On the Proofs of Divine Power and Wisdom

.p. 110.

.p. 111.

112.

113.

2. The miracles of Christ established by testimony..

The miracles of Christ prove his divine commission.

p. 115.

Allusions to miraculous powers, exercised by the Apostles

themselves, prove their possession of those powers.

p. 115.

The truth of our religion is established by the miracles,

both of Christ, and his Apostles ...

.p. 116.

3. The prophecies of Christ confirm his divine mission.

ibid.

Hence a Revelation has been made by Christ: and the

testimony of himself and his Apostles is sure. p. 117.

4. The Apostles taught the inspiration of the books of the

New Testament.

Inspiration of those books, in which the authority of an

Apostle is alleged ....

ibid.

Inspiration of those books, in which the authority of an

Apostle is implied.

The presumption, that the writings of the Apostles

were inspired, from the fact that their preaching was

inspired......
..p. 119.

Inspiration of those books not written by an Apostle.

p. 122.

The nature of this inspiration was, at least, such as to
prevent essential error..

ibid.

.p. 123.

5. Divine authority of the Old Testament recognized by

the writers of the New Testament...

6. The canon of the Old Testament the same as that re-
ferred to by the writers of the New Testament... ibid.

Testimony of Josephus....
P. 124.

Care with which the Jews kept the Scriptures... 125.

Samaritan Pentateuch, and Septuagint version.. 126.

7. The prophecies of the Old Testament establish its Divine

authority

Prophecies are not conjectural....

....

.p. 127.

130.

Prophecies do not arise from ambiguous expressions.

p. 131.

II. The Scriptures are adapted to "make wise the simple."

p. 132.

Practical religion easy to be understood........ 134.

The frame of mind with which revealed religion should

be studied......

.p. 135.

LECTURE VII.

The Rectitude, Purity, Integrity, and Truth

of Revealed Religion.

PSALM xix. 8, 9. The statutes of the Lord are

right; rejoicing the heart. The commandment

of the Lord is pure; enlightening the eyes. The

fear of the Lord is clean; enduring for ever. The

judgments of the Lord are true; and righteous

altogether.

I. 1. The Scriptures afford a plain, rational, and consistent

rule of life....

.p. 137.

Contrast afforded by the uncertainty which pervaded

the writings of heathen moralists..

2. The Scriptures "rejoice the heart".

II. Purity of revealed religion....

Purity of Christ's character...

Purity of the precepts of the Scriptures...

III. Revealed religion is free from superstition; and con-

tinues the same from age to age...

.p. 147.

LECTURE VIII.

The Advantage and Pleasure derived from the

Study of the Scriptures.

PSALM xix. 10. More to be desired are they than

gold, yea, than much fine gold, sweeter also than

honey, and the honeycomb.

The attentive study of revealed religion offers both profit

and pleasure....

p. 157.

I. The study of the Scriptures, leading to a religious life,
is, as an object of pursuit, preferable to riches.

1. Religion supersedes the want of earthly riches...p. 159.

2. It is never sought in vain...

3. Its advantages are unfading.....

4. Advancement in religion is a certain good..

ibid.

.p. 160.

ibid.

II. The study and practice of religion preferable to earthly

pleasure.....

.p. 162.

The advantages of the practice of religion to be subse-

quently considered.....

.p. 163.

The study of the Scriptures is attended with high gratifi-
cation.

1. The style of the sacred writings....

ibid.

2. The subjects treated of offer a noble field of contem-

The Warnings and Promises of the Scriptures.

PSALM XIX. 11. Moreover by them is thy servant

warned: and in keeping of them there is great

reward.

All lawgivers have attempted to govern men's actions by

the fear of punishment, or the hope of reward.....p. 178.

I. The Scriptures warn and enlighten mankind;

By the assurance of future judgment............

3. By the promise of spiritual aid...............

II. The Scriptures promise great reward......

1. Religious habits promote present happiness..

Health...

Peace of mind...

Esteeem of the good...

2. Religion converts even privation into a blessing. ibid.

3. Religion promises the rewards of a future life... p. 195.

Conclusion...

196.

PART III.

PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE FROM SIN AND

INNOCENCE OF LIFE.

Who can understand his errors?

cleanse thou me from secret faults.

I. The existence of secret faults.

1.

Since obedience to God's word must be imperfect. p. 200.

2. Faults rendered secret by our own negligence...

III. The means, by which we may hope to be cleansed from

PSALM Xix. 13. Keep back thy servant also from

presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion

over me: then shall I be upright; and I shall be

innocent from the great transgression.

I. Presumptuous sins are those committed against sufficient

warning...

1. Actions commonly considered crimes...

Sins known to be forbidden in Scripture....

3. Sins arising from voluntary ignorance..

.......

Sins committed against the warning of conscience.

5. Sins committed under the hope of eventual impunity.

II. Consequences of Presumptuous sins.

1. They gain dominion over a man..

2. They produce hardness of heart..

ibid.

p. 220.

224.

3. They are sometimes visited with judgment even in

this world.....

p. 225.

III. Presumptuous sins to be avoided, through the grace of

God, which is to be sought by earnest prayer. p. 226.

LECTURE XII.

Purity of Words and Thoughts.

PSALM Xix. 14. Let the words of my mouth, and

the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy

sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

I. Purity of words is violated;

1. By open profaneness.....

p. 231.

2.

By treating the Holy Scriptures, and any thing belong-

ing to religion, with irreverence...

...

.p. 234.

3. By neglecting, or carelessly performing, the duty of

prayer...

II. Importance of religious meditation..

.p. 237.

241.

The grace of God will not be withheld from those who

earnestly endeavour to obtain it.....

Conclusion....

p. 242.

243.

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On the Proofs of Divine Power and Wisdom: Derived from the Study of ...