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154 Credibililij of the Gospel History.
about the year 305 ; but he delivers tliis opinion as conjectural
only upon a point that cannot be clearly decided.
Tillemont is much disposed to think ' it a genuine epistle
of Theonas, bishop of Alexandria, written'' about the year
290. Lucian he supposeth to have been chief chamberlain
to the emperor Dioclesian, and a faithful servant of Jesus
Christ.
1 am inclined to assent to Tillemont concerning- the author
of the epistle and the time of writing- it.
The letter was undoubtedly written in Greek ; we have
only a translation in but indifferent Latin.
HI. As the several learned critics above quoted admit the
antiquity of this piece, I shall observe the author's testimony
to the scriptures.
The author often delivers his christian counsels to Lucian,
and by him to other christians in the imperial palace, in
words of the New Testament, or in expressions allusive to
them : but without quoting- any particular books, which
mig-ht not be judged proper in an epistle.
He' mentions the gospel and apostles, as the divine oracles
of christians.
He"" recommends the daily reading- of the sacred scriptures,
and meditating- upon them, as the best means of improving-
the mind in every virtue, and as the most useful
helps for enabling- Lucian, and the other christians with him,
to discharge their several offices Avith reputation, as became
the followers of Jesus Christ.
' La leltre de I'eveque Theonas a Lucien—est selon toutes les apparences
un fruit de la piete de nostre saint. Lucien estoit lechefdes charabellans de
I'empereur Diocletien, et un fidele serviteur de J, Ch. Tillem. Saint Theonas.
M. E. T. iv. P. 3. p. 1218. ^ Id. ib. p. 1223.
' Interdum et divinas scripturas laudare conabitur, quas miia diligentia et
largissimo impendio Ptolomseus Philadelphus in hnguam nostram traduci
curavit : laudabitur et interim evangelium apostoiiKque, pro divinis oracuhs.
Theon. ib. 548.
"' Non praetercat dies, quin, opportuno tempore dato, aliquid sacrarum
lectionum legatis, ahquid contemplemini, nee sacrae scripturse literaturam
abjiciatis. Nihil adeo animam pascit, et mentern impinguat, sicutsacra; faciunt
lectioncs. Scd ex ilHs hunc maxime capite fructum, ut patientia vestra juste
et pie, hoc est, in caritate Christi, vestra ofiicia exsequamini, et transitoria
omnia ob ejus promissiones setemas contemnatis. ib. p. 550.