A distinct class of objections remains to be considered. An argument much relied on by those who deny or doubt the genuineness of this portion of S. Mark’s Gospel, is derived from considerations of internal evidence. In the judgment of a recent Editor of the New Testament,—These twelve verses “bear traces of _another hand_ from that which has shaped the _diction_ and _construction_ of the rest of the Gospel.”(240) They are therefore “an addition to the narrative,”—of which “the internal evidence will be found to preponderate vastly against the authorship of Mark.”—“A difference,” (says Dr. Tregelles,) “has been remarked, and truly remarked, between _the phraseology_ of this section and the rest of this Gospel.”—According to Dr. Davidson,—“The _phraseology and style_ of the section are unfavourable to its authenticity.” “The characteristic peculiarities which pervade Mark’s Gospel do not appear in it; but, on the contrary, terms and expressions,” “phrases and words, are introduced which Mark never uses; or terms for which he employs others.”(241)—So Meyer,—“With ver. 9, we suddenly come upon an excerpting process totally different from the previous mode of narration. The passage contains none of Mark’s peculiarities (no εὐθέως, no πάλιν, &c, but the baldness and lack of clearness which mark a compiler;) while in single expressions, it is altogether contrary to Mark’s manner.”—“There is” (says Professor Norton) “a difference so great between the use of language in this passage, and its use in the undisputed portion of Mark’s Gospel, as to furnish strong reasons for believing the passage not genuine.”—No one, however, has expressed himself more strongly on this subject than Tischendorf. “Singula” (he says) “multifariam a Marci ratione abhorrent.”(242)... Here, then, is something very like a consensus of hostile opinion: although the terms of the indictment are somewhat vague. Difference of “Diction and Construction,”—difference of “Phraseology and Style,”—difference of “Terms and Expressions,”—difference of “Words and Phrases;”—the absence of S. Mark’s “characteristic peculiarities.” I suppose, however, that all may be brought under two heads,—(I.) STYLE, and (II.) PHRASEOLOGY: meaning by “Style” whatever belongs to the Evangelist’s manner; and by “Phraseology” whatever relates to the words and expressions he has employed. It remains, therefore, that we now examine the proofs by which it is proposed to substantiate these confident assertions, and ascertain exactly what they are worth by constant appeals to the Gospel. Throughout this inquiry, we have to do not with Opinion but with Fact. The unsupported dicta of Critics, however distinguished, are entitled to no manner of attention. 1. In the meantime, as might have been expected, these confident and often-repeated asseverations have been by no means unproductive of mischievous results: Like ceaseless droppings, which at last are known To leave their dint upon the solid stone.