CHAPTER I.

_MIRACLES._

Miracles the vital point in the investigation--Their modification to suit scientific theologians--Antecedent credibility--Miracles not super-Satanic--Profane oaths--Counterfeits--Christianity misrepresented--J. S. Mill--Appeal to reason--The Fourth Gospel ignored--Intellectual condition of the age when miracles occurred--Royal College of Physicians--French Academy--Priests ordained to forgive sins--Paul the only educated man of his generation--Perfection and invariability of the order of Nature in contrast with the wickedness of mankind--Abstract question as to the credibility of miracles--Matthew Arnold and J. S. Mill reject Hume's argument--Recent German criticisms in favour of Christianity--Dr. Christlieb's "Modern Doubt and Christian Belief"--Baur and the Tübingen School 11