dding of Pope Damasus (A.D. 382), was the author
of that famous Latin version of the Scriptures called THE VULGATE, is
known to all. It seems scarcely possible to overestimate the critical
importance of such a work,--executed at such a time,--under such
auspices,--and by a man of so much learning and sagacity as Jerome. When it
is considered that we are here presented with the results of a careful
examination of the best Greek Manuscripts to which a competent scholar had
access in the middle of the fourth century,--(and Jerome assures us that he
consulted several,)--we learn to survey with diminished complacency our own
slender stores (if indeed any at all exist) of corresponding antiquity. It
is needless to add that the Vulgate contains the disputed verses: that
from no copy of this Version are they away. Now, in such a matter as this,
Jerome's testimony is very weighty indeed.

V. The Vulgate, however, was but the revision of a much older translation,
generally known as the VETUS ITALA. This Old Latin, which is of African
origin and of almost Apostolic antiquity, (supposed of the iind century,)
conspires with the Vulgate in the testimony which it bears to the
genuineness of the end of S. Mark's Gospel:(65)--an emphatic witness that
in the African province, from the earliest time, no doubt whatever was
entertained concerning the genuineness of these last twelve verses.

VI. The next place may well be given to the venerable version of the
Gothic Bishop Ulphilas,--A.D. 350. Himself a Cappadocian, Ulphilas probably
derived his copies from Asia Minor. His version is said to have been
exposed to certain corrupting influences; but the unequivocal evidence
which it bears to the last verses of S. Mark is at least unimpeachable,
and must be regarded as important in the highest degree.(66) The oldest
extant copy of the GOTHIC of Ulphilas is assigned to the vth or early in
the vith century: and the verses in question are there also met with.

VII. and VIII. The ancient Egyptian versions call next for notice: their
testimony being so exceedingly ancient and respectable. The MEMPHITIC, or
dialect of Lower Egypt, (less properly called the "Coptic" version), which
is assigned to the ivth or vth century, contains S. Mark xvi.
9-20.--Fragments of the THEBAIC, or dialect of Upper Egypt, (a distinct
version and of considerably earlier date, less properly called the
"Sahidic,") survive in MSS. of very nearly the same antiquity: and one of