The laws of language and interpretation also are introduced into that work for the purpose of showing (in the second volume not yet published) that the common-sense system is also taught in the Bible.
But preliminary to this, it was seen to be important to apply the principles of common sense to prove that the Bible is a collection of _reliable_ records, of _reliable_ revelations from the Creator to mankind.
It was seen also, that if the Augustinian system is really taught in these writings, _it is impossible to prove them to be reliable revelations_ from God, as is set forth at large in chapter 34 of this present volume.
For this reason, in the Addenda to the first volume the Augustinian theory is introduced, and very briefly shown to be, not only contrary to the common sense and moral sense of mankind, but also without support from the Bible.
Before publication, this work was sent to a large number of those regarded as among the most acute and profound theologians of the several classes described herein, with the request that if they detected inaccuracies as to _facts_, or _fallacious reasonings_, they would point them out for revision. In making this appeal it was stated that the writer had little taste for metaphysics or theology, and had been driven to them in the stress of great sorrow and under a tremendous pressure of motive as narrated in the Introduction.
Several of those thus addressed, returned criticisms and remarks in reply. The book was then issued, in which the author appeared not in the attitude of a teacher, but as an inquirer. And the closing inquiries were:
Are these principles of common sense accepted?
Is _the system_ of natural religion evolved by their aid accepted?
Is the Augustinian theory of depravity, as tried by these principles and the rules of interpretation, supported either by reason or the Bible?
The work, as thus revised, was again sent to these same theologians, and it was noticed in most of the periodicals.
The result was the same as was accorded to the arguments of the _Conflict of Ages_. Some criticisms on style, language and minor matters appeared in the notices of the book, but the above main questions thus submitted were met with an ominous _silence_.