derived his name of Theophorus; ' that is, according to the explanation which this legend gives of
the word, one carried by God. But in chap. ii. of the following narrative we find the term explained
to mean, " one who has Christ in his breast ; " and this simple explanation, with the entire silence
preserved as to the marvels afterwards connected with the name of Ignatius, is certainly a strong
argument in favour of the early date and probable genuineness of the account. Some critics,
such as Usher and Grabe, have reckoned the latter part of the narrative spurious, while accepting
the former ; but there appears to be a unity about it which requires us either to accept it in toto,
or to reject it altogether.^'