The truth of our Religion, like the truth of common matters, is to be judged by all the evidence taken together.
Bp. Butler.
A general History of the Canon distinct from a particular history of the Books.of the History of the Canon forms a necessary part of an Introduction to the writings of the New Testament. A full examination of the objections which have been raised against particular Books, a detailed account of the external evidence by which they are severally supported, an accurate estimate of the internal proofs of their authenticity, are indeed most needful ; but, besides all this, it seems no less important to gain a wide and connected prospect of the history of the whole collection of the New Testament Scriptures, to trace the gradual recognition of a written Apostolic rule as authoritative and divine, to observe the gradual equalization of 'the Gospel and Epistles' with 'the Law and the Prophets,' to notice the predominance of partial, though not exclusive, views in different
Churches, till they were all harmonized in a universal Creed, and witnessed by a completed Canon[1]. For this purpose we must frequently assume results which have been obtained elsewhere ; but what is lost in fulness will be gained in clearness. A continuous though rapid survey of the field on which we are engaged will bring out more prominently some of its great features, whose true effect is lost in the details of a minute investigation.
- ↑ By 'the Canon' I understand the collection of books which constitute the original written Rule of the Christian Faith. For the history of the word see Appendix A.
C. B
