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155 CHAPTER X.

HEROD ANTIPAS'S DEFENCE BEFORE THE ROMAN SENATE IN REGARD TO THE EXECUTION OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.

We found on the records of the Roman Senate Herod Antipas's defence respecting the various accusations preferred against him by different persons. In his defence there are some very important items regarding the Christian Church. The reader will notice that these events were recorded with no intention of establishing other facts. 1. The history of John the Baptist. 2. The history of Jesus Christ. 3. The killing of the children by his father at Bethlehem.

"To Tiberius Cæsar and the Senate of Rome.

"My Noble Lords, Greeting: It is true, as my opponent asserts, that I was defeated in battle with Aretas, King of Arabia, but I was forced to fight when unprepared for the conflict. I either had to fight or have the country overrun by this wicked people. It is true I was defeated, but it was owing to the want of time and better preparation. Aretas came upon me without warning. Notwithstanding I was defeated his army was so crippled that he had (156)