by John Dick
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
IN presenting this work to the American public, the publishers believe that they are rendering an important service to the religious community at large, and to theological students in particular. The first edition was published at Edinburgh in 1834, and has already obtained a very extensive circulation in Britain. An estimate may be formed of the value of these Lectures, from the fact of their having received the highest praise of some of the most distinguished theological scholars in Scotland and England; and though expressing in the most decided manner the views of the particular denomination with which their author was connected, (the Presbyterian,) the catholic spirit with which these opinions are maintained, the candour with which others are stated, and the ability with which the common Christianity is illustrated and defended, may be learned from the fact of their being warmly recommended by the leading periodicals of nearly all the Protestant denominations of Britain.
The Lectures of which this work is composed were read by their author to the students attending the Theological Seminary of the United Associate Church, in which he was Professor of Systematic Divinity. They were not prepared for the press; nor is it known that he ever entertained any design of publishing them. The following extract from one of the author's unpublished introductory addresses to his students will give a correct idea of his aim in drawing them up. "You come to this place to hear such an explanation of the doctrines of religion as will furnish you with materials of reflection, and assistance in your private inquiries. Of one thing it may be proper to admonish you; that you are not to expect to be entertained with things which may be properly called new. To some of you, indeed, many things may be new in this sense, that you have not heard them before; but in general, the subjects to which your attention is directed, are truths as old as the Bible, which have been topics of discussion from chairs and pulpits from the first ages of our religion. It cannot be supposed that, in a field which has been so often and so carefully surveyed, there is any thing left to be gathered by the persons who shall walk over it again. Our purpose is gained if we are able to impart to the rising race the knowledge which was imparted to ourselves by our predecessors: and the utmost at which we could reasonably aim is to suggest some small matter which has been overlooked; to propose a new argument, or a better statement of an old argument; or, it may be, to throw some light upon a portion of the Scriptures not yet fully understood. In human sciences, discoveries may be made by superior penetration, and more patient inquiry; and their advanced state in the present age is a proof of the success of modern philosophers in the investigation of the secrets of nature. Discoveries might have been made in religion while revelation was in progress, and its light was increasing like that of the morning; but as seventeen centuries have elapsed since it was completed, and during this long interval it has engaged the attention of the wise, the learned, and the pious, there is every probability that we have been anticipated in all our views."
The Edinburgh edition was published under the superintendence of a son of the author, Andrew Coventry Dick, Esq. The present edition is an exact reprint of the former, and in the course of publication has been under the supervision of one who was formerly a pupil of Dr. Dick, and heard a considerable portion of them read.
The appendix, containing observations on the atonement of Christ, belongs properly to the fifty-eighth lecture; and it was the original design of the American editor to have inserted them in their proper place in the body of the work; but as he was at a loss, upon examination, to determine the precise place in which their author would have wished them to come, he has judged it best to allow them to be published in their present shape.
In the preparation of the memoir prefixed to the first volume, the editor has made much use of the Life of Dr. Dick by his son A. C. Dick, Esq., and of a short sketch of his life and writings of his son-in-law, Rev. W. Peddie, of Edinburgh.
J. F.
Philadelphia, 1835.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
I. On Theology
II. The Sources of Theology: Reason
III. The Sources of Theology: Revelation
IV. Evidences of Christianity: Genuineness of the Scriptures
V. Evidences of Christianity: Genuineness of the Scriptures
VI. Evidences of Christianity: Genuineness of the Scriptures
VII. Evidences of Christianity: Authenticity of the Scriptures; Miracles
VIII. Evidences of Christianity: Prophecy
IX. Evidences of Christianity: Success of the Gospel; Internal Evidences
X. Evidences of Christianity: Objections considered
XI. Inspiration of the Sacred writers
XII. State of the Sacred Text
XIII. The Study and Interpretation of the Scriptures
XIV. The Dispensation of Religion: Under the Old Testament
XV. The Dispensation of Religion: Under the New Testament
XVI. On God: His Existence
XVII. On God: His Existence; Eternity and Spirituality
XVIII. On God: His Unity
XIX. On God: His Immensity
XX. On God: His Immutability
XXI. On God: His Knowledge
XXII. On God: His Wisdom
XXIII. On God: His Power
XXIV. On God: His Goodness
XXV. On God: His Justice
XXVI. On God: His Truth and Faithfulness
XXVII. On God: His Holiness; and General Reflections
XXVIII. The Trinity
XXIX. The Trinity
XXX. The Divinity of Christ
XXXI. The Divinity of Christ
XXXII. The Divinity of Christ
XXXIII. The Divinity of the Holy Spirit
XXXIV. The Decrees of God
XXXV. The Decrees of God, Predestination; Election
XXXVI. The Decrees of God, Reprobation
XXXVII. Creation
XXXVIII. Angels: The Holy Angels
XXXIX. Angels: The Fallen Angels
XL. Man in his State of Innocence
XLI. Providence
XLII. Providence
XLIII. Providence
XLIV. The Fall of Man, and its Consequences
XLV. The Fall of Man, and its Consequences
XLVI. The Fall of Man, and its Consequences
XLVII. The Fall of Man, and its Consequences
XLVIII. The Covenant of Grace
XLIX. The Covenant of Grace
L. The Covenant of Grace
LI. The Mediatorial Office of Christ
LII. The Messiah
LIII. The Person of Christ
LIV. The Prophetical Office of Christ
LV. The Prophetical Office of Christ
LVI. The Priestly Office of Christ
LVII. The Priestly Office of Christ: His Sacrifice
LVIII. The Priestly Office of Christ: His Sacrifice
LIX. The Priestly Office of Christ: His Intercession
LX. Christ's State of Humiliation
LXI. Christ's State of Exaltation: His Resurrection
LXII. Christ's State of Exaltation: His Ascension to Heaven: His Seat in Heaven
LXIII. Christ's State of Exaltation: His Judging the World
LXIV. The Kingdom of Christ
LXV. The Application of Redemption: Effectual Calling
LXVI. The Application of Redemption: Effectual Calling: Regeneration
LXVII. The Application of Redemption: Union to Christ
LXVIII. The Application of Redemption: Faith
LXIX. The Privileges of Believers: Justification
LXX. The Privileges of Believers: Justification
LXXI. The Privileges of Believers: Justification
LXXII. The Privileges of Believers: Justification
LXXIII. The Privileges of Believers: Adoption
LXXIV. The Privileges of Believers: Sanctification
LXXV. The Privileges of Believers: Sanctification
LXXVI. On Good Works
LXXVII. On Conscience
LXXVIII. On Conscience Peace of Conscience: Spiritual Joy
LXXIX. The Perseverance of the Saints
LXXX. The Death of the Saints, and its Consequences
LXXXI. The Death of the Saints, and its Consequences
LXXXII The Resurrection of the Dead
LXXXIII. The Final State of the Righteous
LXXXIV. The External Means of Grace: The Word of God
LXXXV. The External Means of Grace: The Word of God
LXXXVI. The External Means of Grace: The Sacraments
LXXXVII. The External Means of Grace: The Sacraments
LXXXVIII. The External Means of Grace: The Sacrament of Baptism
LXXXIX. The External Means of Grace: The Sacrament of Baptism
XC. The External Means of Grace: The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
XCI. The External Means of Grace: The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
XCII. The External Means of Grace: The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
XCIII. The External Means of Grace: Prayer
XCIV. The External Means of Grace: Prayer
XCV. The External Means of Grace: Prayer
XCVI. The Church
XCVII. The Government of the Church: Popish form; Episcopacy
XCVIII. The Government of the Church: Episcopacy; Independency and Presbytery
XCIX. The Government of the Church: Independency and Presbytery
C. The Government of the Church: Office-bearers
CI. The Government of the Church: Church Power
CII. The Law of God: The Decalogue
CIII. The Law of God: The First, Second, and Third Commandments
CIV. The Law of God: The Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Commandments
CV. The Law of God: The Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Commandments; Conclusion
APPENDIX