it is not possible that the Gospels can be either more or fewer in number than they are. For, since there are four zones of the world in which we live, and four principal winds, while the Church is scattered throughout the world, and the pillar and ground of the Church is the Gospel…it is fitting that she should have four pillars… (Against Heresies 3.11.7) In other words, four corners of the earth, four winds, four pillars—and necessarily, then, four Gospels.
More zones of the world have appeared in the time since, but no new Gospels?
