as been admitted by me to a
more excellent piece of knowledge than this, but I know that ye are
worthy" (Ibid, chapter ix.). And this is Paley's companion of the
Apostles! Ignatius tells us of the "star of Bethlehem." "A star shone
forth in heaven above all other stars, and the light of which was
inexpressible, while its novelty struck men with astonishment. And all
the rest of the stars, with the sun and moon, formed a chorus to this
star" (Epistle to the Ephesians, chap. xix.). Why should we accept
Ignatius' testimony to the star, and reject his testimony to the sun and
moon and stars singing to it? Or take Origen against Celsus: "I have
this further to say to the Greeks, who will not believe that our Saviour
was born of a virgin: that the Creator of the world, if he pleases, can
make every animal bring forth its young in the same wonderful manner.
As, for instance, the _vultures propagate their kind in this uncommon
way,_ as the best writers of natural history do acquaint us" (chap,
xxxiii., as quoted in "Diegesis," p. 319). Or shall we turn to Irenaeus,
so invaluable a witness, since he knew Polycarp, who knew John, who knew
Jesus? Listen, then, to the reminiscences of John, as reported by
Irenaeus: "John related the words of the Lord concerning the times of the
kingdom of God: the days would come when vines would grow, each with
10,000 shoots, and to each shoot 10,000 branches, and to each branch
10,000 twigs, and to each twig 10,000 clusters, and to each cluster
10,000 grapes, and each grape which is crushed will yield twenty-five
measures of wine. And when one of the saints will reach after one of
these clusters, another will cry: 'I am a better cluster than it; take
me, and praise the Lord because of me.' Likewise, a grain of wheat will
produce 10,000 ears, each ear 10,000 grains, each grain ten pounds of
fine white flour. Other fruits, and seeds, and herbs in proportion. The
whole brute creation, feeding on such things as the earth brings forth,
will become sociable and peaceable together, and subject to man with all
humility" ("Iren. Haer.," v., 33, 3-4, as quoted in Keim's "Jesus of
Nazara," p. 45). What trust can be placed in the truth of facts to which
these men pretend to bear witness when we find St. Augustine preaching
that "he himself, being at that time Bishop of Hippo Regius, had
preached the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to a whole
nation of men and women that had no heads, but had their