OF DIVINE GOODNESS; INCLUDING I. LETTERS TO AN INQUIRER ON VARIOUS II. NOTES ON COLERIDGE'S CONFESSIONS OF AN III. THOUGHTS ON THE NATURE OF THE ATONEMENT AND OF ETERNAL JUDGMENT. BY T. R. BIRKS, M.A. INCUMBENT OF HOLY TRINITY, CAMBRIDGE; 66 AUTHOR OF THE DIFFICULTIES OF BELIEF," ETC., ETC. SECOND EDITION, WITH REPLY TO RECENT STRICTURES. RIVINGTONS, London, Oxford, and Cambridge. 1870. 141. j. 136. PREFACE. THIS little Volume, in its object, though not in structure, is a sequel to the "Difficulties of Belief," and the "Ways of God," published some years ago. It consists of three parts, distinct from each other, and written at long intervals; but their common aim, like that of the two previous works, is to throw light on those difficulties by which some of the main doctrines of Christian revelation are often clouded and obscured in thoughtful minds. The First Part consists of Letters to an Inquirer, written more than seven years ago. A gentleman of rank, to whom I am still personally unknown, but who had found help from some of my works, addressed to me a paper of inquiries on several topics which had caused him either perplexity or distress. Its cautious and reverent tone claimed from me a deliberate reply in several letters, which now appear, slightly revised for the press, in their |