apostolicfathers0201clem - Carmel Apologetics

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. xi
I
gave expression publicly to my growing
conviction that
after all the seven Vossian Epistles probably represented the
genuine Ignatius. Afterwards I entered upon the investigation,
which will be found in this volume, into the language of the two
recensions. This dispelled any shadow of doubt which might
have remained
;
for it showed clearly that the additional parts
of the Vossian Letters must have proceeded from the same
hand as the parts which were common to
Vossian
I
Recensions.
the Curetonian and
have explained thus briefly the history of my own change
of opinion, not because the processes of my mind are of any
value to any one else, but because the account places before
the reader the main points at issue in a concrete form.
For reasons therefore which will be found not only in the
separate discussion devoted to the subject, but throughout these
volumes, am I now convinced of the priority and genuineness of
the seven Vossian Letters. Indeed Zahn's book, though
it has
been before the world some twelve years, has never been
answered for I cannot
; regard the brief and cursory criticisms
of Renan, Hilgenfeld, and others, as any
answer. Moreover
there is much besides to be said which Zahn has not said.
We have indeed been told more than once that ' all impartial
critics '
have condemned the Ignatian Epistles as spurious.
But this moral intimidation is
unworthy of the eminent writers
not be
who have sometimes indulged in it, and will certainly
permitted to foreclose the investigation. If the ecclesiastical
terrorism of past ages has lost its power, we shall, in the interests
of truth, be justly jealous of allowing an academic terrorism to
usurp its place. Only when our arguments have been answered,
can we consent to abandon documents which have the unbroken
tradition of the early centuries in their favour.
For on which side, judging from the nature of the question,
may we expect the greater freedom from bias To the disciples
of Baur the rejection of the Ignatian Epistles
is an
absolute necessity of their theological position. The ground
d2