CONCLUSION.

I HAVE now brought these observations to a close, and endeavoured to prove that our blessed Saviour was born into the world in the Spring of J. P. 4709,-baptized in the month of November, J. P. 4739, and crucified at the Passover, J. P. 4742, after a ministry of about two years and a half. To be positive in a matter of such extreme difficulty would ill become any man; I shall therefore only remark, that if I have forgotten or undervalued any objection it is because I was ignorant either of its existence or importance. I have wilfully mis-represented nothing, but endeavoured to lay before the reader every argument connected with my subject in the very light in which it appeared to my own mind. I know not however in what manner I can better explain the views with which I have written and the course which I have pursued, than by adopting the simple and honest words of Le Clerc, who is not only one of the most sensible, but what is of some consequence to the shortness and uncertainty of human life, one of the most concise of all the writers upon the chronology of our Saviour's life."

Le Clerc's Dissertations suffixed to his Harmony, p. 581.

"I would not have it thought that I have produced nothing but what is new, which would be far from truth, others having before made use of many things here mentioned: but I have selected from the writings of others what seemed necessary for the confirming and illustrating of my design; and these I have set forth with as much brevity and plainness as I was able, and, if I am not mistaken, explained them with some new arguments, by which I have endeavoured more diligently than others have done before me to distinguish those things that were dubious from what was manifest, and of certain authority. So that what I have here advanced is not all my own, neither is all borrowed; but I shall think it will be enough for my credit, if I have not deviated from the truth, and if I have reached it in the common road or in a less frequented path. Now if any one shall censure me, as being altogether in the wrong, I shall not at all wonder at it, as one unacquainted with the temper of some men. I shall not however be incensed against him, or wish him any ill, or detract from his reputation. I have herein acted according to the best of my understanding for our common Saviour; and if not so well as I should have done, yet at least sincerely nor have I writ one syllable but what flowed from the love of truth or the Gospel to which if any others

Y

think they can do better service another way, I shall be far from opposing of it, provided they observe the plain precepts of the Gospel, and assent to those tenets which are uncontroverted amongst Christians."

CHRONOLOGICAL

TABLE.

Years of the Julian Period.

4674.

4709.

JUNE, JULY, &c.-The 184th Olympiad ends. Herod nominated to the Kingdom of Judea by the Roman Senate.

MARCH TO JUNE.-A decree having been issued by "Cæsar Augustus, that all the land should be taxed, all went to be taxed every one to his own city," and, as Josephus says, "All the Jewish nation took an oath to be faithful to Cæsar, and to the interests of the King." Joseph also with his espoused wife Mary went up to Bethlehem, and there JESUS WAS BORN.

FROM THE 39th TO THE 42d DAY AFTER THE BIRTH OF JESUS.--Magi from the East arrive in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" Herod holds a consultation "with the chief Priests and Scribes of the People." Jesus is brought to Jerusalem and presented in the temple, and then carried back again to Bethlehem, 6 miles. The Magi are sent by Herod to Bethlehem

to search diligently for the young Child." The Magi arrive in Bethlehem, find Jesus, present their offerings, and then, "being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they returned into their own country by another way. The same night Joseph, being also warned by God in a dream, "took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt."

Years of the Julian Period.

4710.

4711.

4719.

4720.

4724.

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.

42d TO THE 50th DAY AFTER THE BIRTH OF JESUS.—The Murder of the Innocents at Bethlehem.

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FEBRUARY. The last illness of Herod probably commenced.

MARCH 13th.-The Rabbis put to death for sedition. "The same night there was an eclipse of the Moon."

FEBRUARY.-About this time Herod died, in the 37th year of his reign, and not quite two years after our Saviour's birth. He was succeeded in the kingdom of Judea by his sou Archelaus.

MARCH 16th.-The first Jewish month Nisan and the 2d year of Archelaus's reign, according to the Jewish method of computation, begin. FEBRUARY.-The ninth year of Archelaus's reign, according to the Roman and common method of computation, begins.

MARCH OR APRIL.-The first Jewish month

Nisan, and the tenth year of Archelaus's reign, according to the Jewish method of computa tion, begin.

SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER.-Archelaus was banished in the ninth Roman and tenth Jewish year of his reign.

JANUARY TO APRIL.-Cyrenius appointed Governor of Judea, and ordered to make a general Assessment.

SEPTEMBER 2d.-Cyrenius had before this finished the general Assessment in Judea. NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER. A decree of the Roman Senate conferred upon Tiberius equal power with Augustus in the Armies and Provinces, from which period is to be dated the 'Hyeuovia or Government, or Proconsular Empire of Tiberius.