Thus, a strangely mutilated and depraved text of St.Matthew's Gospel is related to have found especial favour with the Ebionites[454], with whom the Corinthians are associated by Epiphanius: though Irenaeus seems to say that it was St.Mark's Gospel which was adopted by the heretical followers of Cerinthus.

Marcion's deliberate choice of St.Luke's Gospel is sufficiently well known.

The Valentinians appropriated to themselves St.John[455].

Heracleon, the most distinguished disciple of this school, is deliberately censured by Origen for having corrupted the text of the fourth Evangelist in many places[456].

A considerable portion of his Commentary on St.John has been preserved to us: and a very strange production it is found to have been.
Concerning Marcion, who is a far more conspicuous personage, it will be necessary to speak more particularly.