CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION,

Objects of human knowledge-matter and mind, 17. Grada-

tion of intellectual beings, 18. Moral relations of intelligent

agents, 20. Connection of morality with happiness-illustrated

by an

example, 21. Inutility of systems of Ethics, detatched

from Revelation-Ancient systems, &c. 22–26.

CHAPTER I.

Page

17

ON THE MORAL RELATIONS OF INtelligent beings to

THEIR CREATOR.

SECT. I. On the primary or most general idea of morality,

Physical order, illustrated, 27. Moral order illustrated, 27. lead-

ing idea of holiness, 30.

SECT. II. On the fundamental PRINCIPLES of morality,

First principle-love to God.

SECT. III. On the OMNIPOTENCE of God,

Power, accompanied with benevolent design, illustrated, 33.

Power of the Creator, in the production of the universe, in the

annual and diurnal motions of the earth-benevolence displayed

in the exertions of Omnipotence, 34-37. Reason why the displays

of Omnipotence

are so little regarded, 37. Power of God calcu.

lated to inspire the mind with confidence in the prospect of the

scenes of eternity, 38. Recognised by the inspired writ-

ground of confidence.

future

ers as a

SECT IV. On the Wisdom and Goodness of God,

Benevolence illustrated in the case of Howard, 42. Benevo-

lence of the Creator displayed in the objects of sight, 42. in the

objects of hearing, of smelling, of feeling, of taste, 43-45. in the

Page

arrangements of day and night, the atmosphere, &c. 46. in the ad-

justment of the organs of sense to the scenes of external nature,

47. Structure of the eyes, 48. of the EAR, 49. of the sense of

feeling, 51. of the organs of taste, 51. of the organs of smelling 52.

Number of agencies requisite for the gratification of this sense, 53.

System of organization in the human body, 54. Pain never the

object of contrivance, 55. Summary of the blessings we enjoy

from the wise arrangements of the Creator, 57. Benevolence dis-

played towards other worlds, 58. Illustrations of this subject from

the sacred writers, 59-63.

SECT. V. On the MERCY and PATIENCE of God,

Mercy and forbearance defined and illustrated, 63. General

character and conduct of human beings, 64, forbearance of the

the Deity towards them, 66. this character peculiar to God, 67. cal-

culated to excite admiration, 69. Agents in the system of nature,

which could be employed as ministers of vengeance-Light, 69.

the atinosphere, 70, stopping the earth's motion, or bending its ax-

is, ibid. Comets, 72. occasional instances of punishments inflict-

ed by the elements of nature-earthquakes--the Deluge--electri-

cal clouds, &c. 72-75. This attribute calculated to inspire affec-

tion, 75.

SECT. VI. Of the RECTITUDE of the Divine Character,

The existence of this attribute proved from reason, 76. from

scripture, 77. Reasons why we are incompetent to form a correct

judgment of the displays of this attribute, 78. How it is display-

ed in the ordinary course of providence, 80. Has a tendency to

inspire us with confidence and joy, 81. Reason why the Author

has illustrated this subject so diffusely, 82. Relations in which the

Deity stands to us, 83.

SECT. VII. Modes in which love to God is displayed,

Complacency in his administration, 85. Admiration of his works,

86. Humility, 87. Resignation, 88. Gratitude, 90-94. Sublimity

of the principle of love, 95. Anecdote of Kircher, 96.

by which love may be invigorated and expanded, 99.

CHAPTER II.

Means

63

76

85

SECOND PRINCIPLE OF MORAL ACTION-LOVE TO ALL

SUBORDINATE INTELLIGENCES.

SECT. I. The NATURAL EQUALITY OF MANKIND, considered as the

basis of love to our neighbour,

Their equality in respect of their origin—the mechanism of their

bodies their mental faculties-their moral depravity--their pleasures,

wants and afflictions--and the termination of their mortal existence,

101-108. Argument for love founded on these circumstances,

109. Advantages of a subordination of rank in the present world,

110.

101

SEct. II. Of the CONNECTIONS AND RELATIONS which subsist

among mankind,

Page

Men in every quarter of the globe, are connected together by

certain ties and relations. This connection exemplified in the

different trades and employments in our own country, 113. in

China, Persia, Siberia, the West Indies, Norway, Sweden, &c.

113. on the surface, and in the bowels of the ocean, 115. in the

subterraneous apartments of the globe, 116. Argument for univer-

sal benevolence founded on these relations, 118-119. Physical ar-

rangements of the globe, which indicate that the Creator intend-

ed to promote an extensive and benevolent intercourse among

mankind,

SECT. III. THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION OF MANKIND, as a foun-
dation for benevolence,

Importance of every affection connected with an immortal exis-

tence, 122. Interesting views and relations which the scenes

of eternity present, 123-127. Our duty towards our degraded

brethren who are unqualified for a happy immortality, 127.

SECT. IV. On the effects which would ensue were the principle of

love reversed, and were rational beings to act accordingly,

Effects which malevolence would produce in families, and in

larger societies, 128. in the common intercourse of life, 129. em-

ployments in which malignant beings would delight, 130-132.

present an idea of the scenes of future punishment, 133. Effects

of malevolence in relation to the Divine Being, 134. General tenden-

cy of malignant passions, 135.

SECT. V. Effects which would flow from the full operation of the

principle of Love.

Evils which would be eradicated, 136-139. Positive blessings

which would be enjoyed in families and larger communities 140. in

the intercourse of nations, 140. in the intellectual improvement,

and general melioration of the condition of mankind 141. in the

exercise of kindness and generosity, 143. in the diminution of phys-

ical evils, 145. Effects of love in relation to God, 146. Studies and

exercises in which benevolent beings would engage, 147. grand

object at which they would aim, 149. Present state of the moral

world, 150. Prospect of melioration in future times, 151.

SECT. VI. Universality of the principle of love,

112.

It pervades the moral code of other worlds, 153. Moral precepts

common to all intelligences, 155. Love qualifies us for associa-

ting with superior beings, 156. connects us with the inhabitants

of distant worlds, 157. One Religion prevails throughout the uni-

verse, 159. Analogy of love to the principle of Attraction, 161.

consequences of the suspension of this principle, 163.

SECT. VII. The preceding views corroborated by Divine Reve-

lation,

Historical facts, religious institutions, precepts, &c. of the Old

119.

121.

127.

136

152

165

Page

Testament, 165. Discourses and example of our Saviour, 168.

Writings of the Apostles, 172. The last Judgment, 175.

SECT. VIII. On the practical operation of love, or, the various modes

in which it should be displayed towards mankind.

Activity of this principle, 177. The benevolent agency of God

our pattern and exemplar, 177. Operation of love in relation to

man, considered as a sensitive being, 180-184. as an intellectual be-

ing, 184. as an immortal being, 186. Love the impelling principle

to every virtue, 188. Cardinal virtues, &c. 189. Diffusive nature

of benevolence, 190. Moral systems, their inutility in reference to

practice, 193. Benevolence in relation to the inferior animals, 195.

Anecdotes of animals-Arabian horses--Baron Trenck's mouse

--spiders, &c. 197. concluding extract. 199.

176

CHAPTER III.

ON THE MORAL LAW, AND THE RATIONAL GROUNDS

ON WHICH ITS PRECEPTS ARE FOUNDED.

SOLEMN circumstances which attended the proclamation of this

law at Sinai, 201.

Tendency of mankind to violate this law, 204. Idolatry of the

Romans, Egyptians, &c. 206. Moral effects produced by idolatry,

208. cruelties of the Mexicans and other idolaters, 209. irrational-

ity of idol worship, 210. Mental idolatry, 211.

SECOND COMMANDMENT,

Its object, 212. Impossibility of representing the Divine Being

by external forms, 213. Debasing tendency of such attempts,

213. consequences to which they lead, 214. The only natural im

age of God, 215. Expansion of the universe, 216. Christian

idolatry, 217. Causes of Pagan idolatry, 219.

THIRD COMMANDMENT,

Explained, 220. Manner in which it is violated, 220.

consequences which would follow its general violation, 222. Ef-

fects of religious veneration, 223.

FOURTH COMMANDMENT,

Importance of the Sabbath to man as a day of rest, 224. and as

a season for religious contemplation, 227. Work of Creation, 227.

of Redemption, 230. Public worship, 231. Consequences which

would follow were the Sabbath abolished, 232.

204

212

220

224

FIFTH COMMANDMENT,

General remarks on the preceding precepts, 233. Relations of

mankind, 234. consequences which would follow were the law

which respects these relations reversed, 235. Effects of universal

obedience to this precept, 237.

SIXTH COMMANDMENT,

Page

Counteraction of

References of this law explained, 239. consequences which
would flow from its universal violation, 242.

the principle of hatred, &c. 243.

SEVENTH COMMANDMENT,

Explained, 244. Marriage and Divorces, 245. Dreadful effects

which would flow from universal licentiousness, 246. Dismal ef-

fects of prostitution, 249. This law peculiar to the inhabitants of

our globe, 250.

EIGHTH COMMANDMENT,

General Remarks, 251. Various modes in which this law is vio-

lated, 252. Consequences of its general violation, 252. Benefi-

cial effects which would flow from obedience to its requirement,

254.

NINTH COMMANDMENT,

Importance of truth and veracity, 256. Veracity the foundation

of knowledge and confidence of our future prospects, and of our

views of the character of the Deity, 257. Importance of accurate

statements of physical facts, 259. Importance of veracity in rela-

tion to our improvement in the eternal world, 260. Various ways

in which truth is violated, 262. Evils which have arisen from its

violation, 266. Effects which would follow on its universal viola-

tion, 267. Delightful effects which would flow from a universal

regard to truth, 270.

TENTH COMMANDMENT,

The breach of this law leads to a violation of the other precepts,

273. Avarice--its pernicious effect on individuals, 274. on com-

munities and nations, the slave trade, &c. 274. Ambition-various

ways in which it is displayed, 276. its destructive effects, 276.

Contentment, its reasonableness and beneficial effects, 278.

General conclusions founded on the preceding illustrations,

The moral law not the dictates of an arbitrary Sovereign, 280.

Reasonableness of obedience, 282. connection between the pre-

cepts of the Divine law--its universal violation would lead to the

destruction of mankind--has never yet been universally violated--

is obligatory on all worlds-Divine origin of the Christian Revela-

tion--Absurdity of Antinomianism, 283-290. Faith and repen-

tance, 290. Salvation an act of grace, &c. 292–294.

233

239

244

251

256

272

279