Complete Works of William Bates Volume I

The Whole Works of the Rev. W. Bates, D.D. Arranged and Revised, With a Memoir of the Author, Copious Index and Table of Texts Illustrated

Volume 1

By the Rev. W. Farmer.

CONTENTS (The Editor takes this opportunity of acknowledging the kindness of the Rev. John Cockin, of Holmfirth, who very obligingly undertook to draw out the Table of Contents, and assist in forming the General Index.) OF VOL. 1

• 1. CONSIDERATIONS OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL, THE RECOMPENCES OF THE FUTURE STATE, AND THE DIVINITY OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD.
  • CHAP. I. Proof from the visible frame of the world - the sun - its diurnal motion - its annual course - gradual change from heat to cold - revolutions of day and night, and of the seasons
  • CHAP. II. The Argument continued. The air - the winds - the separation of the sea from the land - uneven surface of the earth - harmony of the elements - plants and fruits - shapes and instincts of animals
  • CHAP. III. The Argument concluded. The structure and symmetry of the human body - the eye - the hand - erect stature - the faculty of speech- expressions of the passions in the countenance- diversity of faces
  • CHAP. IV. Confutation of the opinions that the world was produced by chance, or that it was caused by the necessity of nature
  • CHAP. V. Argument for the existence of God drawn from proofs of the beginning of the world. Argument from the universal consent of nations. Reply to objections. That most men are practical atheists
  • CHAP. VI. Reply to objections continued. That the belief of the Deity is a politic invention. That many false gods have been worshipped
  • CHAP. VII. Practical inferences. We ought to adore the Creator - to fear Him - to love Him - to obey Him - to resign ourselves to his disposal - and to trust in Him, THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL.
  • CHAP. VIII. It depends upon divine preservation. Proofs that God will continue it for ever. The spiritual nature of the soul evinced by the operations of the understanding, CHAP.IX. The spiritual nature of the soul evinced by the acts of the will
  • CHAP.X. Proof from the restless desire of the soul after happiness - from the necessity of a future state of rewards and punishment - The Wisdom of God requires them
  • CHAP.XI. The Argument continued. The Justice of God requires them
  • CHAP. XII. The Argument concluded. The inadequate operation of human laws requires them. Reply to objections. That future recompences are invisible - That a transient sin is punished with eternal torments
  • CHAP.XIII. Practical inferences. This doctrine should regulate our esteem of temporal things and reconcile our affections to our present condition - The value and improvement of time - The wisdom of conducting life with reference to eternity

    THE DIVINITY OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION PROVED

    • CHAP. I. The necessity of religion. Variety of religions in the world. The superiority of Christianity to Gentilism - to Judaism - to Mahometanism
    • CHAP. II. The nature of moral evidence. The internal evidence of Christianity. The excellence of its doctrines precepts and promises
    • CHAP. III. External proofs. Miracles
    • CHAP. IV. External proofs continued. The accomplishment of prophecies concerning the Messiah - the destruction of the Jewish nation - and the conversion of the Gentiles
    • CHAP. V. Other proofs. Answer to objections against the doctrines of the Trinity, the incarnation and the sufferings of Christ - The conclusion
• II. THE HARMONY OF THE DIVINE ATTRIBUTES &c. The Preface
  • CHAP. I. A view of man's primitive state
  • CHAP. II. The fall
  • CHAP. III. All mankind involved in the fall. The depravity of human nature. The permission of sin. The imputation of Adam's sin to his posterity
  • CHAP. IV. Man's inability to recover himself. The corruption of all the faculties of the soul. The nature and evil of moral inability
  • CHAP. V. The display of divine WISDOM in redemption, in selecting suitable means to accomplish the most glorious ends
  • CHAP. VI. Practical inferences. Praise due to God for the revelation of the gospel. It deserves our most serious study. Exceeds all other sciences
  • CHAP. VII. Practical inferences continued. The duty of a cordial acceptance of the gospel, and the inefficacy of mere speculation
  • CHAP. VIII. The display of divine MERCY in redemption. It shines with peculiar glory. -The freeness of mercy apparent from the happiness of God, the lost estate of man, and the preference of fallen man to the fallen angels
  • CHAP. IX. The subject continued. The greatness of mercy is apparent in the evils from which we are delivered and the means by which this deliverance is accomplished
  • CHAP. X. The subject concluded. The greatness of mercy is, magnified in the excellency of the state to which man is advanced. He is enriched with superior blessings, placed under a better covenant, and exalted to a more glorious reward than Adam at first enjoyed
  • CHAP. XI. Practical inferences. Redeeming love deserves our highest admiration. Is a powerful persuasive to repentance. Should excite our love to God. Justifies the condemnation of the wicked
  • CHAP. XII. The display of divine JUSTICE in redemption. Reasons why the demands of justice must be satisfied. The death of Christ was a satisfaction to divine justice
  • CHAP. XIII. The subject continued. The death of Christ was a punishment inflicted for sin, a ransom from hell, and a sacrifice to reconcile us to God
  • CHAP. XIV. The subject concluded. The completeness of the death of Christ proved by the causes from which it arises, and the excellent benefits it produces
  • CHAP. XV. Practical inferences. The death of Christ discovers the evil of sin, displays the strictness of divine justice, removes the scandal of the cross, assures us of the readiness of God to pardon sin, and teaches the necessity of coming to Christ for justification
  • CHAP. XVI. The display of divine HOLINESS in redemption. The sufferings of Christ prove the hatred of God against sin. The laws of Christ are a perfect rule of holiness. They command us to live soberly, righteously and godly. They enjoin the virtues of humility, self-denial, universal love and contentment
  • CHAP. XVII. The subject continued. The superiority of Christ's laws to the precepts of Moses, and to the morality of heathen philosophers
  • CHAP. XVIII. The subject concluded. Christ in his example has exhibited a perfect pattern of holiness. He imparts the Spirit of holiness to his people. He inforces the duties of holiness by the most efficacious motives
  • CHAP. XIX. Practical inferences. The completeness of redemption. Saving grace gives no encouragement to sin. The peculiar excellency of the Christian religion in its gracious design and blessed effects. The obligation of Christians to walk as becomes the gospel
  • CHAP. XX. The display of divine POWER in redemption, in the incarnation of Christ, the miracles of his ministry, his conquest of our spiritual enemies, and his resurrection from the dead
  • CHAP. XXI. The subject continued. The divine power glorified in the propagation of the gospel. The difficulties that obstructed its course; the feeble means that were employed; and the glorious effects that were accomplished. The divine power will be gloriously manifested in the complete salvation of the church at the last day
  • CHAP. XXII. Inference. The operation of divine power is a convincing proof of the truth of the Christian religion
  • CHAP. XXIII. The display of God's TRUTH in redemption. Many predictions relating to the Messiah. All fulfilled in Christ. The reference of all the types to Him. The privileges of Christians above the Jews.