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'surrection of Christ," in Judah," only "was God known, and his name was great in Israel," Ps. lxxvi. 1. The men of all the earth, from India to Britain, and from the cold regions of the north to the warm climates of the Atlantic Ocean, with the numberless people dwelling in that large tract, were no better than beasts, being ignorant of their 'Creator. But now the passion and resurrection of Christ ' are celebrated in the discourses and writings of all nations: I need not mention Jews, Greeks, and Latins. The Indians, Persians, Goths, and Egyptians, philosophize, and firmly believe the immortality of the soul, and future recompences; which before, the greatest philosophers had denied, or doubted of, or perplexed with their disputes. The fierceness of Thracians and Scythians is now softened by the gentle sound of the gospel, and everywhere Christ ' is all in all.'

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Ch. CXV. Rufinus has a catalogue of the books of the Old and New Testament. His canon of the ancient scriptures likewise is the same as that of the Jews; and his catalogue of the books of the New Testament contains all those which are now received by us, and no other, as of authority. Having recited them, he adds, These are the volumes which the fathers have included in the canon, and out of which they would have us prove the doctrines of our faith.' A. D. 397.

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Ch. CXVI. In one of the canons of the third council of Carthage is a catalogue of the books of the Old and New Testament. The latter part of it contains all the books of the New Testament which are now received by us, without any other as sacred and canonical; but the manner in which the epistle to the Hebrews is mentioned, affords reason to think that it was not so generally received in that country as the other thirteen epistles of St. Paul. A. D.

397.

Ch. CXVII. In Augustine likewise is a catalogue of the books of the Old and New Testament, and his canon is the same as ours; however, sometimes he quotes the epistle to the Hebrews, as if he was not fully satisfied that it was St. gentium et voces et literæ sonant. Taceo de Hebræis, Græcis, et Latinis: quas nationes fidei suæ in crucis titulo Dominus dedicavit. Immortalem animam, et post dissolutionem corporis subsistentem, quod Pythagoras somniavit, Democritus non credidit, in consolationem damnationis suæ Socrates disputavit in carcere, Indus, Persa, Gottus, Ægyptius, philosophantur. Bessorum feritas, et pellitorum turba populorum, qui mortuorum quondam inferiis homines immolabant, stridorem suum in dulce crucis fregerunt melos, et totius mundi una vox Christus est. Ep. 35. al. 3. ad Heliodor. Epitaph. Nepotian. T. i. p. 267, 268.

Paul's. We perceive from him, that with some Latins it was of doubtful authority, whilst it was readily received by the churches in the east, whose opinion he was inclined to follow. We can perceive from him also, that the book of the Revelation was not universally received in his time. He strongly asserts in almost innumerable places, the high authority of the canonical scriptures of the Old and New Testament above all the determinations of bishops and councils. We are

assured by him, that the scriptures were read in all the assemblies of christians. He has many just observations concerning the genuineness and authority of the books of the New Testament, the credibility of the evangelical history, the truth of the christian religion, and its wonderful progress. A. D. 395.

X

At num. xv. 7. is an account of a conjecture of Dr. Bentley, for amending a suspected passage in Augustine, with remarks. Since the publication of that volume, I have had the honour to receive from the bishop of Oxford another conjecture: For " Itala," his lordship would read "usi'tata:" so Augustine himself elsewhere" calls the old Latin version, and also vulgata, as does Jerom. The 'first syllable," us," might easily be swallowed up by the end of the word immediately preceding, which is “inter'pretationibus ;" and the remaining difference is only that 'between at and an ; and thus there is no need of changing" nam" into "quæ ;" which, having no manuscript to favour it, may be reckoned a somewhat bold 'alteration.' If this conjecture be approved of, some observations of mine in loc. are superseded, as I am very willing they should be for the sake of better.

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Ch. CXVIII. The books of the New Testament received by St. Chrysostom are the four gospels, the Acts of the Apostles written by St. Luke, St. Paul's fourteen epistles, the epistle of St. James, one epistle of St. Peter, and one epistle of St. John, without any the least appearance of an especial respect for any christian writings after the times of the apostles. For the scriptures of the Old and New Tes

Non autem ita se habet, vel quod Johannes interponit, vel codices ecclesiastici interpretationis usitatæ. Aug. de Consens. Evang. cap. 66. T. iii. P. ii. edit. Bened.

* Fiunt itaque anni a diluvio usque ad Abraham, mille septuaginta duo, secundum vulgatam editionem, hoc est, interpretum Septuaginta. De Civ. Dei, l. xvi. cap. 10. Tom. vii.

y Legi in nonnullis codicibus, et studiosus lector forte reperiet id ipsum in eo loco, ubi nos possumus, et vulgata habet editio: ut impleretur quod dictum 'est per prophetam dicentem,' ibi scriptum, per Isaïam prophetam dicentem. Hier. in Matt. cap. xiii. 35. T. iv. P. i. p. 58. ed. Bened.

tament he has the greatest regard: they were read in the public assemblies of christian worship; and he recommends the reading them to all in private, as likely to answer the most valuable ends and purposes. In his works are many agreeable observations concerning the credibility of the evangelical history, and the swift and wonderful progress of the gospel. A. D. 398.

I add here only one testimony of respect for the scriptures: You see,' says he, into how great absurdity they fall who will not follow the rule of the divine scripture, but trust entirely to their own reasonings.'

Ch. CXIX. Severian, bishop of Gabala in Syria, received the four gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, fourteen epistles of the apostle Paul, and three of the catholic epistles; and for the scriptures of the Old and the New Testament he shows the highest regard. A. D. 401.

Ch. CXX. Sulpicius Severus, of Aquitain in Gaul, an enemy to all persecution, quotes the four gospels, the Acts written by Luke, and other books of the New Testament, particularly the epistle of St. James, and the Revelation, which he ascribes to the apostle John; but, he says, it was either foolishly or wickedly rejected by many. His general divisions of the books of scripture are such as these:

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law, the prophets, the gospels and apostles; the law and the apostles; the Old and New Testament.' A. D. 401.

Ch. CXXI. Chromatius, bishop of Aquileia, a learned man, and a patron of learning, wrote but little. In what remains of him we see quoted most of the generally received books of the New Testament, in particular the Acts of the Apostles, the epistle to the Hebrews, and the Revelation. He has also expressly quoted the epistle of James, the first epistle of Peter, and the first epistle of John; and probably he received the rest of the catholic epistles. He compares the scripture to a lamp: he says, 'it ought not to be hid, but 'set up in the church, that thereby all may be enlightened, and guided in the way of salvation.' A. Ď. 401.

Ch. CXXII. Victor of Antioch wrote a Commentary upon St. Mark's gospel, collected out of the works of Origen and other ancient writers. He supposes Mark to be son of Mary, mentioned Acts xii. For a while he accompanied his uncle Barnabas, and Paul. When he came to Rome, he joined Peter, and followed him for which reason he is particularly mentioned by that apostle, 1 Ep. v.

In Gen. cap.

Όρας εις όσην ατοπίαν εκπίπτεσιν οἱ μη βελομενοι τῳ της θειας γραφης κατακολυθείν κανονι, αλλα τοις οικείοις λογισμοις επιτρέποντες. 33. Hom. 58. T. iv. p. 566. B.

13. His gospel, he says, was written at Rome, at the request of the believers there. At the beginning of his work he says, that many had written Commentaries upon the gospels of Matthew and John, a few only upon Luke's, none at all upon Mark's; which determined him to attempt it. Thus he bears testimony to the four gospels. He has also quotations of the Acts, several of St. Paul's epistles, particularly that to the Hebrews, the epistle of James, and the first of Peter. A. D. 401.

Ch. CXXIII. Innocent bishop of Rome has a catalogue of the books of the Old and New Testament, which were in the canon, and is exactly the same as ours. A. D. 402.

Ch. CXXIV. Paulinus was bishop of Nola in Italy. His works abound with quotations or allusions to texts of scripture. He says, John wrote the last of the four evangelists; and he extols the beginning of his gospel as confuting all heretics he celebrates St. Luke as a physician for soul and body, and ascribes to him two books, unquestionably meaning his gospel, and the Acts. He has quoted all St. Paul's epistles, particularly that to the Hebrews: he likewise frequently quotes the epistle of St. James, the first of St. Peter, the first of St. John, and the Revelation. A. D. 403.

Ch. CXXV. Pelagius wrote a Commentary upon all St. Paul's epistles, excepting that to the Hebrews: he quotes also the Acts, the epistle of James, both the epistles of Peter, and the Revelation. He expresses the greatest regard for the authority of the scriptures, and recommends the reading them to all. A. D. 405.

Ch. CXXVI. Prudentius, an elegant Latin poet of an honourable family in Spain, refers to the gospels, the Acts, and other books of the New Testament, particularly the Revelation of John the apostle and evangelist. A. D. 405.

Ch. CXXVII. Palladius, friend of Chrysostom, and author of a dialogue concerning his life, freely quotes the gospels, the Acts, and St. Paul's epistles. He seems to have received all the catholic epistles; but whether he received the Revelation does not appear. A. D. 408.

Ch. CXXVIII. Nonnus, of Panopolis in Egypt, wrote in Greek verse a paraphrase of St. John's gospel, still extant. A. D. 410.

Ch. CXXIX. Isidorus, of Pelusium in Egypt, a man of good judgment, and exemplary virtue, and a polite and agreeable writer, often quotes with great respect the four gospels, the book of the Acts, which he ascribes to St. Luke, all St. Paul's epistles, divers of the catholic epistles; and seems to have had the same canon of the New Testament

with us. He justifies the plain and familiar style of the scriptures, as most conducive to the edification and salvation of men of all conditions. A. D. 412.

Ch. CXXX. Cyril, bishop of Alexandria, his native city, received all the books of the New Testament which we do, and no other as of authority. He commends all the evangelists but speaks of John as superior to the rest. He recommends the studying of the scriptures, and says,' that 'from the holy prophets, apostles, and evangelists, we may 'learn how to attain to piety, and secure to ourselves true 'peace of mind.' A. D. 412.

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Ch. CXXXI. Theodoret, native of Antioch, bishop of Cyrus in Syria, a man of extensive learning, and a fine writer, author of Commentaries upon most of the books of the Old Testament, and divers other works, received the four gospels, the Acts, which he ascribes to St. Luke, St. Paul's fourteen epistles, upon which he wrote Commentaries; the epistle of James, the first of Peter, and the first of John; but there is no clear proof that he received the other catholic epistles, or the Revelation; insomuch that there is reason to think that his canon of the New Testament was that of the Syrian christians. He has digested St. Paul's epistles according to the order of time in which they were written. The general titles and divisions of scripture used by him are these: gospels, prophets, and apostles; the books of the sacred gospels, the writings of 'the holy apostles, and the oracles of the thrice blessed prophets; evangelists and apostles, the prophets, and Moses the chief of the prophets.' He recommends the reading and studying them; and shows the benefit of so doing. This learned author vindicates the popular style of the scriptures, and admirably represents, and expatiates upon, the swift progress and wonderful success of the gospel, in converting men in great numbers, in almost every part of the world, from idolatry and vice; which had been effected, not by arms and legions of soldiers, but by the preaching of Christ's apostles, destitute of worldly supports, and undergoing many difficulties and discouragements. A. D. 423.

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Ch. CXXXII. John Cassian quotes not only the four gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, and other books of the New Testament universally received by catholic christians; but likewise the epistle to the Hebrews as Paul's, the epistle of James, the second of Peter, the epistle of Jude, and the Revelation: whence we may conclude, that he received all the books of the New Testament which we receive;

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