V. Neither our Lord nor His Apostles point to the evidence of the prophecy of the 70 weeks (9. 24-27)-a proof so definite and so chronological.

For Ans. see Anderson (p. 64), who argues that such proof would have been discredited by the erroneous chronology which, as Josephus indicates, was prevalent in their day.

It has been thought well that an attempt should be made, as above, to set forth with as much fairness as possible the main arguments on both sides of this difficult question.

In a case like this, where, as in so many literary enquiries, we cannot hope in the present state of our knowledge to attain to positive proof, we must anticipate a divergence of opinion. On the other hand, considering how remarkable are the discoveries of one literary treasure after another, which characterize the present day, we may well expect with considerable confidence that further light will be thrown on some, or even many, of the points indicated above as involved in the discussion. In the mean while different minds will return different answers to the question, How far have the impugners of the traditional date acquitted themselves successfully of the task that they have undertaken, viz. to disprove the view which at any rate has been held with practical universality by the Church till very recent times ?

*

*For a very full, clear, and elaborate defence of the traditional view, see J. Fabre d'Envieu, Le Livre du Prophète Daniel, Paris, 1888 (4 vols.).