Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1817-12-30
ANCIENT TESTIMONIES
concerning JESUS Of .Ndzsrsfh, &c.-NO. XII.
FROM THE CAVE.
n 4of-

Dec. -, 1olf.
Lucidn Continued.
With Lucian's works is Joined dialogue
called Philopatris. 1t is ascribed to Lucian,
but there is diversity of opinion among the
learned concerning it. Those who think it is
not the work of Lucian, assign two principal
reasons for their opinion; lst that there was
little or no controversy about the doctrines
alluded to in it. al the time Lucian wrote
Cd that the style is far inferior to Lucian's.
In my mind neither Of these objections are
very conclusive. As 10 the first, it needed no
controversy about christian doctrines, TO in
duce Lucian TO attack them, provided the
doctrines existed. As to the 2d it is not unu-
sual for authors to vary their style, particular
ly when writing in the form OF dialogue.
believe it to be Lucian's, but whoever was
the author, it was probably written about his
time, and shall introduce an extract from it.
1t is dialogue between Crlias and Trie-
phon the first protested heather, the other
an EPicurean representing christian. The
design OF it, seems TO be, partly to represent
christians as a sect Of men, disafecteG TO gov
eminent, and dangerous to society partly
70 expose their opinions as to the Trinity-the
creation ofthe world, and several other articles
Of the christian faith.
(" Ihriephon meets Critias, who by his
countenance appears greatly indisposed be-
ing asked the reason Critias tells him, he had
been where he had heard strange discourse
and that the things he had heard that day,
from those execrable sophists, had greatly af-
fected him. Then he offers to swear by Ju-
pter, and Apollo, and other Deties, which
Triephon rejects. BY whom then shall |
swear, says Critias. Triephon answers
BY the most High God, immortal celestial,
Son Of the Father, the spirit proceeding from
the Father, one out of three, and three out of
one. These you are TO believe to be Jupiter
him you are TO esteem to be God.
Critias answers; you teach me numbers,
that is an arithmetical OATH Go not know
what you mean. One three, three one. Tire
phon. Hold your peace you are not to
measure the steps of feas. | will teach you
what The universe s,who was before all things,
and what is the system of the universe for
1t is but the other day, was as ignorant as
yourself But when the Galean, half bald,
long nosed, who travelled through the air to
the third heavens, and there learned the most
extraordinary things, came to me, he renewed
us by Water-he introduced US into the reg
ions OF the blessed, and redeemed Us from the
regions OF the wicked, And if you will heark-
EN- unto me, | will make you a wise man in
deed. Soon after this, Triephon tells Cri-
tias OF the creation and other things in a very
ludlcrous way. BY a word be dispeled the
darkness as the slow-tongued writers assures
Us, and founded the earth upon the waters.
lie stretched out the heavens, formed the FIX
ed stars, and ordered the course of things
which you worship as Gods. The earth he
adorned with flowers; man he brought out OF
things that were not and He is in heaven,
beholding the just and the unjust, and writes
down IN book the actions of ALL After some
other things, Critias says !; Wherefore Tire
phon, beseech you, to say no more of the
fates, though your master should take you up
and admit you to unspeakable mysteries. Az.
forwards Trephon says Do not you see, how
inaccurate, and ambiguous all the sayings Of
the poets are Wherefore lay aside those
things, that you may be enrolled in the books
OF the righteous. Critias replies But tell
me, Trephon, are the affairs of the Scythf-
ans also registered in heaven? Tyiephon. All.
FOR Chrestus has been among the nations.
FIf'as There must be multitude Of scribes
~ heaven according to your account. Trie-
P'on' pray yeu say nothing Of the dex-
ferrous God which is contemplate. bat be-
come catechumen and be persuaded bv me.
II you have mind 10 live forever. Since he
mas stretched out the heavens like a curtain,
ana founded the earth upon the water, and
produced man out of nothing, what is there
wonderful, in his registering the actions of
men ! Afterwards, Triephon desires Critias TO
teil hlm what he had heard in the assembly Of
me CHRISTIANS, that had SO discomposed him.
Srilias answers by the Son out Of the Faith
er u snail never be done. Tr1ephon. Do tell
'ne, having received from the spirit the power
q speech. Cri!ias at length tells him what
oeggafy, sorrowful company OF people lie
nag met with insinustes their dissfieclon to
me government, and that they delighted in
pnolic calamities. Some of them spoke OF
their lasting Ten whole days without eating
and OF their spending whole nights in singing
hymns Ifiephon then bids him 10 have done
with those stories, and begin with the PRAYER
from the father. They conclude, by ssyiaa