On the Relation Between the Holy Scriptures and Some Parts of Geological Science

CONTENTS.

PSALM CXI. 2. The works of the Lord are great, sought out

Object, design, and importance of geological science. Requisites
and method of the study. Harmony of all science with the announce-
ments of Revelation. Truth. Evidence. The world. The SUPREME
BEING. Accountableness. Authority of Scripture. Necessity of
ascertaining its genuine sense. Citations from Christian Philosophers.

LECTURE II. Page 36.

DEUTERONOMY XXXIII. 13, 15, 16. Blessed of the Lord be

his land; for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and

for the deep that coucheth beneath,- -and for the chief

things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things

of the lasting hills, and for the precious things of the earth

and the fulness thereof.

Change in the material universe, constant, but according to law.

A series of Propositions, describing facts in relation to the crust of the
earth. Internal condition. Pyrogenous rocks. Stratified formations.
Remains of creatures which once had life.

LECTURE III. Page 74.

ROMANS XI. 36. Of HIM, and through HIM, and to HIM, are

all things: to whom be glory for ever.

Recital of opinions which are by many assumed to be asserted or
implied in the Scriptures, but which are contrary to geological doc-
trines. I. The recent creation of the world. II. A previous universal
chaos over the earth. III. The creation of the heavenly bodies after
that of the earth. IV. The derivation of all vegetables and animals
from one centre of creation. V. That the inferior animals were not
subject to death till the fall of man.

LECTURE IV. Page 98.

GENESIS VI. 17. And behold I, even I, do bring a flood of

waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh wherein is the breath

of life from under heaven and every thing that is in the

earth shall die.

Continuation of apparent discrepancies between geological doctrines
and the testimony of Scripture, as generally understood. VI. Con-
cerning the Deluge. The reason for that judicial infliction, in the
righteous government of God. The testimony of history and tradition.
Common ascription of geological phænomena to the Deluge :-

erroneous.

LECTURE V. Page 120.

2 PETER II. 5. God spared not the old world,—bringing the

flood upon the world of the ungodly.

Continuation. More accurate and discriminating inquiry. Investi-
gation of the masses of rolled stony fragments which have been attri-
buted to the diluvial action. Those masses found to be of different
character and age. Effect of the investigation upon the convictions of
the most eminent geologists. Evidence from phænomena in Auvergne
and Languedoc. The quantity of water requisite for a deluge geo-
graphically universal. The effect of such an addition to the bulk of
the earth. The reception of animals in the ark. Other difficulties.

LECTURE VI.

PART I. Page 161.

1 THESSALONIANS V. 21. Prove all things: hold fast that

which is good.

Examination of various methods which have been proposed for the

removal of the difficulties and alleged contradictions, between Geology

and the Scriptures. I. Denial of any difficulty, by shutting the eyes

to the evidence of geological facts, and representing the inquiry as

impious.

PART II. Page 192.

II. Sacrificing the Mosaic records, as unintelligible, or as being the
language of mythic poetry. III. Regarding the Mosaic six days as
designed to represent indefinite periods. IV. Attributing stratification
and other geological phænomena to the interval between the Adamic
creation and the Deluge, and the action of the diluvial waters.

PART III. Page 217.

Examination continued of the diluvial theory.

LECTURE VII.

PART I. Page 234.

PSALM XII. 6. The words of the Lord are pure words; as

silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

The certain and infallible truth of all that is taught in the Holy
Scriptures, when taken in its own genuine sense. Our duty to elicit
that sense. Induction and examination of the forms of language used
in Scripture to convey to man a knowledge of the Nature and Perfec-
tions of GOD. The gracious condescension and benefit of this method,
for the religious instruction of mankind. This character of the
scriptural style displayed in the descriptions of natural objects. Gene-
ral rule of interpretation hence derived. Superiority of the christian
dispensation.

PART II. Page 268.

Application of the principle established, to the interpretation of the
narrative concerning the Creation. The independent position of the
first sentence. The subsequent description refers to a limited region of
the earth. The series of operations. The human creation. Death,
before the fall of man.-The same principle applied to the fact of
the Deluge, which is shewn to have been universal as to the extent of
the human population, but not geographically universal.-Concluding
vindication of the principle and its applications, as irrefutable, and
absolutely necessary for maintaining the honour of the word of God.

LECTURE VIII. Page 313.

ECCLESIASTES XII. 13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole

matter; Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is

the whole of man.

Religion the perfection of our nature. The duty of scientific studies,

especially in a course of education. Exhortations to personal efforts

for improvement. Peculiar claims of Geology. The proper accom-

paniments of scientific pursuits. Advantage to the comforts of life.

Moral uses. Responsibility to the just and holy GOD. Interest and

urgency of these considerations. The rational claims and attractions

of religion.

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES.