But this does but prove at how extremely remote a period the corruption must have begun.

It probably dates from the first century.

Especially does it seem to shew how distrustful we should be of our oldest authorities when, as here, they are plainly at variance with the whole torrent of manuscript authority.
This is indeed no ordinary case.

There are elements of distrust here, such as are not commonly encountered.
Sec.

6.
What I have been saying is aptly illustrated by a place in our Lord's Sermon on the Mount: viz.