2

C

"nor be entitled to the revenue, before they are

"Alfo I direct and appoint, that no perfon "shall be qualified to preach the Divinity Lec"ture Sermons, unless he hath taken the Degree of Master of Arts at least, in one of the "two Univerfities of Oxford or Cambridge; " and that the fame perfon fhall never preach "the Divinity Lecture Sermons twice."

.....

Introduction-plan of the Lectures. Faith
defined-fignifications of the word-chiefly two

an intellectual and a practical principle-the

first to be confidered in this Lecture. Origin

of all perfonal Knowledge-this knowledge too

confined-Faith neceflary in many instances→→

in Natural Philofophy-even in abstract Sci-

ences-efpecially in Hiftory. Reasonableness

of Faith because of the Ability and Veracity of

man—these confidered. Certainty of Faith-

Remark on Science-Degrees of credibility.

Qualifications neceffary to a right judgment in

matters of Faith. Conclufion.

SERMON II.

Faith a principle of Action-acceptations of

the term under this head-its Propriety and

Value to be confidered. It is, first, necessary

from a Defect of other Principles-Secondly, it

is productive of the Welfare of mankind-these

two pofitions to be proved. 1. Faith is necef-

fary to Moral Philofophy-to the other Arts-

to

to the common Intercourfe of life-therefore,

2. requifite to the welfare of man-this more

particularly exemplified both in the fplendid ef-
fects it is able to produce, and in those that are
of nearest concern-laftly, in the use of Hif-
tory to all concerns-objection from the want of
Veracity confidered. Conclufion.

SERMON

III.

Faith in Divine Teftimony no subject of

queftion The authenticity of a Revelation the

only thing to be proved-This depends on

Human Teftimony. Natural Religion-Jewish

-Mahometan-Chriftian. Acceptations of the

term Faith in Scripture. Books of the New

Teftament proved authentic from external evi-

dence-their authority proved from the veracity

and ability of the Writers of these Books thus

authenticated-question of Inspiration confidered

-hence the authenticity and authority of the

books, and, confequently, the Truth of the

Gospel Difpenfation, complete-additional argu-

ments. Books of the Old Testament proved by

the New, by external evidence, by the connex-

ion between the Law and Gofpel, the type and

anti-type of each other. Conclufion.

SERMON

SERMON

IV.

Internal evidence of the Gofpel-its neceffity and use fhewn to be limited-external evidence preferred-nothing abfurd or contradictory in the New Teftament-fome points however pretended to be fo. Doctrines divided into two kinds-1. Myfteries of Faith-2. Articles relating to the Moral Law, and the Oeconomy of Divine Providence-the objections against the first to be confidered. The Gospel myfteries, properly confidered, and as far as men are materially concerned, plain and few-the right mode of confidering them-doctrine of the Trinity proved-obfervations on it-doctrine of a perfonal Refurrection. Conclufion.

SERMON

V.

Articles of Chriftian Faith entitled to farther credit by the Effects to which they tend fcriptural acceptations of Faith as a practical principle-fyftem of Gospel Morality perfectneceffary from the ignorance of men. Objections relating to the Divine Oeconomy confidered-predeftination-grace-free will--juftification by faith and works. Moral Rules of Christianity confiftent, and compriseable in few

and