It is argued, very justly, that such an inference is sometimes precarious.

Again, in quoting longer passages, Epiphanius is in the habit of abridging or putting an &c.

([Greek: kai ta hexaes-- kai ta loipa]), instead of quoting the whole.

This does not give a complete guarantee for the intermediate portions, and leaves some uncertainty as to where the passage ends.

Generally it is true that the object of the Fathers is not critical but dogmatic, to refute Marcion's system out of his own Gospel.