OF IMPORTANT FACTS, DEMONSTRATING THE TRUTH OF The Christian Religion, DRAWN FROM THE WRITINGS OF ITS FRIENDS AND ENEMIES IN THE довани By J. JONES, LL. D. AUTHOR OF A GREEK GRAMMAR, &c. &c. LONDON: PRINTED FOR ROWLAND HUNTER, No. 72, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD, 1820. IN PREFACE. my Ecclesiastical Researches, published some years ago, I have shown that Philo and Josephus were believers in Christ, and even Christian apologists. The facts recorded by these men respecting the Christian religion and its advocates, are in the highest degree important; and I flattered myself they would make their way, if not to the conviction, at least to the notice, of the Christian world. Yet the volume has received little encouragement, and scarcely any notice; the Reviewers, who are the only channels of literary information, having left it, with one exception, in the shade, as either above or below criticism. But I am not dismayed at this apparent neglect. I confide in the solidity and importance of the facts therein developed; and if the jealousy, the indolence, or the incompetence of literary censors will continue to refuse me a hearing at the bar of the public, I leave the inquiry to posterity, being assured that the providence of God will bring all things to light in the season most proper for their reception. I have long been convinced that a great mass of evidence in favour of Christianity hitherto unknown may be elicited from ancient records; and I feel it my duty, whenever a fair opportunity offers, to direct the attention of mankind to those records, as the most effectual means of checking the triumph of unbelievers. The Christian world seems at this time alive to the interests of Christianity, and promises a respectful attention to those who have new |