Whether the Recognitions or the Homilies came first in order of time is a question much debated among critics, and the even way in which the best opinions seem to be divided is a proof of the uncertainty of the data.

On the one side are ranged Credner, Ewald, Reuss, Schwegler, Schliemann, Uhlhorn, Dorner, and Luecke, who assign the priority to the Homilies: on the other, Hilgenfeld, Koestlin, Ritschl (doubtfully), and Volkmar, who give the first place to the Recognitions [Endnote 162:1].

On the ground of authority perhaps the preference should be given to the first of these, as representing more varied parties and as carrying with them the greater weight of sound judgment, but it is impossible to say that the evidence on either side is decisive.
The majority of critics assign the Clementines, in one form or the other, to the middle of the second century.

Credner, Schliemann, Scholten, and Renan give this date to the Homilies; Volkmar and Hilgenfeld to the Recognitions; Ritschl to both recensions alike [Endnote 162:2].

We shall assume hypothetically that the Homilies are rightly thus dated.