CONTENT S.

PREFACE,

Page vii

CHAPTER I.

EXAMINATION OF MR COMBE'S HYPOTHESIS, THAT THE WORLD IS CONSTI-

TUTED ON THE PRINCIPLE OF SLOW AND PROGRESSIVE IMPROVEMENT

-GENERAL VIEW OF THE SUBJECT.

Mr Combe's analogies in support of his Hypothesis—Analogies tending

to prove the opposite of Mr Combe's doctrine-Evidence derived from

History, and from Ancient Monuments, respecting the Condition of the

Human Race in the Earliest Ages — Progress of Civilization over the

World-Progress of Civilization in Britain, and the Causes which have

given rise to the Improvement of its Inhabitants Conclusion of the

Argument.

1

CHAPTER II.

MR COMBE'S OPPOSITION TO THE DOCTRINE OF DIVINES, RESPECTING THE

ORIGINAL PERFECTION, AND SUBSEQUENT DEGENERACY, OF THE

HUMAN RACE.

Statement of the Doctrine of Divines—Mr Combe's Theory-Question,

which of these accords best with the Evidence — Recent Origin of Man

State of man in Heathen Ages-Ruin of all the Ancient Empires,

46

CHAPTER III.

THE REMEDY FOR EXISTING EVILS.

First Propagation of Christianity, and its Effects Moral and other

Improvements derived from Christianity-On the Efficacy of Preaching

as a Means of Improvement,

61

CHAPTER IV.

EXAMINATION OF MR COMBE'S VIEWS RESPECTING THE NATURAL LAWS.

I. General view of the subject - Views of the French Philosophers

respecting the Natural Laws Dr Spurzheim's views-Mr Combe's views

--General Objection to the foregoing views Bishop Butler's notion of

a Divine Government - . Bishop Butler's view's quite opposite to Mr

Combe's—Intuitive Knowledge—Case of the Bee-Paradoxical statement

of the Benefits of Ignorance — New view of the Condition of Man

Transgression and Evil necessary-Infinite extent of the Natural Laws-

Limited nature of the Human Faculties--Ilow far the Natural Laws can

be obeyed — Who are most likely to obey the Natural Laws.

II. On the principles stated by Mr Combe as affording a Key to

the Divine Government — Superior Authority of the Moral Law - Cases

in which Physical Laws may be disobeyed — Superiority of the Morał

Law.

III. Considerations shewing that a Revealed Law was necessary-

Conscience absolute and individual-Means of fixing the Rule of Right-

All human Systems of Laws imperfect-Revelation necessary.

IV. Perfection and Invariableness of the Revealed Law-Morality of

Old Testament compared with that of the New_Particular precepts of

the Jewish Law -Laws of Benevolence-Law of Marriage_Faculties

having reference to our Duties to God—The Revealed Law of our Duties

to God – True Means of Improvement.

Page 86

CHAPTER V.

ON THE CONSTITUTION OF THE HUMAN FACULTIES, CONSIDERED IN

RELATION TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OBJECTS.

Main defect of Mr Combe's System—His omission of a Future State-

Present condition of Man -- Phrenology assumed to be true— Scheme of

he Faculties — Propensities — Sentiments Scheme of the Intellectual

Faculties..-Position and grouping of the Cerebral Organs-General remarks

on the system.

140

CHAPTER VI.

ON MR COMBE'S PRINCIPLE OF THE SUPREMACY OF THE MORAL

SENTIMENTS AND INTELLECT, AND ON CONSCIENCE.

Bishop Butler's view respecting Conscience – Mr Combe's view.

Supremacy of Moral Sentiments-Examination of Mr Combe's view of

Supremacy— The Moral Faculties insufficient of themselves Distinction

between the Animal and Moral powers—Relative Dignity and Harmony

of the Faculties Office of the Intellect—Informing Moral Judgment-

Moral effect of various Powers-Conscience, as explained by Dr Chalmers

-Conscience premonitive, approving, or condemning — Illustration of

the working of Conscience -- Offences arising from the Higher Sentiments

--All are conscious of Sin.

181

CHAPTER VII.

ON THE SCRIPTURE DOCTRINE OF HUMAN DEPRAVITY.

Theological view of Human Depravity-Phrenological view of the Fall
and its consequences - Proofs of degeneracy — Means of Improvement
- Probable Results of a Knowledge of the Natural Laws — Probable
Abuses of the Natural Laws — The Natural Laws no Safeguards to
Virtue-Phrenology affords no means of regenerating the World— True
Remedy for Human Depravity,

Page 214

CHAPTER VIII.

OBJECTION TO THE PARADISAICAL STATE OF OUR FIRST PARENTS

CONSIDERED.

Mr Combe’s Objections to the Paradisaical State - Unphilosophical
Nature of Mr Combe's Objections --Hypothetical Answers to Mr Combe's
Objections,

237

CHAPTER IX.

ON DEATH.

1. Objection to the Doctrine that Death was brought upon Man as the
punishment of Sin, considered - Mr Combe’s view of Death— Theological
view of Death_Mr Combe transgresses the limits of Philosophical Inquiry
– Reason affords no light as to the Primitive State of Man -Special
Objections hypothetically answered—Mr Combe's views only apply to our
Present Condition_Diseases, &c. attributed to Infringement of the Natural
Laws—The Natural Laws will never be perfectly obeyed—Mr Combe's
views of Death Natural feelings of Man on the Prospect of Death.

II. On the omission of a Future State - Omission of a Future State
inexcusable — Phrenological Argument for a Future State - Natural An-
ticipations— Partial views of Mr Combe - Natural Feelings coincide with
Revelation – Mr Combe's System offers no Argument against Suicide, 246

CHAPTER X.

ON THE PAINS OF PARTURITION.

Scripture views of the Pains of Parturition – Mr Combe's Views
answered,

273

CHAPTER XI.

ON THE RELATION BETWEEN SCIENCE AND SCRIPTURE.

Opposite views stated by Mr Combe — Gross Inconsistency of Mr

Combe's views — Religion and Philosophy ought to be studied separately

-- Lord Bacon's rules for avoiding Heresy — Bacon's rules against mixing

Divine and Human Knowledge - Proper spheres of Religion and Philo-

sophy distinct — Meaning of Bacon's Rules, as applied by Mr Combe ---

Case of Galileo and the Cardinals—The Scriptures exhibit a Knowledge

of Human Nature — On the means of Improving the Character -

Spiritual Influence improves, but does not alter the Character— Charac-

teristics of the Apostles-Sceptical Arguments— Diversities of Doctrine

-- Difficulties of Interpretation-Garbled ons from Bishop Taylor

Various Readings — Trials of Witches — Whether Science aids or is

aided by Christianity - How Christianity promotes Science — On the

Efficacy of Prayer — Case of Professor Leechman - His Explanations

and Admissions -- Decision of the Assembly - Doctrine of the Church on

Prayer — Dr Gordon's Views on the Subject of Prayer — Dr Chalmers's

Views of Prayer-Limitations to the Doctrine - Prayer for Spiritual

Blessings — Phrenological View of Prayer - Phrenological Argument for

the Efficacy of Prayer — On Spiritual Influence — Phrenology affects no

Scripture Doctrine-Spiritual Influences inscrutable,

Page 278

CHAPTER XII.

ON CRIMINAL LEGISLATION.

Mr Combe’s View of Justice -- Mr Comhe's Views of Crime and Respon-

sibility, considered — His objections to Retributive Punishment_Reasons

for such Punishment — Punishment of the Criminal preventive of Crime

- Punishment more benevolent than Deprivation of Liberty - Peniten-

tiaries versus Transportation,

330

CONCLUSION.

Recapitulation - Laws of Propagation — Political views – Mr Combe's

a Low System-Sciences generally misapplied at the first Discovery

Astrology Alchemy - Cosmogonies -- Premature Systematizing

Phrenology still in its Nonage – Rash Experiments deprecated

Conclusion,

310