Phases of Faith - Passages from the History of My Creed

The Project Gutenberg EBook of Phases of Faith, by Francis William NewmanThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atwww.gutenberg.netTitle: Phases of Faith Passages from the History of My CreedAuthor: Francis William NewmanRelease Date: April 15, 2004 [EBook #12056]Language: English*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PHASES OF FAITH ***Produced by PG Distributed ProofreadersPHASES OF FAITH- or -PASSAGES FROM THE HISTORY OF MY CREED.Francis William Newman, 1874PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION.This is perhaps an egotistical book; egotistical certainly in its form, yet not in its purport and essence.Personal reasons the writer cannot wholly disown, for desiring to explain himself to more than a few, who on religiousgrounds are unjustly alienated from him. If by any motive of curiosity or lingering remembrances they may be led to readhis straightforward account, he trusts to be able to show them that he has had no choice but to adopt the intellectualconclusions which offend them;—that the difference between them and him turns on questions of Learning, History,Criticism and Abstract Thought;—and that to make their results (if indeed they have ever deeply and honestlyinvestigated the matter) the tests of his spiritual state, is to employ unjust weights and a false balance, ...