LIBRARY REASON AND REVELATION. BEING AN EXAMINATION INTO THE NATURE BY WILLIAM HORNE, M.A. HENRY S. KING & CO., LONDON. 1876. PREFACE. THE questions discussed in the following pages are those lying at the basis of a Christian theology. Until they are settled, it appears to me premature to enter upon the particular details of Christian doctrine, as expounded by any of the various parties who profess to be its legitimate interpreters. I have not, therefore, felt called upon to treat of specific dogmas, although the argument has led me to the expression of an opinion regarding dogmatic theology as a system of thought. Unless I am greatly mistaken, the attention of the majority of thoughtful men of our time is directed, more than at any previous period, to the subjects underlying revelation and religion. This is largely to be accounted for by the recently awakened interest in ethnic religions. The point of view from which these are recognised has naturally suggested the possibility of a science of comparative religion, and this again an explanation of the nature of religion and its manifestations. In addition to this, there are causes which have always been more or less operative in the same direction, but which of late years have re-asserted themselves with increasing emphasis. These may be conveniently summed up by what is known as the culture of the age. The invariable demand of those who speak in the name of culture, on the presentation of a written revelation, has been, Explain its nature and contents in relation to other truths; tell us how and what it is. Many authors have written ably and exhaustively on different divisions of this subject, but it has never yet been treated as a |