Justin's opinions respecting Baptism and the Eucharist, An examination of the question, whether Justin quoted the Gospels which we now have? CHAP. IX. Containing illustrations of the preceding Chapters from the writings of Tatian, Athenagoras, and Theophilus of Antioch, with additional remarks 133 153 The following Pages contain the substance of part of a COURSE of LECTURES delivered in the Lent Term of 1821. CHAP. I. ON THE WRITINGS OF JUSTIN MARTYR. How strenuous soever men may be in maintaining that no regard ought to be paid to authority in the determination of disputed points, and that our conclusions ought to rest solely on the convictions of our own reason, few, even of those who are loudest in asserting the unlimited liberty of private judgement, are found to possess such undoubting confidence in the correctness of their own decisions, as not gladly to avail themselves of every opportunity of shewing, that the same opinions have previously received the sanction of others. With respect to questions which have long occupied the attention of mankind, and of which it is consequently reasonable to suppose that they have already been viewed in all their bearings, we cannot but feel that the novelty of an opinion is prima facie a presumption against its truth. That, if at all deserving of attention, it should never have occurred to the minds of former enquirers is improbable: the fair inference, therefore, is, that they knew, but rejected it, because they A |