Christlieb.
"The most important controversies are those which a man finds in his own heart."
J. A. Bengel.
"The Key to Scripture is the Person and Office of Messiah."
CHAPTER VII.
CONCLUSION.
At the close of his work our author attempts to console his readers for having demolished their evangelical belief in the following eloquent language:—
"In surrendering its miraculous element and its claims to supernatural origin, therefore, the religion of Jesus does not lose its virtue, or the qualities which have made it a blessing to humanity. It sacrifices none of that elevated character which has distinguished and raised it above all human systems; it merely relinquishes a claim which it has shared with all antecedent religions, and severs its connection with ignorant superstition. It is too divine in its morality to require the aid of miraculous attributes. No supernatural halo can heighten its spiritual beauty, and no mysticism deepen its holiness. In its perfect simplicity it is sublime, and in its profound wisdom it is eternal" (p. 489).