PREFACE vii 



Armenia or Kurdistan, little more than 4,000 years 

 ago, which is implied in the eighth chapter; or 

 finally, to shape their conduct in accordance with 

 the conviction that the world is haunted by 

 innumerable demons, who take possession of men 

 and may be driven out of them by exorcistic 

 adjurations, which pervades the Gospels. 



Nevertheless, if there is any justification for 

 the dogma of plenary inspiration, the damna- 

 tory prodigality of even the Athanasian Creed is 

 still too sparing. " Whosoever will be saved " 

 must believe, not only all these things, but a 

 great many others of equal repugnancy to com- 

 mon sense and everyday knowledge. 



The doctrine of biblical infallibility, which 

 involves these remarkable consequences, was 

 widely held by my countrymen within my recol- 

 lection : I have reason to think that many persons 

 of unimpeachable piety, a few of learning, .and 

 even some of intelligence, yet uphold it. But I 

 venture to entertain a doubt whether it can pro- 

 duce any champion whose competency and 

 authority would be recognised beyond the limits 

 of the sect, or theological coterie, to which he be- 

 longs. On the contrary, apologetic effort, at 

 present, appears to devote itself to the end of 

 keeping the name of " Inspiration " to suggest the 

 divine source, and consequent infallibility, of more 

 or less of the biblical literature, while carefully 

 emptying the term of any definite sense. For 

 " plenary inspiration " we are asked to substitute 



