of the prophecies, gospels, etc., are the identical or original documents written by the respective authors of the books of Scripture. Copies taken from these are termed autographs. None of these original MSS. are now remaining, nor could their preservation be expected, without the intervention of a miracle, during the space of nearly eighteen centuries. It seems exceedingly probable that divine Providence permitted them to be early withdrawn from public inspection, lest, like other relics, they should become objects of idolatrous veneration. It is even asserted by Peter, bishop of Alexandria in the 4th century, that an original of John's gospel. was not only preserved, but worshipped, at Ephesus (Michaelis, Introd. i, 250). (See MANUSCRIPTS, BIBLICAL).