so by the unfounded fancy that the holy Scriptures of the Jews and of the Christians have been annulled, or at least corrupted. A complete refutation of this illogical and ignorant assertion is given in the new edition of the Balance of Truth, Part I, where it is proved that this idea is contrary to the clear teaching of the Qur'an as well as opposed to historical facts. Now, that this stumbling-block is removed, the writer of this tractate hopes that the Most Merciful God will use this little book to enable Muslims to see the true dignity and divine nature of Him whom they themselves acknowledge to be 'The Word of God' (كلمة اْلله). In the nature of things it is evident that the proof of the real position and nature (ذات) of the Lord Jesus Christ must be deduced from what He Himself has said and from the teaching of the prophets and apostles on the subject. Hence in the first chapter of this treatise the evidence for His Deity (أُلوهيّة), as given in the holy Scriptures, is produced. But before quoting it, we think it may not be out of place in this introduction to endeavour to remove a few preliminary difficulties by calling our respected readers' attention to certain teaching in their own books, a consideration of which should enable them to read and ponder thoughtfully and without prejudice what we shall have to bring before them from the holy Scriptures. It is needless to say

that, in referring to the books of the Muslims, we are not in any way endeavouring to use them in proof of the truth of the doctrines which we Christians have learnt from the holy Scriptures. It would be illogical to attempt to do this. But it is quite in accordance with reason to try to remove prejudice by showing our readers from their own books that what we believe is not so false or so illogical as many of the opponents of Christianity have asserted it to be.

Let it be observed that the Qur'an itself not only bears witness to Christ's lofty nature and dignity but also gives Him higher¹ titles than it does to any other prophet or apostle. This will be seen through a careful study of all the Qur'anic passages which refer to Him. Many of the Traditions agree with this. But it is sufficient for our present purpose to quote only two verses from the Qur'an. The first of these is from the Suratu'l-Anbiya' (xxi) 91,² where with reference to the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom the Qur'an calls Maryam, daughter of 'Imran, it is said that she 'preserved³ her virginity; accordingly we breathed into her of our Spirit.' The second is the following passage