SECT. IV. The authority of those books which hare no name to them evident from the nature of the writings.

THERE is no reason why any one should detract from the credibility of the epistle to the Hebrews upon this account only, because we do not know who wrote it; and so likewise of the two epistles of John, and the Revelation, because 128some have doubted whether John the apostle wrote them, or another of the same name. For, in writers,³⁸⁶³⁸⁶   It had been more proper to say in writings, or books, which is the meaning of Grotius, as appears from what follows. Le Clerc. the nature of the writings is more to be regarded than the name. Wherefore we receive many historical books, whose authors we are ignorant of, as that of Cæsar’s Alexandrian war, viz. because we see, that, whoever the author was, he lived in those times, and was present at those matters; so likewise ought we to be satisfied, when those who wrote the books we are now speaking of, testify that they lived in the first age, and were endued with the apostolical gifts. And if any one should object against this, that these qualities may be feigned, as may the names in other writings, he would say a thing that is by no means credible, viz. that they, who every where press the study of truth and piety, should without any reason bring themselves under the guilt of a lie, which is not only abhorred by all good men, bat was punished with death by the Roman laws.³⁸⁷³⁸⁷   See L. Falsi Nominis. D. de Lege Cornelia; and Paul, book v. Sent. tit. xxv. sect. 10 and 11. See examples of this punishment, at the end of the books of Valerius Maximus, and in Capitolinus in Pertinax.