Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/27

Rh compilers. Translated from the Original tongues, with historical references to their authenticity, by Archbishop Wake, and other learned divines. London, 1863." This imposture, for it is nothing less, has been reproduced with a new and still more flagrant title, which is too ridiculous to deceive any but the most ignorant.

I cannot conclude this part of the subject without naming two respectable French publications. "Les Evangiles Apocryphes" is a French version of several of the apocryphal books, with notes by Gustave Brunet (Second edition, Paris, 1863). "Etudes sur les Evangiles Apocryphes" is a portly volume by Michel Nicolas (Paris, 1866). This last is an elaborate discussion of the subject, conducted with learning and ability, but I can by no means accept all the conclusions of the author. This I do accept: "In reality they are all, without exception, infinitely beneath the Canonical Gospels in all respects." Pref. p. xxiii.

The principal causes which originated the writings commonly known as Apocryphal Gospels, may be