2.
Theodotus and his followers fastened on the first part of St.John viii.
40, when they pretended to shew from Scripture that Christ is mere Man[505].

I am persuaded that the reading 'of My Father[506],'-- with which Origen[507], Epiphanius[508], Athanasius[509], Chrysostom[510], Cyril Alex.[511], and Theodoret[512] prove to have been acquainted,--was substituted by some of the orthodox in this place, with the pious intention of providing a remedy for the heretical teaching of their opponents.

At the present day only six cursive copies are known to retain this trace of a corruption of Scripture which must date from the second century.
We now reach a most remarkable instance.

It will be remembered that St.
John in his grand preface does not rise to the full height of his sublime argument until he reaches the eighteenth verse.

He had said (ver.