Page:The Mohammedan system of theology (IA mohammedansyste00neal).pdf/248

 for salvation. To particularize only in a few instances; the appearance of a star in the heavens, and the massacre of the innocents by Herod, arc judiciously discarded as likely to beget the question, who this could he, so signally announced beyond all precedent. The same may be said respecting the wonders of his baptism, his conflict with and triumph over Satan in the wilderness, his miracles and transfiguration; these form an assemblage of facts which could not be accounted for otherwise than by allowing his vast superiority over all other prophets. The positive dental of Christ's death and the substitution of another in his place obviated many difficulties; for that event with its attendant prodigies, could not well be explained on the principles of the Koran, or reconciled with the statements there given respecting his person and character.

A sensible and serious man, especially if