תמונות בעמוד
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors]

-MI

doctrine of a future state of existence.—The striking Acagreement in the sentiments of various nations on this O 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.— 15 The dignified structure and singular convenience of his are human frame. His elevated station amidst the crea9tures that people the earth. The bias of his mind toAwards whatever he considers great and grand. 279-294 LECTURE IX.—The arguments which relate to man con

tinued. His inextinguishable thirst for happiness.His boundless ambition. His anxiety for the continuberance of his existence, and his earnest longings after immortality... 295 309

LECTURE X.-The arguments which relate to man conStinued. The nature of his soul. The soul not material, but proved to be a simple essence, a principle of pure, essential life... 310 323 LECTURE XI.-The arguments which relate to man con

tinued. The faculties and powers of mind which he !possesses.-The sublimity and dignity of his understanding. The capaciousness and retentive power of his memory. 324-336 LECTURE XII.—The arguments which relate to man con

tinued. His faculties and powers further considered.b. The sallies and towering flights of his fancy.-The disbtinction and, penetration of his judgment. The con3stancy and cheering influence of his hope.The divine -support, or the stings and guilty terrors of this condoscience. Thet ender sensibilities and vast stores of his to affections. 2.337-347

LECTURE XIII.—The arguments which relate to man conCACtinued. His great and various capabilities.-His capability of knowing,-of doing,-of suffering, and of 348-365

enjoying

...

[ocr errors]

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 LECTURE XVIII.—The importance of the doctrine further > 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 j boundless and eternal good. It pours a flood of light upon all the Divine proceedings towards our world.— The lectures closed..... 425-440

[ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

Șo teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

[ocr errors]

IT is but a little while, and all who are now in this house will have passed off the stage of life. Let but a few more e years roll their rounds, and all over whose heads the stream of time is now passing, will be fixed in eternity. Those who have not made some suitable improvement of the opportunities of life, will become the inhabitants of a region of misery. Betwixt them and any happier country will be an impassable gulph. On the other hand, they who have numbered their days, and applied their hearts unto, wisdom, will become the possessors of a region of peculiar happiness,-enjoy the approbation of God,-live in the realms of glory, and be encircled with the bound-,bijos nuo sbtwo) 2

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

less prospect of eternal good. How this matter is viewed by you, and what influence it has upon your minds and conduct, I know not. But one thing I know, if the Scriptures be true, it is supremely important, and, when considered with its connections, is impressive to an extent which far exceeds any thing else that comes within the range of human ideas. And hence, I conceive, that any remarks which have a tendency to awaken in our minds suitable reflections upon it, are well deserving our atten tion. The whole of the Psalm, from which the text is selected, appears peculiarly calculated to produce this kind of impression.

It is commonly understood that this Psalm was written by Moses. The occasion on which he wrote it was remarkably impressive, and being deeply interested in the matter, his soul was stirred within him, he wrote in the fulness of his heart.

Many of you know that the Israelites were a people much favoured and blessed by the Lord; to them and their forefathers he conveyed many blessings, and made many promises, and, in accordance with these promises, he showed them his salvation. During their bondage in Egypt, he heard their groans and numbered their tears. In their misery he was moved with compassion towards them, and made arrangements for their deliverance. In accomplishing this deliverance, he wrought wonders many and mighty. For their sakes he shook the empire of the Egyptian monarch, and swept the land as with the besom of destruction. Their enemies he discomfited and slew: The sea he opened in order to give them a passage: During their journey in the wilderness he was their shield and their defence. He sent them bread from heaven,, and water from the flinty rock. When their enemies attempted to curse them, lo! he blessed them altogether. In all their journeyings he led them by a pillar of a cloud

[ocr errors]
« הקודםהמשך »