-

-

just mentioned, pp. 233, 234.- This fact corresponds to

the supposition of the truth of the Gospels, but does not

correspond to any other supposition that can be made,

pp. 234-238. Summary of the argument on this point,

p. 238. The history contained in the Gospels may be

divided into two parts: one, containing narratives of mirac-

ulous events; the other, accounts of the discourses of our

Saviour, of his actions not miraculous, and of the dis-

positions, words, and actions of others, p. 238.- Between

these two portions there is a perfect correspondence, pp.

239, 240. Such is the consistency of these different por-

tions, that the whole narrative must be true, or the whole

must be false, p. 241.- No one will contend that it is

merely fictitious, p. 241.- Supposition of those who deny

the truth of the Gospel history, p. 241. But to any suppo-

sition which denies the truth of the miracles, the consistency

of the history presents a conclusive objection, pp. 242 – 244.

CHAPTER III.

THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST AS IT APPEARS IN THE GOs-

PELS

SECTION I.

245

His Teaching

-

The perfect exhibition of moral excellence in the teachings

and actions of Christ a proof of the genuineness of the writ-

ings in which it appears, p. 245.-Statement of the argu-

ment, pp. 245–248. - The Gospels contain just conceptions

of a perfect system of religion as taught by a divine teacher,

pp. 245, 246.- Their writers derived these conceptions

either from reality or from their own imaginations, p. 246.

- They could not have derived them from imagination, p.

247.- Circumstances under which Christ appeared, pp. 248,

249. The great characteristics of his preaching, pp. 249–

258. His teachings concerning God, pp. 249-252.- Con-

cerning immortality, pp. 252 - 255.- Concerning the moral

responsibility of men as immortal beings, pp. 255 – 257. —

These doctrines constitute his religion, p. 257. — To have a

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-

. 245

-

just conception of the force of the argument to be derived

from them, they should be compared with those which phi-

losophy had attained before, p. 258. No heathen teacher

of a higher rank than Socrates, p. 258. His imperfect

conception of the great truths of religion, pp. 258 – 260.

Comparison of the Memorabilia of Xenophon with the Gos-

pels, pp. 261, 262. - Characteristics of the moral principles

inculcated by Christ, pp. 262-266.- The morality which

he taught the most pure and comprehensive, p. 262. — As

yet but imperfectly comprehended, p. 263.-Nature and

extent of its requirements, pp. 263–266. How is it to be

explained that such a system is found in the Gospels? p. 266.

His Personal Character.

SECTION II.

-

The personal character which in the Gospels is ascribed to

Jesus Christ is most striking and original, p. 267. How he

is there represented, pp. 267–269. — Truth of the concep-

tion contained in the Gospels of the character which the

miracles of a messenger from God ought to have, p. 269.-

Character of Christ's discourses in reference to the gaining

of followers and disciples, pp. 270-272.-The representa-

tion of these discourses such that it must have been drawn

from reality, pp. 273, 274.-But little in the Gospels con-

cerning the private character of Christ till the closing scenes

of his life, p. 274.- In relation to this subject there are

some passages which require explanation, p. 275.-The

reply of Jesus to his mother at the marriage feast at

Cana, pp. 275-279. His treatment of the Syro-Pho-

nician woman who besought him to cure her daughter, pp.

279 281. The miraculous cure of the Gadarene dæmoni-

acs, pp. 281-283.-These passages are among the striking

proofs which the Gospels everywhere furnish, of the fact that

their writers had no purpose of deceiving by the display of an

imaginary character, pp. 283, 284.- The Evangelists seem

never to have formed an abstract conception of what the

character of Christ really was, p. 284.- Defective style and

inartificial construction of their histories, and evident ab-

-

267

sence in them of all aim at effect, pp. 284, 285.- When

we find, therefore, that from their entire narratives there

results a most wonderful, original, and consistent exhibition

of character, it is impossible to ascribe this to any other

cause than that they drew from reality, p. 285.- The rec-

ords of our religion show that their writers had no ability

to deceive, and thus carry with them independent evidence

of their own authenticity, pp. 286, 287.- One other pas-

sage besides those already noticed presents a difficulty, -

that relating to the cry of our Saviour on the cross, p. 287.

Explanation of this passage, pp. 287 – 292.

APPENDIX.

-

ON THE ADAPTATION OF THE DISCOURSES OF CHRIST TO

THE CHARACTER AND CONDITION OF THE JEWS, AND

TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH HE WAS PLACED

General remarks, pp. 295, 296. In the time of our Saviour

the notions of the Jews concerning religion were very im-

perfect and erroneous, p. 296. —Their conceptions of God,

pp. 296, 297. Of the future life, pp. 297, 298.- Of

moral and religious excellence, p. 298.—Their political con-

dition at the time of our Saviour's ministry, pp. 298, 299. -

Their expectations concerning the Messiah, pp. 299, 300.-

Preaching of John the Baptist, pp. 301, 302.- Conception

that may be formed of the appearance of Christ, pp. 302,

303.- Commencement of his ministry in Galilee, p. 303.-

The Sermon on the Mount, pp. 304–308. - Spirit of the

Beatitudes contrasted with the feelings and expectations of

the Jews, pp. 305-308.-Character of the remainder of

this discourse, when viewed in connection with the moral

and intellectual state of those to whom it was addressed, pp.

308, 309. The whole affords decisive evidence that Jesus

Christ was what he claimed to be, a teacher commissioned

and instructed by God, p. 309.

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295

PART I.

REMARKS

ON

CHRISTIANITY AND THE GOSPELS,

WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO

STRAUSS'S "LIFE OF JESUS.".