" He recognises that the completeness of the proof that
ecclesiastical tradition goes back beyond the time of Marcion is
somewhat wanting from the uncertainty regarding the text of
Ignatius. He did not, in fact, venture to consider the Ignatian
Epistles evidence even for the first half of the second century.
_Schliemann_, Dr. Lightfoot states, "says that 'the external testimonies
oblige him to recognise a genuine substratum,' though he is not
satisfied with either existing recension."
Now what Schliemann says is this: "Certainly neither the Shorter and
still less the Longer Recension in which we possess these Epistles
can lay claim to authenticity. Only if we must, nevertheless,
without doubt suppose a genuine substratum," &c. In a note he adds:
"The external testimonies oblige me to recognise a genuine
substratum--Polycarp already speaks of the same in Ch. xiii. of his
Epistle. But that in their present form they do not proceed from
Ignatius the contents sufficiently show."
_Hase_, according to Dr. Lightfoot, "commits himself to no opinion."
If he does not deliberately and directly do so, he indicates what
that opinion is with sufficient clearness. The Long Recension, he
says, bears the marks of later manipulation, and excites suspicion
of an invention in favour of Episcopacy, and the shorter text is not
fully attested either.
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