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THE

W 0 E K S

OF

WILLIAM PALEY, D.D.

ARCHDEACON OF CARLISLE.

CONTAINING

HIS LIFE, MORAL AND POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY, EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY,

NATURAL THEOLOGY, TRACTS, HOR^ PAULINA, CLERGYMAN'S

COMPANION, AND SERMONS.

PRINTED VERBATIM FROM THE ORIGINAL EDITIONS.

Im^W in nu! ITntec^

NEW edition:

PHILADELPHIA I

PUBLISHED BY CRISSY k MARKLEY,

No. 4 MINOR STREET.

18 5 0.

CONTENTS.

Page LIFE OF THE AUTHOR is

MORAL AND POUTICAL PHILOSOPHY.

DEDtCATION

Preface

sxiii

BOOK L

PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS.

CHAP.

I. Definition and Use of the Science

. 27

II. The Law of Honour

. ib.

III. The Law of the Land

. 29

IV. The Scriptures

. ib.

V. The Moral Sense .

. ib.

VI. Human Happiness

. 30

VII. Virtue

. 34

BOOK IL

MORAL OBLIGATIONS.

CHAP. I. The Question. Why am I obliged to keep

my word? considered . . . .36

II. Wliat we mean to say when a Man is

obliged to do a thing . . . .37

III. The (iuestion. Why am /obliged to keep

my word? resumed . . . . ib.

IV. TiieWillofGod 38

V. The Divine Benevolence . . . ib.

VI. Utility 39

VII. The Necessity of General Rules . ib.

VIII. The Consideration of General Con- sequences pursued . , . .40

IX. Of Risht 41

X. The Division of Rights . . . .42

XI. The General Rights of Mankind . . 43

BOOK in.

RELATIVE DDTIES.

P.iRT I.

Of Relative Duties which are determinate.

CHAP. I. Of Property 45

II. The Use of the Institution of Property ib.

III. The History of Property ... 46

IV. In what the Right of Property is founded ib.

V. Promises 48

VI. Contracts 51

VII. Contracts of Sale . . . . ib.

VIII. Contracts ofeflazard . . . .52

IX. Contracts of lending of inconsumable

Property 53

X. Contracts concerning the lending of

Money . . . . ib.

Page

CHAP. XI. Contracts of Labour— Service . 55

XII. Contracl.s of Labour— Commissions 56

XIII. Contracts of Labour— Partnorship 57

XIV. Contracts of Labour— Offices . . ib.

XV. Lies .58

XVI. Oaths 59

XVII. Oath in Evidence .... 61

XVIII. Oalh of Allegiance . . . ib.

XIX. Oalh against Bribery in the Election

of Members of Parliament . . .62

XX. Oath against Simony . . . ib.

XXI. Oaths to observe Local Statutes . 63

XXII. Subscription to Articles of Religion ib.

XXIII. Wills 64

BOOK III.-

PART II.

Of Relative Duties which are indeterminate.

CHAP. I. Charity . . ...

II. Charity— The Treatment ofourDonues

tics and Dependants

III. Slavery

IV. Charity— Professional Assistance

V. Charity— Pecuniary Bounty .

VI. Resentment

VII. Anger .

VIII. Revenge

IX. Duelling

X. Litigation

XI. Gratitude

XII. Slander

60

ib. ib. 67 68 70 71 ib. 72 73 74 75

BOOK IIL

P.^RT III.

Of Relative Duties which result from the constitution of the Sexes.

CH.W. I. Of the Public Use of Marriage In

stitu

tions

75

II. Fornication

7<j

III. Seduction

77

IV. Adultery

78

V. Incest

79

VI. Polygamy

to

VII. Of Divorce

81

VIII. Marriage

Ki

IX. Ofthe Duty of Parents

84

X. The Rights of Parents .

88

XL The Duty of Children .

lb.

BOOK IV.

BTJTIES TO ODRSELVES.

CHAP. I. The Rights of Self-Defence

II. Drunkenness .

III. Suicide . .

99 91

92

It

CONTENTS.

BOOK V.

SDTIES TOWARDS OOD.

?HA^ I. Division of these Duties .

II. Ofthi' Duty and ofllie Efficacy of Prayer,

so far as the same appear from the Light of Nature

III. Of the Duty and Efficacy of Prayer, as ri'presented in Scripture

IV. Of Private Prayer, Family Prayer, and

Public Worship

V. Of Forms of Prayer in Public Worship

VI. Of the Use of Sabbatical Institiilions

VII. Of the Scripture Account of Sabbatical Institutions

VIII. By what Acts and Omissions the Duties of the Christian Sabbath is violated

IX. Of Eeverencing the Deity

Pa^e 94

95

06

97

99

101

102

10.5 lOG

BOOK VI.

ELEMENTS OF POLITICAL KNOWLEDOE.

CHAP. I. Of the Origin of Civil Government

II How Subjection to Civil Government is maintained

III. The Duty of Submission to Civil Go vernment e.xplained

IV. The Duty of Civil Obedience, as stated in the Christian Scriptures .

V. Of Civil Liberty ....

VI. Of dilferent Forms of Government

VII. Of the British Constitution

VIII. Of the Administration of Justice

IX. Of Crimes and Punishments

X. Of religious Establishments and of To.

leration ....

XI. Of Population and Provision ; and of Agriculture and Commerce, as subser

ent thereto ....

f War, and of Military Establish

Past lUfl

XII

vie . Of

ments

110

in

115 117 119 ]*2 129 136

142

loO

HOR^ PAULINiE

OR,

THE TRUTH OF THE SCRIPTURE HISTORY OF ST. PAUL EVINCED.

Page

CHAP. T. E.xposit ion of the Argument . . .166

II The Epistle to the Romans . . . 169

III. The First Epistle to the Corinthians 176

IV. Second Epistle to the Corinthians . 181

V. The Epistle to the Galatians . . 190

VI. The Epistle to tlie Ephesians . . 198

VII. The Epistle to the Philippians . . 206

VIII. The Epistle to the Colossians . . 209

Page

CHAP. IX. The First Epistle to the Thessalonians 211

X. Second Epistle to the Thessalonians . 214

XL The First Epistle to Timothy . . 2J6

XII. The Second Epistle to Timothy . . 218

XIII. The Epistle to Titus . . . .221

XIV. The Epistle to Philemon . . .223

XV. The Subscriptions of the Epistles . 224

XVI. The Conclusion 226

THE CLERGYMAN'S COMPANION IN VISITING THE SICK.

THE MANNER OF VISITINO THE SICK.

Page SECT. I. The Assistance that is to be given to Sick

and Dying Persons by tlie Ministry of the Clersy 234 SECT. If. UulesfortheMannerof visiting the Sick ib. SECT. III. Of instructing the Sick Man iii the Na- ture of Repentance, and Confession of his Sins Arguments and E.\hortations to move the Sick Man to Repentance ami Confession of his Sins Arguments and general Heads of Discourse, by way of Consideration, to awaken a stupid (Conscience, and the careless Sinner SECT. IV. Of applying spiritual Remedies to the unreasonable Fears and Dejections of the Sick Considerations to be offered to Persons under

Religious Melancholy

An E.xercise against Despair .... SECT. V. Considerations against Presumption The Order for the Visitation of the Sick . , The Communion of the Sick .... Proper Collects that may be used with any of the Prayers for the Sick 247

235 ib.

237

238

239 240 241 242 244

ATERS FOR THE SICE, VIZ.

fi general Prayer for the Acceptance of our Devo- tious fur the Sick 348

Particular Prayers for the Sick

A larger Form of Prayer for the Sick

Proper Psalms for the Sick

A Declaration of Forgiveness .

Page . 243 . 249 . ib. . 250

OCCASIONAL PRAYERS FOR THE SICK, VIZ.

A Prayer for a Person in the beginning of his Sick- ness 2.50

For Thankfulness in Sickness . . . . ib.

For a blessing on the 3Ieans used for a Sick Per- son's Recovery jb.

For a Sick Person, when there appears some Hope of Recovery 251

In behalf of the Sick Person, when he finds any Abatement of his Distemper . . . . jb.

For one who is dangerously ill . . . . ib.

For a Sick Person when Sickness continues long upon him ib.

For the Grace of Patience, and a suitable Behaviour in a Sick Person to Friends and Attendants . 252

For Spiritual Improvement by Sickness . . ib.

For a Sick Person who is atmit to make his Will ib.

For a Sick Penitent . . *^ ib.

For a Sick Pearson who intends to receive the blessed Sacrament 253

For a Sick Person that wants Sleep . . . ib.

CONTENTS.

To be said when the Sick Person arows light-headed 2o3

For a Person when Danger is apprekended by exces- sive Sleep 254

For a Person lying insensible on a Sick-tted . . ib.

For one who hath lieeii a notoriously wicked Liver ib.

For one who is lianlened and impenitent . . 255

For a Sick Woman that is with Chilli . . . ib.

For a Woman in the Time of her Travail . . ib.

For a Woman who cannot be delivered without Difficulty and Hazard 256

For (Tiaceand Assistance for a Woman after De- livery, but still in Danger ib.

For a Sick Child ib.

For a P(Mson who, from a state of Health, is sud- denly seized with the Symptoms of Di'alh . .257

For a'r^ick Person, when there appeareth small Hope of Recovery ib.

A general Prayer for Preparation and Readiness to die ib.

A commendatory Prayer for a Sick Person at the point of Departure 258

A Mtany for a Sick Person at the time of Departure ib.

Form of recommending the Soul to God, in her De- parture fiom tlw Body ib.

A con.solatory Form of Devotion that may be used Willi the Friends or Relations of the Deceased . 259

OCCASIONAL PRAVERS AND DEVOTIONS FOR THE SICK AND UNFORTUNATE IN EXTRAORDINARY CASES.

A Prayer for a Person whose Illness is chiefly bioucht on him by some calamitous Disaster or Loss^ as of Estate," Relations, or Friends, &c. . 260

For a Person who. by any calamitous Disaster, hath broken any of his" Bones, or is very much bruised and hurt in his body ib.

Page

For a Person that is afflicted with grievoti <dins of his Body 260

For one who is troubled with acute Pain* of the Gout, Stone, Cholic, or any other bodily Dis- temper 261

For a Person in the Small-Pox, or any such-like racing infectious Disease ib.

For a Person in a Consumption, or any lingering Disease ib.

For a Person who is lame in his Sickness . . ib.

For one that is Bed-ridden 262

For a Person troubled in Mind, or in Conscience . ib.

Another for the same, or for one under deep Melan- choly and Dejection of Spirit . . . . ib.

For the same ib.

For one under fears and Doubts concerning his spi- ritual Condition, or under perplexing Thoughts and Scruples about his Duty .... 263

For one who is disturbed with wicked and blas- phemous Thoughts ib.

For one who is atfiicted with a profane Mistrust of Divine Truths and blasphemous Thoughts . . ib.

For one under the dread of God's Wrath and ever- lasting Damnation ib.

For a Lunatic ib.

For natural Fools or Madmen < . . . . 264

Proper Psalms for a Sick Person at Sea . . . ib.

A Prayer for a Sick Seaman ib.

For a Sick Soldier or Seaman 265

A Prayer to be used by a Person afflicted with a Distemper of long continuance . . . . ib.

A Prayer to be usnd on the Death of a Friend . 266

A Prayer to be used by a Person troubled in Mind ib

A Prayer to be used by an Old Person . . . ib

For a Person condemned to die . . . . ib.

A Prayer of Preparation for Death .... 26V

The Ministration of Public Baptism of Infants, to be used in Churches . ... . . . ib.

The Ministration of Private Baptism of Children in Houses 260

A VIEW OF THE EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY.

Page Preparatory Considerations. Of the antecedent credibility of miracles 271

PART I.

OF THE DIRECT HISTORICAL E\nDENCE OF CHRISTIANITY, AND WHEREIN IT IS DISTINGUISHED FROM THE EVIDENCE ALLEGED FOR OTHER MIRACLES.

Propositions stated 273

PROPOSITION I.

That there is satisfactory evidence that many, pro- fessing to be original witnesses of the Chiistian miracles, passed their lives in labours, dangers, and sufferings, voluntarily undergone in attesta- tion of the accounts which they delivered, and solely in consequence of their belief of those ac- counts; and that they also submitted, from the same motives, to new rules of conduct . .274

CHAP. I. Evidence of the sufferings of the first propagators of Christianity, from the nature of the case ib.

CHAP. II. Evidence of the suffirings of the first propagators of Christianity, from Profane Testi- mony . . .^. . . . . . 277

CHAP. III. Indirect evidence of the sufferings of the first propagators of Christianity, from the Scriptures and other ancient Ckristian writings . 279

CHAP. IV. Direct evidence of the same , . .220

Page CHAP. V. Observations upon the preceding evi- dence ......... 2S4

CHAP. VI. That the story, for which the first pro- pagators of Christianity suffered, was miraculous 286 CHAP. VII. That it was, in the main, the story which we have now proved by indirect considera- tions 287

CHAP. VIII. The same pro\'ed, from the authority

of our historical Scriptures 291

CHAP. IX. Of the authenticity of the historical Scriptures, in elereti sections .... 295 Sect. I. Quotations of the historical Scriptures

by ancient Christian writers .... 297 Sect. II. Of the peculiar respect with which they

were quoted 304

Sect. III. The Scriptures were in very early times

collected into a distinct volume . . . 306 Sect. IV. And distinguished by appropriate

names and titles of respect . . . .307 Sect. V. Were publicly read and expounded in

the religious assemblies of the early Christians ib. Sect. VI. Commentaries, &c. were anciently

written upon the Scriptures .... 308 Sect. VII. They were received by ancient Chris- tians of different sects and persuasions . .310 Sect. VIII. The four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, thirteen Epistles of St. Paul, the Fi rst Epistle of John, and the first of Peter, were re- ceived without doubt by those who doubted concerning the other books of our present canon 312 Sect. IX. Our present Gospels were considered by tiie adversaries of Christianity, as contain I*

VI

CONTENTS.

Page ing the accounts upon which the religion wag founded 313

Sect. X. Formal catalogues of authentic Scrip- tures were piiblishod, in all which our present Sacrcil histories were included . . .315

Sect. XI The.-JC propositions cannot be predicatod of anv of those books which are coninionly call- ed apocryplial books of the New Testament . ib. CHAP. X. Kecapilulation 317

OF THE DIRECT HISTORICAL EVIDENCE OF CHRtSTIANlTr.

PROPOSITION II.

CHAP. I. That there is not satisfactory evidence, that persons pretending to be original witnesses of any other similar miracles, have acted in the same manner, in attestation of the accounts which they delivered, and solely in consequence of their be- lief of the truth of those accounts . . .318

CHAP. II. Consideration of some specificinstances 324

PART IT.

OF THE AUXILIAJIY EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY.

CHAP. I. Prophecy 326

CHAP. II. The Morality of the Gospel . . .329 CHAP. III. The Candour ofthe Writers of the New Testament ........ 338

CHAP. IV. Identity of Christ's character CHAP. V. Originality of our Saviour's character CHAP. VI. Conformity of the facts occasionally mentioned or referred to in Scripture, with the state of things in those times, as represented by foreign and independent accounts CH.\P. VII. Undesigned Coincidences . CHAP. VIII. Ofthe History ofthe Resurrection CHAP. IX. The Propagation of Christianity Sect. II. Reflections upon the preceding Account Sect. III. Of the religion of Mahomet

Pag»

. 341

345

ib. 354 355 35«S

3(;i

363

PART III.

A BRIEF CONSIDERATION OF SOME POPDLAR OBJECTI0N8.

CHAP. I. The Discrepancies between the several Gospels 367

CHAP. II. Erroneous Opinions imputed to the Apostles , .

CHAP. III. The Connexion of Christianity with the Jewish History

CHAP. IV. Rejection of Christianity

CHAP. V. That the Christian miracles are not re- cited, or appealed to, by early Christian writers themselves, so fully or frequently as might have been expected

CHAP. VI. Want of universality in the knowledge and reception of Christianity, and of greater clearness in the evidence

CHAP. Vlt. The supposed Effects of Christianity

369

37C

371

375

377 380

CH-^P. VIII. The Conclusion 382

NATURAL THEOLOGY.

Page CHAP. I. State of the Argument . . . .367

II. State of the .'Vrjument continued . . 389

III. Application of the Argument . . 390

IV. Of the Succession of Plants and Ani- mals 396

V. Application ofthe Argument continued 397

VI. The Argument cumulative . . . 401

VII. Ofthe Mechanical and Immechanical Parts and Functions of Animals and Vegetables ib.

VIII. Of Mechanical Arrangement in the Human Frame 404

Ofthe Konos ib.

Ofthe Joints 407

IX. Ofthe .Muscles 410

X. Ofthe Vessels of Animal Bodies . .414

XI. Ofthe Animal Structure regarded as a Mass 421

Page CHAP. XII. Comparative Anatomy . . . 426

XIII. Peculiar Organizations . . . 431

XIV. Prospective Contrivances . . . 433

XV. Relations 435

XVI. Compensation 433

XVII. The Relation of animated Bodies to Inanimate Nature 440

XVIII. Of Instincts 442

XIX. Of Insects 446

XX. Of Plants 450

XXI. The Elements 455

XXII. Astronomy 456

XXIII. Ofthe Personality ofthe Deity . 462

XXIV. Of the Natural Attributes of the Deity 4G8

XXV. Of the Unity of the Deity . . 4(59

XXVI. Of the Goodness of the Deity . . 470

XXVII. Conclusion 485

A DF.FF.NCE OF THE CONSIDERATIONS 0\ THE PROPRIETY OF REQUIRING A SUBSCRIPTION TO ARTICLES 01/" FAITH 4S8

REASONS FOR CONTENTiMENT, ADDRESSED TO THE LABOURING PART OF THE BRITISH PUBLIC . . , .496

CONTENTS.

vU

SERMONS ON PUBLIC OCCASIONS.

Page BERMOV T. Caution recommended in the Use and Application of Scriptural Lan?u.iffe: A S<!r- mou, proaclu'd, July 17, 1777, in the Cathedral Church of Carlisle, at the Visitation of the Right Reverend Lord Uishop of Carlisle . . .500 ERMON' II. Advice, addressed to the Young Clergy of the Diocese of Carlisle, in a Sermon, preached at a General Ordination, holden at Rose Castle, on Sundav. July 29, 1731 . . . .503 SER.MOV III. A Distinction of Orders in the Church defended upon Principles of Public Uti- lity, in a Sermon, preached in the Castle-Chapel, Dublin, at the Consecration of John Law, D. D. Lord Bishop of Clonfert and Kilmacdaugh, Sep- twnbor 21, 17c2 .507

SERMON IV. The Use and Propriety of local and occasional Preaching: A Charge, delivered to the Clergy of the Diocese of Carlisle, in the year 17!tO

Page

SIX

SER.MOM V. Danpers incidental to the Clerical Character, staled, in a .S<'rnion, preached before the University of Cambriilge, at Great St. .Mary's Church, on Sunday, July 5, being Commence- ment Sunday 517

SEIi.MON VI. A Sornion, preached at the Assizes, at Durham, Julys', 17'.'."); and published at the reipiest of the Lord Bishop, the Honourable the Judges of Assize, and the Grand Jury . . . 3iX

SERMONS ON SEVERAL SUBJECTS.

Page

SERMON I. Seriousness in Religion indispensable above all other Dispositions. Be ye therefore so- ber, and watch unto praver. 1 Pet. iv. 7. . . 525

SERMON II. Taste for Devotion —Bui the hour coraeth and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a spirit ; and they that worship him, must wor- ship him in spirit and in truth. John iv. 2:j, 24. 530

SER.MON in. 7'Ae Loce 0/ God.— We love him, be- cause he first loved us. John iv. 19. . . . 534

SERMON IV. Meditating upon Religion.— Have I not remembered thee in my bed ; and thought upon thee when I was waking? JPsalm Ixiii. 7. 536

SERMON V. Of the State after Death.— Beioved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be ; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him ; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John ill. 2. . . 538

SERAION VI. On Purity of the Heart and .affec- tions.— Beloved, now are we the sons of God ; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him ; for we siiall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifleth himself, even as he is pure. 1 John iii. 2, 3. . . . 540

SERMON VII. Of the Doctrine of Conversion.— \ am not come to call the righteous, but dinners, to repentance. Matthew '\yi. 13 542

SERMON VIII. Prayer in Imitation of Christ.— And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. Luke v. Itj 546

SERMON IX. On Filial Piety —And Joseph nou- rished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's liousehold, with bread, according to their families. Genesis .xlvii. 12. .... 547

SERMON X. (Part I )—ro think less of our Vir- tues, and more of our Sins. My sin is ever before me. Psalm li. 3 549

SER:M0N XI (Part II.) 552

SERMON XII. Salralion for Penitent Sinners.— "Wherefore I say unto thee. Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much. Luke vii. 47 555

SERMON XIII. Sins of the Fathers upon the Chil- dren.— Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them ; for I the Lord thy God am a jea- lous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation Of tiiem that hate me. Exodus sx. 5. . . .556

Paga

SERMON XIV. HoJB Virtue produces Belief, and Vice Unbelief If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God. John vii. 17 553

SERMON XV. John's Message to Jesus. Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Matt. xi. 2, 3 561

SERMON XVL On Insensibility to Offences.— Who can tell how oft he offendeth ? O cleanse thou me from my secret faults. Keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins, lest they get the do- minion over me. Psalm xix. 12, 13. . . . 562

SER-MON XVII. Seriousness of Heart as to Reli- gion.— But that on the good ground are they, who in an hone.st and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Luke viii. 15 564

SERMON XVIII. (Part J.)— The Efficacy of the death of Christ.— Now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews ix. 26. . . .566

SERMON XIX. (Part II)— All stand in need of a Redeemer 568

SER.MON XX. The Efficacy of the Death of Christ consistent with the necessity of a Good Life: the one being the cause, the other the condition, of Salvation. What shall we say then ? shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. Romans vi. 1 570

SERMON XXI. />urciJe/in-io7i.— Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this. To visit the fatherless and widows in their affiiction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James i. 27 572

SERMON XXII. TTte Agency of Jesus Christ since his Ascension. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-dav, and for ever. Hebrews xiii. 8. . . 574

SERMON XXIII. Of Spiritual Influence in gene- ral.— (Part I.)— Know ye not that ye are the tem- ple of God, and that the Spirit of God dweileth in vou? 1 Cor. iii. 16 573

SERMON XXIV. On the Influence of the Spirit.— (Part II.) 580

SERAION XXV. (Part IIL) 5i2

SER.MON XXVI. Sincncounteredby Spiritual Aid. —(Part I.}— O, wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Ro- mans vii. 24 534

Vlll

CONTENTS.

Page

SERMON XXVII. Eril Propensities encountered by the aid of the Spirit. —{PaiUl.) . .536

SERMON XXVIII. The Aid of the Spirit to be souirht and preserved by Prayer. (Part III.) . 588

SERMON XXIX. The Destruction of the Canaan- ites. So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, ami of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, ami all tlieir kings; he left none remain- ing, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the Lord God of Israel commanded. Josliua x. 40. 590

SERMON XXX. J^e^lect of fVarnings —Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! Deut. .iLT.xii. 20 . . 592

SERMON XXXI. The Terrors of the Lord— What is a man prolited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in e.tchange for his soul ? Matt. xvi. 20. 594

SERMON XXXH. Preservation, and Recovery from

Page Si«.— For the grace of God, that bringeth salva- tion, hath appeared unto all men, teaching us, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and" godly, in this present world. Titus ii. 11, 12. . . .596

SERMON XXXIII. This Life a State of Probation. —It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thv statutes. Psalni c.vix. 71. 599

SERMON XXXIV. The Knowledge of one another in a Future State.— Whom we preach, warn- ing every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Col. i. 2f< 601

SERMON XXXV. The General Resurrection.— The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resur- rection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John v. 28, 2D. C03

THE

LIFE OF THE AUTHOR.

*

Of William Paley, whose writings have exerted no inconsiderable influence on the moral and theological opinions of the more enlightened part of the English community, no life has yet appeared that is worthy of the subject, or that gives us a full and satisfactory insight into his character. Though he was known to so many scholars, and had enjoyed a rather enlarged intercourse with the world, but {ew particulars of his conduct, his manners, and habits, have been detailed, and but [ew of his sayings recorded. Yet there are few men whose conversation was more varied and instructive; and as he always expressed himself with cogency and perspicuity, our regret is increased that we possess such scanty de- tails of his familiar hours, when the internal state of his mind was exhibited with- out disguise, when he spoke what he felt, and felt what he spoke.

The best account of Mr. Paley's life, with which we have been hitherto fa- voured, is by Mr. Meadley, who had not known him till late in life ; and who, if he had known him longer and earlier, was hardly capable of analysing his mind, or of estimating his character. Mr. Meadley was a man neither of very enlarged mind, very refined taste, nor very ample information. What he knew, he could relate ; but he did not know enough to enable him to give much vivacity to his narrative, or to exhibit in his memoirs the living identity of the writer to whom we are indebted for some of the best moral and theological productions of the last century.

But whatever may be the scantiness of Mr. Meadley's information, his narrative is the most copious which we possess ; and as we are not likely soon to be fur- nished with a richer store, we must be contented with taking his memoirs for our principal guide in the present biographical sketch. We make no boast of novelty. All that we can do is to give a new form to old materials.

William Paley Avas born at Petersborough, in July 1743. His father was a minor canon in that cathedral ; but he relinquished this situation upon being ap- pointed head-master of the grammar school at Giggleswick, in Craven, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Here the family had long resided on a small patri- monial estate. His mother is described as a woman of strong and active mind. At school young Paley soon surpassed the other boys of his age, by superior dili- gence and abilities. A mind, like his, could not but profit of the opportunities which he possessed for acquiring classical knowledge ; but he appears to have been at all times more ambitious of enriching himself with knowledge of other kinds. He was curious in making inquiries about mechanism, whenever an op- portunity occurred. His mind was naturally contemplative ; and he mingled in- tellectual activity with corporeal indolence. He never excelled in any of those boyish pastimes which require much dexterity of hand or celerity of foot. But B 9

X THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR.

he appears to have imbibed an early taste for the amusement of fishing ; and this taste remained unimpaired, or rather invigorated, to a late period of his life. In one of his portraits he is represented witli a fishing rod and line. Tlis cheerful- ness and drollery arc said to have made him a favourite with his school-fellows. Before he left school he one year attended the assizes at Lancaster, where he is said to have been so much interested by the judicial proceedings he had witness- ed, tliat he introduced them into his juvenile games, and presided over the trials of tlie other boys.

In November 1758, Paley was admitted a sizer of Christ's College, Cambridge. He proceeded to the University on horseback, in company with his father; and in after-life he thys described the disasters that befell him on the way.

" I was never a good horseman," said he, " and when I followed my father on a pony of my own, on my first journey to Cambridge, I fell off seven times : I was lighter then than I am now ; and my falls were not likely to be serious : My fa- ther, on hearing a thump, would turn his head half aside, and say Take care of thy money, lad."

Young Paley did not become a resident member in the University till the Oc- tober in the year after his matriculation. His father is said to have anticipated his future eminence, and to have remarked, with parental delight, the force and clearness of his intellectual operations.

]\Ir. Paley took with him to the University such a considerable share of mathe- matical science, that the mathematical tutor, Mr. Shepherd, excused his atten- dance at the college lectures with the students of his own year. But he was re- gularly present at Mr. Backhouse's lectures in logic and metaphysics.

Whatever might be his assiduity in those studies which the discipline of the University required, he had little of the appearance, and none of the affectation, of a hard student. His room was the common resort of the juvenile loungers of his time ; but it must be remembered that Mr. Paley possessed the highly desirable power of concentrating his attention in the subject before him ; and that he could read or meditate in the midst of noise and tumult with as much facility as if he had been alone. During the first period of his undergraduatcship, he was in the habit of remaining in bed till a late hour in the morning, and as he was much in company during the latter part of the day, many wondered how he found leisure for making the requisite accession to his literary stores.

But the mind of Paley was so formed that, in reading, he could rapidly select the kernel and throw away the husk. By a certain quick and almost intuitive process, he discriminated between the essential, and the extraneous matter that were presented to his mind in the books that he perused ; and, if he did not read BO much as many, he retained more of what he read.

The hilarity and drollery, which Mr. Paley had manifested at school, did not desert him when he entered the University. Thus his company was much sought ; and the cumbrousness of his manner, and the general slovenliness of his apparel, perhaps contributed to increase the effect of his jocularity.

When he made his first appearance in the schools, he surprised the spectators by a style of dress, very diflerent from his ordinary habiliments. He exhibited his hair full dressed, with a deep ruffled shirt, and new silk stockings.

When Paley kept his first act, one of the theses in support of which he pro- posed to dispute was, that the eternity of punishments is contrary to the Divine Attributes. But finding that this topic would give offence to the master of his

THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. xi

college, (Dr. Thomas,) he went to Dr. Watson, the moderator, to get it changed. Dr. Watson told him tiiat he might put in non before contradicit. Mr. Paley, therefore, defended this position, that " ^.ternitas posnaruni /^ort contradicit Di- vinis Attributis," or that the eternity of punishments is not contrary to the Divine Attributes. As he had first proposed to argue against the eternity of future punishments, we may suppose that that was his iindissembled opinion ; and there- fore, it would have been more honourable to his candour, to have taken an en- tirely new question, rather than to have argued in opposition to his real senti- ments. Through the whole course of his life, Dr. Paley seemed too willing to support established doctrines ; and to find plausible reasons for existing institu- tions ; even in cases in which he must have felt those doctrines to be at variance with truth, and those institutions in opposition to the best interests of mankind. His great and vigorous mind ought to have disdained the petty subterfuges of disingenuous subtlety, and interested sophistication.

Mr. Paley acquired no small celebrity in the University by the ability which he displayed in keeping his first act ; and the schools were afterward uniformly crowded when he was expected to dispute. He took his degree of bachelor of arts, in January 1763 ; and was the senior wrangler of the year.

After taking his bachelor's degree, he became second usher in an academy at Greenwich. Here his office was to teach the Latin language. During his lei- sure hours he often visited London, and rambled about the metropolis, which af- fords such numerous opportunities for edifying contemplation to an active and discriminating mind. He pursued knowledge and amusement with equal, or nearly equal, eagerness and avidity. The mind cannot always be kept upon the stretch ; and those minds which are capable of great intensity of exertion, seem most to require proportionate relaxation. One of the characteristics of a great mind, is flexibility of attention to a diversity of objects. Mr. Paley attended the play-houses and the courts of justice with similar delight. Every scene furnish- ed him with intellectual aliment.

In 1765, Mr. Paley obtained one of the prizes, which are annually given by the members of the University for the two best dissertations in Latin prose. The subject was, " A Comparison between the Stoic and Epicurean philosophy with respect to the influence of each on the morals of the people." Mr. Paley vindi- cated the Epicurean side of the question. He had afterward to read his disser- tation in the senate-house before the University. His delivery is reported not to have done justice to the merits of the composition.

In June 1766, Mr. Paley was elected fellow of Christ's College. This oc- casioned his return to the University, where he soon became one of the tutors of his college. Tuition was a province, in which his clear and vigorous under- standing, the lucid perspicuity with which he could develope his ideas, and the diversified modes in which he could illustrate his positions, combined with no small share of hilarity and good-humour, rendered him peculiarly qualified to excel. Mr. Law, son of the master of Peterhouse, was his coadjutor in the busi- ness of tuition ; and the union of so much ability soon raised the fame of the college to an unusual height. The intimacv which was thus cemented between Mr. Paley and Mr. Law, contributed to promote the interest of our author by the