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 PREVALENT CHARACTERISTIC OF POPULAR THEOLOGY IN ENGLAND. xcii xcii IMPORTANCE OF THE QUESTION: IS CHRISTIANITY A SUPERNATURAL xciii THEIR CONFLICTING VIEWS ENFORCE THE NECESSITY OF INQUIRY PART I. MIRACLES. CHAPTER I. MIRACLES IN RELATION TO CHRISTIANITY. CHRISTIANITY PROFESSES TO BE SUPERNATURAL IN FORM AND ESSENCE 1 2 THE ORIGIN OF MIRACLES AVOWEDLY DOUBTFUL 13 15 THE DIVINE DESIGN OF REVELATION SUCH A DESIGN EXCLUDED BY THE ORDER OF NATURE 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 |