Page:The Mohammedan system of theology (IA mohammedansyste00neal).pdf/16

x guide and direct man in the right way, or the probability that God would vouchsafe such a boon to his erring creatures; these propositions, or arguments a priori, though fundamentally important, would be out of place here; because by admitting the claims of Judaism and Christianity to a divine original; and arrogating only superiority to itself, Mohammedanism recognises and concedes these as first principles, which are therefore taken for granted: the main contest consequently depends on a third proposition, viz., which of the systems, now under consideration, best supports the character and marks of a divine revelation. This involves various considerations respecting the genuineness and authenticity of what arc termed "the canonical Scriptures;" and whether they afford criteria by which the question may be tried. Respecting which, and similar topics, thus much may be premised, that as far as the subject