So far, therefore, from producing
the destructive effect upon some of the arguments of _Supernatural
Religion_, upon which he somewhat prematurely congratulates himself,
Dr. Lightfoot's elaborate and learned article on the silence of
Eusebius supports them in the most conclusive manner.
Before proceeding to speak more directly of the three writers under
discussion, it may be well to glance a little at the procedure of
Eusebius, and note, for those who care to go more closely into the
matter, how he fulfils his promise to record what the Fathers have
to tell about the Gospels. I may mention, in the first place, that
Eusebius states what he himself knows of the composition of the
Gospels and other canonical works. [50:1] Upon two occasions he
quotes the account which Clement of Alexandria gives of the
composition of Mark's Gospel, and also cites his statements
regarding the other Gospels. [50:2] In like manner he records the
information, such as it is, which Irenaeus has to impart about the
four Gospels and other works, [50:3] and what Origen has to say
concerning them. [50:4] Interrogating extant works, we find in fact
that Eusebius does not neglect to quote anything useful or
interesting regarding these books from early writers.
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