A Dissertation on the Books of Origen against Celsus

Transcribed from the 1812 J. Smith edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org
HULSEAN ESSAY For 1811.
Published in pursuance of the Will of the Rev. J. HULSE, as having gained the ANNUAL PRIZE, instituted by him in the University of Cambridge .
BY FRANCIS CUNNINGHAM, OF QUEEN’S COLLEGE.
“Quippe in his ( nimirum Origenis contra Celsum libris ) communem Christianorum doctrinam, adversus instructissimum Religionis nostræ hostem propugnat: hi summo Auctoris studio maxima eruditione, elucubrati fuere.” Bull. Def. Fid. Nic. Cap. ix. Sec. 2.
CAMBRIDGE: PRINTED by J. SMITH, PRINTER to the UNIVERSITY; AND SOLD BY DEIGHTON , CAMBRIDGE ; AND RIVINGTONS , AND HATCHARD , LONDON .
1812.
TO THE Very Rev. the DEAN of CARLISLE, PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS, THE PRESIDENT, AND To the Reverend and Learned THE FELLOWS OF QUEEN’S COLLEGE , THIS ESSAY IS DEDICATED AS A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT AND GRATITUDE BY THE AUTHOR.
The want of order, both in the attack of Celsus, and the reply of Origen, renders it impracticable to follow, precisely in their steps. Time will be gained, and perspicuity promoted, by endeavouring to bring their perplexed argument into a more regular form. We shall therefore single out the main topics discussed by each, and by stating the objections of the one, and the replies of the other, strive to collect the evidence which each furnishes to the truth of Christianity. Taking the more prominent topics therefore, we shall consider in order; the History and Writings of the Jews—the Scriptures—the History of Christ—the Conduct and the Principles of the early Christians. After which it will be useful to sum up the evidence to Christianity, supplied by the whole argument.
The evidence in favour of Christianity, to be deduced from the history and writings of the Jews, is so important, that it was a primary object with Celsus, to render it nugatory. This he endeavours to effect, first, by disputing the antiquity of Moses; and secondly, by condemning his narration. We shall examine his statement on these points, and some important acknowledgments he makes, of the existence of the prophetic writings.