A catechism of natural theology

I. (Ichabod) Nichols

Description

Che theological ^eroinarpfcibvavy of • NEW JERSEYPRINCETON Gift of Miss Janetta Alexander 1882 BL 181 .N52 1831 Nichols, I. 1784-1859. A catechism of natural theology CATECHISM OF . NATURAL THEOLOGY SOME MAN"EVERT HOUSE IS BUILDED BY HE BUILT ALL THINGS IS GOD.'BUT THAT NICHOLS, D. D.BY I. PASTOR OF THE FIRST CHURCH IN PORTLAND. second edition: WITH ADDITIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM HYDE 1831. CATECHISM OF NATURAL THEOLOGY INTRODUCTION. Teacher. What do you understand by Natural Theology ? A. Theology, derived from two Greek words em- ployed to signify our knowledge of God, is divided into two parts, revealed.natural and Revealed the- ology embraces those extraordinary discoveries which God has made to mankind in the holy scriptures. Natural theology teaches what may be known of God, from the manifestations of his existence and perfections in the natural world. T. What do the scriptures observe respecting natural theology ? A. While the scriptures principally require us to know God, as he has revealed himself to us in his di- a2 6 INTRODUCTION. they also require us to contemplate hisvine word, manifested in thebeing and providence, as 4 the water dripsside of a building, considerable vio-down or diffuses itself without any lence. In quadrupeds, the position of whose heads, with their heart,being nearly upon the same line exposes the blood to flow with more force into the* where they enter the skull,brain, the blood vessels, 32 HEAD.

Sujets

• Anatomy
• Natural theology

Informations

• Publié par: les_archives_du_savoir
• Nombre de lectures: 5
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 11 Mo

Extrait

Che theological ^eroinarpfcibvavy of
• NEW JERSEYPRINCETON
Gift of
Miss Janetta Alexander
1882
BL 181 .N52 1831
Nichols, I. 1784-1859.
A catechism of natural
theologyCATECHISM
OF .
NATURAL THEOLOGY
SOME MAN"EVERT HOUSE IS BUILDED BY
HE BUILT ALL THINGS IS GOD.'BUT THAT
NICHOLS, D. D.BY I.
PASTOR OF THE FIRST CHURCH IN PORTLAND.
second edition:
WITH ADDITIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS
BOSTON:
PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM HYDE
1831.CATECHISM
OF
NATURAL THEOLOGY
INTRODUCTION.
Teacher. What do you understand by Natural
Theology ?
A. Theology, derived from two Greek words em-
ployed to signify our knowledge of God, is divided
into two parts, revealed.natural and Revealed the-
ology embraces those extraordinary discoveries which
God has made to mankind in the holy scriptures.
Natural theology teaches what may be known of
God, from the manifestations of his existence and
perfections in the natural world.
T. What do the scriptures observe respecting
natural theology ?
A. While the scriptures principally require us to
know God, as he has revealed himself to us in his di-
a26 INTRODUCTION.
they also require us to contemplate hisvine word,
manifested in thebeing and providence, as 4<hey are
andnature. wp your eyes on high,objects of Lift
things. They speakbehold who hath created these
plainestthe works of creation as presenting theof
and divine Author. Theproofs of an all-powerful
the worldinvisible things him the creationof from of
whichunderstood by the thingsare clearly seen, being
—and Godhead.are made, even his eternal power
creation,attention to the wonders ofThey invite our
study. The worksas a most noble and delightful of
who havegreat, sought out all themthe Lord are of
call upon the heavens andpleasure therein. They
animal, the herb,and mountains, theearth, the seas
exists, to celebrate the praisesand every thing which
of us to study; that is, they requireof the Creator
vari-as exhibited in thesehis providence ourselves,
to him, in the con-and elevate our soulsous forms,
munificence,almighty power andtemplation of that
part of the universe.displayed in everywhich are
in teach-with our Saviour,It was a common practice
natureof the works ofdisciples, to make useing his
and spiritualreflect on heavenlyin leading them to
Consider thethe air.Behold the foivlsthings. of
lillies theof field.
study ?recommend thisT. What other reasons
cultivate our devoutis adapted toA. While it
perpetual templeuniverse afeelings, and render the
na-Author, the study ofof its infinitefor the worship
It is suit-a rational curiosity.ture is most worthy of
in everybe enjoyedcapacity. It mayed to every*NATURAL THEOLOGY.
novelty inex-boundless itsIts field is ;situation.
high-an artist attach athe eminence ofhaustible. If
should crowd toproductions ; if weinterest to hiser
Rapha-a Praxiteles, or aworks of a Phidias,see the
objects be sur-emotions should thoseel, with what
an Almightyour thoughts towhich lead upveyed,
im-our curiosity for theShall we reserveAuthor.
powers, and beof our own limitedperfect exhibitions
every formwhich reveals into the studyindifferent
Whatever reason weInfinite Wisdom ?the hand of
a farofhuman inventions,imagine for the studycan
for directing our at-may be adducedhigher, surely,
immeasur-contrivances whichtention to those Divine
scarcely an art but hassurpass them. There isably
naturaladmirable parallel in somemore simple andits
furnishes the pattern, or ex-Nature eitherprovision.
Thein a more perfect manner.emplifies the result
and the first idea of it proba-was improved,telescope
Eye. Whatfrom an examination of thebly suggested,
compared with the livingthe most finished statue,is
exhausted andThe works of art are soon ;form ?
we can easily discover blem-by a critical inspection
But the more close-and imperfections in them.ishes
their great originals in the vast king-ly we examine
do they afford us ofdom of nature, the more proofs
of the works of God, in comparison withthe perfection
skill. Shall our interestthe highest efforts ofhuman
be excited at hearing of any new engine or piecethen
some one has invented? shallof machinery which
irresistible,novelty be attractive and almost when8 INTRODUCTION.
there are these imperfect objects to call it forth ? and
shall we be indifferent to the innumerable wonders of
nature around us, the examination which wouldof
prove a sure mean ofenlightening our minds, exalting
our thoughts, and advancing our piety ?
T. How do we arrive at the knowledge of an Al-
mighty Creator, from contemplating the spectacle of
the universe ?
A. The countless manifestations of design, and
the continued display of bountiful provisions through
all nature, are a proof of some designing power, and
of a power beneficent and good, that, is, of the Being
whom we denominate God. If we should deem it
absurd to suggest that a watch was an accidental com-
bination of wheels and springs, not intended for any
purpose, how much more irrational to suppose that so
many manifestations of design, in the universe, exist
without design ! When the humblest appearances of
order, arrangement, and adaptation to use, in any ob-
ject, even in a bird's nest, would lead us to pronounce
but the production of someit not a casual formation,
animal, shall the infinite spectacle of subserviency,
presents,proportion and harmony, which the universe
impress no conviction of design or of a designing
deducible when oncecause ? Shall design cease to be
we have ascended from the mysterious operations of
We know there isanimal instinct and human reason ?
designing intelligence in animals or men, only from
onlywhat they perform. We call them intelligent,
because they act as if they were so. This is our only
faculties,evidence. If they were destitute of interior