The Acts of the Apostles

EXCURSUS V ^97
sion here is difficult. These remarks, which contain
scarcely anything that is new, though much that has
not been sufficiently considered, are only intended to
help a doubt to its just dues. It is not difficult to
judge on which side lies the greater weight of argument
; but we must remember that in such cases of
doubt the more far-reaching are the effects of definite
decision the greater is the demand for caution. There-
fore, for the present, we must be content to say
St. Luke wrote at the time of Titus or in the earlier years
of Domitian^ hut perhaps even so early as the beginning
of the seventh decade of the first century. The political
rule : « Quieta non movere *" does not hold good for
science. She must therefore determine also to submit
this question to fresh investigation or—if convincing
arguments are wanting— +.0 leave it open.
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