Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub

quiet accuracy of observation; sound justness of reasoning; and apposite reflections, drawn from undesigned coincidences in the Pentateuch; as to carry the mind unhesitatingly along with it, to the full admission of the "Genuineness and Authenticity of the Mosaic History." And the Author never rose from the perusal of it, without having his convictions of the Truth of Scripture strengthened; and his heart grateful to one, whose work was calculated so effectually to serve the cause of religion; and he therefore cordially coincides in a celebrated modern writer's opinion, that it is "a work which ought to be on the table of every scholar."

In works of such a character, it is no easy matter for a compiler to do any thing like justice to his subjects; or to make such a selection of topics, as neither to obscure the general line of reasoning, nor weaken the arguments of the originals. "Brevis esse laboro, obscurus fio,” has not unfrequently occurred to the Author's mind, in the progress of his work. Limits, however, there must be; and his chief endeavour has been, to give a faithful representation of the general scope and meaning of the originals, in as concise a manner as the subjects would admit of,

without introducing any opinion of his own, except in

an occasional note.

In conclusion, he ventures to express a hope, that the goodness of his motives may serve as some apology for any imperfections which may be discovered in the work now presented to the public.

[blocks in formation]

Moral certainty, 5; Likely, 6; Probable evidence imperfect, ib.; But practical, ib.; Analogical reasoning just, ib.; And practical, 7; Speculative emendations of the natural system, 8; Beyond our faculties, ib.; All perfection in God, 9; Natural and moral system from the same source, 10; Affording an answer to all objections, ib.; Design of the treatise, 11.

Of a Future Life

BOOK I.

OF NATURAL RELIGION.

CHAPTER I.

Analogy makes it probable, 13; Changes in insects, animals, and man, ib.; Death not our destruction, 14; Neither from the reason of the thing, 15; nor from analogy, ib.; Consciousness, 16; Our bodies not ourselves, ib.; Loss of limbs, ib.; Change of particles, 18; Limbs only instruments, ib.; Powers of reflection independent, 19; Death analogous to birth, 21; Suspension not destruction, ib.

PAGE

12

CHAPTER II.

Of the Government of God by Rewards and Punishments; parti-
cularly the latter
Enjoyments and sufferings in our own power, 24; from fore-
seeing consequences, 25; Final causes constitute real go-
vernment, 26; proving God will reward and punish, ib.;
Objections against punishment answered by analogy, 27; Mortal
diseases analogous to capital punishments, 28; Examples suffi-
cient to put down objections, 29; and Atheism, 30.

CHAPTER III.

Of the Moral Government of God

Wherein it consists, 32; evidently carried on in the world, ib.; though not in perfection, ib.; Virtue and vice rewarded or punished as such, 35; countenanced or discountenanced, 36; Moral tendencies in nature, 39; indicate a future state, 41; exhibit a practical proof of moral government, 45.

CHAPTER IV.

PAGE

23

31

Of a State of Probation, as implying Trials, Difficulties and Danger 46 Natural and religious trials analogous, 48; Passions and temptations imply each other, ib.; No valid objection from God's foreknowledge, 50.

CHAPTER V.

Of a State of Probation as intended for Moral Discipline and Improvement....

.......

What our business is here, 53; A determinate character necessary for each state, 54; Capacities for habits, ib.; improved by exercise, 55; Exercise of internal principles and external acts analogous, ib.; Man incapable of duties of mature age at once, 56; requires time and practice, ib.; to form a character, 57; Religious character similarly formed, ib.; Future life not inactive, 58; Virtuous principles strengthened by disci

[blocks in formation]

pline, 59; Creatures made upright may fall, 60; may want acquired security, 61; World fit for moral discipline, 62; Hope and fear legitimate incitements, 64; Passive submission required as well as active obedience, ib.; Moral character not formed at once, 65; Our present state a theatre for exhibition of character, 66.

PAGE

CHAPTER VI.

......

Of the Opinion of Necessity considered as influencing Practice
If fate be reconcilable with nature, it must be so with religion,
68; Fate cannot exclude deliberation and design, 69; must
include an agent, ib.; acting intelligently, 70; Fatality prac-
tically false, 71; when applied to the present life, ib.; there-
fore so as to the future, ib.; Man has a will and character, 72;
so must God, ib.; Man's moral sense an imparted presenti-
ment of futurity, 73; External evidence of religion unaffected
by necessity, 74; The whole opinion of necessity practically
false, from the analogy of Providence, 75.

CHAPTER VII.

Of the Government of God considered as a Constitution imperfectly comprehended..

.......

God's natural government beyond our comprehension, 78; So by analogy his moral government, 79; Both may make up one system, 80; Ends require means, ib.; sometimes singular ones used, ib.; Interpositions unsuitable, 81; Our ignorance an answer to all objections of irregularities, 82; Insulated parts not to be judged of, 83; Conclusion, 84; the present life part of a vast system, ib. ; as beyond our conception as religion can be, ib.; Recapitulation of previous chapters, 85.

67

77

« ÎnapoiContinuă »