it on the world as Tertullian's. It is very probable that it was afterwards ascribed to him by the Alexandrian booksellers,* because they thought (for reasons already given) that they would make more of it when vended under this name than any other. See S. Hieronym. Apol. ii. c. Ruffin. t. ii. p. 332, C. Dr. Bentley (in his Dissertation on Phalaris) has opened some of the reasons which made literary frauds so frequent at Alexandria. "To forge and counterfeit books," says that illustrious critic," and father them upon great names, has been a practice almost as old as letters. But it was then most of all in fashion, when the kings of Pergamus and Alexandria, rivalling one another in the magnificence and copiousness of their libraries, gave great rates for any treatises that carried the names of celebrated authors, which was an invitation to the scribes and copyers of those times to enhance the price of their wares by ascribing them to men of fame and reputation," &c.-Introduct. p. 10. And he cites as authorities Ammonius, Comment. in Præd. Arist. p. 10, edit. Venet.; and Galen, Com. 2, in Hippocr. de Nat. Hom. But, in truth, the root of the matter lay deeper than this learned writer seems to have suspected. For we must remember, that Egypt was the great workshop of the system of ancient legislation; the first principle of which was, that it is lawful to deceive for the public good. The circumstances of the people afforded their rulers greater advantages for acting fully up to this principle in Egypt than in any other country; so that it became early fixed in the minds of their priesthood and learned men with a tenacity which it was impossible to disturb. Jamblichus, speaking of Hermes Trismegistus, fairly adds, ᾧ δὴ καὶ οἱ ἡμέτεροι πρόγονοι τὰ αὑτῶν τῆς σοφίας ευρήματα ἀνετιθεσαν, Ἑρμοῦ πάντα τὰ οἰκεῖα συγγράμματα ἐπονομάζοντες, de Myss. c. i. s. 1; and Diodorus Siculus tells that King Muevis-poσоOйvaι αὐτῷ τὸν Ἑρμῆν δεδωκεναι νόμους, ὡς μεγάλων ἀγαθῶν αἰτίους ἐσομένους. Bibl. lib. i. p. 84. Now then, when the fanatical school of the latter Platonists (whose head-quarters were at Alexandria) sought to resuscitate the carcase of pagan superstition, and give philosophy a fresh hold upon the popular mind by an alliance with religion, there was no more likely method could be devised than that of recommending their own doctrines under the venerable names of the ancient sages. Their principles did not stand in their way; and the mysterious veil under which the old Egyptian learning had lain concealed, as well as the destruction of almost all the true records of it, in the political misfortunes of the country, gave great facilities for the successful practice of this jugglery. From them the early heretics soon borrowed • Alterum fraudis genus erat cum viro aut scriptori celebri integrum opus tribuebant, ut cum Dionysio Areopagitæ tributi sunt libri qui sub ejus nomine circumferuntur......... Populi nempe cupidi sciendi quid sensissent primi illi Christiani, quidve iis contigisset, omnes Bibliothecarum angulos perscrutabantur, omnes Librariorum officinas excutiebant, ut viderent num quid eorum superesset ; quod cum animadverterent homines lucri cupidi, hiantes et credulos facilè deluserunt, et incredibilem copiam librorum recens conscriptorum antiquis scriptoribus fallente titulo tribuerunt.-Clerici Ars Crit. p. iii. s. ii. c. 1; cf. Daille de Vero Usu, PP. p. 14; and Mosheim de caussis Supposit. libror. sec. i. et xi. p. 217. + Cf. Brucker. Hist. Philos. vol. ii. p. 379. the trick; and if some, even of the orthodox, did not wholly shake off their old pagan principles when they undertook the profession of a holier faith, the misfortune is surely rather to be lamented than wondered at. But whether this epistle were a pious or an impious fraud-whether it emanated from the indiscreet zeal of some mistaken Christian, or the dishonest knavery of some covetous bookseller, I am afraid it is too certain that the fathers were not much inclined to scrutinize very exactly the true value of an evidence which tended to support any of their favourite opinions. "Nec refert," says the great Father Pagi, speaking of the fable of Aristeas, "quòd sancti Patres Historiam istam tanquam veram narrationem operibus suis inseruerint; nam ea utrum esset vera, necne, non erat cur critice inquirerent, quando quidem Græca LXX seniorum versio, quâ tunc ecclesia utebatur adversus Judæos, qui contextum Heb. inter disputandum Christianis passim opponebant, illius fidem egregiè tuebatur." (Cited by Dr. Hody, Præf. in Lib. de Text. Orig., &c.) So that Clemens, finding this work to abound in that mystical theology which his own prejudices led him to value, did not (we may be sure) think it necessary to examine very accurately into the external proof of its genuineness and authenticity; though we see that elsewhere, when he is disposed to give a contrary exposition of his own, he does not suffer the authority of an epistle, which he here tells us was written by an apostle, a man full of the Holy Ghost, to stand in the way of his genius+ (Pædag. 1. ii. c. 10;) nor is this Epistle of St. Barnabas the only suspicious book appealed to in the Stromata. He cites with equal gravity the Sibylline Oracles, the Gospel of the Hebrews, the Gospel of the Egyptians, the preaching of St. Peter, the acts of St. Peter, the story of Aristeas, &c. For we must be careful to distinguish, in the writings of the fathers, when they are concerned with the real grounds of their own faith, and when they are only using plausible topics to persuade others. In settling the canon, for instance, upon which they knew the whole integrity of their religion depended, they were, as became them, cautious, deliberate, and discriminating. But in the case of those books that had no claim to such a place, and yet might be made use of in their contests with heathens or heretics, * Had we the Treatise of Amphilochius Iconiensis, περὶ τῶν Ψευδεπιγράφων τῶν παρὰ τοῖς αἱρετίκοις, which was quoted in the second council of Nice, it might throw much light on this whole subject. Cf. St. Augustini, Ep. xlviii. ad Vincent. The modest author of the Apostolical Constitutions (speaking in the person of the apostles) talks of—τὰ ἐπ' ὀνόματι ἡμῶν παρὰ τῶν ἀσεβῶν κρατονθέντα βιβλία.! Lib. vi. c. 16. I was surprised to find that the Bishop of Lincoln, in his excellent Life of Clement, has not noticed this remarkable inconsistency, where he speaks of Barnabas' Epistle. Clerici Ars Critica, p. ii., § i. c. 16, which is entitled Historia Rhetorica, and the places cited by Daillè de Vero Usu PP. p. 146, especially St. Basil, Ep. 64, t. ii. p. 849, who, explaining away some strange words of Gregory Thaumaturgus, observes, ὅτι οὐ δογματικῶς εἴρηται ἀλλ' ἀγωνιστικῶς. The following, from Je rome's Apology against Jovinian, is so full an account of the matter that I choose to cite it at length. "Legimus, o eruditissimi viri, in scholis pariter, et Aristotelea illa, de Gorgia fontibus manantiu, simul didicimus; plura videlicet esse genera dicendi ; et, inter cætera, aliud esse yvμvaoтik@g scribere, aliud doyμarik@g. In priori the rhetorical nature of their early education, and the agonistic temper. of the times, inclined them sometimes to be less scrupulous. This distinction appears to me of great importance to be observed by any one who desires to understand the true sentiments and character of the ecclesiastical writers. WILLIAM FITZGERALD. Trinity College, Dublin, Jan. 15, 1838. ANTIQUITIES, ETC. DISPOSAL OF HIGHER CHURCH PREFERMENT. THE extracts given in the last number from the correspondence which passed between the court of Charles II. in exile and the remnant of the bishops in England, closed with Clarendon's prediction that, at that critical time, the church would be either "totally ruined, or else that it would be restored to a great lustre."* The latter part of his prophecy was happily accomplished; and, though there was indeed "too much reason" for the "doubt" which he expressed, that if the crown were the next day restored, "the church would not be in many years repaired," yet, within little more than a year and a half, Bishop King, in his funeral sermon for Bishop Duppa, already quoted, taking up Clarendon's own expression, could speak of "that lustre" to which, in the king's "miraculous restoration," God had "restored the church," and in which men might "now see it." Bishop King, himself (as he tells us) Bishop Duppa's "only associate in several travels undertaken to bring to effect" the great object of their solicitude, thankfully pointed out "how careful his majesty was to preserve and support the church, at that time when, in his exiled condition, he could not well support himself."+ The king, as we have seen, was not less careful to secure the appointment of fit persons to the vacant sees, by consulting the elder bishops, than to preserve the episcopal succession itself; and how much of the "lustre" to which the church was restored was owing to the high character and endowments of those who were then called to its chief seats, it is needless to point out at large. The mere recital of their names is sufficient. vagam esse Responsionem, et Adversario respondentem nunc hæc, nunc illa proponere; argumentari ut libet; aliud loqui, aliud agere; panem, ut dicitur, ostendere, lapidem tenere. In sequenti autem, aperta frons, et, ut ita dicam, ingenuitas necessaria est. Origenes, Methodius, Eusebius, Apollinaris, multis versuum millibus scribunt adversus Celsum et Porphyrium. Considerate quibus argumentis, et quam lubricis problematibus diaboli spiritu contexta subvertant. Et quia interdum coguntur loqui non quod sentiunt, sed quod necesse est, dicunt adversus ea quæ dicunt Gentiles." Πολλὴ γὰρ, says Chrysostom, ἡ τῆς ἀπάτης ἰσχύς· μόνον μὴ μετὰ δολερᾶς προσαγέσθω τῆς προαιρεσέως. Μᾶλλον δὲ οὐδὲ ἀπάτην τὸ τοιοῦτο δεῖ καλεῖν, ἀλλ' ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΑΝ τινὰ, καὶ σοφίαν, κ. τ. λ. - De Saeerd. lib. i. + Vid. sup. p. 398. * Vid. sup. p. 397. " Upon a resolution of filling up the vacant sees, there was delivered to his majesty this list of the nine surviving prelates who had outlived the persecution and confusion of the times : 1. Dr. William Juxon, Bishop of London. 2. Dr. William Piers, Bishop of Bath and Wells. 8. Dr. Henry King, Bishop of Chichester. 9. Dr. Accepted Frewen, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry. "The first step taken towards supplying the vacant sees was his majesty's nomination of the good old Bishop of London, Dr. William Juxon, to be Archbishop of Canterbury. The congé d'élire was granted Sept. 3, 1660. He was elected Sept. 13, and confirmed in King Henry the Seventh's Chapel at Westminster, Sept. 20, by virtue of the king's letters of commission directed to all the bishops then living."* "Thursday, Sept. 20.-This day was a day of rejoicing to all that love (that whereof God is the author) order in the church. For, this morning, that most reverend father, William, now Lord Archbishop, was translated from London to Canterbury. The solemnization was in King Henry the Seventh's chapel, where (besides a great confluence of the orthodox clergy) many persons of honour and gentry gave God thanks for the mercy of this day; there being scarce a man whose heart was not touched with the sight of that holy prelate, who (by the confession of all the world) is a person of such primitive sanctity, such wisdom, piety, learning, patience, charity, and all apostolical virtues, that God hath now shewn He hath mercy left for the distressed Church of England. Consider how, where, and in what times he was preserved, was made bishop of the great city when 'twas most giddy, kept the king's purse when necessities were deepest and clamours loudest; in highest places and greatest business, and yet universally beloved; always drawn and forced into preferment; and remember his valiant piety at the death of Strafford, and of Strafford's master; and then you'll grant (what our martyred sovereign sealed at his last breath) that this is the good man whom God and the King have now placed at the helm of the church of England."+ "Monday, Sept. 24.-Dr. Brian Duppa, the worthy and learned Bishop of Sarum, who, after his majesty was beheaded, had retired to Richmond in Surrey, where he spent most of his time in great devotion and solitude, was translated to Winchester, September 24, 1660, to the great joy and comfort of many lords and gentlemen, as well as the reverend clergy, who all had a deep sense and memory of his prudence and piety, owing them as a lasting tribute, not only for his great example of virtue and godliness, but for those excellent seeds and principles so happily laid in the youth of the king."+ "Friday, Sept. 28.-The king's letter missive to the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's, London, recommending Dr. Gilbert Sheldon as a person meet to be preferred to the see of London, considering his virtue, learning, wisdom, and gravity, and other good gifts wherewith he is endued. Given at Whitehall, the 28th day of September, in the twelfth year of our reign.”§ "Monday, Oct. 1.-The filling of the archiepiscopal see of York by his majesty's nomination of Dr. Accepted Frewen, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, to be translated thither. Towards which he had obtained his congé d'élire September 6, and was accordingly elected September 22, had the royal *Bishop Kennett's Register and Chronicle, p. 252. + Ibid. p. 264, from the " Publick Intelligence," No. 39. + Ibid. p. 265. Ibid. assent October 1, was confirmed October 4, enthronized in the person of Tobias Wickham, prebendary of that metropolitan church, October 11, and had the temporalities restored October 26, 1660."* "Thursday, October 4.-After well providing for the two metropolitan sees of Canterbury and York, and for the see of London, the next care was to fill up the see of Winchester, by the translation of Dr. Brian Duppa, Bishop of Salisbury, who was confirmed Bishop of Winton, the 4th of October, 1660. And upon that translation Dr. Humphrey Henchman was elected Bishop of Sarum, confirmed the 23rd, consecrated the 28th instant. "The solemnities of the translation of the most reverend father in God, Accepted, now Lord Archbishop of York, were performed on Thursday, October 4th, to the great satisfaction of all that had formerly known the learning and wisdom of that worthy prelate, not only when he was Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, Vice-Chancellor of Oxon, and President of Magdalen College, but also during those very many years he served his late majesty as chaplain in ordinary. .... "Upon this translation of Bishop Frewen, the see of Lichfield was not supplied for about the space of a year, in expectation that Mr. Richard Baxter would take it, (for the king intended it for him conditionally he would conform.†). At length Mr. Baxter, the coryphæus of the presbyterian party, refusing it, lest he in a high manner should displease the brethren, it was offered to Dr. Richard Baylie, President of St. John's College and Dean of Sarum, who had been a very great sufferer for the king's cause, but, he refusing it.... it was thereupon conferred upon Dr. John Hacket."‡ "Thursday, Oct. 23.-These four reverend and eminent persons, Dr. Gilbert Sheldon, Lord Bishop of London, Dr. Robert Sanderson, Lord Bishop of Lincoln, Dr. Humphrey Henchman, Lord Bishop of Sarum, and Dr. George Morley, Lord Bishop of Worcester, were confirmed at St. Mary's Church, in Cheapside, commonly called Bow Church, being all persons of such known prudence, learning, and piety, that the church of England may promise to herself great happiness and settlement in their several jurisdictions."§ "Dr. Gilbert Ironside .... about this time being nominated to the see of Bristol, was consecrated thereunto (being first created doctor of divinity) in St. Peter's Church at Westminster, on the 6th of January, 1660. That which I am to take notice further of him is, that, though he was never chaplain to any spiritual or temporal lord, or to any king or prince, or enjoyed any dignity in the church, (except the little prebend forementioned,) he was looked upon as the fittest person to enter upon that mean bishoprick."|| "Sunday, Oct. 28.-The consecration of Dr. Gilbert Sheldon, Bishop elect of London, Dr. Humphrey Henchman, Bishop of Sarum, Dr. Robert Sanderson, Bishop of Lincoln, Dr. George Morley, Bishop of Worcester, and Dr. George Griffith, Bishop of St. Asaph, in the chapel of King Henry the Seventh at Westminster; the office being performed by Brian, Bishop of Winton, assisted by Accepted, Archbishop of York, Matthew, Ely, John, Rochester, and Henry, Chichester, by virtue of a commission from the Archbishop of Canterbury, directed to them for that purpose, dated October 24, 1660."¶ "Dr. Sheldon, Bishop of London, (than whom none knew, valued, or loved Dr. Sanderson more or better,) was by his majesty made a chief trustee to commend to him fit men to supply the then vacant bishopricks. And Dr. Sheldon knew none fitter than Dr. Sanderson, and therefore humbly desired the king that he would nominate him: and, that done, he did as humbly desire Dr. San * Ibid. p. 270. + Some extracts will be given in the sequel, in reference to this proposition. § Ibid. p. 288, from the "Publick Intelligence." Ibid. p. 272. || Ibid. p. 295. They had been commended to the king by Dr. Sheldon." "And particularly Dr. Sanderson was importuned by Sheldon to accept that dignity."—Note, in Kennett. |