It becomes necessary however at once to introduce to the reader's notice the main inference which, (as already hinted,) flows from Mr. Jowett's favourite position. "_Interpret_ Scripture like any other book,"--he says. His business is with _the Interpretation_ of "the Jewish and Christian Scriptures;" and he begins by eagerly assuring us,--and is strenuous in all that follows to make us believe,--(but simply on _à priori_ grounds!)--that "the true glory and note of Divinity in these, is _not_ that they have hidden, mysterious, or double meanings; but _a simple and universal one_, which is beyond them and will survive them." (p. 332.) "Is it admitted," (he asks, at the end of many pages,) "that _the Scripture has one and only one true meaning_?" (p. 368.) Let us hear what reasons the Reverend author of this seventh Essay is able to produce in support of his favourite opinion. He approaches the subject from a respectful distance:-- (i) "It is a strange, though familiar fact,"--(such are the opening words of his Essay,)--"that great differences of opinion exist respecting the Interpretation of Scripture." (p. 330.)--'Familiar,' the fact is, certainly; but why 'strange?' A Book of many ages,--of immense antiquity,--of most varied character,--treating of the unseen world,--purporting to be a mysterious composition,--and by all Christian men believed to have GOD for its true Author: a book which has come into collision with every form of human error, and has triumphed gloriously over every form of human opposition:--_how_ can it be thought 'strange' that the interpretation of such a book should have provoked "great differences of opinion?" ... Surely none but the weakest of thinkers, unless committed to the assumption that _the Bible is like any other book_, could ever have penned such a silly remark. (ii) "We do not at once see _the absurdity_ of the same words having many senses, or free our minds from _the illusion_ that the Apostle or Evangelist must have written with a reference to the creeds or controversies or circumstances of other times. Let it be considered, then, that this extreme variety of interpretation _is found to exist in the case of no other book, but of the Scriptures only_." (p. 334.) But the "phenomenon" which Mr. Jowett represents as "so extraordinary that it requires an effort of thought to appreciate it," (_Ibid._,) does not seem at all extraordinary to any one who does not begin by _assuming_ that the Bible is "like any other book."--If _the Bible be inspired_,--then all is plain! (iii) "Who would write a bulky treatise about the method to be pursued in interpreting Plato or Sophocles?"--asks Mr. Jowett. (p. 378.)--No one but a fool!--is the obvious reply. Plato and Sophocles are ordinary books; and therefore _are to be interpreted_ like any other book. The Bible not so, as we shall see by and by. Again,--