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CONTENTS.
DUNCAN'S ESSAY ON THE PROOFS OF
THE BEING OF A GOD.
Preface,
Subject,
Importance of the Subject,
Plan,
Page
iii
1
ib.
2
PART I:
DEMONSTRATION OF A DEITY.
5
SECT. 1.-PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS,
Presumptive Evidence.
Powers of Man,
Consent of Mankind,
Late Origin of the World,
Course of things in the Moral World,
9
10
13
22
24
SECT. II.-REASONING IN FAVOUR OF A FIRST CAUSE,
From Matter,
The Form of the Universe,
Motion,
Laws of Nature,
Animated Nature,
27
29
32
36
42
47
SECT. III.-PROOFS OF AN INTELLIGENT FIRST CAUSE,
From Evidences of Volition,
Design,
Mechanical Contrivance,
Instinct,
Final Causes,
Forecast,
48
52
63
69
76
77
87
89
90
92
94
99
.
105
SECT. IV.-EVIDENCES OF POWER, WISDOM, AND GOODNESS.
Considerations on the mode of conducting the Argument, I. The Universe, as far as open to our inspection, presents
phenomena corresponding to the known results of active power,
wisdom, and goodness—when an agent exists in whom these at-
tributes may reside,
Power,
Wisdom,
Meliority,
Goodness—Munificence, II. The phenomena are sufficient to prove the agent to whom
they may be traced, divine, or all that right reason understands
by a Deity,
III. The intelligent first cause, already demonstrated, is the
agent in whom the attributes may reside, and to whom all the
phenomena must be traced,
Summary of the argument,
SECT. V.-CONFIRMATORY REASONING FROM THE EXISTENCE OF
BOOKS CLAIMING A SUPERNATURAL ORIGIN.
Nature of the Evidence,
Form of exhibiting it in this controversy,
Substance of the Argument.
Miracles,
Prophecy,
The Books,
Other Facts,
107
108
110 111
112
114
116
PART II.
SOLUTION OF DIFFICULTIES.
Difficulties to be expected,
Cannot subvert positive Evidence,
Principal Occasions of Doubt,
117
118
SECT 1.- OBJECTIONS FOUNDED ON THE IDEA OF ORIGINAL
IMPERFECTION.
I. Figure of the Heavens,
II. Disadvantages of some Planets,
III. Form of the Earth,
IV. Noxious Plants and Animals
V. Defects of the Human Frame,
VI. Inadequate Exhibition of the Deity,
125
129
130
133
135
SECT. II.-OBJECTIONS FOUNDED ON THE PRESENT STATE OF
DISORDER.
I. Origin and Existence of Moral Evil,
II. Existence and Effects of Physical Evil,
III. Apparent Partiality,
IV. Sufferings of the Good,
V. Prosperity of the Wicked,
VI. Inequality of Punishment and Reward,
140
168
174
185
193
197
SECT. III.-SKETCH FROM REVELATION OF THE GRAND PUR-
POSE AND PLAN OF THE DEITY,
205
The Purpose,
The Advantages,
The Plan,
General Department,
Special Department,
Chief Object,
Subordinate Administration,
206
210
211
213
CONCLUSION.
Inferences,
224
BUTLER'S ANALOGY OF RELIGION.
INTRODUCTORY Essay,
Introduction,
231
233
PART I.
OF NATURAL RELIGION.
241
255
264
282
CHAP. I.-Of a Future Life,
CHAP. II.-Of the Government of God by Rewards and Pu-
nishments; and particularly of the latter,
CHAP. III.-Of the Moral Government of God,
CHAP. IV.-Of a State of Probation, as implying Trial, Diffi-
. –
culties, and Danger,
CHAP. V.-Of a State of Probation, as intended for Moral Dis-
cipline and Improvement,
CHAP. VI.—Of the Opinion of Necessity, considered as influ-
encing Practice,
CHAP. VII.-Of the Government of God, considered as a
Scheme, or Constitution, imperfectly comprehended,
Conclusion,
288
306
318
327
OF REVEALED RELIGION.
332
345
CHAP. I.-Of the Importance of Christianity,
CHAP. II.-Of the supposed Presumption against a Revelation,
considered as miraculous.
CHAP. III._Of our incapacity of Judging, what were to be
expected in a Revelation; and the credibility, from Analogy,
that it must contain things appearing liable to Objections,
CHAP. IV.–Of Christianity, considered as a Scheme, or Consti-
tution, imperfectly comprehended,
a
351
362