Matthew evidently merits an unlimited confidence as to the discourses; they are the _Logia_, the identical notes taken from a clear and lively remembrance of the teachings of Jesus.

A kind of splendor at once mild and terrible--a divine strength, if we may so speak, emphasizes these words, detaches them from the context, and renders them easily distinguishable.

The person who imposes upon himself the task of making a continuous narrative from the gospel history, possesses, in this respect, an excellent touchstone.

The real words of Jesus disclose themselves; as soon as we touch them in this chaos of traditions of varied authenticity, we feel them vibrate; they betray themselves spontaneously, and shine out of the narrative with unequaled brilliancy.
The narrative portions grouped in the first Gospel around this primitive nucleus have not the same authority.

There are many not well defined legends which have proceeded from the zeal of the second Christian generation.[1] The Gospel of Mark is much firmer, more precise, containing fewer subsequent additions.