(15.) In conclusion, I may remark generally that there occur instances, again and again, of perturbations of the Text in our oldest MSS., (corresponding sometimes with readings vouched for by the most ancient of the Fathers,) which admit of no more intelligible or inoffensive solution than by referring them to the Lectionary practice of the primitive Church.(412) Thus when instead of καὶ ἀναβαίνω ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα (S. Matth. xx. 17), Cod. B reads, (and, is almost unique in reading,) Μέλλων δὲ ἀναβαίνειν ὁ Ἰησοῦς; and when Origen sometimes quotes the place in the same way, but sometimes is observed to transpose the position of the Holy Name in the sentence; when again six of Matthaei’s MSS., (and Origen once,) are observed to put the same Name _after_ Ἱεροσόλυμα: when, lastly, two of Field’s MSS.,(413) and one of Matthaei’s, (and I dare say a great many more, if the truth were known,) omit the words ὁ Ἰησοῦς entirely:—_who_ sees not that the true disturbing force in this place, from the iind century of our æra downwards, has been _the Lectionary practice of the primitive Church_?—the fact that _there_ the lection for the Thursday after the viiith Sunday after Pentecost began?—And this may suffice. IV. It has been proved then, in what goes before, more effectually even than in a preceding page,(414) not only that Ecclesiastical Lections corresponding with those indicated in the “Synaxaria” were fully established in the immediately post-Apostolic age, but also that at that early period the Lectionary system of primitive Christendom had already exercised a depraving influence of a peculiar kind on the text of Scripture. Further yet, (and _this_ is the only point I am now concerned to establish), that _our five oldest Copies of the Gospels_,—B and א as well as A, C and D,—exhibit not a few traces of the mischievous agency alluded to; errors, and especially _omissions_, which sometimes seriously affect the character of those Codices as witnesses to the Truth of Scripture.—I proceed now to consider the case of S. Mark xvi. 9-20; only prefacing my remarks with a few necessary words of explanation. V. He who takes into his hands an ordinary cursive MS. of the Gospels, is prepared to find the Church-lessons regularly indicated throughout, in the text or in the margin.