[The Gospels in the Second Century by William Sanday]@TWC D-Link bookThe Gospels in the Second Century CHAPTER XIV 18/187
As fast as one is cut down another arises in its place; and there is no searing- iron to scorch and cicatrize the wound.
However much we may labour, we can only arrive at an inner conviction, not at objective certainty.
All the glosses and asseverations in the world cannot carry us an inch beyond the due weight of the evidence vouchsafed to us.
An honest and brave mind will accept manfully this condition of things, and not seek for infallibility where it can find none.
It will adopt as its motto that noble saying of Bishop Butler--noble, because so unflinchingly true, though opposed to a sentimental optimism--'Probability is the very guide of life.' With probabilities we have to deal, in the intellectual sphere. But, when once this is thoroughly and honestly recognised, even a comparatively small balance of probability comes to have as much moral weight as the most loudly vaunted certainty.
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