And yet the most robust faith ought to be effectually shaken by the discovery that four, if not five ([Symbol: Aleph]ACFG) of these same MSS., by reading 'we shall all sleep; but we shall not all be changed,' contradict St.
Paul's solemn announcement in ver.

51: while a sixth (D) stands alone in substituting 'we shall all rise; but we shall not all be changed.'-- In this very verse, C is for introducing [Greek: Adam] into the first clause of the sentence: FG, for subjoining [Greek: ho ouranios].

When will men believe that guides like these are to be entertained with habitual distrust?
to be listened to with the greatest caution?
to be followed, for their own sakes,--never?
I have been the fuller on this place, because it affords an instructive example of what has occasionally befallen the words of Scripture.

Very seldom indeed are we able to handle a text in this way.

Only when the heretics assailed, did the orthodox defend: whereby it came to pass that a record was preserved of how the text was read by the ancient Father.
The attentive reader will note (_a_) That all the changes which we have been considering belong to the earliest age of all:--( _b_) That the corrupt reading is retained by [Symbol: Aleph]BC and their following: the genuine text, in the great bulk of the copies:--( _c_) That the first mention of the text is found in the writings of an early heretic:--( _d_) That [the orthodox introduced a change in the interests, as they fancied, of truth, but from utter misapprehension of the nature and authority of the Word of God:--and (_e_) that under the Divine Providence that change was so effectually thrown out, that decisive witness is found on the other side].
Sec.