A Sketch of our Saviour’s Person, drawn with a noble simplicity and candour by an Unbeliever.
It being the usual custom of the Roman Governors to advertize the senate and people of Rome of such things as happened in their respective provinces, in the days of Tiberius Cæsar, the emperor, Pub. Leontulus, President of Judea, wrote the following epistle to the senate, concerning our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
“There appeared in our days a man of great virtue, named Jesus Christ, who is yet living among us, and of the nation accepted for a Prophet of truth, but his disciples call him the Son of God!
“He raises the dead! and cureth all manner of diseases: a man of stature somewhat tall, and comely, with a very rev’rend countenance, such as the beholders may both love and fear.
“His hair of the colour of a chestnut full ripe, down to his ears, whence downwards it is more orient, curling and waving about his shoulders: in the midst of his head is a seam or partition of his hair, after the manner of the Nazarites: his forehead plain and very delicate, his face without spot or wrinkle, beautified with a lively red; his nose and mouth so formed as nothing can be reprehensible; his beard thickish, in colour like his hair, and not over long, but forked; his look innocent, but mature; his eyes gray, clear, and quick. In reproving he is terrible, in admonishing courteous and fair spoken, pleasant in conversation, mixed with gravity. It cannot be remembered that any have seen him laugh, but many have seen him weep. In proportion of body most excellent; his hands and arms delectable to behold. In speaking, very moderate, modest, and wise.
“A man, for his singular beauty, surpassing the children of men!”