PREFACE

TO THE FIRST EDITION.

THE present work is the result of many years of earnest and serious investigation, undertaken in the first instance for the regulation of personal belief, and now published as a contribution towards the establishment of Truth in the minds of others who are seeking for it. The author's main object has been conscientiously and fully to state the facts of the case, to make no assertions the grounds for which are not clearly given, and as far as possible to place before the reader the materials from which a judgment may be intelligently formed regarding the important subject discussed.

The great Teacher is reported to have said: "Be ye approved money-changers," wisely discerning the gold of Truth, and no man need hesitate honestly to test its reality, and unflinchingly to reject base counterfeits. It is obvious that the most indispensable requisite in regard to Religion is that it should be true. No specious hopes or flattering promises can have the slightest value unless they be genuine and based upon substantial realities. Fear of the results of investigation, therefore, should deter no man, for the issue in any case is gain: emancipation from delusion, or increase of assurance. It is poor honour to sequester a creed from healthy handling, or to shrink from the serious examination of its doctrines. That which is true in Religion cannot be shaken; that which is false no one can desire to preserve.

VOL. I.

༡

PREFACE

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

THE Author has taken advantage of the issue of a second edition to revise this work. He has re-written portions of the first part, and otherwise re-arranged it. He hopes that the argument has thus been made more clear and consecutive.

CONTENTS

OF

THE FIRST VOLUME.

INTRODUCTION.

THE DUTY OF ADEQUATE INQUIRY ADMITTED AND NEGLECTED
DIFFICULTY OF INVESTIGATING RELIGIOUS TRUTH

PREVALENT CHARACTERISTIC OF POPULAR THEOLOGY IN ENGLAND.
ILLOGICAL TREATMENT

xcii

xcii

IMPORTANCE OF THE QUESTION: IS CHRISTIANITY A SUPERNATURAL
DIVINE REVELATION OR NOT?

xciii

THEIR CONFLICTING VIEWS ENFORCE THE NECESSITY OF INQUIRY
THE SPIRIT IN WHICH THIS INQUIRY SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN

PART I.

MIRACLES.

CHAPTER I.

MIRACLES IN RELATION TO CHRISTIANITY.

CHRISTIANITY PROFESSES TO BE SUPERNATURAL IN FORM AND ESSENCE
CLAIM TO BE A DIVINE REVELATION COMMON TO OTHER RELIGIONS.
NECESSITY OF MIRACULOUS EVIDENCE

1

2

THE ORIGIN OF MIRACLES AVOWEDLY DOUBTFUL
DILEMMA ARISING FROM THEIR DUAL CHARACTER.

13

15

THE DIVINE DESIGN OF REVELATION

SUCH A DESIGN EXCLUDED BY THE ORDER OF NATURE
THE LAW OF PROGRESS.

2)

33

35

37

39

40

43

44

45

48

49

ANTECEDENT INCREDIBILITY OF MIRACLES

DR. FARRAR'S MISCONCEPTION OF THE ARGUMENT

MILL'S CRITICISM ON HUME . .

PALEY'S ARGUMENT AGAINST HUME

NATURE OF THE EVIDENCE FOR MIRACLES WHICH IS REQUISITE

55

63

65

CHAPTER IV.

THE AGE OF MIRACLES.

THE MIRACLES OF BRIEF PERIODS ALONE BELIEVED TO BE GENUINE 95 COMPETENCY OF THE WITNESSES.

SUPERSTITIOUS CHARACTER OF THE JEWS