를

TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL TONGUES AND NOW

FIRST COLLECTED INTO ONE VOLUME.

From the London Edition.

BUFFALO:
PRINTED BY H. A. SALISBURY.

AFTER the writings contained in the New Testament were selected from the numerous Gospels and Epistles then in existence, what became of the Books that were rejected by the compilers?

This question naturally occurs on every investigation as to the period when, and the persons by whom, the New Testament was formed. It has been supposed by many that the volume was compiled by the first council of Nice, which, according to Jortin,* originated thus:

Alexander, bishop of Alexandria, and Arius, who was a presbyter in his diocese, disputed together about the nature of Christ; and the bishop being displeased at the notions of Arius, and finding that ihey were adopted by other persons, 'was very angry. He commanded Arias tó come over to his sentiments, and to quit his own: as if a man could change his opinions as easily as he can change bis coat! He then called a council of war, consisting of near a hundred bishops, and deposed, excommunicated, and anathematized Arius, and with him several ecclesiastics, two of whom were bishops. Alexander then wrote a circular letter to all bishops, in which he represents Arius and his partisans as heretics, apostates, blasphe ious enemies of God, full of impudence and impiety, fore-runners of Antichrist, imitators of Judas, and men whom it was not lawful to salute, or bid God speedom

* Rem. on Eccl. Hist. vol. ii. p. 177.