Get this book in print
About this book
My library
Books on Google Play
[xi]
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
LETTER I.
The Study of DIVINE PHILOSOPHY recommended, in addition
to our Cultivation of the Natural Sciences-And upon the
same Plan on which they are pursued-Reasons for think-
ing that the Difficulties attending it may be gradually
surmounted
page 1
LETTER II.
Nature distinguished into the Visible and the Invisible-Sacred
History's Connection with the latter-Man, as the superior
Being upon Earth, has a Sacred History attached to his
Existence, in which nothing else participates-All Nature is
a special Creation with specific Ends in view-Man peculiarly
so-The Sacred History is founded on these-Erroneous
Ideas of the Ancients' on the Origin of Man, and Nature of
Things and of the Deity
page 23
LETTER III.
On the Laws of Nature-What they really are—'
-Their Divine
Origin, and Operation
page 51
LETTER IV.
Causes of the Idea of a Creation having been absent from the
Ancient Mind-Importance of the Inferences which result
from it-Ancient Suppositions of Necessity and Fate, instead
of a Creation and Providence-No general Providence without
an individual one-These Ideas the Foundation of all Sacred
History -
page 60
LETTER V.
Our Sacred History a part of that of the Universe, yet peculiar
to ourselves-Other Worlds besides our own-Ancient Errors
on this Subject-Man, a peculiar Order of Being only known
to be on this Earth-His double Nature, and double State of
Existence
page 85
LETTER VI.
Sacred History comprises the Plan, the Purposes and the Results
of the Divine System, as to Mankind-OUTLINES of the
GREAT EVENTS which have accrued in human Affairs, page 105
LETTER VII.
Sketch of the Peculiarities which distinguish Human Nature
from every other Order of known Beings, and its special
Composition of a Soul and Body -
-
page 122
LETTER VIII.
Review of the Results of the Divine Plan which have been
effectuated in Human Nature according to the appointed
Design on several important Subjects
page 135
LETTER IX.
Further Consideration of the Results which have been
accomplished in the Execution of the Divine Plan, as
to our Knowlege, Sensations, Feelings and Intellectual
Operations
page 155
LETTER X.
Considerations on the Plan and Appointment of the Creator as
to the Division of Human Kind into Two SEXES-Review of
the distinct Nature and Qualities of each
page 181
LETTER XI.
System of Nature as to the successive States of Human Life-
The Utilities of these several Stages, and especially of a young
Period of Life-Happiness attainable at every Season, page 207
LETTER XII.
PARADISE-State of Adam and Eve-The Divine Com-
mand-The Necessity of such Tuition-Reasons for its
Imposition
page 248
LETTER XIII.
Considerations on the Transgression of Adam and Eve, and on
the Divine Plan with respect to that Event-Its Results-
Thoughts on the Conduct of the Deity towards them and their
Posterity -
page 266
LETTER XIV.
Further Reflections on the Conduct of our first Parents, and its
natural Causes: and on the Nature and Effect of the Process
carried on for the Improvement of Human Nature, and its
ulterior Completion -
page 287
LETTER XV.
A few Observations on the Causes and Objects of the GENERAL
DELUGE, and on the State of our historical Information con-
cerning it
page 302
LETTER XVI.
ANCIENT TRADITIONS of the DELUGE in Chaldea, Assyria,
Egypt, Greece, Rome, Phenicia, Syria, Armenia and Persia,
page 312
LETTER XVII,`
The Traditions of the Flood in China-In the Parsee Books-In
the Sanscrit-In Arabia and Turkey-In Africa-And various
Nations of South America-Also in North America and the
South Sea Isles
page 324
LETTER XVIII.
Summary View of the Evidence which the recapitulated Tradi-
tions of other Nations give as to the universal Deluge-And
its Concordance with the Geological Appearances - page 336
LETTER XIX.
Remarks on the extravagant Systems of Geological Chronology—
And on the impossibility of natural Agencies forming the
World without a directing Intelligence
page 351
LETTER XX.
New Formation or Adjustment of the Surface, after the Deluge,
so as to produce the Soils fit for human Residence and Cul-
tivation-And for the present System of vegetable and animal
Nature
page 375
LETTER XXI.
Appointment and Adaptation of the Surface for the Habitation
of Man-Distribution of the rest into the Oceans and Seas
of the Globe-Views as to the Divine Purposes in these
Arrangements
page 396
LETTER XXII.
Intended SEPARATION of MANKIND into distinct Nations and
Communities-Adaptation of the Earth to this appointed
Condition in its various Regions and Countries-The Surface
gradually fitted to this local Geography
page 426
LETTER XXIII.
The NATURAL SCENERY of the Earth made to be every where
beautiful and interesting-Instances of its Effect on various
Minds in the different Regions of the World
page 450