11 
vobis fuisse confido, Americam illam nostram vetustissimis homi- 
nibus non incognitam fuisse.’? 
Beside the modern writers already quoted, who have treated the 
subject as one of general literature, there are others who have dis- 
cussed it as a theological question ; conceiving that our Lord's pre- 
diction, that the Gospel was to be published among all nations, 
(Matt. xxiv. 14.—Mark xiii. 10.) and St. Paul’s declaration, that 
it was preached to every creature which is under heaven (Col. i. 
23.) could not be true, unless it could-be shewn, that the Gospel 
had been preached to the inhabitants of the American continent. 
Ryery rule, however, of legitimate interpretation would lead us to 
view these passages in a restricted sense, as we do the decrees of 
Nebuchadnezzar and Darius, which are addressed to every people, 
nation, and language, that dwelt in all the earth. (Dan. iii. 29.— 
vi. 25.) Though this interpretation is sufficiently obvious, it has 
not been satisfactory to the writers to whom I have alluded. I do 
not think it necessary to multiply quotations: those who wish for 
their names and the titles of their respective works, will find them 
in the authors referred to in the note.* | 
Before divines had introduced the particular question, “ An Ame- 
ricanis Evangelium fuit publicatum,” the general one had been dis- 
cussed with bitter animosity by those who envied the well merited 
honours of Columbus. Robertson, with his usual accuracy of re- 
search, has detailed to us the outline of the controversy ; and, al- 
though the supporters of it failed convincing the world that other na- 
vigators had passed the Atlantic before Columbus, yet it throws some 
light upon our question, that America was known to the ancients. 
c2 
® Wolfius Cure Philologice in Mark xvi. 15—Noldius Concor. Particulorium Heb. sub voc. 
ans. Not. 125. 
