CONTENT S. INTRODUCTION.--Author's Apology, Design of the work page 1 CHAP. I. page 5. Inadequate Conceptions of the Importance of Christianity. The popular notions concerning the importance of Christianity extremely inadequate 5 to 9 Religious ignorance criminal 9 Unreasonable to expect to become proficients in Christi anity without inquiry and pains Scripture representations of the importance of Christianity ibid. The maxim, that it is of nu importance what a man believes, exposed 13 Also the maxim, that sincerity is all in all ibid. True sincerity, what included in it 15 Concluding reflections 26 10 3 CHAP. II. p. 16. Corruption of Human Nature. Sect. I.-Inadequate Conceptions of the Corruption of Human Nature 16 Popular Notions concerning human corruption 17 The different lessons on this subject which Christianity teaches, proved by the contrast between what we might expect from man, and what we find him in practice 17-25 First, in the most polished nations of antiquity 18 Next, in the inhabitants of the New World on its first discovery 20 A 2 Next, The same awful impressions excited by the divine threat- Christianity breaks in 1932 Practical importance and uses of the doctrine of human ibid. SECT. III.-Corruption of Human Nature.-Objection 34 The objection, that our corruption and weakness being Chief Defects of the Religious System of the Bulk of professed Christians, in what regards our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit-with a Dis- sertation concerning the Use of the Passions in Leading doctrines concerning Christ and the Holy Spirit, as stated in Scripture ibid. Inadequate Inadequate conceptions in the above respects charged on the bulk of professed Christians, and enforced 42-44 Great ingratitude hereby evinced Inadequate notions concerning the Holy Spirit 46 Language of one who objects against the religious affections ibid. And against the Holy Spirit's operations Reply to the above; unreasonableness of arguing from the Sect. II.-On the Admission of the Passions into Religion, 52 The opinion that the affections misplaced in religion, dis- By the authority of the Scriptures and of Scripture cha- True test and measure of the religious affections 56-58 Religious affections, different according to natural temper, 58 The affections not merely allowable in Religion but highly Christ the just object of our warm affections The objection, that we are not susceptible of affections towards an invisible Being, discussed Close contact between subject and object, necessary to pro- And sufficient to produce affection without sight 66-68 This explains why public misfortunes affect us. less than Means of strengthening our affection towards any ob- ibid. Special grounds for the affections towards our Saviour 69 Divine help promised for producing religious affections 70 Unreasonable conduct of objectors in this instance 71 Appeal to facts, in proof of the reality of the religious affections. The martyrs of our own church, and the A3 SECT. sup384! Scripture doctrine concerning the Holy Spirit's operations 73-74 Sect. IV.-Mistaken Conceptions entertained by Nominal · Christians of the terms of acceptance with God 75 Inference afforded by the inadequate conceptions already noted, that mistaken conceptions commonly entertained of the means of a sinner's acceptance with God 75-76 Nature and proofs of this error Their fundamental misconception of the scheme and essen- Practical consequences and confirmation of the above mis- - 79-81 Condemnation of those who abuse the doctrine of grace 81 Believing in Christ, what really implied in it Answer to objection, that we insist on metaphysical The atonement and grace of Christ further pressed, as the - 83-86 defects 86-89 Sect. I. p. 89. Inadequate conceptions of the practical strictness required by Christianity, generally prevalent - 89-91 Strong presumption against their notions 91-93 Practical strictness of Christianity, as stated in Serip- ture 93-94 Essential practical characteristic of true Christians 94 Excellence of this principle 95 The |