And (2), the only condition which could warrant the belief that there has been assimilation, is observed to be invariably away from Dr.Tischendorf's instances .-- viz.

a sufficient number of respectable attesting witnesses: it being a fundamental principle in the law of Evidence, that the very few are rather to be suspected than the many.

But further (3), if there be some marked diversity of expression discoverable in the two parallel places; and if that diversity has been carefully maintained all down the ages in either place;--then it may be regarded as certain, on the contrary, that there has not been assimilation; but that this is only one more instance of two Evangelists saying similar things or the same thing in slightly different language.

Take for example the following case:--Whereas St.
Matt.

(xxiv.