THE aim of this book is historical. It has been the purpose of the writer to tabulate and classify facts. He has tried to record opinion, and, so far as has been possible, to abstain from passing judgments on it. To him it has seemed that the collection of evidence has in itself been a work which is worth some little pains. But he may be allowed to point out that the historical treatment of doctrine has also its practical value as it aids towards an estimate of the right methods of interpreting Holy Scripture and towards knowledge of the authoritative decisions of the Church, of the judgments of the collective Christian consciousness, of the beliefs of representative teachers, of the extent and limits of agreement at notable periods of Church life. And, further, at the conclusion of his historical survey, he may be allowed to express his mind on three practical topics which emerge from it.