PAGE II. THE MINISTRY OF THE ANGELS 97 12. SO FAR THE PROPOSITION HAS NOT PROVED UNREASONABLE 100 13. CONCERNING THE OMNISCIENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD 14. YET HIGHER SPACES 15. CONCERNING THE OMNIPOTENCE OF GOD 103 106 III 16. DEFENDING THE USE OF GEOMETRY IN THESE SACRED CONNECTIONS 116 19. CONCERNING THE KENOSIS, AND THE EARTHLIFE OF OUR LORD 148 EVEN the most casual observer of the characteristics of contemporary thought must be struck by the appearance of many symptoms which speak of a prevailing restlessness in the minds of men. Impatience of old boundaries, whether of creed or of opinion, is manifested by vehement denials of orthodox beliefs; and the same impatience shews itself in equally vehement assertions in favour of new standards whether of faith or morals. Some persons, under the influence of this feverish restlessness, take refuge in a dreary scepticism; some in credulity or superstition. Some are led to exalt private judgement; some, submission to authority, as the only panacea for the cure of the uneasiness from which they suffer. Some, again, can see no remedy, and with however great reluctance, accept the conditions which they find so irksome, as being of necessity; and according to their dispositions, proceed as they would say, to make the best of what remains to them. All, in whatever way, seek for some cure, or at least some alleviation of this epidemic; and no remedy can be suggested but has its troop of strong believers, no charlatan appears but finds a following. In a word, the most opposite extremes of devotion and dissipation, of selfishness and self-denial, unite in this that they point to the existence of a deeply-rooted prevalence of dissatisfaction. This restlessness, impatience, uneasiness, call it what you will, is not however all an evil. It gives a motive for a search after better things, and though in the search |