Wesley Corpus

I wait your proof, first, of the fact; next, of the reason you assign for it. The fact itself, that “these books were held in the highest veneration by the Fathers and Rulers through all succeeding ages,” is in nowise proved by that single quotation from Clemens Alex 32 LETTER. To andrinus, wherein he urges the Heathens with the testimonies of their own authors, of the Sibyl, and of Hystaspes. (Page 34.) We cannot infer from hence that he himself held them “in the highest veneration; ” much less that all the Fathers did. And as to the reason you assign for that veneration,--the example and authority of Justin,--you cite no writer of any kind, good or bad. So he that will believe it, may. But some, you tell us, “impute the forging these books to Justin.” Be pleased to tell us, likewise, who those are; and what grounds they allege for that imputation. Till them, it can be of no signification. 8. You charge him, Fourthly, “with believing that silly story concerning the Septuagint version of the Old Testa ment; with saying, that he himself, when at Alexandria, saw the remains of the cells in which the translators were shut up; and with making a considerable mistake in the chronology relating thereto.” (Page 37.) And if all this be allowed, and, over and above, that he “frequently cites apocryphal books, and cites the Scriptures by memory;” what have you gained toward the proof of your grand conclusion, that “he was either too great a fool, or too great a knave, to be believed touching a plain matter of fact?” 9. You seem sensible of this, and therefore add, Fifthly: “It will be said, perhaps, that these instances show a weak ness of judgment, but do not touch the credit of Justin as a witness of fact.” (Page 29.) But can you scrape up nothing from all the dunghills of antiquity that does? I dare say, you will do your utmost. And, first, you reply, “The want of judgment alone may, in some cases, disqualify a man from being a good witness. Thus, Justin himself was imposed upon by those of Alexandria, who showed him some old ruins under the name of cells.