intrinsically true. I fear, however, I may have occasionally expressed myself, when there was no absolute need of it, in a manner that may wound the feelings of the serious and honest of other denominations. I regret every such expression, and wish that it were erased. CONTENTS. Page 1 11 21 38 II. The Historical Character of the Four Gospels III. The Marks of Honesty apparent in the Gospels XI. The Magnanimity of Jesus REMARKS. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION. "The first condition of success is, that in striving honestly ourselves, we honestly acknowledge the striving of our neighbour; that with a Will unwearied in seeking Truth, we have a Sense open for it, wheresoever and howsoever it may arise."-Edinburgh Review. Ir is an imperfect statement of a fundamental principle to say that truth carries with it its own evidence. Evidence relates to the understanding. Whereas, under certain plain and natural conditions, moral and religious truths possess the power not only of convincing the understanding, but of impressing deeply the noblest affections of the human bosom. When the mind is swayed by any inveterate bias, by a pride of opinion or of party, by an excessive veneration for what is already established, or a passion for novelty, by a conceit of intellect or the indulgence of vicious habits, then the most important principles of religion and morality may fail entirely not only of awakening any sensibility in the heart, but of gaining the faintest assent of the understanding. It is not for minds in this unhappy state B |