and not the many which accord with ancient testimony.' Availing himself of Dr.Scrivener's admission of 'the possibility that the disputed words in the great bulk of the MSS.

were inserted from the Septuagint of Isaiah xxix.

13[285],' Dr.Tregelles insists 'that on every true principle of textual criticism, the words must be regarded as an amplification borrowed from the Prophet.

This naturally explains their introduction,' (he adds); 'and when once they had gained a footing in the text, it is certain that they would be multiplied by copyists, who almost always preferred to make passages as full and complete as possible' (p.

139).