are sufficiently important to justify the publishing of a work. As to the merits of this volume it will be with the public to judge. I have no doubt, however, but that persons of just literary taste will find it very imperfect. Perhaps it may be proper to remark, that this is the first effort I have made at writing for the public,-that the work has been prosecuted amidst the constant pressure of other engagements, that a great part of the manuscript was written when I was very unfavourably situated for such employment,-and that in consequence of my numerous engagements as an Itinerant Preacher, several of the sheets have gone through the press when I was from home, and consequently had not the opportunity of correcting them. I hope, however, that its doctrines will be found fully to accord with the decisions of unbiased reason, and with the truths of that Book by which "life and immortality are brought to light;" and I pray that it may be the means of spiritual profit to all who read it. Should the present volume meet with a tolerably good reception, and should it please the unerring Disposer of all events to spare my life a little longer, it is my design to publish a second, embracing among others the following topics: the resurrection of the human body,-the last judgment, the future miseries of the wicked, and the unceasing blessedness of the righteous. CONTENTS. LECTURE I.-THE LEADING PARTICULARS IN THE IM- MORTALITY OF THE SOUL CONSIDERED.-The soul free from decay or tendency to dissolution. 177-190 LECTURE II.-The leading particulars in the immortality of the soul continued.-The soul can neither be de- stroyed nor physically injured by any foreign power. -It will retain its being, consciousness, and powers for ever in great happiness or misery.-A view of the bliss which the pious will possess..... 191-204 LECTURE III.-The leading particulars in the immortality of the soul concluded.-The unregenerate will exist eter- nally in misery which human language cannot express— A brief view of future misery.-The subject urged upon the mind by four important questions. 205-216 LECTURE IV.-ON THE EVIDENCE BY WHICH THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL IS SUPPORTED.-The arguments which may be derived from the world con- sidered. From the design of its origin,-the beauty, harmony, and variety which it possesses,-and the changes through which it passes without any part LECTURE V.-The arguments from the world continued.— A brief view of the moral disorders of which it is the the- atre. The unequal, and supposing man to exist only here, the distribution of its contents. 232-244 LECTURE VL-The arguments derived from the world concluded. The natural evils which discommode and punish its rational committed d in it, for which, while here, the delin- quents receive no adequate punishment.-The ob- structions which it possesses to the full exercise of man's powers, and doctrine of a future state of existence.-The striking agreement in the sentiments of various nations on this subject. The origin from which these opinions must have been derived stamps them with authority 263-278 LECTURE VIII.-The arguments which relate to man.The dignified structure and singular convenience of his human frame.-His elevated station amidst the creatures that people the earth.-The bias of his mind towards whatever he considers great and grand. 279-294 LECTURE IX.-The arguments which relate to man n con tinued. His inextinguishable thirst for happiness.His boundless ambition. His anxiety for the continuance of his existence, and his earnest longings after immortality.. 295-309 LECTURE X.-The arguments which relate to man con 310-323 tinued. The nature of his soul.-The soul not material, but proved to be a simple essence, a principle of pure, essential life... LECTURE XI.-The arguments which relate to man continued. The faculties and powers of mind which he possesses.-The sublimity and dignity of his understanding. The capaciousness and retentive power of .... 324-336 his memory. LECTURE XII.—The arguments which relate to man continued. His faculties and powers further considered.The sallies and towering flights of his fancy. The distinction and penetration of his judgment. The constancy and cheering influence of his hope. The divine support, or the stings and guilty 'terrors of his conscience.-Thet ender sensibilities and vast stores of his affections... dordw 200337-347 LECTURE XIII.-The arguments which relate to man con tinued. His great and various capabilities. His capability of knowing,-of doing, of suffering,—and of enjoying. ... 348-355 LECTURE XIV. The arguments which relate to man concluded.-The fears of infidels in their last moments.-The hopes, comforts, and triumphs of christians when leaving the world...... 366-381 LECTURE XV.-The arguments which are found in the Word of God. A few reasons assigned why we receive the Bible as a divine revelation.-The extensive and harmonizing information which it conveys concerning the immortality of the soul,-its divinity and singular origin,-its moral character and responsibility,—its degradation and pollution,-its exposure to wrath beyond the grave,-and the great and glorious price of its redemption... 382-396 LECTURE XVI.—The arguments which are found in the word of God continued.-The means employed to put the soul in possession of salvation.-Its certain destination to endless existence.-The scrutiny through which its probationary conduct will pass, and the important consequences that will result from it.-The resurrection and immortality of its earthly and corruptible body. The circumstances under which it will retain its being and consciousness for ever...... 397-411 LECTURE XVII.-THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DOC TRINE OF THE SOUL'S IMMORTALITY CONSIDER ED.-It solves the difficulties of our present mode of existence. It affords the strongest consolation and succour amidst the numerous trials of life.-It dispels the terrors of death and the gloom of the grave.... 412-424 doctrine further LECTURE XVIII.—The importance of the considered. It induces the mind to pursue mental cultivation and to prosecute schemes for intellectual improvement. It furnishes the most persuasive motives to piety. It opens before us a prospect of boundless and eternal good.—It pours a flood of light upon all the Divine proceedings towards our world.The lectures closed.... 425-440 |