The Existence of God and the Immortality of the Soul, Table of contents – Publishers advertisement
THE CONTENTS OF THE CHAPTERS.
Chap. 1. pag. 1.
ATheism is fearfull of publick discovery. Three heads of Arguments to prove the Being of a God. 1. The visible frame of the World, and the numerous Natures in it, exactly modelled for the good of the whole, prove it to be the work of a most wise Agent. The World considered in its several parts. The Sun in its scituation, motion, and effects, declare the Providence of the Creator. The diurnal motion of the Sun from East to West is very beneficial to Nature. The Annual course brings admirable advantage to it. The gradual passing of the sensible World, from the excess of Heat to the extremity of Cold, an effect of Providence. The constant Revolutions of the Day and Night, and of the Seasons of the Year, discovers that a wise Cause order them.
Chap. 2. pag. 19.
The Air a fit medium to convey the Light and Influences of the Heavens of the lower World. 'Tis the repository of Vapours that are drawn up by the Sun, and descend in fruitful showers. The Winds of great benefit. The separation of the Sea from the Land the effect of great Wisdom and Power. That the Earth is not an equal Globe, is both pleasant and useful. The League of the Elements considered. Excellent Wisdom visible in Plants and Fruits. The shapes of Animals are answerable to their properties. They regularly act to preserve themselves. The Bees, Swallows, Ants, directed by an excellent mind.
Chap. 3. pag. 34.
The Body of Man form'd with perfect design for Beauty and Usefulness. A short description of its parts. The fabrick of the Eye and Hand admirably discovers the Wisdom of the Maker. The erect stature of the Body fitted for the rational Soul. Man by speech is fitted for Society. How the Affections are discovered in the Countenance. The distinction of Persons by the face, how necessary. The reasonable Soul the image of a wise and voluntary Agent.
Chap. 4. pag. 51.
The vanity of Epicurus's Opinion of the Worlds original, discovered, from the visible order in all the parts of it. Chance produces no regular effects. The constant natural course of things in the World, proves that 'tis not framed nor conducted by uncertain Chance. The World was not caused by the necessity of Nature. In the search of Causes the mind cannot rest till it comes to the first. Second Causes are sustain'd and directed in all their workings by the first. The Creator, though invisible in his Essence, is visible in his effects.
Chap. 5. pag. 71.
The beginning of the World proved, from the uninterrupted Tradition of it through all Ages. The Invention of Arts, and bringing them to perfection, an Argument of the Worlds beginning. The weakness of that Fancy, that the World is in a perpetual Circulation from Infancy to Youth, and to full Age, and a decrepit state and back again, so that Arts are lost and recovered in that change. The consent of Nations a clear Argument that there is a God. The impressions of Nature are infallible. That the most Men are practical Atheists; that some doubt and deny God in words, is of no force to disprove his Existence. There are no absolute Atheists. Nature in extremities has an irresistible force, and compels the most obdurate to acknowledg the Deity.
Chap. 6. Page 22.
The belief of the Deity no Politick Invention. The asserting that 'tis necessary to preserve States in order, is a strong proof of its truth. No History intimates when this belief was introduc'd into the World. The continuance of it, argues that its rise was not from a Civil Decree. Princes themselves are under the fears of the Deity. The multitude of false Gods does not prejudice the natural notion of one true God. Idolatry was not universal. The Worship of the only true God is preserved where Idolatry is abolished.
Chap. 7. pag. 105.
The duties of understanding Creatures, to the Maker of all things. Admiration of his glorious Perfections visible, in them. This is more particularly the duty of Man, the World being made eminently for him. The Causes why the Creator is not honour'd in his Works, are Mens ignorance and inobservance. Things new rather affect us, than great. An humble fear is a necessary respect from the Creature, to the Divine Majesty and Power. Love and Obedience in the highest degrees are due from men to God, in the quality of Creator. Trust and Reliance on God is our duty and priviledge.
Chap. 8. pag. 146.
The Immortality of the Soul depends on the conservative influence of God. Natural and Moral Arguments to prove that God will continue it for ever. The Soul is incapable of perishing from any corruptible principles, or separable parts. Its spiritual nature is evident by the acts of its principal faculties. The Understanding conceives spiritual objects; is not confin'd to singular and present things: Reflects upon it self: Corrects the errors of the sense: Does not suffer from the excellency of the object. Is vigorous in its operations when the Body is decayed, which proves it to be an immaterial faculty. An Answer to Objections against the Souls spiritual nature. That the first notices of things are conveyed through the senses, does not argue it to be a material faculty. That it depends on the temper of the Body in its superior operations, is no prejudice to its spiritual nature.
Chap. 9. pag. 170.
The Acts of the Will considered. Its choice of things distastful to Sense, and sometimes destructive to the Body, argue it to be a spiritual principle. The difference between Man and Brutes amplified. The spiritual operations of the Soul may be performed by it self in a separate state. This is a strong proof God will continue it. The Platonick Argument that Man unites the two orders of Natures, intelligent and sensible, immortal and perishing.
Chap. 10. pag. 181.
The moral Arguments for the Souls Immortality. The restless desire of the Soul to an intellectual eternal happiness, argues it survives the Body. The lower order of Creatures obtain their perfection here. It reflects upon Nature, if the more noble fails of its end. That wicked men would choose annihilation, rather than eternal torments, is no proof against Mans natural desire of Immortality. The necessity of a future state of Recompences for moral actions, proves the Soul to be immortal. The Wisdom of God, as Governour of the World, requires there be Rewards and Punishments annext to his Laws. Eternal Rewards are only powerful to make men obedient to them in this corrupt state. Humane Laws are no sufficient security of Vertue, and restraint from Vice.
Chap. 11. Page 198.
The Justice of God an infallible Argument of future recompences. The natural notion of God includes Justice in Perfection. In this World sometimes Vertue and Vice are equally miserable. Sometimes Vice is prosperous. Sometimes good Men are in the worst condition. The dreadful consequences of denying a future state. Gods absolute Dominion over the Reasonable Creature, is regulated by his Wisdom, and limited by his Will. The essential beauty of Holiness, with the pleasure that naturally results from good actions, and the native turpitude of Sin, with the disturbance of the mind reflecting on it, are not the compleat recompences that attend the Good and the Wicked.
Chap. 12. Page 223.
Two Arguments more to prove future recompenses. 'Tis not possible for civil Justice to despense rewards and punishments according to the good and evil actions of Men. All Nations agree in the acknowledgment of a future state. The innocent Conscience is supported under an unjust Sentence, by looking to the superior Tribunal. The courage of Socrates in dying, with the cause of it. The guilty Conscience terrifies with the apprehension of Judgment to come. Tiberius his complaint to the Senate of his inward tortures. An Answer to the Objection, that we have not sensible evidence of what is enjoyed, and what is suffered in the next life. Why Sin, a transient act, is punished with Eternal Death.
Chap. 13. Page 257.
What influence the Doctrine of the future state should have upon, our practice. It must regulate our esteem of present things. And reconcile our affections to any condition here, so far as it may be an advantage to prepare us for the better World. The chiefest care is due to the Immortal part. The just value of Time, and how it should be improved. 'Tis the best Wisdom to govern our whole course of Life here, with regard to Eternity that expects us.
FINIS.
There is lately Reprinted a Book, entitled The Harmony of the Divine Attributes, in the Contrivance and Accomplishment of Man's Redemption by the Lord Jesus Christ. Or, Discourses, wherein is shewed, how the Wisdom, Mercy, Justice, Holiness, Power and Truth of God are glorified in that great and blessed Work. By W. Bates, D. D. Printed for Brabazon Aylmer, at the three Pigeons over against the Royal-Exchange in Cornhil
End of the text · William Bates, The Existence of God and the Immortality of the Soul (1676)