Section II.
The first Hypothesis viz that Ignatius is interpolated.
MY first Assertion therefore is that the Epistles ascrib'd to Ignati∣us, whether of the Elder or Later Editions, are not throughly genuine, nor so free of Forgeries, that no Chaff hath been thrown into and hudl'd amongst the grains of Wheat that may remain therein. As the Writings pretended to come nearest in time to the Scriptures of the Old Testament, carry notwithstanding evident Characters of a quite other time and Parent than these whereto they are falsly ascrib'd; so al∣so the Pieces that pretend greatest proximity to these of these New Testa∣ment, afford no less just ground of suspicion. Of this kind are Barna∣bas, Hermas and others, all which are generally either shroudly suspect∣ed as meer Forgeries, or at least as not being without manifest corrup∣tion and interpolation. Yea Clemens Romanus, who, doubtless, is by far the most choice and virgin Monument of Antiquity, has nothwith∣standing fall'n into the like adulterous hands as the story of the Daugh∣ters of Danaus and Dirce there recounted among the Christian Sufferers, makes manifest. And herein Divine Providence is to be ador'd, and extoll'd. For had such Writings as plead for the first place after these of either Old or New Testament, not under-ly'n such impeachments, the great proximity thereof to the Prophetick and Apostolick Writ∣ings, had certainly allur'd many to take these for Canonical; whereas now they serve, in some measure, for a rampier and hedge about the Holy Scriptures: and by the manifest corruption of the Apocryphal Writings, we are taught to distinguish betwixt divine and humane Let∣ters: wherefore it should be a Paradox and a Wonder, had Ignatius e∣scap'd all such infectious Touches. But there's no ground for such ad∣miration.