INTRODUCTORY NOTE. THIS work is written from a Christian standpoint; that is to say, it assumes the Scriptures to be the Word of God, and Jesus of Nazareth to be the Christ, the Son of God. The argument is, therefore, addressed principally to believers in Christianity. Some of the positions recently taken by opponents of Christianity are, however, discussed; but as these are chiefly of a metaphysical character, and would be likely to weary the general reader, they have been separately considered in an appendix. The reader is asked to observe that the argument is consecutive throughout, and that, consequently, the force and meaning of the later sections cannot be fairly grasped, unless the earlier sections, which may seem to be somewhat elaborate, have received due consideration. |