Fragments from Reimarus

PREFACE.

explaining things away, or manipulating texts to make their sense the exact opposite of the natural meaning of the words. Such a method is not quite as much in favor as it once was, and, somehow, it has ceased to perform those brilliant feats of legerdemain sleight of hand; trickery that used to win so much applause. Reimarus either speaks truly or falsely; he quotes the New Testament either accurately or inaccurately; he either represents Jesus and the Apostles in their true light, as seen in the New Testament itself, or he has grossly misrepresented them. These are the questions for readers and critics to settle. They have their New Testament at hand and can compare its statements with those of Reimarus. No controversy was ever reduced to such reasonable and easy limits, or had its terms made more definite and intelligible.

After a careful and candid perusal of this book, the reader will, I trust, join me in heartily thanking the translator for giving our English students a critical work of such rare interest and such exceptional value.

CAMDEN HOUSE, DULWICH,
July, 1879.