tion, there are single passages, which, taken by themselves, may be understood in different senses, though that alone can be the true sense, which is in perfect harmony with the ultimate object of the whole.

Although the view of Christianity, which will be exhibited in the course of study recommended in this volume, appears to me perfectly consistent with itself, and with all that we know of the attributes of God, I am well aware, that in some points I may be, as much greater men have been before me, mistaken. I do not therefore inscribe the volume to those alone, for whose use chiefly it is now published; but, together with them, to the various Professors of Divinity in the Universities of Great Britain and Ireland, and in the Scotch Episcopal Church, whose duty it will be to point out to their pupils, as well the mistakes as the merits, if they find any, in my directions for the study of Theology.

STIRLING, February 1, 1827.

CONTENTS.

LETTER I.

1

On the various Duties of a Parish Priest; with some obser-

vations on the manner in which some of those duties may

be most judiciously performed,

LETTER II.

On the Origin of Religion among men, whether in Nature

or from Revelation. Is there any religion, which, what-

ever may have been its origin, may be properly called Na-

tural? What preliminary studies are necessary to pro-

secute this inquiry with success, and to ascertain in what

sense any religion can be considered as natural,

LETTER III.

Page

1

. 9

Remarks on some celebrated Systems of Natural Theology,

especially those of Dr Clarke, Mr Wollaston, and Dr

Paley; with some observations on Bishop Law's edition

of Archbishop King's Essay on the Origin of Evil,

LETTER IV.

Remarks on the Duties of Natural Religion, and on the

different Theories of Moral Obligation,

LETTER V.

On the Defects of Natural Religion, and the necessity

of a Divine Revelation, both to instruct man in his duty,

and to give him assurance of a future state of Rewards

and Punishments,

24

44

62

Observations on the State of Man before and immediately

after the Fall; with some brief remarks on the peculiar

Doctrines of Pelagius and of Calvin,

LETTER IX.

104

Observations on the Religion of Mankind from the fall of

Adam to the call of Abraham,

LETTER X.

Observations on the Purpose for which Abraham was called

from his father's house; and on the state of Religion from

his call till the giving of the Law by Moses,

LETTER XI.

The ultimate object of the Mosaic Dispensation; of the

Theocratic Government of the Israelites; and of the

Dispersion of that People among the nations of the

East, was to prepare the world for the Advent of the

Messiah,

120

135

148

LETTER XII.

On the Advent of Christ, and the great Object of it; to-

gether with some Observations on the Apostles' Creed

considered as an Index to the Doctrines taught in

Holy Scripture, as necessary to be believed by every

Christian,

172

LETTER XIII.

Observations on the Doctrines of the Trinity and the

Eternal Generation of the Son of God, as they are stated

in the First and Second of the Thirty-Nine Articles of

the Church of England,

LETTER XIV.

Observations on the Conclusion of the Second Article of

Religion, tending to show how the Death of Christ hath

been a Sacrifice or Atonement, not only for Original

Guilt, but also for the Actual Sins of Men,

LETTER XV.

Page

183

205

Observations on the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st Articles of

Religion, and on the Constitution and Authority of the

Church as a Spiritual Society founded by Christ, and

completed by his Apostles,

282

LETTER XIX.

On the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, as understood

in the Church of Rome; the Greek Church; the Lu-

theran Churches; the earliest Calvinists; and the

Church of England. There is not in the New Testa-

ment a single expression, which, if interpreted literally,

gives the smallest countenance to the Romish Doctrine,

or to the Doctrine of either the early Lutherans or the