192

SECTION II.
PROPOSITIONS ON MATERIALISM, 207

SECTION III.
RELATIONS OF MATERIALISM TO THEOLOGY, 235

CHAPTER V.
THEORY OF GOVERNMENT BY NATURAL LAWS,--VOLNEY,--COMBE, 249

SECTION I.
THE DOCTRINE OF NATURAL LAWS AND SECOND CAUSES, 252

SECTION II.
THE CONSTITUTION OF MAN IN ITS RELATION TO THE
GOVERNMENT OF GOD, 254

SECTION III.
THE EFFICACY OF PRAYER, 283

CHAPTER VI.
THEORIES OF CHANCE AND FATE, 303

CHAPTER VII.
THEORIES OF RELIGIOUS LIBERALISM, 323

CHAPTER VIII.
THEORIES OF CERTITUDE AND SKEPTICISM, 333

CHAPTER IX.
THEORY OF SECULARISM, 361

INTRODUCTION.

A Treatise on the Being and Perfections of God, as the Creator and
Governor of the world, can scarcely be adapted to the exigencies of
modern society, unless it be framed with express reference to the
existing forms of unbelief, and the prevailing tendencies both of
philosophical thought and of popular opinion. It is quite possible,
indeed, to construct a scheme of evidence on this subject out of the
ample materials which the storehouse of nature affords, without entering
into any discussion of the questions, whether Physical or Metaphysical,
which have been raised respecting it. But this method, although it might
be sufficient for many, perhaps for most, of our readers--for all,
indeed, who come to the study of the subject with reflective but
unsophisticated minds--could scarcely be expected to meet the case or to
satisfy the wants of those who stand most in need of instruction; the
men, and especially the young men, in all educated communities, who,
imbued with the spirit of philosophical speculation, and instructed,
more or less fully, in the principles of modern science, have been led,
under the influence of certain celebrated names, to adopt opinions which
prevent them from seriously considering any theological question, and to
regard the whole subject of religion with indifference or contempt, as
one that lies beyond the possible range of science,--the only
legitimate domain of human thought. In such cases (and they are neither
few nor unimportant), it may be useful and even necessary to neutralize
those adverse presumptions or "prejudicate opinions," which prevent them