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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
9
This is a brief but necessary sketch of the first part of our subject. This is the ancient period of Ecclesiastical History. Its full treasures must be unfolded hereafter. Its accessories belong to other departments of study. The critical interpretation of the sacred books in which the history is contained falls under the province of general Theology and Exegesis; the explanation of the languages in which they are written I gladly leave to the Professor of Hebrew and the Professor of Greek. But the history itself of the Chosen People, from Abraham to the Apostles, belongs to this Chair by right; and, if health and strength are spared to me, shall also belong to it in fact.