cy and
error.--They will find it necessary in the end to reverse their
convictions. They cannot too speedily reconsider their verdict, and
retrace their steps.

CHAPTER III.

THE EARLY FATHERS APPEALED TO, AND OBSERVED TO BEAR FAVOURABLE WITNESS.

Patristic evidence sometimes the most important of any (p.
20).--The importance of such evidence explained (p. 21).--Nineteen
Patristic witnesses to these Verses, produced (p. 23).--Summary (p.
30).

The present inquiry must be conducted solely on grounds of Evidence,
external and internal. For the full consideration of the former, seven
Chapters will be necessary:(27) for a discussion of the latter, one
seventh of that space will suffice.(28) We have first to ascertain whether
the external testimony concerning S. Mark xvi. 9-20 is of such a nature as
to constrain us to admit that it is highly probable that those twelve
verses are a spurious appendix to S. Mark's Gospel.

1. It is well known that for determining the Text of the New Testament, we
are dependent on three chief sources of information: viz. (1.) on
MANUSCRIPTS,--(2.) on VERSIONS,--(3.) on FATHERS. And it is even
self-evident that the _most ancient_ MSS.,--the _earliest_ Versions,--the
_oldest_ of the Fathers, will probably be in every instance the most
trustworthy witnesses.

2. Further, it is obvious that a really ancient Codex of the Gospels must
needs supply more valuable critical help in establishing the precise Text
of Scripture than can possibly be rendered by any Translation, however
faithful: while Patristic citations are on the whole a less decisive
authority, even than Versions. The reasons are chiefly these:--(_a._)
Fathers often quote Scripture loosely, if not licentiously; and sometimes
_allude_ only when they seem to _quote_. (_b._) They appear to have too
often depended on their memory, and sometimes are demonstrably loose and
inaccurate in their citations; the same Father being observed to quote the
same place in different ways. (_c._) Copyists and Editors may not be
altogether depended upon for the exact form of such supposed quotations.
Thus the evidence of Fathers must always be to some extent precarious.

3. On the other hand, it cannot be too plainly pointed out that
when,--instead of certifying ourselves of the _actual words employed_ by an
Evangelist, their precise _form_ and exact _sequence_,--our object is only
to ascertai