet, of which alpha, delta, theta, xi, pi and omega provide the

clearest evidence. Upright square uncials are more ancient than those which are narrow,

oblong or leaning.  (2) The formation of dipthongs, the iota ascript, the aspirates,

punctuation and various devices for abbreviation, play a considerable part in providing

evidence of age.

As no extant Greek MSS is earlier than the fourth century, the versions made in

foreign tongues from originals now lost are of extreme value in arriving at the true text.

We have already referred to the Peshitto, Egyptian and Latin Versions.

The Syriac Versions.  The Peshitto.  This language is distinct  from Hebrew

(Gen. 31: 47 margin),  and was spoken in Babylon and subsequently throughout

Palestine. The Philoxenian Syriac Version, is greatly inferior to the Peshitto both in

accuracy and in style; it is however of great value to the textual critic.

The Curetonian Syriac.  Dean Alford says of this version "perhaps the earliest and

most important of all the versions".

The Latin Versions. A branch of the Church existed in Rome many years before Paul

visited this city (Rom. 15: 23), and it is reasonable to suppose that among the earlier

versions to be made would be one in Latin. Jerome and Augustine, together with the

variations found in the old Latin manuscripts now in our possession, testify to "an

original diversity of versions". Jerome, in his Latin version of the O.T., is not founded on

the old Latin which in its turn was made from the Greek Septuagint, but, the Psalter

excepted, was translated directly from the Hebrew. At length Jerome's translation of the

O.T., his Psalter and the N.T. as revised from the Old Latin took shape as the Latin

Vulgate. The history of the Latin Vulgate is practically the history of the Church during

the Middle Ages.