In conclusion, it must be again pointed out that we are only now considering the _credibility_ of Christianity, and not trying to make out that it appears a probable religion, at first sight, which it plainly does not. Only its improbability is not so extremely great as to make it useless to consider the evidence in its favour. This is especially so when we remember that this improbability must have seemed far greater when Christianity was first preached than it does now, when we are so accustomed to the religion. Yet, as a matter of fact, the evidence in its favour did outweigh every difficulty, and finally convince the civilised world. What this evidence is we proceed to inquire. CHAPTER XIV. THAT THE FOUR GOSPELS ARE GENUINE FROM EXTERNAL TESTIMONY. (_A._) THE UNDISPUTED TESTIMONY. End of second century; Irenæus, his evidence of great value. (_B._) THE ALMOST UNDISPUTED TESTIMONY. (1.) Justin Martyr, A.D. 150, refers to some Apostolic _Memoirs_, which were publicly read among Christians; and his quotations show that these were our Four Gospels. (2.) Tatian, Justin's disciple, A.D. 175, wrote the Diatessaron, or harmony of Four Gospels. (3.) Marcion, A.D. 140, wrote a Gospel based on St. Luke's. (_C._) THE DISPUTED TESTIMONY. (1.) Papias, mentions the first two Gospels by name. (2.) Aristides, A.D. 125, alludes to some Gospel as well known. (3.) The Apostolic Fathers, Polycarp, Ignatius, Clement, Barnabas, and the Teaching of the Twelve, seem to contain references to our Gospels. Having shown in the last chapter that the Christian Religion is _credible_, we have next to consider what evidence there is in its favour. Now that it was founded on the alleged miracles and teaching of Christ, and chiefly on His Resurrection, is admitted by everyone. So we must first examine whether we have any trustworthy testimony as to these events; more especially whether the Four Gospels, which appear to contain such testimony, are genuine. By the _Four Gospels_, we of course mean those commonly ascribed to SS. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; and by their being _genuine_, we mean that they were written, or compiled by those persons. And we will first consider the _external testimony_ borne by early Christian writers to these Gospels, leaving _the internal evidence_ from the Books themselves for the next chapter.