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The study of astronomy affords proofs of Divine Power...p. 9. It offers a scale, by which we can compare successive degrees of magnitude, in the works of creation....p. 10.
The magnitude of the earth compared with that of the
solar system...
I.
II.
.p. 11.
The dimensions of the solar system compared with those
of the cluster of stars, in which it is placed.....p. 13.
III. That part of the universe compared with other remoter
portions
Conclusion
.p. 14.
16.
LECTURE II.
The Wisdom of God displayed in the Heavens.
PSALM xix. 1-6. The heavens declare the glory of
God, and the firmament sheweth his handy work.
Day unto day uttereth speech; and night unto
night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech
nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Their line is gone out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world. In
them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which
is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and
rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His
going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his
circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing
hid from the heat thereof.
Marks of design infer a designer...
.p. 18.
The study of astronomy is not adapted, so immediately as
some other branches of natural philosophy, to furnish
proofs of design...........
..p. 19.
The force of gravity, and the law of its variation, affords
a proof of design... .p. 22.
Advantages derived from the force of gravitation........ 23.
The law of gravitation is not a necessary condition of every
force which tends to a center....
.p. 24.
Advantages derived from the law of gravitation.......p. 25.
Spheres attract one another with forces which vary in the
same law.....
Stability of the solar system....
.p. 26.
27.
1. The mean distances of the planets are subject only to
small periodical variations..
..p. 29.
........
.p. 30.
2. The eccentricity of the several orbits of the planets is
subject only to a small periodical change...
3. The axis of rotation of each of the planets is a permanent
axis.....
-p. 31.
4. The inclination of the several orbits of the planets to
a fixed plane, is subject only to a small periodical
change.....
...
.p. 32.
The motions originally impressed upon the planetary bodies
were such, as were required to produce results obviously
beneficial
.....
All these circumstances infer design...........
LECTURE III.
p. 34.
36.
The Wisdom of God displayed in the Heavens
and upon the Earth.
aud their words to the end of the world. In
1. The vicissitudes of seasons, and the alternation of day and
night, are adapted to the necessities of the creatures
which exist upon the earth....
.p. 39.
3.
2. The mean temperature of the earth....
4.
The relative density of water-the consequent stability of
equilibrium of the ocean.....
.p. 41.
.p. 42.
The division of the surface of the earth into land and
6. The proportion between sea and land
7. The magnitude of the tides
.p. 45.
47.
49.
51.
8. The rotation of the secondary planets upon their axes, in
the same time in which they respectively revolve about
their primary planets....
9. The central body alone luminous
10. The rings of the planet Saturn...
.p. 53.
56.
57.
11. Numerical relation between the respective mean motions
of the satellites of the planet Jupiter....
LECTURE IV.
.p. 59.
Consideration of the objections to natural and
revealed Religion, which have been drawn
from astronomical principles.
PSALM Xix. 1-6. The heavens declare the glory of
going forth is from the end of the heaven, and
his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is
nothing hid from the heat thereof.
I. Theories which have been framed, with the intention of
removing the necessity of supposing an intelligent
Creator.
1. Buffon's theory
It does not solve the phænomena...
.p. 61.
ibid.
If true, it would not exclude a designing Creator. p. 62.
2. La Place's theory.....
.p. 66.
If the relative density of the Earth were not altered, the
relation between the time of the Earth's rotation
and the Moon's periodic time, is not such as to satisfy
the conditions of this theory..
Nor the time of Saturn's rotation compared with that
of its ring..... ...p. 67.
The satellites of the planet Herschel move in directions
incompatible with this theory...... . p. 68.
The central body being luminous, is a fact, inexplicable under the supposed conditions, except by design.
This theory, if true, would not exclude a designing
Creator: but implies an intelligent agent......p. 69.
II. Objection against the probability of any Divine revela-
tion, from the comparative minuteness of the earth,
considered
p. 71.
III. Objections against the particular Revelation, which man has received.
75.
1. Alleged antiquity of Chinese astronomy.........p. 74.
2. Alleged antiquity of Hindu astronomy.
The astronomical systems of the Hindus are of compara-
tively recent date
...p. 76.
Their chronological system is evidently artificial.. 80.
The Hindu astronomical systems confirm the Mosaic
IV. The union of the love of science with feelings of piety,
exemplified in
Newton
Horrox.
.p. 83.
84.
PART II.
ON THE PERFECTION AND CERTAINTY OF
REVEALED RELIGION.
LECTURE V.
The Perfection of the Law of God.
PSALM xix. 7. The Law of the Lord is perfect,
converting the soul.
The word of God given by indisputable authority.p. 89.
II. It is directed to the regulation of the heart......
94.
On the Evidences of Revealed Religion; and
its practical application.
PSALM XIX. 7. The testimony of the Lord is sure;
making wise the simple.
It is requisite that the authority of a Revelation should be
established by sufficient proof....
.p. 109.
I. Outline of the evidence for the authenticity and inspira-
tion of the sacred writings.