Indeed, further on, Dr. Lightfoot himself admits: "The
testimony of Eusebius first differentiates them." [82:1] The argument
(2 and 3) that the eight rejected Epistles betray anachronisms and
interpolations, is no refutation of my statement, for the same
accusation is brought by the majority of critics against the Vossian
Epistles.
The fourth and last argument seems more directly addressed to a second
paragraph quoted by Dr. Lightfoot, to which I refer above, and which
I have reserved till now, as it requires more detailed notice. It is
this:--
"It is a total mistake to suppose that the seven Epistles mentioned
by Eusebius have been transmitted to us in any special way. These
Epistles are mixed up in the Medicean and corresponding ancient
Latin MSS. with the other eight Epistles, universally pronounced to
be spurious, without distinction of any kind, and all have equal
honour." [82:2]
I will at once give Dr. Lightfoot's comment on this, in contrast with
the statement of a writer equally distinguished for learning and
orthodoxy--Dr. Tregelles:--
DR. LIGHTFOOT. | DR. TREGELLES.
|
(4) "It is not strictly true that | "It is a mistake to think of _seven_
the seven Epistles are mixed up | Ignatian Epistles in Greek having
with the confessedly spurious | been _transmitted_ to us, for no
Epistles.
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