Dr. Lightfoot has already acquired a high and deserved reputation as a
scholar and a commentator, and the present work furnishes abundant
evidence of his linguistic attainments and his perseverance; but
it is somewhat doubtful whether it will add to his fame as a
critic and a theologian. In these three portly octavo volumes--
extending to upwards of 1800 pages of closely printed matter--he
tries to convince his readers that a number of the silliest
productions to be found among the records of antiquity, are the
remains of an apostolic Father. He tells us, in his preface, that
the subject has been before him "for nearly thirty years;" and
that, during this period, it has "engaged his attention off and on
in the intervals of other literary pursuits and official duties."
Many, we apprehend, will feel that the result is not equal to such
a vast expenditure of time and labour; and will concur with
friends who, as he informs us, have complained to him that he has
thus "allowed himself to be diverted from the more congenial task
of commenting on S. Paul's Epistles." There is not, we presume, an
evangelical minister in Christendom who would not protest against
the folly exhibited in these Ignatian letters; and yet it appears
that the good Bishop of Durham has spent a large portion of his
life in an attempt to accomplish their vindication.

To Dr. Lightfoot may be justly awarded the praise of having here
made the reading public acquainted with the various manuscripts
and versions of these Ignatian letters, as well as with the
arguments which may be urged in their favour; and he has thus
rendered good service to the cause of historical criticism.
Professor Harnack, in a late number of the _Expositor_ [4:1],
states no more than the truth when he affirms that "this work is
the most learned and careful Patristic Monograph which has