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CONTENTS.

LECTURE I.

PAGE 7...41.

INTRODUCTORY-THE NECESSITY OF A DIVINE REVELATION.

JCB, xi, 7-9.-Apology for the undertaking. Statement of the plan of
the Lectures.-Mode of discussion proposed, by an appeal to the heathen
world--- Their ignorance of the nature and attributes of God--Commence-
ment of man's errors---Source of polytheism Rise of image worship...
Visible objects heroes---benefactors- deified --Impurity of their wor-
ship. Sacrifice of human victims- Contrasted with Christianity - Their
civil institutions--their defective morals-- their systems too refined for
the multitude- Universal adaptation of Christianity Their uncertainty
respecting the future, instanced by Homer and by Paul at Athens - Rev-
elation has removed these difficulties. Infidelity anticipates annihilation--
Objections against Revelation refuted-- State of man without it deplora-
ble--expectation of Socrates.-Revelation possible, probable, found in the
Bible alone.

LECTURE II.

PAGE 42-74.

.

THE CREATION THAT THE MOSAIC ACCOUNT OF IT IS THE ON-
LY RATIONAL ONE WHICH WE HAVE RECEIVED.

GEN. 1. 1.-The province of sense, of reason, and. of faith--Incite.
ments to inquire into the origin of all things all ages have attempted
it.The several opinions of mankind reduced to Two-First that the
world was produced by chance...examined on acknowledged principles
refuted by Cicero Appeal to the human frame, and the conversion of
Galen. Hypothesis of the Egyptians.--a disfigured copy of Moses--hypo-
thesis of modern philosophy-Second opinion, that the world is eternal---
By whom held-Refuted by the world's mutability-by: philosophical
and astronomical laws-by history-by the arts and sciences-by the or
igin of nations-Objection raised from some recent discoveries in volca-
nic irruptions considered-tradition of the creation universal-The being
of a God inferred, and our connexion with him exhibited-Mosaic ac-
count of the Creation-Dr. Geddes-Light created-Longinus-Work
of the six days-Inquiries answered-respecting primeval light-astron-
my-extent of the Creation-the six days-the information of Moses.

LECTURE III.

PAGE 75-103.

THE DELUGE.

GEN. VII, 11-24. 2 PET. 111, 5-7. Ruins-apostasy of man-pro-
gress of vice-antediluvian longevity-Union between the sons of God
and the daughters of men-Giants-State of the world at the time of the
Deluge-Plan of the Lecture-The fact established-By the general
consent of all nations-Testimonies of Abydenus-Berosus, Lucian-re

mark of Grotius-By the existence of marine productions on land-Hy-
pothesis of volcanic irruptions examined-objections of Buffon and others
opposed-Hypotheses of Burnet, Whiston, M. de la Pryme, and St.
Pierre stated-Effected by Divine interposition-Objections, respecting
the ark, America, ir.fants, and the rainbow, answered-Improvement—
appeal to the last judgment.

LECTURE IV.

PAGE 104-131.

THE DESTRUCTION OF BABEL, THE CONFUSION OF LANGUAGE,
THE DISPERSION OF THE PEOPLE, AND THE ORIGIN OF NA-
TIONS.

GEN.XI, 1-9---OBADIAH, 3 & 4.-Noah's mingled emotions, of pity,
of gratitude, and of faith-The fear of man impressed upon brutes, and
the law for murder-Noah's failing his death-genealogy of his des
cendants-his predictions-Nimrod-the original_tongue-Situation of
Shinar-Building of Babel-its design and form-Imagery of the Bible
-Confusion of language, what?-Dispersion of the people, how effected
-Origin of nations-supposed-uncertain-Ancient testimonies-Fable
of the giants-one of the Sybils-Abydenus-Inquiries-whether the at-
tempt was criminal?-whether man would have separated without a
change of language?-whether language would have changed without a
miracle-Improvement—Our errors spring from the pride of our hearts
-appeal to Nebuchadnezzar and to Belshazzar-Prosperity often ex-
cites rebellion-There can be no security when God is our enemy.

LECTURE V.

PAGE 131.-163.

THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH.

GEN. xix. 15-26. 2 PET. ii, 6.--Domestic scenes of Genesis--con-
trasted with profane writers...the patriarchal tents welcomed--Abrabam
introduced-Idolatry of his country-triumphs of faith-titles of Abra-
ham-his infirmity in Egypt-his memorials of gratitude--his separation
from Lot-the battle of Siddim, and Lot rescued-Melchisedec--Inter-
view with Jehovah-Religious worship to be guarded--Domestic con-
tention---Hagar's flight-prediction respecting Ishmael-Circumcision,
and Abraham's name changed--Three angels visit him. God reveals
his designs against Sodom, and Abraham pleads for it---Two angels visit
Lot-Danger threatens the city in the morning-Lot hastened-is sent
to the mountain--objects-pleads for Zoar-obtains his request--The
destruction of Sodom sudden...how effected---the Dead Sea-Lot's wife
-Testimonies of Tacitus, Philo, Pliny, Diodorus Siculus, Strabo, and
Solinus, to this fact-Modern writers-Evidences remaining on the spot
-Representations of the Bible concerning its appearance in different
ages-correspondent features remain--testimony of Josephus-Changes
supposed to be effected by time, and their immediate causes...The sub...
ject improved...Judgments delayed will yet be executed. The righteous
are always safe.

GEN. xlix, 22---26.-Acтs vii, 9.-16.-Intervening history slightly
touched...Sacrifice of Isaac-Death of Sarah..Subsequent events enumer.
ated---Joseph's history commences with his mother's death--and at an

interesting age-Jacob's partiality, and its effects upon his sons---Jo.

seph's dreams. His brethren remove from home-Joseph visits them---

progress of sin in their bosoms, and they resolve to slay him---Reu-

ben's interference-Joseph assumed nothing in consequence of his father's

partiality-He is sold, and his coat dyed in blood-Jacob's anxiety and

despair-Joseph in Egypt, and in temptation-Joseph in prison, and his

acquaintance with Pharaoh's chief butler and baker-The chief butler's

ingratitude-Pharaoh's dreams-Joseph's elevation-Justin's remarka-

ble testimony-Joseph's brethren visit Egypt, and know him not-Simeon

bound-They return dismayed-Benjamin brought into Egypt-on their

second return Benjamin is arrested-Judah pleads for his brother-Jo-

seph discovers himself-Retrospection-They tell their father of his

prosperity-Jacob and Joseph meet-Their after-feelings supposed—Ja.

cob introduced to Pharaoh-Israel dies-Joseph's mourning-He returns

to fulfil his duties in Egypt-and dies also-Concluding Remarks on

Genesis-It relates facts in which we are concerned, and which revela-

tion must necessarily contain-Moses is the author of it-The connex-

ion between it, and the succeeding books, is inseparable.—The historian

writes like a man convinced of the truth of that which he advances-

The difference between the style of Genesis, and that of his other writ
ings, noticed and accounted for.

A SCRIPTURAL REPRESENTATION OF THE NATURE AND DES-

TINATION OF MAN.

GEN. 11, 7. JOB XXXII, 8-Introduction-Vegetable world-Ani.
mal world-Man-his natural dignity-What is spirit?-Its operations
traced-Understanding --Passions-Memory-Imagination-Dreams-
Its separate state-The Soul-sleeping scheme examined-How repre-
sented in the Scriptures-capable of separate joys or sufferings-Source
of human dignity-Life secretly communicated by God-Intelligence
distributed variously by the same hand-Madness-Spiritual knowledge
the gift of God-The future existence of the spirit flows from him-Re
flections How high is the destination of the spirit!-Its powers should
be devoted to the Deity-How vast is its loss!-How diligently should
it be cultivated-Concluding remarks-A skeptic is an enemy to him.

self and to mankind-Humanity is concerned in the progress of Chris.

tianity.

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LECTURE VIII.

PAGE 214-241.

THE SLAVERY AND DELIVERANCE OF ISRAEL IN EGYPT.

GEN. XV, 13, 14. ACTS VII, 35, 36 The Bible recalls past events...
Man always man---his information confined to the past and the present-.-
he knows nothing of the future... Commencement of Exodus--Subject
proposed, and its arrangement stated---Changes effected in a few years
How much often depends upon an individual-Ravages of time im-
pressively pourtrayed by the inspired writer Multiplication of Israel.....
Their bondage. Children slain Birth of Moses and his exposure... He
is rescued by Pharaoh's daughter-her blindness to the future Educa-
tion of Moses. Difference between man and man in talents, in litera-
ture, in rank of life, and in piety-- Silence of Moses respecting the first
40 years of his life. He slays the Egyptian---and flies---He marries Zip-
porah He approaches the burning bush..-his commission opens...he
meets the Magicians before Pharaoh- General statement of his miracles
...Death of the first born--the Israelites depart---Criticism on the word
"TO BORROW".They pass the Red Sea-Foreign testimonies to this
fact-There was such a person as Moses, proved by Justin and Longi-
nus-He brought Israel from Egypt, proved by Justin, Manetho, Taci-
tus, Pliny, Trogus Pompeius---The Jews could not have asserted these
things, unless they had been true, without detection...Testimony of
Numenius...the Jews themselves could not be imposed upon. These
facts are kept in remembrance by their rites-Ancient custom of the
Egyptians on the day before the Passover-Testimony from Diodorus
Siculus. An appeal to Skepticism.

LECTURE IX.

PAGE 242 246.

THE JOURNEY OF ISRAEL IN THE WILDERNESS: THEIR ES-
TABLISHMENT IN CANAAN; AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES

ATTENDING THESE EVENTS.

JOSHUA Xxiv. 2. 13. Reason is to the mind what the eye is to the
Body, and Revelation is to reason what light is to the eye- the one is the
organ the other the medium-Revelation necessary to elucidate Nature
and Providence--and to develope futurity--the Subject stated in its ex-
tent, and arranged according to the Scripture history--Character of the
Israelites-They murmur for water-Manna and quails sent-a fresh sup
ply of water--Two events distinguished-They subdue Amalek-The
Law given-Contrast between Sinai and Calvary-- The Golden Calf-the
spies bring an evil report of Canaan-A general enumeration of succeed-
ing events and the death of Moses...a tribute to his memory. Joshua
succeeds him, and the situation of Israel stated...They pass Jordan. The
fall of Jericho.- and the fulfilment of Joshua's curse. A shower of stones,
and the sun and moon stand still-Foreign_testimonies-Positive evi-
dence from the most ancient writers to the history at large from Aris
tobulus, the Orphic verses, Strabo, Juvenal, Diodorus Siculus, Pliny.
Tacitus, Calcidius, Hermippas, and the Poets in general---Testimony of
Manetho to the antiquity of these events...Circumstantial evidences...

Publicity of the Law---adherence of the Jews to it. its perfection.--im-
possibility of imposition...So also of the miracles of the journey-Cus
toms of the Jews, perpetuated to this hour, refer to these events-Rea-
son for the reservation of the Canaanites-aspect of the whole to the
Messiah-Objections-that the conduct of the Israelites was immoral...
that it was cruel---that the instruments used to punish these nations
were improper-refuted- Improvement---the harmony and success of the
designs of God contrasted with human fluctuations--he presides in the
councils of princes-It is pleasant to see the gradual developement of
his plans--it will be delightful in heaven to review the whole.

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE JEWS-INCLUDING THE THEOCRA-

CY AND MONARCHY, TO THE BUILDING OF SOLOMON'S TEM-

PLE: WITH A CONFIRMATION OF SOME SUBORDINATE FACTS.

1 SAM.VIII, 6-10, & 19, 20. ACTs vir. 44.48. HEB. XI. 32-34

Revelation to be examined with reverence, with caution, and with can-

dor-Retrospection-the subject stated-An inquiry into the rise of

government The parental and the patriarcha-Nimrod-Origin of mon-

archy-Selection of Israel-Theocracy-derivation of the term-Three-

fold relation of God to the Hebrews-Distinction of the terms, statutes,

commandments, judgments, and testimonies-Scripture epithets expres-

sive of God's choice of the Jews-Appointment of their rulers-Samuel

and his sons-Expiration of the Theocracy; and in what sense?-Monar-

chy of the Jews-The change of government displeasing to God-and

why?-Saul anointed—his alienation from God-David brought to court

-his friendship with Jonathan-Saul and his sons slain-David's lamen-

tation His succession, his character, and his trials-His design to build

a temple-The monarchy traced to its close-absorbed in the spiritual

reign of Jesus-Solomon's temple-Evidences respecting it—God's pres-

ence unconfined-Subordinate Scripture facts confirmed-- Gideon's ac-

tions by Sanchoniathon---Jepthæ's vow, by the story of Iphigenia Samp-

son's foxes, in Ovid's Roman feasts---Delilah's treachery, in the story of

the daughter of Nisus--The strength and valor of Sampson, in the la-

bors of Hercules--The victory of David over the Syrians, by Nichelaus

Damascenus. The taking of Jerusalem, and the destruction of Senacha-

rib's army, by Herodotus The Translation of Elijah, in the story of

Phaton-Jonah's preservation by the whale, is related of Hercules by

Lycophron, and by Eneus Gazeus. The dearth in the days of Ahab, by

Menander and the fire from Heaven which consumed Elijah's sac

rifice, by Cyprian, and by Julian. Conclusion-.. Christ compared with

Solomon.

2 KINGS XV
XVII. 16. 2 CHRON. XXXVI. 14--21.--The history of em
pires is the record of the human heart-The Bible makes us acquainted
with MEN. Cautions arising from Solomon's fall---Succession of Rebo-
boam, and division of the kingdom- -The captivity of Israel, when? and
by whom?......-Samaritans.......Cause of the captivity--Menander's testimony --

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