[figure description] Note 005 .[end figure description]

These “Scenes,” it is thought proper to say,
are purely fictitious, with no foundation whatever
in historical fact, except where an obvious
agreement will be found with the Scriptures.
Wherever the story deviates from the
straight course of the New Testament record,
it is to be taken as imaginary — illustrative
merely of the period chosen.

For the part assigned to Herod there is a
show of authority; and it will be found to conflict
with the conjecture of those who, to meet
the difficulty presented by Luke, xv. 1, suppose
the Tetrarch to have been absent from his dominions
during all the early part of our Saviour's
ministry, engaged in a war with the King of
Arabia.

In respect to Scripture antiquities no more

[figure description] Note 006.[end figure description]

has been attempted than not to do them violence.
Geographical and Topographical details
will be found to agree essentially with the best
authorities.