St. Luke at the commencement of his Gospel has told us the reason of his writing, which was, that many others had rashly taken upon themselves to give accounts of those things of which he had a more certain knowledge. And this is his meaning when he says, Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of things.
Reproduced in full. Translation: Oxford 1841 (Newman), public domain (Public domain).
Also cites: Eccl. Hist. iii. 4.