Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/31

Rh II. The Evangelical narratives were almost or wholly silent on various points, e.g.,

III. Sundry sects, heresies, and parties wanted support from Apostolical and Divine Authorities.

IV. Men took pleasure in producing religious novels, fictions, Hagadoth, or whatever we may call them; and they knew such things were popular.

Of course the putting of the names of Christ, Mary, the Apostles, etc., to these writings was a trick intended to give weight to what would otherwise perhaps have attracted no attention.

I hardly think any of the false Gospels can be ascribed to the simple intention to weave into one consecutive narrative the traditions which were actually known to the writers. Such traditions were introduced freely enough, but subject to the restraints which the author or compiler imposed on himself. We have in fact no such collection; because no false Gospel extends over the entire period