Second Pillar -- Nativity* of Jesus†

* In relation to the Place of the nativity, Justin Martyr speaks of it distinctly, as not being in Bethlehem, but in a Grotto near Bethlehem. Justin Martyr, Dial, cum Trypho 78, page 175. Origen assures us the same as publicly known, Origen Excelsum, I. 51, Opp. Tom. 1, page 317, Ed. Delarue. Eusebius says the Grotto was well known before Helena's visit. Euseb. Demon. Evang. 7.2, page 343. So his being born in Bethlehem falls to the ground, and therefore did not fulfill Micah v. 2.

† Sir Isaac Newton says, with respect to Jesus' Birth, it was not thought of being fixed until about 527 years after it took place. See his Obs. on Dan'l, page 145.

And only see and behold the contradictory Testimony taken from Buck's Theological Dictionary under the head of Nativity.

But Buck says, "The Circumstances of the 'Shepherds watching their Flocks by Night' agrees not with the Winter Season," as every one well knows who has ever lived in Palestine, because in winter their Flocks are always brought in and housed every evening by sunset. See how little Christians know of that man they made a God of; and much less of his Infancy,* unless they go to that truly absurd and ridiculous Book, the "Apocryphal New Testament."

* Except in the one instance of his talking with the "Doctors," when about twelve years of age, (see Luke ii. 46,) this, I say, is all they know of him until he was thirty years old.